Not only was this technique well-known in its own world, but many powerful warriors had mastered it. The Kamehameha wasn't just a ki attack; it was a technique that scaled with the user's strength and skill.
The stronger the user, the more devastating the attack became. There was no fixed limit.
For someone weak, like Son Goku in his childhood, it was enough to shatter a boulder. But in the hands of a true powerhouse who could scream, it became a force capable of wiping out entire battlefields.
At its peak, it had been used to obliterate mountains, islands, and even celestial bodies. Mastered by fighters like Goku, Roshi, and even Cell, the Kamehameha was one of the most versatile and powerful ki attacks in the world of Dragon Ball.
Tobirama processed this information carefully. A finishing move that could grow stronger as he did? It was an investment worth making.
Satisfied, he made his decision. He would keep it.
At that moment, the system promptly updated the rankings.
"All rankings have been recorded," the mechanical voice announced.
"Senju Tobirama is currently in first place!"
"Senju Hashirama holds second place!"
No one was particularly surprised. Only two people had drawn rewards so far, so the ranking was expected.
But now, it was time for the others to take their turn.
Just as the anticipation began to build, a familiar golden blur shot forward.
Tsunade's presence commanded attention as she stepped forward, rolling her shoulders as if loosening up before a fight. The confidence in her stride was unmistakable, the kind that came only from years of knowing she could knock out anyone in the room if she really wanted to.
"I'll go next!" she declared, cracking her knuckles with a sharp pop. The gleam in her eyes was pure determination, bordering on defiance. "This time, I'm definitely going to pull the special prize!"
Silence followed.
It settled over the room like an awkward fog.
Every single person turned to look at her.
And not just in passing. They all stopped what they were doing.
Hashirama suddenly found a fascinating spot on the ceiling, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin. Minato, ever composed, smiled in his usual polite way, though his fingers tapped idly against his forearm like he was waiting for something inevitable.
Kakashi didn't even bother pretending. He openly tilted his head, eyeing her with the kind of mild interest usually reserved for watching someone attempt a near-impossible mission without a backup plan. Sasuke exhaled sharply through his nose, while Obito raised a brow and glanced at Naruto, who was visibly struggling not to react.
Tobirama?
His expression remained unreadable. Flat. Neutral. But the silence in itself spoke volumes.
Tsunade's eye twitched.
"…What?" she demanded, her gaze snapping between them. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Minato responded first, his voice smooth as silk. A little too smooth.
"Oh, no reason."
"We believe in you," Hashirama added quickly, a grin stretching across his face. "Of course, we do."
"Absolutely," Kakashi said, nodding with all the wisdom of a man who had seen this exact scenario play out one too many times. "One hundred percent."
"Who would ever doubt you?" Tobirama muttered. His voice was flat and bone-dry.
Tsunade's gaze narrowed. Her fingers twitched at her sides, itching to fold into fists.
Something was off.
No. Everything about this was off.
She knew the signs. That deliberate nonchalance. The way none of them would meet her eyes directly. The forced neutrality in their voices. They knew something she didn't.
"Alright," she said slowly as she crossed her arms. "If you've got something to say, say it."
Silence followed.
A few exchanged glances, but no one spoke.
Tsunade inhaled deeply through her nose. "Really? Nothing?"
Kakashi shrugged. "We just don't want to..."
"...influence your luck," Minato finished smoothly.
"Right," Hashirama added, a little too quickly. "Wouldn't want to jinx it."
Tsunade's fingers twitched again.
They were messing with her.
She knew it. Every single one of them was messing with her.
But if she called them out, it would mean admitting she doubted her luck. There was no way she was going to do that.
Instead, she rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Whatever. Just watch."
With the confidence of a gambler who refused to acknowledge statistics, she stepped up to the glowing console. She cracked her knuckles once more for good measure and slapped the button.
Immediately, the mall's lottery system activated.
A cascade of dazzling lights spilled across the screen, forming a swirling vortex of countless treasures. Mysterious artifacts, divine weapons, and legendary scrolls spun together in a chaotic storm of color.
The rhythmic hum of the machine filled the room.
"ATATA… ATATA…"
The anticipation built.
Several seconds passed.
Then the screen froze.
Ding.
At the center, glowing brightly, was a colorful gift box.
The chat group's system voice rang out:
[Congratulations to Fifth Hokage, Senju Tsunade!]
[You have won the third prize!]
[Lottery Reward: Taiyōken (Solar Flare)!]
A strange silence settled over the group.
The moment the words "third prize" appeared, everyone instinctively held their breath. It took real effort not to laugh.
Tsunade simply stared at the screen.
Her expression remained unreadable for a long moment. Then, a twitch formed at the corner of her eye.
"Third prize?" Her voice was calm. Too calm. "Again?"
A visible vein pulsed at her temple. A sharp crack echoed as her fingers curled into a tight fist.
The others stepped back at once.
Even Hashirama, her own grandfather, subtly moved out of striking range.
"I swear," Tsunade muttered. Her shoulders trembled. "Am I cursed or something?"
She stood still as her expression passed through disbelief, irritation, and something far more dangerous. Her eye twitched again. Her fingers flexed, itching to smash something. Preferably, the console.
Sensing the coming explosion, the others jumped in quickly.
"This is still a third prize, you know!" Minato said, voice high with forced optimism.
"Exactly. A win is a win," Hashirama added with a nod that came far too fast. "Third place is respectable!"
"Yeah, yeah! And didn't you say earlier that I got a third prize too?" he continued, clearly scrambling to defuse the situation.
Tsunade froze for a second. Then, as if flipping a switch, her face lit up with a triumphant grin.
"That's right! Grandpa got third place too!" she exclaimed, laughing. "See? Nothing to worry about. This time, we're even."
Hashirama, who had been mid-sip of tea, nearly spat it out. He coughed violently, pounding his chest while the others struggled not to laugh.
"Wait, wait, wait. Hold on just a second!" Hashirama sputtered, eyes narrowing. "Are you saying my luck is as bad as yours? That can't be right."
Tobirama sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're only realizing this now?"
Hashirama muttered something about needing to consult the gods about his luck, but Tsunade wasn't paying attention anymore. She had turned back to the glowing text floating in front of her.
[Lottery Reward: Taiyōken (Solar Flare)!]
Tsunade tilted her head, frowning. "Solar Flare?" she mused. "Ryan, what the hell is this?"
Ryan, who had been silently observing the entire exchange with mild amusement, let out a small sigh. "Why do you people always assume I know everything?" he muttered, rubbing his temples.
But, as luck would have it, he did know.
"Well, since you asked," Ryan said, stretching his arms before launching into an explanation. "The Taiyōken, or Solar Flare, is an ability from the Dragon Ball world. It allows the user to release a blinding flash of light, temporarily robbing their opponent of sight."
Tsunade's eyebrows lifted slightly.
Ryan continued, "It doesn't deal direct damage, but it's excellent for creating openings in battle. Whether you want to attack or escape, it can shift the momentum."
The room fell into thoughtful silence.
"That's… actually kind of useful," Kakashi remarked, rubbing his chin.
"Yeah, but only in certain situations," Obito replied. "If the opponent has some kind of sensory ability that doesn't rely on sight, it won't be as effective."
Tsunade crossed her arms, considering the explanation carefully. She wasn't usually one for flashy techniques that didn't involve brute force, but she wasn't an idiot either. A well-timed distraction could be the difference between victory and defeat.
And for someone like her, someone who could end most fights with a single well-placed punch, it could be devastating.
After a moment, she smirked.
"Alright," she said, cracking her knuckles. "I'll keep it."
No one voiced any objections. In the right hands, even an auxiliary skill like this could turn the tide of battle. And considering who they were dealing with, it was safe to say Tsunade would make sure it counted.
Even more interesting was the potential effect on dōjutsu users. Techniques like the Sharingan or Byakugan relied heavily on visual perception. A sudden, overwhelming burst of light could leave them vulnerable, even if only for a few seconds. Against an opponent who depended on their eyes, the Taiyōken wasn't just a distraction. It was a genuine threat.
Tsunade grinned, clearly realizing the same thing. "Well, well. Looks like I just got my hands on something a lot more useful than I thought."
For once, her luck didn't seem so bad after all.
---
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