Konoha: This Uchiha is extremely sneaky

Chapter 514 Going All Out

With the final battle of the Chunin Exams approaching, Toshiro had to start getting busy.

He would often meet with merchants and nobles from both home and abroad.

As the Hokage, such social engagements are unavoidable.

"Itachi, how's the investigation going?"

After dealing with the wealthy patrons who came to curry favor, Toshiro turned his gaze to a dimly lit spot to his side.

"I've already used both the Sharingan and the Byakugan to verify that while the guards of those visitors have some strength, they don't pose a significant threat."

"That's good~"

The biggest problem in organizing a large-scale event is security. If things go wrong, the Chunin Exams incident from the original manga could happen.

Wouldn't Konoha become a laughing stock in the ninja world?

"Any movement from the Sand Village?"

With her as a butterfly, Orochimaru could be considered half an ally, so Rasa shouldn't be able to harbor any more ulterior motives.

However, Toshiro still wanted to find out what was going on in Sunagakure.

"According to intelligence, the Sand Village ninja have not shown any unusual activity."

Itachi was clearly prepared, and continued.

"Not only Sand Village, but also Cloud Village, Iwa Village, Kirigakure Village, and those small villages that came to participate in the tournament, there has been no unusual activity."

"Um... thank you for your hard work!"

He is truly a very competent subordinate. He can handle any task assigned to him perfectly, and he can even prepare for tasks not assigned to him in advance.

"This tournament presents an opportunity to strengthen exchanges among the five major nations; let's not let our guard down!"

After giving some instructions, Toshiro waved his hand.

Whether a man is married or not makes a world of difference.

In the past, even if Itachi had his own thoughts, he would hide them deeply and prioritize the mission.

It lacks the emotional fluctuations a normal person should have. It's more like a weapon than a person.

After the marriage, it was obvious to the naked eye that he had more expressions on his face. Toshiro could also sense that the other person's previously somewhat unstable mental energy had become more stable.

This is a good change.

A week later.

In a large building with an open center and spectators all around, the final elimination round of the Chunin Exams officially began.

"Father, just wait and see how I perform."

The handsome young man, with a stern expression, looked at his father beside him, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

"I will absolutely not allow Hinata's honor to be disgraced!"

In this timeline, Neji did not die in place of Hiashi. He received complete paternal love and a better upbringing, and therefore was not as cynical as he had imagined.

Toshiro had no intention of stirring up discord among the Hyuga clans, so he did not encounter Hinata during the Chunin Exams.

"Go, Neji!"

"Your father has seen all your efforts."

With one hand resting on his son's shoulder, Hyuga Hizashi's expression was serious, but the hint of relief at the corner of his mouth was impossible to erase.

"No matter the outcome, you will always be your father's pride!"

Looking at the bandages on his son's arms and legs, Hizashi's gaze swept over Neji's headband, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

His son was sensible from a young age. Even when faced with such an unfair fate, he did not choose to give in, but instead put in twice the sweat and effort, which made his father feel deeply guilty.

"Um!"

Having received his father's approval, the resolute-looking boy turned and walked towards the open space in the middle.

His enemies were waiting for him there.

"Ne... Neji-nii-nii!"

Just as he passed by the stands, a soft, gentle female voice reached his ears.

Turning around, by the railing of the stands, a girl saw the resolute look in Neji's eyes, her long eyelashes fluttered, and she lowered her head nervously.

Although she didn't encounter Neji, she was still eliminated by others.

"Hinata, if you want to say something, say it out loud."

Beside her, a cheerful blond boy made a face at the shy Hinata, then jumped down and landed next to Neji.

She clearly intended to go to the center of the venue with him.

"Naruto... Naruto, and Neji-nii-san, do your best!"

Encouraged by the boy, the shy Hinata finally mustered up the courage to offer her blessings to Naruto and her brother.

However, the sound was too low.

Neji and Naruto, if they didn't have exceptional hearing, probably wouldn't have been able to understand what Hinata was saying.

"Oh! Watch me, Hinata!"

Naruto gave a thumbs-up to the stands, ignoring Neji beside him, and strode to the center of the arena. He couldn't wait to show off his training results.

"…Thanks!"

Unlike the carefree Naruto, Neji's gaze towards Hinata was very complex.

Looking at the frail girl, as her older brother, he felt a desire to protect her, which was also his duty.

However, as a member of a separate family, he was still bothered by the mark on his head. Nobody liked having a ticking time bomb on their head.

Finally, his lips moved, and the sound he made was audible only to himself.

"Kushina, is that the girl you liked? She doesn't seem to match your personality at all!"

In the stands, Tsunade, looking relaxed, watched the hesitant girl and her interaction with Naruto, raised an eyebrow, and gave a knowing look to the person next to her.

"Well!"

"Hinata... is indeed a bit too shy."

Kushina was also somewhat worried about this, but Naruto and Hinata were still young, and who knew what the future held?

Moreover, she felt that Hinata's personality, combined with Naruto's carefree nature, was a very good match.

"Tsunade, this is just children playing house, let's not talk about it!"

"Let's talk about who won and who lost this match!"

Sitting in front of Tsunade, he could only look up at her because of the tiered seating. But the angle was just right... that greatness and weight made it impossible for him to look away.

"cut!"

He gave a sarcastic remark to calm Jiraiya's overheated mind.

"So, what tricks are you going to pull this time?"

She knew Jiraiya too well; the moment he lifted his butt, she knew what kind of poop he was about to take.

"How about... we use this tournament as a betting platform and make a gamble?"

Swallowing hard, Jiraiya managed to look away and began to speak.

"If I lose, all my royalties are yours."

"If you lose, you have to promise me..."

At this point, Jiraiya paused, staring intently at Tsunade, looking as if to say, "If you don't agree, I'll break my heart in front of you."

"don't want!"

Without hesitation, Tsunade rejected Jiraiya's suggestion.

Although this guy had some novel ideas this time, she knew exactly what he was up to, so how could she be so easily fooled?

"What?!"

Upon hearing Tsunade's reply, Jiraiya was struck dumb.

"Why? How could you possibly refuse?"

Isn't Tsunade a gambling addict? Why is she acting differently today?

That shouldn't be happening!

After so many years of friendship, we all know each other well! Even if Tsunade gave up eating, she could never give up gambling.

This is not normal.

"I've already placed my bet!"

After groping around her ample bosom for a while, Tsunade ignored Jiraiya's bulging eyes and pulled out a gambling ticket from her pocket.

Tsunade waved the 5000 million ryo note in her hand, then put it in her pocket and gave Jiraiya a smug smile.

Jiraiya, in turn, cooperated by displaying a lecherous expression.

"This is my medical fee; I scraped together a little bit from various sources."

Tsunade didn't even look at Jiraiya; her gaze swept over the participating ninjas in the arena, and she said with an excited expression:

"This time, I'm determined to win it all back, with interest!"

It's like a pillow being delivered just when you're sleepy; this time, the kid from the Mist Ninja arrived at the perfect time. She very rudely made an exorbitant demand and ripped him off.

Although the Kaguya brat wasn't completely cured, her condition can be stabilized as long as she follows the doctor's orders and doesn't use her bloodline limit in the future.

As for a cure, she didn't have any good solutions.

"They... already placed their bets!"

With a wail, Jiraiya lay back in his chair, looking utterly dejected.

As expected, I was such an idiot to follow a brat's advice to pursue Tsunade.

After reflecting on his actions, Jiraiya rallied again.

For a ninja, the most important thing is the perseverance to never give up.

"I'll bet my commission on this mission!"

Gritting his teeth, Jiraiya decided to go all in.

As he spoke, he pulled out an account book from behind his back.

"Look!"

Turning to the last page, Jiraiya pointed to a series of zeros and began to tempt Tsunade.

"You don't need to make any bets, just agree to my conditions."

"How about it? Don't you want to give this incredibly profitable opportunity a try?"

This time, Jiraiya really went all out, taking out all the commissions and royalties he had saved up over forty years.

If he loses in the end, he will go bankrupt and become penniless.

Shizune and Kushina, who were sitting next to Tsunade, couldn't help but look at the string of zeros.

"One, two, three... eight, nine..."

As she counted, Jingyin hugged her small chest tightly, her expression excited, her little face flushed red.

The gaze directed at Jiraiya was intense, and the golden light emanating from it sent shivers down Jiraiya's spine.

"Lady Tsunade!"

Shizune hugged Tsunade tightly, her expression filled with excitement. If they had this money, they wouldn't have to work to pay off their debts anymore, and they could finally be free.

Jiraiya's gaze swept across Shizune, but he didn't focus on her at all. Instead, he stared intently at Tsunade, who was lost in thought.

This is his savings for his future wife.

God knows, he had saved up this huge sum of money all these years to marry Tsunade, that spendthrift woman.

Originally, I planned to pay off Tsunade's debt, but now, I'll focus on winning her over first.

He refused to believe that Tsunade, that gambling addict, would remain unmoved by such a huge sum of money.

(End of this chapter)