"So fast…"
"In less than half a day, we've already reached the capital of the Land of Fire."
Half a day later.
Outside the capital of the Land of Fire.
In a hidden forest.
A massive, almost undetectable sunflower spun quietly.
A small, makeshift helicopter built by Kiyoshi descended gently, landing in an open area.
Two figures hopped onto a large tree, gazing at the bustling city ahead. Tsunade and Shizune couldn't help but feel a mix of wonder and nostalgia.
This trip should have taken at least three days.
Yet, somehow, they had arrived so quickly.
"This thing is convenient, but our journey isn't just about healing people. It's also about training and self-reflection."
After a moment's thought, Tsunade looked at Kiyoshi and said, "Let's not use it so lightly from now on."
"You're right, Tsunade-neechan. I understand…" Kiyoshi nodded in agreement.
They were mainly on a journey.
If they weren't in a rush, there truly wasn't a need.
With Wood Release, Kiyoshi could build a house anytime, anywhere, so they wouldn't be camping out in the wild.
That was enough.
Their journey, strictly speaking, had no specific destination.
Healing people and earning some income was just part of the adventure.
With Tsunade leading the way, they didn't need to worry about where to go or rush. They had all the time in the world.
The dull and tiring parts of the journey were, in their own way, a part of their training.
Along the way, Kiyoshi could take time to practice and benefit from Tsunade's guidance and teaching.
"As long as you understand."
Tsunade nodded with satisfaction.
She had to admit, her student was quite sharp and quick to understand, needing little oversight.
"For now, we'll plan to stay in the capital for a few days. Let's first find an inn…"
Tsunade decided with a smile. "Then Shizune, you take Kiyoshi for a tour around the city."
"We'll start healing patients tomorrow."
"Wait, Tsunade-neechan, what about you?" Kiyoshi raised his hand, eyeing her suspiciously. "Don't tell me… you're heading to the casino again?"
"Stay out of adults' business, kid."
Even Tsunade blushed a bit as Kiyoshi exposed her thoughts.
With a huff, she flicked his forehead lightly.
"Fine, fine, I won't ask…" Kiyoshi muttered, rubbing his forehead with a shrug. "Anyway, I need to study that ninjutsu scroll you gave me."
If he hadn't restrained his powers, not even Tsunade's superhuman strength could make him blink, let alone flick his forehead.
But he had to admit, Tsunade's luck was hard to praise.
During his time in Konoha, he had curiously followed her to a few casinos.
Only then did he realize how extreme her bad luck was.
As they say, nine out of ten bets are losses. For most people, even if they're unlucky, they'll win a game or two out of ten tries.
But not her—she was a true "ten out of ten" kind of person.
Slots, dice, cards—he hadn't seen her win a single time.
Her luck was legendary in the shinobi world.
He couldn't even muster the energy to joke about it.
No wonder she was known as "The Legendary Sucker ."
No wonder the casino owners would light up with excitement the moment she walked in.
It wasn't because of her beauty or presence.
It was because she was there to hand them money.
"But Tsunade-sama, we're almost out of cash."
With a grimace, Shizune pulled out a nearly empty wallet and checked it. "After the down payment for two rooms and meals for the three of us, we'll basically have nothing left."
Although they earned well by treating the wealthy nobles, it wasn't appropriate to demand payment before even diagnosing a patient.
"Then we'll cut back—just one room will be fine. Kiyoshi can sleep with us." Tsunade tapped Shizune's head and spoke firmly.
He's just a kid; nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Even so, we still don't have enough for you to gamble, Tsunade-sama." Shizune held her head, looking hurt.
"Oink! Oink." Tonton, Shizune's pig, snorted and shook its head.
"I still have some money," Kiyoshi said, reaching for his wallet.
"A kid like you shouldn't be carrying so much cash. Let me take care of it for you."
Tsunade's eyes sparkled.
Before Kiyoshi could react, she swiftly snatched his wallet from him.
In his bewildered gaze, she pulled out a few bills, handed them back as "pocket money," and smiled.
"Settled then."
With a straight face, Tsunade held her ground.
As his teacher, wasn't it only right that she, the adult, managed his money temporarily?
She'd pay him back anyway.
Once she racked up some winnings, she'd return it all.
"Alright then, you can hold onto it," Kiyoshi sighed, shaking his head.
'I should just consider it as my tuition fees,' Kiyoshi thought sadly.
It's true—women couldn't sit idle; they needed something to do.
Maybe the Fifth Hokage could take over a bit earlier?
Or perhaps it's time for her to settle down and focus on family?
Although he wasn't short of money, he wasn't about to let her keep wasting it gambling.
Trying to pull one over on him? Not going to happen.
At most, he'd ensure everyone ate well and stayed comfortable.
As Tsunade let out a few sneezes, Kiyoshi's fleeting thoughts went unnoticed.
She rubbed her nose and muttered, "Strange, I don't feel sick…"
Before long.
The three of them entered the capital city.
The bustling streets were packed with people and traffic, lively and busy.
Various shops and stalls lined the roads, dazzling in their variety.
It truly lived up to the name of the Land of Fire's capital.
In terms of size and vibrancy, it far surpassed Konoha.
Although Konoha was the most renowned of the five great shinobi villages, receiving countless mission requests daily,
Just living off mission fees and village taxes alone wasn't enough to support the thousands of shinobi there.
Even in times of peace.
The village's budget required financial support from the Land of Fire's Daimyo.
This was also one way the Daimyo held sway over the shinobi villages.
For instance, after the Sand Village lost the Third Shinobi World War, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind started reducing the Sand Village's funding.
This forced the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, to spend much of his time extracting and selling gold dust from the desert to keep his village afloat.
"Boss, we'll take two rooms—"
"Wait…"
Inside an inn.
Before Kiyoshi could finish speaking,
Shizune quickly interrupted, "One room will be enough, thank you."
Tsunade crossed her arms, standing nearby without objection.
She understood her treasurer Shizune's concerns.
Saving where they could was best.
After all, Kiyoshi was still just a kid.
No need for modesty.
"…" Kiyoshi.
This was their own arrangement, after all.
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