Shizune watched with concern as Tsunade's expression grew serious while reading the scroll. It was rare to see her so focused.
"What's wrong, Tsunade-sama?" she asked, surprised.
Tsunade's gaze remained fixed on the scroll, scanning its contents carefully before turning to Sasuke.
"Is this information accurate?" she asked, frowning. The news was shocking—Konoha's top brass had been wiped out during Orochimaru's invasion.
"Of course, it's true," Sasuke replied, pointing at the bottom of the scroll. "You can see Jiraiya's chakra signature as proof."
Shizune took the scroll and skimmed through it. Her eyes widened in shock, and she quickly covered her mouth.
Tsunade took a deep breath. "If Orochimaru is already dead, then there's no reason for me to get involved in Konoha's affairs." She turned to Sasuke. "By the way, kid, what's your name?"
"Uchiha Sasuke," he answered.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Uchiha?"
She gave him a once-over. The Uchiha clan had been exterminated years ago, leaving only a handful of survivors. She hadn't expected this young man to be one of them.
"Sasuke, right? Go back." Tsunade waved a hand dismissively. "Shizune, we're leaving."
She had already made up her mind—Konoha's problems weren't her concern.
"Wait a minute," Sasuke interjected. "You've seen the rest of the scroll. The Fifth Hokage position—"
"I'm not interested." Tsunade cut him off. "If someone else wants that cursed title, they can have it. Being Hokage only leads to a bad ending."
Without another word, she turned to leave, dragging Shizune along.
Sasuke sighed. As expected, she had no interest in the role.
Tsunade and Jiraiya both valued their freedom too much. The burdens of leadership didn't appeal to them.
"Hokage? A life full of responsibility and constant threats? No thanks." Tsunade scoffed internally.
Just as she was about to walk away, Sasuke suddenly moved, appearing in front of them in a blur.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Kid, are you looking for a fight?" she asked, puffing up her chest slightly as she glared at him.
"Not at all," Sasuke replied calmly. "I just brought something good with me…"
Reaching into his backpack, he pulled out a bottle of sake and uncorked it. Instantly, a rich, intoxicating aroma filled the air.
Tsunade twitched her nose, instinctively swallowing hard.
"This sake smells amazing…" she murmured, licking her lips.
She was addicted to both gambling and alcohol, and this particular bottle seemed to stir her deepest cravings.
Sasuke smirked. "Interested?"
Tsunade hesitated. "No… this is a trick. I won't fall for it." She stubbornly turned her head away.
Seeing this, Sasuke calmly unzipped his backpack, revealing stacks of cash.
"How about this?" he said, smirking. "Care for a wager?"
Tsunade's eyes sparkled.
"Uchiha boy, you're clever! Alright, let's go!" she declared, already forgetting any hesitation.
Shizune gasped. "Tsunade-sama, no! You just lost a fortune today!"
Tsunade waved her off. "Shizune, hush! I'm going to win it all back!"
With that, she eagerly followed Sasuke into a nearby tavern.
---
In a private room, Tsunade tilted her head back, downing a large cup of sake.
"Ah~, this is good stuff!" she sighed, her cheeks flushed.
"Come on, let's keep drinking! No stopping till we're drunk!" she declared, raising her glass.
"Tsunade-sama, please don't overdo it…" Shizune pleaded.
"I don't care! I just want to drink!"
Sasuke observed quietly. She's acting carefree, but deep down, she's still grieving Hiruzen's death.
"Alright, Uchiha boy, hand over the money," Tsunade said, her voice slightly slurred. "We had a deal…"
Sasuke nodded and emptied his backpack onto the table, revealing a pile of cash.
Tsunade whistled. "Wow, you're loaded!"
The amount had to be at least 20 million taels—maybe even more.
"And what's your bet, Tsunade-sama?" Sasuke asked.
Tsunade waved a hand. "Shizune, give me the money."
Shizune paled. "Tsunade-sama, you already lost everything at the casino today!"
Tsunade turned her gaze toward the small pig in Shizune's arms.
"Tsunade-sama… what are you thinking?" Shizune asked nervously, stepping back.
Sasuke suddenly smiled. "Tsunade, since we need a proper bet, how about this?"
"If you lose… you become the Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade chuckled. "Nice try, but I'm not stupid enough to gamble that."
Her gaze landed on the sky-blue necklace around her neck—an heirloom from the First Hokage.
"Alright, I'll bet this instead," she said, pulling it off and placing it on the table.
Shizune's eyes widened. "Tsunade-sama, no! That's a relic from the First Hokage!"
"Shizune, do you think I'll lose?" Tsunade asked, her voice carrying a challenge.
Shizune swallowed nervously. Of course, she'll lose. She always does!
Tsunade turned to Sasuke. "This necklace is worth at least 200 million taels!"
Sasuke nodded. "Fine by me. Let's begin."
The Unbeatable Loser
The first round began. Tsunade carefully checked her cards.
Her expression darkened. "Damn it… what horrible luck!"
Sasuke flipped his cards. He won.
Tsunade grit her teeth. "Again!"
Second round—Sasuke won.
Third round—Sasuke won.
Fourth round—Sasuke won.
By the time half an hour had passed, she had already lost 100 million taels.
Sasuke watched in amusement. Wow, she really does lose every time…
"Tsunade-sama, maybe you should stop here…" Sasuke suggested, feigning concern.
His patronizing tone only fueled her frustration.
"No way! Keep going!" she snapped.
"Fine. One last bet—all or nothing!" she declared, grabbing a deck of cards. "Guess if the next card is high or low!"
Sasuke smirked. "I pick high."
"Then I pick low!" Tsunade flipped the card—
It was high.
She froze.
"Damn it!"
She clenched her fists but reluctantly pushed the necklace toward Sasuke.
"I lost. It's yours," she muttered.
Sasuke chuckled. "Nah, you should keep it."
Tsunade glared at him. "Don't mock me, brat! I honor my bets!"
Sasuke leaned in slightly.
"Tsunade-sama, do you really want to hand over a cursed necklace?" he murmured.
Tsunade's eyes widened.
"What did you just say?"
Sasuke smirked. "I know a lot more than you think."
A storm of emotions flickered across Tsunade's face.
"Alright, let's make a new bet," Sasuke said. "If you lose… you return to Konoha as the Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"I'll bet," she said coldly. "But becoming Hokage? That's never happening."
Sasuke simply smirked.
"We'll see about that, Tsunade."