"Ah, finally lost all my money. Looks like some good luck will come my way now."
At the entrance of the casino, Tsunade cheerfully stretched her back, revealing a bright smile on her face as if something wonderful had happened.
"I've never heard of losing money being linked to good luck..."
Standing behind Tsunade, Shizune hugged a pink pig and quietly made a remark.
"Don't say that, Shizune. For me, losing money is actually linked to good luck."
"Lady Tsunade, this kind of superstition is just coincidental. You are one of Konoha's Sannin, how can you believe such unreliable superstitions?"
Shizune spoke firmly and righteously.
In her view, Tsunade attributing luck to losing money seemed just like reading star signs, with no credible facts to support it.
The things that happened when winning money were merely coincidences.
"Alright, then let's head to the bar for a drink or two, just to vent the frustration that's been building up lately."
Tsunade didn't pay attention to Shizune's argument. Today, all the money that she'd won from the lottery recently was lost. Given this situation, she was sure she wouldn't encounter any trouble for a while.
"However, disappearing from the village without a word again might make the Hokage displeased."
Just like before, Tsunade would disappear silently after returning to Konoha, and Shizune was worried the Hokage would be upset.
"An old geezer on his way to the grave, who cares about his life or death?"
Tsunade replied unceremoniously.
Shizune sighed. If Tsunade didn't care about him, why did she go to the dangerous battlefield before?
In the end, it's still a case of a tough exterior with a soft heart.
Shizune wouldn't expose this. Having followed Tsunade for many years, she already understood Tsunade's temperament.
Without much thought, Shizune followed Tsunade to the bar.
This was Tsunade's unique habit. If she won money, she'd quickly flee and relocate to the next place.
But if she lost money, she'd find a nearby bar and indulge herself thoroughly.
If people knew this was the true nature of the medical master among the Sannin, their dreams would be utterly shattered, Shizune thought.
Inside the bar, Tsunade sat alone in a remote corner, already becoming tipsy. Her cheeks began to redden, her eyes turned hazy, and she seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the rare peaceful moment.
Shizune sat nearby, helplessly watching her, ready to prevent any mishap.
Just as Shizune thought this, the sound of footsteps reached her ears. Her gaze shifted from Tsunade to the front.
Two men appeared in view and stood in front.
One of them was tall and mighty, his muscles bulging, and his dark skin was remarkably different from the normal skin color.
This was the unique skin tone of people from the Land of Lightning.
And… looking at the young man behind the big guy, roughly the same age as her, dressed in Hidden Cloud Ninja attire, Shizune's eyes immediately became wary.
These two were undoubtedly Hidden Cloud Village ninjas, suddenly appearing here, probably not with good intentions.
On the other hand, Tsunade seemed oblivious to the two men ahead, drinking her sake without interest in observing her surroundings.
Just as Shizune was about to alert Tsunade, she suddenly saw the Hidden Cloud Ninja behind the big guy stepping forward and bowing respectfully to Tsunade:
"Hello, Lady Tsunade, I am Amayi, a Medical Jonin from Hidden Cloud. I've come here to humbly ask for your help with an important matter."
The extremely respectful attitude left Shizune stunned.
Weren't these Hidden Cloud Village ninjas coming to cause trouble?
After all, Konoha's relationship with Hidden Cloud wasn't very good.
Not only because they fought fiercely during the Third Ninja Realm War, but mainly because Hidden Cloud once sent a delegation to Konoha, resorting to schemes to capture the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, a despicable act that still infuriated many Konoha ninjas.
"Oh, is that so?"
Tsunade seemed to come to her senses, glancing at the respectfully bowing Hidden Cloud Jonin Amayi.
"Yes, my companion has been injured for some reason, and with my Medical Ninjutsu, I cannot treat him. I sincerely request Lady Tsunade's assistance, please!"
After finishing speaking, Amayi bowed deeply again, making his attitude extremely humble.
"Although you say so, as a Konoha ninja, it seems I have no obligation to help Hidden Cloud... Plus, you Hidden Cloud people did some very excessive things to the Hyuga Clan before."
If it were just about war, Tsunade wouldn't hold any prejudice against Hidden Cloud.
But during the signing of the peace treaty, Hidden Cloud engaged in some unsavory plots in Konoha, which is why Tsunade disliked Hidden Cloud.
"Regarding the Hyuga incident, we in Hidden Cloud have already reflected on our mistakes, and I apologize for that. This matter is really urgent; please, Lady Tsunade, let bygones be bygones."
Amayi apologized sincerely.
Not just because he now needed help, but also due to his genuine respect for the legendary medical ninja.
If Tsunade hadn't carried out the medical reform, they, who excelled in Medical Ninjutsu, would not know when they'd be valued by the village and become very important figures within the village.