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When news of the daimyo arranging his daughter's marriage spread throughout Konoha, sparking lively discussions, the villagers remained unaware that their Hokage was going through a rough ti.
At the Akimichi clan's barbecue restaurant, Hashirama was treating Akio to a rare al.
Seeing Hashirama's hesitant expression, Akio chuckled. "What's the matter? The last ti you treated to barbecue, it was to convince about making Madara Uchiha the Hokage. What's troubling you this ti?"
At the ntion of Madara, Hashirama's mood visibly dropped. He let out a long sigh but said nothing.
Akio laughed and said, "I understand last ti was tricky, but you know you can trust , Second Grandpa. Just tell what's going on, and I'll help you figure it out."
Hashirama glanced at Akio, then at the pile of empty plates on the table. This barbecue isn't going to pay for itself… After a mont of thought, he said, "It's about Kenji's marriage."
"Six years ago, I arranged an engagent between Kenji and the daimyo's daughter. You were there too, Second Grandpa. I thought Tobirama would tell Mito about it, but…"
"One thing led to another, and I completely forgot. Now that the wedding is approaching, Mito and Kenji just found out about it. These past few days…" He sighed again.
Akio shook his head with a smile. "I was wondering why you hadn't told Mito. How could you forget sothing that important?"
Hashirama looked confused. "Wait… you knew I hadn't told her? Why didn't you remind ?"
"Ah… ha ha…" Akio laughed awkwardly. "I figured you just didn't want to bring it up."
Hashirama shook his head and sighed once more.
Akio patted him on the shoulder. "Don't look so down. You've still got , haven't you? I'll go talk to Mito and smooth things over."
With that, Akio turned and left, and Hashirama finally let out a breath of relief. However… when it ca ti to pay the bill…
No matter how much the Hokage cherished his wallet, he wasn't the type to dine and dash—especially not at the Akimichi clan's barbecue place.
While Hashirama was still standing there with a pained expression, settling the bill, Akio was already strolling into the Senju clan compound—Hashirama's ho.
He knocked, and Mito welcod him in. Though she had just turned 40, Mito still had the appearance of a young maiden. The diamond seal on her forehead had grown darker in hue, but her gentle smile remained unchanged.
Before Akio could speak, she said, "Second Grandpa, I know you're here on Hashirama's behalf. Honestly, I'm not that angry about it."
"It's just… as Kenji's mother, I was the last to know he's getting married…"
Akio scratched his head. Hashirama really had handled this poorly. Still, since he'd already eaten, he had to help out. Just as he was about to speak, Mito interrupted him again.
"Thankfully, Kenji doesn't have a girl he likes yet, or this could've been a real ss. Please tell Hashirama this: Just this once—I won't allow it to happen again." With that, she saw Akio out.
Standing outside the now-closed door, Akio gave a bitter smile. When did Mito get so formidable? Hashirama's had it rough these past few years…
"I didn't even say a word and already got kicked out?" Akio shook his head with a rueful laugh, but monts later, a wide grin spread across his face.
"Well, that was a free barbecue for … maybe there's more to gain from this."
Ten minutes later, Akio found Hashirama, who was still sulking over the bill. Grinning, he said, "What's wrong? Still upset about your wallet? That wasn't a free al—I worked hard to convince Mito. She's forgiven you! She said this is a one-ti thing—don't let it happen again!"
Hashirama was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly, completely missing the mischievous glint in Akio's eyes.
With the Hokage's dostic issue resolved, preparations for Kenji's marriage to the daimyo's daughter officially began.
Even in a world ruled by ninja, being the son of the Hokage was still a prestigious status.
However… in so ways, the shinobi world wasn't so different from the modern one—for instance… money talks.
Although Konoha had been founded for over six years and the civilian population and missions were growing steadily, the village still wasn't fully self-sufficient. Each year, they relied on a generous sum from the daimyo.
So, this wedding carried political and economic weight. However, Akio found himself oddly left out of the preparations.
"Kenji's wedding… and I'm not involved at all?" he muttered to himself. "I am his great-grandfather…"
When he found Tobirama busy at work, the increasingly serious Second Hokage gave him an exasperated look. "Second Grandpa, you really want to be involved? We still rember the last wedding you planned—for Big Brother…"
Akio's face twitched in embarrassnt. No wonder no one invited him—that's why.
"It's been over twenty years! Are you all still holding a grudge? I was young and immature back then…" Akio was willing to throw away his pride just to stir things up.
In the end, though, he was still excluded from the planning. All he could do was grumble, "Tobirama… you've changed…"
The wedding took place in early June of Konoha Year Seven. The daimyo once again made a personal visit to the village, though the eighteen guardian ninja by his side were a completely new batch.
Akio sat helplessly in his seat, watching what he considered an ancient, dull wedding ceremony. The backdrop was nothing more than a few cherry blossom trees, and Tobirama's officiating was dry and by-the-book—none of the flair Akio had once taught him.
Twenty-year-old Kenji was every bit the dashing young man, and the daimyo's daughter, just sixteen, was a beautiful blonde-haired maiden.
"A perfect match—noble and lovely on both sides. But this wedding…"
Still not quite resigned, Akio glanced toward the front where Hashirama and the daimyo were seated. He shuffled over and patted Hashirama on the shoulder. "Isn't this wedding boring? Why'd you let Tobirama officiate instead of , your dear Second Grandpa?"
Hashirama gave a wry smile. The daimyo, seated nearby, looked Akio over and said, "I rember you… You're one of the 108 Generals! You haven't aged a bit all these years. What's your secret?"
Now over 50, the daimyo looked noticeably older than Akio and assud he had so sort of youth-preserving technique.
Akio glanced at him and muttered darkly, "Heh…" Then turned and stord back to his seat.
Hashirama hurriedly apologized to the daimyo and explained the situation.
"One of the 108 Generals… Is that title going to haunt for life? That damned daimyo!"
While Akio found the wedding dull and lacking his signature "creative touch," the civilians of Konoha were full of excitent and chatter.
Even ninja longed for peace, and civilians, naturally, desired it even more.
"With the Hokage's son marrying the daimyo's daughter, the Land of Fire and Konoha should beco even more stable…" many sighed with hope.
"When will this boring wedding end already…" Akio sighed with resignation.
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