Uchiha Raizen did not head straight home. Instead, he made his way to the Hokage Rock's administrative building to visit Hiruzen Sarutobi for a cup of tea.
When Raizen walked into the office with his usual easy-going smile, Hiruzen's mouth twitched rhythmically.
"I just finished some heavy drinking and eating with Asuma. My stomach is full of grease, so I figured I'd come over to the Third's place for some herbal tea to wash it all down."
Ignoring Hiruzen's annoyed expression, Raizen acted as if he owned the place. He skillfully opened Hiruzen's private tea cabinet, selecting the tea leaves, grabbing the pot, and boiling the water himself.
"Oh! Lord Third, you've got new stock! Why didn't you tell me?"
Raizen spotted a tin of premium tea leaves and, without a second thought, chose it for his brew. Hiruzen's face darkened as he watched Raizen unearth his most precious stash.
"Raizen... how is your nose so sharp?! I just had someone buy these premium leaves, and you show up immediately!"
"I'm starting to suspect you have the soul of a dog!" Hiruzen grumbled.
He couldn't exactly throw Raizen out. On paper, Raizen was now the Patriarch of the Uchiha. If the head of a major clan came to the Hokage for tea and was kicked out, what would the other clans think?
Besides, Hiruzen was still in the middle of his plan to win over the Uchiha. He wanted to instill the "Will of Fire" into the younger generation, turning the future Uchiha into a loyal force under his command. So, despite his heart aching for his tea, he endured it.
"Lord Third, I'm not from the Inuzuka clan; how could I be like a dog?" Raizen dumped a large handful of leaves into the pot and steeped them in boiling water.
Hiruzen winced at the sheer amount of leaves being used. Raizen poured himself a large cup, blew on it gently to cool it, and took a sip. "Fragrant! A hint of bitterness followed by a sweet aftertaste—truly a masterpiece!"
In Raizen's mind, it was actually a grade lower than the collection he had at home, but it was drinkable enough for a casual visit. If Hiruzen knew what Raizen was thinking—that the boy had better tea at home yet came to drink his—he would have coughed up blood.
Raizen finished a whole pot, took a pleasant break, and then bid his farewell.
Watching Raizen's retreating back, Hiruzen let out a deep sigh, followed by a faint smile. Although he had lost some of his best tea, the fact that Raizen came to drink with him showed a level of trust. This was good. The more Raizen trusted him, the easier it would be to utilize Uchiha strength for the village's—and his own—affairs.
Leaving the Hokage building, Raizen headed to his women's hot spring inn. After a day of eating and drinking, a soak in the hot springs was the key to a perfect life.
Uzumaki Keiko's eyes lit up the moment she saw him. Raizen hadn't visited for several days.
"Raizen-sama! You've finally come!" Keiko greeted him with infectious enthusiasm.
"I'm here for a soak," Raizen nodded. "Is business going well?"
"Business is wonderful, Raizen-sama. Ever since our staff learned that 'body-sculpting massage' technique you taught us, more and more women have been coming. Everyone wants a perfect figure," Keiko reported.
"Good to hear. That way I can keep supporting all of you," Raizen laughed.
"Raizen-sama, while you soak... would you like a massage?" Keiko asked, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"Let's get in the water first and see."
Raizen headed to his private suite, with Keiko following close behind.
"If you need anything at all, just tell Keiko."
Raizen removed his upper garments, revealing a lean, athletic physique with well-defined abdominal muscles. Compared to the bulky build of someone like Might Guy, Raizen's body looked far more refined and aesthetic.
"I don't need much for now, Keiko. You should go attend to the other customers so my arrival doesn't disrupt business," Raizen said, setting his clothes aside.
Keiko was momentarily dazed by the sight of his physique but quickly regained her composure. "Raizen-sama, I have nothing pressing at the moment. I can focus entirely on serving you."
"Well, come over and help me with my shoulders then. They've been quite stiff lately from all the work," Raizen said as he stepped into the pool.
The water temperature was perfect. As he sat in the pool, his muscles began to relax instantly. Keiko placed a cushion behind Raizen, knelt on it, and placed her slender hands on his shoulders, kneading gently.
"Is this pressure alright, Raizen-sama?" she asked softly.
"Mhm, it's perfect. As expected of you, Keiko."
"Raizen-sama... will you be staying overnight?" she asked tentatively.
"We'll see. Let's see what time it is when I'm done soaking."
Hearing this, Keiko's eyes brightened. As long as I drag things out a bit, he'll have to stay.
She had been looking for a way to repay Raizen for saving her life. The last few times, the other women had snatched the opportunity away. This time, she wasn't going to let that happen.
Perhaps because of Keiko's skilled touch, Raizen actually drifted off to sleep under her massage. Seeing him asleep, Keiko stopped. She sat quietly, watching him. She planned to wake him after sunset and prepare a lavish dinner with enough wine to get him a little tipsy.
Only then could she truly repay her savior.
"Raizen-sama, I will definitely repay you," she whispered with determination. Without his intervention, she and her daughter would likely still be suffering as human blood bags for the Grass Village—or worse.
When Raizen woke up, it was already dark. Keiko had prepared an exquisite, multi-course dinner along with a bottle of '1982 Lafite' red wine from Raizen's own winery. No one knew why Raizen insisted on that name for his best vintage, but the name stuck.
"Raizen-sama, allow this humble one to toast you."
Keiko took the initiative, filling Raizen's glass to the brim. Since a beauty was offering, Raizen couldn't be impolite. He downed it in one go.
"Mhm, good wine. As expected of the '82 Lafite," Raizen praised himself.
"Raizen-sama, why did you give the wine this name? Is there a story behind it?" Keiko asked, her face unchanged after a glass of wine.
"Because it represents the very best," Raizen laughed, taking a bite of braised pork.