"Master Tsunade, I told you not to gamble anymore! At this rate, we won't even be able to stay in the Land of Rivers!"
Shizune's voice trembled as she ran alongside Tsunade, close to tears.
Just moments ago, Tsunade had racked up yet another massive debt in the casino… and as always, chose to run instead of paying.
"Quit nagging! Those guys must be cheating! Otherwise, how could I lose that many times in a row?"
Tsunade snapped back, stubborn as ever.
Shizune was completely speechless.
It was humiliating enough for Tsunade to squander fortunes in front of strangers—but for one of the Legendary Sannin to make such a spectacle? Truly unbearable.
Tsunade's gambling luck was so abysmal that the saying "always loses when she bets" might as well have been invented just for her. Every time she stepped into a casino, she walked out penniless.
If not for the casino owners' fear of her strength, they might have already sold her off to some wealthy merchant to settle her debts.
"The people in front! Move it! Get out of the way!"
Tsunade barked at pedestrians as she and Shizune dashed through the street.
Just as they were about to brush past Aizen's shoulder, he casually lifted a hand. A ripple of colorful light wrapped around the two women.
"Bakudō No. 26: Curving Light."
In an instant, Tsunade and Shizune vanished from sight.
Moments later, more than a dozen furious casino debt collectors thundered past, skidding to a stop and glancing around in confusion.
"What the hell? Where did she go?"
"Did she use some kind of jutsu to escape?"
"Damn it! She owes the casino thirty million! Find her, or the boss will have our hides!"
Cursing, the collectors fanned out through the streets to search.
Then, with a flick of Aizen's fingers, Tsunade and Shizune reappeared.
"You…"
Shizune blinked in astonishment, still processing what had just happened. What kind of jutsu was that? And why would this stranger help them?
"Sunagakure?"
Tsunade's sharp eyes caught the Sand insignia on Aizen's clothes. With a dismissive wave, she muttered, "Anyway, thanks." Then she tugged Shizune along to continue fleeing.
But Aizen's voice followed with a chuckle.
"A favor's a favor, Tsunade-sama. At the very least, shouldn't you invite me to dinner?"
Tsunade's golden eyes narrowed. After a reluctant "tsk," she grumbled, "…Fine. Come on."
Ten minutes later, the three sat in a private room of a local yakiniku restaurant.
Tsunade popped a slice of grilled meat into her mouth and chewed slowly, glaring at Aizen across the table.
"You're a strange one, kid. Insist on dinner, but won't even take off your mask? You remind me of someone back in Konoha… an equally annoying brat."
Aizen's smile was faint, unreadable beneath the mask.
"Who would have thought I'd run into one of the Legendary Sannin? Truthfully, I only wished for a chance to talk with you, Tsunade-sama."
"Hmph. Don't call me that. I've already abandoned my identity as a Leaf shinobi. If you're hoping to get something out of me for Konoha's sake, you'd better forget it."
Her tone hardened at the mention of the village.
Aizen tilted his head. "Then… I suppose you've heard of the Uchiha clan's destruction, two months ago?"
At that, Tsunade froze mid-bite. Shizune's face went pale.
Aizen's voice was calm, almost conversational.
"Not long ago, Uchiha Kenya and Uchiha Itachi conspired to slaughter their own clan. In the aftermath, they even killed one of our village's Jōnin, Baki. Later, the Fourth Kazekage struck down Uchiha Kenya, but was gravely injured in the process. Even now, his wounds have not fully healed.
This time, our delegation came to Konoha to negotiate. Thankfully, it ended in peace, and the alliance still holds."
Tsunade resumed chewing, expression cold.
"And what does any of that have to do with me?"
"No particular reason." Aizen's tone sharpened slightly. "It's just that the Uchiha tragedy reminded me of another clan—the Senju. Once so glorious… yet after the Second Great War, they all but vanished from the stage of history. As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, doesn't that weigh on you, Tsunade-sama?"
Shizune's heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
No! That's the one thing she never wants mentioned!
"Brat!" Tsunade slammed her hand on the table, seized Aizen by the collar, and growled, "Say another word, and I'll rip that mask off your face!"
Luckily, they were in a private room—otherwise her outburst would have drawn every eye in the restaurant.
But Aizen didn't flinch. He only smiled.
"So much has happened in Konoha… but anger won't solve it, Tsunade-senpai. Why not sit down and talk calmly?"
The shift from "Tsunade-sama" to "Tsunade-senpai" subtly closed the distance between them.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, studying him for a long moment. At last, she released his collar with a sharp huff and leaned back.
Aizen adjusted his clothes casually, his smile hidden behind the mask.
So it's true. The decline of the Senju clan—not Kato Dan—was the real reason she left Konoha. After all… this was the village founded by her grandfather.
"I believe," Aizen said softly, "that Konoha still belongs to you, Tsunade-senpai."