Ai skillfully grabbed two large cups, each holding around 300 to 400 milliliters, dipped them directly into the wine jar, filled them up, and pushed one gently in front of Uchiha Hikaru.
He moved with such precision, it looked like he was afraid even a single drop might spill.
Uchiha Hikaru took the offered cup and held it steadily.
Without needing to exchange a word, the two clinked glasses in perfect unison.
Clink!
A crisp, resonant sound rang out as the cups met.
"Cheers, big brother—let's go!"
"Let's go!"
At the same time, they lifted their glasses, tilted their heads back, and downed the wine in one smooth gulp.
Gulp—gulp—gulp—
The moment it hit the tongue, it burned hot and fierce—but the burn gave way to an unbelievably smooth flow down the throat, warm and without discomfort.
As the liquor settled in their stomachs, Ai felt himself come alive. His pores opened, and for a moment, it felt like even his soul had turned transparent—sharp, vivid, clean.
A faint sweetness lingered in the mouth. The fragrance of aged wine.
"Damn, that's good," Ai exhaled in satisfaction.
Uchiha Hikaru let out the same sigh of pleasure.
"I didn't expect wine that's been aged for over three years to have this kind of flavor."
"Glad I went through the effort of building that wine cellar."
Ai's interest immediately perked up. He only had two real passions in life: one was weightlifting, constantly pushing his body's limits… and the other was drinking. His love of wine was damn near equal to his obsession with getting stronger.
But as the Raikage, he rarely had the chance to enjoy good liquor without restraint.
"Brother, you have more of this at home, right?"
"If you do, I've got the funds—I can pay you for some."
Uchiha Hikaru gave him a look and raised his hand, waving it dismissively.
"Oh come on now," he said with a scoff. "You and I go way back. What's with the money talk?"
"But the brewing process for this wine is complicated as hell."
"It uses top-grade grain as the base, and dozens of rare herbs are infused and sealed inside. Every seven days, a ninja with precise chakra control needs to apply a micro-seal over it. Then water-style chakra is used to gently warm the mixture during brewing."
"For the last three years, Kisame has been the one helping me keep the temperature and chakra seals steady. There were only ever ten jars made."
"If we weren't brothers, there's no way I would've brought three of them here."
Ai's eyes widened. The value of these jars had just skyrocketed in his mind.
Kisame, one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, was famous for his chakra control and monstrous reserves. In a place like Konoha, where monsters like that roamed freely, it was almost normal. But in Kumogakure, if they had someone like him, they'd definitely keep him chained to the village just for something like this.
"No wonder this stuff hits so damn hard. I won't say another word—come on, brother, drink!"
With that, the two poured another round and downed it like it was water.
Meanwhile, Mabui had just finished heating up the snacks Uchiha Hikaru brought. She neatly plated them, then walked over and placed them on the table.
"Lord Hikaru, Raikage-sama—please enjoy these while you drink. I'll start preparing some Lightning Country specialties for you next."
She smiled warmly at Hikaru, bowed slightly, and returned to the kitchen.
Now that they had food, Hikaru didn't even need to say anything. Ai was already dragging him into another toast.
They drank like brothers, ate grilled skewers, and chatted until the sky outside dimmed into twilight.
Just then, the door slammed open.
Killer B burst into the room, trailed by his student Omoi and his teammates Samui and Darui.
The moment he stepped inside, Killer B caught a whiff of the wine's rich aroma.
Then he saw his older brother Ai and Uchiha Hikaru seated at the table, a massive dark-brown wine jar beside them, surrounded by plates of food and empty cups.
"Yo, bro! You're drinking with Hikaru and didn't call me!?"
"Feel my wrath—Thunder Blade!"
He raised his right arm, chakra flaring. Lightning surged across the surface of his skin, crackling around his bulging muscles as he charged forward.
But Ai was ready.
He raised his own arm, matching B's movement. Blue arcs of lightning danced up both their arms as they slammed together—elbows hooked, forearms clashing like battle-axes.
Uchiha Hikaru moved instantly, pulling the wine jar away from the impact zone and saving the sacred liquor from a violent end.
Boom!
Crackle—snap—zzt!
Sparks burst out from their clash. Both men snarled, muscles flexed, veins bulging, neither willing to back down.
"Big bro, you went drinking without me—that's betrayal!"
"Don't talk nonsense! I'm your big brother—I can drink when I want! And weren't you off doing your damn square dancing?"
"What, didn't get enough clapping in rhythm with grannies?! I think someone's been itching for a spar!"
Their arms trembled with the force of their clash, neither one giving an inch.
Uchiha Hikaru calmly dipped a fresh cup of wine, extended it backward without turning around.
"Why are you all just standing there?" he asked lazily. "Everyone gets a share. Drink."
Omoi blinked, lollipop still in his mouth, staring at the offered cup like it might explode.
Why would Lord Hikaru, the Hokage's assistant, offer wine to a Genin like me…?
There's gotta be a catch. A Genjutsu? A test? A poison test? Maybe he wants to see if I'm loyal—
But if I refuse, would that be disrespectful? What should I do? Drink? Not drink? Think fast, Omoi!
Before he could decide, Samui rolled her eyes and stepped forward.
"Tch. You overthink everything. That's why you're so lame," she said flatly.
"If you don't want it, I'll take it."
She strode past him, took the wine glass from Hikaru, and downed it in one go—or tried to.
The moment the liquor touched her tongue, her eyes widened.
Damn—that's strong!
But she was Samui, known for being cool, calm, and unflappable. Even as her cheeks turned pink and her throat burned, she forced herself to drink it all slowly and with as much composure as she could fake.
After a full ten seconds, she finally finished and thumped the cup down on the table.
Her usually flawless expression was now tinged with a drunken flush. Her cool blue eyes were slightly unfocused, and her voice had softened just a touch—even if she tried to keep her usual tone.
"Mm… good wine. This is… very high quality…"
And with that, she wobbled slightly and plopped down into the chair beside Uchiha Hikaru, her shoulder leaning gently against his armoured vest.
Hikaru's gaze drifted—instinctively, unavoidably—downward.
His eyes paused.
And trembled.
Those weren't just curves. Those were terrain features. Damn near summons.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
No wonder she's the top medic and support kunoichi in the ninja world… that's just… unfair!
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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