According to what her grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, once told her, during the last Great Ninja War, a large number of the Senju Clan's young elites were sent to the deadliest battlefronts and never returned.
On the surface, the orders seemed justified—tactical necessities for the village. But Tsunade knew better.
It was no coincidence.
The ones who had gone were all brave, loyal Senju shinobi. Men and women who, upon hearing "For the sake of Konoha," wouldn't hesitate to give their lives.
That very loyalty was turned into a weapon. And it had worked far too well.
Of course, these things couldn't be said aloud.
Her feelings toward Hiruzen were complicated.
But her hatred for Danzo?
Pure and absolute.
And now, having learned from Ren that the casinos she'd been gambling at for years were run by Hiruzen and Danzo?
The very places she had lost billions from the Senju estate?
Tsunade could barely breathe.
In her mind, she could see them—the spirits of her fallen clansmen, glaring at her with disappointment.
Why? they seemed to ask. Why did you fund the very men who orchestrated our downfall?
"Damn it. Damn it all...!"
Tsunade clenched her fists, teeth grinding audibly.
"To think... it was like this all along..."
"I swear... from this day forward, I'm done with gambling!"
She growled through her teeth like she was carving the words into her bones.
"Uh… Are you sure?"
Ren blinked in surprise. He wasn't expecting that level of determination.
Tsunade snapped her head toward him. "What's that tone? You don't trust your teacher?"
Ren held up his hands in surrender. "No offense, sensei."
But before he could say more, she added, "Well… I mean… I am quitting. Sort of."
"I'm not gambling with family money anymore."
"I'm not stepping foot into any of those casinos run by Hiruzen or Danzo again."
She gave a sheepish grin.
"But my own money? And a casino they don't control? That's different."
Ren sighed.
"Honestly? You might as well keep gambling in the village."
"At least that way the money circulates back into Konoha's economy. If you blow it outside—say, in Fire Daimyo-controlled casinos—that's just feeding the nobility."
He shook his head. "It's all the same in the end."
Tsunade huffed. "It's not the same. This time I'll feel better about it. Hmph."
"Well, feel however you want. Just don't expect me to fund it."
Ren shrugged. "I'm cutting that idea off before it even starts."
"You—!"
Tsunade's brows shot up, about to retort.
But Ren cut her off.
"However…"
"I've read most of the medical texts already. My foundation in medical ninjutsu is solid."
"I was thinking—maybe it's time to expand into a more profitable field."
"If this works, the revenue will make my restaurant profits look like loose change."
"Sensei… would you like to go into business together?"
Tsunade blinked. "What?"
"You're serious?"
Ren nodded. "Completely. It's all related to medicine. I've got several product ideas I'm refining."
He launched into an explanation of healing serums, body-enhancement tonics, nutrient elixirs, and medical talismans—and even shared a few early prototypes.
Tsunade raised a brow, visibly impressed. "So the brat actually has a brain in that genius skull of his."
"You're telling me you came up with all these on your own?"
"But wait… you're not inviting me in just to make money, are you? You want help with the research, don't you?"
Ren grinned. "Knew I couldn't pull one over on you."
"I do need help."
"If I do it all myself, it'll take forever. But I'm still focused on training and getting stronger."
"I can't split my energy across everything. And you're the most qualified person I know."
"You've got the skills. You need the money. It's a perfect match."
Tsunade crossed her arms, intrigued.
This wasn't just some harebrained scheme. It had real legs.
If even half of it worked, the market would be enormous.
She could smell the ryo already.
"…Fine. I'll consider it," she said. "But I want fifty percent."
"No deal."
Ren immediately shook his head.
"Do you really think we can do all this alone?"
"This project will take major investment—land, equipment, personnel."
"And even if we succeed, do you really think Hiruzen, Danzo, or the major clans will let us keep it all to ourselves?"
"These medicines will change the ninja world. They'll enhance recovery, boost chakra reserves, even refine bloodlines."
"To everyone else, they're strategic resources."
"Trying to hoard the profits will get us both crushed."
Tsunade frowned. "Then what's your plan?"
Ren thought for a moment, then laid it out:
"First—we form a Joint Research Institute."
"You and I split the startup costs, and we handle the R&D."
"Whatever formulas we develop, ownership and revenue rights will depend on each party's actual contribution."
"But this institute only does research. No mass production."
"Next—we set up a Pharmaceutical Company for manufacturing and distribution."
"You and I, personally, will hold 40% ownership, split proportionally by how much we contribute to each product line."
"Our families—the Senju and Uchiha—will each get 10%, also proportional to what they invest."
"The remaining 40%… we'll open to bidding."
"Any clan or individual in the village can buy in—on one condition: no favoritism."
"Even your clan and mine will pay the same price per share."
Tsunade was quiet for a long moment.
It was bold.
It was smart.
And it would work.
"…You've got yourself a deal," she said at last, cracking a smile.