XX-level Hokage

Back at the hotel, Tsunade was sitting on the sofa with Ton-Ton in her arms. When she saw Shizune return, Tsunade's expression immediately turned awkward.

After placing the noodles on the table, Shizune stopped Tsunade from reaching for them, angrily saying, "Lady Tsunade, didn't I say we can't touch the money in that wallet? That's our meal money for the two of us and Ton-Ton."

Tsunade awkwardly scratched her head and said, "I had a feeling yesterday that I would have good luck, so I thought I'd give it a try, but my premonition didn't work out."

Seeing Tsunade's expression, Shizune said helplessly, "Lady Tsunade, you're not allowed to touch the money in there next time. Today I went to buy food and I didn't have enough money to pay. If it weren't for Shizune paying for me, I probably would have been washing dishes today."

"Mashiro? Is he your boyfriend? He's actually willing to pay for you." Tsunade said, shifting her gaze. "Lady Tsunade!!!"

Chapter 44: The Tale of Tsunade, the Fire Princess (Part Two)

In the evening, Tsunade slipped out of the inn again with her meager savings.

On her way to the casino, Tsunade was praying for good luck when a voice suddenly called out to her. "Lady Tsunade, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade looked in the direction of the sound and saw Mashiro standing not far away. Seeing Mashiro's glare, Tsunade hesitated for a moment, then stopped.

"Lady Tsunade, the Hokage has an important mission for you." Mashiro walked to Tsunade's side and said.

"I've already retired. I'm no longer a Konoha ninja. Why do you insist on having me do things?" Tsunade said calmly. "Kakashi has suffered very serious injuries, and the Hokage wants you to treat him," Mashiro said respectfully to Tsunade.

"Kakashi? Minato's disciple? I'm sorry, I can no longer use medical ninjutsu. Go find someone else." Tsunade said, turning to leave.

"Furthermore, the Hokage hopes that you will inherit the position of Hokage and become the Fifth Hokage." Ignoring Tsunade's attitude, Mashiro continued.

"Inherit the Hokage position? Heh, the old man is really senile. Go back, I can't become Hokage." With that, Tsunade turned and left.

Mashiro didn't react to Tsunade's words at all, and watched Tsunade leave with a smile.

"Hokage, Hokage, Hokage, who wants this position and who doesn't?" Tsunade's heart became complicated because of Mashiro's words.

Her two grandfathers, boyfriend, and younger brother all died because of this position. Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and her best friend turned against each other because of it. Now, the talk of making her Hokage is utterly absurd.

Reaching the casino entrance, Tsunade calmed herself and muttered to herself, "I must win today."

"Tsunade, you've lost again. Including the previous losses, you now owe the casino 300 million taels of silver. I don't know when you'll pay it back," the casino owner said to Tsunade. "Urusai, I know. Just wait a few more days, and I'll pay it back then." Tsunade looked at the chips that had been taken away, and her mood plummeted once again.

“Waiting a few more levels won’t do. I recently contacted loan sharks and casino managers from the Land of Thunder and the Land of Water, and they seem to know you quite well.” As the casino owner spoke, two groups of people dressed differently walked out from the back of the casino.

"not good!"

Upon seeing the faces of these two groups, Tsunade sensed something was wrong.

These two groups are Tsunade's creditors in the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water, and they are also the people who made Tsunade and Shizune hide from their debts.

"Tsunade, you can't escape this time, can you? You owe our casino 1500 million yen, shouldn't you pay it back by now?" Sato, the debt collector sent by the Land of Lightning casino, said, "And the money we lent you, 400 million yen, plus interest over the years, totals 1100 million yen. Miss Tsunade, it's time to pay that back too." (Water)

"That's what Yamada, the debt collector sent by the state's loan sharks, said."

Seeing the creditors gradually surrounding her, Tsunade feigned ignorance and said, "Do I owe this much? I remember I've already paid off my debts. I need to see your boss, and we'll talk about repayment after I see the IOUs."

After hearing Tsunade's words, Sato and Yamada took out an IOU from their pockets. Tsunade's name was clearly written on it, and her handprint was also on it. Upon seeing the IOU this time, Pin Shi was speechless.

"Who knew you guys would carry around IOUs? Tch!" Tsunade muttered to herself.

“Tsunade, no, I should say Lady Tsunade, we only recently learned that the person we’ve been chasing for so long is actually one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha. If you don’t pay back the money, then we’ll have no choice but to go to Konoha. I think your teacher, the Third Hokage, would be happy to pay you back,” Sato said, waving the IOU.

As she listened to Sato's words, Tsunade's expression gradually darkened.

"I'll pay for Lady Tsunade," Mashiro said, appearing out of nowhere at the casino entrance.

"You still owe her? Do you know how much she owes?" Yamada clearly didn't think Mashiro could afford to pay it back.

Mashiro smiled, took out a sealing scroll, untied the seal, the smoke dissipated, and four large boxes appeared on the spot.

Mashiro opened the box, revealing a dense array of money inside. "Is this enough?" Mashiro asked, looking at Yamayuki.

"That's enough, that's enough." Yamada said, glancing at the money in the box and swallowing hard.

"Give me the IOU, and the money is yours." Mashiro kicked the box and said.

Upon hearing this, Sato, Yamada, and the casino owner hurriedly handed the IOU to Mashiro, fearing that Mashiro might change her mind. As Mashiro accepted the IOU, the underlings lifted the box.

"Everyone can check if this is enough. I'll give you any extra, and I'll make up the difference if it's not enough," Mashiro said, putting away the IOU.

The three groups began counting the money. After they finished, Sato said to Mashiro, "Now that the debt has been recovered, we'll be leaving." Yama Yuya smiled kindly at Mashiro and said, "If you need any money, you can come to the Land of Water to find us anytime."

Then the two groups of people who had come from afar left the casino. After checking his share, the casino owner smiled and said, "Tsunade, the debt is wiped clean. You are welcome to play anytime you want."

Judging from their reactions, Mashiro clearly gave too much.

"I'll pay you back, but forget about it. I'm not going back to be Hokage. As for Kakashi's injury, you can send someone..."

"Come and talk to me, even though I can't treat them myself, I can at least tell others," Tsunade said to Mashiro.

"You don't need to pay back the money. As long as Lady Tsunade plays a game with me, I'll consider this money a gift to Lady Tsunade," Mashiro said, looking at Tsunade with deep eyes.

"A game? What game?" Tsunade asked, somewhat suspiciously.

She was currently pondering Mashiro's identity. When did the Hyuga clan become so wealthy? Such a young clansman, tens of millions in assets without batting an eye. Was she dreaming? Or had the times changed?

"Gambling? Just play three rounds of mahjong with me." Mashiro said with a smile.

"Is that all? What will be the price if I lose?" Tsunade asked, considering herself quite good at mahjong.

"There's no price to pay. You just need to play three rounds of mahjong with me. Winning or losing doesn't matter, but you can't forfeit. If you forfeit, you'll not only have to pay me back ten times the debt, but you'll also have to agree to return to the village and become Hokage," Mashiro said calmly.

Tsunade frowned deeply. This was the first time she had never been able to see through someone's intentions. According to Mashiro's rules, she would win if she played three rounds of mahjong, after which all her debts would be forgiven. The only possible loss was if she voluntarily forfeited, but she would never choose to forfeit.

"Well, Lady Tsunade, the rules are simple, right? If you feel you won too easily, or that I'm deliberately waiving your debt, you can continue to pay me back in installments after you receive the IOU. I won't refuse," Mashiro said with a smile.

Tsunade thought for a moment, then said, "I promise, just don't cry then, you unlovable brat."

Mashiro smiled and took out a document, saying, "Then please sign it, Lady Tsunade." Tsunade took the document and signed her name.

“Let’s start with the first sentence now. We happen to be in a casino, and there’s mahjong.” Mashiro said, taking the book. “Whatever you say.” Tsunade had no objections.

After informing the casino owner, the owner specially arranged a private room for the two of them, apparently impressed by Zhenbai's incredibly generous nature. "Let's begin."

The two began to fight methodically.

"Lady Tsunade is the Third Hokage's disciple, isn't she?" Mashiro said.

"Everyone in Konoha should know about this, right?" Tsunade said casually, glancing at the cards in her hand.

"Then Lady Tsunade should be considered my senior sister, after all, I am also a disciple of the Third Hokage," Mashiro said, playing a mahjong tile.

"Huh?" Tsunade exclaimed in surprise. After thinking for a while, she suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "I think I heard about this somewhere before, but I didn't pay attention to it at the time."

"Teacher is very old now. Orochimaru attacked Konoha not long ago. Although we eventually killed Orochimaru, Teacher's body is about to give out." Mashiro said with a sigh.

Tsunade glanced down at Hikaru, remaining silent, lost in thought.

"Guests, this is tea the boss has brought for you." A waiter lifted the curtain of the private room, walked in with a teapot, and placed it on the table.

Orochimaru ambushed and killed the Fourth Kazekage, then impersonated the Fourth Kazekage and led the Sand and Sound Guards in training, before attacking Miya during the Chunin Exams.

Mashiro picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for herself and Tsunade.

Mashiro handed the tea to Tsunade, raised the teacup, and said, "No matter what, the reputation of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha will always be the pride of Konoha. Lady Tsunade has saved so many people, and I truly admire her immensely."

Hearing Mashiro's words, Tsunade's gaze became somewhat complicated. She took the teacup, gently clinked it against Mashiro's, and then drank it all in one gulp.

"Looks like I lost." A moment later, Mashiro said, looking at Tsunade who had won the hand. "Want to play again?" Tsunade asked.

“Tomorrow, I’ll wait for you here tomorrow night,” Mashiro said. “Okay,” Tsunade said and left.

After Tsunade left, the casino owner came in.

"Sir, I've placed the item in the tea exactly as you instructed," the casino owner said respectfully. "You all worked together very well just now; I'm very satisfied. Go collect your reward from Kado in a few days," Mashiro said softly. "Thank you, sir, thank you, sir," the casino owner said with immense joy.

This casino was bought by Mashiro a long time ago, including the two people who just came. They had also been bribed by Mashiro long ago. They had been waiting in Tanabata Street for a very long time, just as Mashiro had instructed, until today.

In her previous life, Mashiro won over Tsunade through coercion and force; in this life, she wants to try a different method.

Chapter 45: The Tale of Tsunade, the Fire Princess (Part 3)

The next day, after Shizune woke up, she saw Tsunade sleeping on the sofa in the living room.

With a sigh, Shizune guessed that Tsunade had gone gambling behind her back again yesterday. She covered Tsunade with the blanket and quietly walked out the door. In Tanabata Street, a commercial district, Mashiro was waiting quietly.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mashiro." Shizune ran over, panting. "I just got here too." Mashiro took out a tissue and wiped the sweat from Shizune's forehead.

Shizune's face, which had turned red from running, became even redder. She felt that this was a bit too intimate, but having not spent much time with people her own age, she didn't know how to refuse.

"Let's go, let's wander around." Seeing Shizune's reaction, Mashiro said with a subtle smile.

The two strolled together through the shopping district. Mashiro told Shizune about her life in Konoha, and Shizune shared her interesting experiences traveling with Tsunade. "Shizune, let's go buy some clothes," Mashiro suddenly said as they walked into a clothing store.

"Ah! Okay then." Actually, Shizune didn't want to go to the clothing store because she didn't have any money, but because it was Mashiro's request, she couldn't refuse. She went to the clothing store and Mashiro picked out a trendy gray-brown dress for Shizune.

"No need, I'm fine as I am. Mashiro, just buy whatever you want," Shizune waved her hand in refusal.

"Try it out and see. It's not like you have to buy it anyway. Doesn't Shizune want to try on some nice clothes?" Mashiro tempted.

Shizune glanced at the pretty clothes in Mashiro's hands, then at her own old, dark gray outfit. Finally, Shizune went into the fitting room.

In the fitting room, Shizune took off her clothes, feeling a little shy looking at her naked reflection in the mirror. She hurriedly tried to change into new clothes. Shizune had a beautiful body. "Mashiro appeared in the corner of the fitting room at some point," she said.

"Really, really white?! What are you doing in here?" Shizune hurriedly covered herself with her clothes.

I also wanted to try on the clothes, but it seemed like this was the only fitting room available in the store. Luckily, the fitting room was big enough, and I figured the two of us should be able to manage.

"We can use them together, so I came in." Mashiro said with a light laugh.

Hearing Mashiro's explanation, Shizune said, "Then Mashiro, you go ahead and use it. I'll go wait outside for a bit."

Then Shizune was about to put on her clothes and leave. "No need for that."

Mashiro grabbed Shizune's hand and pulled her into her arms, whispering, "We're both girls, it doesn't matter if we switch together."

Shizune, who was in Mashiro's arms, was only wearing underwear. Mashiro herself was also half-undressed. Feeling the touch of their skin against each other, Shizune's face turned bright red, and a wisp of smoke rose from her head.

"Is Shizune really that conservative?" Mashiro said as the two walked out of the fitting room after changing into their new clothes.

Jingyin's face was still flushed as she said, "I haven't made many friends, nor have I spent much time with people my own age, so I'm very nervous about many things."

"Then let me teach Shizune how girls should get along as friends," Mashiro said with a smile.

"Really?" Shizune was also very happy. After all, Tsunade was much older than her, and she really needed to learn how to interact with women her own age. "Let's see how you look in your new clothes first." Mashiro nodded and then pulled Shizune to the huge mirror in the clothing store.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Jingyin was momentarily stunned. Unlike the imposing black and gray long coat she wore before, this outfit perfectly highlighted Jingyin's gentle and graceful temperament.

“It’s beautiful,” Mashiro said from the side, then kissed Shizune on the cheek.

Seeing Shizune's shocked expression as she covered her face, Mashiro said, "This means she's happy for you, and sometimes it also represents gratitude and blessings." Shizune nodded gently in response.

“This dress suits you very well,” Mashiro said, hugging Shizune from behind.