23: Chapter 23 DepartureThe steam in the bathroom hadn't dissipated yet when Naruto walked out in his tattered clothes, his wet blond hair plastered to his forehead, and water droplets sliding down his neck and into his collar.
He shook his head, splashing water droplets everywhere, displaying a touch of the unruliness typical of a boy his age.
Tsunade had barely managed to suppress the panic caused by her fear of blood, but her face was still somewhat pale.
She sat on the edge of the bed, arms crossed, trying to regain her composure as one of the Three Ninja, but her slightly flickering eyes and lingering embarrassment betrayed her.
She looked Naruto up and down with sharp eyes, as if she wanted to see right through him.
"Boy," she began, her voice regaining some of its composure, though still tinged with a hint of hoarseness, "last night… what was that chakra about you?"
She stared intently into his eyes, not missing a single change: "That violent, overwhelming, and hateful feeling.is something no ordinary ninja could possess.Just who are you?"
Naruto paused in drying his hair, then looked up.His clear blue eyes didn't flinch, but rather carried a hint of composure."Naruto Uzumaki.As you can see, an unlucky genin that no team wants."
He pointed to his empty headband."As for chakra.maybe you're just imagining things because you're drunk?Or maybe I got beaten up so badly that my potential exploded?"
He shrugged, his expression innocent yet nonchalant, perfectly embodying a somewhat down-on-his-luck but roguish young man.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
That kid's got a knack for playing dumb.
But she was almost certain of her judgment; that feeling of chakra, though brief, had left an extremely deep impression on her, closely matching the descriptions of the Nine-Tails in the records.
Add to that his dazzling blond hair, and that surname…
The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.I never expected it to be such a kid.
She didn't press the matter further.
Some things are better left unsaid than revealed, especially in Konoha's current delicate situation.
"Hmph, glib tongue."
Tsunade snorted, thus ending the topic.
She stood up and rummaged through the wardrobe next to her, finding a dark-colored stand-up collar jacket that looked relatively new and a pair of matching trousers.Judging from the style, they seemed to be men's spare clothes that Shizune had prepared, but they would definitely be too small for Tsunade.
"Look, change out of those tattered clothes of yours, they're an eyesore."
She threw the clothes at Naruto, her tone still not very polite, but her actions were relatively gentle.
Naruto took the clothes, checked the size, then looked at Tsunade, and grinned: "Thanks, though it might be a little tight."
He didn't shy away from taking off his soaked shirt, revealing his lean yet well-defined and powerful upper body, as well as some small, interspersed scars, both old and new.
Tsunade subconsciously looked away, her ears burning slightly, and cursed inwardly, "You shameless brat!"
Naruto quickly changed his clothes, which were indeed a bit tight, especially around his shoulders and chest, outlining his muscular physique and making him look rather wiry.
"Are you leaving?" Naruto buttoned up his shirt and looked at Tsunade, who was quickly packing her things.
"What else?Stay here and play house with you?"
Tsunade didn't even look up, slung a small bag over her shoulder, and said, "The memorial service is over.There's no point in staying in this lousy village."
She paused, then added, her tone self-deprecating and deliberately indifferent: "I still have a few old friends on Tanzaku Street who owe me gambling debts, and I need to go collect them."
Naruto watched her seemingly nonchalant back as she walked away, but he could sense the weariness and escapism hidden deep within.
He knew that her so-called "old friends" and "gambling debts" were mostly just excuses for her to escape reality by indulging in casinos.
He stepped forward, blocking her path, his blue eyes staring directly at her, his tone direct and stubborn: "Take me with you."
Tsunade was taken aback, as if she had heard a joke: "Take you?Why would I take you?Kid, are we that close?"
"You saved me."
Naruto had a good reason, "I still owe you money for medical bills and clothes.And." He paused, glancing at the empty shape of her bag, "You don't look like you have the money to redeem yourself.I can help you win."
That last sentence, tinged with a strange confidence, struck a nerve with Tsunade, making her a little annoyed.
"Help me win?You think you can?" Tsunade put her hands on her hips, looked down at him, and tried to intimidate him with her aura."Do you know what Tanabata Street is?Do you know how things can change in an instant at the gambling table?"
"I don't know," Naruto replied confidently."But I've always been lucky.Anyway, you'll have to find a place to freeload after you've lost everything.Take me with you, and maybe we can win it all back."
These blunt and outspoken words left Tsunade speechless for a moment.
She does indeed.often lose all her money, and then survives by going silent or scamming people for food and drink.
She looked at the blond boy in front of her.Despite his terrifying identity and hidden power, he was like a troublesome brat who kept pestering adults for candy and was confident that he could help make money.
A feeling of absurdity and helplessness welled up inside me.
Perhaps.it wouldn't be so bad to bring him along?
At least.he looks like he can fight and perform, and he could be a bodyguard in a pinch?
and...
In a corner of her heart, the sense of responsibility that had been deeply buried by alcohol and escapism seemed to be slightly touched by the boy's straightforward gaze, albeit faintly.
[Ding!You made a request to follow her, causing Tsunade to ponder deeply and waver.You have gained +100 Villain Points!]
Tsunade scratched her long, golden hair in annoyance: "Tsk, troublesome brat.Whatever!Don't blame me if you lose him!"
She complained verbally, but didn't object forcefully anymore, which was tantamount to acquiescing.She turned around and pushed open the door to her temporary accommodation, letting the sunlight stream in.
Naruto's lips curled into a triumphant smile as he quickly followed her, walking beside her.
Sunlight fell on his still slightly damp blond hair, dancing.With a dazzling luster, those blue eyes regained their youthful vibrancy.
Two figures, one tall and one short, walked towards the edge of Konoha Village.
"Hey, Granny Tsunade, which is the biggest casino in Tanabata Street?"
"Shut up!Who's your mother-in-law?And don't you dare say anything out of line over there!Listen to me in everything!"
"Oh.How much will I get if I win?" ".We'll see if you win!And don't call me 'mother-in-law'!"
The noisy sounds gradually faded away.
[Current Villain Value: 4903 points]
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