When Tsunade finished listening to the story, her whole body trembled.
For a long moment, she couldn't form a single word.
Her eyes were filled with shock—
and disbelief.
How could she not recognize who the story was about?
It was Jiraiya.
And herself.
She had never imagined that Jiraiya had loved her so deeply, silently, and painfully…
Images of their shared past surged uncontrollably through her mind.
Seeing that the emotional groundwork was perfect, Yue quickly signaled toward the distant bushes—
his hand gesture clearly saying:
"It's your cue. Move!"
If Jiraiya chickened out now, everything Yue did would be for nothing.
In the distance, Jiraiya had listened to Yue's entire story.
Even he was moved to tears.
He never knew he could sound so heroic and tragic.
After steadying his emotions, he stepped forward.
Yue wisely vanished with Body Flicker, hiding in a tree nearby to observe the final act.
A shadow flashed across the cherry blossom path—
Jiraiya appeared before Tsunade, kneeling on one knee, holding a huge bouquet of roses.
His eyes were soft, filled with endless gentleness.
In a trembling voice, he said:
"Tsunade-hime… will you marry me?
I don't want to keep watching you from the shadows anymore.
I want to stand before you—
and use the rest of my life to protect you.
To me, you will always be the princess in my heart."
Tsunade didn't respond immediately.
Jiraiya nervously fumbled in his pocket and took out a bankbook.
"This is everything I've saved in my life… I want you to keep it."
Tsunade's lips curved into a smile.
"My luck in gambling isn't the best… you sure you're not afraid I'll lose it all?"
"I don't care," Jiraiya said boldly.
"If you lose it, I'll earn more.
My savings, my life—they're all yours.
Money means nothing."
Tsunade's smile brightened.
She accepted the flowers and the bankbook.
Jiraiya remembered Yue's instructions.
He stood up and pulled Tsunade into his arms—
then leaned in and kissed her deeply.
At first, Tsunade instinctively resisted.
But then she thought of everything Jiraiya had silently done for her over the years…
And her resistance melted completely.
She kissed him back.
She had once felt something for Jiraiya—
she had hoped for him countless times,
and been disappointed countless times.
If only the idiot had confessed earlier…
Watching them finally embrace, Yue let out a long, satisfied breath.
Mission accomplished.
He disappeared from the scene, leaving the two alone.
A Year Later — Konohagakure Year 50
Another earth-shattering event shook the ninja world:
Jiraiya and Tsunade—two of the Legendary Sannin—were getting married.
Nations sent envoys to congratulate them.
Even Orochimaru sent a polite gift and his "best wishes."
As for Yue…
After Jiraiya discovered Yue's talent in romance engineering, he dragged Yue into service immediately.
Because Tsunade deserved a "grand, romantic, unforgettable wedding,"
Yue was forced to handle everything:
designing the ceremony
choosing attire
guest arrangements
venue decor
timing
choreography
flower color palettes
Yue was so busy he barely had time to drink water.
When the wedding finally ended, Yue collapsed at home, utterly drained.
That night, the newlyweds suddenly appeared in Yue's house.
Yue nearly jumped out of his skin.
"It's your wedding night! Why are you HERE of all places!?"
he screamed internally.
Jiraiya spoke first:
"Yue… Tsunade and I came specifically to thank you.
Without you, we may never have made it this far.
We might have missed each other forever."
"I will never forget the promise I made to you."
He bowed deeply.
Tsunade immediately pinched Jiraiya's waist.
"And what promise was this? Why do I not know about it?
You're bold now, aren't you?"
"Ah—OW! OW! OW!"
Jiraiya yelped.
After punishing Jiraiya, Tsunade also bowed toward Yue.
"Yue, thank you.
Our wedding would never have been so perfect without you.
And… without you, we might not have come together so quickly."
"I also have a request."
She continued:
"After Minato and Kushina's child is born next year,
and we meet the baby,
Jiraiya and I plan to begin our honeymoon journey."
"When that happens, I want to entrust Shizune and Tonton to you."
She smiled.
"You seem to like the two of them.
Take good care of them."
Before Yue could even react,
the couple vanished in a blur.
Leaving Yue stunned.
The Next Morning
Yue was eating breakfast prepared by Rena when she shyly said:
"Um… Yue… I'm in love."
Ah yes.
It truly was a season of romance.
And her crush was none other than—
Konoha's Fourth Hokage's bodyguard: Shiranui Genma.
That sly old dog had been using "delivering monthly living allowances" as an excuse to drop by the house.
Over time, he managed to charm Rena.
Yue thought for a moment.
Not a bad guy. Not short-lived either.
Has decent ability…
and oh—very good at sarcasm.
Perfect. I'll battle him someday.
He gave Rena his blessing.
She told him they planned to marry early next year.
She'd be moving out—
and she worried no one would take care of Yue anymore.
To her, Yue was a training-obsessed idiot with zero self-care ability.
Yue reassured her:
"Lady Tsunade will be sending her attendant to take care of me next year."
Rena finally relaxed.
But then—
Her eyes narrowed mischievously, revealing her classic fox-like smirk.
She also wanted Yue to plan her wedding
just like Tsunade and Jiraiya's—
romantic, memorable, and elaborate.
And she wanted to use Yue's savings too.
Yue howled.
"You traitor! You haven't even married yet and you're already digging into my wallet!?"
He nearly passed out.
But…
Rena had cared for him for years.
If she hadn't found him when he was a child,
he probably wouldn't have survived.
So Yue sighed and agreed.
Year 51 — Early Spring
Yue lay flat on the floor, exhausted beyond belief.
Rena's wedding was finally over—
and again, he handled everything himself.
He even gave her all his savings.
He excused it by saying:
"I don't need money. I don't care for it.
And the Hokage gives me a living allowance anyway."
Rena had been deeply touched.
Now…
Yue sat in the courtyard, staring up at the half-moon.
With Rena gone, the house felt empty.
They had lived together for so many years.
He missed the "sister" who always fed him chestnuts.
Now the house only had Yamato—
a tool man who barely spoke,
only trained.
"This house is going to drive me crazy," Yue sighed.
This year was crucial.
Yue could only quietly wait…
The year of the Nine-Tails attack.
The year destiny would shift.
The year Konoha's future would be rewritten.
Yue understood exactly how the tragedy would unfold:
Minato told Kakashi Kushina was near labor.
Kakashi told Obito at his grave.
Obito investigated and discovered the time and location.
And then the attack began.
Yue couldn't stop any of it.
He couldn't warn Minato.
He couldn't tell Kakashi.
Obito's abilities made prevention nearly impossible.
Against Obito right now, Yue would only be marching to his death.
But at least—
Jiraiya and Tsunade were now in the village.
That was Yue's greatest card.
Whether the future could be changed…
Was up to fate.
~------------------------------------
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