Time rolled back to one month earlier.
At that time, Danzo was still being hounded by Kakuzu, Orochimaru was tangled up with chaos near the Land of Earth, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was scratching his head for a clever way out.
The Uchiha clan, however, welcomed two great joys. One was Uchiha Fugaku, who at the Water Country border slew the veteran Cloud shinobi powerhouse, Arctic Amundsen, and then returned to Konoha safely despite Cloud's retaliation.
The other was the pride of the clan, the Golden Shura Uchiha Renji, finally marrying. The wedding day came in the second month of Operation Sunflower's rollout. To make sure the ceremony went smoothly, Renji even slipped Kakuzu another 200 million to delay Danzo for an extra month. Kakuzu, showing "loyalty" in his own twisted way, promised that on the wedding day he'd kill one of Danzo's henchmen as a gift.
As for the Land of Earth? No more money was needed, that front was already a pot of boiling chaos, with the Seven-Tails having surfaced twice and the whole place resembling an Olympic free-for-all.
Today was the day. Renji's groomsmen were: Uchiha Retsu, Uchiha Yan, Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Xingye, and the ever-round Uchiha Hanhane.
Meimei's bridesmaids were the fiancées of Renji's comrades: Uchiha Tianshu, Uchiha Mingyue, Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Reiko, and Uchiha Qianmeng.
The ceremony was performed in the traditional shinzen-style wedding, once beloved among samurai families. Rituals were many, but the most crucial was the exchange of three cups of wedding sake, each cup drained in three sips, binding husband and wife for life. Afterward came the trading of cups and repeated toasts throughout the banquet, each exchange a symbol of their union.
Renji handled the drinks with ease, as a warrior trained in battle. But Meimei, only just beginning her training as a kunoichi, was a lightweight. Even so, she endured every sip bravely, unwilling to falter on her wedding day.
Then came the vows. Perhaps with the sake bolstering her courage, Meimei spoke first with unexpected strength:
"I know I am a lucky girl, for many envy me for marrying my husband.
My background may be special, yet you cherish me like a treasure.
My strength may be weak, yet you promised to protect me for life.
To the world, you may be just one man; to me, you are my entire world.
I vow to hold your hand and grow old together."
Renji's heart pounded as he listened. After calming himself, he spoke in return:
"When we are born, we are but half a whole, destined to walk the world seeking the other.
Some find theirs quickly, others search for a lifetime.
The moment I chose to spend my future with you, I wanted the rest of my life to begin at once.
Love alone cannot express what I feel I love you, deeply and forever.
I will guard our love and our home with my very life."
Then came the rings, forged of chakra metal, inscribed with Uzumaki clan seals. When activated, they could unleash a Fireball Jutsu. This was a gift from the Uzumaki, a token of gratitude and blessing.
They offered sacred sakaki branches to the gods, and then at last, the Uchiha clan together raised their cups. Family and friends toasted them, and the official rites concluded.
Of course, the rowdy friends weren't satisfied, they demanded to "tease the groom," pouring cup after cup into Renji until he finally pretended to collapse. Secretly, he slipped away to vomit and return smiling, unwilling to let his brothers down. Eventually, though, they did drink him under the table.
Renji was carried into his new home, a residence near his parents' house, prepared as his bridal chamber with Meimei. At the gate hung a couplet:
Left: Raise a three-foot blade to steady the seas
Right: Ride the sword on the wind, only I, the Great Immortal
Banner: Salted Fish in Heaven
When others asked its meaning, Renji would only smile. In truth, it was a tribute to the anonymous supporters whose early guidance helped him grow into the man he was today.
Later, when everyone had left, Renji suddenly sat up straight, startling Meimei. She realized he had only been faking his drunkenness.
"Hah! If I hadn't pretended, they really would've drunk me to death. I'll get them back when they marry!" Renji laughed.
Seeing this childish side of the usually composed Renji, Meimei laughed with him, feeling her heart soften further.
But as Renji gazed at her dressed beautifully, cheeks flushed from drink, her features delicate under her long hair, he couldn't look away.
Meimei noticed and blushed furiously, lowering her gaze.
"Meimei," Renji whispered, "you are so beautiful. To marry you is my greatest blessing."
He took her trembling hand. Sensing her nervousness, he quickly added, "Let's go bathe. We'll feel better."
Her reply was barely audible, just a soft "Mm." Renji lifted her in his arms and carried her toward the bath.
(Here, many pages must be skipped…)
By dawn, sunlight streamed into the room. Meimei awoke to find Renji tickling her cheek with a little stuffed dog, his grin mischievous. She tried to snatch it away, and the two wrestled playfully until Renji suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips.
The air was filled with the sweetness of newlyweds. (Here too, the author mercifully spares the reader…)
Near noon, after washing and dressing, they returned to Renji's parents' home for the formal tea-serving. Under Takuma's teasing whispers and Uchiha Ran's sharp glares, they completed the rites.
Takuma leaned close, pretending to whisper fatherly advice: "Son, though your mother wants a grandchild soon, you must also pace yourself. Moderation, moderation."
Meimei nearly fainted from embarrassment. They had overslept, and now this was said aloud she gave Renji a furious side-glance, silently blaming him.
Renji nearly choked Dad, are you trying to kill me here?
Ran pulled her daughter-in-law aside with a warm smile, offering household advice and even child-raising tips. Her eyes, however, shot sharp warnings at Takuma, while her approving glance at Renji said everything: Good boy. Keep it up.
Ran thought to herself: If circumstances allowed, I'd lock these two in until they gave me a grandchild.
______________________________
If you're enjoying this story and want to read more advanced chapters, you can support me on Patreon: patreon.com/PurgatorialPoet. Your support helps keep the translations coming faster.