The Casino Matter, You Can't Handle It!

Inside the tavern.

Tsunade and Shizune sat on one side, with Kanda Kyoichi on the other. Two bottles of sake sat on the table.

"Kid, you're too young to be drinking at your age. You should be focusing on training."

Tsunade pulled all the sake to her side.

Kyoichi had no words to retort.

If he wanted another bottle, he should have just said so. It's not like I wouldn't pay for it. I might not be able to repay my debts, but I can still afford to buy drinks.

"Lady Tsunade, he is..."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Kanda Kyoichi, the one the old man mentioned in his letter a few days ago. Yes, he's a distant relative, I suppose."

After a gulp of sake, Tsunade's tone became friendlier.

In terms of family status and age, she was superior to Kyoichi, but the Senju clan was gone now, and she couldn't be bothered with such things.

Although this kid was a bit annoying with his serious talk, he was decisive when it came to treating people, which she admired.

"So it was Lord Hokage who sent the letter. No wonder he specifically assigned me to lead this mission."

"Lead the mission?"

Tsunade was taken aback for a moment. She sized Kyoichi up for a few seconds before understanding, "You're a Jonin now?"

"Yes, I was just promoted."

Kyoichi nodded.

Tsunade stared for a few seconds, her expression then dimmed slightly. She lowered her head and drank several cups.

Shizune observed him curiously for a few seconds before nodding gently.

He truly is of the same clan.

However.

Kyoichi's demeanor and conduct seem closer to the Second Hokage's than the First Hokage's.

She thought to herself.

Tsunade finished one bottle and picked up another, pouring herself a cup before speaking again, "The old man sent you to convince me to go back?"

"No, I didn't even know I would run into you."

Actually, Kyoichi was also pondering.

Although I had the idea of trying to get something out of Tsunade and learn ninjutsu, I didn't plan to do it anytime soon. But this was my idea, the Third Hokage definitely wouldn't know.

What does he mean by this?

"He didn't say? Heh, I get it."

Tsunade let out a cold laugh and reached for the sake to pour Kyoichi a cup.

"Sorry, I don't drink."

Although most sake in the Ninja World was quite mild, Kyoichi didn't drink in his past life, and he had no intention of drinking after transmigrating.

Tsunade paused for a moment, then poured herself another cup.

After drinking it.

Bang!

With a sound, the sake bottle cracked open, and the remaining sake flowed out from the cracks.

Shizune was startled.

She had been with Tsunade for three years and had never seen Tsunade drink so unhappily—

Even before, when she wasn't accompanying her drinking, she hadn't seen her like this.

What's going on?

"I'm not drinking anymore. This is boring. Let's go."

Tsunade picked up her green jacket and put it on, leaving her seat with a bad mood.

Kyoichi thoughtfully observed.

Judging by her mood, it seems the Third Hokage had a talk with her. Although I didn't get any "mission" here, I suppose the Third Hokage wants to use me as a connection to get Tsunade back to Konoha.

Moreover.

Having me maintain contact with Tsunade will also strengthen my relationship with the Hokage faction.

Tsk...

Kyoichi stood up and followed.

Tsunade walked a few steps, crossed the street, and approached where Asuma and the others were working. She then found a spot by the roadside with a railing and looked at the three children working not far away.

The teacher's children?

Of the other two, one should be from the Yūhi clan, and the other...

"The short one is from the Uchiha clan?"

"Yes, Uchiha Shisui, a descendant of Elder Mirror. He's only a little over five years old this year."

"Elder Mirror... no wonder. Kid, do you want to become Hokage?"

Tsunade's words were disjointed.

But.

She asked that question very seriously.

Kyoichi knew she was probably thinking of Nawaki. He thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No, I'm not interested in the position of Hokage. To be honest, I just want to be a teacher!"

"Oh?"

Tsunade was a little surprised.

This answer was beyond her expectations, but she could feel that Kyoichi was genuinely not interested in the Hokage position.

She became intrigued, putting her previous thoughts aside.

"Why?"

"Being Hokage is too tiring. If you're Hokage, you won't have any time for your own affairs. Of course, this is my current thought, and it might change in the future."

Kyoichi said very frankly.

Tsunade smiled, tucked her hair behind her ear, tilted her head to look at him, and then sighed, "The Senju clan has long since merged into Konoha. I didn't expect that after so many years, there would still be someone who could awaken the power of the Senju, and... you're really like the Second Hokage."

"Of course, my grandmother was very much like the Second Hokage."

Kyoichi nodded naturally.

"No, I mean your personality and demeanor."

Tsunade said faintly.

When she was little, she occasionally pestered Tobirama Senju, but even when she did, Tobirama Senju would still meticulously research ninjutsu, read books, and ponder problems.

Moreover.

He also had no bad habits and appeared very well-behaved, completely different from the First Hokage.

Shizune, standing nearby, was shocked.

Kanda Kyoichi had awakened the Senju bloodline?

No wonder!

She had wondered earlier why Tsunade had said she was going to visit the Land of the Waterfall, only to suddenly turn back to Baiyun Town.

So she had waited specifically for Kanda Kyoichi.

But he really was very much like the Second Hokage, and his talent was also excellent, becoming a Jonin at fifteen...

Amazing!

Shizune thought to herself.

The two chatted by the roadside. With their family connection as a bond, they quickly became familiar--

In terms of blood relation, they were cousins.

Tsunade's mood seemed to have improved quite a bit. Noticing the corner of a medical book peeking out from Kyoichi's waist, she took a key from her waist.

"Kid, it's good that you're staying away from that position. This is the key to my Konoha residence. There are some secret techniques and books inside, you can take a look."

"I'm not going back to Konoha."

Tsunade threw the key to him and then leaned against the railing.

Kyoichi glanced at it and quickly looked away.

He was clearly looking straight ahead, but his gaze always drifted to that area.

He took a deep breath, dispelling the images in his mind, and then said seriously, "It's fine for you to relax outside, but constantly gambling... it's not very good. As far as I know, your luck in gambling, like the First Hokage's, doesn't seem to be very good."

"Hey, kid! I just praised you a few words, and now you're starting, aren't you?"

Tsunade said through gritted teeth.

"Casinos are full of trouble. Someone with your bad luck and poor gambling skills is just a walking wallet."

Kyoichi shrugged.

As he spoke, a card popped out from his sleeve and quickly shifted between his fingers.

Looking at it from the front, there was no way to tell what was happening.

This was nothing.

Sleight of hand was extremely difficult for Kyoichi in his previous life, but after transmigrating, with his ninja-level hand speed, it was incredibly easy to achieve.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, then looked at Shizune.

Shizune reached for her waist pouch.

The cards were theirs.

"Kid, you're fast!"

Tsunade's eyes lit up.

I didn't realize you could play cards too?

"These are just minor tricks. Also, for this type of thing..."

Kyoichi said, then demonstrated a sleight of hand to switch the bottom card.

He then put away the cards and said, "Lady Tsunade, you can't control what happens in a casino!"

"How did I not think of that! Little Kyoichi, you're absolutely right. Casinos are too dangerous, I can't control them. Please show me a few more tricks so I can defend myself... What if they use loaded dice?"

Tsunade's eyes gleamed, and her tone and address had changed.

That was so realistic!

"..."

Kyoichi was speechless.

Are you trying to defend yourself?

You clearly just want to learn more tricks to use later!