Chapter 344 344: A Spy Who Got a System
The courtyard of the palace gleamed in the morning sun. Guests filled every available space—ninja, villagers, officials—all waiting in hushed anticipation. When Samui's cold voice cut through the silence, every head turned toward the entrance.
"Please welcome the bride and groom."
Hanekawa and Kurenai walked through the doors together, and a collective breath seemed to catch in the crowd. They made a striking pair—both radiating the kind of beauty that turned heads, elevated now by the elegance of their wedding kimono.
At the far end of the passage, Tsunade watched with an expression that didn't quite match her feelings. Her lips curved slightly, but her eyes held something complicated.
Strange, she thought. Very strange.
As the bride's guardian, Yuhi Shinku stood with quiet pride. As for Hanekawa—he had no parents. By custom, Tsunade had stepped into that role. Teacher, yes. But also... something else entirely. Something that would change in just a few hours.
The irony wasn't lost on her.
"Teacher," Hanekawa greeted her with a smile as they approached.
"Lady Tsunade," Kurenai added, her voice bright with happiness.
Tsunade nodded, keeping her expression neutral.
Hanekawa turned to Yuhi Shinku. "Father."
The older man's face broke into a genuine smile. With Hanekawa's current strength and status, marrying into the Yuhi family was hardly a step down. The only real flaw was his... tendency toward collecting wives. But since Kurenai hadn't objected, Shinku saw no reason to interfere.
Still, he caught Tsunade's eye and wondered: When she marries him this afternoon, what will she call herself?
His head was already spinning.
"The wedding begins!" Samui announced, her tone brooking no delay.
Hanekawa had experienced a wedding before—though his union with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki had been a simplified affair. This ceremony with Kurenai was far more elaborate, the traditions more carefully observed. Yet neither bride nor groom found it tedious. A wedding was a major life event, after all.
By noon, it was finished.
Hanekawa didn't linger for the reception. He pulled Kurenai toward a private room, ignoring her nervous protests about the afternoon festivities.
"Aren't we supposed to eat?" she asked, her face already flushing.
"We should complete the final stage of the ceremony," he replied smoothly.
"But... but there's another wedding this afternoon..." Kurenai's voice wavered. She was worried—no, certain—that she wouldn't be able to attend. Not in the state she'd be in.
"You don't need to participate," Hanekawa said, tapping her forehead gently. "Why would you want to? And in what capacity?"
Kurenai froze, her mind working through the logic. Relative? Friend? Wife? The categories blurred together. It would be messy. Better not to attend at all.
She was still processing this when Hanekawa scooped her into his arms.
Once in the bedroom, he laid her carefully on the bed. She grabbed a pillow instinctively, her white legs tensing as she watched him approach. Hanekawa's eyes narrowed with intent. He patted her backside once, twice, then wrapped an arm around her waist from behind.
---
Back in the courtyard, the remaining guests ate with genuine enthusiasm. The chefs assembled for this wedding represented the finest culinary talent in the ninja world. For many attendees, this meal alone would be the highlight of their year.
"You look troubled," Orochimaru observed, glancing at Tsunade as she picked at her food.
"I'm not in a bad mood," Tsunade replied, setting down her untouched glass. It wasn't a lie. She wasn't unhappy—just conflicted. And Hanekawa's absence made it worse.
"Where's Jiraiya?" Orochimaru asked, rolling a fried shrimp into his mouth.
"Dealing with complications," Tsunade said dismissively.
Orochimaru didn't press further, though he remained unconvinced.
"It's boring to eat without drinking," Tsunade sighed.
She couldn't drink—not with the afternoon wedding ahead, and certainly not given her condition. The Yin Seal could neutralize alcohol's effects perfectly, but she'd decided against it. Some sacrifices were worth making.
"You have the Yin Seal," Orochimaru pointed out, confused by her restraint.
"Forget it," Tsunade said with a faint smile. "No one dies from skipping a drink."
Orochimaru blinked, genuinely startled. He could see the changes in her—especially that subtle maternal glow. Is this what motherhood does? An idea sparked in his mind. Could I create a child?
By half past one, the guests had departed in a rush, gifts in hand, racing to prepare for the afternoon ceremony. The Flying Thunder God Formation meant they had just enough time to make the journey from the Fire Nation's capital to Konoha.
Tsunade, however, felt no urgency. The wedding couldn't proceed without her.
She returned to the Senju clan compound through the teleportation array, where makeup artists and attendants immediately sprang into action.
---
Meanwhile, Hanekawa stretched luxuriously, feeling thoroughly satisfied.
"H-Hanekawa," Kurenai called out, her voice hoarse. "It's... it's almost two o'clock. You shouldn't be late."
He laughed. "Why? Are you chasing your husband away to another wedding?"
"I don't care what you do!" Kurenai snapped, though her flushed face told a different story. She'd fought alone for over an hour and had nothing left. "Just go. I want to sleep."
Hanekawa leaned down and kissed her forehead, then dressed quickly. Only after he left did Kurenai finally surrender to exhaustion, a satisfied smile lingering on her lips as she drifted off.
---
In the hallway, Samui and Mabui stood waiting.
"Your Majesty," they greeted in unison.
Hanekawa glanced at Mabui, then pulled Samui into his arms. His hand drifted down and gave her backside two playful slaps.
Samui's face flushed crimson. While she was accustomed to his physical affection, doing it in front of Mabui was... unexpected.
Hanekawa figured it didn't matter. He'd marry Samui eventually anyway.
Mabui stood frozen, unsure whether to leave or stay, ultimately choosing to stare at her feet.
"You'll be the master of ceremonies for the afternoon wedding, Samui," Hanekawa said, breathing in the scent of her hair.
"Yes," she answered softly, leaning into him.
"Good." He patted her head. "I need to find the teacher."
He released her and vanished in a flash of yellow light.
---
Konoha had grown quieter since most of the population relocated, with only five thousand ninja stationed here on regular days. But today it buzzed with activity. Hanekawa and Tsunade's wedding had drawn crowds.
The ceremony would take place in the square before the Hokage Building, though the Senju clan compound served as preparation headquarters.
Hanekawa materialized in Tsunade's room and found her seated at her vanity, makeup already applied. Her fiery red lips were particularly striking against her pale skin.
"Teacher," he said, admiring her reflection. "You're the most beautiful kunoichi in the entire ninja world today."
"Is that so?" Tsunade turned with a half-smile. "What about Kurenai?"
"Kurenai is beautiful too," he admitted without hesitation. "But not as beautiful as you."
"You'd better not say that to her face," Tsunade warned, crossing her arms.
"Why wouldn't I?" Hanekawa coughed and changed the subject. "You don't seem happy. If anyone's upset you, I'll cut them into pieces."
Tsunade's expression softened slightly. "You'd feel bad if I cut you into pieces."
"I'd apologize in other ways," he said with a cheeky grin, reaching toward her.
Tsunade's eyes widened. "We're getting married in minutes! Don't you dare mess around!"
But Hanekawa was already lifting her onto his lap, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her close against him.
"Teacher," he said softly, "thank you."
"Thank me for what?" she asked, relaxing slightly when he didn't push further.
"For marrying me. This is the luckiest moment of my life."
Tsunade's heart warmed. "Me too," she admitted, leaning forward to kiss him. Her strawberry-flavored lipstick filled his mouth.
Fruit-flavored, he noted absently.
"You're never honest," she said, pulling back and grabbing his wrist. "Always playing games."
"I'm helping Tsunade maintain her composure," he protested. "Can't have anything going wrong during the ceremony."
"Pervert," she muttered, standing up. "Get out. I need to fix my makeup."
Hanekawa surrendered his seat, watching as she reapplied her lipstick with practiced efficiency.
"What do you think of me?" he asked, standing behind her.
"You know exactly what I think," Tsunade replied, her lips bright red again.
"I just want evening to come faster," Hanekawa said seriously.
Tsunade's leg shot out, kicking him—barefoot, since she'd removed her shoes. The movement caused her white wedding kimono to shift, revealing white silk-stockinged legs. Hanekawa had insisted on silk stockings instead of the traditional cloth wrappings.
"You can kick all you want tonight," he said with a completely straight face.
"You really—" Tsunade was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Your Majesty," Samui's voice came through. "All guests have arrived."
"Let's go," Hanekawa said, extending his hand. "My wife."
Tsunade's heart skipped. After a moment of stunned silence, she took his hand.
---
The afternoon ceremony mirrored the morning's, with Samui presiding. By five o'clock, it was complete.
This time, Hanekawa and Tsunade stayed for dinner before retiring to their room.
"Wait," Hanekawa called out as Tsunade began removing her wedding kimono.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"I want the white wedding dress," he said, reaching out to lift the hem and tie a bow around her waist, leaving her white silk-stockinged legs fully exposed.
"Perverted little devil!" Tsunade jumped up in anger, but instead of storming away, she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.
Hanekawa caught her hips instinctively.
Tsunade's expression shifted from anger to something far more dangerous. I'll teach this brat a lesson tonight.
She activated her Yin Seal.
Hanekawa gasped as he felt the perfect control she now wielded over every muscle in her body. It was like being caught in a whirlwind—overwhelming, relentless, and absolutely devastating.
He had no idea what he'd started.
