บท 46: Chapter 46: The First Meeting! Shizune, Lend Me Your Blanket!
She was none other than Tsunade, the princess of the Land of Fire!
Despite her youthful appearance, her beauty was otherworldly, so much so that it was hard to look away.
With every step she took, it was as if an invisible wave of energy pushed the surrounding gamblers back ever so slightly.
What an aura!
It was the kind of moment that needed a "Gambler's Anthem" playing in the background.
"Today..." Tsunade declared, her voice brimming with determination, "I'm going to win everything that's rightfully mine!"
"Yeah, you got this!"
"Better to gamble big than work hard!"
"That's right! Who needs kids crying every day when you've got the thrill of gambling?"
"Lady, today's your day—go all in!"
The surrounding gamblers cheered her on, their voices rising in unison.
"Lady Tsunade…" The dark-haired woman, Shizune, holding the pig, nervously interjected, "That three million is all we have left. If we lose, we won't have money for dinner tonight."
"I'm not losing!" Tsunade shot her a fierce look. "I'm on fire today! The only thing I'm worried about is whether the casino has enough money to pay me!"
With that, Tsunade sat at a table, radiating confidence and charm.
At the same time, Kazuya, having used a transformation technique to alter his appearance, quietly joined the table as well.
The plan was simple.
If Tsunade bet high, he would bet low.
If she bet low, he would bet high.
Two hours later, Tsunade had lost over five million, while Kazuya had walked away with nearly four million in winnings.
"Damn it!" Tsunade, clearly frustrated, gathered her remaining money and stormed over to another table, this time for a poker game.
Kazuya followed.
When Tsunade bet on the banker to win, Kazuya bet on the player.
When she bet on the player, Kazuya bet on the banker.
Another hour passed.
Tsunade had lost another five million, and Kazuya's winnings had grown by five million.
"You little brat…" Tsunade finally caught on, her eyes narrowing in anger. "You've been using me as your lucky charm, haven't you?!"
Kazuya smirked, throwing out a mocking challenge, "What can't handle losing?"
"Can't handle losing?!" Tsunade's eyes blazed with fury. "I'll show you who can't handle losing!"
With that, she stormed over to the cockfighting ring.
Two roosters stood in the arena—one red and the other black, each with a tuft of silver-gray feathers atop their heads.
"Five hundred thousand on the red one!" Tsunade yelled.
"I'll take the black one, then," Kazuya calmly responded.
"You…" Tsunade clenched her fists, her forehead creasing in frustration as her anger boiled over.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune gasped softly, clearly worried.
She feared Tsunade's rage would reach its limit, and she'd end up killing the man provoking her with just a single punch!
"I'm fine!" Tsunade growled, her teeth grinding.
This guy had the nerve to treat her like a walking bad-luck charm—completely unforgivable!
As the conversation unfolded, the black rooster with the gray tuft on its head soundly defeated the stronger-looking red rooster.
Tsunade stood there, stunned.
She lost again.
Another five hundred thousand gone.
Nearby, Kazuya crouched down, patting the victorious black rooster on its head. "You're one beautiful bird," he said with a smirk.
Then, he shot Tsunade a mocking glance, filled with disdain.
That was the last straw for Tsunade.
"I want to gamble with you—just the two of us!" she shouted, fury bubbling over.
"Sure thing," Kazuya replied calmly. "Let's roll the dice. One round, all in. You game?"
"Bring it on."
"I bet big!"
"I'll bet small then."
Tsunade's eyes gleamed with intensity as she watched the dice roll. "Big, big, big... I have to win this time! Come on!"
The dice stopped.
One, two, three—small.
Tsunade had lost her last 1.5 million.
"Thanks," Kazuya smiled warmly. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"GET OUT!!!" Tsunade's furious scream echoed through the casino.
Kazuya smiled softly as he collected the 3 million ryo Tsunade had brought, then walked away without a care in the world.
"Lady Tsunade… all that money…" Shizune, clutching her pet pig, looked ready to burst into tears. That was all they had left. Without it, they wouldn't even have enough for dinner tonight.
"Don't…"
"Don't talk to me!" Tsunade clutched her chest, feeling the sharp sting of defeat. That man—he wasn't just using her as a lucky charm. He had cleaned her out completely.
She collapsed into a chair, utterly defeated.
Three million ryo!
Gone!
Tsunade stood up abruptly, scanning the room, hoping to catch another glimpse of that man, but he had already disappeared into the crowd.
As Kazuya exited the casino, he noticed a few figures trailing him.
"An ambush?" Kazuya mused, his expression remaining indifferent.
He continued walking, eventually leading his pursuers into a dark, deserted alleyway.
"Hehehe… Do you think you can walk out with that much cash and still keep your life?"
"Yeah, newbie! You're carrying millions and yet you thought walking alone at night was a good idea?"
"Be smart, hand over the money, and we might let you live," one of the thugs snarled as they emerged from the shadows. Each one wielded a weapon—long knives and a few kunai, typical tools for low-level ninjas.
[You have gained 5 points of chakra.]
[You have gained 5 points of chakra.]
[You have gained 10 points of battle experience.]
[You have gained 5 points of chakra.]
Kazuya sighed, disappointed. He had hoped for a bit more excitement from those who followed him, but the aura these thugs emitted was weak.
"Kill him!" one of them shouted as they lunged forward.
The sounds of fists connecting with bodies echoed through the narrow alley.
Moments later, Kazuya calmly walked out, leaving the thugs sprawled out behind him, barely recognizable.
Meanwhile, Tsunade and Shizune also left the casino.
"Lady Tsunade, what are we going to do tonight?" Shizune asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"Just hang in there," Tsunade replied, sounding distant. "The old man said someone would be coming for us soon. We just have to wait."
The lights and noise of the bustling streets did nothing to lift her spirits. All she could think about was the 3 million Ryo she had just lost to that insufferable man.
The next day at noon.
Their time at the inn was up, and Tsunade and Shizune found themselves walking down the street with their belongings.
"Lady Tsunade, I'm so hungry…" Shizune whined, her stomach growling in protest.
"You think I'm not hungry too?" Tsunade snapped, frustrated. "Just wait a bit longer. The person should be arriving soon."
"Alright…" Shizune replied, her voice full of resignation.
By evening, as the two huddled under a bridge for warmth, things were looking bleak.
"Shizune, can you lend me your blanket for a bit?"
"But… I'm cold too…"
"Just for a little while."
"Okay… if you say so, Lady Tsunade…"
Shizune reluctantly handed over her blanket, shivering as the cold night air wrapped around her.
The following morning, Tsunade made her way back to the inn they had stayed at, hoping to find some relief. As she approached, she noticed a tall, handsome man standing at the entrance, looking somewhat familiar.
When he turned around, his eyes met hers, and he broke into a friendly smile.
"Lady Tsunade!" The man looked genuinely pleased to see her.
"And you are?" Tsunade asked, unsure why he seemed so familiar.
"Yohara Kazuya," he replied. "The Third Hokage sent me."
Tsunade's spirits instantly lifted.
He was here!
Finally!
Kazuya walked toward her, still smiling, and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade smiled back, though something felt off. Had she heard those exact words somewhere before?
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