On the streets of Konoha's commercial district, Sasuke walked beside Raizen, his heart overflowing with joy. From this day forward, he was no longer alone.
The two arrived at a small restaurant. Raizen handed the menu to Sasuke, letting him order whatever he liked. Sasuke took it with excitement, eagerly scanning the options, while Raizen simply ordered a bottle of sake and some light appetizers.
A waitress soon arrived with the sake and a small plate of snacks. Raizen poured himself a small cup and took a slow sip. Sitting opposite him, Sasuke watched with curiosity and a hint of longing. "Uncle, I want to try some too," he said expectantly.
"You can't have this yet. Wait until you're eighteen," Raizen chuckled, gently declining the request.
The rest of the dishes arrived quickly, and the two ate with hearty appetites. Once finished, Raizen paid the bill and led Sasuke back toward the clan compound.
Just as they stepped out of the restaurant, Kurenai Yuhi and Anko Mitarashi appeared at the entrance, laughing and chatting.
"What are you looking at, Kurenai?"
Anko followed her friend's gaze toward the street, curious about what had caught her eye.
"I thought I saw a familiar back," Kurenai murmured, watching a figure disappear around the corner. A strange sense of familiarity tugged at her heart.
"Who?" Anko looked over but didn't see anyone she recognized.
"Maybe I was mistaken," Kurenai sighed, shaking her head. "He's been gone for so many years without a word. How could he suddenly be back in Konoha?"
"Come on, let's go inside and have a few drinks," Anko said, pulling Kurenai into the restaurant.
Once seated, Anko leaned in with a mischievous grin. "So, Kurenai... Asuma has been asking you out a lot lately. Does he like you? Has he made some grand, romantic confession yet?"
Kurenai paused, then shook her head. "We've only had a few meals together because of mission business."
Anko laughed. "Well, do you like him? It's pretty obvious he's interested in you."
"Like Asuma?" Anko's question caused a specific image to flash through Kurenai's mind. "I already have someone I like. Asuma is a good man, but I don't feel that way about him."
"Who is it?! Which guy stole our Little Kurenai's heart?" Anko's eyes lit up with gossip-fueled excitement, desperate to know the secret.
"Hmph, I'm not telling you," Kurenai said, her cheeks tinged with pink. "And I'm not 'Little' Kurenai. I'm 'Big' Kurenai." She puffed out her chest defiantly.
"Compared to mine, yours is definitely little," Anko countered, puffing out her own chest in a show of friendly rivalry.
"Yours is the small one!" Kurenai shot back. The two bickered playfully, neither willing to concede on the matter of size.
After stopping at a department store to buy Sasuke some new clothes, Raizen finally returned home. To his surprise, he found someone already inside, busily cleaning the house.
"You... Miss Momoko?"
As he drew closer, he recognized her as the woman he had met at the Hokage Building earlier that morning. He stared at her in surprise; she was Hiruzen's secretary—what was she doing here scrubbing his floors?
"You're back, Lord Raizen," Momoko said, a flush creeping up her neck.
Raizen walked over, noting the spotless floor, and looked at her curiously. "Miss Momoko, why are you here?"
"I was waiting for you to return," she said, her head bowed shyly. "I saw the dust on the floor and decided to help tidy up."
"Uncle Raizen, I'm going to go take a bath now." Seeing the beautiful woman looking for his uncle with such a blushing face, Sasuke made a tactful exit.
Children in the ninja world matured early. Seeing Momoko's bashful expression, Sasuke had a fair idea of why she was here. He wasn't about to be the third wheel and ruin things for his uncle. He disappeared into his own quarters.
Raizen brewed some tea and poured a cup for Momoko with a gentle smile. "Thank you for the hard work, Momoko. Please, have some tea."
"Thank you, Lord Raizen." She still couldn't quite bring herself to look him in the eye.
Raizen poured a cup for himself, took a sip, and asked, "So, Momoko... what brings you here?"
"Lord Raizen, actually, I..." She kept her head down, hesitating. She took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and blurted out, "Actually, I'm here to accept your mission!"
Her face turned a deep, burning crimson as soon as the words left her mouth.
"Oh?" Raizen's eyes widened slightly. While he had suspected as much, hearing her state it so clearly was still a surprise. Momoko was sweet-looking with an excellent figure; she definitely met his standards.
His expression turned serious. "Miss Momoko, are you certain? This mission will change the course of your entire life. Have you truly thought it through?"
Momoko looked up briefly, catching a glimpse of Raizen's handsome face, and whispered, "I've made up my mind, Lord Raizen. I want to accept your mission."
"I see. I understand." Raizen paused. "In that case... how about we have a drink first?" He suggested. A little alcohol usually helped people relax and lowered the barrier of awkwardness.
"Yes... whatever you say, Lord Raizen," she replied softly.
Her submissiveness made Raizen's heart skip a beat. He brought out a bottle of sake, and the two began to drink together.
After several rounds, a rosy glow settled on both their faces. Raizen had already shared a bottle with Sasuke at the restaurant; with another half bottle now, he was feeling a pleasant buzz despite his high tolerance. Momoko, who clearly wasn't much of a drinker, was already in a state of semi-intoxicated bliss.
"Miss Momoko... perhaps we should bathe first?"
"Whatever Lord Raizen wishes..." Momoko murmured, her face flushed—though whether from the sake or the suggestion, it was hard to tell.
Raizen's house was separate from Sasuke's, and his bathroom was connected to a natural underground spring, providing a constant flow of hot, mineral-rich water. No extra preparation was needed.
Raizen stepped into the steaming bath first. Momoko followed hesitantly, her heart pounding.
"Lord Raizen... let me wash your back."
"Thank you, Momoko. I appreciate it."
"It's no trouble... it makes me happy to do this for you."
"Then, Miss Momoko, let me wash your back as well."
"I... I would be honored, Lord Raizen."
"The honor is all mine."