Never Been to the Land of Grass

The weather was quite nice today.

A gentle breeze blew beneath the brilliant sunshine, yet it did not feel too hot.

It was a perfect day.

However.

The little girl with short black hair at the side looked utterly helpless.

Though she was still so young, it was as if countless worries filled her heart, all plainly written across her face.

Little Shizune looked at Lord Tsunade, who walked so carelessly without a proper gait, and softly said, "Lord Tsunade, we can't keep going on like this, can we?"

As soon as she finished speaking.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Tsunade waved a hand dismissively and spoke as carelessly as ever. "I'm not gambling. I'm just relaxing. I've been a ninja for so long—can't I relax a little?"

"..."

She could, but this relaxation had gone on for far too long!

It had already been nearly half a year.

Of course, as a disciple who had followed Tsunade for so many years, Shizune knew that Lord Tsunade would not listen even if she said such things.

Still.

"If this continues... one day, all the money we have on us will be lost by Lord Tsunade."

However.

"Hahaha!" Hearing Shizune's words, Tsunade laughed heartily, seeming as though tears were about to come from laughing so hard. She pinched little Shizune's cheek behind her. "You little brat have no idea about the Senju Clan's wealth. Grandpa, Second Grandpa, and Grandma left behind a tremendous amount of money, and now I'm the only one spending it."

As she spoke, she stood up again and looked ahead with a smile. A trace of melancholy flashed through her eyes as she said faintly, "I probably still won't spend it all before I die."

"But, but... we don't have any income! And Lord Tsunade always gambles so heavily." Shizune hesitated. According to her calculations...

If Lord Tsunade lost at least a million every day, then given enough time, even all of Konoha's money probably would not be enough for her to lose!

And Lord Tsunade... had never won even once!

She only lost money!

"Is Lord Tsunade planning to return to Konoha after losing everything? Otherwise, we can't take missions. Without missions, there won't be any payment."

As soon as she finished speaking.

Tsunade curled her lips in disdain. "Go back to Konoha? Impossible! I'll never go back in this life! What is there to return to in that boring place?"

Then, seeing that Shizune was worried and still wanted to say something, she patted her chest and confidently said, "Relax. Trust me, we definitely won't run out of money!"

"B-but..."

However.

Before Shizune could finish, a commotion suddenly rose from nearby. Tsunade froze, then immediately turned to look.

Not far from the casino.

"Huh? Isn't that some... movie theater from the Land of Grass? Why is it so lively again today? Did something interesting happen?"

That Gambling Shadow from last time had left quite an impression on her. But... it had been nearly half a year, and this theater had not released anything else interesting.

Yet it was so lively today?

How strange!

Curious, Tsunade immediately walked over, seemingly forgetting that Shizune behind her still wanted to say something.

"...One day, it'll all be spent," Shizune muttered. But when she looked up and saw that Tsunade had apparently not heard her and had already walked ahead, she could only sigh helplessly.

Just as expected, it was this again.

Then.

She could only obediently follow after her.

She also knew... Lord Tsunade was only doing this to indulge herself, to make herself forget her grief.

But it had been so long already. Uncle Dan surely would not want Lord Tsunade to keep going on like this.

"Um... excuse me, please make way. Lord Tsunade, wait for me!"

For some reason, there were quite a lot of people outside the theater today.

But with Lord Tsunade's strength, they quickly squeezed their way inside.

When they saw the new billboard erected at the theater entrance, the two of them immediately understood. Their guess had been correct.

Sure enough.

A new movie had arrived.

But that new movie...

"Lord Tsunade? Lord Jiraiya? And Lord Orochimaru too?!"

Shizune stared in astonishment at the colorful advertisement on the new billboard.

Three familiar yet somewhat different figures stood with their backs turned, but all three had twisted around to look behind them.

They were even smiling!

"Why are Lord Tsunade, Lord Jiraiya, and Lord Orochimaru on there?"

As she said that, she seemed to notice something. Looking at the line of words above, she could not help reading it aloud.

"...'Sannin Wreak Havoc in Grasswood'? Huh? Grasswood? Isn't that a place in the Land of Grass? Could this be about Lord Tsunade, Lord Jiraiya, and Lord Orochimaru's story in the Land of Grass?"

Although the people looked slightly different, with that title and the clothes they wore, there was no doubt about it—they had to be Lord Tsunade and the others!

As soon as she finished speaking.

"I've never been to the Land of Grass!"

Tsunade stared at the poster as well, her face dark with irritation.

As companions who had trained together for so long and carried out missions together, she recognized at a glance that the Jiraiya on the poster was real.

That lecherous grin, that lecherous hand gesture... who else could it be but that idiot?

As for herself and Orochimaru... that faint froggy feel... there was no need to say more. She could guess who had dressed up as her.

Still.

What was Jiraiya doing?

Had they ever gone to the Land of Grass?

Had she forgotten?

Tsunade frowned and thought for a while, but could not figure it out. However, looking at Jiraiya on the poster, she recalled that when she had seen him before leaving... he had indeed seemed to say he was going to the Land of Grass.

"Forget it, why am I thinking so much?" Tsunade rubbed her head, then curiously studied the poster. "I've decided. I'm not gambling today. I'll watch this movie first. If that bastard is fooling around..."

A complicated look flashed through her eyes, as though she had recalled the last movie.

She raised her fist. "I'll beat him to death!"

"Really, Lord Tsunade?" Hearing Tsunade's words, Shizune's face immediately lit up with a happy smile. "No gambling today? That's wonderful! I'll go buy the tickets first."

As soon as she said that.

Seemingly afraid that Lord Tsunade would change her mind, she hurriedly skipped off... to buy the tickets.

She had bought tickets last time, so she was already familiar with the process.

Besides.

Lord Tsunade was not gambling today.

That was truly far too rare.

No matter what, she had to get tickets!

"Come to think of it, Lord Tsunade didn't gamble last time because she watched a movie either! Oh, right, that night, Lord Tsunade secretly left by herself. I wonder where she went? I couldn't find her at the casino."

After Shizune muttered to herself with a frown.

Very soon.

It was her turn.

"Hello, two adjacent seats, please."

"Would you like cola and popcorn? Oh, and we also have newly released sweet red bean soup and fried meatballs!"

Before long.

Shizune had bought the tickets, cola, and popcorn, then returned with a delighted expression.

This time, though, they had not been given for free, which she found rather regrettable.

"Lord Tsunade, it's about to start! The showing for the tickets I bought is about to begin. Let's hurry inside!"

Following the directions on the tickets and the staff's guidance, they soon arrived at the screening hall and found their seats.

Before long.

The entire screening hall darkened.

Even faster than last time.

And the familiar images appeared once more on the large white screen ahead.

Exclusive presentation by Land of Grass Entertainment.

Grasswood professional certification!

Carefully selected blockbuster production!

Shizune and Tsunade's attention was immediately drawn in.

"What kind of movie will it be?"

"What exactly is that guy doing in the Land of Grass?"

At this moment.

As the images shifted, a strange line of words suddenly appeared on the screen...

Starring: Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru