The gifts Neptune had entrusted Ace and the others to deliver were two sets of pearl jewelry. Although neither Stussy nor Hancock lacked for such things, the sentiment behind them was sincere.
If the person couldn't make it, the gift couldn't be absent either.
It had to be said, Neptune was truly a respectable man, handling all aspects of interpersonal relations with great reliability.
No wonder Fish-Man Island remained stable even while situated in such a dangerous maritime chokepoint.
As for the final day of wedding preparations... not many unfamiliar faces actually arrived.
Almost everyone who was supposed to come had come. Naruto wasn't the type to invite just anyone.
Even if they weren't on the same level of strength as the Emperors or former crew members of the Pirate King, they at least needed the ability to cross the Calm Belt on their own.
Otherwise, they wouldn't even qualify to attend the wedding.
Of course, there were exceptions... such as the News Coos under Morgans.
Because of prior agreement, they didn't broadcast the wedding live like they did at Marineford, but they were allowed to take a few photos that didn't involve Naruto's offspring.
One shouldn't underestimate the main characters of the wedding or the guests present.
Setting aside others, the fans of [Pirate Empress] Boa Hancock weren't limited to the warrior women of Amazon Lily.
As the universally recognized most beautiful woman in the world, Hancock easily captured the hearts of countless men and women.
The number of people smitten with her was incalculable.
Among those who had seen Hancock in person, even if they hadn't been turned to stone by the Mero Mero Mellow, their future standards for a partner would be devastatingly impacted.
Simply put, after experiencing a luxurious feast, eating one's own home-cooked meals felt bland and tasteless.
This phenomenon wasn't rare… it was extremely common.
Besides Hancock, another woman who drew significant attention was… Big Mom.
Mm, not Shakky, the former [World's Most Beautiful Woman], nor Stussy, the [Queen of the Pleasure District].
It couldn't be helped.
One had long retired from the public eye, and the other had always operated behind the scenes as a major power broker. Neither was known to the general public.
In comparison, anyone making a name in the New World could hardly avoid hearing of Big Mom.
So, from the perspective of journalism and popularity, Big Mom would actually be more likely to catch the eyes of the audience.
"Caw—"
The News Coo looked at its somewhat blurry photo, wondering if it should get a little closer to capture Linlin's 'magnificent beauty' more clearly.
But obviously, its little scheme couldn't escape Big Mom's keen eye.
With just a glare from her, that unlucky News Coo lost three-fifths of its soul in fright.
At that moment, thoughts of promotion and pay raises were forgotten. The remaining conscious News Coos could only help support their companion and fly away in disgrace.
"Tch, serves them right. Morgans' underlings are truly audacious."
Even though she was wearing an XXXXXXL-sized formal dress at the wedding venue today, Big Mom was still stuffing her face with delicious food… it was what Naruto had promised on the invitation: "plenty to eat."
Fortunately, even though she completely disregarded her image while gorging herself, the other attendees' attention remained focused on the wedding stage, on the three newlyweds.
Mm, contrary to earlier talk of 'holding two separate ceremonies', Naruto, Stussy, and Hancock ultimately decided to hold it together.
...Naruto could create shadow clones, so there was no issue of who went first, but the guests couldn't do that.
Moreover, the appearance of Belo Betty and Gion quickly turned the two women, Stussy and Hancock, who had been somewhat at odds, into 'good sisters'.
After all, they were the ones sharing a bed… that bond surely outweighed any connection with these two strangers.
—Of course, more crucially, neither of them wanted any more 'new additions' to the marriage. This was it, just the two of them, no further.
On this matter, Naruto clearly had no say and could only obey his wives' decision.
"...Whether in poverty or wealth, in sickness or in health, will you forever cherish these... two brides before you, and love them eternally?"
Elder Nyon, invited to be the officiant, almost slipped up, but fortunately didn't falter at the critical moment, managing to redirect the words.
"I do."
Naruto looked seriously at Stussy and Hancock, dressed in their white wedding gowns, and solemnly pledged.
Perhaps influenced by the atmosphere, Hancock, who usually projected an image of dominance, actually showed a hint of 'bashfulness', astonishing the many powerful figures present.
"Truly a memorable experience, truly memorable."
Shanks, Rayleigh, and others cheered and whistled.
Chopper and Usopp of the Straw Hat Pirates launched a large pellet into the air.
"Usopp Special: Happiness Star!"
With the pellet's explosion, countless flower petals rained down like a shower, making the two already stunningly beautiful brides even more radiant.
Konohamaru acted as the flower boy, bringing the two rings before Naruto.
Under the watchful eyes of his 'parental figures', Jiraiya and Iruka, who were wiping tears and clapping, Naruto placed the wedding rings on his wives.
"Wahhhhh... this is wonderful... I'm so moved..."
Iruka was now completely in tears.
He had watched Naruto grow up... although from Naruto's perspective, there had been a long stretch without Iruka, it had to be said that Iruka had truly been like a father and teacher to Naruto.
He had once fantasized about being invited by Naruto to his wedding when he was in his forties or fifties, but he never imagined the day would come so soon.
Of course, for Naruto, Hancock, and Stussy, this was a day they had waited for a very long time.
"You there, instead of getting so emotional over Naruto's wedding, why not think more about your own marriage prospects."
Beside him, while wiping his own tears, Jiraiya didn't hold back from teasing Iruka.
Reminded by this, Iruka choked back a few tears and glared at Jiraiya indignantly. Then, as if struck by an idea, he immediately retorted.
"I'm fine, I'm only twenty-six this year. But Jiraiya-sama..."
Before he could finish, Jiraiya suddenly let out a loud cheer, completely drowning out his voice.
Then, as if that wasn't enough, he clapped his hands together, sending countless blobs of colored ink flying into the sky.
"Ninja Art: Dream Wedding Technique!"
In an instant, the ink painted various fantastic scenes.
As the guests gasped in amazement, several rainbows first 'descended' from the sky, adding more color to the wedding.
Then, accompanied by the wedding music, little cherubs with bare bottoms appeared from somewhere, dancing around the bride and groom, scattering flowers and blowing trumpets, creating a lively spectacle.
Seeing this, the others below cheered along cooperatively. Big Mom, however, glanced over, giving Jiraiya a long, hard look.
"Uuggghhh—"
Jiraiya suddenly shivered, feeling as if something unclean had set its sights on him.
'It must be... my imagination, right?'