As Renjiro approached the courtyard in the Uchiha compound, the air buzzed with excitement and joy. Today was a monumental occasion, it was the wedding of Fugaku Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha.
The atmosphere was electric with anticipation, as two of the most influential shinobi in the village and clan would be united in matrimony.
While Fugaku was already a respected shinobi in Konoha, so was Uchiha Mikoto. She was respected jounin, in and out of the village. With how Daichi was concerned about the leadership of the clan remaining in his line, he wouldn't accept any shinobi to get married to his son.
'I guess when you consider how powerful their sons will be, you realize that there is no way one set of genes could do that,' Renjiro surmised.
He had interacted with Mikoto since she wasn't in the force and outside of clan meetings, there were not many instances where the two could cross paths.
The Uchiha compound was already a sight to behold on normal days, but today it had been transformed into something truly magnificent. The entrance was adorned with elegant banners bearing the Uchiha crest, their deep crimson contrasting beautifully against the soft, warm glow of lanterns that lined the walkway. Guests were dressed in their finest attire, eager to celebrate the union of the two shinobi.
Renjiro adjusted his attire—a formal black kimono with the Konoha symbol embroidered on the back in silver thread. It was simple but elegant, fitting for the occasion.
As Renjiro made his way into the courtyard, he was struck by the sight of familiar faces. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was seated in a place of honour, his old eyes twinkling with joy as he observed the gathering.
Renjiro also spotted some of the higher-ranking shinobi from different clans—the Yamanaka, Nara, Kiba, Senju and Akimichi clan heads among others—all gathered to witness this important day.
It was important for them to be present since it was a well-known fact that Fugaku would be the next clan head of the Uchiha. So they had to make connections, which would be important in the village council all clan heads were, despite word of the relationship between the elders and the Uchiha clan being strained.
Some were even bold enough to say that Fugaku might be the next Hokage if anything ever happened to the three Sannins.
'Give it a few years. I am sure after the next war, their opinions will be different.' Renjiro chuckled at this when he first heard it.
While Minato was already making a name for himself, he was only seventeen and young enough to be considered for the position. Especially with other notable shinobi, it was hard for him to even enter any such conversations. It was only during the third shinobi war that he would make a name for himself.
Fugaku and Mikoto's wedding had drawn people from all walks of life. While there was formality to the occasion, the spirit of celebration was undeniable. Renjiro could hear the excited chatter of guests, and old friends reuniting and reminiscing about past battles and shared memories.
He glanced toward the center of the courtyard where the ceremony was to take place. A large wooden platform had been constructed, draped in red and white cloth, the traditional colours symbolizing the purity of the Uchiha clan.
Behind the platform, a massive cherry blossom tree stood in full bloom, its pale pink petals floating down gently like snowflakes. The tree was an intentional part of the setting—a symbol of life, hope, and the fleeting beauty of time.
As the ceremony drew nearer, Renjiro found his seat among the guests, his gaze shifting toward the platform. Fugaku stood tall, dressed in a pristine white kimono with red accents, the Uchiha crest proudly displayed on his back. He exuded a calm confidence, his sharp features softened only slightly by the rare smile that graced his lips.
Then, there was a shift in the atmosphere. The crowd fell silent, and all eyes turned toward the entrance. Mikoto Uchiha appeared, accompanied by her father, who guided her toward the platform.
She was breathtaking, her raven-black hair adorned with delicate silver pins, her kimono a deep crimson embroidered with intricate patterns of white flowers. The contrast between the dark red and the purity of the white highlighted her grace and elegance, and there was a collective gasp as she stepped forward. As Mikoto approached the platform, Fugaku extended his hand to her, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange of love and respect.
An Uchiha elder began the ceremony, his voice carrying over the gathered crowd. He spoke of love, duty, and the bonds that strengthen not only individuals but entire clans.
When the two of them exchanged vows, a quiet cheer went up from the crowd, and the cherry blossom tree behind them seemed to release a fresh cascade of petals as if in celebration.
After the ceremony, the reception began in earnest. Tables were set up around the courtyard, laden with food and drink, and the guests began to relax. The formal air of the ceremony gave way to laughter and conversation as people mingled and celebrated.
"Renjiro! There you are!" Miwa approached him with a radiant smile.
Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the soft glow of the lanterns that illuminated the Uchiha courtyard.
"Aunt Miwa," Renjiro greeted her.
"Why are you gloomy? Tonight is a celebration, not a battlefield." Her tone was light and teasing.
"Why?" Renjiro asked.
"Because you are here standing alone," she said as she took in the scene around them.
Renjiro did not bother to answer her as he knew she would begin another round of roasting. It was not because he did not welcome it, but it was because he could already guess where it was heading. Instead, he joined her in taking in their surroundings.
The courtyard was alive with laughter and conversation, with shinobi of all ranks enjoying the chance to unwind and celebrate. The air was filled with the scent of food and flowers, the hum of voices, and the distant sound of music.
"So," Miwa began, "When will it be your turn?"
"My turn?" he asked, playing along.
Miwa laughed softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "To get married, of course. You've grown into such a fine young man. Surely there's someone special in your life?"
"No, it is never happening. I'm still focusing on missions and training. There's a lot to do."
While Renjiro wanted to shut down this avenue that Miwa kept on teasing him with, he was actually speaking from the heart, ironically. He had thought of his new life and agreed that there was no point of romance existing in it.
Not because he didn't want it, but because he knew having it would be one more thing he could lose in his life. Something he certainly did not want.
That's why Renjiro made a conscious effort to distance himself from most people in his new life. While he failed at this most times, Renjiro knew that the greatest thanks he could give was by helping this world and lessening the destruction caused in the future. So the responsibility would be big enough to center his life around it.
Miwa gave him a knowing look. "You sound just like Fugaku did when he was younger. Always focused on duty, on the next mission, the next battle."
She shook her head fondly. "But life is more than just missions, Renjiro. One day, you'll understand that there's more to live for. Love, family—it gives us strength, even more than chakra ever could."
Renjiro glanced at Miwa, unsure how to respond. While he knew what he wanted, he realized that it was still too early to burst Miwa's bubble. Considering that he was just twelve and Miwa was his only living family member
"I'm not really sure when that day will come," Renjiro said, "But for now, I'm happy to focus on becoming stronger. There's still so much to learn."
Miwa nodded, her expression softening. "Of course, there's no rush. But don't close yourself off to the idea either. You're young, and there's plenty of time."
Renjiro nodded slowly, her words sinking in. "I'll keep that in mind, Aunt Miwa."
She smiled warmly, patting his shoulder. "Good. And just know, when that day comes, I'll be the first to celebrate it."
Miwa then walked away. As she disappeared into the crowd, Renjiro found himself thinking about her words.
'Or maybe I am jinxing myself by saying that I don't want it.'
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