The next day, at Tanzaku Town.
Jiraiya returned to the Aoi Flower Inn.
"Mr. Matsuyama, here's your IOU. When you visit Konoha next time, you can bring it along, and I'll have the money ready by then."
"This… Are you really taking responsibility for it?" Matsuyama Koji asked cautiously.
Jiraiya chuckled, "Don't worry. This is just a transfer of debt from you to me."
Matsuyama hesitated for a moment, then said, "You'd best not cover her gambling debts. For someone like her, wherever she goes, she loses. Even for you, it might be hard to bear."
Behind him, Kyohiko struggled to hold back laughter and resisted the urge to glance back at Tsunade, keeping a stern face.
However...
Jiraiya cleared his throat and replied, "I'll try to advise her."
"You won't succeed! Once the addiction sets in, they all say they'll quit, but next time, they sneak back to the casino."
Matsuyama Koji spoke sincerely. Otherwise, as a casino owner, he wouldn't say such things.
Jiraiya forced a smile.
"Let's leave it at that. We'll take our leave now! When you're next in Konoha, if you want to commission a mission, I'll be sure to take good care of you then."
"Ah, actually, the one responsible for the business on the eastern side of Konoha is my uncle, Matsuyama Ichiro. He's in charge of dealings with Gato."
Matsuyama Koji clarified.
Jiraiya nodded. "No problem, feel free to contact us when the time comes."
"Very well, but please advise your friend. With her luck, she's really not suited for gambling. In fact, it's rare to see someone lose every single time like she does."
Matsuyama Koji added kindly.
But then—
"Bang!"
There was a loud crash.
The door behind them was blasted open.
With a dark expression, Tsunade stood there, her green jacket emblazoned with the kanji for "gamble" impossible to ignore.
Her gaze was like a knife as she spoke, voice heavy and deliberate.
"Hey! I've had enough of you!"
"Calm down, calm down! He's just a casino owner; no need to take him seriously!"
Shizune clung tightly to Tsunade, trying to restrain her.
She was way too familiar with this! So familiar that it was almost heartbreaking.
Kyohiko quickly looked away, focusing on the broken doorframe beside him.
That chakra outburst earlier—it was definitely the result of the Strength of a Hundred Technique.
Tsunade had mastered it effortlessly!
Such a sudden outburst was second nature to her, with no need for any control or preparation.
That had to be at least a mastery level.
Kyohiko thought, amazed.
Meanwhile, Matsuyama Koji hid behind Jiraiya, pale as a ghost.
This woman had terrifying strength!
Kakashi, masked as always, seemed equally shocked if his eyes were any indication.
Tsunade's looks and the destruction she caused created a sharp contrast.
"Alright then, we'll be off!"
Jiraiya immediately took Tsunade and fled.
If they didn't hurry, they'd end up paying for the door as well!
Matsuyama Koji wouldn't have dared to chase them anyway.
Only now did he finally understand who she was.
Such immense strength, close ties with Jiraiya, a notorious gambler…
There could only be one person who fit that description.
One of the legendary Sannin, Tsunade.
Gasp!
Matsuyama Koji had heard of the princess before. Known for her immense power and short temper.
What luck! He'd survived another day as a casino owner.
"Tsunade, your temper… you know he wasn't lying!"
Jiraiya couldn't help but comment.
Tsunade shot him a cold look, but remained silent.
She knew her luck was notoriously bad.
But...
There were certain superstitions she didn't discuss.
For instance—
If she were lucky, it often meant someone she cared about was in trouble.
Tsunade would rather have terrible luck.
At least that way, it meant her loved ones were safe.
She didn't explain this, though.
As they made their way toward Konoha, the group paused to rest after a while.
Tsunade sat down, glancing suddenly at Kyohiko.
"Kid! Come over here."
Hm?
Kyohiko looked around to confirm that she was calling him.
With no other option, he walked over.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade?"
"Sit down. What kind of jutsu do you know?"
Tsunade asked.
Kyohiko listed the jutsu he had learned.
Tsunade's brows furrowed as she listened.
Eventually, she asked, "Didn't you learn any genjutsu?"
"No," Kyohiko replied, shaking his head.
Tsunade looked slightly surprised.
"Why not? Was it not passed down to you?"
Back in the day, Senju Touka's genjutsu was renowned, even among other nations' shinobi. It seemed strange that there was no family tradition of it.
Kyohiko explained further.
"My grandmother's genjutsu was indeed powerful, but my parents didn't have her talent, so they didn't pass it on. We do have a few scrolls at home, but I haven't studied them."
Those genjutsu were weak in power yet highly complex in execution. They weren't an immediate priority.
So, Kyohiko had focused on taijutsu training first.
Hearing this, Tsunade asked another question, "How long have you been learning Water Release?"
"Just over half a month. I'm still not very skilled at it."
Kyohiko looked embarrassed.
Tsunade fell silent.
To have reached this level in Water Release in just half a month was an accomplishment any shinobi would consider genius. What's there to be embarrassed about?!
Is he not even human?
Her gaze grew sharper.
"Kid, are you looking for a fight?"
"A shinobi should always strive to perfect their jutsu; I'm far from it."
Kyohiko replied sincerely.
Jiraiya, standing off to the side, discreetly gave a thumbs-up.
Brave!
He was already lighting a candle for Kyohiko in his mind.
Tsunade raised her brows but didn't say anything. Instead, her smile grew even more radiant as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You said it yourself: even with my hemophobia, my experience and skills are valuable. So let's test that theory on you first."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."
Kyohiko expressed his gratitude.
Tsunade's "testing" wouldn't be easy; he might have to endure some hardship.
However—
Not many had the chance to receive Tsunade's guidance.
This rare opportunity was worth whatever hardships it might bring.
Kakashi and Kurenai couldn't hide their envy, stealing glances in Kyohiko's direction.
In this era, young kunoichi looked up to Tsunade as an idol.
Kurenai had dreamed of becoming Tsunade's student, ecstatic at the thought of such guidance.
Unfortunately, by the time she graduated, Tsunade had already left with Shizune, and Kurenai had only recently learned the reason why.
Hemophobia.
A condition that all shinobi feared.
As they continued traveling toward Konoha, Tsunade remained cautious, even though she didn't believe anyone would target her or Jiraiya.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office—
The Third Hokage's face filled with shock upon hearing the news.
"What?"
"Lady Tsunade has returned, and she's just ten minutes from Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's shocked expression gradually shifted to one of anxiety and unease.
Tsunade's return...
For a moment, he was unsure how to respond, as countless emotions stirred within him.
Finally, he exhaled deeply.
"I understand. You may go now, and don't spread the word."
"Yes, sir!"
The Anbu ninja bowed and swiftly left the office.
Once he was alone...
Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe, gazing in the direction of Konoha's gate. After a long moment, he exhaled a trail of smoke.
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