Shinju and Naruto were so excited they nearly jumped on the spot.
But since there were a lot of people around, they held it back.
Shinju suppressed his excitement, opened his palm to reveal a small ball marked with [1], and asked the shop clerk:
"What's the first prize?"
The clerk looked at the [1] ball and smiled.
"Oh, this is something so many people wanted. Didn't expect you two kids to draw it. How lucky."
Then, the clerk pulled out a finely packaged book from the shelf behind him.
"Collector's Edition Make-Out Paradise, signed by Jiraiya-sama himself!"
Shinju, Naruto: ∑(✘Д✘๑)
Damn, lucky my ass—
"That's it?"
Jiraiya sat next to Shinju all the time writing his books. Shinju couldn't even be bothered to glance at them!
And yet that kind of adults-only stuff was ranked as the special grand prize?!
Shinju felt like he'd been thoroughly scammed.
"Can I exchange it for something else? Like the second prize—an Ichiraku Ramen free-pass for a month would work too."
He asked.
The clerk gave a regretful look.
"Sorry, no exchanges."
"Fine."
Shinju sighed and walked away, carrying the collector's edition Make-Out Paradise.
Across the street, Ino secretly poked her head out, staring dreamily at Shinju's back.
"Shinju-kun seems really busy these past two days… maybe I should make him a bento…"
"No, forget it. Shinju-kun's cooking is better than mine. I'd only embarrass myself."
On the way home, Shinju and Naruto brushed past a sinister-looking old man.
That old man… was Danzo.
The moment Danzo laid eyes on Shinju, his gaze flickered uncontrollably. He even spoke first.
"So we meet again, Shinju."
"I have a ninja tool once used by the Second Hokage. Shinju, you're a hero of the village, so I'll give it to you."
With that, Danzo simply walked ahead.
"Follow me."
Naruto's face lit up in excitement, and he rushed forward eagerly.
Shinju quickly grabbed Naruto and shook his head, cautious.
His instincts screamed at him—this old man was no good!
So Shinju pushed down his own curiosity and desire, and decisively said:
"I've got things to do tomorrow. I'd rather go home and rest first."
Without waiting for Danzo to reply, Shinju grabbed Naruto and teleported home with Flying Thunder God.
Danzo froze on the spot, his bandaged right eye—the strongest genjutsu eye—itching to stir.
In his exposed left eye, a cold gleam flashed.
"That boy… could it be he knows something?"
...
Back at home, Naruto looked baffled.
"That was a ninja tool once used by the Second Hokage! You really didn't want it?!"
"Of course I wanted it."
Shinju nodded with a smile. Nobody wanted treasures more than he did.
"But wanting it is one thing—you need to stay alive to use it."
"Guess what that old man is hiding under those bandages on his right arm."
To make Naruto more cautious of that dangerous man, Shinju deliberately dropped a hint.
Naruto frowned.
"What's he hiding? He can't seriously be keeping eyeballs in there, right?"
Shinju put on a shocked expression, then slowly nodded.
"I felt the chakra of the Uchiha clan coming from that arm wrapped in bandages."
"That sensation… was just like Sasuke's Sharingan."
Naruto: ⊙▽⊙
"He transplanted eyes onto his arm?!"
Shinju shook his head.
"I don't know. I've never seen it with my own eyes."
"But one thing's for sure—the Uchiha chakra in that arm is denser than ten Sasukes put together."
Naruto narrowed his eyes, a shiver running through him.
"That's one creepy old man."
...
The next day.
Konoha Ninja Hospital, inside the operating room.
Lee lay on the bed under full anesthesia, several medical-nin surrounding him.
Shinju wore sterile robes and gloves, a scalpel in his hand, officially beginning the operation.
First, he made the incision with the scalpel, then activated the ninja cell vitality…
Over twenty hours later, the surgery was a complete success.
Shinju, mentally drained from the intense focus, staggered out of the operating room.
He was utterly exhausted, almost collapsing.
But fortunately—the operation succeeded.
Taking off the surgical gear, Shinju teleported home with Flying Thunder God and collapsed into bed.
...
The following day, Shizune knocked on Shinju's door, bringing good news.
"Lee has already woken up."
"How's his condition? No post-surgery complications?"
Shinju asked, concerned.
Shizune's face lit up with joy.
"None at all. Everything is perfectly normal! …Shinju, you've created a miracle that should have been impossible!"
Shinju happily accepted his senior's praise.
But there was one thing he cared about most.
"Ask Tsunade-sensei when the money will be transferred to my account. Of course, cash works too."
At his question, Shizune's expression turned slightly awkward.
After a moment of silence, she finally said with difficulty:
"I've already brought you the money."
Shinju's eyes instantly lit up.
"Where is it?! (´◊ω◊｀)"
"Wait."
Shizune reached into the small bag slung at her side, rummaged around, and pulled out two things.
Ten 10,000-ryo notes… and a promissory note for 9.9 million.
Shinju: "…"
Damn it, no wonder that old hag Tsunade was so smug when she quoted the price. Turns out she never intended to pay in full!
"Well, Tsunade-sensei's actually being kind this time. She gave me 100,000—I thought she wouldn't even fork out a hundred."
After a few dozen seconds of silence, Shinju smiled lightly.
"Tsunade-sensei's in a tough spot. She's just taken the Hokage seat, and plenty of villagers are watching her closely."
"If she slips up now, she'll never raise her head again in this village."
"I understand…"
Shizune froze.
Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
She'd expected the greedy Shinju to rant or at least complain. Never thought he'd be this calm.
After all, Shizune had seen firsthand the hardships Shinju endured during half a month of research.
Up at dawn, working nonstop, often skipping meals, and just yesterday, standing at the operating table for over twenty hours straight.
This money had been promised by Tsunade-sama—it was rightfully his.
And yet, Shinju was even considering Tsunade-sama's situation, despite her breaking her word!
That was a whole new level of perspective!!
By contrast, Tsunade's broken promise seemed utterly disgraceful!
"Shinju, don't be sad. I'll remind Tsunade-sama every day, make sure she pays you back everything she owes." Shizune said with heartfelt concern.
Shinju shook his head, speaking with remarkable understanding.
"No need. Tsunade-sensei just became Hokage, she's swamped with work. No need to bother her over such a small thing."
"And besides—my goal was to heal Lee. Since he's fine now, my goal's been achieved."
Shizune was deeply moved by his words and quietly took her leave.
As soon as she was gone, Shinju stuffed the 100,000 ryo into his pocket, slipped back inside…
And instantly dropped the act.
"Damn old hag! (ꐦ ಠ皿ಠ) You lured me with a million to do the job—"
"And after it's done, you only give me a measly 100,000?! If that's not using and discarding me, what the hell is it?! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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