Tsunade stepped out of the small casino, her face dark with frustration as night had fully set in.
"Damn it, the goddess of luck refuses to smile on me again," she muttered under her breath. Usually, her losses amounted to a few million, a mere trifle given her resources. But tonight, it felt more bitter than usual.
Her stomach growled, a sharp reminder that she hadn't had dinner yet. Patting her empty pockets, she consoled herself: At least I only brought a few million this time. If I'd brought more, I might not even have dinner money left.
The smell of sweat and lingering smoke clung to her clothes, and the thought of her grandmother's disapproving glare flashed through her mind. She'll definitely scold me again. Resigned, Tsunade began walking toward the Hatake Clan estate, figuring she could avoid her grandmother's lectures—at least for now.
As she made her way, her thoughts circled back to her missteps at the gambling table. She replayed every hesitant decision, every time she second-guessed herself when she should have gone all in. The sound of dice rattling lingered in her ears, a mocking echo.
When she finally reached the Hatake Clan's gates, the sharp-eyed butler appeared almost instantly, his steps brisk and purposeful.
"Lady Tsunade, the second young master is currently dining. Allow me to take you to him," he said courteously.
"Thank you," Tsunade replied, managing a polite smile that pulled her mind back from the endless loop of regret.
The butler led her to the dining room and announced her arrival.
"Young Master, Lady Tsunade is here."
Inside, Kawakaze was seated with Sakumo, sharing a meal and a bottle of baijiu. They'd been trying to cheer up Sakumo, whose repeated failures in mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique had left him dejected.
Kawakaze, his cheeks faintly flushed from the alcohol, stood up the moment he heard the butler's announcement.
"Tsunade, come and sit," he greeted warmly, his composed demeanor and refined movements indicating that he hadn't had much to drink yet.
"Okay," Tsunade replied, brushing past the butler and plopping down unceremoniously. At the same time, fresh tableware was brought in for her.
"Nawaki went home?" she asked, noticing her younger brother's absence.
"He left before dinner," Kawakaze answered. Then, catching a faint, acrid scent, he asked casually, "Where are you coming from?"
"Just a little gambling," Tsunade admitted, already pouring herself a cup of sake as if to drown her troubles.
Kawakaze didn't even need to see her expression to know how things had gone. If the 'legendary Cash Cow' had actually won, would she even have that nickname?
He chose not to comment, instead pointing out some dishes for her to eat. Drinking on an empty stomach wasn't wise. Meanwhile, Sakumo silently raised his cup toward Tsunade, his stoic demeanor speaking volumes.
It seemed the two had formed a subtle camaraderie during their last drinking session.
Tsunade grabbed a piece of food, took a quick bite, and then raised her own glass. With a slight tilt of her head, she clinked glasses with Sakumo from across the table and downed her drink in one go.
Kawakaze stared in disbelief. What kind of unspoken bond is this?
"Eat some food, don't worry about it."
Kawakaze reached out and placed a hefty chopstick full of beef in soy sauce onto Tsunade's plate. Judging by her gaunt expression, it was clear she hadn't had dinner yet.
"I lost three million."
Her words were blunt and laced with frustration. With a sigh, she leaned back, lifting her full glass of sake for another solitary sip. When will the goddess of luck finally favor me?
Sakumo Hatake's brow twitched involuntarily. Even as a member of the wealthy Hatake Clan, he couldn't fathom sustaining losses like hers.
"Oh, it's just a little money," Kawakaze said lightly, his tone attempting to mask the absurdity of her statement. "Think of it as entertainment."
"Besides, once the hospital opens, who's to say we won't make a fortune?" he added, offering a half-baked attempt at consolation.
"Yes, yes, the hospital."
Tsunade's face brightened as if she'd just been handed a lifeline. Slamming her palm onto the table, she declared, "I'll find the best construction team tomorrow! Only the best will do."
Kawakaze scratched the back of his head awkwardly, already sensing trouble on the horizon. He could practically read her thoughts: Build the hospital, make money, fuel more gambling.
This woman... if she gambles the hospital away, we're doomed.
"We're not in a rush," he cautioned, his voice even. "Building a hospital isn't as simple as planting crops."
"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted. Her eyes sharpened with a fierce gleam as she sneered, "Whoever dares to stop me will be dealt with—individually or in pairs, it doesn't matter. I'll kill them all."
"Well said!" Sakumo bellowed, pounding his fist on the table, his blood surging at her bold proclamation. "No one messes with the Hatake Clan!"
"To that!" he raised his cup high.
Tsunade nodded approvingly, raising her own glass in return. To anyone else, the scene might've been touching. But Kawakaze and Nayuki, the only ones keeping their wits about them, exchanged a knowing look and sipped their drink in silence.
"When will construction begin?" Kawakaze ventured once Tsunade had swallowed another mouthful of beef.
Sakumo also turned his gaze toward her, his expression expectant.
"Tomorrow," Tsunade replied without hesitation.
Kawakaze's brows furrowed, and he leaned forward. If we're starting that soon, we need a plan.
His words drew the attention of everyone at the table. Three pairs of expectant eyes locked onto him, awaiting his strategy.
"Here's the thing," Kawakaze began, swirling his sake cup with a measured calm. "The moment we begin construction, there's bound to be trouble."
He raised a finger. "First, we'll keep the team small. No large-scale operations right away. That way, we stay under the radar."
"Then what?" Sakumo asked, his curiosity piqued.
"That's it for now. Keep things simple and handle problems as they come."
Kawakaze leaned back, savoring a sip of his sake, visibly satisfied with his "genius" suggestion.
Is that all?
Sakumo couldn't suppress his curiosity and blurted out, almost as if he wanted to repeat the question for emphasis.
Even Tsunade had expected Kawakaze to come up with some kind of brilliant strategy.
After all that talk, they still haven't heard anything groundbreaking. Both of them looked at Kawakaze with suspicion.
Is this really his plan?
Still, Tsunade thought, A man like him couldn't possibly raise children who are fools, right?
Nayuki glanced at the dumbfounded pair and couldn't stand watching them any longer.
"Right now, the enemy is in the dark while we're out in the open. Using a small construction team can flip the situation to our advantage," she explained, her tone calm but confident.
"With the strength the three of you have, do you really need some elaborate strategy?"
Kawakaze and Nayuki exchanged a knowing smile, then casually finished off the freshly grilled fish they had just prepared.
There are still smart people in the Hatake Clan, Kawakaze thought.
"Ahem... What I meant was, this is already a pretty solid plan," Sakumo muttered, unwilling to admit that he might have underestimated their thinking. He awkwardly tried to salvage his dignity, but Kawakaze and Nayuki didn't even spare him a glance.
"Exactly what I was saying," Tsunade added, jumping in to cover for him. The two drinking buddies had no choice but to down another cup in mutual understanding.
As the alcohol started to take effect, the atmosphere grew livelier.
Sakumo was the first to start acting up.
"Tsunade, not to put too fine a point on it, but your clan's Flying Thunder God Technique is ridiculously hard to master."
"I've been training for a whole day, and I haven't even flown that far to take a leak."
Nayuki couldn't bear to watch any longer. The last time, Sakumo had dismissed Tsunade's sake as mediocre—wasn't this the pot calling the kettle black?
"Who says I haven't practiced? Even my grandmother couldn't help me."
"So I might as well just quit altogether."
Kawakaze had been pondering why Tobirama didn't teach Tsunade his techniques, but now it seemed they just didn't suit her. Seizing the opportunity while the sake was loosening everyone's tongues, he decided to ask a question that had been bothering him since his previous life.
"Where did your grandfather learn Senjutsu?"
"The Shikkotsu Forest," Tsunade replied flatly. Where else would it be?
"Then why didn't you learn it?"
Perhaps it was the alcohol talking, but Tsunade suddenly bit her finger and slapped her hand on the table.
"Summoning Technique!"
With a puff of smoke, a slug the size of a sake flask appeared on the table.
"Katsuyu, please explain to him why I don't practice Senjutsu."
Tsunade had been careful, summoning only a fragment of Katsuyu's essence. If she summoned the full Katsuyu, the Hatake Clan's dining room might not survive the experience.
"Understood, little Tsunade."
Katsuyu was nothing if not adaptable. As soon as she materialized, she realized this was a casual family dinner rather than a battlefield.
"Except for Hashirama, none of the practitioners of my Shikkotsu Forest Senjutsu have survived."
Katsuyu's tone was measured but firm. "Tsunade's sensitivity to natural energy isn't strong enough to support her in the transformation of Senjutsu Chakra."
In short, if Tsunade tried to force the training, she'd die.
"I see. Thank you, Katsuyu, for your guidance," Kawakaze said with a respectful nod.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly—so this was the world of Naruto, where Asura's reincarnations were undoubtedly the favored children of destiny. Hashirama took to Senjutsu as easily as drinking water, but anyone else trying the same would likely end up with their body in pieces.