Qianyu had three ideas to fix Kakashi's chakra problem.
The third one was Sage Mode.
Kakashi had a contract with Ryūchi Cave now. He was qualified to learn their sage arts.
But mastering Ryūchi Cave's sage techniques was harder than dealing with a cursed seal. Once he succeeded, though? The boost would be insane.
Qianyu decided to scrap the cursed seal idea. He'd go with the other two: Kakashi would learn the Yin Seal, and later, Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode.
There was an order to it, though.
First, the Yin Seal. Store up chakra during downtime. Let Kakashi fight longer than five seconds.
Only then would he be ready for Ryūchi Cave. Without that stored chakra to burn? He'd run dry, turn into a snake, and become snake food.
"Kakashi," Qianyu said. "About your chakra problem. Two solutions. First, the Yin Seal. You store spare chakra in the seal during peacetime, release it when you need it. Kushina knows it. You'll learn it from her."
He paused. "The second method… you'll hear about it after you master the Yin Seal. Not before. You're not ready yet."
Kakashi nodded. "Understood, Sensei."
Qianyu stood up. "Good. Now, come with me. Kushina's been complaining you don't come over for dinner enough."
Kakashi's eye went flat.
Why fewer dinners?
Because I'd like to eat less metaphorical dog food, thank you.
On the walk back, Qianyu thought ahead. After the wedding, he'd recall Fūku. Check on the Owl Organization's progress. Then, a trip to Ryūchi Cave. Try to master their Sage Mode himself.
If he failed? He'd just buy it with Witness Points.
Spending points on Sage Mode didn't hurt. The power was worth it. And when Kakashi was ready to train, he'd have firsthand advice to give.
Time passed.
Qianyu and Kushina Uzumaki chose a traditional Shinto-style Wedding. The ceremony would be held at the Inari Shrine within the Land of Fire.
Qianyu made multiple trips. Spoke with the priests. Learned the rituals. Prepared every detail.
The stage was set. All that remained was the day itself.
Seven days later.
The Inari Shrine was ready.
Orochimaru, as Qianyu's elder, stood at the entrance with Kakashi, greeting guests. Invited attendees arrived one by one, gifts in hand.
Inside the dressing room.
Qianyu and Kushina were in their full wedding attire.
Qianyu wore a montsuki haori hakama—a formal black kimono with a family crest over white under-robes.
Kushina was in a shimmering white shiromuku kimono. A white hood, the watabōshi, covered her hair, meant to ward off evil.
She was fidgeting. Her fingers twisted together.
Qianyu placed a hand on her shoulder. "Relax. Just follow the steps. We practiced at home, remember?"
Kushina took a deep breath. Then another. Her face fell. "I can't, Qianyu! I'm still so nervous!"
Qianyu took her hand. "I'm right here."
The tension drained from her shoulders. A smile bloomed on her face. She nodded firmly.
The door slid open. Kakashi stood there. "Sensei. Ma'am. It's time."
Qianyu and Kushina shared a look. A smile.
They stood, hand in hand, and left the room.
At the entrance to the main hall, Kakashi stepped inside first. His voice rang out. "The bride and groom!"
Qianyu gave Kushina's hand a gentle squeeze. "Let's go."
They walked into the hall together.
Applause swelled from the gathered guests.
They stopped before the shrine altar, waiting.
Orochimaru stepped forward. "The Purification Rite."
A Shinto priest began chanting sacred words, sprinkling purifying water over them with a sakaki branch. Cleansing them of impurity.
The rite ended.
Orochimaru continued. "The Reading of the Vows."
The priest presented a written prayer. His voice filled the hall, reporting their marriage to the gods, asking for their blessings.
When he finished, Orochimaru announced, "The Three-Times-Three Exchange."
A shrine maiden brought forth a small sake flask and two cups. She offered them to the couple.
This was the san-san-kudo. Three cups, exchanged three times. Nine sips total. Symbolizing a bond that would last.
They drank. Three sips each, back and forth, until all nine cups were empty.
The cups were tiny, but nine shots of sake was still nine shots. A rosy blush spread across Kushina's cheeks.
"You okay?" Qianyu whispered.
Kushina handed the cup back, grinning. "Of course!"
Down below, the guests watched with warm smiles.
Minato Namikaze held Miyuki Uzumaki's hand tightly. He turned to her, his gaze soft, asking a silent question.
Miyuki seemed to understand. Her cheeks flushed. She looked down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and his wife, Biwako, watched the young couple. It reminded them of their own day. They shared a knowing glance, then led another round of applause.
The applause faded. Orochimaru spoke again. "Bride and groom. Your vows to the gods."
He handed them each a scroll.
They bowed to the altar, then unrolled the scrolls and began to read.
As they reached the end, their eyes met. Their voices merged into one.
"I, Qianyu…" "I, Kushina Uzumaki…" "…pledge to support each other, to love each other, and to build a happy home together."
The priest stepped forward, holding two tamagushi—sacred sakaki branches decorated with paper streamers.
Seeing him ready, Orochimaru said, "The Offering of the Tamagushi."
They took the branches. Rotated them clockwise, roots pointing toward the gods. Two bows. Two claps. One final bow. Offering their gratitude.
One final step remained. "The Shared Cup with Family and Friends."
Qianyu and Kushina raised their cups. Qianyu addressed the room. "Thank you, all of you, for being here with us today. Please, share this sacred sake with us!"
Everyone—the couple, the guests—raised their cups. Drank.
As they set their cups down, the words rose from every corner of the hall, a single, joyous shout.
"Qianyu! Kushina! Happy wedding!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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