Unsurprisingly, Tsunade lost everything again.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya, who had bet everything on the opposite side of her wager, walked away with his wallet bursting at the seams, having made a fortune.
Afterward, he wandered into a quieter alley and canceled his Transformation Jutsu, stepping back onto the main street.
Truthfully, Jiraiya didn't even like gambling. But after every mission, Tsunade would always ask to borrow money.
Of course, Jiraiya never refused such a small favor, especially since he could use her "walking jackpot" reputation to win it all back again, every time.
With his plump wallet tucked away, Jiraiya strolled back to the main avenue.
Suddenly, someone jumped out in front of him, nearly scaring the life out of him.
Even with all his experience, Jiraiya was momentarily stunned—because this guy's face...
It was so ugly, he didn't even know how to describe it.
He looked just like Hanzo's summoned beast: a salamander.
Jiraiya thought to himself, How can a human being look this randomly hideous?
The salamander-faced man was carrying a rectangular box divided into small square compartments.
Under Jiraiya's gaze, he pulled out a bizarre-looking mask painted with a grotesque face.
The man smiled obsequiously and said,
"Honorable ninja, I saw it all—your Transformation Jutsu was simply masterful! Still, there were a few tiny flaws. If you paired it with one of my masks, infused with special chakra—oh, you don't even know, these are cultural treasures from my homeland!"
BAM!
Before the man could finish, Jiraiya kicked him straight into a wall.
He'd noticed from the start that this guy's eyes hadn't left his wallet pocket. But honestly, the real reason he attacked was that this guy was simply too ugly to look at.
"Cultural treasure? If it's a treasure from your hometown, should you be selling it so casually?"
Spit!
Jiraiya spat in the man's direction and turned to walk away.
He'd traveled the ninja world in his youth—he'd met plenty of scammers like this.
And even if the mask did work, Jiraiya wouldn't stoop to using such a thing.
After completing over a month's worth of simple missions, Jiraiya figured that Lord Hiruzen would soon assign them a more difficult task outside the village.
But once they left the village, it would be a long time before they'd return.
During this time, Jiraiya had been keeping a close eye on the movements of the Senju clan. Though his current skills didn't allow him to uncover much, he had noticed that their defenses were becoming increasingly strict.
It was clear—they were preparing for something.
On top of that, Lord Hiruzen had grown visibly busier in recent days.
The Senju clan wasn't satisfied with his appeasement policies.
After once again circling near the Senju compound gates, Jiraiya returned to the crowded streets of Konoha and began conversing with the Nine-Tails sealed within him:
"Can you sense anything?"
According to Jiraiya's theory, if Madara wanted to spark internal conflict within Konoha, he'd have to start with the Senju clan—and use genjutsu to manipulate those with influence inside.
"No. The Senju clan has erected a sensory-blocking barrier outside their compound. It's not particularly strong, but unless I can use my full sensory power, I can't detect anything."
The Nine-Tails replied.
If it released its full power, it would surely draw the attention of Mito Uzumaki.
"Then I'll have to find a way to get inside and take a look," Jiraiya muttered gravely.
Things were not looking good.
"What's your plan?" asked the Nine-Tails.
"I'll have to rely on Tsunade's identity."
Jiraiya shrugged.
Even though the First and Second Hokage were gone, the Senju clan was still filled with elite shinobi. With his current strength, sneaking in unnoticed was impossible.
Having made his decision, Jiraiya turned around and headed toward the Konoha casino.
As expected, just as he reached the entrance, he spotted Tsunade—disguised as a young adult—dragging her feet out of the building, visibly dejected.
Once in a quiet corner, she dispelled her transformation and let out a few deep sighs.
Then her expression turned firm again as she muttered to herself:
"Next time, I'll win back everything I lost!"
She was about to start training when she rounded the corner and bumped right into Jiraiya.
Of course, this "coincidence" had been carefully planned by Jiraiya himself.
Seeing her, he quickly said,
"Tsunade! There you are. I've been looking for you—there's something I'd like your help with."
"What is it?"
Tsunade had just lost a lot of money and wasn't in the best mood.
Her expression turned dark when she saw Jiraiya.
"It's something you can easily handle. And don't worry—I wouldn't ask you for help without giving something in return. How about we make it a bet?"
"If you win, all this money is yours."
Jiraiya pulled out his overflowing wallet.
Just betting against Tsunade over and over had earned him enough to live comfortably for half a year without taking a single mission.
"I'm in."
The mention of gambling instantly lit up Tsunade's eyes.
But just as she was about to accept, something felt a little off.
Jiraiya had anticipated this hesitation and quickly added:
"Of course, if you lose, the money will still be yours—just treat it as payment for helping me. I just need your cooperation."
"Deal."
Tsunade was only six years old, far too young to think deeply about such things.
Though she didn't care for some of Jiraiya's habits, she trusted him as a comrade.
She certainly didn't think he'd ask her to do anything inappropriate—
And on top of that, it was gambling. Her favorite.
More importantly, this bet seemed like a win-win.
"You decide how we bet," Jiraiya said immediately, seeing her agree.
Tsunade thought for a moment.
"Let's use dice," she said.
She reached into her ninja pouch and pulled out a dice cup and several dice.
Jiraiya: "…"
Carrying gambling tools around… classic Tsunade.
Unsurprisingly, Jiraiya won again.
Tsunade stared at the dice scattered on the ground, visibly questioning her entire existence.
"So? What do you want me to help you with?"
To her credit, she was at least a good sport about losing, for now.
She turned to Jiraiya, who handed her the wallet.
With a grin, Jiraiya said,
"It's nothing major. I just want to visit the Konoha Shrine for the First Hokage, Lord Hashirama."
"You want to go to the Senju compound?"
Tsunade's expression changed slightly.
Jiraiya put on an innocent face and asked,
"What's wrong, Tsunade? Is it a bad time?"
"No… A bet's a bet. I have to honor it. That's what Grandpa taught me."
"Let's go—I'll take you to the Konoha Shrine."
She muttered quietly to herself, packed away her gambling gear, and turned toward the Senju compound.
Jiraiya immediately followed, though inwardly, he was stunned.
Tsunade's gambling problem… was taught by the First Hokage himself?
Even though he'd technically already died once, Jiraiya had never expected that her gambling addiction originated with the legendary Hashirama.
Hashirama had died when Tsunade was only two or three years old, hadn't he?
(End of Chapter)