Chapter 553: Do You Want to Become the Daimyo?

Inside the brightly lit living room of the Haruno residence,

the couple, Kizashi Haruno and Mebuki Haruno, were originally sitting on the sofa watching a television program, enjoying their leisure time after a long day of work.

When the doorbell rang, Mebuki muttered with some confusion, “Who could it be at this late hour?”

But when she opened the door and saw the two people standing outside, the remote control in her hand almost dropped to the floor.

Standing at the door was none other than their daughter Sakura, and…

the Sixth Hokage, who was now highly renowned and shrouded in countless halos throughout Hidden Leaf Village and the entire Shinobi World, Naruto Uzumaki!

“H-Hokage-sama?!”

Mebuki Haruno’s voice pitched high in extreme shock. She hurriedly stepped aside, flusteredly inviting them in. “P-Please, come in! Why… so suddenly…” She looked at her daughter, her eyes filled with questioning and disbelief.

Kizashi Haruno also stood up from the sofa, watching Naruto and Sakura walk in side by side. He particularly noticed the blush that had not yet fully faded from his daughter’s face, her slightly swollen eyes, and a trace of hard-to-conceal nervousness and… shyness?

Meanwhile, the Sixth Hokage beside her, though wearing his usual relaxing and gentle smile, had an expression in his eyes that was far more solemn than usual.

“Uncle, Auntie, good evening. I apologize for the sudden intrusion,” Naruto took the initiative to speak, his tone polite and natural, even bowing slightly.

“Not at all! It is our family’s honor to have Hokage-sama grace us with your presence!”

Kizashi Haruno hurriedly returned the gesture, but his heart was in absolute turmoil.

The Hokage visiting late at night, and together with Sakura… This was definitely unusual.

While ushering Naruto to sit down, he frantically signaled his wife with his eyes to prepare tea and snacks. At the same time, his mind raced, considering various possibilities—a mission? Classified information? Or… about Sakura?

Why did he have a nagging, bad premonition?

Once they sat down in the living room, a subtle silence fell over the atmosphere. Sakura sat next to Naruto, her hands tightly clenched on her lap, her head lowered, not daring to look her parents in the eye.

In the end, it was Naruto who broke the silence. He set down the teacup that Mebuki had hurriedly brought over, sat up straight, and looked at the Haruno couple with a sincere gaze. “Uncle, Auntie, actually, the reason I took the liberty of visiting tonight is because there is a very important matter I would like to formally explain to you both.”

Kizashi and Mebuki’s hearts leaped into their throats at the same time, sensing what was coming.

Naruto glanced at Sakura, who was so nervous she was practically shrinking beside him, and continued, “It’s about Sakura and me. Earlier, Sakura expressed her feelings to me, and I have accepted them.”

“Wh-?!” Kizashi Haruno and Mebuki Haruno gasped almost simultaneously, their eyes widening and their mouths hanging open wide enough to fit an egg. The impact of this news was not in the least bit inferior to seeing the Hokage appear at their doorstep just moments ago!

Sakura… confessed to the Sixth Hokage? And… Hokage-sama actually agreed?!

Kizashi Haruno’s shock was particularly intense.

He had heard more or less some rumors about the close relationships between the Sixth Hokage Naruto Uzumaki and Ino, the daughter of the Yamanaka Clan; Hinata and Hanabi, the two young ladies of the Hyuga Main Family; Karin, the Uzumaki survivor; and that mysterious Uchiha Hikari.

And now, Hokage-sama himself was saying that he had accepted Sakura’s confession as well?!

What did this mean?

An astonishing, even somewhat shocking thought flashed through Kizashi Haruno’s mind like lightning, causing him to blurt out, his voice cracking slightly with excitement and disbelief:

“H-Hokage-sama! You accepted Sakura, and those other girls from the rumors… combining that with Hidden Leaf Village’s current situation…”

He swallowed hard, as if using all his strength to ask that earth-shattering question:

“Could it be… that you want to become the Daimyo?!”

In the understanding of Kizashi Haruno and many people of this era, only the Daimyo, who stood at the absolute peak of power and ruled over vast territories, had the right and the “need” to marry multiple wives in order to produce heirs.

Although Hidden Leaf Village was currently only one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, under the leadership of the Sixth Hokage, its strength and influence had far surpassed the past, vaguely showing a trend of unifying the Shinobi World.

If Naruto really intended to become the new Daimyo, then marrying several women at the same time would make sense.

Mebuki Haruno was also startled by her husband’s bold speculation, but upon careful thought, it seemed… logically consistent?

Otherwise, how could one explain Hokage-sama accepting so many outstanding girls at the same time?

Explaining it merely with “feelings” seemed too flimsy.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the living room became even stranger. Sakura was also dumbfounded; she had never expected her father to think in this direction.

She looked at Naruto anxiously, wanting to explain, but not knowing where to start.

Naruto was also stunned for a moment by Kizashi Haruno’s sudden and bizarre speculation. Looking at the Haruno couple’s eyes, which mixed shock, realization, and a hint of anxiety, he couldn’t help but feel caught between tears and laughter.

He shook his head, a somewhat helpless smile appearing on his face.

“Uncle, you’ve misunderstood.”

Naruto’s voice was clear and steady, carrying a convincing power. “I, Naruto Uzumaki, have never once thought about becoming some Daimyo. My goal is to bring true peace and connection to the Shinobi World, allowing every Village and every person to live freely under the sun, rather than establishing a new Dynasty ruled by me.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Sakura before looking back at the Haruno couple with an incredibly earnest look. “I accepted the feelings of Sakura, Ino, Hinata, Hikari, and Karin for reasons that are both very simple and very complex. To put it simply, it is because I love every single one of them, and I cannot let go of any of their sincere feelings. They are all the most important people to me.”

“And you don’t have to worry at all about political marriages, consolidating power, or anything like that…” Naruto smiled, his smile carrying a hint of his unique, almost arrogant confidence.

“If I needed to rely on political marriages to consolidate Hidden Leaf Village’s or my own position, then I would be far too much of a failure as Hokage. My power, the policies I implement, and the trust and bonds I have built with my comrades are the true cornerstones of Hidden Leaf Village’s strength and the Shinobi World’s path to peace.”

He looked at Kizashi Haruno, his tone gentle yet unquestionable. “The future I promise Sakura is not an empty title like ‘Hokage’s Wife’ or ‘Daimyo’s Consort,’ but as one of Naruto Uzumaki’s wives, walking side-by-side with me as a partner to face all future challenges and happiness together. I will use everything I have to protect each and every one of them, giving them a happy and stable life. This, I can guarantee to you and Auntie.”

Naruto’s candid and powerful words blew away the shock and doubt in Kizashi Haruno’s heart like a spring breeze. Looking at the young yet incredibly powerful Hokage before him, and then at his daughter’s eyes filled with unconcealed adoration and trust when she looked at Naruto, the heavy stone in his heart finally lifted.

It wasn’t a political tool, nor a marriage pawn… It was truly because of genuine feelings.

Kizashi Haruno let out a long sigh of relief, a look of relief appearing on his face, even carrying a hint of pride. His daughter was actually being treated so solemnly and sincerely by the Sixth Hokage!

“So that’s how it is… I was overthinking things, Hokage-sama. Please don’t mind me.”

Kizashi Haruno scratched his head in embarrassment, then spoke seriously, “As long as Sakura is truly willing, and you can guarantee to treat her well and take responsibility for her future… as parents, we have no reason to object. It is Sakura’s good fortune to have met you.”

Mebuki Haruno also nodded quickly, her eyes slightly moist, both relieved and happy for her daughter.

Sakura was so moved she almost cried again. She tightly gripped Naruto’s hand, as if holding the entire world.

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