Tsunade Won Her Bet...

"Lord Shirou is amazing..."

Little Tsunade was still praising Shirou Emiya's vast knowledge.

"..."

Shirou Emiya neither replied nor asked Little Tsunade anything. When he led her away from Konoha Hospital, he did not even look back.

Orochimaru.

The one who had truly been chosen.

Even before Orochimaru had been born...

Shirou Emiya, who had known the history of the Shinobi World in his previous life, had already chosen him.

If Tsunade was the one destined by Shirou Emiya to take charge of the Crystal Coffin, then Orochimaru was the one Shirou Emiya had chosen to make use of it at the end.

Orochimaru was a true genius.

Even though Orochimaru was only a five-year-old child in Konoha at this time, he had already displayed terrifying potential.

At the age of five, the little fellow had already begun trying to use toxic substances produced by food to defeat adults, all without anyone teaching him.

Clearly.

This child's thinking was exceptionally logical. With his curiosity toward knowledge, he would eventually try to master Konoha's diverse Forbidden Jutsu.

The Impure World Reincarnation.

It would certainly be among Orochimaru's goals.

When Orochimaru mastered the Impure World Reincarnation, it would also be the moment the Crystal Coffin Shirou Emiya had left behind a thousand years ago reached its end.

More importantly...

The Crystal Coffin in Shikkotsu Forest was extraordinarily special...

Shirou Emiya had carefully designed it to suit Orochimaru.

If the Crystal Coffin of the Senju Clan was merely bait Shirou Emiya had left in the Shinobi World, then the Crystal Coffin in Shikkotsu Forest would be Shirou Emiya's final hope for resurrection.

Likewise.

Orochimaru was simply too clever.

Shirou Emiya did not want to appear before Orochimaru. Too much interaction with him would inevitably arouse Orochimaru's suspicions once he grew up.

Shirou Emiya would not have any direct contact with Orochimaru, lest the grown Orochimaru discover too early that his resurrection was an enormous conspiracy.

Even though Shirou Emiya had been resurrected in this era through the Impure World Reincarnation and was living quite prosperously, he would not assume he was safe and sound because of that. He still needed to leave behind a contingency for his true resurrection through Orochimaru.

Tsunade.

Shimura Danzo.

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

All those who would form bonds with Orochimaru in the future would have a deep impression of Shirou Emiya in this era, and they would remember his kindness toward them.

When the genius Orochimaru truly grew up, these people would become a long thread of fate, constantly surrounding him and influencing his life.

"That guy is so stupid..."

Little Tsunade had no idea that she would encounter Orochimaru again in the future. She kept chattering about Orochimaru's past. "The last time I came here with Grandpa, I saw him get sent to the hospital because he ate the wrong thing..."

"Tsunade."

Shirou Emiya patted Little Tsunade on the head and lectured her. "If we dislike someone, we should tell them to their face instead of speaking badly of them behind their back."

"Is that so?"

Little Tsunade nodded, then quietly protested, "But I don't think that guy is bad either. He's just kind of silly and dumb. Every time he eats some strange food, he gets poisoned and sent to the hospital..."

"..."

Shirou Emiya immediately fell silent.

Should he have her eyesight checked?

In this Shinobi World, anyone could say Orochimaru was especially bad, or even that Orochimaru was a little weak, but no one could possibly say Orochimaru was stupid...

"Sigh..."

"I heard he's about the same age as me..."

Despite her tender age, Little Tsunade could not help sighing as she worried about her future classmate. "I'm going to school this year too. He won't be in my class, will he? I hope he gets smarter in the future, or he'll definitely get bullied. I might even have to protect him..."

"..."

Shirou Emiya wondered if there was something wrong with the hearing of his Impure World Reincarnation Body.

Could Orochimaru really be dumb enough to get tricked?

It had taken Shirou Emiya a thousand years to deceive Orochimaru. Who else in this Shinobi World could fool him? It would already be a sign of Orochimaru's high moral character if he did not trick everyone else senseless in the future...

Still...

Kindness was worth encouraging.

Besides, Little Tsunade would not be harmed by that kindness.

Shirou Emiya lifted Little Tsunade onto his shoulders and carried her all the way to Konoha Commercial Street. He did not dampen her spirits.

"Today, you can choose a cup of sugarcane juice, which is sweeter than chestnut juice."

"Huh? Why?"

Little Tsunade curiously felt her baby teeth!

"Remember to brush your teeth after drinking it."

Shirou Emiya's voice remained calm, as though he were simply acting on a whim. He did not explain why he was rewarding the little fellow.

"Lord Shirou is the best!"

Little Tsunade cheered and wrapped her arms around Shirou Emiya's forehead.

"..."

Shirou Emiya pulled away the little hands blocking his view and asked, "Are you still going to gamble with Hashirama when we get back today?"

"I am!"

Little Tsunade's attitude was extremely resolute.

This little fellow had already been led astray by the unreliable elders in her family.

Although Shirou Emiya's lessons gave her the life she liked best, gambling with Grandpa was also the most enjoyable pastime for Little Tsunade!

When Shirou Emiya took Little Tsunade home after buying sugarcane juice, he suddenly spotted the little Jiraiya he had seen upon returning to Konoha. The boy was happily chatting with an adult woman at least twenty years older than him, his delighted smile carrying a strangely amorous air...

It seemed...

Perhaps this was a talent.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.

The famed Konoha Sannin in Shirou Emiya's memories of his previous life truly were exceptionally gifted. At such a young age, they had already embarked on the three paths each of them loved most.

"I'm definitely going to beat Grandpa today!"

Little Tsunade clenched her tiny fist with complete confidence.

As a gambling prodigy, she had mastered all kinds of gambling games by the age of five, from the simplest high-low dice games to the most troublesome card games. Little Tsunade considered changing things up today, convinced that she would definitely win!

"..."

Shirou Emiya merely sighed.

He truly did not know what to say about Little Tsunade's luck.

At Hashirama Senju's home.

Little Tsunade immediately and ambitiously wanted to start another round of gambling.

"Grandpa, I'm definitely going to win today!"

"Hahahaha, all right, I believe you..."

Hashirama Senju laughed heartily as he lifted his little granddaughter down from Shirou Emiya's shoulders, but first took out a pendant from his hand.

"However..."

Hashirama Senju's palm suddenly closed into a fist as though performing a magic trick, then he abruptly opened it. "Grandpa wants to give you a present first."

As he spoke, a pendant suddenly appeared in Hashirama Senju's palm. It bore a clear, emerald-green gemstone that did not look ordinary in the slightest.

"Huh?"

Little Tsunade watched as Hashirama Senju hung the pendant around her neck, then happily held the gemstone. "This is so pretty. Is it for me?"

"Of course it's for little Tsunade..."

Hashirama Senju smiled as he patted her head and urged the little fellow to lay out the mat for their gambling game. "Go get ready. I've brought lots of money today!"

"Okay!"

Little Tsunade eagerly spread out the mat, ready to begin the game.

However...

Something felt strange in the courtyard today.

Tobirama Senju, who was always extremely busy, was here as well. Mito Uzumaki and the children she had with Hashirama were all present, and every one of them looked worried.

Around the house, besides the Hokage Guard Platoon that was always responsible for security, there were many more Anbu ninja both inside and outside.

"It seems..."

Shirou Emiya meaningfully glanced at Hashirama Senju, then looked toward Tobirama Senju, whose expression was grave. "We'll be staying here as guests tonight."

"..."

Tobirama Senju turned his head away with an ugly expression. His usually indifferent voice carried a trace of unease and pain. "I only hope... I'll still be able to visit my brother tomorrow."

The time was drawing near.

Hashirama Senju's life was finally approaching its end.

Yet there was not the slightest sign of impending death on the First Hokage's face. He still sat full of vitality at the gambling mat, all his savings piled upon it, loudly calling for Little Tsunade to place her bet.

"Four, six, six, high!"

"Little Tsunade, you lost again..."

"Three, one, one, low!"

"Little Tsunade, I won again..."

"Damn it..."

The bills in front of Little Tsunade kept dwindling. Her cheeks puffed up, her pout growing more and more pronounced, as though her gambling luck was about to make her explode.

"Little Tsunade..."

"This is the last round..."

"As long as you win this round, all the debts you owed before will be wiped clean, and all the money here will be yours!"

"Really?"

Greedy stars immediately flashed in Little Tsunade's eyes.

If she won this round, she could make a huge fortune. In the future, she would not have to worry about gambling money whenever she gambled with Grandpa!

Maybe she could even proudly lend Grandpa money!

Though...

She should still consider the interest...

Little Tsunade had already learned that interest could make money produce more money. As she rubbed her chin and craftily imagined what arrogant pose she should strike while counting her winnings, her wrist accidentally brushed the gemstone on her chest...

Mm...

For the sake of the gift...

She could choose not to charge Grandpa interest!

Rattle, rattle...

The dice clattered endlessly inside the cup.

Little Tsunade blinked her eyes and stared intently at Hashirama Senju's movements, listening closely to the sound of the dice as well, afraid she might miss out on a great fortune!

"Low!"

Little Tsunade chose the side she would bet on!

"All right, all right... then I can only choose high!"

Hashirama Senju smiled and nodded as he opened the dice cup.

Two, two, one.

The dice in the cup showed a low total.

"Hahahahaha... I won!"

Little Tsunade arrogantly grabbed the money from the gambling mat and counted the bills in her hands without restraint. Even her posture as she counted money looked exceptionally practiced!

"..."

Hashirama Senju smiled as he watched his little granddaughter count her money, but at that moment, his body slowly toppled over, and he fell clumsily onto the mat!

"Grandpa?"

"Grandpa!"

Little Tsunade stared in shock as Hashirama Senju collapsed.

Her Grandpa, who had protected her like a god, had never looked so helpless before. Her little mind could not even process what had happened at that moment!