With Minato Namikaze now the Hokage, things grew busy. But the change in leadership didn't shake up the village. Life went on as usual.
Qianyu, meanwhile, was at home with Kushina Uzumaki, finalizing their wedding guest list.
Kushina had invited three former teammates she was still on good terms with, plus Miyuki Uzumaki.
As for Qianyu, inviting Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura was a must.
After that… he ran through his mental list. And came up empty.
"Qianyu," Kushina asked, "should we invite Minato?"
Qianyu's brow furrowed slightly. He thought for a moment. "Invite him. He's dating Miyuki, and he's the Fourth Hokage now. I'm an important figure in the village, politically speaking. It's a formality we have to observe."
In the end, adding Orochimaru and Kakashi, the total guest count hovered around ten.
Of course, Qianyu could have easily packed the place. During the war, he'd worked with dozens—people like Nara Wada. If he sent an invite, they'd show up just to curry favor. He was absolutely certain that even Fugaku Uchiha would have to attend if invited.
But there was no point.
They weren't friends. Just former superiors and subordinates. No real connection.
With the list settled, the next step was picking a date.
After some discussion, Qianyu and Kushina set the wedding for seven days later.
"Alright, Qianyu, I'm off to deliver these," Kushina said, holding a stack of invitations as she headed out.
"Right. I'll head out too."
Qianyu took his own stack and left.
His first stop was Orochimaru's lab. He handed the invitation over.
Orochimaru looked at the card and smiled. "Seven days. I understand. I will be there on time to serve as your and Kushina's witness."
Qianyu bowed deeply, his expression solemn. "Thank you, Orochimaru-sensei. And thank you for all your help and guidance over all these years."
A rare, almost wistful note entered Orochimaru's voice. "I once told you I had great expectations. That I wanted to see just how far my disciple's wind would blow. Now, it seems your wind has blown ahead of mine. Looking back, the best decision I ever made was taking you as my student. We, master and disciple, have always walked similar, yet distinct, paths. You have become a wind that blows freely through the sky, Qianyu. I hope you continue to blow. And I hope both our… ideals come to fruition."
Qianyu nodded. "I will."
Leaving the lab, Qianyu's next destination was Hiruzen Sarutobi's home.
Since stepping down as Hokage, Hiruzen spent most of his time there. He knew Danzō was nursing a grudge, so he planned to lay low for a few days, let the resentment dissipate a bit, before approaching Danzō to discuss the Uchiha situation.
Qianyu knocked. Hiruzen's wife, Biwako Sarutobi, opened the door.
"Qianyu!" she said warmly upon seeing him. "Here to see Hiruzen, I assume? Come in, come in."
"Pardon the intrusion, Lady Biwako."
Qianyu stepped inside.
Hiruzen emerged from an inner room, his expression kindly. "Qianyu? What brings you here?"
Qianyu presented the invitation with both hands. "Lord Third. Kushina and I are getting married in seven days. We would be honored if you and Lady Biwako could attend."
Hiruzen accepted the card with a smile. "Getting married! Time truly flies. You and Kushina are stepping into the next stage of life. It's about time. Childhood friends, now becoming husband and wife."
Biwako brought over a tray with tea, setting a cup before Qianyu. "Oh? Qianyu and Kushina are getting married? That's wonderful news." After Mito Uzumaki grew frail, Biwako had often helped care for her, so she'd seen Kushina frequently.
"Is there anything you need help with for the wedding, Qianyu?" Hiruzen asked. "Don't hesitate to ask."
Qianyu shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, Lord Third, but it won't be necessary. Kushina and I don't have many close friends or family. Only about ten guests. It will be a simple ceremony. Orochimaru-sensei will officiate, so there isn't much to arrange."
Hiruzen looked surprised. "Only ten people?"
"Yes. You know my temperament, Lord Third. I don't make friends easily. So it's just a few close friends and respected elders."
Hiruzen's tone became fatherly. "Qianyu, after you're married, you must engage in some social interaction. You are often too severe. It makes people think you're difficult to approach. We are all comrades of the same village. When they realize you're approachable, making friends becomes much easier."
"I understand, Lord Third," Qianyu replied, his tone polite but noncommittal.
"By the way, Qianyu," Hiruzen asked, "did you invite Danzō?"
"He is on the list," Qianyu replied. "I plan to go to the Root headquarters next to invite Lord Danzō. After that, I'll visit the Hokage Tower to invite the Fourth."
This gave Hiruzen pause. He'd asked about Danzō partly to gauge if the man's mood might have improved by the wedding day. He'd assumed, given the notoriously poor relationship between Qianyu and Minato, that Qianyu wouldn't invite the new Hokage. The fact that he was suggested things might not be irreparable.
Qianyu was clearly in Danzō's camp. If Minato ever moved against Root, Qianyu remaining neutral would significantly reduce the resistance. While Hiruzen didn't fully trust Qianyu, he was pleased to see a potential thaw in relations between the two.
"Good. It is proper to invite them," Hiruzen said with satisfaction. "Well, Qianyu, don't let us keep you. Biwako and I will be there."
Leaving the Sarutobi residence, Qianyu's next stop was the Root headquarters. He found Danzō.
"Lord Danzō. Kushina and I are getting married in seven days. We hope you can attend."
Danzō had been in a foul mood for days. But Qianyu was his most capable subordinate. He forced a thin smile. "I understand. I will attend. My… congratulations on your upcoming marriage."
"Thank you, Lord Danzō."
Exiting the Root base, Qianyu held only two invitations. He turned his steps toward the Hokage Tower.
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