In the northeast Residential District.
With a long blast of the horn, two lines of black cars slowly descended.
Propelled by chakra and stabilized by Wind Release, the heavy vehicles hovered.
Kushina and Mikoto opened the car doors and arrived at Haruki's doorstep.
As the main gate opened, Tsunade appeared before everyone.
She wore a deep red wedding gown.
Streamlined tailoring and a cinched waist highlighted her flawless figure.
Wide sleeves embroidered with bright yellow thread added a regal elegance.
A golden phoenix crown was concealed beneath a red silk veil.
Kushina and Mikoto stepped forward to support her on either side.
Tsunade entered the wedding car.
As it slowly lifted and glided forward, she felt a spark of curiosity.
It was her first time riding in a car.
But without a doubt, this car was much faster and smoother than any carriage.
The long convoy, adorned with red paper cuttings and flowers, soared through the sky like a divine procession.
The onlookers who had heard about this earlier immediately got drawn to these shiny black boxes.
Promoters arranged by Tomomi Koki began shouting advertisements into the crowd.
By now, he had fully grasped the publicity techniques taught by Haruki.
Simply put, piggyback on trending topics.
The wedding of Haruki and Tsunade was undoubtedly the biggest talking point in the Summer Country.
Any product showcased at this wedding could become a huge hit.
Not to mention cars—brand new, novel, yet highly practical products.
The wedding convoy passed through half of the Metropolis and arrived at a massive hotel.
Before the plaza of the so-called Imperial Dragon Hotel stood a wonder.
Underneath the transparent floor swam a moving dragon.
Right now, under the power of the seal formation, it formed the character for "auspicious."
Unaware of the magic unfolding, the onlookers erupted into cheers.
Heaven has bestowed a sign of great fortune!
Tsunade glanced down at the dragon vein and couldn't help but smile.
Though she didn't think it was strictly necessary, his thoughtfulness warmed her heart.
Slowly, she walked into the hotel.
Festive music played softly, gently enveloping the space around her.
Besides that, came the murmurs of guests chatting.
Several seconds later, Tsunade reached the grand hall.
The previously lively atmosphere quieted slightly.
Haruki, along with Sakumo Hatake and others, excused themselves and approached Tsunade, taking her outstretched hand.
Immediate applause erupted from the hall.
Considering various factors, Haruki did not strictly adhere to traditional Chinese wedding customs.
After all, the bride had enough to handle.
Standing aside, Minato, dressed in red robes, walked onto the stage.
He served as today's master of ceremonies.
Due to the special status of both Haruki and Tsunade, no one in the Summer Country currently held a higher status or was more fitting to serve as an elder representative.
Therefore, they didn't overcomplicate things.
Minato was chosen.
Holding his script, he glanced at the many guests gathered in the hall, finally settling his gaze upon Haruki and Tsunade.
"January 1st, Leaf Year 51.
Colorful decorations adorned the wedding hall; joyful songs played as guests raised their toasts.
Today, we gather with friends and family to celebrate this joyous occasion!"
"Groom Haruki and bride Tsunade."
"I've been entrusted by the both of you, and I'm deeply grateful to all honored guests who have graced us with your presence and affection."
"Today, Tsunade becomes Haruki's wife—a union blessed by heaven, uniting a gifted man and an extraordinary woman."
"At this auspicious moment, please welcome our newlyweds onto the stage."
Haruki and Tsunade immediately walked onstage.
"The heavens and earth are vast and boundless; adrift upon the sea of life, their meeting is indeed a gift of fate."
"First, bow to heaven and earth for your sacred bond!"
Haruki and Tsunade turned around and bowed toward the sky outside the hall.
"Offer gratitude to your parents for their nurturing love, and extend wishes of happiness and health to all present."
"Secondly, bow respectfully before your honored elders!"
They turned toward the elevated platform, knelt down, and bowed deeply. Then they faced the audience and bowed once more.
"A hundred years aboard the same boat, a thousand under the same quilt. May you live in harmony like a perfectly tuned zither, and soar together like loving birds."
"Now, as husband and wife, exchange bows beneath this decorated hall!"
Haruki clasped his hands before him, mirroring Tsunade's gesture, and together they bowed deeply.
"The ceremony is complete!"
Minato left promptly at that moment.
Strictly speaking, several steps had been skipped.
As loud applause and cheers filled the air,
Haruki took Tsunade's hand and led her out of the hall.
Inside the room,
Haruki pulled the curtains closed, shutting out the sunlight, and lit a few candles.
The soft glow from the red lanterns bathed the room in a warm, intimate light.
"There's just one last thing."
Haruki gently lifted Tsunade's veil, smiling as he asked, "How does it feel?"
"Hmm."
Tsunade tilted her head slightly and replied, "It feels like something's still missing."
"How about this?"
Haruki leaned forward and kissed the corner of her lips.
Tsunade smiled softly, licking the spot he had just kissed. "That's not enough."
"How about I teach you a sport—American football?"
He waved at her with a grin, pulling her into his arms.
American football was an intense sport played with an oval ball.
Physical contact was common.
With Tsunade's intelligence, she quickly grasped the rules.
Her face flushed crimson as she charged forward, ball in hand, straight toward him.
Haruki, naturally unafraid due to his solid theory and rich experience, dodged left and right past her defenses. Sweat flew as the ball soared directly toward its mark.
...
The winter morning sun carried a slight chill.
But the warmth in his arms was soothing.
Haruki opened his eyes and found a sleeping, beautiful face suddenly invading his view.
A lingering blush colored Tsunade's cheeks. Her golden hair was dampened by sweat from exhaustion, strands sticking together here and there.
Tranquil, yet subtly alluring.
Haruki didn't speak, simply admiring the breathtaking scene before him.
After a moment, Tsunade's eyebrows twitched slightly, showing discomfort, and a trace of fear surfaced subconsciously.
But she hadn't awakened fully, murmuring drowsily in a weak, pleading tone.
"Just let me sleep a little longer... don't bother me..."
Haruki shifted his body backward nearly twenty centimeters, remaining still.
Absorbing her warmth.
[Congratulations! You and Tsunade have completed the wedding ceremony. Reward: Rinnegan.]
A system notification popped up abruptly.
Haruki showed an expression of surprise.
Though he'd expected some sort of reward for marrying, he never imagined it would be the Rinnegan.
Exactly who had built this system?
Offering such rewards was simply unbelievable.
As the prompt vanished, white markings surfaced in his eyes.
Question: How strong would Hashirama Senju be if he possessed the Rinnegan?
Now Haruki could finally answer that question.
Thanks to his Sage Body, he didn't suffer the physical drain Nagato experienced and could fully bear the burden of the Rinnegan.
Just recalling how terrifying its use was under Nagato's Impure World Reincarnation speaks volumes.
But this wasn't the time or place to experiment.
Haruki furrowed his brow, wondering if he could deactivate the Rinnegan.
As soon as he thought it, his eyes returned to normal.
Good.
His first instinct was to take advantage of this opportunity and pull one over on Black Zetsu.
Looks like it's time to move forward with the plan to hunt down Black Zetsu.
With Nagato, Obito, Kurama, and the rest, along with his own Rinnegan,
There's no way Black Zetsu could possibly escape.
Half an hour later, Tsunade woke up.
She lazily nuzzled against Haruki and mumbled sleepily, "Good morning."