Character Detection: Tsunade

"You're so long-winded, Shizune."

Tsunade grabbed the hands wrapped around her waist and struggled forcefully.

"Let go of me!"

"Luck is conserved. I've been losing all this time, so I'll definitely win it back this time."

As she struggled, she brought up the gambling theory she had believed in for years, trying to persuade Shizune.

"I won't let go, Lady Tsunade!"

Not only did Shizune refuse to loosen her grip, she tightened her arms even further.

As the two tussled, quite a few passersby immediately gathered around them.

Shizune once again turned to Shinji for help, crying out anxiously, "Come help me!"

She had originally been Tsunade's disciple. When she had first become the apprentice of one of the Sannin, she had been sincerely delighted.

Tsunade had once been her unquestioned idol.

But after wandering outside with Tsunade for two years, she still respected the woman, yet that perfect idol image had long since shattered beyond repair.

She lived like an old housewife, worrying every day: stopping Tsunade from gambling, paying off her gambling debts, and keeping a tight hold on the money in her hands.

Shinji and Kurenai Yuhi exchanged glances, hesitation flickering across both their faces. For a moment, neither knew whether they should step forward.

Only then did Tsunade notice them. She immediately stopped and turned to Shizune.

"Friends of yours?"

When her gaze swept over the fan emblem on Shinji's collar, she narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Uchiha?"

Seeing that Tsunade had finally stopped, Shizune breathed a sigh of relief and quickly let go, introducing them.

"They're classmates from my generation."

Shinji approached with Kurenai. The instant he drew near Tsunade, he caught a faint scent of alcohol mingled with the fresh fragrance of grass and trees.

Clearly, Tsunade had indeed drunk quite a bit earlier.

"Lady Tsunade," Shinji greeted her politely.

Kurenai, meanwhile, looked at Shizune and asked softly.

"Shizune, when did you return?"

Though she was asking Shizune, her eyes could not help drifting secretly toward Tsunade.

The scene just now had simply been too shocking, leaving her somewhat at a loss.

She had vaguely heard her father mention before that Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannin, enjoyed gambling. She had always thought it was merely an unfounded rumor.

But what she had just witnessed clearly had not come from nowhere.

It seems that even someone as powerful as Lady Tsunade has an imperfect side.

In the heart of this female ninja, who had always admired Tsunade, a crack quietly appeared in Tsunade's image.

A tear slipped from the corner of Shizune's eye. Her voice trembled slightly as she explained pitifully.

"We only returned today."

"Lady Tsunade received a message from the Hokage, asking her to return and examine Kakashi's physical condition."

"And also..."

Tsunade suddenly shot Shizune a glare, her eyes carrying an undisguised warning.

"Don't say anything unnecessary."

Shizune immediately wilted and lowered her head. "Yes, Lady Tsunade."

In truth, Tsunade had accumulated a huge gambling debt outside the village, and one reason for their return was to avoid the debt collectors.

By coincidence, the Third Hokage's letter had arrived. Tsunade had initially wanted to ignore it outright, but the mention of a considerable payment in the letter instantly struck at her weak spot.

Her gambling funds were nearly depleted.

"Kakashi?"

Shinji came to a sudden realization and nodded. Then he took the initiative to offer, "If Lady Tsunade needs any help, you can send someone to find me. Kakashi's problem lies with the Sharingan. I'm also from the Uchiha Clan, so I might be able to help."

Tsunade said nothing more. She merely gave a noncommittal "Mm" and fell silent.

She had never held much prejudice against the Uchiha Clan.

Although her second grandfather, Tobirama Senju, often said that "the Uchiha are inherently evil," her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, had always treated the Uchiha with tolerance and equality.

Besides, Shinji was strikingly handsome. Just looking at him was pleasing to the eye.

It had to be said that even in the ninja world, looks still mattered.

The only reason she had stayed was because she cared about Shizune's feelings and wanted to let her have a proper chat with her friends.

She had to admit that Shizune had indeed suffered quite a bit while wandering around with her.

Tsunade looked toward a certain spot deep within Konoha. It was the old Senju residence, the last keepsake her grandmother, Mito Uzumaki, had left her.

"It's been so long since I came back. I should at least go clean it up."

She thought to herself.

She had thought she no longer held even the slightest attachment to Konoha, yet at this moment, a hint of softness quietly welled up in her heart.

Noticing that Tsunade was distracted and hadn't paid attention to him, Shinji had a sudden idea. He quietly summoned the system and used the "Character Detector" on her.

A system message soon popped up, and he swiftly scanned through it without changing his expression.

[Character: Tsunade]

[Skills: Creation Rebirth Lv3, Mystical Palm Technique Lvmax, Super Strength Lvmax, Hundred Healings Technique Lv3...]

[Estimated Pursuit Rewards: Ambiguous Relationship/120,000 Points, True Love Relationship/600,000 Points]

[Note: Difficulty Rating—Extremely Difficult. She harbors wounds in her heart that cannot be erased, and can no longer bear to watch someone she loves die before her again. Will the fated entanglement between the Senju and Uchiha of the previous generation continue to this day? And will it extend into the future?]

"The first tier alone is worth 120,000 Points?"

Shinji clicked his tongue inwardly. That was an absurd amount.

He wanted it.

Not only did he want those 120,000 Points, but he wanted Tsunade too.

But the pursuit difficulty had been labeled "Extremely Difficult," so he could only temporarily suppress those thoughts.

"At least I've established a connection with Lady Tsunade first."

He silently consoled himself.

Meanwhile, Kurenai Yuhi seemed to be about done talking with Shizune as well.

Tsunade raised a hand and called out, "Let's go, Shizune. No gambling today. We'll talk about tomorrow tomorrow."

Shizune's eyes immediately lit up with delight.

It was good that they weren't gambling—at least tomorrow's meal money would be safe.

She turned around, waved at Shinji and Kurenai, and said with a smile, "See you sometime, Shinji, Kurenai!"

Watching Tsunade and Shizune's backs gradually disappear around the street corner, Kurenai Yuhi held her forehead and let out a soft sigh. "I really didn't expect Shizune to have it so hard following Lady Tsunade around. And Lady Tsunade actually has a side like that."

Shinji smiled at that and smoothly changed the subject. "No one's perfect. I'm hungry anyway, Kurenai. Want to grab something to eat together?"

Kurenai's eyes curved as she smiled and nodded. "Sure."

After dinner, Shinji walked Kurenai Yuhi home.

Before parting, they agreed to train together one day every week from then on.

After saying goodbye, Shinji turned and headed toward his own home.

Two mornings later.

Shinji pushed open his front door and headed out early in the morning.

The weather was especially gloomy that day, adding a touch of solemnity to the occasion.

He wore a black uniform, with a white chrysanthemum tucked into his breast pocket.

After getting his bearings, Shinji set off toward the Memorial Stone plaza.

The three-day period had ended. Today was the day Konoha would hold a collective funeral for the shinobi who had fallen in the Third Shinobi World War.

All the shinobi in the village would gather there to mourn the fallen heroes and see them off together.

By the time Shinji arrived, quite a few people were already there. Everyone stood silently, waiting for the rest to arrive.

He looked around, hoping to find Rin, Kakashi, and the others, but saw none of them. Helplessly, he muttered, "I didn't expect I'd be the first one here instead."

"Senior Shinji."

A voice suddenly called out beside him.

Shinji followed the sound and immediately spotted a familiar figure.

"Shisui!"

Shisui nodded lightly. He seemed very happy to see Shinji as he asked with a smile, "Senior, will you be free after the funeral?"