On the 7th day, Team 7 gathered and, at the appointed time, arrived at the largest training ground in Konoha.
In the past, the final round of the Chunin Exams was also held here, attracting many spectators.
While the crowd was not as large or noisy as during the Chunin Exams, those who came were all of high status.
Many of Konoha's veteran jonin were present, as well as key figures from various clans.
Konoha's F4 were all present, and Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, also appeared.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Tsunade, took a puff from his pipe, and smiled.
"Tsunade, who do you think will win?"
Tsunade glanced at Minato's team, already prepared.
As Rin's master, she knew this disciple very well.
Not only was she precise in chakra control, she had quickly mastered Tsunade's monstrous strength technique.
Moreover, her body contained an enormous amount of chakra, and using its special properties, she had even developed a technique similar to Creation Rebirth.
Medical ninja must ensure their own safety; they cannot die before their teammates and should not appear on the front lines.
But Rin, who had mastered a technique akin to Creation Rebirth, was an exception.
'Also, that move of Rin's, by now, the accumulation should be almost complete…'
If she can unleash it, even Tsunade thought Rin wouldn't be much weaker than her.
In such a situation, it was impossible to lose.
Thinking of this, she became confident. This time, she had to win.
So she asked, "Is there a betting pool?"
Hiruzen's face darkened, "Many debt collectors have already chased you to Konoha. I even paid off several of them."
"Tsunade, you really should quit gambling."
Tsunade looked a bit embarrassed, but then she straightened up proudly, "It's not like I didn't pay it back."
"For that, I even provided medical checkups for many nobles of the Land of Fire."
On the side, Homura Mitokado laughed, "Alright, Hiruzen, war is about to begin, and many will soon be heading to the battlefield. At a time like this, betting a little helps release emotions."
Then he looked at Tsunade and smiled, "I did open a betting pool. Many have already placed their bets. The odds are one to one. Lady Tsunade, want to give it a shot?"
Tsunade got excited, "Five million, betting on Minato's team to win."
Beside her, Utatane Koharu, who had been watching, spoke up, "Then I'll also bet five million, on Ino-Shika-Cho to win."
Hiruzen couldn't help but cough a few times. Just now he was uncertain, but now, for some reason, he had a thought.
He slowly spoke, "Then I'll place a bet too. Ten million, Ino-Shika-Cho to win."
After speaking, he looked at Danzo sitting silently beside him, lost in thought, "Danzo, how about placing a bet too? Trust me, bet on Ino-Shika-Cho, guaranteed profit."
Danzo snorted, "Childish tricks."
But seeing the sincere look in his old friend's eyes, he oddly felt he could trust him this once, "Ten million, deduct it from the budget you gave to Root."
At this moment, watching Konoha's F4 switching sides one by one, Tsunade started to feel less confident.
She couldn't help but ask, "Don't tell me Ino-Shika-Cho has some secret technique I don't know about?"
In response, the Third Hokage gave her a smile that was deep and hard to read.
Tsunade immediately felt that maybe Ino-Shika-Cho really did have a plan to win?
She glanced at the Ino-Shika-Cho side and found Nara Shikaku already discussing tactics with the others.
She couldn't help but feel a little afraid.
Nara Shikaku's intelligence was undeniably high. He could often create customized plans to defeat stronger opponents.
Combined with the secret techniques of the three clans, when they joined forces, they could far exceed their individual strength.
Even she would have to be cautious when facing them...
'This is bad! I was too hasty.'
Tsunade was shocked. While Minato's team seemed stronger in her eyes, they were still young and might lack battle experience.
Faced with veterans like Ino-Shika-Cho, especially Nara Shikaku, it would be hard not to fall into a trap and lose…
Thinking of this, Tsunade was filled with regret. But suddenly, she saw a glimmer of hope.
Immediately, she sneakily pulled Homura Mitokado aside, "I haven't placed the bet yet. I can still change it, right?"
Homura Mitokado didn't expect Tsunade to be so shameless, but since the money was still with her, of course she could bet on whoever she liked.
So he said, "Yes, there's still time."
Tsunade immediately got excited, pulling out a ten-million-ryo silver note from her clothes, "I'll double the bet and place it on Ino-Shika-Cho!"
Homura Mitokado glanced left and right, coughed once, and discreetly took the silver note from Tsunade, "Lady Tsunade, once the bet is placed, no changing back."
Tsunade confidently said, "Haha, I won't regret it. This time I'll definitely win!"
With that, the two returned to their seats on the viewing platform.
Hiruzen asked calmly, "Homura, Tsunade, what were you two just talking about?"
Tsunade didn't hide anything, hands on her hips, "I doubled the bet, put it on Ino-Shika-Cho. Can't I?"
Beside her, Koharu smiled kindly and looked at Homura Mitokado.
"I don't think I've bet yet either, so I can still change, right?"
She pulled out a 5-million-ryo silver note, "This time, I'll switch sides, Minato's team to win."
Hiruzen couldn't help but shake his head, then also changed his mind, "Then my 10 million ryo, also bet on Minato's team."
After speaking, he pulled out a 20-million-ryo silver note from his clothes and handed it to Homura Mitokado, adding, "Danzo too."
But Danzo just coldly snorted, "Wait, my 10 million is for Ino-Shika-Cho."
Hiruzen was stunned, then said, "No way, Danzo. Ten million is too much!"
Danzo looked at Hiruzen, "Hiruzen, what do you mean?"
Hiruzen felt awkward and gave Danzo a look, hoping his old friend would get it.
He couldn't exactly say outright that betting against the legendary cash cow was guaranteed profit, could he?
Shimura Danzo sneered internally, 'So Hiruzen never planned to use Root's funds to bet in the first place.'
He said blandly, "I'm not betting anymore."
After that, he looked at Tsunade, "Tsunade, this old man actually has another bet for you."
Tsunade was intrigued and boldly said, "What bet?"
Danzo looked into the distance, "Do you think this old man will die in the upcoming Great Ninja War?"
Tsunade snorted in disdain, "With how you hide like a turtle, you'll outlive anyone."
That statement made Hiruzen nervous.
He stared straight at Tsunade with wide eyes.
Tsunade snorted, annoyed, and continued, "But honestly, I've never liked your ways, Danzo. You'd better just go die for real."
Danzo's expression didn't change. Who knew how many in the ninja world had cursed him to die? He wasn't afraid at all.
He just glanced at Hiruzen and saw that Hiruzen was actually showing a relieved expression, and suddenly felt it all very meaningless.
He said blandly, "Then this old man shall wait and see."
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