[NTU] [ARC-24]Chapter : 320

Under the gentle warmth of the spring sun, the open-air wedding unfolded like a scene from a dream—soft, picturesque, and brimming with serenity.

Beneath a blooming cherry tree, the bride stood in a snow-white kimono, her traditional Japanese wedding dress delicate and radiant, like a cloud touched by sunlight.

Beside her, the groom wore a formal Japanese kimono, adorned with the red and white fan crest of the Uchiha clan on both sides of his chest.

The couple looked like they’d stepped out of a romantic manga—handsome and graceful, their presence captivating all who watched.

With a proud yet emotional smile, the bride’s mother gently placed her daughter’s hand into the groom’s.

“Itachi, Izumi... she’s in your care now.”

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to pause. All eyes turned to the couple, and the air was filled with warm applause and whispered blessings—like the chords of a love song drifting on the breeze.

Sunlight filtered through the cherry blossoms, casting dappled shadows over the scene. Petals fluttered through the air like soft pink snow, adding a poetic grace to the celebration.

Though modest in scale, the wedding was filled with significance. Only a few close elders from the clan and key village figures had been invited—by Itachi’s own choice.

The events of that fateful night still lingered. Despite receiving forgiveness, Fugaku no longer had the heart to serve as clan leader.

“Congratulations, Fugaku-san. Itachi and Izumi are finally married.”

Toshiro, dressed casually for once and absent his Hokage robes, stood beside Fugaku and Mikoto, smiling as he offered his congratulations.

“It’s an honor that the clan head himself came to the ceremony,” Fugaku said humbly.

After Itachi had slain several clan members in the past, Fugaku stepped down as clan head. Though still overseeing the security force, he had withdrawn from village politics, content to remain in the background.

Toshiro exchanged a few words with him, then prepared to quietly slip away—he had little interest in formal celebrations.

That’s when a familiar voice rang out.

“Toshiro! You’re just in time!”

Dusty and disheveled from travel, Jiraiya made a grand entrance, dressed in his signature colorful attire, his hair wild, and his grin wide. There was a whiff of mischief about him—quite literally.

Can this guy really end up marrying Tsunade? Toshiro mused, eyeing the woman beside him—Tsunade, elegant as ever, cradling her beloved pig, Tonton.

He wasn't convinced.

“So, Jiraiya—collected any scandalous new material during your travels?” Toshiro teased, smirking as he noted the flicker of irritation cross Tsunade’s face. “Got any inspiration for your next ‘masterpiece’? You know I’m a loyal fan—I’ve been waiting ages for your next book.”

The grin that spread across Jiraiya’s face was one that only other men could understand.

“Didn’t think you were a fan too, Toshiro…” he chuckled. “But you’ve got great taste—especially if you like the illustrations.”

“Of course. Strictly the illustrations.” Toshiro winked.

Jiraiya leaned in conspiratorially. “I’ve been collecting material for years—this next book’s going to be a bestseller. I’ll even sign your copy!” He burst out laughing.

Though busy in recent years, Jiraiya had never lost his passion for research, and the thought of a new book had his creativity bubbling to the surface.

But just as he was about to boast further...

She was gone.

His laughter died instantly.

Tsunade had vanished.

He turned slowly, his face stiffening as though he’d been caught cheating on a school test.

The Hokage... is going to be the death of me.

Panic flooded his expression as he spotted her—back turned, fists clenched, the air around her crackling with silent fury.

“Tsunade, wait! It’s not what it sounded like! We were just talking about... ninjutsu techniques, nothing else, really!”

She didn’t look back. Her voice was low and lethal.

“You’re hopeless.”

Her knuckles whitened as her fists tightened. Even from a distance, her anger was palpable.

“I must’ve been insane to even consider the old man’s proposal.”

Still holding Tonton, she stormed away, vanishing into the crowd.

“Jiraiya-sensei, seriously…”

Kushina, watching with a mixture of pity and frustration, shook her head and followed after Tsunade. She couldn't help but think, Should I start increasing Naruto’s training again? He’s spending way too much time with this guy...

“Jiraiya...”

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared, pipe in hand, his eyes heavy with disappointment.

He’d worked hard to give Jiraiya this opportunity—to bring him and Tsunade together. And yet, after one short encounter, Jiraiya had already blown it.

“This is how you plan to win her over?”

“Old man... I...”

Jiraiya stood there, alone in the soft spring wind, petals swirling around him like the fallout of his own mess. Tsunade had stormed off, Kushina was gone, and now even Sarutobi was scolding him.

The open-air wedding was supposed to be a romantic day for new beginnings.

Instead, Jiraiya was left in the dust... again.

He could only sip his sake with a bitter expression, hoping its warmth might dull the sting in his heart.

Meanwhile, Toshiro—the very cause of his misery—casually ignored Jiraiya’s resentful gaze. Sake in hand, he strolled over to chat with Asuka and Kirishima, entirely unbothered. Not a trace of guilt crossed his face.

—

"So this is Konoha... Just like they said!"

With Jiraiya’s return and a new generation of ninja graduating, the village of Konoha was buzzing with life.

The excitement reached a peak as Konoha prepared to host the Chūnin Exams, inviting all five great nations. Young shinobi from various hidden villages entered through Konoha’s gates, each group led by their own team leaders—each one adding a new layer of color to the village’s atmosphere.

“Suigetsu, behave yourself—this isn’t the Hidden Mist.”
Mangetsu, his light-blue hair swaying gently, pinched the bridge of his nose as he watched his brother bounce around, clearly exasperated.

“Yeah, yeah~” Suigetsu replied nonchalantly, clearly enjoying himself.

Among the 20 or 30 Kiri Ninja gathered, Suigetsu stood out the most—loud, curious, and completely unbothered by decorum.

In normal circumstances, someone wearing a Kirigakure forehead protector acting like this in Konoha might be escorted straight to the security forces for a “friendly chat.” But with the Chūnin Exams in town, the rules had relaxed—slightly.

“Hey! Isn’t that the team from Kumogakure?”
After a brief silence, Suigetsu’s eyes lit up with fresh excitement.
“And next to them… that’s Iwagakure, isn’t it? Are they about to fight?”

Ahead of them, two teams dressed in unmistakable garb glared at each other, tension crackling in the air.

“Everyone, calm down,” Suigetsu said playfully. “This is Konoha—if you’ve got beef, settle it in the Chūnin Exams.”

Before things could escalate, a group of Konoha ninjas arrived—green flak jackets and fan insignias on their shoulders—forming a quiet but firm wall between the rival teams.

“Tch, I thought we were going to get a show,” Suigetsu muttered, disappointed. He pulled out a drink from his pack, folded his arms, and sipped while watching like it was prime-time entertainment.

“Alright, enough gawking. Head to the hotel Konoha arranged and rest up.”
Mangetsu gave his brother a firm look. “I’ve got some business with the Hokage. Try not to get into trouble.”

Still glaring at Suigetsu, Mangetsu motioned to a fellow Kiri ninja and headed off toward the Hokage’s office.

Inside the Hokage’s Office...

“This is the one you mentioned?”

Toshiro looked up from a letter from the Mizukage and eyed the two guests before him. His attention landed on the pale boy with white hair and piercing green eyes.

“The Mizukage must think very highly of Konoha—bloodline illnesses aren’t exactly easy to cure.”

The boy was none other than Kaguya Kimimaro, who—thanks to changes in this timeline—had not succumbed to his illness early nor been used by Orochimaru. Instead, he remained in the Hidden Mist, a fading star whose light hadn’t yet gone out.

“The village has tried everything,” Mangetsu explained earnestly. “So the Mizukage hopes Lady Tsunade might take a look at Kimimaro’s condition.”

His words were humble, his tone sincere. He glanced at Kimimaro, and a flicker of regret crossed his face.

Even Mangetsu—a genius in his own right—couldn’t help but be amazed by Kimimaro’s natural talent. It was cruel irony that such brilliance had been cursed by a fatal blood disease.

If Konoha couldn’t help him, there might be no one who could.

“Hmm... this is quite the gesture of goodwill from Mizukage Mei, revealing a bloodline secret like this.”
Toshiro tapped his chin thoughtfully. “We’ll help. But whether Tsunade can cure him is another matter.”

He turned to the woman standing nearby.

“Shizune, take him to Konoha Hospital. Run a full diagnostic exam.”

Then, to Mangetsu: “Tsunade’s been... a bit occupied lately. But I’ll make sure she sees him soon.”

Tsunade hadn’t been in the office for days. The reason? Jiraiya.

At Itachi’s wedding, Jiraiya had gotten thoroughly drunk. Though the moment had been amusing, the aftermath was not. Despite being shameless to a fault, Jiraiya had finally realized how fleeting his chances with Tsunade were—and launched a renewed, relentless campaign to win her heart.

Tsunade, thoroughly exasperated, had taken an extended leave of absence.

“Thank you for your help, Lord Hokage.”

Mangetsu bowed deeply, expressing sincere gratitude. He understood the nature of his request and didn’t expect miracles. Just the fact that Konoha agreed to help was more than he could have hoped for.

Even Kimimaro, stoic and reserved, lowered his head respectfully before following Shizune out of the room.