Land of Fire, Fire Source City.
After learning the Flying Thunder God technique, Shishou returned to reality and looked at the still-sleeping Naruto, whispering in his heart:
"Don't worry, from now on, I'll keep an eye on Naruto for you."
The Flying Thunder God technique was an S-rank ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The Second Hokage used this technique to kill Uchiha Izuna, Uchiha Madara's brother, who possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan.
During the Third Ninja War, the Fourth Hokage further advanced the Flying Thunder God technique.
Not only did he use it to eliminate fifty jonin from Iwagakure, but he also held his own against the A and B duo from Kumogakure, earning the nickname "Yellow Flash" in the ninja world, making him immensely famous.
It was due to this technique that Minato Namikaze managed to surpass Orochimaru and become the Fourth Hokage.
The learning requirements for the Flying Thunder God technique were extremely stringent. Even with Shishou's current talent and comprehension, it was very challenging to learn.
It would probably take more than a month before he could use it initially.
To use it as effectively as the Second and Fourth Hokage in combat would require even more time.
"Sigh."
Shishou glanced at the sleeping Naruto once more and sighed.
To deliberately approach Naruto, he still needed to wait a while.
Until Naruto showed a commitment to the Will of Fire, the Third Hokage would not allow anyone to interfere with Naruto's affairs.
Not even Danzo.
For this reason, Danzo, who had always wanted to recruit Naruto into the Root, often grumbled to the Third Hokage:
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
To which the Third Hokage would retort:
"Danzo, I am the Hokage."
...
One month later.
Land of Fire, Fire Source City.
Fire Source City was a prosperous town in the Land of Fire, not too far from Konoha. It took about ten hours to reach it.
Of course, this calculation was based on a ninja's speed; for civilians, it would take five or six days of travel.
Due to its rich mineral resources, Fire Source City attracted many factions, making the city a chaotic mix, and its public security was rather poor.
Similarly, Fire Source City was also a well-known spending hub in the Land of Fire.
Eating, drinking, prostitution, gambling — everything was available.
Various vendors, izakayas, and casinos were everywhere.
Even scantily clad prostitutes stood at the doors, constantly soliciting passersby.
"Lucky Casino."
Shishou arrived at a casino, glanced at the sign, and pushed the door open.
There were actually five rogue ninjas, including one with sensory abilities.
Was this to prevent powerful ninjas from cheating?
Entering the casino, Shishou activated his Sharingan, observing the hidden ninjas.
"Give me five 10,000 ryo chips."
He went to the counter and handed his money to the staff.
Shishou's total wealth was only 50,000 ryo, enough for five 10,000 ryo chips.
This was his entire savings since childhood.
Taking the chips, Shishou went to the dice table, casually finding a seat.
The rules of the game were simple.
Guess big, small, or triples.
Win double the bet.
Lose, and the bet goes to the house.
Guessing triples earns ten times the bet; otherwise, the house takes everything.
Besides this, the casino took a 5% commission from each win.
It's hard for a casino to lose money.
"Place your bets."
The pretty dealer shook the dice and covered the dice cup on the table, looking at the gamblers.
Shishou casually threw a 10,000 ryo chip, betting on small.
The cup was lifted, revealing three, five, and six, totaling big.
"Congratulations to the winners who bet on big."
The dealer politely spoke, collecting the chips from those who bet on small and starting the next round.
Shishou remained expressionless, continuing to bet.
He bet 40,000 ryo on triples.
Seeing someone bet on triples, the dealer glanced curiously at Shishou and opened the cup.
One, one, one.
All three dice showed one. Triples!
"Wow."
"This guy actually bet on triples."
Seeing someone win on triples, the surrounding gamblers were amazed.
Shishou remained expressionless, collecting the 400,000 ryo in chips from the house and continued betting.
After the first round, Shishou had attached Phosphorescent Worms to the three dice.
Nano-sized Phosphorescent Worms, as long as fewer than 100,000, couldn't be detected even by Mangekyou Sharingan, let alone the casino ninjas.
With the system's help, Shishou could see his insects clearly.
So no matter what numbers the dealer rolled, he could accurately "guess."
Over the next half hour,
Shishou won over 10 million ryo in chips.
The person shaking the dice had changed from the pretty dealer to the beautiful casino owner.
Crowds of people gathered around Shishou.
Looking at the expressionless Shishou, the casino owner sweated, her hand on the dice cup, afraid to open it.
The surrounding people quietly watched, waiting for the casino owner to lift the cup.
Shishou had just bet all 10 million ryo on triples.
If he guessed correctly, the casino would have to pay him 100 million ryo.
100 million ryo.
To the surrounding gamblers, that was a fortune they could never earn in a lifetime.
Some had already noted Shishou's appearance, planning to rob him later.
The casino owner didn't want anyone robbing Shishou.
After confirming his ninja status and considerable strength, she knew ninjas often had powerful backers, and without proof of cheating, a small casino couldn't afford to offend him.
That's why the casino owner hesitated to lift the cup.
"You, you there, young man, can we talk upstairs?"
The pale-faced beautiful casino owner forced a pleasant smile, looking at Shishou with a fawning expression.
Knowing his strength from her subordinates, she dared not be disrespectful, even if Shishou appeared to be only eleven or twelve.
The casino owner, Takeko, was an ordinary person with no significant power or background.
She ran Lucky Casino because the various factions in Fire Source City respected her deceased husband and gave her a livelihood.
As long as she handed over 80% of the monthly profits, they left her alone.
Even the casino ninjas were sent by other casinos. Though called the owner, she was essentially a worker.
Lucky Casino was small, with monthly profits of only one to two million ryo.
One hundred million ryo was an amount she couldn't afford to lose.
If she lost, she would face a miserable fate.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at Shishou with pleading eyes.
"Alright."
Seeing the obvious plea in her eyes, Shishou sighed inwardly and nodded.
He couldn't bear to see a beautiful woman cry.
"This way, please!"
Takeko quickly stood up, respectfully leading Shishou upstairs to her reception room.
As she closed the door, she heard an exclamation from downstairs.
"Six, six, six, it's really triples."
"A hundred million ryo, and the young man just gave it up."
...