bioinnovel Chapter 573 Kushina, you didn't want to marry him, did you?
Chapter 573 Kushina, you didn't want to marry him, did you?
Kushina shuddered, and the scroll in her hand fell to the table with a "clatter" again.
Her face was filled with disbelief, and her fingers trembled involuntarily.
"Chika-nee...you're saying I...should marry Uchiha Mitsumine?"
She had never even entertained such a thought, let alone dared to consider it. Even after breaking with Minato Namikaze, she still harbored some resentment. Moreover, she had no romantic feelings whatsoever for the Uchiha Sanfeng.
Uzumaki Chinatsu, beaming with joy, shook Uzumaki Kushina's shoulder: "Yes, this is incredible news! Lord Mimine is powerful and of noble birth. If you marry him, you'll gain the support of the Uchiha clan and the village, and the revival of the Uzumaki clan will be just around the corner!"
Kushina clenched her fingers tightly, and said hesitantly, "Chinatsu-nee... I... I'll think about it!"
The sorrow between her brows grew deeper, and the struggle in her eyes became more and more obvious.
She knew in her heart that Qianxia was right; this was the best opportunity to revive the tribe. But the thought of marrying someone she didn't love made it difficult for her to make up her mind immediately.
Seeing this, Uzumaki Chinatsu was also anxious, but she knew she couldn't pressure Kushina too much.
She nodded gently, then released Kushina's hand, her tone softening: "Alright, I'll give you time to think it over, I won't pressure you. But Kushina, you must consider this carefully. This concerns the future of our entire Uzumaki clan, the fate of all the scattered clan members. Don't miss this opportunity."
After saying that, she turned around, gently closed the door, and slowly retreated out.
A moment later, Kushina slowly got up, pushed open the door, and walked towards the top of the Hokage Rock.
At this moment, the wind in Konoha gradually picked up, dispersing the morning mist, but it could not dispel the sorrow in her heart.
She needs a quiet place, a place where she can calm down, sort out her thoughts, and make the right choice.
The wind was strong at the top of Mount Hokage, howling and blowing, lifting her long red hair.
Beneath her feet lay the entire view of Konoha Village: houses scattered about in an orderly fashion, lush forests, and rolling mountains in the distance, yet she had no interest in appreciating the scenery.
The inner struggle was like a tangled mess, impossible to unravel. The obsession with reviving her people and the choice to sacrifice herself clashed fiercely within her.
She stood on the edge of the mountaintop, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in front of her... It was Uchiha Mitsunori!
Upon seeing the person who arrived, Kushina froze, her fingers tightening suddenly.
Uchiha Mitsunori walked slowly to her side, braving the howling wind. His long hair was blown back, his clothes fluttered, and his posture was upright.
He gazed at the distant Hidden Leaf Village, offering no prompting, as if he had already seen through her thoughts: "Kushina, have you made up your mind?"
Kushina slowly turned her head, looking at his calm and handsome profile, her hesitation growing stronger.
She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but the words caught in her throat, and she couldn't utter a sound...
Uchiha Mitsunori took in her struggle and slowly said, "Kushina, I know this is sudden, and I know you're hesitant. Actually, I'm not marrying just you this time. I plan to marry seven wives, and Elder Tsunade is one of them."
Hearing Tsunade's name, Kushina Uzumaki snapped out of her daze.
"Tsunade, like you, has a strong desire to revive her clan. The Senju clan is currently in a weak position, similar to the situation of your Uzumaki clan, so she has already agreed to marry me."
"Tsunade-neechan... you actually agreed to marry me..."
Kushina murmured softly, a look of shock flashing in her eyes, tears instantly blurring her vision.
She has always admired Tsunade, admiring her generosity and strength, and her superb medical skills.
But she never imagined that Tsunade, such a proud and free-spirited person, would choose to marry Uchiha Mitsunori and make such a sacrifice in order to revive the Senju clan.
With Tsunade taking the lead, Kushina's inner struggle gradually subsided.
She slowly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and the howling wind swept across her cheeks, scattering the tears in her eyes and dispelling the confusion in her heart.
If Tsunade could give up everything for the Senju clan, why couldn't she make her own sacrifice for the Uzumaki clan?
When Kushina opened her eyes again, all the hesitation in her eyes had faded, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
She gently twisted the hem of her dress with her fingers, her voice slightly shy: "Lord Sanfeng, I...I am also willing...to marry you."
A satisfied smile flashed in Uchiha Mitsunori's eyes as he gently brushed a strand of hair from Kushina's cheek, the warmth of his fingers passing through her skin.
"Alright, Kushina, thank you for trusting me. Make your preparations well. In the next few days, I will have the Uchiha clan members come to propose marriage, bringing the most generous dowry. I will marry you in a grand and glorious manner, and I will never treat you unfairly."
Kushina slowly raised her head to meet his gaze, her eyes filled with determination. She let out a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Yes, I understand, Lord Mitsumine. I will prepare well and will not let you down."
As night fell, the last rays of the setting sun gradually faded into the horizon.
Uchiha Mitsunori sat behind his desk, quickly processing the files in his hands, before returning to the Uchiha clan compound.
He raised his hand to rub his temples, relieving the fatigue of the past few days: "Summon the Eighth Elder to come see me."
The Uchiha clansman beside him respectfully responded and immediately used Body Flicker to leave.
A moment later, Uchiha Yatsuho entered the office with a bow, his expression respectful: "Mitsubone, did you need something from me?"
Uchiha Mitsunaga pointed to the chair opposite the desk: "Eighth Elder, please sit down, let's talk."
"Elder Yasuo, how's Mikoto doing? I asked you to try and persuade her, did it go well?"
Uchiha Mikoto was beautiful and had an outstanding temperament. She was also a widow, and the Uchiha Mitsunori had been lusting after her beauty for a long time.
Uchiha Hachiho slowly sat down, a gentle smile on his face: "Mitsumine, after these past few days of persuasion, Mikoto has agreed."
She knew your plans and understood that they were for the future of the Uchiha clan. Therefore, she was willing to marry you for the sake of the clan…
"Hahaha... This is wonderful... This is truly a series of joyous events..."
Uchiha Mitsunori laughed heartily, his face beaming with satisfaction.
"In that case, you make the arrangements. I plan to marry seven wives... namely Tsunade, Kushina Uzumaki, Mikoto Uchiha, Ami Uchiha, Yui Aoyama, Megumi Uzumaki, and Sango. You make the arrangements, and the dowry for each family must be no less, and there should be no favoritism."
Upon hearing this, the Eighth Hokage's pupils contracted slightly, and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face, which then turned into a complex one.
He rose slightly, leaning forward a little, his tone tinged with surprise: "Mitsumine, you...you actually intend to marry Uzumaki Kushina?"
He knew that Mitsunori and Tsunade were having an affair, but he never expected that even Kushina Uzumaki couldn't escape his clutches...
Kushina Uzumaki was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Minato Namikaze's girlfriend.
They've been together for over ten years, and their deep affection for each other is common knowledge...
Unexpectedly, she couldn't escape it either, and was eventually poached by Sanfeng... Sanfeng's methods... are truly formidable.
Uchiha Yatsuho maintained a respectful expression on his face, but his mind was filled with a multitude of thoughts.
"Don't worry, Sanfeng. Tomorrow morning, I will arrange for my clansmen to prepare the most generous betrothal gifts and go to the homes of the seven young ladies to handle all the details properly. We will never disgrace the Uchiha clan."
"Yes, this matter must be handled promptly. Eighth Elder, please go ahead and attend to your duties."
Uchiha Sanfeng slightly raised his hand, signaling him to step back.
As the Eighth Hokage slowly walked out of the office, he couldn't help but look back, his eyes filled with complex emotions...
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking and the east was turning a pale white, the Uchiha clan members were already fully prepared to depart.
More than a hundred Uchiha clan members carried heavy gift boxes decorated with red silk, lined up neatly on the street, creating a spectacular scene that attracted early-rising villagers to stop and watch.
Soon, the Uchiha clan members, carrying generous dowries, went to the homes of the seven young ladies.
When the Uchiha clan members arrived at the Uzumaki clan's courtyard with betrothal gifts, Uzumaki Chinatsu and Kushina were already waiting in the courtyard.
The Uchiha clansman at the head of the group entered the courtyard and bowed respectfully: "Miss Kushina, we have come to deliver betrothal gifts on the orders of Lord Mimine..."
After saying that, he raised his hand to signal the clansmen behind him to carry the gift boxes into the courtyard one by one. When the boxes were opened, they were filled with gold and silver jewelry, a dazzling array that made people's eyes spin.
Kushina slowly stepped forward and nodded slightly to the Uchiha clansmen at the head of the group: "Thank you all for your trouble. Please thank Lord Sanmine for me when you get back, and tell him that I have accepted the betrothal gifts."
The Uchiha clan members bowed respectfully, then turned and left in an orderly fashion.
Chinatsu Uzumaki's face was filled with an excited smile as she gently grasped Kushina's hands: "Kushina, this is wonderful! Our Uzumaki clan finally has hope! Once you marry Lord Mitsumine and become the perfect Jinchūriki, we can find our scattered clan members and restore the Uzumaki clan to its former glory!"
Kushina Uzumaki nodded slightly, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.
She gently withdrew her hand and looked into the distance: "I know, Chika-nee."
Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze was wandering aimlessly through the streets of Konoha, his face filled with a lost and dejected expression, like a walking corpse.
Ever since he left the Uzumaki clan's courtyard that day and was rejected by Kushina, he had been in a daze.
He still couldn't believe that Kushina, who had once smiled at him, acted coquettishly towards him, and said she would be with him for life, would really break up with him and really let go of their ten-year friendship.
Just then, he heard villagers gathered together by the roadside, discussing the matter.
"Have you heard? Lord Sanmine is getting married, taking seven wives! It's a huge affair; they sent the Uchiha clan members to deliver the betrothal gifts first thing this morning!"
"I know... he's going to marry Tsunade... Kushina Uzumaki..."
"Oh dear... Kushina Uzumaki... wasn't she Minato Namikaze's girlfriend before? Why is she suddenly going to marry Lord Mitsumine? Do you know anything about the reasons behind this? I'd love to know too..."
"Hey, you don't know this, do you? Lord Mitsumine is the Fourth Hokage, incredibly strong, and handsome... He's also the new head of the Uchiha clan... What could Minato Namikaze possibly offer her... It's only natural that Kushina would marry Lord Mitsumine..."
Minato Namikaze couldn't hear what was said after that; he only felt a buzzing in his ears, as if countless thunderclaps were exploding in his ears.
His legs buckled and he almost fell to the ground, but luckily he managed to steady himself by grabbing the wall next to him.
Kushina...is she going to marry Uchiha Mitsunori?
This news struck him like a bolt from the blue.
He felt as if the sky was falling, all the strength had been drained from his body, the light in his eyes instantly went out, leaving only endless despair and resentment...
He loved Kushina for over a decade, from their childhood acquaintance to their daily companionship. He regarded her as his life and his lifelong faith, and he was willing to give everything for her.
In the end, however, she had to marry someone else, the one who took away his Hokage position and everything from him!
He suddenly snapped out of his daze, a mad glint flashing in his eyes. Ignoring the astonished looks of the surrounding villagers, he shoved aside the people around him and ran like a madman toward the Whirlpool Clan's courtyard.
He cannot accept it, he absolutely cannot accept it!
He was going to find Kushina, to persuade her, to change her mind... He was going to tell her that he could do anything for her... He could give everything for her, even his own life!
"Kushina, don't marry... don't marry... wait for me!"
Minato Namikaze ran while frantically calling out Kushina's name.
He quickly reached the entrance to the Uzumaki clan's courtyard. The Uzumaki ninja guarding the gate immediately stepped forward to stop him, but firmly said, "Lord Minato, I'm sorry, Miss Kushina does not wish to see you. Please return!"
"Get out of here! All of you, get out of here!"
Minato Namikaze's eyes were filled with madness. He shoved aside the ninja guarding the gate, causing the two ninjas to stumble and fall to the ground.
He rushed in like a madman, crushing the flower petals in the courtyard with a "rustling" sound.
At this moment, Kushina was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, stroking the gifts in the gift box, her expression somewhat complicated.
Upon seeing Kushina, Minato Namikaze immediately rushed over and grabbed her hand tightly.
"Kushina, this isn't true, is it? You're not going to marry Uchiha Mitsunaga, you're lying to me, aren't you???"