Things often change in the blink of an eye, but nature's fundamental laws are always insurmountable… Roughly speaking, certain events always unfold in three stages:
Active participation, quiet cooperation, forced labor.
All in all, it only took about a week—go figure.
Scars on one's back are said to be a ninja's shame. Based on this logic, how many people could truly understand the humiliation endured by someone like Haseo, who constantly bore injuries on his back?
Well, forget it—I can't keep making this up. The truth is, Haseo had come to Shikkotsu Forest to train in the final stage known as [Sage Mode], but who knows exactly what kind of training he'd been doing these past few days?
Lower back and legs aching, spirit weary—he felt completely drained. If training in Sage Art could actually cause effects this weird, then something's seriously off.
"Lord Haseo, do you and Lady Tsunade have an urgent need to reproduce?"
As Haseo made his way toward the Training Ground with Katsuyu, the slug suddenly blurted out.
"In fact, we don't—"
At that moment, Haseo didn't feel anything particularly unusual—except maybe his legs feeling soft, as if walking on clouds.
"Reproduction-related behaviors should logically serve the purpose of reproduction itself. Without such intent, merely burning calories doesn't make much sense. There should be better ways to exercise.
From the perspective of biological necessity and group survival, individuals incapable of reproduction might seem unnecessary to existence. I thought that perhaps these past few days, Lord Haseo and Lady Tsunade were trying to prove their significance to humanity. After all, you two showed incredible intensity—you worked very hard."
Katsuyu was indeed a learned slug—a creature who had lived countless years and had conducted some research into biology and human behavior.
Perhaps precisely because Katsuyu had neither reproductive needs nor impulses, it became even more curious about such matters; after all, everyone has their own curiosity.
"Katsuyu, I think spying…"
"For politeness's sake, I wasn't spying—it's just not difficult to deduce."
"Oh, good then... Humans are complicated. You can't simply apply theories like 'if it ain't for making babies, it's just playing games' directly—it's too reductionist. Each case has to be evaluated individually.
For example, initially, I was the one calling the shots—but eventually, I ended up paying the price. In fact, I almost decided to secretly tear down that treehouse myself. Fortunately, Tsunade returned to Konoha just in time…" As Haseo was about to continue this academic discussion further with Katsuyu, he suddenly stopped himself mid-sentence.
What the hell was he thinking? Discussing this with a mollusk was ridiculous.
"We're almost at the training ground."
Haseo steered the conversation back on track.
"Lord Haseo has finally decided to complete the [Sage Mode] this time? What's the estimated timeline?"
"Two to three years, unless war breaks out. Otherwise I'll stay in Shikkotsu Forest... Well, not that I won't return to Konoha at all. There are still some village and Organization matters requiring my attention. What I mean is, most of my time will be spent there." Lord Haseo spoke calmly, though his firm determination was clearly detectable between the lines.
However, this statement somewhat overestimated himself, since currently no affairs within Kagenami required his personal involvement. Even the most critical plan for reducing the number of Organization ninjas while improving their quality was firmly under Shikou Uzumaki's control.
Haseo had simply become irrelevant.
"You've left plenty of time... Honestly, Lord Haseo, you're not exactly gifted in this area, are you?"
After reaching the center of the training ground, Haseo stopped walking and said earnestly, "Katsuyu, actually, achieving results after effort and receiving rewards from dedication are already things sufficient enough to bring me happiness... Because effort doesn't always lead to results. There are countless meaningless efforts in this world, so if it takes longer, so be it. I can live with that."
"If Lord Haseo can truly accept that, then that's the best possible outcome."
Haseo silently nodded before sitting cross-legged on the ground, preparing to begin his real practice.
Yet after a while, nothing happened.
"Lord Haseo?" Katsuyu couldn't help but ask.
"Tch... My waist aches, I can't concentrate. I can't train today. Need to rest."
Katsuyu: "..."
Seriously? All that heartfelt speech just now was a complete waste of breath?
Actually, staying in Shikkotsu Forest suited Haseo better. If he returned to Konoha and saw his entire property mysteriously disappear again, he would certainly start trembling with rage.
Although Haseo had no extravagant demands for wealth, at least leave some basic 'living expenses', or else how could he survive—should he live on thin air?
Konoha's renowned Jonin, combat pinnacle, and Master of Kagenami, Lord Haseo, now controlled merely the assets equivalent to a modest Chunin's three-month mission payment... because all his money had fallen into Black Cat's claws, hidden secretly as private savings which Tsunade didn't know about.
At a licensed and legitimately operating casino in Konoha, a sexy croupier was whispering to the casino owner.
"Boss, that lady wants to run up another debt..."
"Debt? When can she pay it back?"
"She mentioned possibly three months later, maybe three years... But she guaranteed on her own reputation that regardless of how long it took, she'd repay the debt eventually."
"...".
So many years had passed. Tsunade's reputation as the 'generous' gambling addict began spreading quietly through Konoha. And until she lost every last penny on her body, all casinos remained more than willing to welcome her.
"I'll go check the situation."
It was no easy task to collect a debt from Lady Tsunade, because she was a prominent and influential figure in Konoha. Though she'd never resort to violence against ordinary people, everyone still feared her immense strength.
She'd never deny her debts, but she always found a way to put off paying them.
As the Casino owner made his way to the front desk, he spotted a waiter already standing in Lady Tsunade's path, blocking her exit.
"Madam Tsunade, you've only just repaid your previous debt. If you keep borrowing money like this, it'll become extremely difficult for us…" the waiter pleaded desperately. Who would feel comfortable letting someone with such a terrible credit history take on more debt?
"Well I *did* pay it back eventually, just a little late—that doesn't mean I can't be trusted…"
They argued back and forth—each sticking to their own reasoning.
"Boss, what should we do?"
The dealer quietly asked the casino owner beside him.
The owner pondered briefly before replying, "We have no choice—we'll have to use our ultimate technique… Watch me. I've got special debt-collection methods."
Clearing his throat, the casino owner signaled the waiter to step aside. He then personally walked up to Tsunade, bowed low, and said respectfully, "Ahem. Dear Lady, since you've been a regular customer at our establishment for quite some time now, there's really no issue with owing small debts occasionally.
After all, your reputation in Konoha speaks for itself—it's more than enough to back you.
However, madam, please understand our position. Small borrowings are fine, but we'll be sending the bill to your home afterward. Please confirm it once received.
Would that be acceptable to you, madam?"
Smiling warmly, the casino owner adopted an air of humble sincerity.
"...You certainly know how to flatter."
What else could Tsunade say? This guy was a real talent—he knew exactly what to say.
Tsunade reached out toward Yayoi, who stood behind her. In a flash, Yayoi handed over a large money pouch.
Tsunade pulled out a thick stack of oval-shaped golden coins—"small judgments"—from it.
This metal currency represented the Haseo family's final reserve fund.
And just like that… the treasury had vanished.
"Is this sufficient?"
"More than enough! Thank you so much, Lady. Our hospitality was lacking—please come again anytime!"
After Tsunade left, the casino owner finally straightened his back and handed the pile of gold coins to the nearby waiter.
"Now you see—next time when facing similar situations with Her Majesty, handle it this way."
"?"
The waiter thought to himself, *What am I even supposed to learn?*
Shaking his head at the waiter's blank expression, the Casino owner muttered disappointedly, "Foolish… completely unteachable."
His so-called unique debt-collection method was nothing more than the subtle difference between addressing her as "Lady Tsunade" versus "Lady Haseo."
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