"This is getting tricky," Naruto muttered, scratching the back of his head in frustration. The shortcut he'd hoped for the method that could've saved him time during training had just been ruled out.
"So, I really have to rely on grinding through it the hard way." He let out a long sigh. It was the first time he'd faced a kind of training that demanded this much time and patience. In the past, he'd always had his clones to share the workload, but now, it was all on him.
Still, he wasn't too discouraged. He was young, and there was a long road ahead. Building his inner foundation, his "spiritual palace," wasn't something he needed to rush. For now, he was experimenting, exploring methods that might pave the way for his future growth.
"Hmm? What's with that face? You look like the world just collapsed on your shoulders."
The familiar, slightly teasing voice made Naruto turn. Jiraiya stood behind him, grinning, though his collar had a faint lipstick stain that didn't escape Naruto's notice.
Naruto sighed. "It's nothing serious. Just thinking about training and the path I want to take from here."
Jiraiya blinked, a little surprised. A thirteen-year-old already worrying about his future? That thought gave him an odd pang like the world had started spinning faster than he could keep up with. For a brief moment, he felt ancient. Outdated.
But then, looking at Naruto's furrowed brow and restless energy, Jiraiya couldn't help but smile.
Well, this world belongs to the young after all.
And getting old? That's just how it goes. Time waits for no one.
Besides, he was Jiraiya the Gallant broad-minded and unbothered by such things.
"Well then," Jiraiya said with his trademark grin, "sounds like the perfect time for a popsicle to cool your head!"
He pulled out a twin popsicle, cracked it in half, and handed one side to Naruto.
Naruto accepted it with a small laugh and took a bite.
"Once we finish this, we'll get moving," Jiraiya said casually. "I've already found out where Tsunade is."
Naruto blinked, almost dropping his popsicle. "Wait seriously? You were actually gathering intel?"
He'd honestly thought the old pervy sage had just been out flirting again.
Jiraiya's face twisted with indignation. "What's with that look?! I told you I was collecting information! Maybe… also gathering material. For research."
"You mean, you were 'researching' and happened to collect information on the side?" Naruto said skeptically.
"Believe in a sage's honor, will you!" Jiraiya protested.
Naruto smirked. "Heh."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"It means heh."
"Why, you little !!"
Jiraiya groaned, rubbing his temples. "Enough! Let's go find Tsunade already!"
Meanwhile, in a bustling casino, a striking blonde woman leaned forward on the table, resting her generous cleavage on the edge as she pushed all her chips toward the "high" side.
Beside her, a dark-haired woman clutching a small pig trembled nervously. "L-Lady Tsunade, that's… all our money. Maybe we should keep a little just in case?"
Tsunade waved her off with confidence. Her golden eyes gleamed with excitement. "Relax, Shizune. I've got a good feeling about this one. This time, I'm winning it all back."
All around the table, the other gamblers exchanged glances, cheeks flushed with excitement or greed. Their gazes trailed not-so-subtly over Tsunade before they quickly shoved their chips in the opposite direction.
Everyone knew the rule: Bet against Tsunade, and you'll never lose.
The casino's so-called "Goddess of Misfortune" was a walking jackpot for everyone else.
"Final bets!" the dealer called, and with a dramatic flourish, revealed the dice.
"Four, five, six! High!"
The dealer's smile widened as a chorus of gasps filled the room. For once, Tsunade and Shizune both froze in disbelief.
Then Shizune's face lit up like a child's. "Lady Tsunade, you won! You really won!" she shouted, bouncing with excitement. Even the pig in her arms squealed in celebration.
Tsunade, however, showed no sign of joy. She calmly collected her winnings and pushed the entire pile forward again. "All in. On high."
The surrounding gamblers stiffened. Wait wasn't she supposed to be bad luck? Why had she just won? Was the world ending?
No one wanted to believe it, but they couldn't resist temptation either. After all, she couldn't win twice in a row, right?
They rushed to borrow money from the casino, desperate to bet against her again. The owner, barely containing his glee, loaned it out without hesitation.
"Everything on low!" they cried.
The dice rattled again.
"Five, five, six! High!"
The casino exploded with noise. The owner laughed until his eyes disappeared into slits, collecting the money the gamblers had just borrowed while paying out Tsunade yet again.
"Let's go, Shizune," Tsunade said, rising to her feet. She didn't even glance at the chips on the table as she walked away.
"W-Wait for me, Lady Tsunade!" Shizune scrambled to scoop up the winnings before chasing after her mentor.
"Hey! You guys rigged it, didn't you?!" one of the furious gamblers shouted at the dealer. "There's no way that woman wins twice in a row!"
"Yeah! You're in on it together!" another accused.
The casino's security guards quietly stepped forward, armed and menacing.
The gamblers deflated immediately.
"Please repay your loans, gentlemen," the owner said cheerfully. "As agreed nine out, thirteen in."
Despair settled over the losers. Not only had they lost everything, but now they were buried in debt.
Meanwhile, outside, Shizune clutched a heavy bag of coins and hurried to catch up. "Lady Tsunade, it's rare for you to win! Why not keep going?"
Tsunade didn't slow down. "I'm not in the mood. We're leaving this place, Shizune. We're leaving the Land of Fire altogether."
"Huh? That's sudden," Shizune said softly. She had a bad feeling, like Tsunade was trying to escape something or someone. But she didn't question it further. Holding the pig tighter, she followed quietly.
Then a deep, magnetic voice echoed from above.
"Tsunade. Long time no see."
Tsunade froze. Her brows furrowed as she looked up toward the rooftop. The man standing there sent a chill down her spine.
"Orochimaru."
Beside her, Shizune stiffened. He wasn't alone two figures flanked him.
"What do you want?" Tsunade asked, her tone sharp.
Orochimaru smiled faintly, his snake-like voice dripping with charm and malice. "I'm here because of this boy beside me. His name is Kaguya Kimimaro. I'd like you to help him."
Tsunade's gaze flicked to the pale, solemn youth at his side. "Kaguya? The same clan that was wiped out from the Mist Village?"
"Precisely. He's the last of them. Kimimaro inherited their bloodline limit perfectly but he's dying. A hereditary disease. Only you have the skill to save him."
Tsunade's eyes hardened. "Not interested. Come on, Shizune we're leaving."
But Orochimaru's voice slithered after her like poison.
"Of course, I wouldn't ask for free. Tell me, Tsunade... don't you want to see Dan and Nawaki again?"
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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