Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

"Yes, yes I do!" Tsunade nodded hurriedly, tears trickling down her face as she smiled and laughed, grabbing Katsuro's hands.

"Lord Senju Katsuro, do you-?"

"Yes, of course I do!" Katsuro replied, squeezing Tsunade's hands.

"Then, I pronounce you HUSBAND AND WIFE!" Mr Yairya called out, smiling to himself. All around then cheers erupted, the sound so loud it could be heard from neighbouring villages. Villagers and Senju and Uzumaki clans members jumped out of their chairs as Tsunade and Katsuro pulled each other towards themselves, embracing each other into a long kiss, symbolising their finalised lifelong commitment.

"I've waited for this day from the moment I knew I loved you, Tsuna," Katsuro smiled, breaking away.

"I love you, Suro. I always will. Promise me you'll stay with me forever," Tsunade whispered back.

"I promise," he replied, as the two turned to the crowd, holding each other's hands. The entire venue broke out in laughter and applause, throwing flowers and confetti into the air. Even the more hardline Uchiha elders who had been invited as comrades had smiles on their faces as they clapped their hands together despite pretending they hated attending such a Senju infested place.

The venue was full of all walks of life, from civilians of the Senju clan or the 'eternal Genin' like Might Duy to some of the strongest Shinobi in the village. Katsuro's wedding was truly uniting and inclusive. The village too who had heard word of his wedding to one of the Sannin seemed to be in full celebration, if someone walked in on that day they would believe the Leaf was holding a village wide festival, that's how joyous the occasion was.

Time passed quickly, with everyone celebrating the occasion. Unfortunately, Katsuro's natural vitality meant he found it very difficult to become drunk, but he had fun nonetheless. Casual, peaceful and friendly conversation with people offering their congratulations, littered with dances of couples including the newlyweds soon turned into an all out party. It was interesting to say the least seeing certain serious Uchiha clan leaders being drunk.

Katsuro's casual remark to a drunk Fugaku about how his wedding was better than his soon landed Fugaku in trouble with his wife who caught his very public outburst shouting at Katsuro about how his wife and wedding were miles better. Obviously both men wouldn't concede and stood their ground talking about them passionately and lovingly but were soon dragged away but those very wives whose faces were flushed. Needless to say, they wouldn't be nagged for this particular occasion.

But the atmosphere was interrupted as a guest arrived late. The Third Hokage walked in with his entourage, and seeing him Katsuro's smile unexpectedly widened as he thought back to the conversation he had with Tsunade.

A few days earlier.

"What did you just say?"

"I said I think we should invite the Third Hokage." Katsuro said with a goofy smile on his face.

Tsuande eyed him suspiciously trying to figure out what he was up to, but decided to just ask him directly. "Now why would you invite someone you obviously hate. And don't say it's for my sake. What are you up to?"

"I just think it would be entertaining, watching him pretend as he seethes internally. I'm stealing his student afterall. Maybe he would've also wanted to walk you down the aisle."

Back to the present.

The hush of the noise as eyes turned toward the new entry was eventually broken as the Hokage walked up delivering his congratulations with a gift. Which Katsuro accepted graciously wrapping his hands around Tsunade and saying 'my wife' a suspicious amount of times.

Of course in such a public setting Hiruzen was forced to keep up appearances, acting calm while knowing full well what Katsuro was doing. But the moment was also an eye opener, he realised now that his student would no longer be completely on his side as she was at one point. And the revelation even made him think of his other students, particularly Orochimaru who was originally the one he had suspected would be the least likely to follow his orders.

Nonetheless, the very obviously unfriendly stares of the Senju, Uzumaki and Uchiha among other clans made even the thick-skinned Hokage uncomfortable. With faint excuses about being busy running the village he left, restoring the atmosphere to what it was as the Uzumaki and Senju fearlessly and openly complained about him. Some other guests were surprised seeing them being so open about it, but as it continued soon joined in themselves while laughing along to the very creative insults.

Of course, the Anbu the Hokage had brought with him who had stayed and reported it back, but other than getting mad and even breaking his glass ball he could only sigh under helplessness. But with his departure, the wedding celebrations proceeded in full force and eventually ended without much fanfare.

That night, after certain strenuous activities, Katsuro and Tsunade in the company of just each other were reflecting on things. Reminiscing on their lives and looking forward to the future. Eventually the topic came up - the one everyone in the village was wondering. Who would be the next Hokage?

"Suro?"

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you become Hokage?" Tsunade asked with wide eyes tugging on his arms.

Before he could reply she continued looking forward with a smile, remembering everything. "I know it's something you'd rather not do. But I think you'd make a fantastic Hokage. You already care for this village as your home - for your friends, comrades and family. The way you have changed the clan and saved the Uzumaki and exposed the corruption deeply seeded in this village has already shown everyone enough. And of course your strength more than qualifies."

She turned back to him with a soft smile as he let her speak patiently, "there's a reason why the whole Village is saying your name Suro, and it's not just because of our wedding. Suro, I don't know about anyone else. But I do know that if you were Hokage you would drastically improve this village. The Uchiha wouldn't be so ostracised, and that backwards Hyuga practice you hate would be abolished. You are the best choice to truly remove the cancer that is holding this village back. As much as it disappoints me to say this, it is clear that the old man and his elders are leading this village to ruin in the name of stability and prosperity. I'm not sure what would happen if Orochimaru or anyone else became Hokage. But I do know, if it was you, the Village would see peace and development, maybe even the world itself. That world, the one you build is the one I want to bring my child into, not this one where even our village is hiding dark secrets killing its own people. And don't forget, the one who saw you as Hokage first wasn't me, Lord Sakumo or any other Shinobi. It was Nawaki."

Hearing the name, his lips pursed a little, as he replied, "I'll think about it."

Sensing his slight discomfort, Tsunade moved on with a look talking about happier things.

But the thought stayed with Katsuro in the night. As Tsunade fell asleep he laid wide awake despite their busy day. Looking up blankly, he remembered what Tsunade and Nawaki had told him. That kid, his dream was to be Hokage, to protect the village - to become a Hero. And he still said I would and should become Hokage before he did. He wanted me to become Hokage… should I? I can do a lot for the Village, Tsunade is right and the clan is at a comfortable place now - I am not needed for every little thing anymore. People flashed before his eyes, children he was responsible for in the clan compounds, children throughout the village and of his friends and comrades. As he thought of the children of the leaf and his own child he realised What am I even thinking? He said internally, shaking his head, Just because it's slightly inconvenient will I let all those children suffer as I did, feel the same pain I had. No, I can make a change, I know it. He looked to his side, to his now wife's sleeping face. With a soft sigh, as he brushed her hair away from her face he thought, always making me take the hard route, but good things are never easy… You really do bring out the best in me.

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