Leaving the Finance Department, Tsunade was in high spirits, a wide grin spread across her face.
"Gai, you head back first. We'll stay here for the night, and tomorrow, we return to Konoha!"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama!"
Without Kakashi around, Maito Gai seemed listless, not even bothering to flash his signature grin.
This... actually felt kind of nice.
Kamizuki Hikari followed behind Tsunade as they wandered through the streets, occasionally stopping to buy things, looking for all the world like a loving couple enjoying their time together.
"Hikari, go buy me a bottle of water over there. I'm a bit thirsty." Tsunade said, pointing at a shop selling drinks in the distance.
Hikari glanced up, then extended his right hand.
Tsunade frowned. "What?"
"Money!" Hikari said matter-of-factly.
Tsunade's mouth twitched as she stared at him, full of complaints in her heart.
"I'm the Fifth Hokage. What's wrong with asking you to buy me a bottle of water?"
Hikari waved his hand. "I'm not talking about money for the water. I'm talking about the military funds you just collected from the Finance Department. Tsunade-sama, kindly hand them over for safekeeping."
What?
Tsunade's expression changed drastically. "Are you trying to rob me? Kamizuki Hikari, let me remind you, this money is Konoha's hope. You can't just take it!"
"Heh."
Hikari chuckled and pointed at a gambling den in the far corner. "Since we left the Financial Department, you've glanced in that direction at least twenty times. The moment you sent Gai away, I knew you were itching to gamble."
"If you want me to buy water, fine. But first, give me the money."
Tsunade fumed. "I'm the Fifth Hokage! Do you really think I'd take Konoha's precious military funds to gamble? Am I that kind of person?!"
"Yes."
Damn it!
Tsunade hadn't expected Hikari to be so blunt, making her feel even more embarrassed.
Truth be told, ever since returning to Konoha, she had been restraining herself, focusing entirely on her duties as Hokage. It had been a long time since she'd last gambled. Now, holding such a large sum of money, her hands were itching to go all out, to leave the gambling den in shambles after taking all their money.
But she never expected Hikari to see right through her.
Could it be... that he actually had feelings for her?
How embarrassing.
"Let's go."
"Before we return to Konoha, I will make sure you don't step foot into a gambling den."
Tsunade laughed.
"Hikari, have you forgotten who I am?"
Hikari: "What do you mean? The Hokage?"
Tsunade shook her head. "No—I'm Senju Tsunade, one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin! My strength is among the best in the village. Do you really think a mere chūnin like you can stop me? Dream on!"
Hikari crossed his arms. "And if I can stop you?"
Tsunade scoffed. "Impossible!"
Hikari grinned. "Then let's make a bet. If I do stop you, you hand over the money to me."
Tsunade hesitated for a second before nodding. "…Fine!"
The moment she finished speaking, Hikari grabbed her arm.
"Heh, don't underestimate me! Take this punch!"
Tsunade carefully controlled her strength, ensuring that the punch would only injure Hikari, not kill him. With her medical skills, healing him afterward would be easy. She could even charge him a medical fee—what a brilliant plan!
And then—
Tsunade froze.
Her fist landed on Kamizuki Hikari's chest, but it felt as weak as a girl's playful punch to her lover. It had no real impact.
"What the—?!" Tsunade was stunned.
She had always heard Hikari boast about how strong he was.
But now, experiencing it firsthand, she was shocked.
He had disrupted her chakra flow, preventing her from using her monstrous strength. This technique... was amazing.
"What kind of technique was that? A sealing jutsu?" Tsunade asked, intrigued.
As the granddaughter of Uzumaki Mito, Tsunade was well-versed in sealing techniques. Her own Strength of a Hundred Seal was an advanced application of sealing jutsu.
But what baffled her was that there were no visible sealing marks on her body.
"Hand over the money, and I'll tell you." Hikari said smugly.
To ensure the funds made it safely back to Konoha, Kamizuki Hikari had to take precautions.
Giving such a huge sum to a gambling addict like Tsunade... If she actually returned to Konoha with it intact, the sun would have to rise in the west.
"Um..."
Tsunade fidgeted, her demeanor completely unlike her usual self.
Right now, she looked more like a proper noblewoman than the boisterous Sannin.
"How about… just one round? You can at least give me some starting funds!"
"Don't worry, my gambling skills are top-notch! I'll win so much, the casino won't know what hit them!"
Hikari didn't believe a single word.
"Fine. Give me the military funds, and I'll give you some money to play with. Deal?"
"How much?" Tsunade's eyes lit up at the mention of money.
[She really is hopeless with money. Where does she get this confidence? She's a well-known sucker at the gambling table, yet she thinks she's a master. Pathetic!]
Hearing Hikari mock her in his thoughts, Tsunade was irritated. But to get some gambling funds, she decided to let it slide.
"Is this enough?"
Kamizuki Hikari pulled out an envelope from his pocket, a thick stack of bills inside. Tsunade gulped at the sight of it.
She forced herself to look away, resisting the temptation.
"That's barely enough for a drink! I know you're loaded, Hikari. Don't be so stingy! I'm giving you billions in military funds, and you're handing me one measly envelope? At least make it two!"
"Take it or leave it. Otherwise, we're heading back to the inn to rest." Hikari moved to put the envelope away.
"Fine, fine! I'll take it!"
At that moment, Tsunade had no idea how suggestive her words sounded, making passing men glance over in curiosity.
"Military funds first!"
"Deal!"
Military funds were not to be touched, and Tsunade didn't want to go down in history as the Hokage who gambled away Konoha's money. She loved gambling, but she still had her pride.
Once the exchange was completed, Hikari immediately sealed the military funds in a scroll.
[Heh, no matter how cunning you are, I still tricked you!]
[Ten thousan ryo to distract Tsunade? Totally worth it!]
[Time to make my exit before she realizes!]
Wait...
Ten thousan ryo?!
Hearing his thoughts, Tsunade hastily tore open the envelope. Inside were crisp, new hundred-ryo bills.
Her face darkened.
By the time she looked up again, Hikari's grip on her arm was gone—and so was he.
"KAMIZUKI HIKARI!!" Tsunade's roar echoed through the streets.
"THE NEXT TIME I SEE YOU, YOU'RE DEAD!!"
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