Naruto: The Clanless Prince

After Namikaze Minato became Hokage, his schedule grew increasingly busy.

However, the change in leadership didn't bring significant changes to Konohagakure. Life continued as usual with everyone performing their respective duties.

During this time, Sora was at home discussing the wedding invitation list with Uzumaki Kushina.

Kushina had decided to invite her three former teammates with whom she maintained good relationships, as well as Uzumaki Miyuki to attend their wedding.

As for Sora, inviting Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo was non-negotiable.

After that... Sora thought for a while but couldn't think of anyone else he should invite.

Kushina asked, "Sora, do you want to invite Namikaze Minato?"

Sora frowned slightly, contemplated for a moment, and replied, "Yes, let's invite him. After all, he and Uzumaki Miyuki are in a relationship, and he's now the Fourth Hokage of Konoha. I'm considered an important figure in the village now, so I should at least go through the motions."

In the end, including Orochimaru and Kakashi, only about ten people were invited to the wedding.

Of course, it would have been easy for Sora to invite more people. During the previous war, he had worked with many shinobi, such as Nara Kubota and others.

If Sora invited them, they would definitely attend out of respect for him.

Sora was certain that even if he invited Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head would feel obligated to attend his wedding.

But there was no need for that.

There was no genuine relationship to begin with. When they worked together, it was merely a superior-subordinate relationship with no real friendship.

After finalizing the guest list, the next step was to choose a date.

After discussion, Sora and Kushina decided to set the wedding date for seven days later.

"Sora, I'll go deliver the invitations now," Kushina said as she took her share of invitations and left home.

"Alright, I'll go too."

Sora also left home with his invitations in hand.

He first went to Orochimaru's base and handed an invitation to his sensei.

Orochimaru looked at the invitation and smiled, "Seven days from now? I understand. I will be there on time to be the witness for you and Kushina."

Sora bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Orochimaru-sensei, and thank you for your guidance and teachings over the years."

There was a rare hint of nostalgia in Orochimaru's voice as he spoke, "I once said that I had great expectations for you and wanted to see where the wind would carry my disciple. Now it seems that wind is blowing right before my eyes.

Looking back, accepting you as my disciple was the most correct decision I ever made. We, master and student, have always walked paths that were similar yet different.

You have now become like the wind that blows freely across the sky. Sora, I hope you continue to soar, and I hope that both our ideals will eventually come true."

Sora nodded firmly and replied, "I will."

After leaving Orochimaru's base, Sora headed to Sarutobi Hiruzen's home.

Since stepping down as Hokage, Hiruzen had been spending most of his time at home.

Hiruzen was well aware that Danzo harbored grievances against him. He planned to rest for a few days until Danzo's resentment had subsided, after which he would approach Danzo to discuss matters regarding the Uchiha clan.

When Sora knocked on the door, it was opened by Hiruzen's wife, Sarutobi Biwako.

Biwako smiled upon seeing him, "Oh, it's Sora. You're here to see Hiruzen, right? Please come in."

"Excuse the intrusion, Lady Biwako."

Sora entered the house.

Hiruzen walked out from the back room with a kind smile, "Sora? What brings you here today?"

Sora presented the invitation to Hiruzen with both hands, "Lord Third, Kushina and I will be having our wedding in seven days. We hope that you and Lady Biwako can attend."

Hiruzen took the invitation with a warm smile, "So you're getting married. Time flies so quickly. You and Kushina are about to enter the next stage of life, but I suppose it's time. Our childhood sweethearts are finally becoming husband and wife."

Biwako approached with freshly brewed tea, placed a cup on the table in front of Sora, and said cheerfully, "Really? Sora and Kushina are getting married? That's wonderful news!"

After Uzumaki Mito had grown elderly, Biwako often went to care for her, which meant she frequently saw Kushina as well.

Hiruzen asked, "Sora, do you need any assistance with the wedding preparations? If you need help, please don't hesitate to ask."

Sora shook his head, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Third, but there's no need. Kushina and I have very few relatives and friends, only about ten people in total, so the wedding will be quite simple. Orochimaru-sensei will officiate the ceremony for us, so there's nothing to worry about."

Hiruzen looked surprised, "You're only inviting around a dozen people?"

Sora nodded, "Yes, Lord Third. You know my personality. I don't make friends easily, so I've only invited a few close friends and respected elders."

Hiruzen said earnestly, "Sora, you should engage in more social interactions after getting married.

You're usually too serious, which makes people think you're unapproachable.

We are all comrades in the same village.

When people realize you're actually easy to get along with, it becomes easier to form friendships."

Sora responded politely, "I understand, Lord Third."

Hiruzen inquired, "By the way, Sora, have you invited Danzo?"

Sora replied, "Yes, I plan to visit Root headquarters to invite Lord Danzo after this, and then I'll go to the Hokage Tower to invite the Fourth to my wedding."

Hiruzen was surprised. When he had asked about Danzo, he merely wanted to gauge if Danzo had calmed down enough to attend the wedding.

He had originally thought that due to the strained relationship between Sora and Minato, Sora wouldn't invite the Fourth Hokage to his wedding. Unexpectedly, Sora planned to invite him anyway.

The fact that Sora was taking the initiative to invite Minato suggested that their relationship might not have deteriorated beyond repair.

It was obvious that Sora was aligned with Danzo now. If Minato ever decided to move against Root in the future, as long as Sora remained neutral, Minato would face much less resistance.

Although Hiruzen didn't completely trust Sora, he was pleased to see signs of improvement in the relationship between Sora and Minato.

Hiruzen said with satisfaction, "Good, you should indeed invite them to your wedding. Now, Sora, go ahead with your tasks. Biwako and I will attend the wedding without fail."

After leaving Hiruzen's home, Sora's next destination was the Root headquarters to find Danzo.

"Lord Danzo, Kushina and I will get married in seven days. I hope you can attend our wedding."

Danzo had been quite miserable these days, but since Sora was his right-hand man, he managed a smile and said, "I understand. I will be there. I wish you happiness in advance."

Sora bowed gratefully, "Thank you, Lord Danzo."

After leaving the Root base with only two invitations left in his hands, Sora walked toward the Hokage Tower.

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