"Sure."
Kiyoshi did not refuse. Being able to forge a deeper connection with Tsunade was a good move. The [Strength of a Hundred Seal], [Ninja Art: Creation Rebirth], and the [Strength of a Hundred Technique]—these were all excellent methods to enhance one's strength.
"Shizune, remember to tidy up the room."
Tsunade hurriedly grabbed a fresh bottle of sake and pulled Kiyoshi out the door, leaving Shizune alone in the room. Tonton was quietly sleeping in a corner of the tatami.
"Tsunade-sama has made a mess again."
Shizune sighed, putting away the scattered bottles and beginning to clean the house.
***
Main Street.
A tall man covered in the dust of travel walked along the road, clearly having just returned from outside the village.
"The village is still the same as ever," Jiraiya muttered to himself.
He was responsible for the western front of the Land of Fire and had been traveling for a long time. The conflict there had eased slightly, and the "Old Man" (Hiruzen) had summoned him back to discuss the situation on the southern front.
"There are only a few who fit the description of the 'Child of Prophecy'..."
As Jiraiya walked toward the Hokage Building, he pondered a more important matter. The Great Toad Sage had said that the Child of Prophecy would bring either destruction or stability to the entire world. Jiraiya could not afford to be anything less than cautious.
To be honest, Jiraiya currently believed there were only three possible candidates: Nagato, Minato Namikaze, and Kiyoshi Uchiha. The first two were his disciples, but Kiyoshi was not. Should he take Kiyoshi as a student and provide some ideological guidance?
"Well, I should go see Tsunade first."
A smile immediately appeared on Jiraiya's face. Speaking of Tsunade, he hadn't seen her in a long time; he wondered if "they" had continued to get bigger. Seeing her transform from a flat-chested girl in their youth to someone with towering peaks had been quite the shock for him.
"If I want to find Tsunade, she'll definitely be at..."
Jiraiya locked onto a direction and strode toward it.
***
Meanwhile, at the casino.
With his enhanced ocular power and continuously improving chakra control, cheating in a casino was child's play for Kiyoshi.
He helped Tsunade win a massive sum of money, though he intentionally limited the winnings to a certain threshold to avoid drawing too much suspicion. Others simply assumed Kiyoshi had incredible luck or skill; they never suspected foul play.
After all, Hidden Leaf was full of ninjas. Any casino capable of operating here had basic measures to prevent ninjas from using jutsu to cheat. An average person would find it difficult to achieve the results Kiyoshi did.
"Just how good is your gambling skill, kid?"
Tsunade carried a briefcase filled with won cash in one hand and a bottle of sake in the other, taking two large gulps as she spoke. A flush of intoxication colored her fair cheeks, and her breath smelled of alcohol.
Tsunade leaned her arm over Kiyoshi's shoulder, asking him what his secret was. Since Kiyoshi was much younger than her, she viewed this contact merely as an adult interacting with a youngster.
"It's just good luck, Tsunade-sama," Kiyoshi said calmly.
It had been a long time since his last gambling spree. Such methods couldn't be relied upon as a regular source of income.
"Really?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed suspiciously as she stared at him.
"Of course it's true," Kiyoshi replied with a straight face.
It *was* technically luck. Many of the games in the casino were types he could cheat at using his abilities; if it were a simple game of Rock-Paper-Scissors, he would be at a loss.
"Ugh..."
As Tsunade spoke, she suddenly covered her mouth, looking as though she were about to retch. Kiyoshi placed his hand on her back, channeling a stream of "Yang Release" chakra into her. Tsunade immediately felt much better.
"This is a [Sobriety Jutsu] I created," Kiyoshi explained. It integrated some techniques from "Dark Medical Ninjutsu" to accelerate the body's digestion of food and drink.
"You kid... just how many tricks do you have up your sleeve?" Tsunade asked. She was still a bit woozy, but felt physically refreshed.
Nonou Yakushi had left the village long ago, and Kiyoshi had been self-studying medical ninjutsu ever since. Could self-study really reach such heights? Tsunade couldn't help but marvel once more—Kiyoshi was prime material for a medical ninja. If Dan hadn't died... she might have been willing to take on a few more disciples.
At that thought, Tsunade's brown eyes dimmed slightly. She tilted the bottle and took several more gulps, making herself even more drunk.
Only the numbness of intoxication could allow her to briefly forget her sorrows—forget her brother Nawaki, forget Dan's death, and forget this twisted world that constantly churned out nothing but demise.
"So, when are you going to accompany me to gamble again? I mean, after you finish your mission."
Besides the scent of wine, there was a unique fragrance coming from Tsunade, and the two scents were now mixed together.
"The Hidden Mist likely has a major operation planned. After it concludes, the situation should stabilize significantly, so I should have plenty of time to accompany you, Tsunade-sama," Kiyoshi said.
The number of ninjas in the Five Great Nations was limited—far fewer than samurai or commoners. Losing one ninja meant one less specialized asset. New sprouts needed time to grow, and every nation was facing a manpower shortage.
At such times, they would likely contract their battle lines, adopt a conservative strategy, and digest the gains from the war.
"I suppose so." Tsunade's mind was a bit muddled by the alcohol, but she knew Kiyoshi was right; there would most likely be a period of relative stability ahead.
"I can accompany you during these few days before I head to the battlefield," Kiyoshi added, nodding.
Beyond cheating, his actual gambling skills were steadily improving. He could win a portion of money even without foul play. He wanted to see if he could trigger traits like [Gambling Luck] or [Gambling Mastery].
"Good."
Tsunade nodded slightly, her entire weight practically leaning against Kiyoshi. Ninjas are human, too; if they don't use chakra to purge the alcohol, they behave just like ordinary drunks.
The two continued to walk out. Kiyoshi had anticipated Tsunade's invitation. The reason was simple: the "Three Prohibitions of Shinobi" included a ban on extravagance, which gambling fell under. It involved large monetary transactions and could corrode a ninja's mind, making them dull.
Any ninja with ambition avoided such places. Therefore, despite Tsunade's passion for gambling, almost no one would go with her. She didn't even have a gambling buddy. Kiyoshi was filling that void.
Jiraiya loved Tsunade, but he never catered to her interests. His own hobbies were peeping into women's bathhouses and visiting red-light districts. There was a reason he always remained at a distance from her.
"Yo, Tsunade! I knew I'd find you here."
As Kiyoshi and Tsunade were about to exit, Jiraiya walked up quickly.
"You're back from the front?" Tsunade slurred.
"You've been drinking this much again." Jiraiya's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Tsunade's decadent aura, unsure of what to say. There were far too many ninjas with psychological scars from the war; it had become a norm, though others simply kept working to survive.
"Jiraiya-sama," Kiyoshi greeted.
Jiraiya shifted his gaze to Kiyoshi, who was supporting Tsunade.
'Kiyoshi Uchiha... since when did he get so close to Tsunade?' Their clans had once been blood rivals. Jiraiya had sensed before that they were on good terms, but seeing this confirmed it.
"Don't be so naggy, Jiraiya. Hurry and take me back, kid," Tsunade grumbled. Perhaps due to the heat in the casino, she was covered in a thin, glistening layer of sweat. The skin beneath the moisture emphasized her lush, pale complexion.
The cleavage of her chest was deep enough to tell all the truths of the world—the fullness of a mature woman personified.
Jiraiya's throat bobbed. He immediately said, "Cough, Tsunade, let me take you back instead." He began to step forward.
"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Just don't go peeping on anyone again," Tsunade shot him a look. Jiraiya was generally a good person, but his moral compass was far too low when it came to peeping.
No woman likes being spied on—and those being spied on are someone's sweetheart, someone's mother, or someone's daughter. That Jiraiya hadn't been beaten to death yet could only be attributed to his status.
"That... how could I be that kind of person?" Jiraiya gave a dry laugh. Given his history, he had no credibility. But... can an author's work really be called peeping? That's called *research*! The Great Toad Sage said he would travel the world and write books; he was destined to be a best-selling author.
Jiraiya already had a title in mind: *Icha Icha Paradise*. Lately, there had been a street-side novel called *Icha Icha Inferno*—the author was anonymous, and only pirated copies were in circulation. No one knew who wrote it. The content had given Jiraiya massive inspiration, so he chose "Paradise" as the counterpart to "Inferno."
Kiyoshi looked up at Tsunade and Jiraiya. He had to admit, Tsunade was indeed "moist." This was the benefit of a good impression. The woman Jiraiya had failed to hold his entire life was now being supported by Kiyoshi—essentially being hugged by him.
"Hey, Kiyoshi, take me away, quickly." As Tsunade spoke, her hot breath hit Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi nodded and looked at Jiraiya with a feigned apologetic expression. "Jiraiya-sama, I'll take Tsunade-sama home first."
With that, Kiyoshi supported Tsunade as they walked into the crowd.
"Tsunade really thinks the worst of me," Jiraiya shook his head. His image had never been great. He turned toward the Hokage Building. After he finished his debriefing, he could find a woman to accompany him for drinks and soothe his wounded soul.
***
Evening.
Kiyoshi delivered Tsunade to her home and handed her over to Shizune.
"I'll leave Tsunade-sama to you."
"Really, Tsunade-sama drinks too much," Shizune complained. As a brilliant medical ninja, Tsunade should know better than anyone the harm alcohol does to the body. Yet she remained a drunkard.
On top of that, she was a gambling addict. If an ordinary person lived like this, they would have fallen into the abyss long ago.
"Perhaps it's because she's happy," Kiyoshi suggested. The thrill of winning money is undoubtedly higher than the pain of losing—especially for a gambling failure like Tsunade, who almost never won.