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The weather today is exceptionally pleasant. A gentle breeze blows, and the sunlight shines brightly without being overwhelmingly hot. It truly is a beautiful day.
However, despite the lovely surroundings, the little girl with short black hair feels a sense of helplessness. Despite her young age, her face reflects countless thoughts. Speaking in a low voice, Shizune addresses Tsunade, who is walking ahead with a carefree demeanor, "Tsunade-sama, can we continue like this?" But as soon as she finished speaking those words..
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Tsunade dismissively waved her hand, maintaining her carefree attitude. "I'm not really gambling; I'm simply relaxing. After all these years as a ninja, can't I take a break?"
Shizune looks at Tsunade, rendered speechless. While Tsunade is entitled to take a break, it feels like she has been indulging herself for far too long! Nearly half a year has already passed. As a devoted disciple who has followed Tsunade for many years, Shizune knows that her words won't sway her mentor.
However, Shizune still tries to reason, "If we continue like this, someday Tsunade-sama will exhaust all our money."
"Hahaha!" Upon hearing Shizune's concerns, Tsunade erupts into hearty laughter, her eyes almost welling up with tears. She playfully pinches Shizune's cheek from behind and says, "You little brat, you have no idea about the wealth of the Senju Clan. The First, Second, and my grandmother left behind a substantial fortune. I'm the only one spending it now."
With that, she rises to her feet again, smiles ahead, and a flicker of melancholy crosses her eyes. She speaks nonchalantly, "I doubt I'll be able to spend it all, even if I die."
"But, but... we don't have any income! Tsunade-sama keeps gambling away substantial sums," Shizune hesitates for a moment, contemplating the situation. If Tsunade loses at least one million every day, in the long run, even the entire wealth of Konoha might not be sufficient to cover Tsunade's losses! And let's not forget, Tsunade never emerges as the winner! She always ends up losing!
"Is Tsunade-sama planning to return to Konoha when she runs out of money? Without missions, we won't receive any rewards." Shizune asks if this is Tsunade's plan.
As soon as she finishes speaking, Tsunade looks disdainful, pursing her lips. "Return to Konoha? Impossible! I'll never go back there in this lifetime! What's there to return to in that dull place?"
Then, she turns her gaze towards Shizune, who still appears concerned and on the verge of voicing her thoughts. Tsunade confidently places a reassuring hand on her chest and proclaims, "Don't worry, trust me, we'll never run out of money!"
"But, but...!" Shizune attempts to reason further. However, before she can finish her sentence, a sudden commotion erupts nearby, not far from the gambling house. Tsunade pauses, turning her head to directly face the source of the commotion.
"Oh? Why is it so lively today? Is something interesting happening again? Wait, isn't that someone from Kusagakure... Oh, a movie?" Tsunade murmurs to herself.
The movie "Gambling Shadow" from before had left a lasting impression on her. However, it has been almost half a year, and there have been no other exciting events in this theater since then. And yet, today it is bustling once more? It's truly perplexing!
Driven by curiosity, Tsunade starts walking towards the source of the commotion, seemingly unaware of what Shizune wants to convey.
Shizune mutters, "Someday, it will all be gone!" However, when she looks up and sees that Tsunade has already moved ahead, seemingly oblivious to her words, she sighs helplessly.
She knew it would unfold like this once again. So, she obediently follows along. She also understands that Tsunade-sama is engaging in these activities solely to indulge herself and momentarily forget her sorrows.
But it has been so long, and she believes that Uncle Dan wouldn't want Tsunade-sama to continue down this path. "Um... excuse me, can you please let us through? Lady Tsunade, wait for me!" Shizune says, attempting to maneuver through the crowd, although it proves challenging due to her physical strength. Strangely, there were quite a few people gathered at the entrance of the movie theater today.
Nevertheless, with Tsunade's strength, they manage to push their way in swiftly. When they catch sight of the new billboard standing at the theater entrance, both of them suddenly realize their earlier assumptions were correct. Indeed, a new movie has arrived. But this new movie...
"Tsunade-sama? Jiraiya-sama? And Orochimaru-sama too?!" Shizune gazes at the vibrant advertisement on the fresh billboard, wearing a surprised expression. It depicts three familiar yet slightly altered figures, facing away but looking back with smiles.
"Why are those three featured there?" As she speaks, Shizune notices something and instinctively reads the text above. "'The Three Sannin in Kusagakure'? Huh? Kusagakure? Isn't that the Land of Grass? Could it be a story about Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama, and Orochimaru-sama in the Land of Grass?"
Despite the slight variations in the characters, their names and outfits leave no room for doubt that it revolves around Tsunade-sama and the others! As soon as Shizune finished her question, Tsunade replied, gazing at the poster with a frustrated expression, "I've never been to the Land of Grass."
As individuals who have trained and embarked on missions together for so long, Tsunade immediately recognizes the authenticity of the Jiraiya depicted on the poster. That lecherous smile, those familiar gestures, who else but that fool?
And as for the person imitating her with Orochimaru, with that toad-like presence, no further words need to be said. She has a pretty good idea of who it might be. But why is Jiraiya in the Land of Grass? Did she forget something?
Tsunade furrows her brow, ponders for a moment, but can't quite piece it together. However, seeing the Jiraiya on the poster reminds her of their last encounter before parting ways; he did mention going to the Land of Grass.
"Anyway, why am I overthinking this?" Tsunade rubs her temples, then curiously examines the advertisement. "I've made up my mind, I won't gamble today. I'll watch this movie first, and if that idiot causes any trouble..."
A complex expression flashes in her eyes, as if recalling the events of the previous film. She clenches her fist. "I'll give him a beating!"
"Really, Tsunade-sama?" Upon hearing Tsunade's declaration, Shizune's face instantly brightens with a joyful smile. "You won't gamble today? That's fantastic! Let me go buy the tickets right away."
As Shizune finished speaking, fearing that Tsunade might change her mind once again, she scurried off to purchase the tickets. Having done it before, she is familiar with the process. Besides, knowing that Tsunade won't gamble today is truly rare. She must secure the tickets no matter what!
As Shizune ponders, a realization strikes her. "Come to think of it, Tsunade-sama refrained from gambling last time because of the movie! Ah, yes, that night she mysteriously disappeared, venturing out on her own without anyone knowing her whereabouts. Not even the gambling house could find her." Shizune furrows her brow, deep in thought. Shortly after, it's finally her turn in line.
"Hello, may I have two adjacent seats, please?" Shizune politely requests it at the ticket counter.
"Would you like to add cola and popcorn to your order? Oh, and we also have some new snacks, like French Fries and Chicken Wings!" The attendant behind the counter offers a variety of snacks for the movie-watching experience.
Shizune nods and responds, "Yes, please. We'll have two colas, a large popcorn, and the Loaded Fries as well." She thinks it would be nice to enjoy some snacks while watching the movie.
The ticket counter attendant smiles and says, "Great choice! Two adjacent seats, two colas, a large popcorn, and Loaded Fries. That will be 250 ryō, please."
Shizune hands over the money, receives the tickets and snacks, but notices that there are no complimentary items this time, which slightly disappoints her. She returns to Tsunade, who is still looking at the advertisement poster with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.
"Tsunade-sama, here are the tickets. We have two adjacent seats," Shizune says as she hands over the tickets and snacks.
Tsunade glances at the tickets and nods. "Good job, Shizune. Let's go inside and watch this movie. I'm curious to see what Jiraiya is up to in the Land of Grass."
Following the instructions on the ticket and the guidance of the staff, they swiftly make their way to the screening hall and locate their seats.
Before long, the entire hall dims, even faster than before. Once again, a large cloth in front showcases a familiar image.
"Exclusive premiere of Land of Grass Entertainment. Certified by Kusagakure!"
"Selected blockbuster!"
Shizune and Tsunade are instantly captivated by the attention-grabbing announcement, wondering, "What kind of movie could it be?" "What is that guy up to in the Land of Grass?"
At that moment, as the scenes transition, a peculiar line of text suddenly emerges...
"Starring: Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru."
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