Title: A New Beginning*
The sun began to rise over Konoha, casting a warm, golden light that filtered through the windows of Naruto Uzumaki's apartment. He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, and was just finishing his breakfast when a sudden, urgent knock echoed through the door.
Naruto swung the door open to find an ANBU member standing stoically before him, their expression cold and enigmatic. "What is it?" Naruto asked, still feeling the weight of sleep tugging at him.
"The Hokage requires your presence," the ANBU stated flatly.
Before Naruto could utter another word, the ANBU vanished in a swirl of leaves, leaving him momentarily stunned. "Wait! What?!" he shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the silence of the hallway.
After a brief moment of hesitation, he hurriedly dressed, his mind racing with questions, and made his way toward the Hokage's office, his heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and anxiety.
Upon reaching the office, he found it filled with familiar faces—the Konoha 12 and several jounin, all wearing expressions ranging from surprise to curiosity. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, as if everyone was waiting for something monumental to unfold.
"You're late, Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed, her arms crossed and a slight frown on her face, though there was a hint of relief in her tone.
"Yeah! What took you so long?" Ino chimed in, her teasing demeanor tinged with genuine concern.
Tsunade sat at her desk, her expression unusually grave. "Now that everyone is here, I have an important announcement to make."
The room fell silent, every eye focused on the Hokage. "A marriage is being arranged between Konoha and Hoshigakure, and the Hokage has decided that one of you will be the representative groom."
Gasps of disbelief filled the room, and speculation ignited among the group. "It's probably Sasuke!" Kiba exclaimed, grinning widely. "He's the strongest of us!"
"Yeah, Sasuke would be a perfect choice!" Ino added, glancing at him with admiration.
Sakura shot Ino a quick glare, her feelings for Sasuke bubbling to the surface. "Well, he's not the only one who could do it!" she retorted defensively, though her gaze didn't leave Sasuke.
Sasuke leaned against the wall, a mixture of anticipation and confidence coursing through him. He believed it made perfect sense for him to be chosen. After all, he was the last Uchiha, and marrying into another clan could serve to fortify Konoha's alliances.
However, Tsunade shook her head decisively. "No, it's not you, Sasuke."
Confusion swept through the room like a wave. "The representative groom will be… Naruto Uzumaki."
Silence enveloped the group, quickly followed by incredulous laughter. "What?! Naruto?!" Sakura exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Naruto's heart plummeted. "Wait, what? Me?"
The Konoha 12 exchanged bewildered glances. "Are you serious?" Shikamaru questioned, scratching his head in disbelief. "Naruto? He's not ready for something like this!"
"Yeah, he can barely handle his own ramen!" Ino added, half-joking but with an underlying seriousness.
Tsunade continued, her gaze unwavering. "This is a political alliance. You will be marrying Aiko, the daughter of the leader of Hoshigakure."
"But I don't even know her!" Naruto protested, his panic escalating. "I can't just marry someone I've never met!"
"This is a forced marriage, Naruto," Tsunade explained, her voice firm and resolute. "It's for the benefit of our village's alliance with Hoshigakure. You have no choice in the matter."
The room erupted into a mix of laughter and sympathetic murmurs. Naruto felt a tightening knot forming in his stomach. "You can't be serious! I can't just be told to marry someone!"
Sasuke's expression shifted, disbelief etched across his features. "Wait, what? It's really Naruto?" he muttered, feeling a surge of confusion and irritation. "Why didn't they choose me? I'm the last Uchiha! This doesn't make any sense!"
Sakura glanced at Sasuke, surprised by his reaction. "Shouldn't you be happy for him?" she asked, her tone a mixture of concern and confusion.
Sasuke shot her a glare, his annoyance boiling over. "This is ridiculous. I should have been picked for this. I could handle it better than Naruto."
Meanwhile, in a corner of the room, Hinata Hyuga stood quietly, her heart sinking as she absorbed the news. She had always admired Naruto from a distance, her feelings deepening over the years, but she had never found the courage to confess her affection. Hearing that he would be marrying someone else felt like a crushing blow.
"Naruto..." she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible as sadness enveloped her.
Naruto, noticing Sasuke's tense demeanor, felt a mix of frustration and determination welling up inside him. "If I have to marry her, then I'll do it on my own terms. I won't let this define me or take away my dreams!"
Sasuke scoffed, unable to hide the irritation in his voice. "You think you can handle this, Naruto? It's not just some game; it's a serious matter."
"Yeah, you can't let this get in the way of your training!" Sakura added, trying to support Naruto.
Naruto's frustration boiled over. "Well, I don't want to!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the room.
Tsunade's expression softened slightly. "I understand this is difficult, Naruto, but it's for the village. You need to think of the bigger picture."
As the chatter continued, Naruto stood there, grappling with the announcement. A forced marriage? It felt surreal. "This has to be a joke, right? You're all kidding with me, right?"
Laughter erupted again, and Naruto's heart sank deeper as he realized they were all serious. "No way... this isn't funny, guys! You can't be serious about this!"
Tsunade looked at him with a firm expression. "This is real, Naruto. You need to prepare."
As the reality settled in, Naruto felt a mixture of disbelief and a burgeoning sense of determination. If he had to go through with this, he would find a way to make it work—somehow. After all, he was Naruto Uzumaki, and he had faced challenges far more daunting than this.
Throughout the day, he found himself immersed in thoughts about what his future wife might be like. Would she be kind and understanding? Would they form a genuine connection, or would it turn into a constant struggle? Entering a relationship based on duty rather than love made him anxious.
As he pondered these questions, Naruto recognized that this could also be an opportunity for growth. He could strive to build a partnership that not only benefited them but also strengthened the ties between their villages.
By the time evening rolled around, the weight of the day's events had begun to settle in. Naruto steeled himself for the journey ahead. Although he might not have chosen this path, he was resolute in embracing it with his usual optimism and tenacity, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
With a deep breath, he resolved to confront his future—whatever it might hold—with an open heart and an unwavering spirit. Today had transformed everything, and as he gazed out at the village he loved, he felt a flicker of hope igniting within him for what was yet to come.