Don't Ask Me

Especially after Iwagakure officially hired Akatsuki to participate in the war, its most troublesome area of high-end military force was also filled.

Thus, in a situation where one was fighting against two, the game was surprisingly evenly matched.

Because of this war, the gambling industry in various countries has experienced a boom.

Even the Chunin Ninja Exams had betting opportunities, let alone the three major ninja villages wielding knives and hacking at each other.

The gambling industry's best period was undoubtedly during the Ninja World War.

However, according to the rules of this industry, the ninja village also gets a share of the profits afterward. How can you open a business using a ninja village without paying upfront?

Winning or losing is a matter between the ninja villages; as for the merchants, they shouldn't expect to pay a single copper coin less than their due.

The Hokage world usually opens in two places.

Alternatively, they could operate within the ninja village, meaning during the Joint Chunin Exams, where the ninja village would take a cut.

Or, it's in a casino.

The Daimyo's Daimyo's Court in the Land of Fire, as the most prosperous city in the Land of Fire and even the entire Hokage world, not only has many casinos, but also a clear hierarchy, ranging from the most affordable to the most expensive. Anyone who doesn't possess both wealth and power wouldn't even bother to enter after just one glance at the gate.

What would I do inside? Would I be looked down upon?

This has always been the case in the Land of Land of Fire's Daimyo's Court. High-end establishments maintain a high standard, choosing their customers over their customers. Mid- to low-end establishments, on the other hand, are fiercely competitive, and anyone with slightly less variety will be easily defeated by their rivals.

This rule also applies to entertainment venues other than casinos.

The news that the negotiations between the five great villages, which are the guardians of Leaf Village, had been put on hold spread throughout the major cities of the Land of Fire in no time.

And the Daimyo's Daimyo's Court in the Land of Fire is the very first among the first.

The most upscale casino in the Daimyo Daimyo's Court of the Land of Fire is located in the most bustling commercial area of the city, and it is said that the casino is owned by the Daimyo family.

The nominal owner had transformed the casino into a magnificent and opulent place. The designer he hired was quite skilled; although the entire place was filled with tacky, nouveau riche gold, he managed to create a touch of elegance through his design.

But one effect will never change: its unique decorating style will always be the first thing that reminds people passing by its door of something.

This is not a place for ordinary people to afford; please, esteemed guest, have some self-respect!

The guests here may not be very rich, but they are certainly very powerful.

If you can still get in and play even though you don't meet either of the above criteria, and the people in the venue have to flatter you, then that's even more terrifying. Don't even think about using any underhanded tricks to cheat others.

Otherwise, you might have the life to swindle money, but not the life to spend it.

At this moment, a number of people were sitting at a gambling table in the arena. Those who were seated looked very wealthy, while those who were standing were mostly servants.

But since it's described as "mostly," it means there are always exceptions.

For example, right now there's someone standing here who makes even the seated guests feel a little uncomfortable.

"Big Cousin, how about we call it a day?" A middle-aged man dressed like an aristocrat asked with a fawning smile.

The person he was trying to please was a beautiful woman sitting at the gambling table who had a displeased expression.

By all accounts, the woman was much younger than the man.

The woman had a stunning figure and delicate features. Her light red lips were very sexy. She had long, light yellow hair, which was tied up at the back of her head and styled into two large ponytails.

This woman was clearly not a Daimyo's Court; on the contrary, she had a rough and untamed air about her. At first, some self-proclaimed "important figures" became interested and planned to try out this wild, juicy, and plump mare. However, when they saw the people accompanying the woman, they quickly withdrew and pretended not to see them.

They guessed who the woman was.

"Breaking news! Breaking news!" Suddenly, someone shouted excitedly from the High Plateau inside the casino used for announcing news, "An assassination attempt has been carried out ANBU Hidden Leaf Village, Kumogakure has been identified as a suspect. Negotiations have been suspended!"

The scene erupted in uproar!

Some people looked gloomy, while others wore reserved smiles; both were concerned about their superior status.

Some were outspoken, even going so far as to curse the Kumogakure as pigs.

Or they might laugh and say that although the Kumogakure is a pig, it's a good pig.

Before everyone could process what was happening, another voice rang out from the High Plateau.

"The strongest member of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Shingen, has personally gone to Amegakure. The 'god' of Amegakure has announced to the Ninja World that he will stand with Hidden Leaf Village!"

This time, the reaction wasn't as good as before.

It wasn't because the news wasn't eye-catching; on the contrary, it was extremely eye-catching.

For the guests here, the casino is simply an entertainment venue.

What they were concerned about was that Uchiha Shingen, the strongest ninja of the Uchiha Clan Amegakure.

The "god" of Amegakure has gained considerable fame in recent years. He has proven with facts that he has the confidence to call himself a god, and he is clearly more powerful than his predecessor, the "demigod."

Only a powerful figure like Uchiha Shingen could elicit a statement from him.

Now that Rain Village has clearly taken sides, these important figures have many things to consider.

They may have fun, but they are well aware of what will happen if the war escalates.

The man accompanying "Big Cousin" was the only exception; he was ecstatic.

"Big Cousin, look, nobody's really in the mood anymore. How about we go home for today?"

"Your home?" The woman scoffed. "Forget it, have you forgotten what your wife looked like back then?"

"Look at what you're saying, it's not that she doesn't know, it's that she doesn't. After I told her, look how much she admires you."

"Forget it, forget it, your house is too big, I'm not used to staying here. I have Shizune to keep me company." The woman yawned. "It's boring, there's not even any alcohol here."

The man smiled awkwardly.

It's not that there's no alcohol, it's just that you don't like the way you drink it.

He discovered that his renowned older cousin preferred more down-to-earth venues.

He glanced around at the other guests who were behaving extremely poorly, and sighed inwardly.

I really don't understand why my older cousin stayed in Leaf Village in the first place, and now look what's happened.

"Alright, alright, you go ahead with your work, just leave me some money to spend."

"Alright, eldest cousin, may I arrange your lodgings for tonight? It's a rare trip to Daimyo's Court, so please do me a favor." The man said helplessly, and the servant beside him withdrew to make the arrangements.

Having followed him for so long, as a responsible close associate, he already knows how to make arrangements.

On the other side of the woman, a young woman in her early twenties could no longer hold back.

She knew very well that her teacher was a woman of exceptional talent, capable of spending the night in casinos.

"Lady Tsunade, I see that no one is really in the mood to continue playing. Why don't you take a rest today?"

Chapter Twenty-Two: Don't Look for Me

"Shizune, you're such a spoilsport..."

As for her nominal disciple, but in reality her confidante, how could Tsunade not know what this child was thinking?

What an unlovable child! Does she really look down on her luck at gambling?

However, she herself didn't believe it.

The old days were better. Uncle Wuzu was so cheeky and Wu Zu, claiming there was nothing he couldn't do, but he would always lose to her with a smile. To avoid arousing her suspicion, he would even cheat on his own so she would find out.

What an awkward adult!

He was such a shrewd person, how could he have died?

Grandpa too, and then there was Second Grandpa. Uncle Wu Zu died even earlier than Second Grandpa, and then there was Dan and Nawaki. In the end, the so-called Hokage is just a killer.

Whether you want to be Hokage, are going to be Hokage, or are already Hokage, you're all hopelessly idiotic.

Unfortunately, this casino was playing a game about the Ninja Village War, which annoyed her.

"Forget it, I'm not playing anymore." Having lost interest, Tsunade threw the cards on the table, stood up, and said, "Shizune, let's go."

Shizune quickly followed.

"Hey? Big Cousin?" The nobleman noticed that the servants hadn't returned yet, and his swift-witted big cousin had already left without a word, so he quickly followed her.

Tsunade; she simply raised her hand and waved. Seeing this gesture, the man gave a wry smile and stopped.

Oh well, in the Land of Fire, no one can afford to offend this older cousin.

After today, the masters of this city must know that she has arrived in Daimyo's Court, and they will probably instruct their servants to keep a close eye on her so that she can have a good time.

Granddaughter of the First Hokage, one of the Konoha Sannin, she could practically walk sideways in the Daimyo's Daimyo's Court, where everyone had eyes that could see through anything.

Those who go out without their eyes won't survive in this city.

After leaving the casino, Tsunade walked aimlessly down the street, with Shizune following closely behind her.

In Shizune's eyes, Tsunade has multiple identities.

She is the dream of every medical-nin in Leaf Village.

She was her uncle's lover.

She was my mentor.

"Shizune." Tsunade suddenly stopped in her tracks. Around her was a bustling night market bathed in neon lights and a constant flow of people.

"Lady Tsunade?"

"What kind of person am I?" Tsunade stood still, without turning around, her voice sounding somewhat weary.

"You are Princess Tsunade, the most charming woman in this world."

"Seriously, are you some kind of magic mirror?" Tsunade muttered.

She remembered a fairy tale someone had told her when she was a child. In the story, the old witch's favorite tool was a magic mirror. Every day, she would ask herself if she was pretty, until one day the magic mirror told her she was ugly and not as pretty as her stepdaughter.

Thinking of this, she laughed out loud.

Those were the brief moments of happiness in her life.

She was surrounded by many elders who cared for her.

When Tsunade was young, her favorite show was watching someone being chased and beaten by her angry second grandfather, running from one end of the village to the other, but even then, he didn't forget to prepare a birthday present for her.

Only that guy could break down the usually calm and collected Second Grandfather's defenses so easily. Even Grandpa couldn't do that. To Grandpa, Second Grandfather would usually just sigh or curse and shut up.

After laughing for a bit, Tsunade felt much better and started walking again. Shizune, who was behind her, didn't know why Tsunade had suddenly laughed, but she quickly followed.

After looking around, Tsunade entered an inn.

"Where is everyone?" Upon entering, Tsunade overjoyed to find no one at the front desk. "Oh, it's free after all."

"Ah, guest, I'm sorry, you'll be right there." As if hearing the word "free," a little girl with braided pigtails rushed out from the side corridor, running very fast, as if afraid of being too slow.

She ran to the front desk and was about to open the registration book when she remembered what she had just seen. She looked up again and stared at the stunning figure of the beautiful woman in front of her, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"Two rooms, next to each other," Tsunade said.

"Ah! Excuse me, sir, okay!" The young girl snapped out of her daze and felt ashamed. Although they were the same sex, staring at a customer like that was really impolite. She hurriedly finished the registration.

Tsunade showed patience towards the flustered little girl in front of her—actually, she was always indifferent to such things.

Gambling and drinking—that's her lifestyle now.

After booking a room, Tsunade went inside and immediately fell asleep.

After a while, Shizune, still worried, came in. Seeing Tsunade lying down and sleeping so casually, she patted her forehead, found a pillow and put it under Tsunade's head, covered her with a blanket, and then squatted beside her for a while to make sure Tsunade wouldn't vomit before leaving with peace of mind.

However, not long after Shizune left, Tsunade opened her eyes.

She rolled over, rubbed her head, grumbled a few times, and looked towards the corner.

"Aren't you all annoying?"

From the corner, a ninja dressed as an ANBU emerged.

"Lady Tsunade..."

"I'm not going back. I'm eating well, sleeping well, and drinking well," Tsunade said before the other person could speak.

"Lady Tsunade, the Daimyo is also very worried about you."

"Heh..." Tsunade chuckled coldly.

Doesn't she know what Fire Daimyo is thinking?

A man of such high status, acting like a lackey, accompanied her to the casino, all because of a simple "big cousin"?