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The next day, on Tanzaku Street.
Jiraiya returned to the Aohua Inn.
"Mr. Kashin, here's your IOU. Bring it with you next time you visit Konoha. I'll have the money ready then."
"You… you're the one paying it back?" Kashin Koji asked carefully.
Jiraiya smiled. "Don't worry. I'm just transferring the debt from her to me."
Koji hesitated. "You really shouldn't cover her gambling losses. People like her are walking jackpots. No matter where they go, they lose. Even you might not be able to afford it."
Behind them, Leo fought the urge to laugh and resisted looking back at Tsunade, forcing a straight, serious face.
But—
Jiraiya cleared his throat. "I'll talk to her."
"You won't get through to her! We've seen plenty like her in the casino business. They all swear they'll quit, but next time they sneak right back in."
Koji wasn't just talking business now. A casino owner normally wouldn't risk saying something so honest.
Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly.
"Anyway, let's not talk about this. Next time you take a mission to Konoha, I'll treat you properly. We can chat then."
"The one in Konoha should be my uncle, Kashin Ichiro. He handles our business in the east and works with Gato."
Koji explained.
Jiraiya nodded. "All right. I'll contact him."
"And sir, when you get back, try talking to your friend again. Her luck really isn't suited for gambling. Honestly, someone who can't win a single round is rare."
He meant well.
But—
A thunderous crash shook the building.
The back door exploded off its hinges.
Tsunade stood there, face dark, her green jacket with the big "gamble" character practically glowing.
Her gaze was sharp enough to cut steel. She spoke word by word.
"Hey. I've put up with you for long enough."
"Calm down! Please calm down! He's just a casino owner. Don't take it personally!"
Shizune clung to her like her life depended on it.
She was way too used to this. It was concerning.
Leo quickly looked away and focused on the shattered remains of the door.
That blast of chakra just now was pure monstrous strength.
Tsunade was ridiculously practiced. Something like that wasn't even an effort for her. No buildup. No control needed. Just boom.
At least master level… Leo thought.
Koji hid behind Jiraiya, pale as a ghost.
This woman's strength was terrifying.
Even Kakashi, though masked, couldn't hide his shock.
Tsunade's pretty face didn't match the destruction she caused.
"We'll be going now!" Jiraiya grabbed Tsunade and bolted.
If they didn't leave, they'd be paying for the door next.
Koji didn't dare chase.
Then it hit him.
Such insane strength. Good relationship with Jiraiya. A hopeless gambler, a fat target…
Put it all together and there was only one possibility.
One of the Legendary Sannin.
Tsunade.
He sucked in a sharp breath.
He'd heard of her. A princess with terrifying power and a temper to match.
Lucky him.
Another day of being alive and still a casino owner.
…
"Tsunade, your temper is seriously… well, he wasn't wrong," Jiraiya muttered.
Tsunade shot him a cold look but said nothing.
Her gambling luck was notoriously awful.
But—
There were… certain superstitions she never bothered explaining.
Like—
If her luck was too good, something bad would happen to someone she cared about.
She'd rather stay unlucky.
It meant the people she cared for were safe.
She didn't explain.
They kept walking toward Konoha. After a while, they stopped to rest.
While everyone settled down, Tsunade suddenly glanced over at Leo.
"You. Kid. Come here."
Huh?
Leo looked around, then realized she meant him.
He walked over.
"Lady Tsunade."
"Sit. What jutsu do you know?"
She asked bluntly.
Leo began listing them.
Tsunade's frown deepened the longer she listened.
Finally she asked, "You haven't learned genjutsu?"
"No."
He shook his head.
Tsunade looked a bit surprised.
"Why? Was it not passed down?"
Senju Momoka's genjutsu was famous across the nations. It shouldn't have vanished.
Leo explained.
"My grandmother's genjutsu was strong, but my parents' talent was average so they never learned it properly. We still have a few scrolls at home, but I didn't study them."
Those techniques were difficult and not very useful in his current stage.
So—
He prioritized taijutsu training first.
Tsunade nodded slowly, then asked, "How long have you been learning Water Release?"
"A bit over half a month. I'm still not very good at it."
Leo looked embarrassed.
Tsunade fell silent.
This brat…
Half a month and he was already at this level? That was genius-tier. What was he embarrassed about?
Did he think other people weren't human?
Her expression grew increasingly hostile.
"Kid, are you asking to be hit?"
"As a ninja, I should aim for higher perfection. I have a long way to go."
Leo answered earnestly.
Beside them, Jiraiya quietly gave him a thumbs-up.
Brave kid.
He was already lighting a candle for Leo in his heart.
Tsunade raised a brow but didn't scold him. Her smile even brightened as she patted his shoulder.
"You said it yourself. I may have hemophobia, but experience and technique still matter. I think it's time I tested a few things on you."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."
Leo bowed respectfully.
Tsunade's "tests" were never easy. He'd definitely suffer a bit.
But—
There were countless people who would kill for her guidance, and most never got the chance.
A rare opportunity like this was worth any amount of pain.
Nearby, Kakashi and Kurenai were practically bursting with envy, eyes glued to them.
In this era, what young kunoichi didn't idolize Tsunade?
Kurenai had dreamed of studying under Tsunade, but by the time she graduated, Tsunade had already left with Shizune. Now she finally understood why.
Hemophobia.
A condition that terrified even elite ninja.
Thinking of this, Kurenai's expression dimmed.
After resting, everyone set off again.
On the road, Tsunade stayed cautious. She doubted anyone would target her or Jiraiya here, but she still kept her guard up.
…
Konoha. Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage looked stunned.
"What?"
"Lady Tsunade is back. They're about ten minutes from the village."
"...!!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's shock slowly shifted into something closer to panic.
Tsunade… was coming back.
For a moment, he didn't know how to face her. A flood of complicated emotions washed over him.
Finally, Hiruzen took a deep breath.
"I understand. You're dismissed. Don't make a big announcement."
"Yes, sir."
The Anbu bowed and left.
Once the door closed, Hiruzen lit his pipe.
He stared toward the village gates for a long time before exhaling a heavy cloud of smoke.
"....."