Fuma stood before the stove, carefully recalling Tsunade's food preferences: she didn't like sweets, favored tender chicken, and enjoyed drinking. To win a woman's heart, you must first win her stomach!
He reminisced about the vast array of recipes from his past life, filled with delicious dishes that made one's mouth water.
Fuma found himself momentarily indecisive: Should he make Italian cuisine, Korean cuisine, or Japanese cuisine?
This renowned warrior was suddenly unsure in front of the cutting board.
Believe it or not, Fuma was a true romantic, a keyboard warrior in love. Tsunade was his childhood friend and confidant. Turning a close friend into a girlfriend was a tough task.
Despite possibly messing around with Jiraiya for a few years (crossed out), he was still a virgin. This was partly because the Uchiha bloodline must not be exposed, and any violation would be severely punished.
Additionally, maintaining virginity was essential for his initial taijutsu training, and he wasn't a man of casual relationships.
As his physical prowess increased, Fuma found, to his dismay, that he had developed "reproductive isolation."
Sometimes, he wished he could cross the heavens to ask other taijutsu masters how they managed it. Could someone who could shatter mountains with a punch really conceive children with an ordinary person?
Shaking off these thoughts, Fuma focused on tonight's menu.
Since Tsunade disliked sweets but loved tender chicken, he decided on a famous Korean dish—Chicken Tofu!
He picked up two rock chickens, noting with satisfaction that they were both tender young chickens. With a flick of his wrist, he deboned them.
Using wind chakra to form a knife, he removed any remaining membranes, leaving behind only the translucent chicken meat.
Controlling his strength, he rapidly minced the chicken at a speed of dozens of strokes per second, turning it into a fine chicken paste.
He then mixed the paste with ginger water, green onion water, high-quality sake, and Konoha spring water at a 5:4 ratio, stirring thoroughly. He added salt, egg whites, and a suitable amount of starch, mixed it well, strained it finely, and then added broth and more sake.
Pouring the mixture into boiling water, he quickly swirled it, using centrifugal force to separate impurities from the chicken paste.
The paste solidified over high heat, then simmered gently to extract the purest essence of its flavor.
He strained the broth again, poured it into a bowl, and placed the cooked chicken paste delicately on top. The dish was done! The broth was clear, with a faint fragrance, and the chicken paste was as tender as tofu, scattered in the bowl.
Satisfied, Fuma nodded. Tsunade would love it.
He looked at the remaining broth, added bamboo shoots, mushrooms, shark fin, and parsley, creating a delicious chicken soup.
Taking another rock chicken, he simmered it until it was 70% done, then let it cook in residual heat. He deboned it and cut the meat into finger-width strips, seasoning with chili segments, pepper, ginger, salt, rice wine, and vinegar.
Fuma took a deep breath and used a miniature Fireball Jutsu to evaporate the vinegar and wine, leaving only their aromas. He stir-fried the mixture and plated it. The fragrant, tender, spicy, and smooth Dong'an Chicken was ready.
He then sliced some braised deer meat into strips, completing another dish.
Next, he stir-fried some peanuts and smashed cucumbers for side dishes. Finally, he retrieved some fine sake he had acquired during his time in the Anbu, ready for the occasion.
Tonight was going to be a grand battle!
The door was knocked heavily, and Tsunade strode in, smelling the delicious aroma and asking suspiciously, "You really can cook, huh?"
She entered and saw the dishes on the table, her eyes widening in surprise.
Fuma was a bit speechless. Did this woman think he was joking?
But it made sense, given his habit of talking big since childhood.
Calming himself, Fuma poured two cups of sake and gestured for Tsunade to sit.
Tsunade picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of the Chicken Tofu, and her eyes sparkled with happiness.
"How is this so delicious? It melts in your mouth and is so flavorful. How did you know I like chicken?"
Fuma chuckled, "I've known since we were kids."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him but continued to savor the food.
She grabbed a bowl of rice and devoured the Chicken and braised deer meat, her chopsticks flying.
Fuma watched her with a smile, not eating much himself, just clinking glasses with her and nibbling on the side dishes.
As Tsunade got into the mood, she boldly suggested, "Drinking like this is boring. Let's use big cups!"
Fuma got up, fetched two beer mugs, and brought in a case of sake.
Drinking strong liquor from beer mugs—only these two could pull that off in the entire ninja world.
With their unusual physiques, they downed mug after mug.
They clinked glasses in silence, a tacit understanding between them as they drank, poured, ate, and drank again.
When the dishes were gone, they exchanged glances, an unspoken ambiguity and slight awkwardness hanging in the air.
Tsunade put down her chopsticks, her face flushed with drunkenness, and looked at Fuma with a serious expression.
"You bastard, we've known each other for eighteen years, right?"
"Yeah, eighteen years."
"You've become quite an accomplished ninja."
"Not too bad."
"Defeating me and Uchiha Setsuna is just 'not too bad'?"
"..."
"I know you don't like me, and I don't like you that much either. Your words that day were just to comfort me, weren't they?"
"I didn't mean it like that."
"Hah, a ninja who can defeat two clan leaders wouldn't avoid being with the woman he loves because of fear of war."
Tsunade slammed the table, shouting, "Even a Chunin or Genin wouldn't use such a lame excuse!"
"You bastard!"
Fuma was silent.
He had overlooked one thing: only he knew that Uchiha Madara was still plotting, that Kaguya was a threat, and that Isshiki existed. He knew too much.
Fuma believed that his current strength was just enough to barely protect himself in the early stages.
But to Tsunade, this was just an excuse. No ninja would consider such issues.
Especially now, since she hadn't experienced the deaths of her brother and lover due to Fuma's presence, she still had a youthful personality.
Looking at the blushing Tsunade, Fuma unexpectedly felt a sense of calm. He gazed at her seriously and slowly said:
"Since you put it that way, then I request to be with you now."
Tsunade was stunned, her mouth slightly open, looking at Fuma with a cute, dumbfounded expression.
"We met when we were kids. I'm an Uchiha, and you're a Senju. Although our clans are rivals, we became friends."
"After graduation, I went to the Anbu, so we've been apart often, but I always remembered you. Whenever I visited another village, I brought you a gift."
Tsunade snorted, but today she was wearing the ice cotton kimono Fuma had brought her from the Land of Water.
"I can't say I love you deeply. As ninjas, we face life and death every day."
"I may be strong, but even someone like Tobirama Senju fell on the battlefield."
"That's my concern."
"If you ask me how much I love you, I don't know. But I know I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I missed you."
"I can promise you that if we're together, I'll learn to love and protect you."
"So, do you accept, Tsunade?"
Tsunade quietly listened to Fuma's confession, her ears turning red. She walked over to Fuma, wrapped her arms around his neck, her face glowing with affection, and her breath sweet.
"Your confession is as formal as a taijutsu report. So unique."
They embraced slowly, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss.
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