Marriage is a major life event—he had to make sure Fugaku would have a happy memory of it.
With that in mind, Gekko Chizan began to ponder.
"What should I give him?"
"Medicinal wine?"
"Strong tonics?"
Who was Gekko Chizan? He was the worst of the worst—if he gave something normal, that wouldn't be like him at all.
To prepare a proper gift for Fugaku, he first went to a pharmacy.
"Boss, do you have cistanche, cinnamon bark, polygonatum, glossy privet fruit, dodder seed, deer antler, and red ginseng?"
The shopkeeper, who had been sorting stock, nearly tripped when he heard Chizan list those ingredients.
What did he just hear? Aren't those all kidney-tonic herbs?
How weak was this guy?
But when the shopkeeper saw who had walked in, he understood.
Just as Gekko Chizan was confused by the pitying look in the shopkeeper's eyes, the man spoke up:
"Young man, you really need to take it easy."
"Look at those dark circles under your eyes. At this rate, your body won't hold up."
Chizan froze on the spot, and the next second, he felt his whole body flush with heat.
What the hell!! How was he weak?! He was still a virgin in this life!!!
Hearing the shopkeeper's words, Chōmei burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Chizan, the boss isn't wrong—you really are weak!"
"If you're no good, just take some traditional medicine too! This is killing me!"
Chizan stared at the giant bug cackling before him and exploded with anger.
"Alright, Chōmei! Mocking me, are you?!"
"Fine! Since that's how it is, you're cut off! I won't be bringing you any bugs for a whole month!"
"Hmph! And while I'm at it, I'm shutting off your senses. You can stay in the dark room!"
Upon hearing that, Chōmei instantly deflated. His laughter died, and his tone turned soft.
"Don't do that, my good friend. I was just joking."
"You know how it is—laughter keeps you young."
"I'll stop, alright?"
Chizan ignored him and turned back to the shopkeeper, forcibly ignoring that look of pity.
Clenching his jaw, he said, "Boss, these aren't dark circles. They're eye bags! And I'm not weak! I was born this way!"
He really shouldn't have said that—the look in the shopkeeper's eyes grew even more sorrowful.
"Ai… born with weak kidneys… poor child."
"Don't worry. I'll give you a 30% discount on these herbs. Take good care of yourself, and remember—don't overdo it..."
Chizan couldn't take it anymore. He wanted to stab this blind old man!
Nobody hold him back—he was going to cut this shopkeeper down!
"Wow, thanks so much. Give me 250 grams of each of the herbs I mentioned."
After paying, Chizan didn't want to stay a second longer in that shop!
With the shopkeeper still giving him that pitying look, Gekko Chizan bolted out of there.
He truly couldn't bear to stay a moment longer.
Looking down at the herbs in his hands, Chizan thought deeply. It still wasn't enough.
After all, Uchiha Fugaku wasn't just anyone. He was the future head of the Uchiha clan—how could he be given something shabby?
Because of that, Chizan decided to head to Ryūchi Cave and bring back some venomous snakes.
With time on his side, he planned to brew a vat of snake wine for Fugaku!
Now that would be a real tonic!
Putting words into action, Gekko Chizan took the herbs and headed home.
But he had just run out from home earlier, and going back now would be walking straight into a trap.
He had no choice but to stash the herbs outside and then sneak in alone using Transparent Release.
...
At that moment, in the courtyard of the Gekko residence—
Pakura and Sayo were coaxing Hayate.
That little brat was busy adding fuel to the fire, bad-mouthing his big brother.
"Boohoo! That devil brother of mine! He actually let a snake bite me! So cruel!"
"When I grow up, I'll definitely get revenge!"
Standing invisibly nearby with Transparent Release active, Chizan thought, Hah, ambitious, huh? Keep dreaming, kid. That day will never come!
Pakura laughed beside him while Sayo tried to console Hayate.
Big brothers disciplining younger brothers wasn't really a big issue.
But the way Chizan did it—tying his brother to a tree and threatening him with snakes? That was a bit over the top.
What kind of older brother did that?
After listening a while and realizing no one was actually condemning him, Chizan let out a sigh of relief.
He immediately went into his room and took out the contract scroll.
Then he used Flying Thunder God to teleport away.
With the help of the contract scroll, he returned to Ryūchi Cave.
"Huh, no one came to welcome me this time?"
"Whatever, I'll look around myself."
Upon arrival, the three snake princesses he'd imagined didn't show up. Though a bit puzzled, Chizan ventured deeper into the cave.
But as he passed a snake pit, a glimmer of gold caught his eye.
"Huh? Jinlin, you're here?"
Yes, the golden light before him was the golden python—Jinlin.
Hearing Chizan's voice, Jinlin slowly moved her body, raised her head, and blinked in confusion.
"Hmm? Gekko Chizan? What are you doing here in Ryūchi Cave?"
"Hey, had some stuff to take care of. I came to find the three snake princesses, but they're nowhere to be seen."
"Snake princesses? They're probably asleep. Other than training, we mostly sleep."
Chizan nodded—made sense. They were snakes, after all. Hibernation was their thing.
"So, what brings you to Ryūchi Cave?"
"I'm looking for some venomous snakes—the unpopular ones. I want to use them to brew medicinal wine."
Jinlin's eyes widened in shock. What did she just hear? This guy, a successor of Ryūchi Cave, wanted to brew wine with venomous snakes???
"Are you serious? This is Ryūchi Cave!"
"So what? The stronger the venom, the better the wine. One of my best friends is getting married—I've gotta give him something big!"
Chizan spoke righteously and with conviction. He was sincere—this had to be a massive gift!
Jinlin looked at the contract holder before her and sighed.
"What kind of snakes are you looking for? Ones cultivating natural energy are off-limits. If the snake princesses find out you used one of their snakes for wine, they'll go berserk."
"Are regular venomous snakes okay? There are plenty outside the cave."
Chizan's eyes lit up. As long as they were venomous, it'd work.
"As long as the venom's strong, it's good. Black mamba, cobra, bush viper—all fine!"
Even Jinlin, a golden python, was stunned by that list of deadly snakes.
"Are you giving a gift or committing murder?"
"It's a gift! Snake wine! Super tonic! Don't you get it?"
Jinlin honestly didn't get it. Wine brewed from those snakes—was that even drinkable? A single drop could probably kill an elephant!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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