The atmosphere at the banquet grew increasingly harmonious, as everyone ate and chatted, occasionally raising their glasses for a small drink.
Ino loved these warm moments of sharing. Seeing everyone in high spirits, she smiled and proposed, "Sisters, since we are so happy today, why don't we talk about why we were willing to marry our husband? It would be good for our husband to hear our thoughts."
"I'll go first."
Pakura put down her wine glass, her cheerfulness completely unrestrained. Her tone was straightforward and candid, without any pretense. "Because he resurrected me and gave me a second life. And honestly, he's handsome and strong. Where else could I find a husband like that? So when he proposed, I agreed immediately without hesitation."
Hearing this, Shun smiled and looked at her, his tone playful. "So I am 'excellent' in your eyes? It seems I need to work harder in the future so I don't let down your recognition."
Pakura raised an eyebrow, her tone slightly haughty. "Otherwise? Do you think you're not worthy?"
This drew light laughter from the crowd, and the atmosphere became even more relaxed.
Tenten gently sipped her fruit wine, a shy smile in her eyes. Her delicate voice was full of tenderness. "I used to think Shun was too much of a womanizer, as he already had many consorts, so I didn't want to marry him initially. I secretly grumbled then about how someone could be so greedy."
At this, she stuck out her tongue sheepishly and continued, "But fate arranged for us to meet again. He was so kind and gentle to me, remembering all my small preferences, and even taking my casually spoken wishes to heart. I couldn't bear to leave him, so I had no choice but to marry him."
Shun reached out and held her hand, his tone gentle and slightly apologetic. "It was my fault for letting you misunderstand me then. In the future, I will cherish you doubly, letting you know that your choice was not wrong."
Tenten nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
Kurotsuchi put down her cutlery, a faint blush on her cheeks. Even her expression of affection carried a sense of seriousness. "Over the years, I've heard too many stories about Shun—of him protecting the Ninja World and pioneering the Interstellar Era—and unconsciously, I kept them in my heart. He seems carefree, but he hides a responsible heart, and before I knew it, I fell in love. I don't have many grand wishes. I just want to stay by his side, manage his affairs, and ensure he has no worries."
Shun looked at her, his eyes full of emotion. "Only with you managing the Inner Palace can I advance without concern. You've worked hard, Kurotsuchi. Thank you for your silent dedication."
Kurotsuchi gently shook her head, a hint of contentment in her eyes. Being acknowledged by him was enough.
Ino blinked playfully, her tone carrying a hint of pride. "Me? I just love handsome guys. Shun is handsome, strong, and rich. He is simply the most perfect husband candidate in my mind, bar none."
Pausing, she looked at Shun with eyes full of affection. "To get close to him, I put in a lot of effort, volunteering to be his secretary. After spending time with him day and night, I realized he was irreplaceable, and that's how I slowly managed to win him over. Husband, you have to treat me well, or I might 'return' you."
As she spoke, she tilted her chin toward Shun.
Shun was helpless yet amused, his tone indulgent. "So that's why you volunteered your services back then. Don't worry, I will never give you the chance to 'return' me."
Yakumo sat quietly on the side. Hearing everyone's words, a gentle light shone in her eyes. She was never good with words, yet every sentence was filled with deep affection.
"My Kekkei Genkai is special, making me susceptible to my alter ego. When I was young, I relied on Shun to help me dispel the alter ego, and he stayed with me for several days, worried I might suffer another accident. From that moment on, I secretly loved him. For all these years, I have been waiting for a chance to be by his side."
Though her voice was soft, it was full of persistence.
Shun squeezed her slightly cool hand and said softly, "I still remember your timid appearance back then, your big eyes full of unease. I never thought that in the blink of an eye, you would be by my side. Yakumo, thank you for waiting all these years."
Yakumo gently hummed in affirmation and leaned her head slightly against his shoulder, her eyes filled with contentment.
Hearing this, Hinata's cheeks flushed. Her head was slightly lowered, and her voice was extremely faint but incredibly sincere. "Shun is very gentle with me. He never forces me to do things I don't like, and he listens patiently, even when I talk about insignificant little things. He remembers my preferences and comforts me when I'm nervous, so I slowly fell in love with him. I know I'm not eloquent, but I will use my actions to protect him and this family."
Shun patted her shoulder, his tone reassuring. "Hinata, I understand your feelings. I love your stability and sincerity. I am very happy to have won your true heart."
"Me too! Me too!" Hanabi immediately rushed over, full of vitality.
"Sister likes Shun very much, and I like him too. He's gentle and powerful, and he's good to both sister and me. So we just got married together. This way, I can stay by my husband's side and protect my sister, without having to be separated from her. How great is that?"
As she spoke, she linked arms with Hinata and flashed her a brilliant smile.
Shun looked at her lively demeanor, his eyes full of laughter. "It truly is my good fortune to have you sisters together. Hanabi, thank you for being willing to stay by my side."
Everyone spoke one after another, their words filled with affection for Shun.
Shun raised his wine glass, his tone firm yet carefree. "To have received such sincerity from you all is the greatest fortune of my life. From now on, I will not fail any of you. We will share life and death, never abandoning each other. We will protect the Ninja World together and pioneer the way to the pinnacle of the Universe."
Someone, though it was unclear who, first mentioned "entering the bridal chamber." The previously noisy hall instantly quieted down, and the cheeks of the consorts flushed, their breathing becoming slightly rapid.
They all stopped what they were doing, their gaze collectively falling upon Shun, filled with shyness, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness.
Hinata tightened her grip on her cutlery, her heart pounding rapidly, secretly wondering how to arrange things appropriately.
Hanabi's eyes, meanwhile, were sparkling, as if she had already thought of a plan, a mischievous smile forming on her lips.
Pakura paused her motion of holding the wine glass, a flicker of thought in her eyes, but she did not speak first.
Ino quietly tugged on Kurotsuchi's sleeve. The two exchanged a glance, both waiting for Shun's decision.
Shun took in the expressions of everyone present. He put down his wine glass, tapped the table gently with his fingertip, and maintained a look of composure and gentleness. His carefree nature made him unwilling to wrong any of them.
"Today is our great day of joy, and everything should follow your wishes. You can speak up about any ideas you have. Don't hold back, whatever makes you happy."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hinata took a deep breath, as if gathering all her courage.
She slowly raised her head, her cheeks red. "How about one person per day? We can go by age, starting with Pakura-nee. This way, it's fair and not rude, and everyone gets individual time with our husband."
After speaking, she immediately lowered her head, afraid to meet anyone's gaze, nervously picking at the hem of her skirt.
"One person a day? How boring."
The moment Hinata finished speaking, Hanabi immediately retorted. She leaned slightly forward, her eyes filled with bold intent, showing no sign of shyness.
"Today is our wedding day. How can such a special occasion be so dull? I suggest all seven of us serve our husband tonight. That's how you make it lively. That's what a day of great joy should be like."
Such direct and bold words instantly froze the already shy Hinata.
She subconsciously reached out and tugged on Hanabi's sleeve, whispering, "Hanabi, don't talk nonsense. It's too embarrassing."
But as soon as her fingers touched Hanabi, Hanabi pressed them down with her own hand.
Hinata felt both shame and panic, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the floor, yet she couldn't help but sneak a glance to see Shun's and the others' reactions.
Pakura showed no hesitation upon hearing this. She drank the remaining fruit wine in her cup in one gulp. As she put down the glass, her fingertip gently rubbed the rim.
A hint of approval flashed in her eyes as she said, "Hanabi spoke very well. I also think it's excellent for all seven of us to serve our husband together."
Her gaze swept across the consorts seated around the table, finally resting on Hinata with a touch of reassurance.
"Since we are already husband and wives, we are one family from now on. Being open with each other is the right way. If we hide things today, it will only create distance. This way, we will find it easier to get along in the future."
"Pakura-nee is right." Ino immediately agreed. She always sought harmony.
"A family should be like this, without distinguishing between one another. Furthermore, our husband is busy with countless affairs every day. If we accompany him together, it will give him more time to relax, and he won't have to worry about who gets more or less time."
Although Kurotsuchi was still a bit reserved, she nodded, her tone serious. "As long as everyone agrees, I have no objection. I only ask that we all get along harmoniously in the future and take good care of our husband."
Tenten looked at Shun, her eyes full of expectation. She always deferred to her lover's wishes. "Husband, I will listen to you. As long as I can be by your side, anything is fine."
Yakumo gently hummed in response, her gaze fixed tightly on Shun, her tone resolute. "I will always trust you, and I will always listen to you. I support any decision you make."
Hinata, whose blush had not yet faded, slowly raised her head under everyone's gaze, a hint of relief entering her eyes.
She looked at Shun, then at the sisters beside her, and whispered, "I... I will also follow everyone's suggestion. As long as I can protect this family and stay with my husband, I'm fine with anything."
Shun looked at the seven consorts before him, his heart filled with warmth.
He stood up and walked to the center of the group, grasping each of their hands in turn.