81: Chapter 81 The lights warm the wineAs night deepened, snowflakes swirled in the glow of the lanterns.
Naruto, carrying two large food boxes containing steaming hot grilled meat, several delicate side dishes, and two jars of aged wine, knocked on Iruka's old wooden door with practiced ease.
"They're here!" came Iruka's familiar voice from inside the door.
The wooden door opened, and Iruka, dressed in casual clothes, was visibly taken aback when he saw the person standing outside.
Warm yellow light shone from behind him, illuminating Naruto's figure.
"Naruto?Quick, come in!It's cold outside!"
Iruka quickly stepped aside, a surprised yet slightly flustered smile spreading across his face."You said you were coming, I thought it wouldn't be until tomorrow!"
Naruto entered the house with a smile, took off his coat, and placed the food box on the small table in the living room.
"We brought some food and wine.It's snowing, so let's have some drinks to warm ourselves up."
The room was simply and neatly furnished, and there were several group photos of the Ninja Academy from many years ago on the wall.In one of them, the blond-haired Naruto was smiling particularly brightly.
Iruka watched as Naruto skillfully set out the bowls and plates, placing the food.The enticing aroma of grilled meat and fresh seafood instantly filled the air.The clay seal on the jar of fine wine was broken, and the rich fragrance of the wine was even more enticing.
His eyes welled up with tears, and he quickly turned to grab a wine glass: "You silly child.you came back with so much stuff."
"Hey, what's the big deal?"
Naruto waved his hand and poured the two of them a full glass of wine."Try it and see how it tastes.And this wine is an old vintage."
The two sat down facing each other and gently clinked their glasses together.
After a few cups of warm wine, the chill outside was completely dispelled, and the atmosphere became lively.
Iruka's wrinkles seemed to smooth out as he listened to Naruto recount the interesting stories of the Land of Waves and the development of the merchant guild, occasionally interjecting to ask about the details, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Speaking of which."
Naruto picked up a sizzling slice of grilled meat with his chopsticks and put it into Iruka's bowl."Iruka-sensei, you've been working at the Ninja Academy for so many years, aren't you tired?"
Iruka smiled and took a sip of his drink: "It's tiring, but watching the children grow up day by day and become capable ninjas is quite fulfilling."
"Just like you."
He paused, looked at Naruto, and said with emotion, "I really didn't expect you to get to where you are today."
Naruto put down his wine glass, leaned forward slightly, and said sincerely, "Iruka-sensei, seriously, come to the Land of Waves."
"I'll arrange a leisurely shop for you in the Chamber of Commerce.You can be a nominal boss and live a comfortable life, doing whatever you want and enjoying life."
Iruka's hand holding the wine glass froze in mid-air.Looking at the genuine concern in Naruto's eyes, his heart warmed and his nose tingled.
He knew perfectly well that Naruto wanted to make things easier for him.Over the years, he had watched batches of students graduate, carry out missions, and even sacrifice themselves.
Being alone all the time, only I know the pressure and mental exhaustion involved.
Go to a completely new place and live a completely different, relaxed, and fulfilling life.
This temptation was too great for a middle-aged ninja who had been working on the front lines for years and lived a frugal life.
He opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbed, and finally shook his head slightly, then nodded, revealing a complex yet warm smile, before tilting his head back and drinking the wine in his glass in one gulp.
"You little rascal.you've really gotten to the point of caring about people now."
He didn't answer directly, but patted Naruto's shoulder hard, with a sigh, "Teacher, I.I appreciate it, but.we'll talk about it later."
Naruto looked at his slightly red eyes and his hesitant expression, but didn't press him any further.He just smiled and poured him another full glass of wine: "Alright, whenever you've figured things out, the doors of the Chamber of Commerce will always be open for you."
"Come on, let's drink!Let's not talk about this today!"
The two stopped mentioning the matter and instead started chatting about all sorts of things, from embarrassing past incidents to the changes in Konoha and their dreams for the future.
As the wine flowed freely and a slight buzz rose in Iruka's head, he became quite excited, bursting into laughter from time to time.
As night deepened, the food box was empty, and the wine jug was nearly empty.Naruto rose to take his leave, his steps still steady.
As he reached the door, he seemed to remember something, took out a scroll and a beautifully wrapped small gift box from his pocket, and handed them to Iruka.
"I almost forgot, this is a New Year's gift for you."
The scroll contains a ninjutsu called 'Yin Healing and Destruction,' which can save your life in critical situations.You should study it when you have time.
Iruka stood at the doorway, watching the figure disappear into the snow before looking down at the heavy object in his hand and letting out a long sigh.
He stood at the door, motionless for a long time.
Naruto trudged through the snow back to the temporary lodging Konoha had arranged for him—a quiet Japanese-style courtyard.
The room was bathed in warm light, and Tsunade's slender figure was reflected in the sliding door.
He opened the door, and a scent mixed with the fragrance of Tsunade and the warmth of the heater wafted out.
Tsunade had just taken a bath and was wearing only a thin silk dress.Her long, wet golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her face was flushed from the steam.Under the lamplight, she exuded a rare gentleness and charm.
She was kneeling by the fireplace, holding a wooden comb, idly combing her long hair.When she heard the door open, she only glanced at him, her eyes languid.
Naruto gently closed the sliding door behind him, shutting out the wind, snow, and cold outside.
He didn't say anything, walked to the fireplace, sat down naturally behind her, and took the wooden comb from her hand.
In the quiet room, the only sounds were the soft rustling of a comb through hair and the occasional crackling of charcoal in the fireplace.
Tsunade trembled slightly, leaned back a little, resting more of her weight on him, closed her eyes, and let him comb her long hair, enjoying the undisturbed tranquility.
Shizune, holding Tun-Tun, lay stiffly in the blankets, her eyes wide open, staring at the darkness.The ceiling is dark.
"TunTun.why aren't they asleep yet."
It's always like this!It's always the same!
She felt like she was going crazy!Why did she have to be assigned to the room next to the student council president and Lady Tsunade?
"Waaah." Jingyin let out a mournful cry, suddenly pulled up the blanket, and covered her burning face and the squealing Tun Tun in her arms tightly.
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's residence.
Jiraiya sat alone by the window in his study, holding a small sake flask in his hand.
On the desk, piles of documents cast large shadows under the light.
The scene of seeing Tsunade during the day uncontrollably flashed through his mind.
Her still radiant face, and the occasional glimpse of her unique, dashing spirit beneath her mature charm.
And the natural closeness she exuded when she stood next to Naruto.
A wave of bitterness washed over him, and he took a big gulp of wine.
That was the figure he had chased for half his life, the "white moonlight" that could never be erased from his heart.Now, seeing her.this feeling.is truly a mix of emotions.
He put down the wine jug, chuckled self-deprecatingly, and rubbed his face vigorously.
"What are you thinking.It's all in the past."
He muttered to himself, stood up, stretched his stiff limbs, and walked into the room.
Pushing open the door, he saw Hongdou with her back to him, struggling to hang a new painting on the high wall.
The painting seemed to be her own work; the brushstrokes were still somewhat immature, yet full of life.
Hearing the door open, she instinctively turned around, her face still flushed with exhaustion: "White Hair?Are you done with your work."
Before she could finish speaking, the small stool she was standing on suddenly tilted to one side!
"Ahhh—!"
Hongdou cried out in surprise, lost her balance, and fell backward!
Jiraiya's pupils contracted, and he rushed forward in one stride, stretching out his long arm to steadily catch the falling figure in his arms.
Hongdou, still shaken, looked up and saw teary eyes so close to her, making her breath catch in her throat.
"You.you slow down."
Her voice trembled slightly from shock.
Outside the window, the thick snow piled up on the eaves could no longer bear its weight and large chunks fell to the ground.
"For something like hanging paintings, you could have just called me, right?"
Hongdou's cheeks flushed, her heart pounded wildly, but she refused to back down: "Who.who needs your help!I can manage on my own!"
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