Boruto tried to blend into Konoha's streets and alleyways.
He first visited a few snack stalls and teahouses that seemed popular, pricking up his ears to catch the conversations around him.
Most of what he heard was family gossip, minor details about missions, or admiration for some Jonin. Information about the Hokage and the Uchiha was scarce, and even when they came up, people spoke vaguely. The villagers seemed subtly reluctant to discuss either subject.
Just as he was about to try another area, perhaps somewhere near the training grounds, he passed through a fairly busy shopping street.
A building on the corner caught his attention. An ornate sign reading "House of Wagers" hung above its entrance, which was partly covered by a curtain.
From inside came a clamor of voices, the crisp clatter of dice, and occasional bursts of cheering or sighs.
A casino?
Boruto frowned. Places like this attracted all sorts. There might be plenty of information, but the risks were high too.
He had intended to hurry past, but when his gaze happened to sweep across the entrance, he stopped dead, as though caught by a magnet.
Through a gap in the lifted curtain, he clearly saw two striking figures beside a gambling table.
One was a beautiful woman with brilliant blonde hair and a voluptuous figure. Wearing a green robe with the character for "gamble" printed on the back, she boldly shoved a large stack of chips forward and shouted, "I'm betting it all! This one's definitely a big!"
Boruto could never mistake that face-it was Lady Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage he had met before!
Only now, her expression carried less of the weight she had borne as Hokage and a little more swagger and abandon.
Seated beside her was a man with long, straight black