Night fell as the guests were seen off.
Uchiha Raizen was already quite drunk. He stumbled his way into Princess Tsukihime's chambers, calling out, "My lady, where are you? Your husband has arrived."
"Husband, I'm over here!" a voice called out.
Raizen swayed as he followed the sound. Soon, he saw his bride sitting by the table. He walked over, taking her hand and looking at her with burning eyes. "Let's rest together, my lady."
Tsukihime shook her head. "No..."
"Why not? We're already married."
"Actually, staying together isn't out of the question..." Tsukihime looked at the inebriated Raizen, a flash of cunning crossing her eyes. "But you have to give me the Papaya Nutritious Juice first. Only then will I stay with you; otherwise, you're on your own."
"Is that all? Just the juice? Here, have ten bottles!"
Raizen produced ten bottles of Papaya Nutritious Juice as if by magic, setting them down before her. Tsukihime's eyes sparkled at the sight.
This Princess is finally going to rise! Hehehe.I won't be the smallest one anymore.
As if afraid Raizen would change his mind and take them back, she popped a cap and gulped one down, then another, not stopping until all ten bottles were empty.
"Burp!"
She let out a long, heavy belch after downing ten bottles of the liquid.
"Husband, let's go to bed now!"
Having consumed the juice, Tsukihime looked at Raizen with eyes overflowing with affection.
The next morning, Raizen woke up and stared at the beauty beside him in shock.
"This... this is?"
"Husband, you're awake!" The lady stirred, looking at Raizen with a bright smile.
"How... how did you...?" Raizen stammered.
"I have to thank you, husband!" Tsukihime giggled softly.
"Thank me?" Raizen stared at her chest. "I don't recall giving you the juice last night..."
"Hehehe, did you forget? Last night you gave me ten bottles. That's why the results are so incredible."
"Ten bottles?" "No wonder it's...?"
Raizen's eyes went wide. He must have been truly wasted to let this little girl trick him like that! Moreover, they hadn't even gotten down to business last night—what a massive loss.
"Well, my lady, since we missed out last night, why don't we make up for it properly right now?"
Raizen looked at Tsukihime with a devious grin.
She blushed. "Husband, the sun is already up. It's embarrassing!"
Raizen replied with a straight face, "No, it's not light yet. That's just moonlight. Let's rest a little longer!"
Outside in the courtyard, the two guards heard the sounds of playful commotion from inside.
"Cough, cough, cough!" "I'm thirsty. I'm going to go get some water."
Konan, looking thoroughly embarrassed, made up an excuse and left. Lately, she had been hearing such things occasionally, which made a Kage-level powerhouse like her feel quite out of place.
"Hey, Konan, wait for me! I'm thirsty too!"
Anko Mitarashi didn't want to stay either and quickly followed her out.
An hour later, Raizen emerged from the room looking refreshed. After washing up, he headed to the kitchen to prepare a nutritious breakfast for Tsukihime to help her recover her strength.
"Yo! Our groom finally decided to show his face!" Anko walked over, grinning at him as she watched him work.
"What? Does our grand bodyguard have an objection?" Raizen joked while prepping the ingredients.
Anko laughed. "I don't have an objection. I'm just worried that a certain someone might drain his vitality until there's no cure left."
"Drain my vitality?"
Raizen let out a chuckle. "Before I achieve the great revitalization of the Uchiha, how could I possibly run out of energy?"
"As for you, Anko, you've been single for so many years. Don't you ever want someone to keep you company? Don't you feel lonely at night, all alone in a dark, empty room?"
Anko retorted, "Kurenai-chan stays with me at night, so I'm not lonely at all!"
"You stay with Kurenai at night?" Raizen's eyes widened.
"I'm a bodyguard! Of course I have to stay close to protect her," Anko said, winking.
"Whatever suits you." Raizen thought about it; since they were best friends, it wasn't a problem.
Suddenly, Anko reached out and pinched his cheek.
"Why are you pinching me?" Raizen asked, startled.
Anko grinned. "Your expression was getting a bit too lewd. I'm just correcting it for you."
"When was I being lewd? I think you're just looking for an excuse to take advantage of me," Raizen countered.
"Who's taking advantage of who?" Anko laughed.
Raizen sighed. "Alright, stop distracting me. I have to finish this meal for Tsukihime."
Anko pouted. "I didn't see you making a grand breakfast for our Kurenai-chan back then. This is favoritism!"
"When Kurenai married into the Uchiha, you weren't even here," Raizen pointed out. "How would you know if I made her breakfast or not? Now, move aside and let me cook."
"You...!" Anko glared at him. "You're infuriating!"
"Hmph! I'm not playing with you anymore!"
With that, Anko stomped off in a huff.
"Fine by me!" Raizen shouted after her, though he quickly paused. "'Playing'? Since when did you play with me?"
"Hey, Anko! Don't go spreading rumors! You've never 'played' with me!"
"Don't go talking nonsense and causing misunderstandings!" Raizen laughed loudly.
Anko's personality was brash and loud; he didn't mind the banter.
"Aaagh! He's so annoying!" Anko stomped her feet in frustration and ran off to find Kurenai to complain.
Once she was gone, Raizen happily resumed his cooking. His culinary skills were top-tier, and soon a meal that looked and smelled divine was complete.
"Master, why are you doing this yourself again? You're making Haruko feel useless," Haruko said, watching him with a dejected look.
"Don't worry, Haruko. Even if I cook occasionally, I'm not getting rid of you." "Your job is secure; no one can replace you."
Raizen found it amusing how Haruko was always terrified of being fired.
Haruko asked, "Is that true, Master? You really won't fire me? I heard a bottle of that juice costs a million Ryo. Will you really keep employing me?"
"Rest assured. Even if the juice is worth a million, as long as you work hard, I'll keep you. A million Ryo is pocket change to me."
In reality, the juice only cost him ten thousand from the system. Selling it to Anko for a million was just his way of tricking her into staying as a long-term bodyguard.