Humans are always forgetful—they forget their mistakes, their pains, and all the memories they don't wish to recall.
Shizune also felt she had finally moved on from Saitama's death.
Although the process was painful and costly, she was finally no longer as distressed or miserable as before.
"Tsunade-sama, do you have any money left?" Shizune puffed her cheeks and looked at the blonde woman beside her. Her eyes were slightly red, as if she had just suffered some kind of shock.
The blonde woman was none other than Tsunade, one of the legendary [Sannin] who had left her village—a renowned medical genius.
She had simply tied her hair back in a ponytail, was wearing a green robe emblazoned with the kanji for "gambling," and was dragging a wooden sandal on each foot.
"Tsk, the last of our money was just lost by you. Where would I get more from?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, clearly reluctant to pay attention to Shizune. The two had agreed to gamble separately, but when Shizune ran out of chips, she sneaked half of Tsunade's stash for herself, leaving Tsunade unable to fully enjoy the game.
"Okay, okay!" Shizune turned her head away, her face slightly flushed.
Ever since following Tsunade here under the guise of "training," the two had gained quite the infamous reputation. Master and apprentice were known among the underworld as "two tempting targets ripe for the taking."
Originally, during her first time coming here with Tsunade, Shizune couldn't quite handle it.
There were no books, no knowledge, and definitely no teachers to teach her [Ninjutsu].
Moreover, the people here were very rude, loud, and loved shouting.
Yet seeing Tsunade walk in hugging a chest full of cash, only to leave empty-handed with a satisfied smile, Shizune couldn't help getting curious.
With Tsunade's guidance, she had her very first taste of gambling.
Though this experience cost Shizune every penny she had brought from Konoha, it made her happy like a child.
It was so much fun! That thrilling sensation of risking it all finally made her understand exactly why Tsunade loved this game.
Since then, master and apprentice began their legendary journey across various entertainment centers in the [Land of Fire].
Although Tsunade had many secret stashes of money, even those couldn't withstand such excessive spending. Soon, the pair found themselves resorting to writing IOUs and borrowing from loan sharks.
Luckily, having mastered the [Transformation Jutsu], they switched identities across different casinos and accumulated heavy gambling debts without ever being caught by creditors.
"But without money, what are we going to do tonight..." Shizune covered her slightly sunken stomach, which loudly protested its emptiness.
Over these years, Shizune hadn't changed much outwardly, but her personality had become significantly more outgoing. There was barely a trace of sadness left on her face.
While her body hadn't developed to Tsunade's legendary proportions yet, it had still matured significantly.
She had grown taller, her figure had filled out nicely, and she radiated a growing feminine charm. Though still wearing her dark-colored outfit, there was now a certain allure—a strict-yet-sensual beauty.
"Don't worry about that. Just tell me what you feel like eating." Tsunade was indifferent, her arms folded across her chest, pushing up her cleavage into a provocative curve.
"In that case, let's go for buffet barbecue!" Shizune glanced down at herself, then stole a glance at her master's figure, as if something clicked in her mind.
"Fine, follow me!"
"Tsunade-sama, we're not... we're not going to skip out on the bill again, are we?" Shizune hurried after her mentor, sounding slightly embarrassed.
"Again? When have we ever done that? Are you trying to insult me?" Tsunade snapped back like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her temper flaring instantly.
"But wasn't that exactly what happened last time in the Land of Fire's capital? You promised me hot pot, then ran off without paying. And the time before that, we ate sashimi at that sushi place and left without settling the bill..."
Shizune stared straight into Tsunade's eyes, her voice growing softer until it faded completely.
Tsunade's face darkened ominously, half of it shrouded in shadow as she threatened to fully descend into evil mode. "Then do you want to eat or not? If not, I'm going alone and you can starve!"
She loomed closer to Shizune, her eyes gleaming coldly.
"Alright fine, let's just pick a place," Shizune nodded reluctantly. After all, they didn't have any money anyway. Getting a job was out of the question—they just gambled and scrounged free meals to get by.
"How about that one over there? The owner looks like a shady guy with his big head and fat ears!" Tsunade's eyes darted toward the barbecue restaurant ahead where the proprietor sat outside.
"Tsunade-sama, isn't that the very man who just won all our money earlier?" Shizune leaned close to whisper.
"Is that so? Then today we give him a little payback!"
Tsunade glanced again, still failing to recognize the man, but led Shizune forward as they approached. If Shizune said it was him, then it must be. How dare he take so much from the 'Gambling King Duo' of Konoha without giving something back?
With determined strides, the duo made their way toward the unsuspecting barbecue shop owner. A chilly breeze ruffled the few strands of hair left atop his head, making him shiver slightly as he quickly ran a hand through his thinning hair.
...
Back in Konoha Village, at the Hokage Building:
It had already been three days since Minato Namikaze sent out the Anbu squads.
The intelligence they brought back was both valuable and shocking. Nothing like this had ever happened in Konoha's history—at least as far as Minato knew.
"You're certain!?" Minato stared at the kneeling Anbu operative who kept his head respectfully bowed.
"With my honor as a ninja, this information is accurate. I've left others behind to guard the site."
Minato turned his head to see Shikaku Nara, who looked just as stunned as himself.
Even someone as composed as Shikaku Nara couldn't believe what the Anbu had reported.
It felt just like hearing for the first time that Saitama Uchiha had been betrayed and struck down by Iwagakure forces—surreal and completely unthinkable.
"Shikaku, you'll go check it out. Bring the reconnaissance squad and bring back detailed records of everything suspicious."
As the current Hokage, Minato couldn't leave the village himself, so he entrusted his right-hand man to handle the matter in his stead.
"Should we consult the Third first? After all, he's familiar with..."
Shikaku hesitated a moment before offering cautiously.
"Good idea. I'll go talk to him right away. You start assembling the troops!"
Minato Namikaze rose from his leather office chair and nodded. His golden hair shimmered in sunlight, radiating warmth and kindness.
"Understood!" Shikaku straightened his face, knowing there was no time to waste.
"All right, thanks for your hard work."
Minato walked toward the desk, silently circulating chakra through his body. In a flash of yellow lightning, he vanished from the office.
"Follow me!" Shikaku glanced at the Anbu agent and headed outside.
Holding the role of Hokage Assistant and leading the Jonin squad, he was among Konoha's top officials. Commanding an Anbu member was effortless.
"Yes sir!"
The Anbu lowered his head respectfully, then stood up and positioned himself behind Shikaku.
Side by side, they headed out of the room toward their next destination.
...
Amegakure Village.
It was Tuesday. As planned, the village remained shrouded in Nagato's ninjutsu.
Drizzling rain fell like threads from the sky, glistening with clarity.
"Saitama has successfully captured the Four-Tails Jinchuriki. We should proceed directly to the extraction phase!"
Pain gazed outside. Raindrops drifted past his eyes, leaving him completely unaffected.
"That fast? Never thought he actually completed this mission alone!"
Konan looked at Pain's back, surprise flickering across her eyes.
From mission assignment to now, less than ten days had passed, yet Saitama already captured the Four-Tails.
"Yes. The sealing process doesn't need to follow numerical order from One-Tail to Seven-Tails, but Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails must wait until last. Once Saitama brings back the Four-Tails, commence the sealing immediately!"
Pain slowly uttered these words, staring toward the horizon—the limit of [Grudge Rain], beyond the village boundary.
A sliver of golden dawn pierced through that area, bringing a sense of calm to the village.
"If so, you'll soon realize your ideal, Yahiko."
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