Chapter 59: She's Provoking Me!
Uehara Naraka tossed and turned all night.
Losing several million Ryō in one night—anyone would lose sleep over that.
He clearly just wanted to complete two side quests along the way, but ended up losing all his money, losing face completely, and even more embarrassingly, the person he lost to was Tsunade.
If this got out, it would ruin his persona.
In the future, when he became the number one mastermind Big Boss of the ninja world, if Tsunade found out, she'd just blurt out, "Isn't that Uehara Naraka the kid who lost several million to me at the gambling table?"
This... Would he have any image left?
"Forget it, nobody's perfect."
"Hashirama Senju was still an idiot, Uchiha Madara had prostatitis—these little things are irrelevant. Besides, Tsunade has several strange side quests related to her, the rewards aren't too low, and she does have a little bit of femininity..."
Late at night, Uehara Naraka mumbled a few sentences deliriously and inexplicably dreamed of Konan wearing the red cloud cloak.
In the dream.
Konan's face lacked its usual gentleness; instead, it was cold, scolding him with a dark expression, "Naraka, have you learned to gamble?"
Behind Konan stood Pain, fanning the flames, "Jiraiya-sensei taught us we must absolutely not associate with gamblers."
"Moreover, this kid named Uehara gambled with Tsunade! He was either seduced by Tsunade's beauty or wanted to cheat Tsunade out of her money... Aren't you curious why Tsunade is so beautiful yet still single? It's because she's a gambling addict!"
The speaker was a tall man standing behind Pain. Uehara couldn't see his face clearly, only able to judge by his voice and silhouette that it should be Jiraiya.
"..."
The end of this dream involved the Technique of the Paper Person of God, Planetary Devastation, and Sage Art: Goemon collectively attacking Uehara. Ultimately, the Great Demon King Uehara, with Tsunade's support, defeated the righteous combination of Konan, Pain, and Jiraiya.
Really just dreaming, huh!
And it was a chaotic dream, mixing elements of nightmare, sweet dream, and erotic dream.
Early morning.
Uehara Naraka climbed out of bed, wiped his mouth as if savoring an aftertaste, and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"Lord Uehara."
Someone knocked on the door. Kisame Hoshigaki's voice came from outside, "Are we continuing our journey today, or staying another day in Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water)? I've prepared another five million Ryō for you..."
"...Today, we travel faster!"
Uehara Naraka flung open the door, looking unhappily at Kisame Hoshigaki, "About me losing to Tsunade yesterday, no one else knows, right?"
"...Those who should know, know."
Kisame Hoshigaki tilted his head. Standing beside him was a row of their own people: Mangetsu Hōzuki, Zabuza Momochi, and Kaguya Kimimaro were strikingly present.
Haku covered his mouth in astonishment.
"..."
Uehara Naraka fiercely clenched his fists, surveying everyone present, "What happened in Yugakure must not be known by others, especially my teacher! Understand?"
"...Yes."
Kisame Hoshigaki smiled and nodded. The others also acknowledged, not understanding what quirk Uehara was having.
Uehara Naraka certainly couldn't tell them.
He had to play the role of a perfect disciple in front of Konan-sensei. His record couldn't have any stains that would displease Konan; only then could he possibly become a full member of Akatsuki.
The entrance of Yugakure village.
Uehara Naraka's small team had just walked over when they happened to encounter Tsunade, Shizune, and their pet piglet Tonton, who were also leaving Yugakure.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly, sizing up the group of strange-looking people behind Uehara. Suddenly, her face broke into a smile, "Morning, kid! Are you guys leaving Yugakure too?"
"..."
Uehara Naraka glanced at Tsunade's somewhat revealing clothes, turned his head, and walked past Tsunade, ignoring the blonde female ninja.
The others followed behind Uehara, nervously passing by Tsunade.
"Hey, kid!"
Tsunade, somewhat displeased, wanted to call out to Uehara. Seeing he didn't react, she chuckled lightly, "Last night when you were with me, you were as obedient as a kitten. How come after one night, you flip face and deny knowing me?"
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune, face flushed red, waved her hand trying to stop Tsunade's suggestive words, "Don't say things that cause misunderstandings! That little fellow is still underage!"
"Alright, alright..."
Tsunade patted Shizune's shoulder, pushed her aside, her gaze turning slightly grave, "If I didn't see wrongly just now, among the people following that kid, several are Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, right?"
"Eh?"
Shizune was somewhat confused.
Tsunade patted her head and smiled confidently, "That kid's identity seems quite significant. Maybe we can win another sum from him to use as travel expenses!"
"What if we lose?"
"That kid looks like a newbie at first glance; how could I possibly lose?"
"Don't talk like that! Besides, it's too dangerous! Didn't Lady Tsunade say he's followed by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? What if they turn hostile..."
"Don't worry, I have absolute confidence."
Ever since Tsunade started gambling, apart from winning against Hashirama Senju once, she had never encountered someone she could win money from. How could she bear to let him go easily?
Anyway, she was leaving Yugakure today too. Not winning would be a waste!
Besides, Tsunade hadn't told Shizune one thing: she could feel that the kid who gambled with her was very interesting, not like a normal gambling addict at all!
That feeling was very similar to her own style...
That little fellow actually really wanted to win in his heart. As long as he could win once, it didn't matter how many times he lost!
Tsunade took out a banknote and continued shouting towards Uehara Naraka, "Hey, kid, need a few hundred Ryō more for travel expenses?"
"..."
Uehara Naraka's expression visibly turned ugly.
Nearby, Kisame Hoshigaki, seeing this, reached for Samehada's hilt. Uehara waved his hand, stopping his action, "...Ignore her."
"Kid!"
Following Tsunade's light shout, a banknote shot rapidly towards Uehara Naraka, easily caught between his fingers!
Uehara Naraka finally couldn't resist turning his head, looking at the composed blonde female ninja standing at the entrance of Yugakure.
Tsunade rested her chin on her fist, looking at Uehara Naraka with a smile, "No money to play with me today? I don't mind taking IOUs!"
After speaking, Tsunade licked the corner of her lips.
Feminine charm was displayed vividly by Tsunade, making people feel embarrassed to look directly at her.
What the hell was this woman up to!
He was just a twelve-year-old child!
"You guys wait for me a moment..."
Uehara Naraka finally couldn't stand it anymore. He wasn't a proper ninja anyway; his heart only wanted to get the system's side quest rewards.
"Lord Uehara!"
Kisame Hoshigaki felt completely unwell, his small eyes filled with great confusion!
However, seeing Uehara Naraka's outstretched palm, Kisame Hoshigaki still placed a sealing scroll in Uehara's hand.
Uehara even suspected Tsunade was cheating!
Logically speaking, winning against Tsunade at the gambling table should be the simplest side quest. Why did it now feel harder than killing her!
Mangetsu Hōzuki looked up and hesitated, "Milord, Lady Tsunade is one of the legendary Sannin. Regardless of her status or strength, it's not suitable to conflict with her..."
Ninjas all deeply respected Tsunade.
In a sense, Tsunade promoting the establishment of specialized medical ninjas back then greatly reduced ninja casualties; she had already transcended the narrow identity of just a Konoha ninja.
"But she's provoking me!"
Uehara Naraka fiercely clenched the scroll in his hand, looking coldly at Tsunade in the distance, "Kimimaro stays, the rest of you go first! Can't let this woman get too smug! I'm not some good luck charm for wealth!"
(End of Chapter)
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