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"Tch, where did this brat come from?" Tsunade was staring intently at the gambling table when she suddenly noticed a kid appear, placing all his money on "small" without hesitation.
"Also, do they even allow kids to gamble here?" She scoffed inwardly, but he didn't seem to care when she glanced at the dealer.
He even fluctuated his chakra. Tsunade's gaze sharpened slightly—this dealer was probably under a genjutsu!
"How boring." She pondered for a moment but ultimately couldn't be bothered to interfere.
After all, she had been "traveling" for years, and such situations were hardly uncommon.
"Still, if you think you can win against me, you're dreaming!" Tsunade remained confident, but her expression stiffened instantly when the dealer stopped and lifted the dice cup.
"The result is small. Lady Tsunade, you've lost again." The dealer was drenched in sweat but couldn't hide his excitement.
What a cash cow! At first, he hadn't believed anyone could be this unlucky.
But now, he was convinced—this was beyond bad luck; it was practically a curse!
"Damn it!" Tsunade slammed the table in frustration. Fortunately, she hadn't used her full strength.
Otherwise, the table would have been reduced to splinters. She glanced down at her pile of chips, only to realize she was completely broke.
After a brief moment of thought, she immediately raised her voice. "I want to borrow money! Casino, lend me 100,000 ryo!"
"Lady Tsunade, didn't you say that was your last round?" Shizune couldn't hold it in anymore.
Hugging the pink pig, she grabbed Tsunade's sleeve and pleaded, "Let's go. This is enough already."
"No way!" Tsunade was firm in her decision. She stood up and fixed the dealer with a cold glare.
"Lend me another 100,000!" "Uh, Lady Tsunade… you've already borrowed 500,000 from us."
The dealer looked troubled. After hesitating for a long moment, he finally spoke hushedly.
"Given your current ability to repay and the reports from other casinos about your credit history, I'm afraid we cannot lend you any more money."
"Oh, and by the way, the repayment deadline for your last loan is tomorrow. If you fail to pay it back…"
"What?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. The dealer, now sweating profusely, forced a smile.
"If you can't repay it, your debt will automatically increase to 600,000. We hope you can gather the money in time."
"Bastards, such stingy little rats," Tsunade muttered. But she didn't do anything.
While her gambling luck was atrocious, her character was still decent—at least she wouldn't lose control and attack ordinary people.
As for her gambling habits… well, if she lost too much, she would try to avoid the debt. 600,000 ryo—how was she supposed to pay that back?
"Fine, fine, I get it. I'll pay you tomorrow. Shizune, we're leaving." Tsunade got up and strode toward the exit without looking back.
Shizune was momentarily stunned but quickly followed after her.
"Finally, we're out, Lady Tsunade." Shizune breathed a sigh of relief outside the casino, only to freeze moments later.
"But… where are we going to get 600,000 ryo?" "Get what? We're getting out of here!" Tsunade had already calmed down.
Though her chest bounced dramatically as she walked, her mind was clear. "Who said I was going to pay them? It's a loan shark scam.
Do they think they can fool me? Hah!" "Lady Tsunade…" Shizune felt like crying. Was this okay?
"There they are!" Just then, a loud voice rang out.
Looking up, they saw a large group of men armed with clubs rushing toward them. Shizune's face turned pale—debt collectors!
As for which city or town they owed money in, even she had lost count. "Tch, again?" Tsunade remained unfazed.
She had been in situations like this far too many times. After all, she always managed to escape. Both of them were elite shinobi!
Not to mention Tsunade, even Shizune was strong enough to take down ordinary people easily.
However, Tsunade's nature ensured she wouldn't hurt civilians. Scanning the surroundings, she suddenly grinned.
"Alright, Shizune, get ready to run. When we reach the next city, I'll treat you to a big meal!"
"Lady Tsunade…" Shizune sighed, half exasperated, half resigned. She was truly at her wit's end with her master.
"Then let's see who—hm?" Tsunade was about to suggest a race when she suddenly froze, her expression turning serious.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
"Huh? There's someone else?" The casino's enforcers were startled.
They knew very well that they were dealing with shinobi. Tsunade's name as one of the Legendary Sannin was far more famous than her reputation as a gambling addict.
However, Tsunade was known for not attacking civilians, so they dared to come after her.
The casino owner would have accepted the loss if it were any other shinobi.
They quickly scanned the area but found nothing, causing them to relax slightly.
One of them, now irritated, shouted, "Stop bluffing! Pay up, or we'll make sure every casino blacklists you!"
"Shut up." Tsunade completely ignored the debt collectors, her eyes locked onto a shadowy corner behind them.
"There's no point in hiding. I already sensed your presence. Come out!"
"I never expected to run into you here, Tsunade." A deep, heavy voice echoed from the shadows as her voice fell.
A tall figure slowly emerged from the darkness.
"Lady Tsunade, that's the Fourth Raikage!" Shizune recognized him instantly, her expression turning grim.
"Hah, now this is interesting. Quite the big shot we have here." Tsunade's gaze became serious, though her words carried a hint of mockery.
Still, she wasn't sure why the Fourth Raikage had come. "Since you recognize me, this makes things easier."
The Raikage paid no attention to the debt collectors. He simply looked at Tsunade and spoke calmly.
"One of my subordinates was injured, and I've been searching for a way to treat him. I never expected to find you here."
"So, how about this—I'll take care of your debts, and in return, you heal my man."
"And what right does Kumogakure have to ask Konoha for help?" Tsunade tilted her head though she remained on guard.
"Don't forget, you people tried to steal the Byakugan from the Hyūga Clan."
"That issue has already been settled between our villages, hasn't it?" The Raikage raised an eyebrow, but Tsunade shook her head.
"Typical words from someone benefiting from the outcome. What did you do this time? Let me guess—did you steal another village's secret techniques?"
"Seems like this won't be resolved so easily." The Raikage sighed, his eyes turning sharp. "If you won't cooperate, I'll just have to force you."
"How amusing." Tsunade wasn't drunk this time, and her expression grew serious.
"Do you even realize who you're talking to?" In an instant, their chakra flared, turning almost tangible. The sheer pressure blasted the debt collectors away.
A battle between ninjas—especially ones as powerful as Tsunade and the Fourth Raikage—was not something ordinary people could interfere with.
The two of them stared each other down, neither making the first move. Just then, they noticed three figures approaching.
Tsunade frowned. "That kid from earlier…" "Lady Tsunade, that's—"
Back inside the casino, Shuuzawa pocketed his winnings and returned to Yuugao and Shisui.
However, Yuugao still seemed unable to process what she had just witnessed.
Even though she had heard about Tsunade's gambling habits, seeing it firsthand was something else entirely.
"What's wrong? Did your image of her shatter?" Shuuzawa chuckled before turning to Shisui.
"Thanks, Shisui-senpai. If you hadn't helped, I wouldn't have been able to place my bet."
"It's nothing… but don't you think this was a bit… unethical?" Shisui scratched his cheek awkwardly. "And how did you know Lady Tsunade would lose?"
If Tsunade bets one way, you should bet the opposite—you'll be living in a seaside villa in no time! Shuuzawa smirked.
In his memory, Tsunade had only won once, and that victory had come at the cost of Jiraiya's life.
To put it bluntly, she was the embodiment of bad luck. Betting against her was always the safest bet.
"Well, I've heard Tsunade-sama has terrible luck when it comes to gambling," Shuuzawa said with a shrug and a grin.
"I just didn't expect it to be this bad. Maybe if she ever gambles again, we could—"
"No way! You are not picking up Tsunade-sama's habits!" Before he could even finish, Yuugao cut him off without hesitation.
Shuuzawa blinked. "Wow, cracking down on me already, senpai?"
"You—" Yuugao was momentarily speechless, her face turning red from holding back her frustration.
In the end, Shisui shook his head and stepped in. "We should hurry and find Tsunade-sama. Don't forget our mission."
Their assignment was to locate Tsunade, but unlike Shuuzawa, Shisui had no intention of dragging things out. Shuuzawa simply shrugged at that.
Finishing early wasn't bad—he might even get a reward for completing the mission efficiently.
[New Mission Acquired] [Find Tsunade]
As Shuuzawa followed Shisui and Yuugao out of the casino, he glanced at the notification on his interface.
The mission seemed simple, but he was already thinking about how to maximize his rewards.
After all, the better he performed, the greater the potential benefits.
"Hm?" His brow furrowed slightly. Not just him—Yuugao and Shisui also sensed something was off.
Looking ahead, they saw a group of thugs collapsed on the ground, trembling violently.
They weren't injured, but they were terrified. At the center of it all stood Tsunade, facing her, "The Fourth Raikage?"
Seeing the scene before him and recalling what Shisui had mentioned earlier about the Kumogakure's movements, Shuuzawa quickly pieced things together.
A mischievous smirk formed on his lips. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to turn this mission into something much bigger?
"Let's move. It looks like Tsunade-sama is in trouble."
"Right." Shisui and Yuugao nodded, quickening their pace.
"Hmph." The Fourth Raikage noticed the three newcomers and scoffed. He didn't consider them worth his attention.
To him, the only real opponent here was Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin. And even then, he wasn't too concerned.
The only person he had ever truly acknowledged as a threat was the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
He hadn't forgotten the humiliation of being completely outmatched by Minato's speed, to the point where even he and Killer B struggled against him.
He had personally admitted that Minato's speed was unmatched. But, lucky for him—and unfortunate for Konoha—Minato had died young, taken by the Nine-Tails.
With the Yellow Flash gone, the Raikage no longer considered anyone in Konoha capable of keeping up with him.
Even if there was another ninja who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, so what? There would never be another Minato.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow as the three young shinobi reached her side. One of them stepped forward.
"Tsunade-sama, greetings. We are Konoha shinobi, sent by the Hokage."
"Sensei?" Tsunade was surprised but not entirely shocked.
She had already realized in the casino that Shuuzawa was a ninja and had someone assisting him.
Still, without any insignia, she wasn't certain which village he belonged to.
"The Hokage sent you to bring me back?"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Shisui nodded. Tsunade sighed at his response. "You sure have terrible timing. Can't you see someone here doesn't want me leaving?"
"I believe we can renegotiate our terms," the Fourth Raikage suddenly smirked, his chakra flaring even more violently."
A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes. "I'll let these three little Konoha brats go if you come with me and heal my subordinate. That's the deal. What do you say?"
"You really think you can pull that off?"
Tsunade had been dreading this very possibility. Even though she had left Konoha, she still held deep ties to the village.
She had witnessed too many comrades die before her eyes—she wasn't about to let that happen again.
"There's only one way to find out."
The Fourth Raikage's chakra surged to its peak. He had no intention of backing down.
His father had once sacrificed himself in battle to ensure his subordinates could escape, fighting Iwagakure's forces for three days until he fell.
With such a legacy, there was no way he would disgrace his lineage by hesitating.
"This is such a hassle. You kids came at the worst possible time."
Tsunade glared sharply at Shuuzawa, Shisui, and Yuugao before turning to Shizune.
"Take them and get out of here. Run as far as you can. I'll hold him off."
"Tsunade-sama!"
Shizune instinctively wanted to refuse, but when she saw the determined look in Tsunade's eyes and glanced at Shisui and Shuuzawa, she knew there was no room for argument.
With a sharp nod, she prepared to retreat—only for the Fourth Raikage to blur into motion like a bolt of lightning.
"Did I say you could leave?"
His massive arm swung forward, aiming to knock down all three young shinobi in one strike. But in the blink of an eye, his expression changed.
His pupils shrank slightly—because the moment his attack was about to land, the targets in front of him vanished.
"Who said we were planning to run?" A voice called out from a short distance away.
The Raikage looked up to see Shuuzawa and the others standing far off, a kunai embedded in the ground beside them.
Shuuzawa's tone grew colder. "Fourth Raikage, what do you think would happen if we took you back to Konoha?"
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