In the end, the three of them never got to play poker. Can you believe Tsunade actually managed to hold back?
She said there was no chocolate tonight, and she wasn't in the mood.
Qinglong had already prepared to make money, but in the end, he could only let it go with regret.
The next day, Qinglong put the house away, and they continued on their way.
Qinglong kept starting to say something, then stopping himself.
Tsunade watched Qinglong, who looked eager but kept darting his eyes away. He looked like a child who wanted to take out a toy and play with it but was afraid someone would snatch it away.
"Heh heh~"
Tsunade grinned.
"Qinglong, don't you have any other fun stuff? Take it out!"
"No!"
Qinglong denied it with all his might.
Tsunade wasn't about to give up. She kept insisting that Qinglong take it out.
"You definitely have another car like yesterday's. Take it out—I want to drive!"
With Tsunade badgering him, Qinglong reluctantly took out a Hoi-Poi Capsule.
"Huh! You really do have more! Are you Doraemon?"
Shizune was amazed. She'd watched Doraemon last night, so the name just slipped out.
"Ha! I knew you had more fun stuff!"
Tsunade was immensely pleased. Her disciple was a treasure! From now on, she'd definitely take him along whenever she went out.
With a sigh, Qinglong tossed the Hoi-Poi Capsule.
"Poof!"
A three-wheeled motorcycle with a sidecar appeared on the ground.
Tsunade excitedly ran over and sat right in the driver's seat. Shizune also bounced over, holding Tonton, and climbed into the sidecar with both her and Tsunade's luggage. Happily, she set the bags inside.
"Ah~ I finally don't have to carry anything!"
Qinglong sighed. Well, at least he'd have Tsunade's slender waist to hold onto again.
"Ah! You can't drive so fast this time!"
Qinglong reminded her anxiously. If this vehicle broke too, they really wouldn't have anything left to ride.
Tsunade patted her ample chest and solemnly assured him.
"Mm! Don't worry. I, Tsunade, drive nice and steady!"
Vroom~~
The three-wheeler sputtered out exhaust and drove off into the distance.
The scenery changed along the way, and a cool breeze brushed their faces. Before long, the three of them reached a fairly large town.
The unusual-looking three-wheeler carrying the three of them drew everyone's attention as soon as it entered town. It sped down the road, leaving everything behind, while the colorful shops lining both sides failed to catch Tsunade's eye.
At last, the three-wheeler screeched to a halt in front of a casino.
Qinglong was utterly speechless. They'd made it to town, and the first thing Tsunade did was head for the casino?
"Sensei, shouldn't we go eat first?"
"Mm! After being cooped up in Konoha for so long, now that we're finally out, of course I have to get in a round of gambling first."
Tsunade had already walked into the casino as she spoke. She could go a whole day without eating, but she couldn't go a whole day without gambling!
What could Qinglong do? He could only follow her.
Tsunade casually found a gambling table and sat down.
"Shizune, go buy me some chocolate."
"Right away!"
Still holding Tonton, Shizune obediently ran out to buy chocolate, leaving Qinglong to watch Tsunade play in boredom.
"Heh heh!"
Tsunade looked like a casino veteran, her eyes brimming with confidence and menace.
Qinglong watched for a while. Tsunade played as if she were unstoppable, but the result was the same every time: lose, lose, lose!
Qinglong helplessly smacked his forehead. Tsunade was getting worked up from gambling when Shizune happened to return with the chocolate.
Only then did Tsunade quiet down a little. She sat down with forced composure and elegantly popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth, looking every bit the God of Gamblers!
"This round, I'm betting big!"
Tsunade gripped her money and slapped it down, certain of victory!
The dealer lifted the lid.
"123, small!"
Tsunade's forehead creased into a deep frown, her face full of disbelief.
Qinglong helplessly rubbed his forehead. Ten rounds in a row, and she'd lost every one! He couldn't believe it.
"Shizune-senpai, how much money do we have left?"
Shizune gave an awkward smile and leaned closer to Qinglong, speaking softly. "I secretly tucked some money away. I won't let Lord Tsunade gamble away all our living expenses."
Qinglong nodded in approval. Good thing this girl had the sense to do that.
"Qinglong, lend your teacher some money!"
Tsunade had lost all the money in her hands. Chewing on chocolate, she turned around and immediately asked Qinglong for a loan.
"Ahhh~, you're my teacher. How can you ask your student for money?"
"Don't you care about your reputation as Princess Tsunade?"
Qinglong stared at Tsunade as if questioning his entire life. Sensei, you really had no shame!
Tsunade didn't seem to mind at all. With a serious expression, she said,
"What are you talking about?"
"When I, Princess Tsunade, lose at the gambling table, I have to win it back!"
As she spoke, her face immediately brightened into a smile.
"Come on, Kiyotaki-kun, lend it to me. I'll pay you back when I win!"
After Tsunade pestered him relentlessly, Qinglong reluctantly took out the hard-earned money he'd made from missions.
This proved that you should never, ever lend money to a gambling addict!
It hadn't even been a few rounds before Tsunade lost it all again. She turned around meekly and asked Qinglong for another loan.
Qinglong reluctantly lent her another sum, then pulled out a stack of banknotes and sat down in another seat at the gambling table.
Seeing Qinglong join the game, Tsunade's eyes lit up. I knew I wasn't alone in this! At last, I have a gambling companion!
"Good job, Qinglong! Stick with me and your teacher will win you money. We'll eat well and drink well!"
Qinglong gave her an exasperated look. If he gambled with her, he'd probably lose the pants off his back. He wasn't about to follow her lead.
"This round, I think we should bet small! Qinglong, follow me and bet small!"
Tsunade declared with absolute confidence, starting to persuade Qinglong to place the same bet as her.
Before you continue