The next day.
Shinji rubbed his bleary eyes and yawned as he trudged down to the first floor, his steps dragging.
"You're so slow, Shinji! We've been waiting for you!" Asuma leaned against the doorway, waving at him.
"Coming, coming!" Shinji quickly replied, patting his cheeks to wake himself up and hurrying over.
Last night, he had stayed up nearly until dawn experimenting with his Mangekyō Sharingan before sneaking back to the Pine Wind Inn. After returning to his room, he had hastily caught a few hours of sleep, only to oversleep.
When he woke in the morning, he was the only one left in the room.
Noticing the faint dark circles under his eyes, Kurenai Yuhi stepped forward, her gaze full of concern. "What's wrong? Didn't you sleep well last night?"
Shinji felt a warmth in his heart and smiled. "I had a good thing happen, got too excited to sleep."
His words carried a double meaning.
It was both the ecstasy of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan and the deepening of his bond with Kurenai last night.
Kurenai, however, assumed he was referring to their closeness under the fireworks. Her cheeks instantly flushed a light pink as she lightly patted his shoulder, chiding, "What good thing could that be!"
To Asuma and Shizune, this intimate exchange looked exactly like flirting.
Asuma's face darkened, his tone sour. "Let's get going already. Lady Tsunade is waiting for us at the Daimyo's Palace."
He felt his chances slipping further away.
Shizune's eyes darted between the two before she suddenly covered her mouth and giggled.
Shinji helplessly raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, let's go, let's go."
The others nodded, and the group set off for the Daimyo's Palace at the very center of the Land of Fire's capital.
The Daimyo's Palace was vast, serving as the core location where the Daimyo convened his ministers and issued decrees.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire was the nation's highest leader, maintaining a military-political cooperative relationship with Konohagakure.
The Daimyo provided economic support to Konohagakure, while Konohagakure was responsible for military defense.
In terms of status, the Daimyo ranked even above the Hokage. Although the election of the Hokage required consideration of various opinions within Konohagakure, the final appointment authority still rested with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
At the entrance to the Daimyo's Palace.
When the four arrived, the area before the gates was empty, with only solemn guards standing watch on either side.
Shizune shook her head gently and sighed. "Lady Tsunade isn't here yet."
"Let's wait a bit longer. The agreed-upon time hasn't arrived yet," Kurenai said softly.
Shinji nodded in agreement, his gaze turning toward the distant street corner.
About twenty minutes later, Tsunade finally appeared.
However, her expression was so dark it seemed ready to drip water, and she radiated an aura that warned others to keep their distance. It was clear her mood was extremely foul.
Shinji privately speculated that his so-called teacher had probably gambled all night again and lost everything. Shizune evidently shared the same thought, quickly stepping forward to meet Tsunade and asking in a hushed voice, "Lady Tsunade, you didn't lose all your money, did you?"
Tsunade clicked her tongue impatiently and pushed her away, stubbornly insisting, "Even the best horse stumbles, and everyone slips up sometimes. My luck was just a little off last night."
She wore an expression of someone who had given up. "The money's gone, but it's fine. Once we return to the village, there's a big bonus waiting, plus the high-quality kunai Shinji gave me. Don't worry!"
The light in Shizune's eyes instantly dimmed as she stared blankly at Tsunade, her gaze making Tsunade feel extremely uncomfortable. Guiltily, Tsunade turned her head away.
Shinji silently thought to himself: Tsunade's gambling luck is really terrible. Could it be that she's cursed by the Shinobi World?
Not only does she lose every time, but she keeps going back for more. Truly worthy of the title "Legendary Sucker."
Tsunade forcefully changed the subject, striding forward. "Let's hurry and pay our respects to the Daimyo, then head back to the village."
Everyone had no choice but to follow.
As they approached the main gate, a guard on duty stepped forward and bowed to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, I presume? The Daimyo has already given instructions. You may enter as soon as you arrive." He then stepped aside to make way, clearly having waited for some time.
Tsunade gave a slight nod and followed the guard through a vermilion corridor, arriving at an elegant reception room. Without ceremony, she took a seat, while Shinji and the other three stood respectfully behind her.
Before long, a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious robes entered at a leisurely pace. He appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with a slightly plump face, and an air of lazy authority befitting his high status in his eyes and brows. Several attendants followed behind him.
He went straight to the seat of honor, fanning himself with a folding fan as he looked at Tsunade with a smile. "Well, well, long time no see, Princess Tsunade."
Tsunade, unusually, set aside her usual casual demeanor and nodded seriously in greeting. "Daimyo."
"My wife has been talking about you as well."
"Then I shall certainly pay a visit to Lady Chijimi afterward."
The two engaged in casual conversation, their tone familiar yet measured. It wasn't hard to see that Tsunade held a rather esteemed position in front of the Daimyo.
The Daimyo snapped his folding fan shut with a swish, lightly tapping it against his left palm as he looked up at Tsunade. "Princess Tsunade, what brings you here today?"
Tsunade nodded, her tone steady. "I have been entrusted by the Third Hokage to specifically discuss the matter of Konohagakure's funding allocation for next year with you, Daimyo."
"Funding?" The Daimyo raised an eyebrow.
"I hope you can, as always, maintain the regular funding allocation for Konohagakure."
In simple terms, Konohagakure was depleted from the Third Shinobi World War and urgently needed the Daimyo to continue his financial support to ensure the village's operations.
Me, Hokage, send money!
The Daimyo suddenly understood, turning to whisper a few words to an attendant beside him. The attendant bowed and withdrew, returning shortly with a middle-aged civil official who proceeded to discuss the details of the funding allocation with Tsunade point by point.
Watching Tsunade handle the situation calmly and with clear logic, Shinji sighed inwardly: No wonder she can hold the position of Hokage. Her political skills are indeed sharp.
An hour later, after the official confirmed everything was in order, the Daimyo smiled and nodded. "Rest assured, Konohagakure's funding will be disbursed as usual."
This Daimyo was known for being indecisive and easily influenced by his subordinates, but Tsunade's prestige was substantial enough that the officials dared not neglect her. Hiruzen Sarutobi sending her here was indeed a smart move.
With her objective achieved, the corners of Tsunade's mouth lifted slightly as she stood up and bowed. "Thank you, Daimyo."
The Daimyo smiled and nodded.
Not long after, Tsunade led everyone in taking their leave.
Once outside the Daimyo's Palace, Tsunade reached up to rub her neck, complaining with a tired expression. "Finally done. That old man, the Third, actually dumped such a troublesome task on me. I'll have to make him pay me extra when I get back."
Shinji stepped forward, his tone concerned. "Teacher Tsunade, you've worked hard. Would you like to stay here for another day? I've heard the hot springs in Tanzaku Street have excellent therapeutic effects."
He had heard last night that the hot springs here were quite famous in the capital.
Tsunade's lips curved slightly as she raised her hand to pat his shoulder, her eyes filled with satisfaction. "No need. We'll first visit Lady Chijimi, then head straight back to the village." She was quite pleased with her new disciple's thoughtfulness.
Seeing that Tsunade had made up her mind, Shinji said nothing more.
The four of them followed Tsunade to visit Daimyo's Wife Shijimi. After half a day's delay, the group set off to return to Konohagakure.
Without any clients to slow them down, the five of them—all elite ninjas—traveled at full speed. In just two days, they caught sight of Konohagakure's gates.
"Finally back," Shinji murmured, an unconscious smile spreading across his face as he gazed at the familiar village entrance.
At that moment, Tsunade suddenly turned and instructed, "Shinji, find some time to come see me at the Senju Clan Old Residence."
Shinji was momentarily taken aback, then replied respectfully, "Yes, Tsunade-sensei!"
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