Chapter 137: Fill My Cup
"Where am I? Who am I? What am I doing here…?"
Shizan Aburame sat at Fuma's dining table, his face a mix of confusion and unease. These three questions perfectly captured the storm in his mind.
"This kind of scene… I've never experienced it before. I can only take it one step at a time."
Before coming to the Uchiha compound, Shizan had prepared extensively, training his nerves and sharpening his diplomatic skills.
He had even sought out his clan elders to learn about the art of negotiation from the Warring States period. His efforts were thorough, leaving little room for missteps.
The Aburame elders described Uchiha diplomacy with vivid detail, leaving a deep impression on him.
The father-son duo, Tajima and Madara Uchiha, had perfected the art of "diplomacy by fist." During the Warring States period, any clan that dared to challenge the Uchiha—other than the similarly powerful Senju clan—faced utter annihilation.
However, Shizan's confidence came not from his preparations but from the changes within the Uchiha clan under Fuma's leadership.
The welfare programs, the bustling Uchiha Commercial Street, and the reformation of the Konoha Police Force had all inspired curiosity and admiration.
These developments had led many Konoha ninjas to view the Uchiha clan in a new light, revealing their true nature.
Nowadays, Uchiha ninjas had productive routines—either training in their compound or earning a living through missions. Having purpose and structure replaced their former frustrations, making them less likely to vent their dissatisfaction on others.
"Even if these changes are only superficial, there's nothing to lose in attempting dialogue," Shizan thought.
"The worst-case scenario is being mocked—surely they wouldn't kill me, right? Besides, if we compromise with the Third Hokage and Danzo, the Aburame clan risks becoming nothing more than tools or nameless sacrifices."
"Look at the tragedy of the Hyuga clan—it's a chilling warning."
Thanks to Orochimaru's technology, Fuma's reforms, and some help from the Third Hokage, the Aburame clan, once a prime resource pool for ANBU and Root, found themselves at a crossroads.
Motivated by these shifts, Shizan decided to visit the Uchiha.
Yet from the moment he arrived at Fuma's estate, Shizan faced an onslaught of surprises.
From the mutated kikaichu that transcended their natural limits to Fuma's blood energy that rendered his insects powerless, Shizan felt his psychological defenses slowly crumble.
Fuma held both the treasure the Aburame sought and the power to destroy them in an instant. How could they possibly resist?
Initially, Shizan had resolved to adopt a "sincere and shameless" negotiation strategy.
So long as he secured the mutated kikaichu, he was even willing to entertain some of Fuma's more unreasonable demands—anything short of assassinating the Third Hokage.
......
The dining table in Fuma's house was simple yet intimate, perfectly balancing comfort with closeness. Shizan, however, felt utterly out of place.
As someone with a lifelong fear of social situations, Shizan had never faced such a setting. Even during the Aburame clan's New Year gatherings, the atmosphere had never been this lively.
In the ninja world, where strict discipline was a hallmark of the profession, the "Three Taboos of Ninja" were widely observed: no alcohol, no indulgence, no luxury.
A glance at the table—laden with exquisite dishes and expensive spirits—left Shizan momentarily speechless.
"This is far beyond breaking the taboos. Add two dancers, and all three would be shattered at once," he thought, sighing inwardly.
He refrained from voicing his disapproval. After all, the Three Taboos aimed to prevent ninjas from being weakened by indulgence, though they carried undertones of mental conditioning.
"With Fuma's level of power, enjoying life like this isn't wrong," Shizan rationalized. But his gaze lingered on the sandy yellow liquid in the bottle.
To his surprise, the kikaichu inside him stirred with excitement, as if drawn to the drink. Curious, Shizan poured a glass for himself and Fuma, declaring, "Fuma, I'm not much of a drinker. But today, I'll drink with you to the end!"
Fuma smiled, raising his glass for a toast before downing it in one gulp.
"Ahhh…" Shizan's face flushed red as he felt a strange energy coursing through him. His kikaichu buzzed in excitement, amplifying his curiosity.
"Fuma, what kind of drink is this? If my senses aren't mistaken, this wine is brimming with chakra!"
Fuma smirked, pouring him another glass.
"This is no ordinary wine. It's made using Shukaku's flesh and chakra, brewed into what I call [Uchiha's One-Tail Reserve]. Don't worry; it's perfectly safe."
Shizan froze. "Wine made from a tailed beast? Even the Sage of Six Paths wouldn't have thought of this. Can someone like me drink such a thing without consequence?"
Fuma explained that the wine wasn't a display of excess but a necessity. After consuming a portion of Shukaku, he couldn't absorb all the chakra immediately, leading him to store it in his body temporarily.
However, the strain this caused forced him to find an alternative—condensing the excess chakra into a physical form and brewing it into wine.
"Drink as much as you like," Fuma said with a chuckle, shaking the two large bottles on the table. "But if you don't finish these, those kikaichu of yours won't be leaving with you."
Shizan's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he raised his glass and downed another.
.........
After several rounds of food and drink, the once-reserved Shizan had fully let loose. His face red with drink, he began venting his frustrations about the Third Hokage.
"That old monkey has completely forgotten the First Hokage's vision—a peaceful childhood for every child, free from the horrors of war!"
"And yet, he keeps demanding talented ninjas from the Aburame clan—not for mentorship but to join ANBU and Root! Forcing ten-year-olds into tools and subjecting them to Danzo's brainwashing—it's unforgivable!"
Fuma listened, his face expressionless, as Shizan continued to rant.
"Even Yamanaka Fu has cut ties with his family to serve Danzo. He declared that he would give his life for that bastard!"
Fuma raised an eyebrow. This outburst was far from the silent demeanor Shizan had exhibited earlier.
"Shizan," Fuma interjected, "the Third Hokage lacks the strength of the First and Second Hokage. To maintain stability, he sacrifices the young and relies on compromises. But these short-sighted policies will only bring ruin."
Shizan sighed deeply, his frustrations validated.
Finally, Shizan straightened up, his tone serious. "Fuma, you've likely guessed why I'm here."
"The Aburame clan cannot endure the Third Hokage's unreasonable demands any longer. We wish to form an alliance with the Uchiha. What's your stance?"
Fuma smiled, standing up. His voice carried conviction as he declared, "My goal is to gather like-minded allies, strengthen ourselves, and reshape the ninja world."
"True peace cannot be achieved through compromise alone. Strength is the only guarantee of peace."
"You, Shizan, are a smart man. Think it over carefully. Your decision will shape the future of the Aburame clan, the Uchiha, and the entire ninja world."
After a long pause, Shizan removed his sunglasses, revealing striking phoenix-shaped eyes and a bright smile.
Pointing to his glass, he said boldly, "Fuma, fill my cup again!"
........
Many years later, a legend spread across the ninja world. It was said that during his rise, the Guardian of the Ninja World had no allies, only his clan.
To change this, he created irresistible food and wine, winning over steadfast followers.
The story was passed down through generations of the Aburame clan, becoming a cherished fable. Every New Year, they would brew their finest wine in tribute to the Guardian who brought light to the ninja world.
The wine was named [Peace Reserve].
____________________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/ShadySmuggler