One day inside Hokage’s office…
Koharu: Then I shall take my leave, Hokage-sama.
Hiruzen: Kyou wa otsukaresama deshita. (Good work today.)
Koharu walks out of the office with a dignified and composed expression.
Watching Koharu’s actions from behind his desk, Shang thinks as he pushes up his glasses with one finger.
Shang’s thoughts: That is just her usual professional look but the moment the both of us are at home, she is as docile as a cat.
Shang then looks at the pile of paper in front of him and picks up his ink brush.
Shang’s thoughts: And the only way I can see the docile expression is after I completed my quota for the day.
After Koharu has left the office for a few minutes, Hiruzen steps halfway outside and looks around. He then closes the door, locking it.
Shang hears the locking of the doors and thinks it is normal as Hiruzen would do that if he doesn’t want anyone to barge in when he has a serious talk with the other councilors and Shang will just continue his work till it’s time to leave.
Before Shang can continue his next part of his workload, he feels someone is watching him.
Shang looks up to find both Hiruzen and Homura looking at him with weird serious faces.
Shang: What is it?
Hiruzen: Elder, you see...
Hiruzen scratches the back of his head, trying to think of a proper question to ask.
Homura: It’s simple. We would like to know what is going on with you and Koharu. We have just received word from our clans that both of you are currently living together.
Homura steps in to help Hiruzen out of his awkward situation while pushing up his glasses.
Shang: Eh? How does my relationship with Koharu concern you guys?
Hiruzen: It actually does not concern us but…
Hiruzen looks at Homura for help in continuing his answer.
Homura: It’s about the political balance here. To the Noble Clans, you are the only councilor that takes the neutral stance and only interfere if it concerns the people of Konohagakure. They are quite happy about the way you do things.
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Homura says while being annoyed at Hiruzen for making him say it.
Homura: However, things will start to look different once they learn of your relationship with Koharu who is a member of Utatane Clan.
Shang: Uh-huh, I know she is a clan member, so what’s wrong with it?
Homura: There is nothing wrong If you start up a relationship with another female from any other clans. The problem is the Utatane Clan. Their members are part of the unity which goal is stand against the Noble Clans. That means if you truly have a serious relationship with Koharu, it is telling them that you will be taking a side.
Hiruzen: The Noble Clans will not like it once they learn about the connection. This reason is a good idea for them to kick up a fuss for more privileges.
Hiruzen says while lighting up his smoke pipe.
Hiruzen: So I hope you understand our situation here, Elder. If your relationship with Koharu is just brother and sister, the Noble Clans can be convinced that there is nothing going on between the two of you but if...
Shang: I am afraid my relationship with Koharu is more than that.
Needless to say what Shang means by “more than that”, both Homura and Hiruzen understand what is going on.
Homura & Hiruzen:...
After a couple of minutes, Hiruzen is the first to speak up.
Hiruzen: Before we continue, there is a personal question I want to ask.
Shang: What question?
Hiruzen: How did you manage to take her down?
Homura: Hiruzen! This is not the time to ask this kind of question.
Homura scolds Hiruzen with his blushing face.
Hiruzen: Well, aren’t you interested to know? After all the years you have been chasing her and someone else managed to take her down.
Homura: Hmph!
Shang:...How should I put it? Ah! It should be thanks to your wine, Hiruzen.
Hiruzen: Wine?
Homura: Wine?
Shang, Yeah, that hundred-year-old Enkouou Fruit Wine.
Hiruzen: Oh, that wedding present from Enma but what does it got to do with you taking down Koharu?
Shang: Eh? Hiruzen, you don’t know about the effects after drinking it?
Hiruzen: You just get drunk, isn’t that correct?
Hiruzen looks at Homura and both of them nods.
Shang’s thoughts: Judging from their reactions, they have no idea about wine’s aphrodisiac effect.
Shang then tells them about aphrodisiacs and what they can do once consumed.
After listening to Shang’s talk on aphrodisiacs, Homura immediately grabs Hiruzen by the collar.
Hiruzen: Homura, If you can just calm down …
Homura: Elder, do you mind stepping out for a bit? I like to have a word with Hiruzen personally.
Shang: Okay.
The minute Shang is outside, he can hear the Homura's outburst.
Homura: I KNEW IT! THERE IS NO REASON I WILL WAKE UP WITH ANOTHER GIRL IN MY BED AFTER BRING DRUNK! SO ALL ALONG THE CAUSE WAS YOUR WINE! KOHARU's FUTURE HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN ME! ME! BECAUSE OF YOUR WINE, I HAD TO MARRY THE GIRL THAT I KNOCKED UP. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, HIRUZEN!