Around ten o'clock at night, Jiraiya stood amid the crowd in the casino. Watching his chips dwindle, his eyelids twitched increasingly with frustration. Tonight, he finally understood the meaning of gambling skill.
In just twenty short minutes, Tsunade's bets hadn't missed once, skillfully avoiding every correct number. From one million ryo in chips, only the last five thousand remained.
Seeing Tsunade, refusing to trust bad luck, about to bet on "Big" again, Jiraiya lunged forward, pushing her chips onto "Small."
"Tsunade, this is our last five thousand ryo. If we lose this, we might not even have enough to eat later. Trust me, bet on Small."
Tsunade smiled, patting his shoulder confidently. "It's been Small seven times in a row; it has to be Big this time. I'm sure this is our chance. Trust me, I'm a professional."
Jiraiya stared blankly at her cheerful expression, speechless. When she flicked her fingers to move the chips back to Big, he abruptly turned and left.
Reaching a deserted corner, Jiraiya quickly used Transformation Jutsu, changing into a man in his forties. He scanned the area to ensure no one watched, then reached into his pants.
Not only had Tsunade spent all her own savings, but even the wife fund he had saved for years was nearly gone. The money hidden in his underwear lining was his last bit of savings.
After transforming, he exchanged the final money for chips, hurried to the table, and just before the dealer revealed the cup, bet everything on seven points.
"Please, let this work…"
His thoughts scrambled, but the dealer announced: "One, two, four; seven points, Small."
A pile of chips was pushed toward Jiraiya. He almost laughed aloud, but seeing Tsunade's murderous glare, he quickly lowered his head.
"It would be terrible if she saw through my Transformation Jutsu," he muttered.
Just as he prepared to leave with the chips, a voice chilled his heart.
"Boss, do you offer usury here? I'd like to borrow a million."
…
Around midnight, Tsunade exited the casino, clearly displeased. She had lost heavily again, and a man in his forties had been watching her the entire time. More frustratingly, he had followed her and consistently bet opposite her, causing the whole casino to mirror his bets. Tonight, she not only lost Jiraiya's million ryo but also the two million she had borrowed.
"I can't stay here. I need to hurry and escape with Kana and Yakushi Nono… I wonder where that scoundrel Jiraiya went."
Just then, a familiar, wretchedly smiling face appeared in the corner. Seeing Jiraiya beaming, Tsunade's anger flared.
"Where have you been?"
"Nowhere special," Jiraiya replied cheerfully. "I just went to soak in a hot spring and accidentally fell asleep."
"Is that so?" Tsunade eyed him suspiciously. "Then what's that bulge in your pocket?"
"It's nothing." Jiraiya tugged at his coat, chuckling. "I saw a bookstore selling my books, so I bought one."
"Tch, just some smutty books," Tsunade snorted, taking the lead toward the inn.
As they walked through the brightly lit streets, Jiraiya, in high spirits, asked, "I wonder if Kana and Nono are asleep yet."
"They've been busy all day. Of course they're asleep. Why are you asking?"
"Nothing, nothing." Jiraiya looked at the moon with feigned melancholy. "I just thought of the Old Man and Orochimaru. I wonder how they're doing. Tsunade, the night is long, and neither of us can sleep. Why not come to my room? We can have some wine and practice a foreign language together. I'm proficient in several…"
Before he could finish, Tsunade swung a fist the size of a sandbag. Jiraiya ducked just in time.
"If you won't come, you won't come. Why the violence?"
"If you do this again, it won't just be fists next time," she warned.
"Acting like I'm afraid of you," Jiraiya muttered under his breath.
They walked for a while longer before he asked again, "Tsunade, when are you going gambling next? Let me know."
She frowned. "Didn't you oppose me going before?"
Jiraiya smiled sheepishly. "That was before. Now I understand everyone has their interests. Like Orochimaru, like me… cough… go ahead boldly. We've lost all our money, so we're counting on your comeback. Borrow some usury tomorrow morning, don't worry."
Tsunade gave him a strange, knowing smile after a pause. "That's what you said."
Jiraiya patted his bulging pocket confidently, unaware of her scheme. They parted ways at a street corner.
Once in his room, Jiraiya removed his coat and pulled out the nearly bursting wallet.
"I almost got caught. I need a new hiding place so Tsunade doesn't find it."
Quickly, he placed the wallet inside a scroll, then summoned a toad to store the scroll in its stomach.
Satisfied, he finally lay down on the tatami, but his mind raced.
"With Tsunade losing money at this rate, if I bet opposite her daily, I could break even… maybe even make a fortune."
A smile spread, but unease crept in.
"Tsunade didn't see through it, right? Her smile was too eerie. I can't stay here long; debt collectors will find me sooner or later."
He rolled over, preparing to pack his things. A knock at the door interrupted him.
"Could it be Tsunade, wanting to practice foreign languages?" he wondered.
He opened the door, and his grin vanished. Standing there was not Tsunade, but a woman with wavy black hair, wearing a white top and rose-colored skirt.
"Wow… so beautiful," Jiraiya thought.
Recovering, he leaned against the door, tossing his hair. "Young lady, are you lost?"
The woman smiled professionally. "No. May I ask if someone here requested a special service?"
Jiraiya's eyes widened, but he shook his head, thinking of Tsunade nearby.
"Miss, you must be mistaken. I didn't call anyone. I'm a decent man!"
"Oh? I remembered wrong. The lady said she wanted to learn a foreign language from a white-haired man. That's you, right? Don't worry, I'm eager to learn. Which language do you know? We can spend the evening…"
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "Tch, Tsunade is using such a trick to test me?"
He shook his head, resolute. "Please leave! I won't teach you any languages!"
The woman refused to leave. Jiraiya hesitated; attacking her risked offending Tsunade.
"I'll have to use force," he thought.
Suddenly, commotion erupted outside. Samurai carrying short swords rushed over.
"Are you Jiraiya?"
"It's me. What's wrong?" Jiraiya replied cautiously.
"You are companions of Tsunade. She borrowed five million ryo from several casinos and vanished. About this money…"
Jiraiya felt a chill. Tsunade had escaped ahead, leaving behind a debt of seven million ryo.
"Tsunade, damn you! If I ever catch you, I'll kill you!"
===
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