"You're so naggy, Shizune."
Tsunade grabbed the hands wrapped around her waist and struggled forcefully:
"Let go!"
"A person's luck is constant. I've been losing all this time, but this time I'll definitely win it back."
She struggled while citing her long-held gambling theory, trying to convince Shizune.
"I won't let go, Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune not only didn't loosen her grip but tightened her arms even more.
As the two of them tangled, many passersby immediately gathered around.
Shizune turned to Shinji for help again, urgently shouting, "Come help me quickly!"
She was originally Tsunade's disciple. When she first became a student of this Sannin, she was genuinely delighted.
Tsunade had been her absolute idol.
But after wandering with Tsunade for two years, while she still respected this lady, that perfect idol image had long since shattered into pieces, impossible to pick up again.
She lived like a nanny, constantly worrying: stopping Tsunade from gambling, repaying her gambling debts, and tightly controlling the money in her hands.
Shinji and Kurenai Yuhi exchanged a glance, both showing a flicker of hesitation, momentarily unsure whether to step forward.
Only then did Tsunade notice them, immediately stopping and turning to look at Shizune:
"Your acquaintances?"
When her gaze swept over the Uchiha fan emblem on Shinji's collar, she narrowed her eyes slightly:
"Uchiha?"
Seeing Tsunade finally stop, Shizune sighed in relief, quickly letting go and introducing:
"They were my classmates from the same year."
Shinji led Kurenai forward. As they approached Tsunade, he caught a faint scent of alcohol mixed with the fragrance of grass and trees.
Clearly, Tsunade had indeed been drinking quite a bit earlier.
"Lady Tsunade," Shinji greeted politely.
Kurenai Yuhi looked at Shizune and asked softly:
"Shizune, when did you two return?"
Though her words were directed at Shizune, her gaze couldn't help but drift subtly toward Tsunade.
It was just that the earlier scene had been too shocking, leaving her momentarily flustered.
She had vaguely heard her father mention before that Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannin, had a fondness for gambling, but she always thought it was just an unfounded rumor.
Yet the scene just now was clearly not baseless.
"It seems even someone as powerful as Lady Tsunade has an imperfect side."
In the heart of this female ninja who had always admired Tsunade, Tsunade's image quietly developed a crack.
A tear slid from the corner of Shizune's eye, her voice trembling slightly as she pitifully explained:
"We just returned today."
"Lady Tsunade received a message from the Hokage, asking her to return to examine Kakashi's physical condition."
"And also..."
Tsunade glared sharply at Shizune, her eyes filled with undisguised warning:
"Don't say unnecessary things."
Shizune immediately wilted, lowering her head: "Yes, Lady Tsunade."
In reality, Tsunade had incurred a huge gambling debt outside, and part of the reason for their return to the village was to evade creditors.
Coincidentally, the Third Hokage had sent a letter. Tsunade originally intended to ignore it, but the letter mentioned offering her a considerable sum of money, instantly hitting her weak spot.
Her gambling funds were nearly depleted.
"Kakashi?"
Shinji suddenly understood and nodded, then proactively suggested:
"If Lady Tsunade needs any help, you can send someone to find me. Kakashi's problem lies with his Sharingan. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, I might be able to help."
Tsunade didn't say much, just gave a noncommittal "Hmm" before falling silent.
She had never harbored any prejudice against the Uchiha Clan.
Although her second grandfather, Tobirama Senju, often said "The Uchiha are inherently evil," her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, had always maintained an attitude of tolerance and equality toward the Uchiha.
Moreover, the Shinji before her was exceptionally handsome, pleasing to the eye.
It had to be said that even in the shinobi world, appearances mattered.
The only reason she stayed here was out of consideration for Shizune's feelings, wanting to let her chat properly with her friends.
She had to admit that Shizune had endured quite a bit of hardship following her on their wanderings.
Tsunade gazed toward a certain direction deep within Konohagakure, where the old Senju Clan residence stood—a memento left to her by her grandmother, Uzumaki Mito.
"It's been so long since I've been back. I should at least go clean it up."
She thought to herself.
She had believed she held no lingering attachment to Konohagakure, but now, a trace of softness quietly stirred within her.
Noticing that Tsunade was distracted and not paying attention to him, Shinji had a sudden idea. He quietly summoned the System and used the "Character Detector" on her.
Soon, a system message popped up, and he discreetly skimmed through it.
[Character: Tsunade]
[Skills: Creation Rebirth Lv3, Mystical Palm Technique Lvmax, Monstrous Strength Lvmax, Hundred Healings Jutsu Lv3...]
[Estimated Conquest Rewards: Ambiguous Relationship / 120,000 Points, True Love Relationship / 600,000 Points]
[Note: Difficulty rating: Extremely Hard. She carries an indelible pain within her heart and can no longer bear to see loved ones die before her eyes. The Senju and Uchiha—will the fateful entanglements of the past generation continue into the present, and will they extend into the future?]
"The first tier reward is 120,000 Points?"
Shinji inwardly gasped. That much?
He was tempted.
Not just by the 120,000 Points, but by Tsunade herself.
However, the Conquest Difficulty was marked as "Extremely Hard," forcing him to temporarily suppress those thoughts.
"At the very least, I've established a connection with Lady Tsunade now."
He consoled himself inwardly.
Meanwhile, Kurenai Yuhi seemed to have finished her conversation with Shizune.
Tsunade raised her hand and called out, "Let's go, Shizune. No gambling today, we'll see about tomorrow."
Shizune's eyes immediately lit up, filled with pleasant surprise.
No gambling was good—that meant tomorrow's meal money was safe.
She turned and waved to Shinji and Kurenai, smiling as she said, "See you another time, Shinji, Kurenai!"
Watching Tsunade and Shizune's figures gradually disappear around the street corner, Kurenai Yuhi sighed softly, resting her forehead in her hand. "I never imagined Shizune had such a hard time following Lady Tsunade, and that Lady Tsunade had this side to her."
Hearing this, Shinji also smiled and smoothly changed the subject. "No one is perfect. Anyway, I'm hungry. Kurenai, shall we go get something to eat?"
Kurenai Yuhi's eyes curved into a smile as she nodded. "Sure."
After dinner, Shinji walked Kurenai Yuhi home.
Before parting, they agreed to train together one day each week from now on.
After saying goodbye, Shinji turned and headed towards his home.
...
Early morning two days later.
Shinji pushed open the front door and left the house early.
The weather was particularly gloomy today, adding a solemn atmosphere to the day.
He wore a black uniform, with a white chrysanthemum tucked into the chest pocket.
After getting his bearings, Shinji set off towards the Memorial Stone Square.
The three-day period had passed, and today was the day Konohagakure held a collective funeral for the ninja who had sacrificed their lives in the Third Great Ninja War.
All the village's ninja would gather here to mourn and bid farewell to the fallen heroes.
By the time Shinji arrived, many people were already present, all standing quietly, waiting for everyone to assemble.
He scanned the area, hoping to find Rin, Kakashi, and others, but saw no sign of them. He muttered to himself, "I didn't expect I'd be the first one here."
"Shinji-senpai."
A voice suddenly called out beside him.
Shinji turned towards the sound and immediately spotted a familiar figure.
"Shisui!"
Shisui gave a slight nod, appearing quite happy to see Shinji, and asked with a smile, "Senpai, after the funeral, do you have some free time?"
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