Born in Sunagakure, dedicated to antagonizing Konoha for decades

Furthermore, based on her observations of Tsunade and her interactions with her nephew, while she admired his ambition, she believed that pragmatism was more important. She thought the main reason her nephew was attracted to Tsunade but not Yusaka's youngest daughter was because Tsunade possessed an unparalleled figure. Two years ago, Yusaka's youngest daughter was still young and hadn't fully developed, but things were different now. She had seen her yesterday, and she was already quite large...

601. Tsunade remains as domineering as ever.

"Why are you here again? Do I look like such a shallow person? But speaking of which... what did that girl eat to grow up like that? She's changed so much in just over a year!"

After taking the sealing scroll from Chiyo's hand, Masato stroked his chin and began to speculate.

Yusako's youngest daughter, Yusa Akane, is Yusaori's half-sister. However, Yusako's life is indeed excessively fortunate; both of his wives died young, so he never met them. Despite being from the same father, the two daughters are vastly different. Yusaori's looks and figure are of international standard—no doubt about it, otherwise Jie wouldn't have been able to reserve her from a young age. But while Yusa Akane's looks are also of international standard, her figure far surpasses that. Chiyo is right; she's indeed comparable to Tsunade. In the Naruto world, not the One Piece world, such a figure is extremely rare...

"......ヽ(ー_ー)ノ"

Chiyo Heng glanced at his nephew and said, "You still dare to say you're not such a superficial person? If you weren't superficial, would you be paying attention to these things?"

"Alright, I know my own business. I'm a grown man. You should spend your time worrying about your precious grandson and Xingli. She's already a beautiful young woman, while your precious grandson is still a blockhead. If your chosen granddaughter-in-law gets snatched away, I bet you'll be crying your eyes out."

Feeling uneasy under Chiyo's gaze, he quickly changed the subject, turned around, and left.

"Hmph! Let's see who dares!"

Chiyo snorted coldly.

However, she then hurriedly went to her beloved grandson's toy room to see if her chosen granddaughter-in-law was inside...

........

"I buy the big one! (▼ヘ▼#)"

"Big fat sheep bet on big, I'll bet on small!"

"I'm betting on small too!!"

"Small....."

"..."

Inside a casino in the Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Fire, Nawaki sat idly by the sun, trying to figure out what was so appealing about gambling that could make his older sister so engrossed in it. But no matter how he looked at it, he couldn't find anything interesting about it.

However, his older sister, Tsunade, was repeating yesterday's story. She shoved a pile of banknotes she had just borrowed onto a large character in front of her with great flair. The whole action was done in one smooth motion. It would be impossible to do something so graceful and natural without decades of experience, without even blinking.

After that, her eyes were fixed on the dice cup in the dealer's hand, completely ignoring the way the gamblers around her addressed her and treated her as a beacon of light.

"Ugh...! I'm having ramen again tonight...(╯︵╰)"

Seeing his older sister sweep the table again, Rope Tree clutched his head, staring at the ceiling, on the verge of tears. Fortunately, he still had a few coins left, enough to at least get a bowl of ramen. However, he was now allergic to ramen and felt nauseous whenever he saw it.

"Huh? You've lost a lot of weight since I last saw you, Nawaki. Didn't you like the ramen? I thought it was pretty good, and Ichiraku Ramen in Konoha is absolutely amazing."

"Brother-in-law? What brings you here?"

Just then, a voice that sounded like heavenly music to Rope Tree reached his ears, making him overjoyed. He turned around and saw that, sure enough, his savior had finally arrived, and there was meat to eat!

"...My sixth sense told me that I came here because you were here. Shouldn't you be hiding from your debts? How come you still have so much money?"

After flying for several days to the Land of Fire, Shinto used his Observation Haki to immediately pinpoint Tsunade's coordinates. Following the coordinates, he looked at Tsunade with surprise and asked in astonishment as he saw a large wad of banknotes pushed across the top of the sign.

He thought that given Tsunade's extravagant nature, she should be hiding from her debts at this time, so it was a bit unexpected that she still had such a large sum of money to gamble and live so freely!

"...It's all borrowed. It's strange, we've never paid back the money we borrowed, but since we came back, those people haven't come after us to collect the debt. And every time my sister borrows money, they agree without hesitation."

After explaining, Rope Tree also said something equally strange.

When they first returned to the Land of Fire from Sunagakure, his older sister lost a few games every day on the way back. Fortunately, they had plenty of money, and his older sister also planned to pay back the money she owed before. As the saying goes, it's easy to borrow again if you repay what you borrow.

But when they returned to the Land of Fire, those who had lent them money before didn't come to collect their debts. They even greeted them with smiles and asked if they needed to borrow money. This left them confused for a moment. However, the siblings were both naturally thick-skinned and didn't bother to think about it. Anyway, it was a good thing that they didn't have to pay back the money and could still borrow it. So Tsunade finally stopped restraining herself and returned to her former arrogant and carefree gambling master.

Needless to say, the funds brought from Sunagakure were squandered in less than a day. But how could Tsunade, who had already regained her true identity, stop there? She resumed their life of borrowing money to make ends meet. However, this time the situation was completely different from before. After her sister gambled away all the borrowed money, they prepared to run away again the next day. As a result, they were blocked by that group of people. Just as Tsunade was about to take action and fight her way out with Nawaki, something miraculous happened. The person who had lent them money before did not urge them to repay the debt. Instead, he smiled and asked them if they wanted to continue borrowing money.

Tsunade, who was having a bad time at the casino, heard that she could borrow money and, without thinking twice, continued to borrow money and keep going!

And so they went back and forth almost every day, borrowing money, losing money, borrowing money, losing money. The guy who lent them money was even more of a sucker, lending money to his older sister every time, and the amount kept getting bigger and bigger. If it weren't for the fact that his future brother-in-law's reputation was so great that these young students were trembling with fear, they would have suspected that the guy was trying to flirt with his sister.

"Such a good thing? (⊙_⊙)"

After listening to Nawaki's quiet words, Masato looked at Tsunade, who was engaged in battle, with a bewildered expression. He felt that there was something fishy going on. With Tsunade's extravagant spending, how could an ordinary short mule who ran a casino and lent money possibly withstand Tsunade's generosity? One or two such incidents would probably force them to liquidate their assets and apply for asset restructuring.

According to Nawaki, Tsunade borrowed money almost every day, and the amount was getting larger each time. There's no such thing as a free lunch. It's possible that Hiruzen Sarutobi was cleaning up the mess for the siblings.

"...It seems like there really is such a good thing. ┐(-??;)┌"

Rope Tree helplessly spread his hands. Even with such a good thing happening, he still ate ramen every day and only had meat once a week. Who would believe it if you told them...?

602. Hiruzen Sarutobi: Go find Danzo and get the money.

"Lord Hokage, Lady Tsunade's borrowing amounts are getting bigger and bigger, and we're starting to struggle to keep up... ╥﹏╥"

At this moment, in the ICU ward of Konoha Hospital, a member of the Sarutobi clan approached Hiruzen Sarutobi, weeping and wailing.

"...transfer some funds from the Shizun clan and tell Danzo it's to make amends."

Looking at his clansmen who were crying and looking like they had lost their parents, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a couple of puffs on his pipe before speaking slowly.

Shindou was right. Most of the money Tsunade borrowed in the Land of Fire was paid back by Hiruzen Sarutobi. At first, Hiruzen Sarutobi sent his ANBU to take money from his private treasury to help pay off the debt. But gradually, even his private treasury couldn't hold on anymore. This spendthrift woman was just too damn extravagant. But he couldn't just not help pay it off.

Why did Tsunade and Nawaki go to Sunagakure last time? Wasn't it because he didn't help pay off the debt in time, causing Tsunade to think that the debt collectors would come looking for her again, so she listened to that bastard Shiki's nonsense and went to Sunagakure to avoid trouble?

That's why Nawaki was taken away by Onoki's men. So, to prevent a similar thing from happening again, he really had to pay back the debt. So, when he felt the pressure, he immediately sent his clansmen to relieve that ANBU underling and mobilized his clan's funds to pay off Tsunade's debt. Their Sarutobi clan was a well-known clan, so they should have enough to help Tsunade pay off her debt. Compared to the kindness of the First and Second Hokage, plus Tsunade's long-term contributions to the village, this small amount of money was nothing. It was just to support the siblings, as long as they didn't get tricked by Shiki and run around aimlessly again.

But seeing the way her clansmen looked like they had lost their father, even though it was unclear how much Tsunade had borrowed, the fact that she couldn't even manage her own clan's funds showed just how extravagant she was!

After all, it's his family. The family members also need to make a living. They can't let all his family members starve to death just to feed these two siblings, can they?

But then I thought about it again, and something seems off...

Tsunade leaving the village was ultimately caused by Danzo. Even if we were best friends, why should the Sarutobi clan have to clean up his mess?

If anyone should have to repay, it should be Danzo!

Danzo was relatively honest in his official duties, and his slush fund didn't have much profit to be made. The Root organization's expenses were still provided by the village. However, the Shimura clan had a lot of wealth. In the past, they were a family that was on par with the Sarutobi clan. Although they had declined in status, they still had their wealth. Moreover, the Shimura clan ran so many casinos in the village that the casino business alone was enough to fatten up their current small group of people.

Anyway, keeping so much wealth is useless. With just a few weaklings, it's almost impossible for them to make a comeback. They might as well use it to help Tsunade pay off her debts, which can also be considered an apology to Tsunade. Maybe one day Tsunade will calm down and come back?

Konoha is always their home, and Nawaki is going to become Hokage, so he can't stay outside forever, can he?

"puff!"

"What?! Hiruzen wants my clan to pay off Tsunade's debts? On what grounds?! (#｀皿′)"

The Sarutobi clan members are quick to act. After leaving the Konoha Hospital, they rushed to the Shimura clan's residence across the street, just in time to run into Shimura Danzo, whose hair was slicked back with hair wax and was about to go out to maintain his image.

Upon hearing this, Shimura Danzo's good mood vanished instantly, his eyes blazing with fury as if he wanted to devour someone.

Why?

You bastard, your family is so small now, and you can't even afford to spend money on the development of your family's roots. You even have to report to Xiaochun. Isn't that just because you want to leave some family wealth for your family members?

Damn it, now that Tsunade is wasting money everywhere, you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, are holding back and making me foot the bill? Why should I?

Just imagine how angry Shimura Danzo must have been; his old face was as big as Onoki's nose.

"Does the Hokage mean that you, Advisor Danzo, should apologize to Lady Tsunade...?"

The Sarutobi clansmen were sprayed in the face with saliva for no reason. They endured the pungent and nauseating smell and said helplessly.

He swore that the old man had definitely eaten garlic this morning, and he hadn't even brushed his teeth properly; the fumes from the mixture of toothpaste and garlic almost suffocated him...

"This...you bastard...go find Tomozo and get it! (▼he▼メ)"

Hearing this, Shimura Danzo gritted his teeth and was speechless. After uttering a single sentence, he walked towards the door. Although he was a powerful figure in Konoha, he wasn't the one in charge of the clan. At least nominally, the person in charge was his nephew, Shimura Tomozo, just like Sarutobi Hiruzen. Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Hokage but not the head of the Sarutobi clan. After Sarutobi Hiruzen took over, the head of the Sarutobi clan was originally his younger brother. Later, after his younger brother was killed by Shinto, his nephew took over. Although Konoha didn't have an explicit rule that the Hokage or the Hokage's assistant couldn't be the head of a clan—after all, Senju Hashirama was the head of the Senju clan and the Hokage—that was because Senju Hashirama's personal charisma was enough to win people over. When Konoha was founded, he donated the entire wealth of the Senju clan. This selfless spirit impressed all the clans in Konoha. In addition, Madara was still in Konoha at the time and hadn't run away from home, so the Uchiha clan didn't dare to say anything.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, lacks this personal charisma. If he were to become Hokage and also become a member of the Sarutobi clan, who knows if he could maintain his original intentions under such a high position and influence? If he couldn't resist the temptation of power, abused his position as Hokage for personal gain, and turned Konoha into his Sarutobi clan's Konoha, then what the hell would be the point?

Many clans agreed to build a better home with Hashirama Senju back then not only because of Hashirama's invincible persuasive skills, but also because Hashirama promised that every clan would have the opportunity to become a leader. Otherwise, given the style of those old-school ninjas during the chaotic era, most of them would rather die than submit. Even if the Senju and Uchiha clans joined forces to wipe them all out, they would never agree to become his underlings.

So when Hiruzen Sarutobi took over, his position as the first in line to succeed him automatically disappeared. Moreover, he was quite sensible. Without anyone having to explain these things, after gaining the support of Mito Uzumaki and the Senju clan and becoming sworn brothers with Danzo Shimura, he automatically resigned from his position as clan head and moved out of the clan. He wanted to show others that Hiruzen Sarutobi would not abuse his power for personal gain, and this also helped him gain some popularity.

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi has already taken the lead, Danzo Shimura, as the Hokage's assistant and chief advisor, naturally has to follow suit. After all, isn't the chief advisor a much more powerful position than the title of clan head, Danzo Shimura?

Even a fool would know which one to choose!

603. Why is her younger brother such a weakling?

To maintain his current public image and demonstrate that he has "repented and reformed," and given that Hiruzen Sarutobi has already put in such a strong position, he has no choice but to pay. After all, the failed assassination attempt on Nawaki led Tsunade to leave the village with him, and it was because Tsunade left the village, freed from constraints, that she began to unleash her talents, gambling recklessly... This is probably karma...

Danzo sighed as he reached the door. Although he had been ripped off by Hiruzen Sarutobi, he had to swallow his pride for the sake of his grand ambition. Now was the time for him to develop his strength cautiously and not be as reckless as before!

.......

"Tsunade, we're not getting any younger. Look at Sakumo Hatake, who debuted around the same time as me, he's already a father. When are you going to settle things for us? If our two villages join forces, neither Iwagakure nor Kumogakure will dare to start a war again. Wouldn't that bring world peace? Don't you think so?"

Inside a tavern in the Land of Fire, Shinto said to Tsunade, who was drinking and sulking because she had lost money, "I don't know what's wrong with this woman. She's been losing money for decades. Shouldn't she be used to it by now? It's really strange that she can still sulk after losing money every time."

"Yes, sis, brother-in-law is right!"

Rope Tree, who was gorging himself next door, also nodded frantically as a wingman. He was a man who would follow whoever offered him food. When they were going through the toughest time, it was his brother-in-law who treated them to big meals. Where could you find a brother-in-law like that?

"boom!"

"Why are you interrupting when adults are talking? Just eat your food."

"Hiccup... Let's talk about it when there's real peace. After all, I'm also surnamed Senju..."

Tsunade punched Nawaki in the head, giving him a big bump, and then, with a slightly drunken burp, said to Masato.

To be honest, anyone would be moved by a man who waited for her for more than ten years. If this guy were from Konoha, she might have married him long ago.

But this guy is from Sunagakure, while Tsunade is from Konoha, and from the Senju clan. Although she hates Konoha now, Konoha is the result of her grandfather and great-grandfather's hard work. She can't just think about herself, but also about Nawaki, and even about the Senju clan.

If the ninja world could achieve true peace someday, she might agree to this guy's request, but clearly not now. Beneath the surface of peace, there are countless power struggles and conflicts, and the fighting between villages has never stopped.

"You can't say that. Your grandfather, the First Hokage, always talked about how we should all be a loving family and that we should always put aside these prejudices..."

Shindou shrugged. Of course, he knew Tsunade wouldn't agree so easily, and he had only mentioned it casually. However, Tsunade's attitude surprised him greatly. If it were in the past, given Tsunade's fiery temper, she would have already thrown an iron fist the moment he brought up the topic. Now, she had only punched his wingman, Nawaki. Although he was still a novice in love, he knew that this was a good start.

Tsunade is such a strong and assertive girl, unlike others. She needs to be approached slowly, like Jesus enlightening the world. If she goes too far every time, it can easily backfire, and all her years of perseverance will be wasted.

"Hiccup... You didn't just come here for no reason to tell me this, did you? Kakashi is famous now, shouldn't you be teaching your great genius, Sasori?"

Tsunade, completely disregarding her image, hiccuped again, propped her chin on her hand, and looked at him, saying...

Kakashi, Sakumo's son, has risen to prominence. Although she has left the village, she still knows about the happenings in the ninja world. With Kakashi's rise to power, the major ninja villages have begun to stir. Rumors such as Onoki arranging a blind date for his son overnight and the Raikage holding a training course for young geniuses in Kumogakure have already spread throughout the ninja world. However, there is no movement from Sunagakure. Everyone in the ninja world knows that Sasori, the grandson of Chiyo, the pillar of Sunagakure, is a super genius and the next top star of Sunagakure after Shiki. According to the proper procedure, this guy should be teaching the super genius Sasori in his own village. But he seems to not care at all.

She had met Sasori before. Back in Sunagakure, her silly little brother was always running off to see him. That kid reminded her of Orochimaru when he was young. Although she didn't understand puppetry, she had fought with Sunagakure's puppeteers several times, and she could tell that Sunagakure wasn't exaggerating. Sasori's talent was indeed formidable. Before he was even ten years old, he had already mastered the renowned White Secret Technique among puppeteers. It was well known that a puppeteer's combat strength was almost always determined by the number of puppets they could control. Without sufficient talent, trying to master the White Secret Technique and control ten puppets at once was simply wishful thinking. In all these years, only Chiyo and her son, Jie, the head of Sunagakure's puppeteer department, had learned it. Now, this Sasori was even more impressive, having mastered the White Secret Technique at such a young age, demonstrating just how strong his talent was.