"Zhili, I'm here."
In front of a warm, lived-in two-story home—its small garden full of early blossoms and drifting butterflies—Uchiha Soren tapped gently on the door.
His sharpened hearing picked up the subtle footsteps inside: first rushing, then slowing… then stopping right behind the door.
(She's right there.)
Resisting the urge to teleport in with his space technique Tenchō Ritsuzon, Soren waited.
A few seconds passed.
The door slid open.
Morning light spilled across Uchiha Zhili.
And Soren's heart stopped.
Zhili wasn't in her usual practical black attire.
Today she wore a white kimono embroidered with red plum blossoms, her purple hair partly pinned, a faint hint of makeup softening her cool beauty.
She looked like a bride waiting without realizing she was one.
"Come in," Zhili said quietly.
She stepped aside. When Soren crossed the threshold, she knelt gracefully and set down a brand-new pair of men's slippers for him.
Her movement was elegant—her profile delicate, the pale curve of her neck visible as she tucked back a strand of hair.
(Like a newlywed wife…)
Heat rose in Soren's chest.
They sat across from each other at a small round table. Under it, Zhili's hands were clasped tightly. Her toes, wrapped in white socks, tensed lightly against the tatami.
(He's dressed up today…
Is it for me?
Or for Princess Kaori…?)
She had already sensed activity in the clan's front hall that morning.
Now—seeing him here first—made Zhili quietly happy.
But also afraid.
(What if he came only to tell me he's marrying Princess Kaori…?)
She kept her face composed.
Her heart felt like it was trying to escape her chest.
Then Soren spoke.
"Zhili, I like you. Will you be my wife?"
He didn't hesitate.
He didn't look away.
He simply said it.
All the elaborate answers Zhili had rehearsed in panic vanished.
Only one soft sound escaped:
"…Mm."
Her whole body relaxed.
Light bloomed in her eyes—as if someone had gently struck a bell inside her chest.
Soren blinked.
He had prepared speeches, promises, arrangements.
He didn't expect her simple, clean acceptance.
He straightened and bowed deeply, palms on his knees.
"Zhili… I'll be in your care from now on."
Zhili bowed back, voice warm and steady.
"And you, An-kun… I entrust my life to you as well."
Upstairs, Zhili's mother clasped her hands, eyes shining with relief before quietly rushing off to tell her husband.
(Zhili… you must be happy.)
They had raised their daughter for more than a decade—beautiful, talented, gentle, resolute.
Now she was of age, and the man who wanted her was the young Hokage himself.
If a cabbage must be taken away, at least it was by a powerful, honorable boar—
…no, a dignified Hokage.
They blessed the couple silently.
"Will you come with me to the front hall?"
"It's about Princess Kaori?"
"Yes."
"…All right. I suppose that's what I get for liking you."
Zhili rose.
Soren reached out to steady her.
She let him.
(If he marries Princess Kaori too…
It's fine.
If I die someday—as shinobi do—Kaori can stay by his side, so he won't be alone.)
She didn't fear death.
She only feared leaving him without someone to hold him.
(…Still. Sharing him is really irritating.)
She smoothed her sleeves, breathed in, and cast Soren a slightly accusatory—yet undeniably affectionate—look.
"Zhili, wait for me—"
He caught up and intertwined their hands.
Together—under countless watching eyes—they walked toward the main hall.
Uchiha elders whispered proudly.
Clan members grinned knowingly.
(So the young lord has been efficient today…)
In the Clan Hall
The Uchiha elders beamed.
Minamoto Kazuhiko's expression twitched—he hadn't expected Soren to arrive hand-in-hand with a bride already secured.
Princess Kaori, holding Juno tightly, didn't show any outward reaction.
But Juno knew: her arms had stiffened; her heartbeat trembled faintly.
Soren took his seat.
"Thank you all for waiting."
"No need to stand on courtesy, Hokage-sama," Kazuhiko said smoothly.
"The elders and I have discussed the dowries and arrangements. If you wish, I can list them—"
"No need."
Soren raised a hand.
"What the elders agreed to, I agree to."
Then he added, utterly calm:
**"There is only one adjustment:
During the wedding ceremony,
I will marry both brides at once."**
The hall froze.
Kazuhiko stared.
Even the Daimyō did not marry two wives simultaneously—it was practically unheard of, politically dangerous, diplomatically questionable—
But Kazuhiko swallowed everything.
The Uchiha elders exchanged glances, shrugged, and nodded.
To them, childbearing was strength.
Two brides meant two lines of inheritance.
Two chances for Mangekyō in the next generation.
Nothing unusual.
Soren leaned back.
"I'll leave ceremony details to the clan head and elders."
He turned to Kazuhiko.
"Prince Kazuhiko—if you have suggestions, feel free. We are, after all, family now. And I look forward to seeing you become Fire Daimyō someday."
Kazuhiko's eyes lit with ambition.
He bowed deeply.
"Hokage-sama, please rely on me. Ceremony protocols are my specialty."
"Excellent."
Soren smiled.
"Until the wedding, Princess Kaori will reside within the Uchiha estate. Zhili, Kaori, and I will use the time to build harmony."
He reached over and squeezed Zhili's hand.
"In the future, I hope the three of us can walk side by side."
"Meow~"
"And of course," Soren added with a laugh, "our adorable Juno will join us."
The little cat puffed up proudly in Kaori's arms—
the first ninja cat in history entrusted with maintaining harmony between two brides.
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