At Tsunade's house.
"Here's five million ryō."
A stack of money sat on the table, brought by Anko.
Shizune looked at the money and could not help saying, "The Hokage really gave it to you. He's so good to you."
Anko grumbled inwardly, Good my ass. I traded my body for this.
"All right, take the money and use it for now. There's no rush to pay it back."
Shizune said gratefully, "Thank you so much, Anko."
Anko merely waved it off.
Just then, Tsunade returned from outside. She was slightly surprised to see Anko and the money on the table.
"Lady Tsunade." Anko rose to greet her.
"Anko's here." Tsunade smiled.
"This money..."
Anko said, "Shizune told me you were in some trouble, so I thought I'd help out."
Tsunade said, "This isn't a small sum. Where did you get so much money?"
"I asked the Hokage for it."
"...I see."
Anko was both a junior and Shizune's friend. Since she was willing to offer this money, it had to be for Shizune's sake. Tsunade found it hard to refuse.
"Thank you so much, Anko."
After exchanging a few polite words, Anko took her leave.
As soon as Anko left, Shizune impatiently asked Tsunade, "Lady Tsunade, how did it go?"
Tsunade flopped back onto the sofa and said helplessly, "How else could it go? Same as before."
Shizune said disappointedly, "You couldn't borrow the money?"
Tsunade pressed an arm over her forehead. She could borrow the money.
But she truly did not want to owe so many favors just to plug one hole.
Yet if this matter really got out, she would likely become the laughingstock of the entire village, and Shizune would be affected too.
After thinking it over, she felt she should have asked only one person