Tsunade stood silently, her gaze fixed on Naruto, but her thoughts were anything but calm.
There was something deeply unsettling about this situation.
Orochimaru—of all people—was praising someone.
And not just anyone.
A brat like Naruto.
It didn't make sense.
Orochimaru, who had long since discarded ordinary human emotions, rarely spoke highly of anyone. In fact, he almost never praised people at all. Even among the strongest shinobi, genuine acknowledgment from him was exceedingly rare.
And yet…
He had repeatedly praised Naruto.
Not only that—Naruto was Jiraiya's student.
That alone made things even more absurd.
Orochimaru had always looked down on Jiraiya, dismissing him as foolish and overly sentimental. But now, he was praising Jiraiya's disciple?
Tsunade clenched her fists unconsciously.
This was something she absolutely could not accept.
And yet…
Because of that very contradiction, something else awakened within her.
A familiar, dangerous impulse.
Her gambling addiction.
It surged up from the depths of her soul like a raging inferno, consuming all hesitation in its path.
Her lips curled into a grin.
"Uzumaki Naruto… is it?" she said slowly.
Naruto straightened slightly, meeting her gaze without fear.
"To receive such high praise from both Jiraiya and Orochimaru…" Tsunade continued, her eyes gleaming with excitement, "that's unprecedented."
She raised one finger.
"How about we make a bet?"
Naruto crossed his arms confidently, his grin just as bold.
"Alright! What kind of bet?"
Tsunade's smile widened.
"I'll fight you using just one finger."
The words landed like a thunderclap.
"If you win," she continued, "I'll acknowledge your strength… and apologize for everything I said earlier."
Naruto didn't hesitate.
"If I lose, I'll acknowledge your strength and apologize too!"
Tsunade stared at him for a moment… then clicked her tongue.
"I don't need approval from a brat like you."
She waved her hand dismissively.
"Let's change the stakes. If you lose, you and that perverted sage of yours will leave—and stop pestering me about becoming Hokage."
Naruto frowned.
"I don't care whether you become Hokage or not," he said honestly. "In fact, I'd rather you didn't!"
"But this matters to the Perverted Sage. I can't decide that on my own."
Jiraiya, who had been watching quietly, suddenly stepped forward with a laugh.
"What a good kid," he said proudly.
Then, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder, he added, "But Naruto… I trust you completely."
"If Tsunade wants to gamble, then as your teacher, I'll support you all the way."
"Even if we fail in convincing her… I'll accept it."
Naruto blinked in shock.
"Perverted Sage… is that really okay?!"
Jiraiya grinned.
"What, don't you have confidence in yourself?"
"Of course I do! It's just—"
"Then stop worrying," Jiraiya interrupted. "Go all out."
Naruto felt something stir within him.
Jiraiya's unwavering faith ignited a fire deep in his chest.
A warm current surged through his body, quickly transforming into a blazing fighting spirit.
"…Alright!"
He stepped forward, his eyes sharp with determination.
"Let's do this!"
Nearby, Yakushi Kabuto frowned slightly as he observed the situation unfold.
"Lord Orochimaru… are we really just going to watch?" he asked.
"It would be fine if Naruto loses," Kabuto continued cautiously. "But if he wins…"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint, almost amused smile.
"What if he wins?" he asked, his tone calm yet tinged with curiosity.
"Isn't it just Tsunade apologizing?"
Kabuto shook his head.
"If it were that simple, there would be no issue," he said. "But if Tsunade grows closer to Naruto… she may begin to side with Jiraiya."
He adjusted his glasses.
"And I doubt that's something you'd ignore."
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"If that happens… I'll simply devise another countermeasure."
His golden eyes gleamed with interest.
"But for now… let's enjoy the show."
Kabuto sighed inwardly.
He understood.
Orochimaru's interest in Naruto had already grown beyond normal curiosity.
In fact… it was beginning to rival his interest in Sasuke.
The only reason Sasuke remained Orochimaru's primary target was because of compatibility.
Otherwise…
Naruto might have already become his chosen vessel.
Not far away, Shizune clutched Tonton tightly in her arms, her expression filled with worry.
"Lady Tsunade… do you really have to do this?" she asked anxiously.
Tsunade responded by casually tossing aside her outer robe.
The garment fluttered away in the wind.
She cracked her knuckles, her eyes blazing—not just with fighting spirit, but with the thrill of gambling.
"What's there to be afraid of?" she said confidently.
"You think I'd lose to some blonde brat?"
Shizune hesitated.
"It's not that I doubt your strength…" she admitted. "I just don't trust your luck when it comes to gambling."
Tonton snorted in agreement.
Jiraiya burst out laughing.
"See, Naruto? That's the biggest reason I believe you'll win!"
Naruto's face darkened.
"So you don't believe in my strength?!"
"I do!" Jiraiya said quickly, still laughing. "But this is a bonus!"
"…You're unbelievable."
Tsunade roared impatiently.
"Enough nonsense, brat! Come at me!"
Naruto smirked.
"Granny Tsunade… if you can really defeat me with just one finger…"
He clenched his fists.
"Then what kind of 'genius ninja' would I be?!"
In an instant, he formed hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Boom—
In a flash, hundreds—no, thousands—of shadow clones appeared, filling the entire area.
The ruined street was instantly packed.
The sheer number was overwhelming.
Even Tsunade and Shizune were visibly shocked.
"So many clones?!" Shizune gasped.
"And each one… feels solid…"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"This brat's chakra… it's monstrous."
Naruto grinned.
"Here I come!"
At his command, the clones surged forward like a tidal wave, roaring as they charged.
Tsunade, however, remained completely calm.
With a cold snort, she raised her right hand.
One finger.
Her index finger.
And then—
She moved.
In an instant, she broke through the encirclement.
No matter how many clones there were, she ignored them all.
She focused on a single point—
And struck.
BOOM!!!
A terrifying burst of force erupted from her fingertip.
The monstrous strength inherited from the Senju clan was unleashed in its purest form.
Even a single finger carried overwhelming destructive power.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Every clone in her path was obliterated.
Dozens vanished in clouds of smoke within seconds.
Naruto's expression tightened.
"…She's insanely strong."
"She's not even using ninjutsu or taijutsu—just raw power from a fingertip…"
"As expected of one of the Legendary Sannin…"
But he didn't retreat.
"Don't stop! Keep going!"
More clones appeared, flooding the battlefield again.
Wave after wave attacked relentlessly.
Even Tsunade began to feel surprised.
"These clones…"
"Not only does he have enormous chakra reserves…"
"Each clone is high quality."
"Their taijutsu is refined… their explosive power is impressive…"
This wasn't the Naruto she knew.
In the original timeline, Naruto's clones were numerous but crude.
Now?
Each one fought like an elite shinobi.
Individually, they might not match the original—but together…
They created a qualitative transformation.
It was no longer like being surrounded by cannon fodder.
It was like facing an army of trained warriors.
Naruto roared, unleashing his next move.
"Wind Release—!"
He drew the Kusanagi Sword.
Wind chakra surged into the blade, extending it into a massive, glowing edge.
"Vacuum Blade!!!"
With a powerful swing—
A massive wind slash tore through the air, roaring toward Tsunade with devastating force.
"What?!"
This time—
It wasn't just Tsunade.
Even Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly.
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