Chapter 21

After walking just a hundred steps, she turned towards an inconspicuous single-story building that didn't even have a sign. Nevertheless, this didn't stop Hyuga from barging in as if it were his own home.

"Kei-san, get ready for customers!"

Ignoring the overly excited kunoichi, I surveyed the room we entered—a bar like any other, dimly lit near the walls. There was a counter, plenty of tables, and a bartender wiping glasses—that was the extent of the room's décor. There were few customers, all huddling in corners, whispering quietly without bothering others.

"Kanade-chan?" raised an eyebrow an elderly man, setting aside his glass and peering intently in our direction, nodding understandingly a couple of moments later. "Bringing your brood?"

"Marking our first C mission!"

"You're one of the last in this batch," chuckled the bartender, nodding towards a nearby table.

"Not bad, at least they're all intact," murmured the mentor, "we'll take four bottles of sake, please."

"And will they handle it? I have no doubt about the big one, but his friends seem too lightweight."

Glancing at my grimacing partners, I grinned beneath my mask—small fry!

"Not to worry, I'll handle them, so I'll get them home," dismissed the kunoichi, leaving money on the counter as she picked up the tray with our order.

Placing a small bottle of 300 grams in front of each and a sake cup, Kanade took a seat at an empty chair and skillfully broke the wax seals on the necks, filling the cups to the brim.

"Well, let's start with the first and may all our missions proceed as quietly and smoothly."

Suspiciously eyeing the poured liquid, I subtly grimaced—I once tried rice sake in that other life and it's a rare nastiness, I must say, better to stick with regular water. But there you go, it's a different place, might as well give it a try.

Taking the cup, I loosened my kimono collar and drank it straight through the mask, ignoring the table's amazed and disappointed faces—considering that none of the three had seen my face without the mask up to now, I understand their curiosity. Watching the universal disappointment of the mentor, the source of her good mood until recently becomes evident.

Well, this sake is definitely better than what I tried once. Anyway, it's drinkable without grimacing... if not the first time. Looking at the coughing partners and the puppy's turning face, I just laughed, and sensei got at least some moral compensation for the mess I caused.

"Phew, what a nasty one," whispered Rotaro when he finally managed to catch his breath. "How can you drink this?"

"Not to worry, it's only the first time, you'll get to appreciate the beauty of this drink later," shook his head Hyuga, smiling. "Especially after a tough mission when you need to relax."

"And what else do they have besides various types of sake?" I inquired, pouring another cup along with everyone and downing it in one gulp.

"For enthusiasts—various wines," responded the mentor, "but most are too sweet for my taste."

"And liqueurs?"

"For those, you'll have to go to the Sunagakure suppliers once the war is over—liquors are popular with them."

Well, that's rather sparse. Considering my devotion to tasty drinks rather than just alcohol—looks like I'll have to come up with something myself. However, the necessary alcohol is there, and making vodka out of it shouldn't be a problem.

Pour in those plums growing in the garden and after some time, you'll have a delicious homemade liqueur. I also read a recipe for mead once, though I've never tried it. In general, there's room for experimentation, and I'll make sure to provide myself with drinks, especially since I've never really been a heavy drinker, appreciating not the consequences, but the taste of the beverage consumed.

We spent quite a while in the bar, simply chatting and sharing rumors—actually, without television and radio, it was the only way to find out the latest events, and an excellent exercise in gathering information in one go. People subtly gathered closer towards evening, and somewhat unexpectedly for myself, I discovered my partners' heads on the table and several bottles of sake next to each.

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