Although Nara Kazuki really wanted to max out his physical strength stat right away, it was obviously not something that could be achieved in just a day or two.
So, early the next morning, Kazuki put on his mask and left the Nara clan compound, heading straight for the designated meeting spot.
"Morning." Kazuki greeted Kakashi with a grin.
Kakashi gave a small nod and tossed him a piece of bread. Kazuki caught it without hesitation and handed Kakashi a can of juice in return.
"Well, you two seem to be getting along just fine," Kitsune said with a cheerful smile as he walked up. Today, their ANBU captain was dressed in a sharp, utilitarian outfit, loaded with ninja tools.
"Captain, are we setting off now?" Kazuki asked between bites of bread.
But this time, Kitsune shook his head.
"Change of plans. We've got an additional side task. On the way to our original target, we'll pass by a few towns. According to intel, someone matching Lady Tsunade's description was spotted in a place called Black Gold Town. We're going to check it out."
Kazuki paused mid-bite.
That one's easy to find. Wherever there's a gambling den, Tsunade's not far behind. And if she's not there, it probably just means she already lost and ran off.
"But don't stress too much about it," Kitsune added. "Lady Tsunade seems to be deliberately avoiding returning to the village."
Kazuki and Kakashi both nodded.
Kazuki didn't have much faith in trying to convince Tsunade to come back anyway.
Tsunade wasn't like Jiraiya. Jiraiya didn't reject the village; he left mostly to chase after Orochimaru and gather intel. He could be baited back with the right topic of interest.
But Tsunade? She straight-up hated the idea of returning. Even when Hiruzen Sarutobi died, she hadn't bothered to show up.
Still... there might be a chance to make some money.
Tsunade was infamous for her awful luck in gambling. She only ever won a handful of times in her life—and each time she did, something terrible happened afterward.
A living misfortune magnet.
Following Kitsune, Kazuki and Kakashi set off on their mission. As usual, Kazuki created Shadow Clones every so often to keep leveling his skills. Kitsune and Kakashi were already used to it—after all, ninjas often had their quirks.
They traveled under moonlight and starlight, and soon arrived at Black Gold Town.
This place hadn't been mentioned in the original manga, and Kazuki had no prior knowledge of it. But since there was a lead about Tsunade, the team had come to investigate.
"We'll split up. The intel said Lady Tsunade was last seen in a casino," Kitsune instructed before disappearing.
Kazuki headed for one of the gambling halls alone.
"Black Gold Town, huh? The name really fits—full of casinos and seedy establishments," he muttered, taking off his ANBU mask. Wearing one inside a casino would basically be advertising that you're a ninja.
He made some minor alterations to his face using the Transformation Jutsu, then stepped inside.
Immediately, he was hit with a cacophony of gamblers shouting, dice clattering, and cards being dealt. Scantily clad women moved throughout the floor like glittering koi.
Kazuki scanned the place with a practiced eye.
Sure, she could use a transformation to look younger, but Kazuki had... studied Tsunade in every age bracket. He'd know her anywhere. And none of these women had her particular... attributes.
Not to mention, Shizune wasn't here either.
Kazuki shook his head. On to the next place, then.
But just as he was about to leave, he spotted three thugs beating on a scrawny-looking man. The victim wailed while they barked at him to pay up.
Kazuki didn't stop. He wasn't interested in playing local hero.
"Shit! If you don't pay, you're dead meat!" One of the thugs, a bald brute, spat as Kazuki walked past.
"Boss, word from upstairs. That woman who owes the boss 100,000 ryo showed up at Golden Brick Casino!" one of the minions reported.
Woman? 100,000 ryo? Gambling?
Kazuki's ears perked up. Could it be... Tsunade?
He felt a spark of interest.
Whether she returned to the village or not didn't matter. What mattered was—this was a money-making opportunity.
Being a ninja was expensive.
Since coming to this world, Kazuki had realized just how monstrous shinobi appetites could be. It was like feeding a bottomless pit. He suspected the Engel coefficient of the entire ninja world was unreasonably high.
Following the thug's tip, Kazuki made his way to the Golden Brick Casino. The moment he stepped inside, he spotted her.
A young woman, extremely distinctive even in a crowd.
Lady Tsunade—currently bolting for the exit, with a mob chasing after her.
"Catch her! That bitch owes me 3 million ryo!"
"I'll pay a million if someone catches her!"
"She's been dodging me for months!"
The casino was in chaos. Furious creditors yelled as they gave chase—but ordinary people stood no chance against a kunoichi like Tsunade.
In a flash, she lost them all.
"Shizune, are you okay?" Tsunade asked, cheeks flushed as she landed beside a nearby building.
"I'm fine, Lady Tsunade," Shizune replied as she picked up Tonton, their pet pig. She glanced toward the rooftop nearby.
Kazuki scratched his head. Guess his stealth needed work.
A new proficiency bar popped up in his interface.
"Lady Tsunade," Kazuki called as he dropped down from the roof.
"You guys just don't give up, do you?" Tsunade sighed in frustration. "I already said I don't want to go back."
These ANBU types were relentless.
Every time they found her, it was always the same: come back to Konoha, Fire Will of the Village, Sarutobi this, Sarutobi that...
Especially today—after losing a ton of money—she was in no mood for speeches.
"Understood. I'll take my leave, then," Kazuki said, turning around immediately.
No persuasion. No emotional manipulation.
Convincing Tsunade to return to Konoha was nearly impossible without the right trigger.
Like when Orochimaru attacked, or when Naruto used his words and resolve to awaken something in her.
Without those turning points, she wasn't budging.
"...?" Tsunade blinked.
He was already leaving?
Where the hell was the Fire of Will speech!?