Two days later. Gate of the Capital, Land of Fire.
Mokuma (Hashirama's son) and his fiancée Tamako (Daimyo's daughter) were waiting.
"Seriously! I told them I didn't want to see him..." Mokuma grumbled resentfully.
Tamako comforted him:
"Mokuma... don't be like that... it's all because of my father..."
Mokuma turned to look at the graceful Tamako, whose golden hair fluttered in the wind. He felt conflicted.
To say he didn't like Tamako would be a lie... After so many years together, Mokuma knew he had fallen for her.
But to say he loved her completely... Mokuma still couldn't forget his "Childhood Sweetheart" Naida. This left him confused about where his heart truly belonged...
"Tamako, stop blaming yourself! I told you, no matter whose fault it is, it has nothing to do with you. Whether it's my father-in-law's fault or my father's fault... I don't care anymore. It's just... I can't let it go in my heart yet..."
After so many years, the boy who resisted at first had gradually accepted his situation.
Tamako understood the meaning behind Mokuma's words. She had heard him mention a childhood sweetheart back in Konoha, from whom he was forcibly separated by his father...
Tamako didn't say anything more, just held Mokuma's hand tightly.
Feeling her hand, Mokuma turned and touched Tamako's pale cheek.
"Tomorrow is our wedding day. Let's not bring up the past."
Tamako smiled and nodded.
"Mmh!"
The two looked into the distance.
Suddenly!
The roar of an engine came from afar. A semi-truck with a crimson cab was speeding toward them.
Madara saw the destination, slammed the brakes, and drifted the truck to a halt right in front of the couple.
SCREEECH!
The wind from the drift messed up their hair completely. The two stared blankly at the steel beast.
Madara stuck his head out the window. He was wearing the sunglasses Mizuna gave him, a Hard Hwa Gae cigarette dangling from his mouth, and a pitch-black suit.
Looking at the stunned couple, Madara asked:
"Oi! Brat! Is this the Capital of the Land of Fire?"
Mokuma nodded repeatedly.
"Y... Yes! This... is the Capital..."
Madara's aura was too strong, making both of them extremely nervous.
Hearing a familiar voice, Hashirama leaped out of the passenger door.
With a Thomas 360-degree spin (Breakdance move), he landed directly in front of Mokuma.
"Long time no see... Mokuma..."
Seeing his father standing in front of him, Mokuma finally snapped out of it. But looking at Hashirama in a black suit and leather shoes, he felt a surge of anger.
"Hmph! Looks like you've been living well after selling your son!"
Mokuma turned and walked away.
"Mokuma..."
Hashirama reached out a hand, wanting to stop him and explain, but ultimately let it drop weakly.
He still felt he owed Mokuma too much.
Mizuna and the others got off the truck.
Tamako recovered and greeted her in-laws immediately.
"Father, Mother, welcome. Mokuma... Mokuma is just a little tired lately... that's why..."
Seeing Tamako still so obedient and sensible, Mito and Hashirama replied quickly:
"It's okay, Tamako... I know Mokuma still hates me... I was an incompetent father," Hashirama said dejectedly.
Tamako comforted him:
"No, Father! Mokuma actually misses you very much... he just doesn't know how to express it."
Seeing Tamako getting anxious, Mito intervened:
"It's okay, Little Tamako. Let the father and son solve their own issues. Come, let me introduce you. This is my younger brother, Uzumaki Mizuna."
Mizuna was a little nervous. After all, this was his first time meeting the mysterious parents of Tsunade from the canon.
"Hello... I'm Uzumaki Mizuna..."
Seeing he was a young boy, Tamako greeted him:
"Hello, Uncle Mizuna."
Mizuna shivered.
"Eh eh eh! Don't call me Uncle, it's embarrassing! Just call me Mizuna..." Mizuna said, scratching his head.
Tamako smiled.
"Okay, Mizuna."
Then she looked at Tobirama, who was crossing his arms.
"Hello, Uncle Tobirama~"
Tobirama smiled slightly.
"Hello. Happy wedding to you and Mokuma."
Hashirama adjusted his mood and pulled Madara over.
"This is Madara. He's my friend, here to congratulate you today."
Seeing Madara's cold expression, Tamako still greeted him with a smile.
"Hello, Uncle Madara~"
Madara scoffed coldly.
"Hmph~"
Then he pulled a gift from his pocket and shoved it into Tamako's hand.
Tamako looked at the amulet in her hand, confused.
Hashirama saw it and was pleasantly surprised.
"Oh? Is that an Uchiha Clan Amulet? Hahaha! I remember the last time Madara gave one of these, it was at my wedding with Mito! Keep it safe, Tamako. This amulet protects the wearer."
Tamako was surprised and happy.
"Thank you, Uncle Madara!"
Madara didn't turn around, just scoffed again with his back to her.
"Hmph~"
Tobirama saw Madara giving a gift and didn't want to lose.
"Tamako! This is a Jutsu I invented: Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags! It concentrates explosions to a single point, increasing power! It can also..."
"YAMETE! YAMETE KUDASAI! TOBIRAMA!"
Hashirama stopped Tobirama frantically.
"Anija! Don't interfere! It's just a souvenir!"
Hashirama was desperate.
"Tobirama! Are your Jutsu meant for normal people to learn?!"
In the end, Tobirama gave a Flying Raijin Kunai, saying that if she encountered danger, she could inject Chakra into it and he would come.
Mito gave the formal attire Mizuna had prepared.
Hashirama gave a necklace with a Wood Style crystal, claiming it had calming effects (Note: The Cursed Necklace of Death?).
Mizuna took out two cartons of Soft Hwa Gae and one carton of Hard Hwa Gae.
Tamako was shocked.
"Heavens! Are these cigarettes? Mizuna, where did you get them?"
Mizuna was confused.
"Sister Tamako, you've seen them?"
Tamako nodded.
"A few days ago, a masked merchant in black clothes came to the Capital selling these cigarettes. But I haven't seen this style you have. Is it new?"
Mizuna's mouth twitched.
Kakuzu is really fast...
Tamako held the cigarettes happily.
"Father will be so happy! When that merchant came, Father only managed to buy one pack and had to smoke it sparingly. If he sees these three cartons, he'll be overjoyed!"
Then Tamako said embarrassedly:
"Mizuna, it must have been hard to get these. How about... I buy them from you at double the original price..."
Everyone laughed loudly. Even the corners of Madara's mouth lifted.
Tamako was confused by their laughter.
Hashirama wiped a tear from his eye and said:
"Tamako, don't worry. Mizuna invented these cigarettes."
Tamako was dumbfounded.
Mizuna had to explain the situation.
After a complex explanation, Tamako's eyes sparkled.
"Amazing! I didn't expect Mizuna to be so smart. But letting one person sell cigarettes everywhere doesn't seem efficient... Why don't I discuss it with Father and help you?"
Far away in the Land of Lightning.
Kakuzu sneezed.
"Achoo! What's going on? I shouldn't be sick... I feel a chill down my back... like someone is trying to steal my business!"
Kakuzu looked up at the sky, actually sweating...
Mizuna smiled and shook his head.
"No need, Sister Tamako. My employee can be worked to death (Ke Jin Huo Huo), so efficiency isn't a problem!"
Tamako tilted her head.
"What does 'worked to death' mean?"
Kakuzu:
"Achoo! Is someone thinking about me?"
Kakuzu: ε-(?д??)
......