As soon as Fugaku's voice echoed through the arena, proposing to Mikoto, the crowd fell into a stunned silence. Hundreds of eyes shifted towards Mikoto, standing tall yet visibly surprised, her face filled with awe and disbelief as she gazed at Fugaku.
Mikoto's wide eyes were fixed on Fugaku, her usually steady expression softened by shock. She blinked rapidly, her long lashes fluttering as she tried to process what had just happened. It was almost surreal—her closest friend and now clan leader, Fugaku, proposing to her in front of the entire clan.
"Congratulations, Mikoto," Minato murmured first, breaking the silence with a smile that held both pride and joy for his friend. His voice sparked whispers among the crowd, which quickly grew into an overwhelming roar of approval and excitement.
Mikoto, the center of everyone's gaze, still seemed dazed, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. She looked like a deer caught in the open, her face a blend of shyness and happiness. Despite her stunned silence, her gaze never left Fugaku.
"Say yes already!" Kushina's voice rang out with a playful nudge to Mikoto's shoulder, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. Fugaku had poured his heart into the proposal, and it was clear to anyone who witnessed it that this was a moment of true devotion.
Standing tall in the middle of the arena, Fugaku remained crouched in front of Mikoto, his gaze steady and confident, waiting patiently for her answer. In his role as the new head of the Uchiha clan, it was clear he would never kneel before anyone—not even the Hokage—yet here he was, humbling himself to ask for Mikoto's hand in marriage.
The encouraging words from Kushina and Minato's warm smile made Mikoto's face light up with realization. She had been waiting for this moment for so long. Finally, her lips formed a small, shy smile, and in a soft but clear voice, she whispered, "Yes, I will."
A collective cheer erupted around them as Fugaku took her hand, lifting her off the ground and holding her close, his face beaming with happiness. "You've made me the happiest man," he whispered, his voice warm and full of gratitude.
Watching the scene, Uchiha Kai, the former clan leader, smiled, his pride evident as he looked upon his successor and his bride-to-be. Among the guests, none seemed more thrilled than Kushina, who grasped Mikoto's hand, her laughter filling the air as she shared in her friend's joy.
Minato, standing beside the two women, couldn't help but notice the glimmer of envy in Kushina's eyes. Though she was overjoyed for Mikoto, it was clear she also held dreams of her own future, her heart's desires etched subtly on her face.
When the gathering finally ended, Mikoto walked Minato and Kushina to the entrance of the Uchiha compound. With a knowing glance, she looked at Minato, silently urging him to consider Kushina's feelings.
Minato and Kushina walked side by side in a comfortable silence, stealing glances at each other as they strolled through the quiet streets leading back toward the center of the village. As they neared the village's bustling heart, Kushina stopped, her hands stretching above her head as she gazed at the sky.
"Mikoto's so lucky," she murmured, her voice soft and filled with a hint of longing.
Minato nodded. "Fugaku's definitely someone who'll protect her and care for her. It's clear how much he loves her, especially choosing to propose right after becoming the clan leader. That kind of dedication says a lot."
Kushina's face softened, but her eyes held a spark of frustration as she glanced over at Minato. "Idiot," she muttered under her breath.
"Why am I an idiot?" Minato asked with a teasing smile.
"Idiot, idiot, idiot!" she repeated, puffing out her cheeks like an annoyed child. Her pout was so endearing that Minato couldn't help but chuckle, which only seemed to irritate her further.
"What's so funny?" she demanded, turning her head away, only for Minato to gently catch her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.
"Kushina," he said softly, his gaze meeting hers. "Do you really think I don't understand how you feel?"
Her expression softened, the anger and playfulness fading as she looked at him with wide, expectant eyes. "Then…when will you propose to me, like Fugaku did with Mikoto?"
Without a word, Minato took her hand, and in the blink of an eye, they were standing on the rooftop of his house, the highest point from which one could see most of Konoha. From this vantage point, the faces of the Hokage carved into the mountain were clearly visible, standing as symbols of the village's legacy.
"Kushina, do you remember what you told me on our first day at the Ninja Academy?" Minato asked, his gaze fixed on the distant Hokage Mountain.
Kushina looked at him, her brow furrowed as memories stirred. She recalled her childhood, her bold proclamation that she would become Hokage, her eyes always set on the heights of Konoha.
"You said you wanted to become Hokage. That was your dream," Minato said, his voice steady. "And it's my dream too."
He looked into her eyes, his expression resolute. "When I propose to you, it won't be a whim or a rush of emotion. It will be because I've achieved what I set out to do, just like Fugaku. So, the day I become Hokage—that's the day I'll propose to you."
His voice held quiet strength, and in his eyes, she saw the promise of a future he was determined to make real. In that moment, he wasn't the playful, lighthearted Minato she knew; he was someone with a purpose and a vision, someone who would make things happen.
Kushina's gaze softened, her eyes shimmering with admiration. After a moment, she tilted her chin up proudly and smirked. "Don't get too cocky. It's still not decided who'll become Hokage!"
Minato blinked in surprise, and Kushina laughed, her voice ringing out over the village below. "Everyone says you're the perfect genius," she said with a grin. "But sometimes, you're just a big, lovable fool."
She reached out, giving his shoulder a playful push, then turned her eyes to the mountain with a serious expression. "I believe in you, Minato. If anyone can do it, it's you. I'll be waiting for that day."
Minato smiled, his deep blue eyes filled with warmth as he watched her. Her vibrant energy was contagious, and in that moment, the bond between them grew stronger, unspoken yet undeniable.
Elsewhere in the village, Obito ran breathlessly to a nearby park where Rin was waiting on a bench. As he approached, he paused, catching his breath and grinning sheepishly.
"Sorry, Rin…I'm late again," he admitted, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
Rin's smile was as warm as ever. "It's okay, Obito. Come, sit with me," she said, patting the spot beside her and presenting a neatly packed bento. "You must be hungry."
Obito's heart softened as he looked at her—the girl who was always there, always smiling. For her, he'd do anything. He sat beside her, filled with a quiet resolve, feeling the same warmth and hope that Minato and Kushina felt as they stood together on the rooftop.
End of Volume
Preview of the Next Volume: The Third Great Ninja War.
Witness the rise of Minato Namikaze, the "Yellow Flash," as he strikes fear into the five nations and carves his name into the ninja world!
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