I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 205 The child who receives red envelopes looks forward to the New Year, while the adults don't...

In the Senju clan's territory, Tatsuma sneakily peeked towards the Mito Uzumaki residence.

Although he had considered running away to save his own life and end it all, if he dared not go home on New Year's Eve, or rather, on New Year's Eve, Tatsuma might not be met by the Anbu's pursuit force.

Instead, it was Mito Uzumaki's Vajra Chains.

Mito Uzumaki was as kind as she was usually, but as terrifying when she got angry. Tatsuma still vividly remembers the scene where Tsunade was completely humiliated by her.

Compared to being caught by Tsunade and only getting a beating, Mito Uzumaki's method of beating him up with her aiming for the kill line was obviously more terrifying. Therefore, after thinking it over, Tatsuma decided to come back.

Even if he is captured by Tsunade before he finds Mito Uzumaki, he can afford the consequences. And if he is lucky enough to find Mito Uzumaki first and hide by her side, then even Tsunade will not dare to lay a hand on Tatsuma.

However, Tatsuma couldn't sense Mito Uzumaki's chakra, which made him a little worried. Although Mito Uzumaki didn't go out often, what if there was some kind of event on New Year's Eve?

Tatsuma was even more ignorant of this kind of common sense knowledge that many people take for granted. If Mito Uzumaki needed to leave on New Year's Eve, then he would not only have to infiltrate, but also continue to lie in wait.

Fortunately, his experience in the ANBU over the past few months had greatly improved Tatsuma's stealth abilities. He was not seen by anyone all the way to his own home. He slowly found a corner of the wall and quietly climbed over it.

"You're back?"

Before he even landed, Tatsuma heard a sound, which startled him so much that he almost twisted his ankle when he landed. He looked over in horror and saw Mito Uzumaki dressed in her finest attire, smiling at him.

"Grandma Mito? I can't sense your chakra?"

Tatsuma was somewhat puzzled. He had sensed it all the way here, and he couldn't possibly have ignored Mito Uzumaki's chakra, which was as dazzling as the blazing sun.

Mito Uzumaki smiled and shook her head, saying, "This is a talent of my Uzumaki clan."

Upon hearing this, Tatsuma suddenly remembered that during the Five Kage Summit in the original work, Karin, who was also a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, had demonstrated a similar ability, hiding her chakra so that even sensory ninjas could not detect her presence.

But then, Tatsuma became puzzled again, since Mito Uzumaki usually didn't hide her chakra.

Seeing the confusion on Tatsuma's face, Mito Uzumaki said, "Your teacher has been captured by me. I just wanted to see if you would dare to come back if I wasn't here. It seems you are still quite brave."

Tatsuma gave an awkward laugh, but still spoke up for Tsunade, saying, "Grandma Mito, our teacher is only angry because she feels deceived by me. There's no need to use a word like 'catch' in that context, is there?"

"snort!"

Mito Uzumaki's face showed dissatisfaction as she said, "Each time the Yin Seal is condensed and released, it requires a lot of time and energy to prepare. Yet she is abusing it like this. It's too childish."

Tatsuma scratched his head, and after discovering that Mito Uzumaki had determined that Tsunade was entirely responsible, he felt a little worried for his teacher. He knew that Tsunade had a fiery temper, and that she actually had a gentler way of doing things, but her shadow clones weren't completely obedient either.

Shadow clones possess their own subjective consciousness when they act, which is one of the reasons why they are less controllable than wood clones, and also why they are rarely used for administrative work.

After all, if the shadow clone makes a decision on its own initiative that differs from or even contradicts the original body's wishes, who should take the blame?

Even though the probability is extremely small, since shadow clones are ultimately a simulation of the caster's chakra and will resemble the original body in most cases, no one dares to gamble on it.

Mito Uzumaki noticed Tatsuma's worry and said with a smile, "No violence will be used in the house before the opening ceremony, so your teacher will be fine."

Tatsuma nodded. There were still eleven days until the opening of the mirror. As long as Tsunade could appease Mito Uzumaki within those eleven days, she probably wouldn't be punished.

Most families wouldn't choose to start cooking again on the first day of the new year, since they would rely on takeout for ten days of meals, which is a significant expense. So, they would usually start cooking again on the third day of the new year.

However, Mito Uzumaki is not short of money at all. She may not have much cash, but as long as she asks, the village will make proper arrangements for her. If she says she wants to eat Osechi Ryori for ten days, then the village will provide it for ten days.

Mito Uzumaki waved to Tatsuma and said, "Let's go. Minato and the others will be here later. Go and hang the gate up properly."

"Okay, Grandma Mito."

Tatsuma quickly walked to Mito Uzumaki's side, recalling some palace dramas he had watched in his previous life, and reached out to help Mito Uzumaki. Mito Uzumaki was stunned for a moment, but then placed her hand on Tatsuma's arm.

As she stood up, she said, "I'm not so old that I need help to get up. Don't do that again. What kind of behavior is this?"

Although she told Tatsuma not to do that again, Mito's smile grew wider and wider. She could feel that Tatsuma's respect for her was far greater than that of her good-for-nothing grandchildren.

The grandson went out to train on the last day of the lunar year, and the granddaughter even set her sights on the meager reward her disciple earned by risking his life on the battlefield. This is simply outrageous!

If it weren't for the fact that it's New Year's Eve and seeing blood is considered unlucky, Mito Uzumaki would have even thought about going back and giving Tsunade a good beating; making her reflect on her mistakes in private was too lenient.

After helping Mito Uzumaki back to the hall, Tatsuma saw Tsunade standing in the corner, reflecting on her mistakes. Hearing the noise, Tsunade turned her head, about to glare at Tatsuma, but Mito Uzumaki quickly fixed her gaze on her.

In an instant, Tsunade turned into a frightened ostrich, burying her head deeply as she faced the wall once more.

After Mito Uzumaki returned, she prepared New Year's essentials such as mirror rice cakes and shimenakana (traditional Japanese ornaments), while Tatsuma picked up kadomatsu (pine tree branches) and hung them on the doors and gates, while also cleaning up any newly fallen leaves.

"Alright, Tsunade, you can stand as punishment later. Minato and Kushina should be here soon."

Right after lunch, Mito Uzumaki didn't make Tsunade stand as punishment again. Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief. Although it was embarrassing to stand as punishment in front of her disciple, it was only to a limited extent.

It would be too embarrassing if Minato and Kushina found out, but thankfully his grandmother still loves him.

Mito Uzumaki remained in the hall, doing some trivial tasks, while Tsunade rested on a chair. Tatsuma finished clearing the dishes and came to the veranda, waving to Tsunade inside.

Tsunade frowned. She hadn't even settled accounts with Tatsuma yet, and he was already approaching her? How dare he!

But she still glanced guiltily at Mito Uzumaki first, and seeing that Mito Uzumaki was still debating whether or not to throw away the old teacup, she tiptoed out.

"Here, teacher, this is for you."

Tatsuma pulled out several white envelopes and handed them to Tsunade. Tsunade took them, and the feel of them immediately told her what they were. She raised an eyebrow and said, "That's all? That's not enough."

"These aren't for you. You won't get any lucky money this year. Besides, you're the one who's supposed to give out lucky money, since you're the head of the family now."

Shaking his head, Tatsuma explained. Tsunade was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that she really was the head of the family, but she had only submitted a proposal.

Nobody told her that family members have to give out New Year's money to other people! How unfair is that?!

Before Tsunade could recover from the pain of the loss, Tatsuma continued, "Minato, Kushina, and I each received 500 ryo, Nawaki received 600 ryo, and I'm not sure about the amount for Mito-sama, but I prepared 3,000 ryo, which should be more than that."

"Don't take the wrong one. Oh, and I also prepared some New Year's gifts. Take one to share with everyone."

As he spoke, Tatsuma pulled out another sealing scroll and handed it to Tsunade. Tsunade looked at the item in her arms and said, "Did you prepare a gift for me?"

Although Tsunade was pleased that her disciple had prepared gifts for others, she felt a pang of heartache when she thought about how everyone else received New Year's money and gifts while she received nothing.

"Then what do you want, teacher?"

"money!"

Tsunade answered without hesitation, but Tatsuma shook his head and said, "I don't have the money, but I bought this for you."

"How to Take the First Step Towards Quitting Gambling" by Tatsuma Sakamoto!!!

Tsunade looked at the "gift" Tatsuma handed her again, and a series of black lines suddenly appeared on her forehead. Tatsuma flashed a very infectious smile and said, "Sensei, I think I heard Grandma Mito calling me. Goodbye!"

After saying that, Tatsuma took off running. Mito Uzumaki didn't call out to him, but Tatsuma was worried that Tsunade would go berserk again, so getting away was the best way. He returned home and took a thorough bath.

You can't take a bath all day tomorrow, and you can't even change your clothes, because taking a bath and changing clothes requires taking off your clothes (which sounds like "good fortune"), which is considered bad luck.

In previous years, Tatsuma had not followed these customs, but now that he had moved into the Senju clan's territory, and Mito Uzumaki valued these things.

After taking a shower and blow-drying his hair as neatly as possible, Tatsuma changed into a kimono that fit well but somewhat restricted his movements. This was the second time Tatsuma had worn such a formal outfit, and he was still not used to it, but he could bear it for only a day or two.

When he returned to Mito Uzumaki's house, Nawaki had already returned as well. He had also taken a bath, but he hadn't even dried his hair before changing his clothes and chatting with Mito Uzumaki in the living room.

Minato and Kushina had also arrived. Minato was also wearing a kimono, the same style as Tatsuma and Nawaki, which was custom-made by Mito Uzumaki. However, Minato's clothes did not have the Senju clan crest.

Kushina looked a little awkward, occasionally tugging at her clothes and tossing her red hair to cover the swirling emblem on her clothes that was exactly the same as the Konoha ninja headband.

Dinner on New Year's Eve was very simple: buckwheat noodles. The chopsticks used were also different from usual—thick in the middle and thin and round at both ends. No one was full after this dinner, but that was the custom.

After the meal, everyone stayed and silently watched Tsunade. Even Mito Uzumaki, who was supposed to give out New Year's money every year, had a kind smile on her face.

Tsunade's face lacked the joy one would expect for the New Year; her hands, hidden under the table, were tightly clutching the envelopes Tatsuma had given her.

She really wanted to pretend she didn't know anything, take the money and leave to gamble it all at the casino! Then she could use the money she won to give everyone New Year's money.

The envelopes in her hand were crumpled from being gripped so tightly. Finally, she gritted her teeth, stood up, and showed the battle-damaged envelopes.

Tsunade handed the most generous one to Mito Uzumaki and said, "Happy New Year, Grandma."

"Um."

Mito Uzumaki smiled and accepted the envelope, gently smoothing it out with her hand. She gave away the largest one, and Tsunade, not feeling too bad about the remaining 2,100 ryo, distributed it among Nawaki and the others.

There were also New Year's gifts prepared by Tatsuma: tea for Mito Uzumaki, a weighted ring for Nawaki, a headdress for Kushina, and custom-made kunai for both Tatsuma and Minato.

Penniless once again, Tsunade sat back down dejectedly. Just when she thought the matter was over, Mito Uzumaki suddenly said in a low voice:

"Many people have died in the village in the past two years, and many of them were your clansmen. Some of them have young children or elderly parents. You need to visit them."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade's face turned ashen. The New Year's money and gifts she received today were all contributed by her disciple, Tatsuma, and now she was being told she had to go and give New Year's money to other people?!

She stiffly turned her head to look at Tatsuma, whose facial muscles were twitching, but he still nodded to Tsunade in the end.

So, who exactly is in charge of the Thousand Hands clan?!

(End of this chapter)