Tsunade's Family Dinner

After leaving the Kurama compound, Qingguang headed straight for Tsunade's house.

As soon as he reached the front gate and pushed it open, he could see Tsunade, Kushina, and Nawaki bustling around inside from the training field.

Tsunade's voice rang out from inside, giving orders.

"Nawaki, I told you to wash the vegetables, not play with the water. Keep fooling around and I'll beat you!"

Thump! Thump!

The sound of fists making intimate contact with skulls rang out, followed by two cries of pain from Nawaki.

To spare Nawaki any further suffering, Qingguang hurried over and knocked on the door.

"Big Sis, I'm here."

In the kitchen, Tsunade stopped in the middle of marinating the chicken as soon as she heard him. She was about to open the door, but when she saw the marinade on her hands, she simply called for Nawaki to go instead.

"You, go open the door for your big brother Qingguang."

Nawaki gingerly touched the two bumps swelling on his head, his eyes nearly filling with tears. He glared sulkily at Tsunade and muttered, "Violent woman. You'll never get married."

"What was that?" Tsunade asked with a smile, a vein bulging on her forehead.

Then she gritted her teeth and said, "Today, I'll show you just how gentle your big sister can be!"

Seeing this, Nawaki slipped away and sprinted toward the door, shouting as he ran, "Big Brother Qingguang, help me!"

"The tigress is going to eat me!"

Whoosh—

The door flew open, and another affectionate fist landed on Nawaki's head.

Qingguang slid forward and caught Tsunade by the forearms with both hands. "Big Sis, he's still young and doesn't know any better. I'll teach him a lesson for you."

"Hmph. Make sure you teach the little brat a good lesson. He has no respect for a lady."

Tsunade spun around briskly, her pale golden ponytail leaving a waft of fragrance in the air, then headed back to the kitchen to continue what she'd been doing.

Qingguang winked and gave Nawaki a meaningful look. Nawaki immediately caught on.

A moment later, Tsunade heard Nawaki's remorseful cries of pain from the living room. The corners of her mouth lifted as she smiled.

Those two really thought she didn't know what they were up to?

Smack!

"Ah, Sis, I was wrong! I won't do it again!"

"Big Brother Qingguang, stop! If you hit me like that, I won't be able to get out of bed for three days!"

Another knock came from the door. Tsunade called for them to come in.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru appeared in the doorway.

The two of them stared at Nawaki, who was sprawled on the sofa with a grin, pretending to cry out in pain, and Qingguang, who was vigorously hitting the sofa.

Hiruzen Sarutobi found the scene incredibly familiar. Wasn't this exactly like the act his son, Shinnosuke, used to put on with him when they were trying to fool Biwako?

Seeing Qingguang's awkward smile and Nawaki's suddenly frozen grin, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled knowingly and made an OK sign.

"Ahem, Qingguang, that's enough. Don't actually hurt Nawaki."

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Qingguang replied. He then pulled Nawaki off the sofa, and the three of them exchanged smiles.

"All right, we're not at work, so there's no need for formalities. Orochimaru, have a seat."

"All right, Teacher Sarutobi." Orochimaru pulled out a chair and waited for Hiruzen Sarutobi to sit before taking his own seat.

Today's family dinner was supposedly to celebrate Tsunade becoming head of the Medical Department.

But in reality, Tsunade had her eye on the fine liquor that Uncle Shifang had given Qingguang. She couldn't wait until later, so she'd gone to considerable lengths to get Qingguang to agree to ask Uncle Shifang to part with some of it.

Once the two men were seated, Qingguang joined in with the cooking.

Before long, all the dishes were ready. Most had been made by Qingguang and Kushina, while the marinated chicken was the only dish Tsunade was particularly good at preparing.

Tsunade raised her eyebrows at Qingguang and gave him a few pointed coughs.

Hurry up and get that old Uchiha geezer's good liquor out so I can try it. I've never had Uchiha liquor before.

Qingguang smiled and blinked.

Big Sis, don't forget what you promised me.

Without hesitation, Tsunade nodded confidently.

Of course, little bro.

The others saw the two of them exchanging such blatant signals, and similar thoughts arose in each of their minds.

Nawaki: Is Qingguang about to become my brother-in-law?

Kushina: This is just like that scene in a romance manga where the lovers exchange glances during class~

Orochimaru: Jiraiya, you're still no match for Qingguang.

Hiruzen Sarutobi: Hmm... It wouldn't be a bad idea. It could turn out to be a beautiful thing.

Under everyone's watchful gaze and Tsunade's expectant eyes, Qingguang took out a space scroll and produced a deep-brown clay jar still smeared with dirt.

"This is fine liquor I managed to get from Uncle Shifang after a lot of effort. Apparently, it's an old vintage from the Warring States Period. He only has a few jars left."

Qingguang hadn't even opened the jar. He'd only cleaned off the dirt, but Tsunade could already smell the rich aroma of the liquor.

"Come on, let me!" Tsunade eagerly bumped Qingguang in the waist with her hip, shoved him aside, and claimed his chair. With practiced movements, she lifted the lid.

Her face immediately turned blissful.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened.

This was the good stuff!

After the feast, Tsunade was dead drunk. She clung to Qingguang and slurred as she called him her sworn brother.

Orochimaru was out cold, slumped over the table. A wooden chopstick with a white napkin draped over it stood in his cup.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he sat with his eyes half closed, humming a tune contentedly as he savored the liquor's lingering aroma.

"Big Sis, Big Sis, don't forget what we agreed on~"

Held in Tsunade's arms, Qingguang sat stiffly, his cheeks flushed with anxiety. He looked up and whispered a reminder in her ear.

As a healthy man, it was incredibly difficult to stay focused on his original purpose in a situation like this.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow and swayed to her feet. Leaning forward, she loomed over Qingguang, her soft curves pressing against him beneath her vest. Her fingertips, coated in bright red nail polish, traced his collarbone and Adam's apple before reaching his chin and gently lifting it.

"Would Big Sis lie to you?"

For an instant, sobriety and drunkenness mingled in her mind, and a bewitching, seductive smile flickered across her face.

Before Qingguang could react, Tsunade turned around and slapped the table.

Smack!

Orochimaru jolted awake. His eyes were vacant and unfocused as he fell backward, slumping against the back of his chair.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled too.

As for Kushina and Nawaki, those two little rascals were washing dishes in the kitchen and had escaped the commotion.

"Old geezer, how was the liquor?" Tsunade demanded, pointing at Hiruzen Sarutobi's nose.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded.

Tsunade seemed to have had a bit too much to drink today.

"It was great. Of course it was great. I never knew the Uchiha Clan had such fine liquor~"

"If it's good, then drink more. There'll be more at the next wedding over at the Uchiha Clan."

"Hic~" Tsunade hiccupped as she spoke.

A glimmer of lucidity flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. This was exactly what he wanted.

The Hokage's presence at a Uchiha wedding would speak volumes, and with this opportunity before him, he naturally wouldn't pass it up.

He glanced at Qingguang and smiled approvingly.

The boy had actually thought of this way to convince Tsunade. He really was a genius~