章節 152: Chapter 152
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"Tsunade-sama, did you get the money?"
"Got it, let's go."
Tsunade carried a money box out of the office building next to the Uchiha supermarket, followed closely by Shizune. They had both used the Transformation Jutsu and only revealed themselves to Mikoto when picking up the money.
"Shizune, don't leave such important things at home next time! Three million in a year!"
Tsunade unfairly scolded, even though she had left it at home herself.
Shizune muttered softly, "I didn't know about this. It was Tsunade-sama who forgot."
They had returned to the village because Tsunade remembered she hadn't collected her money from Yoichi for nearly two years. She had no gambling funds, and Shizune tightly controlled the purse strings.
Tsunade tried to get money from the Uchiha Pharmaceutical Factory. However, the factory wouldn't just hand over money without proper documentation, even if she was one of the legendary Sannin.
Only by showing the contract could she collect the funds.
Since the contract was back home and Shizune wouldn't lend her own money, Tsunade reluctantly returned to Konoha to retrieve the contract.
After collecting the money from Mikoto, she planned to leave the village. With six million ryō in hand, she'd be set for a while, perhaps even recover some of her losses if luck was on her side.
"Tsunade-sama?"
While they were walking out, Tsunade heard someone call her from behind and turned to see Yoichi. Her face instantly grew confused.
"Tsunade-sama? Where is Tsunade-sama?"
"Using the Transformation Jutsu in front of the Uchiha clan head? Do the Senju underestimate the Sharingan that much?"
Yoichi habitually mocked her, but his [Strategy Guide] quickly suggested a remedy.
Before Yoichi could change his tone, Tsunade undid the Transformation Jutsu with a "puff" and swung her fist in annoyance.
"Kid, I'm just here to get my money and will leave soon. Don't make a fuss."
[Use the excuse of 'long time no see and thanks' to invite her for a meal, focusing on convincing the person beside her.]
Following the guide, Yoichi said, "It's been a while, and I haven't thanked you for your battlefield care last time. How about a meal before you go, right, Shizune?"
"Why are you asking Shizune? We're going outside..."
Tsunade was cut off as Shizune tugged at her sleeve.
"Tsunade-sama, if we leave now, we'll arrive at the next town by midnight. Let's eat before we go."
Passing by earlier, Shizune had noticed several new eateries in the village.
Convinced by Shizune, Tsunade felt a bit hungry and reluctantly said to Yoichi, "Fine, but I'm leaving after eating."
Yoichi smiled at the guide's suggestion. "Don't worry, I'm not the Third Hokage. I understand you."
He pointed toward the dining district, signaling for them to follow. He thought to himself, 'In her 30s and still stubborn. Doesn't seem easy to win over.'
"You, what do you know..."
Tsunade snorted but followed with Shizune.
In the dining area, Yoichi introduced a few restaurants before asking what they wanted to eat. The two chose a sushi restaurant known for its premium ingredients.
They served fish roe, high-grade seafood, and even magical mountain goat sushi.
After they were seated, Yoichi ordered a window-side private room, sushi, various sashimi dishes, and a few bottles of sake when he noticed Tsunade's expectant expression.
Tsunade smiled as she heard about the sake. To her, the essence of sushi was sake, which enhanced the flavor.
When the sushi and sashimi were served, Tsunade poured herself a cup. Before drinking, she noticed Yoichi across from her and recalled their first meeting. The kid had grown into a village pillar.
"Little Uchiha, care for a drink?"
"Just a cup, but not too much."
Yoichi complied, acting according to the guide.
They toasted and drank. Tsunade then sampled the sushi and sashimi. Her eyes lit up.
"When did we get such delicious sushi in the village? It's much better than that other place."
"This is magical mountain goat meat, lightly seared to retain its juices and flavor. It's the signature Uchiha meat. Many in the Land of Fire are eager to get some." (Goat meat for sashimi... Author you're tripping!)
Yoichi pushed another dish of sashimi toward her.
"The village still needs improvement. Even this food district and supermarket attracted large crowds."
"The Chūnin Exams have drawn the Daimyō from four countries. We should organize more events like this."
"There's too little entertainment in the ninja world. The Chūnin Exams are like a gladiator cage, and the third round is a spectacle for the nobles."
"If it were up to me, I'd establish ninja activities and hold game tournaments annually."
Seeing Yoichi confidently discuss his village-building strategies, Tsunade chuckled.
"Kid, village-building isn't as simple as you think."
"No, village-building is simple. The problem is no Hokage has tried."
"As the Uchiha clan head, I can bring benefits to the clan. If I were Hokage, I could change the whole village. The food district and supermarket are just the beginning."
Tsunade couldn't deny the reality. Despite the approaching night, many villagers passed by, smiling as they left the supermarket.
Earlier, she had seen a noticeboard from the Police Force with a reward and punishment system and a recruitment announcement.
She'd been surprised, but now it was clear who had come up with the idea.
'That brat who once called me names really has grown up.'
Tsunade chuckled, recalling when she first met him, but she'd long since forgiven that incident.
"Even if you're right, becoming the Fourth Hokage won't be easy."
She poured herself another cup, her face slightly flushed.
"If I stayed, I might have been convinced by what you said and supported you."
"Even if I don't become the Fourth Hokage, it doesn't matter. Sakumo-senpai shares my vision. If he becomes Hokage, he'll still support me."
Yoichi paused, then smiled.
"But if someone else becomes Hokage, they might target the Uchiha, so it's best if Sakumo-senpai does."
"I was only saying. I can't stay in the village. How can a hemophobic person be a ninja?"
Tsunade paused, then remembered this kid knew her weakness and didn't hold back.
"It's just a break. Come back when you're ready."
Yoichi said.
Tsunade didn't like this, slamming her cup onto the table.
"Impossible to recover..."
"Don't say that. Going through two tragedies is painful."
Yoichi continued, "You don't have hemophobia. You're just looking for someone to help you break this curse and believe again. If you can't find anyone, I'll be that pillar."
Anger bubbled up in Tsunade, who had been avoiding the issue. Would she go through a third time?
"Kid, you don't understand."
"Then bet on it."
"What?"
"You love gambling, Tsunade-sama. Bet on me one last time. If you win, your hemophobia will be cured. If you lose, no one can help you. Tsunade, dare to bet?"
"Bet that I'll become Hokage and change the ninja world!"
Tsunade saw Yoichi's confident and determined expression. She wanted to step forward, to free herself from hemophobia and see the dream of her loved ones fulfilled. But the deaths of Nawaki and Dan haunted her, making her fear a third.
"I..."
Tsunade couldn't decide. She wanted to back off, but the chair blocked her.
"Then bet! Tsunade-sama!"
Yoichi suddenly grasped her hand, sealing the wager.
"If you lose, it'll just be another irrelevant death. But if you win, you'll overcome hemophobia."
"Who's irrelevant? You annoying brat! Are you trying to become a permanent shackle around my neck?"
Tsunade stood angrily and grabbed Yoichi by the collar, causing her "jumbo melons" to sway.
If she lost another to such a foolish dream, she'd never sleep again.
"Cancel the bet. I won't—"
"It's too late, and I won't lose. I will be Hokage."
Yoichi gently removed her grip. Though angry, she hadn't used much force.
"When you receive my Hokage orders, return promptly, Tsunade."
With that, Yoichi glanced at the guide before leaving the room.
Tsunade stood there, dazed. She thought she saw herself losing the bet and the dreams of her two loved ones appearing on that Uchiha kid.
After a while, she heard Shizune calling.
"Tsunade-sama, what happened? Did you argue?"
Tsunade sat down wearily, recalling what had just happened.
'If I had known this would happen, I would have left earlier.'
Yet she couldn't help but hope that brat wouldn't lose her bet.
She hoped to win, to prove Nawaki and Dan's dreams weren't wrong. If she lost this time, she'd never recover.
"Tsunade-sama, are you alright?"
Tsunade turned and saw Shizune, then noticed the empty plates on the table and grew upset.
"It's your fault, Shizune. Now I've bet with that annoying brat!"
"What? How is that my fault?" Shizune pouted before suggesting, "Should I catch up and tell Yoichi-sama to cancel the bet?"
"Don't add to my trouble."
Tsunade sighed. She was about to have Shizune pack up and leave when the door was suddenly pushed open.
In walked a tall ninja with spiky white hair.
"Tsunade, it's really you! I thought I heard wrong!"
Jiraiya was delighted to see Tsunade.
"When did you return? How long are you staying? I just..."
"Jiraiya, I'm not in the mood. I'm just passing through and leaving soon."
Tsunade cut him off, sighing. She felt too chaotic to chat or drink with him.
"I'm leaving!"
"Wait, Tsunade..."
Before Jiraiya could say more, Tsunade and Shizune grabbed their things and left.
"But... how..."
Jiraiya turned, noticing three pairs of chopsticks and two cups on the table.
Shizune was too young to drink. So who drank with Tsunade?
---
"Wasn't it right? But why did her favorability fluctuate so much?"
After leaving, Uchiha Yoichi checked the [Strategy Guide]. He felt like a robot.
The favorability fluctuated from 86 at the highest to 74 at the lowest before settling at 82.
Based on this score, it might be similar to her bond with the Sannin, but this wasn't about friendship.
"This guide is amazing. Just one step left."
This last step didn't seem difficult for Yoichi. Once he fulfilled his promise, he would have conquered Tsunade.
If Sakumo became the Fourth Hokage, the Fifth would be chosen within a few years.
Just as Sakumo said, despite being suitable, he didn't really want to be Hokage. He'd accepted it to prevent Uchiha-Konoha conflicts.
If Yoichi exceeded expectations, Sakumo would step down even without fault.
(End of Chapter)
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