I Can't Deceive Women

"Another crate of Kirin beer!"

Uchiha Chirori volunteered this addition herself.

She did not mind Ichiraku's playful banter.

Under Ichiraku's enthusiastic arrangements, Toji and Uchiha Chirori were led to a private room. A thin curtain separated them from the noise outside, leaving just enough space for a sense of privacy.

Chirori took the initiative to pick up the bottle, shaking it in front of Toji. "Will you have a drink with me?"

Because the Uchiha were prone to extreme emotions, they had a high demand for alcohol. Many in the clan even went so far as to say that drinking was a form of cultivation unique to the Uchiha. The stimulation provided by alcohol helped in the growth of their ocular power.

When it came to drinking, even Chirori was no exception.

"I can, but I can only have a little," Toji said with a sincere tone. "If I drink too much, the alcohol will affect my brain and might interfere with the efficiency of tomorrow's surgeries. I need to be responsible for my patients."

"Then just have a little with me."

Chirori expressed her understanding.

She knew that Toji was truly busy, so busy that he barely had a moment to rest. Aside from her follow-up consultations and going home to sleep, the rest of his time was spent either at the hospital or the academy; he had no time of his own at all.

Yet, even so, he was still willing to carve out time to share a drink with her.

Chirori looked at the figure across from her, thinking silently to herself: He really is a friend worth making.

"Cheers!"

The glasses clinked together softly, emitting a crisp, pleasant sound.

Toji took a small sip.

Uchiha Chirori, on the other hand, tilted her head back and downed the bright, amber-colored malt beer in one go, a "glug-glug" sound echoing in her throat.

"Excuse my manners," Chirori said, pulling out a tissue to wipe the corner of her mouth.

Toji smiled gently. "It's fine. You look quite charming when you drink, Miss Chirori. You have to maintain a dignified air as the principal of the Ninja Academy, so it's good to relax a bit after work."

Chirori suddenly asked, "Does this count as us showing each other sides that are usually kept hidden?"

"I can see that Miss Chirori is not as cold as she appears. But as for my hidden side, what are you referring to?"

"I thought you only ate military rations or those precise nutritional meals provided by the hospital in your daily life. I didn't expect you to eat something like ramen."

Chirori was the type to flush quickly; with one glass down, her cheeks were already stained a faint, mellow red, and her tone when speaking to him had become much more casual.

"Living like that would be too boring," Toji chuckled. "When it comes to food, I have my own standards. Ichiraku Ramen is truly delicious. In all my travels across the Ninja World, it ranks in the top three."

Chirori reached out to refill their glasses. "Toji-kun, would you mind telling me about your past? How much of the world has that pair of eyes of yours seen?"

"I thought you would ask about the status of our two teachers, Yusuke and Masayuki."

The glass in Chirori's hand paused, and she said fiercely, "You really are a bore when it comes to romance!"

"My apologies. Before talking about the distant past, I'm more accustomed to clarifying our current situations."

Toji's tone was sincere. "During this period, three patients with organ failure have been given a new lease on life thanks to those two teachers. I thank you on their behalf, and I thank the Uchiha clan as well."

Uchiha Chirori sighed and drained her glass, her voice carrying a hint of melancholy.

"Understood. I will pass this on to their families. Actually, if it weren't for me..."

Before she could continue, Toji uncharacteristically and rudely interrupted her.

"There is no need to regret your decisions, and even less need to feel guilty."

"Any choice made after careful consideration is the only and correct answer from the moment it is decided. So-called right and wrong are merely concepts imposed by others."

"You..."

Chirori ruminated on Toji's words, stunned. "You aren't just saying that to comfort me, are you?"

"I am incapable of deceiving a woman."

Toji said this calmly, then clapped his hands together with a "snap," pulling the dazed Chirori back to reality.

"Now, let me tell you about my past. Since coming to Konoha, I have never spoken of this to anyone."

"When I was young, I stepped on an explosive tag set by the enemy, triggering an explosion. My mother was severely injured while trying to protect me. She passed away after being sent to the hospital, and I was on the verge of death myself. Fortunately, I met a brilliant doctor who used advanced medical skills to save me."

"From that moment on, I set two goals for myself: to become the greatest doctor and to end the chaotic world..."

Toji shared the story he had just fabricated, his expression unchanging.

One crate of beer, two bowls of ramen.

This sitting lasted for the entire night.

Chirori rested her chin on one hand, tilting her head, her gaze fixed on Toji's face from start to finish as she listened.

Until a certain moment, she suddenly felt her cheeks burning and looked away.

She turned her attention to the nearly empty bottle on the table and poured the last of the beer into their two glasses.

"Come, cheers!"

The two raised their glasses and clinked them together once more.

Gurgle, gurgle...

Chirori shook her head twice, then leaned back against the chair and closed her eyes.

Toji watched the "unconscious" Chirori in silence.

Ninjas do not get drunk.

What was the meaning of this display?

He leaned in slightly. "Miss Chirori, wake up. Are you drunk?"

"Mmm..."

"Drink in moderation. Overindulging is bad for your eyes."

With that, Toji pulled two bills from his wallet, tucked them under the glass, and stepped forward. "I'll use the Mystical Palm Technique to sober you up."

"No." Chirori let out a vague, muffled moan. "Just take me back to the clan compound."

"..."

Could you be a little more reserved?

Toji helped Chirori up, pulled back the curtain, and walked out of the Ichiraku ramen shop.

The night was cool, and the evening breeze blew softly.

Toji walked slowly, supporting the "drunken" Chirori.

Her long purple hair brushed against his cheek from time to time, bringing a faint, ticklish sensation. Instead of the pungent smell of alcohol, a light, delicate fragrance drifted into his nose.

But Toji remained unmoved.

The romantic atmosphere before him could not shake his resolve, and he carried Uchiha Chirori all the way to her home.

It was late at night, and few Uchihas witnessed the scene.

Uchiha Ayano opened the door.

"Lord Toji, thank you for the trouble you've taken with Lord Chirori along the way."

She bowed respectfully and spoke softly to explain for her superior: "Don't be fooled by how relaxed Lord Chirori seems after becoming the principal; she has actually been troubled by clan affairs lately. I haven't seen her this relaxed in a long time."

"Thank you, Lord Toji."

"If I may be so bold, what kind of troubles are these?"

"This..." Ayano thought for a moment and decided it wouldn't hurt to tell Toji. "There is a rogue ninja in the clan named Uchiha Yan, and Lord Chirori is trying to find a way to bring her back."

"I see." Toji nodded. "A rogue ninja, how detestable. It is a pity that I cannot be of any help in this matter."

"I shall take my leave, then. When Miss Chirori sobers up, remember to remind her to get some rest."

"I will."

After Toji left, Uchiha Chirori opened her eyes.

On the other side, Toji returned to the Underground Laboratory and walked straight toward Uchiha Yan.

Uchiha Yan caught sight of the thick needle in his hand, and her brow twitched violently. "Didn't we agree on a thinner needle?"

"You deserve a larger dose."