The Casino Is Beyond Your Control!

Inside the tavern.

Tsunade and Shizune sat on one side, with Kanda Kyoichi sitting opposite them. Two bottles of liquor were set on the table.

"Kid, you're only a teenager. Don't drink. Focus on your training—that's the proper path."

Tsunade pulled all the liquor over to her side.

Kyoichi was speechless.

If you want another bottle, just say so. It's not like I won't treat you. I may not be able to repay my debts, but I can still afford to buy you liquor.

"Lady Tsunade, he is..."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. The old man mentioned Kanda Kyoichi in his letter a few days ago. Well, he can barely be considered a relative."

After downing a mouthful of liquor, Tsunade's tone became somewhat friendlier.

In terms of family status and age, she ranked above Kyoichi, but the Senju were gone now, and she couldn't be bothered to discuss such things.

This kid was rather annoying because he always spoke so seriously, but he was decisive when treating people. She appreciated that.

"So Lord Hokage sent you a letter. No wonder he specifically assigned me to lead the team for this mission."

"Lead the team?"

Tsunade was stunned for a moment. She sized Kyoichi up a few times, then realized what was going on. "You're a Jonin?"

"Yes. I just got promoted."

Kyoichi nodded.

Tsunade stared at him for several seconds. Then her expression dimmed slightly, and she lowered her head and downed several cups in a row.

Shizune studied him curiously for several seconds before nodding lightly.

He really was one of the clan.

However.

Kyoichi's conduct and mannerisms seemed closer to Second Lord than to First Hokage.

That was what she thought to herself.

After finishing one bottle, Tsunade picked up the other, poured herself a cup, and spoke again. "The old man asked you to persuade me to go back?"

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

Kyoichi was actually pondering it as well.

Although he had thought about leeching off Tsunade and learning ninjutsu from her, he hadn't planned to do it anytime soon. But that was his own idea, and Third Hokage certainly couldn't have known about it.

What does he mean by this?

"He didn't say? Heh, I understand."

Tsunade let out a cold laugh and picked up the liquor to pour Kyoichi a cup.

"Sorry, I don't drink."

Although most liquor in the shinobi world was actually quite mild, Kyoichi hadn't drunk in his previous life, and after transmigrating, he had even less desire to start.

Tsunade paused, then poured herself another cup.

After she finished it.

Bang!

The bottle split apart on the spot, and the remaining liquor flowed out through the cracks.

Shizune jumped in fright.

She had been with Tsunade for three years, but she had never seen Tsunade drink so unpleasantly—

Even when Shizune hadn't accompanied her drinking before, she had never seen her like this.

What's going on?

"I'm done drinking. This is boring. Let's go."

Tsunade picked up her green coat and draped it over her shoulders before leaving her seat in a foul mood.

Kyoichi fell into thought.

Judging by her mood, Third Hokage had probably discussed something with her. Although he hadn't received any "mission" from Third Hokage, it seemed the man wanted to use him as a bridge to restore Tsunade's ties with Konoha.

Besides.

Having him stay in contact with Tsunade would also deepen his relationship with the Hokage faction.

Tsk...

Kyoichi rose and followed her.

Tsunade walked a few steps, crossed the street, and approached the place where Asuma and the others were working. She then found a roadside spot with a railing and looked at the three children working in the distance.

The teacher's child?

The other two... one should be from the Yūhi clan. And the other...

"The short one is from the Uchiha?"

"Yes. Uchiha Shisui, Elder Mirror's descendant. 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 the question with complete seriousness.

Kyoichi knew she had probably thought of Nawaki. He considered it, then finally shook his head. "No. I'm not interested in becoming Hokage. To be honest, I only want to be a teacher!"

"Oh?"

Tsunade was somewhat surprised.

That answer was beyond her expectations, but she could tell that Kyoichi truly had no interest in the position of Hokage.

She became interested and cast aside what she had been thinking about.

"Why?"

"Being Hokage is too tiring. Once you become Hokage, you have no time to do anything of your own. Of course, that's just what I think for now. Perhaps that will change in the future."

Kyoichi spoke frankly.

Tsunade smiled, tucked her hair behind her ear, and looked at him from the side. Then she sighed. "The Senju Clan assimilated into all of Konoha long ago. I never expected that after all these years, there would still be someone capable of awakening Senju power. And... you really are very similar to Second Hokage."

"Of course. My grandmother is very much like Second Lord."

Kyoichi nodded naturally.

"No. I mean your personality and way of doing things."

Tsunade spoke blandly.

When she was young, she had occasionally pestered Tobirama Senju. But even when Tobirama Senju was being pestered, he still studied ninjutsu, read, and contemplated problems with absolute focus.

Besides.

He had no bad habits either, and was extremely proper—completely different from First Hokage.

Shizune was stunned nearby.

Kanda Kyoichi awakened the Senju bloodline?

No wonder!

She had been wondering why Tsunade had said she wanted to stroll around the Land of Waterfall, only to suddenly turn back toward Baiyun Town.

So she had been waiting specifically for Kanda Kyoichi.

But he really is very similar to Second Lord. His talent is impressive too—he became a Jonin at fifteen...

Amazing!

That was what Shizune thought to herself.

The two chatted by the roadside. With their family connection as a bond, they quickly became familiar with each other—

In terms of blood ties, they were actually cousins.

Tsunade's mood seemed to have improved considerably. When she noticed the corner of a medical book sticking out from Kyoichi's waist, she pulled a key from her waist.

"Kid, keeping your distance from that position is a good thing. This is the key to my house in Konoha. There are some secret techniques and books inside. You can go take a look."

"I'm not going back to Konoha."

Tsunade tossed him the key, then leaned against the railing.

Kyoichi glanced at it, then hurriedly averted his eyes.

He had clearly been looking normally, but his gaze kept drifting over there whenever he glanced in that direction.

He took a deep breath and dispelled the images in his mind. Then he said seriously, "There's nothing wrong with traveling outside to clear your head, but gambling all the time... isn't very good, is it? As far as I know, you and First Hokage both have terrible luck with gambling."

"Hey, kid! I praised you a few times, and now you're starting this?"

Tsunade gritted her teeth.

"Casinos are full of trouble. Someone like you, with bad luck and poor gambling skills, is nothing more than a walking money tree."

Kyoichi shrugged.

As he spoke, a playing card shot out from his sleeve and rapidly changed between his fingers.

From the front, it was impossible to tell what was happening.

This was nothing.

Card tricks had been extremely difficult for Kyoichi in his previous life, but after transmigrating, performing them with a ninja's hand speed was effortless.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly, then looked at Shizune.

Shizune touched the pouch at her waist.

The cards belonged to them.

"Kid, your hands are fast!"

Tsunade's eyes lit up.

I didn't expect him to know how to play cards too!

"These are all just minor tricks. Besides, tricks like this..."

As Kyoichi spoke, he performed another trick, switching out the bottom card.

He then collected the cards and said, "Lady Tsunade, the casino is beyond your control!"

"How did I not think of that? Little Kyoichi, you're absolutely right. Casinos are too dangerous—I can't handle them. Quickly, show me a few more tricks so I can prepare myself... What should I do if they use dice?"

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

The sincerity in it was unmistakable!

"..."

Kyoichi was instantly speechless.

You're doing this to prepare yourself?

You clearly just want to learn a few more tricks for later!