Tsunade narrowed her beautiful eyes as she studied Uchiha Sora before her. Her gaze then fell on the little red-haired girl standing beside him, clutching the hem of his clothes.
"State your name and where you come from!" she suddenly demanded.
Uchiha Sora smiled. "I'm Uchiha Sora, a rogue ninja from Konoha, currently making a living in the Land of Grass!"
"A rogue ninja!" Everyone around them was shocked. The civilians and ordinary wealthy patrons backed away in fear, while Shizune stared at Uchiha Sora as though facing a formidable enemy.
"A rogue ninja from Konoha? From the Uchiha Clan? And the Land of Grass?" Tsunade murmured, then said coolly, "I left Konoha long ago. Whether you're an Uchiha, a rogue ninja, or have some connection to the Land of Grass, none of it interests me."
After a pause, she stared at Uchiha Sora and slowly asked, "What are we betting on?"
Uchiha Sora smiled slightly. "The things on this gambling table aren't very interesting! I've always greatly admired the power of the legendary Sannin. Why don't we have a duel instead? If you lose, Lady Tsunade, you'll have to agree to one condition!"
His words startled Tsunade, but her expression betrayed nothing. "Young Uchiha," she said flatly, "are you challenging me?"
Uchiha Sora smiled. "No, I originally just wanted to ask you for a favor. But I figured you wouldn't be willing to help a rogue ninja from the Uchiha Clan, so I had no choice but to resort to this."
"So you've come to ask me for something?" Tsunade studied him with interest, then suddenly broke into a smile. "Fine, I'll take your bet! But if you lose, you'll be at my mercy!"
"All right! It's a deal!" Uchiha Sora lifted his hand from the back of Tsunade's.