🚨Insert Some Funny Memes or GIF🚨
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The bright moonlight spilled gently over the village as Uchiha Hikaru carried Tsunade through the quiet streets.
Even after leaving the crowd far behind, Tsunade made no move to ask him to set her down, and Hikaru didn't seem inclined to let go either.
Traveling side by side might have been the normal choice—but carrying a hundred-kilogram Hokage and getting a free front-row chest massage? Totally worth the effort.
Was it depraved to think so?
Not at all. This was strictly part of Hikaru's physical training.
Unfortunately, good things never lasted long. A few minutes later, Hikaru leapt over a wall and landed lightly in the backyard of his home, still carrying Tsunade.
At that moment, Tsunade finally loosened her arms from around his waist and hopped down to the ground. She gave him a hearty slap on the back, her face lit up with joy.
"Thanks."
Then, turning away with an exaggerated stretch, she added, "Alright, go cook something. I'm starving."
She didn't look back as she walked over to the small sapling growing in the middle of the yard.
It was only half a meter tall, but new branches had begun to sprout, adorned with crisp, green leaves. The little tree radiated vitality.
Tsunade squatted down and stared at it quietly. No one knew what she was thinking.
Hikaru sighed and made a helpless expression.
"Even as a guest, you're pretty impolite, you know that?"
His tone sounded like mock complaint—but with unmistakable affection beneath it.
With that, he turned and headed into the house.
Tsunade continued to gaze at the sapling, her thoughts drifting to memories of her childhood—when her grandfather and great-uncle had taken her out to plant trees like this.
Unconsciously, the corners of her lips lifted into a soft smile, and she murmured:
"Since Hikaru planted you for me, I'll take good care of you from now on~"
Her tone was light, her voice youthful. In that moment, she seemed more like a bright, hopeful girl than the hardened woman who had seen too much.
Inside, Hikaru entered the kitchen, opened the fridge, and began gathering ingredients.
If you want to win a woman's heart, you've got to win her stomach first!
He'd lived alone in his previous life. Cooking was second nature by now.
Time to hit Tsunade with the full force of his culinary chakra!
He rolled up his sleeves, eyes gleaming with confidence. His movements were practiced and precise—washing, chopping, seasoning, heating the oil, stir-frying in succession.
Within thirty minutes, he'd cooked up five home-style dishes using two pans at once:
Mapo tofu, shredded pork with green peppers, stir-fried pork with potatoes and green peppers, braised pork, and a steaming plate of soy-braised beef.
Meanwhile, Tsunade had taken a seat, resting her elbows on the back of the chair and propping up her face. Her eyes were fixed on Hikaru as he cooked, entranced.
Sweat glistened on his brow, sliding down his cheek to his jaw. He raised an arm to wipe it away.
Tsunade kept staring at him with an odd little smile forming on her lips, and her mouth began to water.
Apparently, she'd already been ensnared by Hikaru's cooking skills...
After finishing up, Hikaru removed his dark blue apron, hung it up, and loaded the dishes onto his arm. Four on the right, and the last in his left hand, he made his way to the table.
He paused in front of Tsunade and gave her a look.
There was a beat of silence.
Tsunade tilted her head, a question mark practically floating over it. "What?"
Hikaru's mouth twitched slightly.
...Did she seriously think he was her waiter?
He glanced at the four dishes stacked up on his arm, sighing.
"Help me out."
"Oh! Right, sorry."
Tsunade finally snapped out of her daze and jumped to her feet, quickly taking the dishes off Hikaru's arm one by one and placing them on the table.
However, her hands weren't exactly well-behaved—they brushed over his fingers and arms a bit more than necessary.
Hikaru looked at the faint blush creeping across her profile and silently reassessed his understanding of her.
...So she's that kind of woman? Didn't see that coming.
But then again, men in their thirties were said to be like wolves, and in their forties, like tigers. Judging by Tsunade's current physique, she was probably more dangerous than all three combined.
Suddenly, Hikaru's waist ached preemptively.
No! I'm more than capable! What's there to be afraid of?
Still, he couldn't help but feel that being too smart—and too observant—wasn't always a blessing. Once upon a time, he'd been such an innocent young man...
They sat down to eat.
Tsunade tasted the unfamiliar dishes and immediately dove in like a starved woman.
They were delicious. Completely different from anything she'd had before. But as she continued eating, a strange discomfort grew.
Ah. That was it. This food—whatever style it was—had one flaw. It tasted amazing, but it was salty as hell!
Suddenly, Tsunade slammed her palm onto the table, her face lit with realization.
Of course! This kind of meat and spice required a drink to go with it!
She turned to Hikaru with a sheepish grin and a pleading expression.
"Um… do you still have some of that wine from a few days ago~?"
Hikaru put down his chopsticks, trying to hide the gleam in his eye. Finally. The moment he'd been waiting for.
"I brewed it myself. Two jars of white liquor."
Tsunade's eyes lit up like a pair of fireballs.
She slapped the table and leaned close, noses practically touching.
"How can you invite the Fifth Hokage over without serving drinks?"
"How about... two cups?"
"You bet your ass two cups!"
Without hesitation, Tsunade gave a firm answer to Hikaru's joking question.
He immediately pulled his chair back, stood up, and retrieved two ceramic jars from a sealing scroll in his ninja tool pouch.
Clink. Clink.
Two heavy jars of white liquor hit the wooden floor.
He then produced two small sake cups.
Tsunade had already reached out to open one of the jars, her right hand gripping the lid, when Hikaru gently grabbed her wrist.
"Don't drink too much. Last time, you—"
Tsunade instantly slapped her palm over his mouth, her cheeks turning pink like a sunset sky.
"Shut up. Don't bring that up again!"
As she spoke, she opened the jar, poured out a generous cup for each of them, and slid one in front of Hikaru.
Lifting her chin, she gave him a challenging smirk.
"If you're a man, don't chicken out. Drink."
Hikaru looked at the cup, then up at her face.
He raised an eyebrow, hesitating as if deep in thought.
Tsunade took his hesitation for weakness. Clearly, she thought she had him beat and smirked even more smugly.
But in truth, Hikaru wasn't afraid of losing the drinking contest.
He was thinking something else entirely.
...What if she gets drunk again? If she does, and things get physical—I can't use my Mangekyō on her. I might hurt her. But if I don't use it, how the hell am I supposed to stop her?
And what if she gets drunk and frisky?
There's no way I can hold her back physically. That strength... those biceps... and her chest alone could probably kill a man.
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Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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