Half a Month, Quite Ordinary

The next day, Tanzaku Town.

Jiraiya returned to the Blue Flower Pavilion.

"Mr. Matsuyama, here is your IOU. You can bring it with you the next time you visit Konoha, and I will have the money ready by then."

"This... are you the one paying it back?"

Koji Matsuyama asked cautiously.

Jiraiya laughed, "Don't worry, I'm just transferring the debt from you to myself."

Koji Matsuyama hesitated for a moment before saying, "It would be best if you didn't take on her gambling debts. A 'fat sheep' like her loses money wherever she goes; even you might not be able to afford it."

Behind them, Kyohiko suppressed his laughter and his urge to turn around and look at Tsunade, keeping a straight face to appear serious.

However.

Jiraiya gave a light cough and said, "I will advise her."

"You can't talk her out of it! We see all sorts of people in our casino, and every one of them says they'll change, but they always come back secretly the next time."

Koji Matsuyama was speaking from the heart; otherwise, as a casino owner, why would he say such things?

Jiraiya forced a smile.

"Well, ahem, let's not talk about this. When you come to Konoha to commission a mission next time, I'll treat you well, and we can talk then."

"The one in Konoha should be my uncle, Ichiro Matsuyama. He is in charge of the business in the east and handles the dealings with Gato."

Koji Matsuyama explained.

Jiraiya nodded, "No problem, we'll be in touch then."

"Alright, and do advise your friend when you go back. Her luck really isn't suited for gambling. Come to think of it, it's quite rare to see someone like her who hasn't won a single hand."

Koji Matsuyama said kindly.

But—

"BOOM!"

A loud crash.

The door behind them was blown to pieces.

Tsunade stood there with a dark face, her green haori with the kanji for "gamble" on the back standing out prominently.

Her gaze was like a blade as she spoke, enunciating every word.

"Hey! I've been putting up with you for a long time!"

"Calm down, please calm down! He's just a casino owner, don't lower yourself to his level."

Shizune held onto Tsunade for dear life.

She was too practiced at this!

Practiced to the point of being heartbreaking.

Kyohiko quickly shifted his gaze, focusing his attention on the door that had been smashed open.

The chakra that had erupted just now was the application of the Strength of a Hundred Seal technique.

Tsunade was far too skilled!

She could unleash such an explosion effortlessly, without any need for deliberate control or buildup.

This has to be at the master level, right?

Kyohiko thought to himself.

Koji Matsuyama hid behind Jiraiya, his face pale.

What terrifying strength this woman possessed!

Kakashi wore his mask, but judging by his eyes, he was likely just as shocked.

The contrast between Tsunade's appearance and the destructive power she displayed was truly jarring.

"That's all for now, we'll be taking our leave!"

Jiraiya immediately grabbed Tsunade and made a run for it.

If they didn't leave now, they would have to pay for the door!

How could Koji Matsuyama dare to chase them?

He had finally put the pieces together.

Such immense strength, a close relationship with Jiraiya, a gambling addict, a "fat sheep"...

All these descriptions added up to only one person.

One of the legendary Sannin.

Tsunade.

Hiss!

Koji Matsuyama had heard a thing or two about this princess.

She was immensely powerful, and her temper was not exactly pleasant.

How truly fortunate!

Another day of staying alive while working for the boss.

"Tsunade, your temper really is... the man wasn't even wrong!"

Jiraiya could not help but speak up.

Tsunade swept a cold glance over him, then remained silent.

Her luck at gambling was naturally abysmal.

However.

There were certain metaphysical matters she found inconvenient to explain.

For instance—

If her luck were too good, someone she cared about would meet with misfortune.

Tsunade would rather her luck be poor.

At the very least, that served as proof that the people she cared about were safe.

She offered no explanation.

As they traveled toward Konoha, after a while, the group stopped to rest.

Tsunade sat there, suddenly casting a glance toward Kyohiko.

"Kid! Come here."

Hm?

Kyohiko looked around, then confirmed that the person Tsunade was calling was indeed him.

He had no choice but to walk over.

"Lady Tsunade."

"Sit. What kind of ninjutsu do you know?"

Tsunade asked.

Kyohiko began to list the ninjutsu he had mastered.

Tsunade frowned as she listened.

By the end, she couldn't help but ask, "Did you not learn genjutsu?"

"No."

Kyohiko shook his head.

Tsunade was slightly surprised.

"Why? Was it not passed down?"

Back in the day, the genjutsu of Tokah Senju was known even to ninjas of other nations; it shouldn't have failed to be passed down.

Kyohiko explained.

"My grandmother's genjutsu was indeed powerful, but my father and mother had average talent, so it wasn't passed down. There are a small number of scrolls at home, but I didn't go to learn them."

Those genjutsu were not very powerful, yet the difficulty was extremely high; they were not the top priority.

Therefore.

Kyohiko had prioritized physical training at the time.

After hearing this, Tsunade asked again, "How long have you been learning Water Release?"

"About half a month; I'm still not very proficient."

Kyohiko looked ashamed.

Tsunade fell silent at once.

This kid...

To reach this level in half a month already made him a genius among ninjas; what the hell are you being ashamed for!

Are you trying to make people feel inhuman?

Her gaze gradually turned unfriendly.

"Kid, do you want to get beaten up?"

"As a ninja, one should strive for more perfect techniques; I still have a long way to go."

Kyohiko answered with a straight face.

Jiraiya, standing to the side, quietly gave him a thumbs-up.

Brave!

He had already begun to light a candle for Kyohiko.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, though she said nothing; instead, her smile grew even more radiant as she gently patted the child's shoulder.

"As you said before, although I have hemophobia, my experience and techniques are still of great use, and I believe I should begin testing them on you."

"Many thanks, Lady Tsunade."

Kyohiko offered his thanks respectfully.

Tsunade's "testing" would certainly be no simple matter; he might have to suffer a bit.

But.

Countless people wanted Tsunade's guidance but had no way to obtain it.

With such a rare opportunity, he had to seize it no matter how much he suffered—

Beside them, Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi were so envious they could hardly stand it, their eyes darting toward them repeatedly.

In this era, what young girl didn't idolize Tsunade?

Kurenai had dreamed of becoming Tsunade's student; if she had been given the chance for such guidance, she would have been ecstatic.

Unfortunately, by the time she graduated, Tsunade had already left with Shizune, leaving her without even the opportunity to become a student, and now she finally understood the reason why.

Hemophobia.

A type of affliction that terrified all ninja.

Thinking of this, Kurenai couldn't help but feel dejected.

After resting for a while, the group set off once more.

On the road, although Tsunade did not believe anyone would dare to target her and Jiraiya, she still maintained a high level of caution.

Konoha, Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage looked stunned upon hearing the news.

"What?"

"Lady Tsunade has returned, and she is now ten minutes away from Konoha."

"!!!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression of shock gradually shifted into one of flustered helplessness.

Tsunade was back...

For a moment, he did not know how to face her, and a multitude of complex emotions surged within his heart.

In the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a sigh.

"I understand. You may go; there is no need to make a big fuss about this."

"Yes!"

The Anbu ninja bowed and promptly left the Hokage's office.

Once his subordinate had departed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe, gazed in the direction of the Konoha gates, and after a long while, exhaled a long plume of smoke.