"Bastard! Are you trying to win ten rounds in a row?!"
"Hey, hey, hold on! Lady Tsunade, don't accuse me wrongly! Everyone knows our gambling house is the most honest in all of Tanzaku Quarters! We'd never rig the odds—if we did, the regulars would've torn this place down already!"
"Hmph. Liang, you wouldn't dare cheat with me sitting right here."
In the private VIP room, Tsunade sat cross-legged at the end of a long gambling table. The crowd of gamblers on either side looked at her like she was the Goddess of Fortune herself—though many had seen their wallets emptied by her "legendary luck."
"Hey! Why won't you let us in?!"
"Yeah, we've got money too—why can't we play?!"
A small group of gamblers pressed at the door, having heard rumors that "The Big Fat Sheep"—Tsunade's infamous nickname—was in play. But a few rough-looking bouncers held them off.
"Can't you see? Room's packed!"
"Come earlier next time!"
The guards, who also wanted to get in on the action, were stuck working crowd control. A gambler standing at the back grumbled.
"Damn it..."
He peeked through the narrow gap in the door. Sure enough, the tables inside were full. He turned away, dejected—only to stop when he noticed a new face approaching.
"Hey, who's this brat?"
"Thought we weren't letting kids in. What are the guys at the door doing—"
They never finished their sentence. The moment Fenghuo stepped close, their pupils dilated and their limbs locked in place—caught in a silent Genjutsu.
Inside, Tsunade's eyes flicked toward the door.
"Tch. No wonder my luck's been trash. It's you, huh?!"
She pointed a finger accusingly.
"Damn Uchiha brat! You jinxed me!"
Fenghuo froze.
What?! How is she more shameless than me?
"Lady Tsunade, I just walked in—"
"Exactly! And the moment you did, my streak tanked! That's no coincidence!" Tsunade slammed her palm on the table, her chest heaving as she leaned forward—making Fenghuo swallow dryly and avert his eyes.
"I'm here on official business—"
"Then I'll officially bet your sorry self as collateral!" she snapped.
Completely unreasonable!
Fenghuo gave up and sat next to her.
"Fine, I'll help you win. Just hear me out later."
Tsunade gave him a skeptical look.
"Big Fat—er, I mean, Tsunade-sama, is this brat your family or something?" a nearby gambler asked with a grin.
Tsunade nodded cheerfully.
"Yup. This is my little brother!"
Fenghuo blinked.
Wait, what?! Does she mean that?! If I've really reached that level in her heart... then maybe she'll help me save Nonō—
"If I lose everything, I'll just mortgage him to your casino first!" Tsunade said with a dead-serious face.
"PFFFFT!"
Fenghuo spat blood onto the table.
I'm a respectable shinobi, not a bargaining chip!
His stomach churned.
Gambling resumed.
Tsunade leaned in, narrowing her eyes at him.
"You better know what you're doing, brat."
She took out a wad of bills and held it in front of him.
Fenghuo braced himself. The game was simple dice betting: Big, Small, and Triples. Straightforward enough—but all eyes were on Tsunade. No one else dared bet before she did.
If the house isn't rigging it, this really is just a game of luck... but how the hell is she on a losing streak this long?! Even the old man wouldn't believe this!
Fenghuo whispered:
"Lady Tsunade, what do you think it'll land on?"
She clenched her fists and whispered confidently,
"Small. This time for sure!"
"Then I'll bet Big!" Fenghuo shouted.
Tsunade's face darkened.
"Brat, are you mocking me?!"
"Just trust me!"
Seeing her place her bet on Big, the rest of the gamblers all piled their money on Small.
The dealer rattled the dice and threw.
SNAP!
Three dice clattered on the table. 5-5-6. Big.
"YES! I WON! HAHAHA!"
Tsunade slapped Fenghuo's head joyfully.
"That's more like it!"
"No way... the Big Fat Sheep actually won?!"
"Damn it, I went all in!"
"It's that damn Uchiha kid—he's bad luck!"
The gamblers cursed him under their breath.
Tsunade, riding the high, placed another bet.
Fenghuo sighed. I'll just keep betting the opposite of what she picks... Her luck's like a reverse compass anyway.
Though she occasionally hit a triple, his approach kept winning. He didn't care about the other gamblers. His job was to keep her happy.
By nightfall, Tsunade stretched and stood.
"Ahhh, what a great day. Come on, brat, we're leaving!"
She tossed a stack of bills at him.
"That's your cut."
Fenghuo caught it with a wry smile.
The two left the crowded streets and headed into the woods just outside the village.
Tsunade clasped her hands behind her back and turned her head.
"Alright, kid. What did you want to talk about?"
Fenghuo's expression turned serious.
"Lady Tsunade, I need to ask for your help—to save someone."
Tsunade's smile vanished.
"Save someone? Not happening."
Her voice was flat.
The trauma from Dan's death still haunted her. The thought of blood—of losing another life—tightened her throat.
Fenghuo quickly explained.
"It's about someone from Root. Her name is Yakushi Nonō."
At the mention of Root, Tsunade's eyes sharpened.
"Tch. So she's one of Danzo's dogs?"
Fenghuo flinched.
Did something happen between them?
He recalled seeing Tsunade and Nonō cross paths once, years ago...
"She's not like the others!" he said urgently. "Sister Nonō is trapped—forced to serve Root. She told me everything, even though it might get her killed. If she really wanted me dead, she would've done it long ago!"
Tsunade crossed her arms.
"Even so, I'm not obligated to help. Root shinobi aren't normal—they give up names, emotions, even their future. Don't be fooled."
"I believe in her!" Fenghuo shouted.
"There are no absolute villains in this world. Please, just give her a chance!"
Tsunade stared at him, eyes cold.
"Even if you're right... why should I risk my life for your cause?"
Fenghuo clenched his fists.
"I'll pay the price."
"Oh? And what can a brat like you offer?" she sneered.
"You might think I'm nothing now..." he said through gritted teeth, "...but how do you know who I'll become?"
Tsunade raised a brow.
"I'm destined to stand at the top of the ninja world!"
Each word came slow and clear, heavy with conviction.
Tsunade blinked.
A bold, foolish statement from a reckless Uchiha brat...
And yet—one name echoed in her mind:
Uchiha Madara.
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