Chapter 28: A Gambling Monster
Monday morning.
Hoshikawa, as usual, started his day with a run, followed by sword practice.
Passing by the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, he stepped inside and received some good news.
Tsuchibashi had already found a novelist to begin writing "Taimanin."
According to the plot, "Taimanin" was divided into three volumes: upper, middle, and lower.
If things went quickly, the first volume might even be published next week.
After finishing his Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu training, Hoshikawa showered and then headed to school with Kurenai Yūhi.
They arrived quite early; less than a third of the classroom seats were occupied.
Many of the students who arrived even earlier were frantically catching up on homework, occasionally copying from each other.
Hoshikawa said goodbye to Kurenai Yūhi and returned to his seat.
He casually pulled out a medical book and began to read it.
"Um... can I bother you for a moment?" A clear voice spoke.
Hoshikawa looked up and saw Rin Nohara.
"I want to ask you about a problem," Rin Nohara stated her purpose.
Her gaze instinctively drifted to the medical book in Hoshikawa's hand.
What is that?
Does the school even have this textbook?
"What problem?" Hoshikawa was a little surprised.
Unlike Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara's grades were quite good.
In the previous three monthly exams, she consistently ranked in the top three for theoretical tests.
Hoshikawa, being a transfer student, had only participated once.
It was more like he took it for fun.
The next monthly exam would be his long-awaited final exam.
"This problem," Rin Nohara bent down and opened her notebook.
"There are four ways to solve this problem," Hoshikawa casually picked up a pen. "Like this, and like this, and so on."
Rin Nohara subconsciously widened her eyes.
There are actually four ways to write it?
"Alright, anything else you don't understand?" Hoshikawa lightly tapped the notebook as a finishing touch.
"No... nothing else," Rin Nohara came back to herself and said seriously, "Thank you."
The brief interlude ended.
Hoshikawa continued reading his medical book.
Rin Nohara returned to her seat.
After finishing her homework, she couldn't help but space out a bit, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards Hoshikawa.
He's handsome and a genius. I wonder if I can be friends with him.
And was that book a medical book?
Rin Nohara had always dreamed of becoming a medical ninja.
But she never imagined Hoshikawa would start studying medical ninjutsu in his first year.
The school bell rang.
Unsurprisingly, Obito Uchiha was late yet again.
The morning lesson was "The Ninja Handbook."
As ninja, they needed to possess an iron will, especially during missions, and to eliminate all temptations.
In Hoshikawa's words, "By the heavens, I am an sworn enemy of gambling and drugs!"
Time flew by, and it was soon dusk.
As dismissal approached, the classroom was visibly restless; no one had the mind to listen to the lesson.
Sarutobi Asuma glanced at Hoshikawa and Kurenai Yūhi, grinding his teeth.
I have to go to early morning class!
Although he really wanted to challenge Hoshikawa again, he wanted a victory settlement, not another repeat failure.
He planned to study with Hiruzen Sarutobi for now and only challenge Hoshikawa when he was absolutely certain of victory.
Until then, he could only endure.
Sarutobi Asuma couldn't help but sigh. Was this the price of growth?
"Rin," Obito Uchiha nudged Rin Nohara with his elbow. "Where are we going after school?"
"Listen to the lesson," Rin Nohara whispered a reminder.
Suddenly, her gaze froze, her pupils contracting slightly.
"That's..." Obito Uchiha followed her gaze to the doorway.
Under the dim sunlight, a figure stood.
Without even speaking, she commanded everyone's attention.
"It's Tsunade-sama," Kakashi Hatake paused, blurting out.
Rin Nohara instinctively covered her mouth, her heart seemingly about to leap out.
She actually saw Tsunade-sama alive?!
"Tsu... Tsu..." Shizune instinctively patted Hoshikawa's arm, unable to utter a full word for a long time.
"Is it that exaggerated?" Hoshikawa asked, not quite understanding.
"That's Tsunade-sama!" Shizune stared at Tsunade. "The greatest female ninja in the ninja world!"
The greatest?
It'd be closer if you removed the middle word.
Hoshikawa couldn't bear to tell Shizune the truth.
Tsunade showing up now was most likely because her gambling addiction had flared up, and she needed him to help alleviate it.
The classroom inevitably erupted into a commotion.
Sarutobi Asuma, however, remained calm.
As the Hokage's son, he had seen the Legendary Sannin countless times.
But seeing his classmates' unworldly expressions, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, searching, until she finally spotted Hoshikawa.
"Tsunade-sama," Eichiro quickly adopted a respectful demeanor.
"How much longer until class is dismissed?" Tsunade asked casually.
"Class can be dismissed now," Eichiro paused, then asked, "Is there something you need?"
He quickly scanned all the students' files but couldn't find anyone related to Tsunade.
Could she be looking for Sarutobi Asuma?
"I'm looking for Hoshikawa," Tsunade said calmly.
Eichiro's heart immediately jolted.
He has that connection too?
"Hoshikawa!" Eichiro turned and called out loudly, "Come out."
Sarutobi Asuma's expression stiffened.
Why is it Hoshikawa again?!
"What's going on?" Obito Uchiha was stunned, asking subconsciously.
Kakashi Hatake frowned slightly.
Could Hoshikawa have also learned medical ninjutsu?
If that were true, the final exam would be even more troublesome than he had imagined.
For a moment, even he, who was called a genius, felt pressure.
Rin Nohara suddenly remembered the medical book Hoshikawa was reading that morning.
Amidst her shock, a hint of admiration rose within her.
Hoshikawa walked to the doorway under everyone's gaze.
"Let's go," Tsunade didn't waste any more words, turning to leave.
Hoshikawa quickly followed.
After a few seconds of silence, the classroom became very lively.
Seeing this, Eichiro didn't stop them, as there were only a few minutes left until dismissal anyway.
"What does Tsunade-sama want with Hoshikawa?"
"Could she be teaching him medical ninjutsu?"
"Hoshikawa-kun is amazing!"
Thanks to Tsunade's reputation, everyone started gossiping.
"What's so great about that?!" Sarutobi Asuma couldn't stand it anymore and stood up.
The people nearby all looked at him with strange expressions.
Sarutobi Asuma's body trembled under their gazes, his heart filled with indignation.
It's just Tsunade!
Believe it or not, next time I'll bring the Hokage to show you!
Hoshikawa and Tsunade left the school.
As expected, the direction she headed was towards the casino.
"How does it feel to be praised by everyone?" Tsunade asked with a playful expression, "Do you feel like you're floating?"
"Not really," Hoshikawa said casually.
A bunch of six-year-olds couldn't get him too excited.
So sharp-tongued already?
Tsunade stopped, extended her hand, and vigorously ruffled his hair, saying, "Why are you acting like such an adult?"
"I'm telling the truth," Hoshikawa said helplessly.
"I lost 500,000 ryo today," Tsunade glared at him. "If you don't win it back for me, I'll spank your butt."
"No problem," Hoshikawa nodded.
Back in the day, one man won 37 million with 20 bucks; winning 500,000 is no problem for me.
He was a gambling monster, oh no, a God of Gamblers.
....
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