This Is an Exchange Between Works of Art

Although they were puzzled and curious about what this movie was all about, as it began, Shizune and Tsunade both fell silent and watched the screen curiously.

The story began in Konoha...

After the Second Great Ninja War ended, the Three Legendary Sannin had already become famous throughout the ninja world. Therefore, in order to better fit the realities of the ninja world and the identities of the Sannin—and based on Jiraiya's suggestions—Kusana could only heavily rewrite the script.

Of course.

Those familiar scenes and the familiar three small figures immediately caught Tsunade and Shizune's attention.

One watched with curiosity in her eyes, while the other watched with memories in hers.

Tsunade seemed to recall those innocent days she had spent in Konoha...

Although her granduncle and granduncle's younger brother had passed away one after another, leaving her deeply saddened, she had quickly become strong again with Grandma Mito and Nawaki by her side. Then, she had met two companions...

Those had been very happy days.

As she watched the three small figures diligently training under the old man's guidance, an unconscious smile appeared on her lips.

But then.

Not long after.

"What kind of trash movie is this? What kind of trash movie?!" Tsunade shot angrily to her feet. "That idiot Jiraiya! He was a fool! A complete idiot! It took him forever just to learn how to throw a kunai—how was he a genius? More importantly..."

She angrily pointed at the character on the screen who looked somewhat like her.

"Is that supposed to be me? Is that supposed to be me? When would I ever lick that idiot!"

"Lord Tsunade, Lord Tsunade." Shizune was startled by Tsunade suddenly standing up in fury. She cautiously tugged at her and whispered, "Calm down! Lord Tsunade, calm down! You need to be quiet here. Everyone is watching!"

If this continued, Lord Tsunade's identity would be exposed.

After saying that.

"This is infuriating! If that idiot were here, I'd beat him to death!" Tsunade muttered resentfully, but she sat back down and stopped making a scene. Staring at the screen, she sneered. "If I wanted to kiss someone, that perverted toad would've come crawling over and licking my boots already."

"Yes, yes! Lord Tsunade is so beautiful, after all! Lord Jiraiya really went too far, filming Lord Tsunade like this."

Shizune hurriedly agreed, trying to comfort Tsunade. Then she quickly turned back to the big screen.

Unlike Tsunade, who was watching with growing fury, Shizune was thoroughly engrossed.

In this simple age, where entertainment was scarce, a movie with a plot, romance, and comedy was incredibly appealing.

Although parts of the plot did not match reality, that could not stop little Shizune from eagerly watching the drama unfold.

She thought it was really good!

Besides...

If Lord Jiraiya and Lord Tsunade could truly end up together... that would not be bad either. Uncle Dan surely would not want to see Lord Tsunade continue wasting away like this.

Even Tsunade herself, aside from being angered by certain parts of the plot, was actually rather curious about what would happen next.

The story continued to unfold...

In the end, because of the war, the three had no choice but to part ways and set off on their respective journeys.

Until one day... because of love, Tsunade set out with Orochimaru to find Jiraiya, arriving in the Land of Grass.

Tsunade's face turned green. She crushed the guard on her right arm with one hand, making the nearby audience members who were also watching the movie tremble in fear.

This woman...

She was terrifyingly strong!

But this time, Tsunade did not stand up. Her eyelid twitched as she said coldly, "I'd go looking for that idiot? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Time passed bit by bit.

Finally.

Their journey gradually unfolded, and they repeatedly reminisced about the little moments from their days studying as ninja.

And in the ending...

Jiraiya let go of the obsession in his heart and found his own love as well!

That kiss finally happened.

Jiraiya had begged Kusana to change it. Perhaps he knew Tsunade could not beat him up in the Land of Grass!

That was why he had gone all out courting death to take advantage of her!

But then.

As the movie's final image faded.

Inside the theater...

When Tsunade saw the ending, she immediately stood up with a black face and swept out her hand.

"Smash this place up for me! What kind of garbage movie was that?!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! We'll compensate you! We'll pay for everything!"

"Young lady, how did a comedy make you so angry that you smashed the screening room? Look at this! This is no small amount! Huh, your teacher looks rather familiar!"

"This is our compensation. Sorry! We're truly sorry!"

After hearing the manager's words, Shizune took out the money and paid the compensation. Then she hurriedly dragged the still-furious Tsunade away.

They were not Konoha ninja now. Lord Tsunade had been hiding her whereabouts precisely because she did not want Konoha to find her.

So, before anyone noticed them, they needed to leave quickly.

Only after they had run far away did Shizune complain as she looked at Tsunade. "Honestly! Lord Tsunade, how could you smash someone else's things? We had to pay so much money! More than Lord Tsunade loses in a day."

They might as well have let Lord Tsunade go to a casino!

"Those people were scamming me out of my money! And they had the nerve to demand such an outrageous price. Why were you dragging me away? We should've smashed the whole place, just like I said!" Tsunade said with a displeased expression. "How dare they slander me?!"

"Well, Lord Tsunade was the one in the wrong first~, and..." Shizune pondered for a moment before saying, "I looked into it just now. They said Lord Jiraiya really did authorize the filming and even signed a contract. If he refused, he would have to pay a huge sum in compensation. I heard..."

She hesitated.

"It seems Lord Jiraiya ran into serious trouble in the Land of Grass and owed a lot of money, so he had no choice but to do this."

"That idiot... Don't tell me he got caught trying to freeload off women!" Tsunade froze slightly upon hearing Shizune's words, then curled her lips and waved dismissively. "Serves him right! Forget it. I'll settle the score with him later. Right now... I'm going to play a few rounds and blow off some steam."

"Huh? You're still gambling? Didn't you say you wouldn't gamble today? And Lord Tsunade, that isn't venting. Constantly losing will only make you more depressed."

"I enjoy losing. What about it?" Tsunade said with the air of an overbearing rich woman. "I've got money, so I do what I want!"

The moment she finished speaking.

"Come take a look! Kusa Kusa Blind Boxes! Thrilling and exciting! A completely different experience for you!"

"Officially licensed! Heroes from every village are inside! You can even draw classic hidden editions~!"

"The daimyo next door in the Land of Grass unexpectedly opened a classic diamond hidden edition! He never had to eat grass again and lived happily ever after!"

"???"

Tsunade froze, stopping in her tracks as she curiously glanced toward the nearby place where a large crowd had also gathered.

What was this?

Could it be another movie theater?

Why was it so lively?!

However.

She did not know that, because of the promotion, at least nine out of every ten people there were paid shills.

They were there to stir up hype.

But seeing so many people, Tsunade still walked over curiously.

"Lord Tsunade."

Shizune had no choice but to hurry after her, her eyes filled with the same curiosity.

Kusa Kusa Blind Boxes?

What were those?

But after learning what they were and seeing the eager expression on Tsunade's face, Shizune's face fell. She muttered, "Isn't this just gambling again?"

The moment she said that.

Apparently hearing her, the shop owner immediately became unhappy and picked up a box. "What are you saying, little girl? Gambling? How is this gambling? We're running a proper business here. You buy, I sell—it's a willing transaction. There are adorable figurines inside every box, and you might even get a Hashirama Senju figurine grabbing the Nine-Tails with one hand. You get something for your money, so how is that gambling? Can you get such beautiful dolls when you lose at gambling?"

"But one figurine costs one hundred ryo... Isn't that too expensive?"

"It's different!" The owner shook his head solemnly, holding up his blind box. "Our figurines were carefully crafted by eight master clay sculptors from the Land of Earth. Every detail was conceived with countless hours of thought. They are masterworks—works of art! Kusa Kusa Blind Box masterworks! And our boxes were designed by professional Sealing Jutsu jonin. Even ninja cannot tell what is inside! They have collectible value too. If you open a hidden edition, you'll make a huge profit!"

At this point, he sighed sentimentally. "Life is like a Kusa Kusa Blind Box. You never know what the next second will bring!"

The moment he finished speaking.

"Nicely said! Boss, give me a hundred!"

Hearing Lord Tsunade's words, Shizune, who had been left dazed by the owner's nonsense, immediately came back to her senses. She hurriedly said, "Lord Tsunade~, one figurine costs one hundred ryo..."

Before she could finish.

"Relax! I have money!" Tsunade confidently patted her chest. "It's only one hundred ryo each. No big deal! This new kind of gambling... looks pretty interesting."

"Um, this... isn't gambling," the owner said weakly. "It's an exchange between works of art!"

"You think that little trick can fool me? Stop talking nonsense and hurry up! Give me a hundred first!"

"...Right away!"

Seeing that she could not stop her, Shizune could only sigh helplessly and obediently take out the money.

Oh well.

One hundred ryo each... was still less of a loss than gambling, right?