"Just now, I was this close to winning back all the money I lost!" Tsunade cursed, stomping down and crushing a rock underfoot. "It's absolutely infuriating!"
Shizune, following behind, quietly rolled her eyes. Almost there? More like a billion ryo away.
She had been with Tsunade for years and had never seen her win a single bet. But the legendary sucker still couldn't quit—Shizune could only sigh in resignation.
"Tsunade-sama," Shizune interrupted her rant, "should we head back to the residence or go check in with Kitazawa and Kurenai?"
"Make money first." Tsunade's face was dark.
Shizune wasn't surprised. Right now, their only legitimate source of income is the team working on the psychological medical-nin system. The rest? A mountain of IOUs.
"Wait... isn't the door supposed to be locked today?" She looked at the open front door with confusion.
Tsunade didn't care. She stepped inside, kicked off her sandals, and walked barefoot toward the living room.
"Lady Tsunade." Kitazawa looked up at her from the sofa.
She approached with steady, confident steps. Even through the fabric of her outfit, Kitazawa could feel the force of her presence—so strong it made him want to lend a hand.
"Yakumo had a practical match today," he said before she asked. "So I gave her the day off. If you have something important, we can discuss new jutsu tomorrow."
"Practical match? That friendly competition you mentioned?"
Tsunade sat down lazily. "How did it go?"
"Our class took the win." Kitazawa smiled. "The Hokage even rewarded me with an A-rank ninjutsu—the Rasengan."
"You picked the Rasengan?" Tsunade shook her head. "It's not too late to choose something else."
"Why?" Kitazawa played dumb.
"Rasengan is Minato's creation," she explained. "It's incredibly hard to learn—it represents the pinnacle of chakra shape transformation. Ordinary ninja can't manage it."
"Then let's bet on it. What do you say?" Kitazawa smiled, baiting her.
"Oh?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "What's the wager?"
She hated betting—but couldn't resist it either.
"If I master Rasengan in three days, you teach me medical ninjutsu. Deal?" Kitazawa laid out his goal.
"Three days? Are you joking?" Tsunade burst out laughing. "You realize Rasengan was modeled after the Tailed Beast Ball, right?"
"So… will you bet or not, Tsunade-sama?" Kitazawa's calm response made her pause. She looked him over again.
So confident? After a moment, she nodded.
She didn't believe for a second that a Special Jonin could learn Rasengan in three days.
"But let me be clear," she said. "I'll teach you medical ninjutsu—but I'm not your master."
Tsunade held her standards high, and Kitazawa hadn't earned that title in her eyes—at least not yet.
"Understood." Kitazawa didn't push.
He had considered challenging her to accept him as a student, but now he knew: though she made the bet, she still held to her principles.
Even so, he'd gotten what he wanted. Now, he only needed to casually display his talent during training.
Shizune, watching the exchange, glanced between the two. Despite Rasengan's difficulty, for some reason… she had a feeling Tsunade was going to lose.
Must be the law of karma…
"Where's Kurenai?" Tsunade asked as she relaxed back into the sofa. With the shift in posture, even gravity seemed to emphasize her presence.
"She's practicing outside."
"Then don't bother her." Tsunade waved her hand. "Let's save the jutsu discussion for tomorrow."
She stood up and headed to the adjacent residence with Shizune in tow.
At the doorway, she suddenly stopped.
"Almost forgot—what if you don't master Rasengan in three days?"
"Then I'll pay you one million ryo," Kitazawa replied without hesitation.
"Perfect!" Tsunade's eyes sparkled, her expression brightening. "So generous. I'll graciously accept that one million ryo!"
"Don't be so sure you'll win," Kitazawa chuckled.
Tsunade snorted. "Start preparing my money."
"What kind of logic is that?" Kitazawa couldn't help but laugh.
---
Konoha Village – Yamanaka Flower Shop.
"Shikamaru, Choji, see you next week!" Ino waved goodbye and entered the flower shop.
"Back early today?" Her father, Inoichi, looked up from the counter.
"Our friendly match with Class A of the second year ended early." Ino gave a sly smile. "Guess which class won?"
"Do I even need to guess with that smile?" Inoichi chuckled.
"Exactly! Our class won—and it wasn't even close!"
"Didn't the other class have Hyuga Neji?" Inoichi asked. "Did Sasuke beat him? That would be a surprise."
"Nope." Ino grinned wider. "Guess again. Bet you can't."
"I give up." Inoichi shook his head.
As far as he knew, only Sasuke could match Neji.
"It was Kurama Yakumo."
"Really?" Inoichi raised his brows. "Didn't expect a new genius to rise from the Kurama clan."
Bloodline limit vs. bloodline limit—it made sense.
"Yup." Ino nodded, her eyes gleaming. "Oh, and I've got a surprise for you."
"What surprise?"
"I want you to teach me the Mind Body Switch Technique!"
"That's the surprise?" Inoichi was confused.
"Come on! Let's start now!" Ino ran out back, her excitement overflowing.
"What's this kid planning?" Inoichi muttered, shaking his head—but he followed and began the lesson.
Soon, he was actually surprised. Ino's learning speed was far above average. Her chakra control and hand seal accuracy were nearly flawless.
"It's all thanks to Mr. Kitazawa's training," Ino said proudly. "He's amazing!"
Wait—what?!
His daughter admired another man more than him? Yamanaka Inoichi felt a sudden pang of jealousy in his chest.
---
A new day—Saturday.
After washing up, Kitazawa headed to Kurenai's house. Tsunade, Shizune, and Yakumo were already there.
"Kitazawa, help me with breakfast," Kurenai called out from the kitchen.
"What's on the menu this morning?" Kitazawa followed her inside and asked.
"Rice, grilled fish, miso soup, vegetable salad, and natto," she replied, picking up the white apron draped over the chair.
"I'll tie it for you." Kitazawa stepped behind her and gently wrapped the apron's string around her slender waist, tying it into a neat knot.
"Thanks," Kurenai said casually.
"Even in an apron, you look stunning," Kitazawa commented, his gaze briefly sweeping over her smooth back and shapely figure.
"Stop talking nonsense—Tsunade-sama and the others are waiting," Kurenai said, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
The two worked together and finally prepared a breakfast that could barely be considered lavish.
Just as they finished eating and were ready to start discussing new ninjutsu, a knock came at the door.
"I'll get it." Kitazawa stood up and went to the entrance. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see Nara Shikamaru's father, Nara Shikaku.
"Master Shikaku," Kitazawa greeted him, slightly stunned.
"No need for formalities—I'm only a few years older than you. Just call me senior," Shikaku said in a relaxed tone.
"Alright," Kitazawa agreed, though inwardly confused.
Shikaku was the head of the Nara Clan, commander of the Konoha Jounin squad, and a Hokage advisor. His status and strength far surpassed Kitazawa's.
Why was he suddenly visiting to get closer?
"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Shikaku chuckled.
"Shikaku-senpai, please come in," Kitazawa said, stepping aside.
"Why would I be surprised—Lady Tsunade?" Shikaku's smile faltered when he saw her.
"It's been a while," Tsunade nodded calmly.
Shikaku glanced at Kitazawa, clearly puzzled. What's going on? Is this a secret mistress?
Since the psychological medical ninja system wasn't yet public, even Shikaku hadn't been informed, and seeing Tsunade here shocked him.
Kitazawa offered a vague explanation, "It's an arrangement by the Hokage. I can't say more. You can ask him directly."
Shikaku wisely dropped the subject. "Let's move on. I actually came to ask if you could be Shikamaru's tutor."
Kitazawa blinked. Tutor?
At that moment, four lines of text appeared before him:
[The classmate's parent seeks assistance. As a class monitor, it is your duty to help.
Current Task: Help Nara Shikamaru lay the foundation for learning the clan's secret technique.]
[Task Reward: Shadow Imitation Technique.]
[Accept?]
An unexpected surprise?
Kitazawa hadn't expected to earn the Nara clan's secret Yin Release technique. He wondered—if this worked, could he gain the Akimichi clan's techniques too?
Still, the difficulty of this task wasn't the technique itself, but Shikamaru's laid-back personality.
"Even the Hokage was impressed by your teaching," Shikaku explained. "That's why I hope you can help cure Shikamaru's laziness."
"I'll give it a try." Kitazawa accepted the task. It was similar to Ino's training—something well within his abilities.
"Thanks." Shikaku handed over a passbook. "This is your monthly salary."
Kitazawa glanced inside—500,000 ryo.
As expected from the wealthy Nara clan. An A-rank mission pays the same, often with risk to life.
"Tsunade-sama, I'll take my leave now." Shikaku didn't linger, knowing it was better not to pry into matters involving one of the Sannin.
"You've become the most sought-after teacher in Konoha," Kurenai said with a smile.
"It's all just a hollow reputation," Kitazawa replied modestly. "Let's get back to studying ninjutsu."
"You're still in the mood for that?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Don't forget—you only have three days."
"Three days?" Kurenai blinked in confusion.
Kitazawa quickly explained the bet he made with Tsunade.
"You…" Kurenai looked worried. Though he was progressing fast, three days felt too short.
He was practically giving Tsunade a million ryo for free.
"It's fine." Kitazawa stayed calm.
If he wanted to establish himself as a genius, he had to follow through. Thanks to the system's support, this wasn't just an act.
"You're really confident," Tsunade noted, mildly impressed. After all, it made her victory more likely.
Shizune, however, was skeptical. Could he really master Rasengan in time?
---
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Monday came.
"Still one step away," Kurenai sighed, holding the rubber ball. She had completed the first stage of Rasengan training, but couldn't yet burst the ball.
"Don't worry, you'll get there," Kitazawa assured her.
"What about you?" Kurenai asked, "Only one day left, did you finish learning the Rasengan?"
Kitazawa didn't answer immediately. He simply held out his hand.
Before her wide eyes, a spinning chakra sphere quickly formed in his palm. Kurenai was stunned. Learned Rasengan in just two days? She stood in a daze, unable to process it.