This ninja in Naruto is unscientific

Chapter 275 The Wedding is Underway

The guests moved to the Naka Shrine, where, in accordance with the ancient customs of the Uchiha clan that have been passed down for thousands of years, the formal wedding ceremony—the Shinto ceremony—slowly began under the guidance of the shrine's priests.

"The ceremony of offering food begins."

As the priest chanted the long, ethereal words, two girls dressed in pure white shrine maiden robes, with light, delicate steps, respectfully approached the shrine, carrying a white wooden tray filled with delicacies from land and sea, as well as rice wine, and offered it to the ancestral spirits of the Uchiha clan.

The whole process was silent, with only the rustling of clothes and the occasional soft chime of wind chimes.

Nishikawa Toru and Namikaze Minato, as best men, stood half a step behind Fugaku, one on each side.

Looking at the elaborate and meticulous process, Nishikawa Tetsu couldn't help but sigh inwardly: these old fogies really know how to take extravagance and rules to the extreme. If they were to actually hold a modern wedding, these priests would probably die of anger on the spot.

"Play a congratulatory message."

The priest unfurled a long scroll of washi paper and began chanting in an ancient and obscure tone, praying for the gods to bless the newlyweds with a happy marriage and a prosperous family.

Fugaku and Mikoto knelt side by side on the tatami in front of the shrine, their heads bowed and their expressions devout.

Mikoto's pure white kimono gleamed softly in the dim candlelight. The horns on her head obscured most of her face, but could not hide the happy smile on her lips.

"The Ceremony of Vows."

This is the most crucial and symbolic part of the entire wedding.

The priest presented the newlyweds with three red lacquered wooden goblets of different sizes and filled them with sacred wine, symbolizing longevity and purity.

"The first cup is to give thanks to our ancestors and to pray for the family's continued prosperity."

Fugaku picked up the smallest sake cup with both hands, drank the sake in three gulps, and then handed the cup to Mikoto.

Mikoto took it and drank it in three separate sips.

"The second cup is for husband and wife to be of one heart and pray for a long and happy life together."

The two exchanged medium-sized wine glasses and repeated the actions they had just performed.

Nishikawa Tetsu noticed that when Fugaku handed the wine glass to Mikoto, his large hands, which were used to holding ninja swords and could even crush the bones of enemies with their bare hands, trembled slightly.

"The third cup is for the continuation of offspring, a prayer for the endless flow of bloodlines."

Finally, the largest wine glass was drunk, signifying that the two had officially become husband and wife, sharing life and death, honor and disgrace.

Next comes the part where the oath is recited.

Fugaku straightened his back and took out a prepared oath from his pocket, which Nishikawa Tetsu had helped write.

After hesitating for a second, he put away the oath, which was full of empty words.

Instead, he took a deep breath and, in his most genuine and resonant voice, made his promise in this shrine that had witnessed countless rises and falls of the Uchiha clan.

"I, Fugaku Uchiha, today before the ancestral spirits, take Mikoto Uchiha as my wife."

"I swear, no matter if the road ahead is smooth or thorny, no matter what storms my clan faces, I will use my life and these eyes to protect her, protect our little family, protect the Uchiha clan, protect... our Konoha."

Mikoto raised her head, her gentle black eyes glistening with tears.

She didn't speak, but simply placed her hand gently on the back of Fugaku's hand, giving the most resolute response through her actions.

The tense atmosphere inside the shrine also relaxed as if a great weight had been lifted.

Next come the kinship cup ceremony and the jade bead worship ceremony, which represent the formal integration of the two families.

After all the traditional procedures were completed, Fugaku, holding Mikoto's hand, slowly turned around to face the hundreds of guests present.

Gone was the solemnity he had shown when reciting the oath; a rare, somewhat clumsy but extremely sincere smile appeared on Fugaku's face.

He picked up a glass of sake and raised it high.

"Today is the most important day of my life, Uchiha Fugaku."

Fugaku's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout every corner of the shrine.

"Thank you all, my esteemed colleagues, for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my wedding with Mikoto. Your presence is an honor for the Uchiha clan, and even more so for me personally."

His gaze swept over two of the Legendary Sannin, Hatake Sakumo, and the heads of various clans in the front row.

"I used to think that the Uchiha clan could survive in this chaotic world by relying on their own strength. But the cruelty of war and the lessons learned in blood have taught me that no one can be an island."

"It is the great tree of Konoha that has embraced us, and it is our comrades in the village who have entrusted their backs to us on the battlefield. Today, to see so many friends from different families and surnames sitting here is the best wedding gift I have ever received."

Then, Fugaku looked at Jiraiya, who was the officiant at the wedding.

"Lord Jiraiya, no, Master Jiraiya, thank you for your guidance over the years. Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today."

Jiraiya scratched his head, chuckled, and scratched his head sheepishly.

In reality, he couldn't teach Fugaku much, just some experience and direction. As the young head of the Uchiha clan, the clan would pass on everything Fugaku was supposed to learn to him.

A round of enthusiastic and sincere applause erupted from the audience. Many of the older clan leaders looked at the once arrogant young Uchiha clan leader and couldn't help but nod in approval as he spoke such words that considered the bigger picture.

Fugaku gestured for everyone to be quiet, then turned to look at the two groomsmen who had been standing behind him.

His eyes became incredibly complex, filled with gratitude, nostalgia, and even a hint of relief that he would finally no longer be tricked by them.

Finally, I would like to express my special thanks to two people.

Fugaku turned his wine glass toward Minato Namikaze and Toru Nishikawa.

"My two closest friends, and my most reliable comrades-in-arms—Minato Namikaze and Toru Nishikawa."

All eyes in the room instantly focused on the two young people.

Minato maintained his warm, sunny smile, while Nishikawa Tetsu raised an eyebrow. These words weren't in the draft he'd given him, and he was somewhat looking forward to seeing what touching things this proud senior might say.

"On the battlefield of the Land of Rain, it was Minato and Tetsu who followed me. We supported each other and grew together, going through countless hardships to reach where we are today. When facing the suspicion of the higher-ups and the internal strife of the family, it was also they who stayed by my side and helped the police department find a way out."

Fugaku's lips twitched, as if he was recalling the dark history of being forced by Nishikawa Tetsu to sell smiles and generate revenue.

"If Mikoto is my destiny, then you two are both my biggest trouble and my greatest fortune."

"Without you, the Uchiha clan would probably still be groping in the dark today."

Fugaku raised his glass and bowed deeply to the two men, a man's highest form of respect for his companions.

"This glass is a toast to our Class 5! A toast to our bond!"

"Dry!"

Minato and Nishikawa Tetsuya raised their wine glasses, strode forward, and clinked them heavily against Fugaku's.

"Dry!"

"Congratulations on your marriage, Fugaku-senpai!" Minato sincerely wished.

"Senior, I wish you and Mikoto a speedy arrival of your child!" Nishikawa Tetsu offered his blessings first, then added with a grin, "But I won't be helping with the security!"

He ruthlessly ruined the touching atmosphere and casually shoved a glass of juice into Fugaku's hand.

"You little rascal..."

Fugaku gritted his teeth, but in the end he couldn't help himself and burst into laughter with the two of them.