The scent on Tsunade's body was some kind of floral fragrance.
Haruto wasn't sure if it was from perfume or if that was just her natural scent.
The latter didn't make any sense scientifically, but then again, the Naruto world itself wasn't scientific to begin with.
Haruto's Sneeze Crisis
"So, kid…?"
Tsunade had an arm wrapped tightly around Haruto's shoulders, smiling warmly.
Maybe because Haruto was still a kid, or maybe because Tsunade had a tomboyish personality, she didn't think anything of holding him close like this.
Haruto, however, was suffering.
"C-Can you… Ah-CHOO!"
He tried to speak—
But the scent was overpowering.
For someone with obsessive cleanliness, most strong smells automatically became unbearable.
"What's wrong, brat?"
Tsunade tilted her head, smiling—but her expression carried an unmistakable threat.
"Don't play dumb with me.
I've been gambling since I was three years old.
It's been nearly twenty years now.
I don't need to catch you cheating to know that you cheated."
The Ultimate Insult
"Y-You… Ah-CHOO!"
"What?"
"Can… Ah-CHOO… you… Ah-CHOO… move away?!"
Tsunade's face turned green.
Did this little brat… just tell her to move away?!
Not just anyone could talk to her like that.
In fact—
No one in Konoha would dare.
"You looking to die, kid?"
She tightened her grip around his neck.
Haruto's face was immediately buried in her chest.
His vision went dark.
His breath was completely cut off.
Between the suffocating scent and his nose being smashed against her, he was about to pass out.
The ANBU Watch in Horror
Hidden deep in the trees, several ANBU operatives had been watching the entire scene.
Now—
They all had horrified expressions on their faces.
Then—
They felt nothing but admiration.
This brat actually told Tsunade to "move away"?
He truly had a death wish.
Meanwhile, one particular ANBU operative, Shenhe, frowned slightly.
Should he step in to save the kid?
But—
Would saving him even be possible?
Tsunade's temper was legendary.
Even all of them combined wouldn't stand a chance against her.
Still...
If they did nothing and she actually snapped his neck, that would be…
A very tragic death.
Haruto's Desperate Excuse
"Mmmph! Mmmph—!"
Haruto struggled, twisting his body to break free.
"You're pretty damn cocky, kid."
Tsunade finally loosened her grip—slightly.
Haruto gasped for air and immediately started coughing.
"I—I'm allergic! I have a scent allergy!"
Tsunade paused.
Her eyes blinked twice.
She recalled how Haruto had been sneezing non-stop earlier.
"Oh?"
She finally let go—
And even took a step back.
Crossing her arms, she raised an eyebrow at him.
"You should've said so earlier."
"Cough, cough! Cough! You never gave me a chance!"
Haruto was still struggling to breathe, rubbing his sore throat.
The Negotiation Begins
"Alright, forget about that!"
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively.
Then, her expression shifted—
A half-smile, half-smirk.
"Kid, just admit it.
You were cheating.
And just so you know—
I understand the saying 'ten gamblers, nine cheaters' perfectly well.
So don't even try to fool me..
Haruto's "Compensation"
Haruto felt much better now.
He rubbed his nose and sighed.
"If you already know that, why do you still gamble with them?"
"Because it's fair."
Tsunade shrugged.
"They cheat. I can cheat too.
It all comes down to who's better.
…But I'm still not great at cheating yet. I get caught too easily."**
Haruto wanted to call her an idiot.
Instead—
He simply smiled.
"Well, first of all, I didn't cheat."
Then—
Haruto pulled out all his winnings, quickly sorted them, and handed Tsunade 40,000 ryo.
"Here, take it."
Tsunade stared at the cash.
"What's this? You offering me hush money?"
"Don't want it? Fine."
Haruto shrugged, about to pull the money back.
Tsunade moved faster.
In one swift motion, she snatched the 40,000 ryo, shoved it into her pocket, and pretended like nothing happened.
Then, she simply crossed her arms and smirked.
Haruto's Attempted Escape
"Great. That settles it."
Haruto took a few steps back.
"Now, we have no debts, no disputes, no problems.
You don't owe me. I don't owe you.
So—**
"Goodbye!"
With that, he spun around and power-walked away.
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched.
She watched his retreating figure, eyes sparkling with amusement.
This kid was interesting.
She had never met anyone like him before.
Then—
She grinned.
And in an instant—
She vanished.
The Relentless Pursuit
A second later—
Tsunade reappeared beside Haruto.
She hooked her arm around his neck again and locked him in a headlock.
"Kid! You still haven't answered my question.
Teach me!"
"Ah-CHOO!"
"Oh, right, sorry."
She let go—
But then stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
With a sly smile, she said—
"Alright, how about this?
You teach me gambling tricks, and I'll pay you.**"
Haruto's Counteroffer
Haruto immediately felt alarmed.
"Tsunade-sama, please… Just let me go."
"Do you think that's an option?"
Tsunade's grin widened.
She wasn't even trying to hide her threats anymore.
Haruto's mind raced.
He forced a smile and said—
"Alright! Actually, it's not impossible.
In fact—**
"I'll say this—
I guarantee no one in Konoha is better than me at gambling.
But!
This kind of skill can't just be taught to anyone, right?"
Haruto's "Impossible" Condition
"Of course not!"
Tsunade nodded, completely agreeing.
"That's why I'll pay you. Name your price!"
"It's not about money."
Haruto's expression turned serious.
"Then what is it?"
Tsunade frowned.
"You have to become my apprentice!"
"…Huh?"
Tsunade's eyes widened.
For a moment—
Everything fell completely silent.
Even the wind stopped blowing.
Tsunade's Shocking Answer
Haruto held his breath.
He had said that on purpose.
Because he knew—
There was no way Tsunade would ever agree to something like that.
But then—
"Alright! I agree."
"PUH—COUGH! COUGH COUGH COUGH!!"
Haruto nearly
coughed up blood.