Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 373: Fugaku’s Wedding Date

Kawakaze's eyes gleamed with an idea. "Perhaps there is another way," he suggested.

"What is it?" Jiraiya asked, leaning forward, his expression brightening with interest.

"It seems Orochimaru has a plan too," Kawakaze said, glancing toward the quiet Sannin. "Why don't we let him speak first?"

All eyes turned to Orochimaru. The room fell silent, leaving him with little choice but to respond.

"This matter is simple if you put it simply, you might as well think about it differently. After all, it is our village that is asking for our help."

"Why can't they be the ones to send someone to Konoha?" Orochimaru arched his mouth and asked Jiraiya in return.

"I mentioned it already, they don't want to," Jiraiya replied, his tone tinged with frustration. He thought Orochimaru might have a clever solution, but it turned out to be just that—empty conjecture.

"Whether they want to or not is up to them," Orochimaru said, his voice cold and sharp. "You have to understand, they are the ones who are in a hurry, not us. If we delay it for a few more years and there are no newborns, we'll see who can't take it anymore."

Orochimaru's gaze narrowed as he firmly exploited Konoha's advantage. He understood their position far better than Jiraiya did.

"By then, they will definitely be willing to send someone over," Orochimaru continued. "Find someone you like, win and take them away. Lose, and stay to become a Konoha wife. I'd like to see how many women from their Nadeshiko Village can take our Konoha ninja out with them."

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

Kawakaze chimed in, his agreement seamless with Orochimaru's train of thought. Their understanding of each other was as sharp as it had been years ago.

"Yes. Our Konoha is more prosperous and more powerful than the Nadeshiko Village," Kawakaze added. "Once they come to Konoha, nine out of ten won't want to leave."

Jiraiya's mind churned. This approach could completely destabilize the Nadeshiko Village. If they sent their strongest and most beautiful women, and those women ended up staying in Konoha, the village would be doomed. A pang of guilt struck him—this was his wife's hometown they were discussing.

"Do you think this way of life in the Nadeshiko Village is a good one?" Tsunade's voice broke through his thoughts, her tone practical and biting. "How long can it last? Once there's a large-scale war in the Ninja World..." She paused, letting the unspoken consequences hang heavily in the air. "I don't need to explain what will happen to a village with many women and low combat effectiveness, do I?"

Jiraiya flinched inwardly. He knew Tsunade was right. The Nadeshiko Village's structure was fragile in a world where strength dictated survival. Despite the current appearance of peace, Jiraiya was well aware of the Ninja World's volatility. The Second Shinobi World War had left too many unresolved tensions; it was only a matter of time before conflict erupted again.

Tsunade's words lingered in his mind, forcing him into a state of deep thought.

"Lady Tsunade makes a valid point."

"On behalf of the Uchiha Clan, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the ninja from Nadeshiko Village." Fugaku agreed with Tsunade's views and even cracked a joke.

"You're addicted to marriage, aren't you?"

"It's great that the Yuki Clan was taken by the Uchiha, most of them anyway." Although Kawakaze was impolite by pointing his finger at Fugaku, everyone could tell he was joking.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it. It's because the Uchiha looks are really good." Fugaku didn't care and smoothed his chin in a smug manner.

"Forget about you, you're an exception."

Official criticism is the deadliest. Mikoto only said one thing, and the previously smug Fugaku could no longer manage a smile. Indeed, most of the Uchiha were handsome men and beautiful women, but Fugaku wasn't exactly one of them.

"Hahaha~" Seeing his embarrassed expression, everyone laughed without exception.

"Fugaku, I still haven't heard anything about my promised disciple—what's going on?"

When the Yuki Clan was mentioned, Orochimaru recalled what he had said years ago. A disciple with both the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai and the Sharingan would be truly remarkable.

"Not yet," Fugaku replied with a wry smile. Wishes were beautiful, but reality was cruel. The oldest child from the two clans' union was currently only six years old. Awakening even one Kekkei Genkai, let alone both, was still a distant dream.

"You can't rush these things," Tsunade remarked casually. She didn't have high expectations, knowing Konoha's prosperity couldn't rely on one or two geniuses alone.

"Then I'll wait a bit longer. If it doesn't work out, I'm willing to guide your children in the future," Orochimaru said, smiling slightly.

Mikoto's next words left Fugaku a little embarrassed. Over the past few years, Orochimaru and Fugaku had grown close, partly because of the experiments that required living subjects.

"Then it's settled. Don't go back on your word," Fugaku said firmly.

"By the way, Mikoto and I are getting married soon. We've been working out the date recently, so consider this your advance notice."

After Fugaku finished, he pulled Mikoto to her feet, and the two of them toasted the gathered crowd together.

As for the idea of a child worshiping Orochimaru as their Sensei in the future, Fugaku was fully supportive. Orochimaru's erudition was unmatched by anyone present.

"Congratulations."

"Another major event in Konoha."

...

The crowd stood up and returned the toast, their gestures sincere. As the Uchiha were the number one clan in Konoha, the Clan Head's wedding would undoubtedly be a grand event.

"I've come to a decision. Tsunade was right."

"Let's do it this way."

After a flurry of congratulations, Jiraiya finally made up his mind.

"That's more like it."

"In the future, Maki will be forever grateful to you." Kawakaze raised his sake cup and finished it with Jiraiya.

After three rounds of sake, the food had been thoroughly enjoyed. Mikoto and Kushina had joined forces again, the two best friends chatting away. Every now and then, Mikoto would glance at Fugaku, her face flushing red. It was a wonder what kind of embarrassing things this tomboy might have said to her.

By the time everyone left the barbecue restaurant, it was nearly 4:00 p.m. After a reluctant parting, they each went their separate ways. The adults staggered slightly as they walked, while the children were still bursting with energy.