Chapter 275: The Wedding
The Land of Lightning's Capital was now decked out with lanterns and colorful decorations.
Although a female Daimyo's wedding was a first for the citizens, they had experienced a male Daimyo's wedding before. That was also a major event involving the entire capital.
Early in the morning, Cloud ninja began decorating the city. The Yotsuki Clan provided massive amounts of decorations. Any building slightly taller than average was adorned to fit the festive atmosphere. Asuka Castle itself looked like a giant flower basket from a distance.
Citizens from all over the capital, and even those who traveled from other regions after hearing the news, flooded the streets, eager to witness this grand event. The area in front of Asuka Castle was packed so tightly that not even water could trickle through. Many ninja who weren't qualified to enter Asuka Castle for the ceremony picked up their old Cloud Village skill: "Roof Sitting."
In the middle section of Asuka Castle, outside the banquet hall, a vast platform had been temporarily constructed using the "Thousand-Machine Construction Technique." Suspended in the air and covered with a red carpet, it offered a panoramic view of the entire capital. Twelve thick pillars stood on each side of the platform, carved with intricate patterns—the Yotsuki crest on one side, the Raihara crest on the other. It looked magnificent and imposing.
Inside Asuka Castle, Natsu stood before a floor-to-ceiling window, lost in thought.
Even a common girl would dress her best for her once-in-a-lifetime wedding, let alone a Daimyo. The clothes Natsu wore right now cost more than an ordinary person could earn in years of hard work. Her gorgeous headpiece outlined her like the most beautiful flower with a golden rim.
The only flaw was that she still had to wear that fan-shaped hat representing the Daimyo's status, which she hated.
"Seriously, can we negotiate this...? I feel like I'm wearing a shield on my head..."
An elderly maid carefully adjusted the hem of Natsu's clothes while speaking sternly. "What are you saying, Daimyo-sama? Countless people will be watching this wedding. The 'Fan Crown' represents the Daimyo's identity and majesty, so naturally, you must wear it. Rest assured, the headpiece I designed for you perfectly conforms to your status and noble etiquette. No one can find fault with it."
Natsu whispered, "It's just a bit heavy... and not very pretty."
Momo, being clumsy with her hands, could only watch from the side, but that didn't stop her from thinking her mistress was beautiful. "Miss, have confidence! It looks really good! And Young Master Dana is so tall; wearing this makes you match him perfectly!"
Natsu took a deep breath, cheering herself on internally.
"Daimyo-sama, it is time. Please proceed to the Viewing Platform."
Natsu stood up steadily. Two people led the way holding exquisite lanterns, and eight people followed behind, each carrying an auspicious item—jade magatama, golden wine vessels, jeweled fans, etc.—displaying the nobility of a Daimyo.
Her palms were sweating a little, but after a few steps, Natsu adjusted her posture. Although she disliked tedious etiquette, she could perform it flawlessly when necessary.
Satomi, also dressed in grand traditional attire, watched Natsu approach with eyes full of approval. Beside her, the Third Raikage was all smiles.
"Na... Daimyo-sama looks truly beautiful!"
Natsu covered her mouth slightly, blushing. "Auntie Satomi, don't tease me..."
"Oh my, still calling me Auntie? Can't you change it a few hours early?"
"Mo... Mother-in-law."
"Ohohoho! How blissful!"
The Third Raikage coughed lightly. "It's time to go to the Viewing Platform. Let's move."
Natsu stood on one side, while the Raikage couple stood on the other, slightly behind. According to ninja world tradition, Natsu's parents should have been present, but the empty space held only some ornate vessels. A trace of sadness flashed in Satomi's eyes.
Passing through the main gate, the group arrived at the temporarily constructed Viewing Platform. The citizens below could now see their Daimyo from afar.
Although Natsu had no reputation or political achievements as Daimyo, a wedding was a joyous occasion, and everyone loved a spectacle. Cheers began to rise from the crowd.
The Third Raikage smiled with satisfaction. Setting up the Viewing Platform was partly to satisfy Satomi's request, but also to allow the entire capital and people from all over the Land of Lightning to witness this wedding. This held significant meaning for the current Kumogakure and the Daimyo's Office.
The three walked to the front of the platform, and the cheers below grew louder.
However, after they stopped at the front, nothing seemed to happen.
After a moment of silence, whispers began to ripple through the crowd below.
"Why is nothing happening? Did Daimyo-sama say something?"
"Are you an idiot? Even if she said something, you couldn't hear it from this far away."
"Did something go wrong? Is there a problem?"
"That would be trouble."
Just then, the horizon grew brighter, and a faint vibration could be felt.
A visitor unfamiliar with this fluctuation pointed at the sky in shock. "Look! What is that?!"
From the four cardinal directions—North, South, East, West—numerous streaks of rainbow light flew in simultaneously. These lights formed a glowing rectangle high above the city walls, encasing the entire capital.
Wave after wave of rainbow lights arrived—the result of continuous Heavenly Transfer Technique launches from various locations. The fleeting streaks formed a persistent halo of light that wouldn't dissipate.
It made the entire capital look like it was wearing a crown of light, as if a miracle had occurred.
Then, four more streaks of light flew toward the center of the capital, their trajectories seeming to end at the Viewing Platform. Just as they were about to collide, they suddenly dissipated.
Four figures fell from high altitude. Led by Yotsuki Arashi, four men held giant banners. One end was fixed to the top of Asuka Castle, while they held the other ends as they fell in different directions.
The banners, tens of meters wide, unfurled from the top of the castle to the bottom. Written on them were: "Eternal Great Fortune," "Hundred Sons Great Fortune," "Thunder Country Great Fortune," and "Martial Luck Great Fortune."
The four banners flapped loudly in the wind, making Asuka Castle look even more solemn and majestic.
The spectacle left the people below mesmerized. They never expected a wedding could be this grand!
Just these four banners alone... who knew how much fabric that took!
However, the true protagonist had not yet appeared.
While everyone was heatedly discussing the "Rainbow Crown" in the sky and the exaggerated banners on Asuka Castle, a sharp-eyed citizen pointed to the sky even higher than the "Crown" and shouted, "Look up there!!"
A unique streak of rainbow light was flying toward the deep blue sky, going higher and higher, as if trying to leave the earth completely.
Dana looked down at the ninja world becoming smaller and the curvature of the horizon becoming more apparent. Suddenly, he panicked a little, his hand unconsciously gripping the release handle.
"Good lord, can't wait any longer. If I wait, I'll become space debris. Mom really had a wild idea; almost sent her son to orbit. Is the Heavenly Transfer Technique really this powerful when shot straight up?!"
Dana couldn't hold back anymore and retracted the delivery pod a few moments early.
The instant he left the pod, wind roared in his ears, the temperature was freezing, and breathing was difficult. Fine frost even formed on his eyebrows.
"Close call. Seems I'm still far from being the Ultimate Lifeform."
In the next moment, Dana stopped ascending and began to fall.
Using his flight ability to control his speed and adjusting his posture, he made sure he didn't look like he was just free-falling.
As he got closer to the ground, lightning began to surface on Dana's body. His hair turned cyan-blue, and five Takemikazuchi Drums appeared behind him.
He wore a formal montsuki haori hakama, and behind him, a specially prepared black satin ribbon, several meters long, danced in the wind.
"Look! Someone is flying down from the sky!"
"Really! So high!"
"Heavens, what is that?!"
Under the gaze of hundreds of thousands of people, Yotsuki Dana descended from the nine heavens with a graceful posture. His body was upright and light, the glow around him growing brighter, with the faint sound of thunder echoing in the high sky. He looked like a god descending to the mortal world.
"Oh my god, is that a god?!!"
"The Thunder God! The Thunder God has descended!"
"It really is the Thunder God! Good heavens!"
Elderly people immediately closed their eyes to pray for blessings, while countless maidens had their hearts stolen.
On a roof, Konan watched, stunned.
"Kayo-nee was right not to come... If she saw this, she'd probably cry herself to death right here..."
Yotsuki Dana slowed down. The Thunder God fell from the heavens and, in front of hundreds of thousands of people, landed softly before the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, Natsu Raihara.
He nodded to his Old Man and mother. Then, under Natsu's emotional gaze, he took her hand, and together they faced the people below.
Instantly, the cheers were deafening, reaching the sky.
This was a blessing from the heavens for the Land of Lightning. The country would surely enjoy eternal great fortune!
The long day finally ended, and Dana breathed a sigh of relief.
Perhaps this is the portrayal of all newlyweds: the excitement belongs to others; the fatigue belongs to oneself.
Despite the grand spectacle during the day, in the dead of night, the couple returned to Natsu's small room at the bottom of Asuka Castle.
Apparently, this was Natsu's specific request.
After Momo closed the door with a sinister grin, the two looked at each other in silence.
Natsu broke the silence first.
"Ahem... should we... turn off the lights and sleep?"
"Sleep is definitely happening. But no need to turn off the lights."
"....Um... it's been a busy day... maybe we should... Hey, Dana-kun, wait! Ah!"
A speechless night, filled only with varying intensities and rhythms.