In public.
Rasa announced this matter without authorization.
Following the normal process,
it would've been difficult for Sarutobi Hiruzen to dismiss it outright — and he had no choice but to cooperate with Rasa.
But the key question is...
Sarutobi Hiruzen already knew Naruto's situation.
Naruto is engaged to the eldest daughter of the Hyuga family.
So, is it really necessary for Naruto to stabilize the Hyuga Clan within Konoha and also win over Sunagakure from outside the village?
This...
Looking at it this way, Naruto is truly a treasure!
So Sarutobi Hiruzen followed Rasa's lead and said,
"Well, that's fine."
After hearing this, Rasa slightly curled the corners of his mouth.
Based on his understanding of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Rasa already knew the outcome before he even spoke.
And publicly announcing the marriage brought many benefits to Rasa.
First of all, during this Chūnin Exam, Sunagakure had originally planned to attack Konoha —
and it had been planned for a long time!
But Orochimaru's sudden disappearance midway caused the entire plan to collapse.
The situation became urgent, and the Sand Shinobi who infiltrated Konoha didn't have time to be informed.
Now that Rasa had made this public announcement, it sent a clear message to those Sand Shinobi.
This completely avoided the risk of some Sand ninja acting prematurely without orders and causing unnecessary chaos.
Secondly!
Naruto is a genius.
He can seal Shukaku and even use Wood Style.
His chakra reserves are extraordinary.
Not to mention, Sarutobi Hiruzen had just revealed Naruto's true identity —
The son of the Fourth Hokage, and now, the fiancé of the Fourth Kazekage's daughter.
A perfect match!
With this, Rasa could easily draw Naruto closer to Sunagakure.
Even if Naruto became stronger in the future, for Temari's sake, he would never take harsh action against the Sand Village.
Thinking of all these benefits, Rasa naturally announced it without consulting Sarutobi Hiruzen.
It was a form of moral coercion against Hiruzen.
But it didn't provoke Hiruzen's displeasure either…
After all, according to the customs of this world, a woman takes her husband's surname after marriage.
He was merely sending a "princess" to Konoha.
And Sarutobi Hiruzen's goal was the same — to maintain peace and stability among the ninja villages.
He had no reason to refuse, nor to be upset.
The two Kage-level figures both had schemes in their hearts.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had revealed Naruto's identity, using morality as a binding force.
Rasa, in turn, used morality to publicly announce an alliance that hadn't even been discussed.
Two old foxes — each playing their own game.
But the people below had much simpler thoughts.
What's going on?
Why are they suddenly getting married?!
Temari herself looked completely confused.
Kankuro held back his laughter and said to her,
"Sis, now you understand how Gaara and I feel, huh?"
At first!
Rasa forcibly turned Gaara into a Jinchūriki.
He even tested Gaara's seal by himself — without ever asking Gaara's opinion.
And Kankuro becoming a puppet master — did he choose that?
No!
He was first made to study puppetry under Rasa's orders,
and only later did he start developing an interest in it himself.
As the children of a Kage, such things were unavoidable.
Temari had even joked about this with Gaara and Kankuro before.
Now, it was Kankuro's turn to laugh at her.
Temari's eyes trembled slightly, but she didn't overreact.
Instead, she smiled, turned to the surrounding people, and admitted that it was true…
Right then—
A loud voice suddenly echoed across the venue.
"I object to this marriage!!!"
Almost everyone's eyes instinctively turned toward the source of the voice.
It was…
A little girl with pink hair?
Temari sighed softly, shaking her head.
"Alas~"
I have nothing to do with you, so why are you so anxious?
Hiashi glanced at Haruno Sakura with a slightly approving look.
Hinata looked at her with admiration.
As expected of Haruno Sakura — so bold!
Known as the most outspoken girl in the entire academy,
she dared to challenge two Kage-level figures in public.
So brave!
Haruno Sakura, clearly frustrated, raised her hands and shouted,
"This is a scam! You can't decide who Naruto likes! I won't allow anyone to force Naruto to love someone he doesn't love!"
"I'll reveal the truth! The truth is—Naruto and Temari didn't even—Ow!!!"
Before she could finish, Ino smacked her on the head from behind.
"It hurts…" Sakura squatted down in pain.
Ino glared at her with sharp eyes and snapped,
"What are you objecting for? Huh? What are you even objecting to??"
"There's the son of the Fourth Hokage and the daughter of the Fourth Kazekage — handsome and beautiful, talented and noble! Their marriage is backed by two Kage! Who are you, an ugly monster, to oppose it?"
Sakura looked up, shocked and speechless.
"Ino… you don't like Naruto anymore?"
Ino kicked her and whispered,
"Of course I like Naruto, idiot!"
Sakura teared up.
"Then why did you hit me?!"
Ino sighed helplessly.
"If I don't hit you, you'll end up branded a traitor!"
"Sakura-chan, look around!"
Sakura blinked and looked around —
and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Good grief…
Every Konoha and Sand ninja nearby was glaring at her with hostile intent —
as if they'd kill her on the spot.
And that was normal.
This was a public setting.
Privately, people might hold their own opinions about their leaders' decisions.
But publicly? No one would tolerate a random academy girl standing up to defy two village leaders!
Because a Kage represents the will of the entire village.
To openly challenge their decision…
was to show contempt for the village itself!
"Ha… haha~" Sakura forced a laugh.
"I was just joking! Just joking, really!"
Seeing that Sakura had come back to her senses, Ino quickly dragged her away from the Chūnin Exam venue.
Hiashi glanced at Hinata.
Hinata quietly followed after them.
…
Haruno Sakura, Ino, and Hinata left the Chūnin Exam site.
As soon as they stepped outside, Ino started scolding Sakura furiously.
Sakura realized she had made a scene — but still didn't feel she was wrong.
Of course, if she admitted fault that easily, she wouldn't be Haruno Sakura.
Sakura muttered stubbornly,
"Naruto-kun hasn't even met that girl properly…"
Ino sighed, rubbing her temples.
"I can't deal with you. What are you going to do now?"
"Of course we'll go find Naruto and tell him everything!" Sakura said indignantly.
"That old man, the Third Hokage, actually dared to sell Naruto off like that! If Naruto finds out, he'll probably tear off his beard in anger!"
Ino's face turned pale. She quickly covered Sakura's mouth.
"Sakura! Could you not shout things like that in public!?"
"Why not?" Sakura mumbled curiously.
"I'm just telling the truth!"
Ino's lips twitched.
"Stay away from me… I don't want your blood splattering on me."
Sakura: "…"
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