Uehara Naraku tossed and turned all night.
Losing several million ryō in one night, who could sleep?
Clearly, he just wanted to complete a couple of side missions, but ended up losing all his money, his reputation, and more embarrassingly, he lost to Tsunade.
If this gets out, it would ruin his character.
In the future, when he becomes the number one secret boss of the Ninja World, Tsunade could easily say, wasn't that Uehara Naraku the guy who lost a few million to me at the gambling table?
What's left of his image?
"Forget it, nobody's perfect."
"Senju Hashirama was still a fool, Uchiha Madara had prostate issues, this little thing is nothing serious. And there are a few peculiar side missions on Tsunade, with decent rewards, and she still has a bit of a feminine charm..."
In the dead of night, Uehara Naraku mumbled hazily, inexplicably dreaming of Konan in a Red Cloud Black Robe.
In his dreams.
Konan's face lost its usual warmth, replaced with coldness, scolding him with a dark face: "Naraku, have you learned to gamble?"
Behind Konan stood Pain, fanning the flames: "Jiraiya-sensei taught us that we should never associate with gamblers."
"And this little guy called Uehara is gambling with Tsunade. Either he's enticed by Tsunade's beauty or he wants to swindle money from her... Aren't you curious why someone as pretty as Tsunade is still single? Because she's a gambling addict!"
The tall man speaking behind Pain, whose face Uehara couldn't make out, was likely Jiraiya, judging by the voice and silhouette.
"..."
The dream ended with a combined attack of Paper Person of God Jutsu, Chibaku Tensei, and Sage Art: Goemon against Uehara, and in the end, the Great Demon King Uehara still defeated the righteous group of Konan, Pain, and Jiraiya with Tsunade's support.
It was indeed a dream!
A crazy mixed-up dream, featuring elements of nightmare, sweet dream, and spring dream.
In the early morning.
Uehara Naraku got out of bed, wiping his mouth with satisfaction and sweat from his forehead.
"Lord Uehara."
Someone knocked on the door, and Hoshigaki Kisame's voice came through: "Are we continuing on our journey today, or staying another day at The Hidden Hot Water Village? I've prepared another five million ryō for you..."
"...Today, we'll pick up the pace!"
Uehara Naraku opened the door abruptly, looking annoyed at Hoshigaki Kisame: "No one else knows about me losing to Tsunade yesterday, right?"
"...Everyone who should know, knows."
Hoshigaki Kisame tilted his head, with a lineup of his own people nearby, including Hozuki Mangetsu, Momochi Zabuza, and Kaguya Kimimaro.
Haku was shocked, covering his mouth.
"..."
Uehara Naraku clenched his fist, scanning the people present: "What happened at The Hidden Hot Water Village must not be known to others, especially not to my teacher, understood?"
"...Yes."
Hoshigaki Kisame nodded with a smile, and the others agreed, still clueless about what Uehara was upset about.
Uehara Naraku certainly couldn't tell them.
He had to play the perfect disciple in front of Teacher Konan, and he couldn't have any stains that would displease her. Only then could he become a full-fledged member of Akatsuki.
At the village entrance of The Hidden Hot Water Village.
Uehara Naraku's team had just arrived and happened to meet Tsunade, Shizune, and their pet little pink pig, who were also leaving the village.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed the strange-looking group behind Uehara, then she suddenly smiled: "Morning, little guy! Are you leaving The Hidden Hot Water Village too?"
"..."
Uehara Naraku glanced at Tsunade's somewhat revealing outfit, turned, and walked past her without acknowledging the blonde female ninja.
The others followed behind Uehara, nervously passing by Tsunade.
"Hey, kid!"
Tsunade, a bit displeased, tried to stop Uehara, but seeing he didn't react, she chuckled: "When you were with me last night, you were as obedient as a kitten. How could you suddenly ignore me after just one night?"
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune, blushing, waved her hand to stop Tsunade's suggestive words: "Don't say things that can be misunderstood! That little guy is still a minor!"
"Alright, alright..."
Tsunade patted Shizune's shoulder, pushing her aside, but her eyes remained slightly serious: "If I didn't see wrong, among the people following that brat are a few from the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist, right?"
"Huh?"
Shizune seemed puzzled.
Tsunade patted her head and confidently smiled: "That brat's identity doesn't seem simple. Maybe we can win some more money from him for travel expenses!"
"What if we lose?"
"That brat looks like a rookie; how could I possibly lose?"
"Don't say that! And it's too dangerous. Didn't you say the people with him are from the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist? What if they turn against us..."
"Don't worry, I have absolute confidence."
Since Tsunade started gambling, except for winning once against Senju Hashirama, she had never met anyone she couldn't win from. How could she pass up this chance?
After all, she was leaving The Hidden Hot Water Village today, and not winning would be a waste!
Moreover, there was one thing Tsunade hadn't told Shizune; she found the little brat gambling with her very interesting, not like a typical gambler at all!
That feeling was very similar to her own style...
The little guy actually very much wanted to win, and as long as he could win once, it didn't matter how many times he lost!
Tsunade pulled out a banknote and called out loudly to Uehara Naraku: "Hey, kid, need a few hundred ryō for travel expenses?"
"..."
Uehara Naraku's face visibly darkened.
Beside him, Hoshigaki Kisame reached for his Shark Skin sword handle, but Uehara waved a hand to stop him: "...Ignore her."
"Kid!"
As Tsunade called out, a banknote flew swiftly toward Uehara Naraku, which he easily caught with his fingers!
Uehara Naraku finally couldn't help but turn his head, looking at the casually relaxed blonde female ninja standing at The Hidden Hot Water Village's entrance.
Tsunade propped her chin with her fist, smiling at Uehara Naraku: "Out of money to play with me today? I don't mind writing an IOU for you!"
Having said that, Tsunade licked her lips.
Her feminine charm was vividly displayed, making it hard for people to look at her directly.
What was this woman up to!
He was just a twelve-year-old child!
"Wait for me for a moment..."
Uehara Naraku finally couldn't stand it anymore. He wasn't a serious ninja; he just wanted to get the system's side mission reward.
"Lord Uehara!"
Hoshigaki Kisame was beside himself, with big questions in his small eyes!
Nevertheless, seeing Uehara Naraku extend his hand, Hoshigaki Kisame handed a Sealing Scroll to him.
Uehara even suspected Tsunade of cheating!
Logically, beating Tsunade at the gambling table should be the simplest side quest, but now it felt harder than defeating her!
Hozuki Mangetsu looked up, hesitantly speaking out: "Lord, Lady Tsunade is one of the Legendary Sannin; challenging her identity or her strength doesn't seem right..."
Ninjas deeply respected Tsunade.
In a sense, Tsunade's promotion of professional Medical Ninjas greatly reduced ninja casualties, surpassing the narrow identity of a Konoha Ninja.
"But she's provoking me!"
Uehara Naraku fiercely clenched the scroll in his hand, glaring coldly at Tsunade in the distance: "Kimimaro, stay here. The rest of you, move out. We can't let this woman get too smug; I'm no philanthropist!"