Casino:
"Place your bets!"
"Betting on 456! Big—15 o'clock!"
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!"
A long-haired woman let out a scream of disbelief as she lost yet again. Her pale blonde hair was tied in a high ponytail, the violet Yin Seal on her forehead glowing faintly. She had short, thin eyebrows, amber-brown eyes, fair skin, painted red nails, and an impressive figure.
Tsunade held her head in defeat. "I can't believe I lost again! How is this even possible?!"
"Let's go again! Shizune, hand me more money!" she demanded, reaching out.
The woman beside her—dressed modestly, holding a piglet in her arms—hesitated. "L-Lady Tsunade… that was the last of our lodging money…"
Shizune was on the verge of tears. Were they really going to sleep on the streets again?
"Relax, Shizune! I'm feeling lucky this time. I swear, once I win, I'll treat you to a feast!" Tsunade declared confidently, throwing all their remaining funds on the table.
At the same time, a quiet red-haired boy placed his own bet—on the opposite side.
"Place your bets!" the dealer called.
The results came in. "123, Small—6 o'clock!"
Tsunade's jaw dropped. "Lost again?! This is impossible!"
"Shizune, more money!"
Shizune sighed deeply. "We don't have any more, Lady Tsunade…"
"What do you mean, we're out of money?" Tsunade blinked in confusion.
Shizune facepalmed. I told her that was the last of it…
"I can lend you some," said a soft voice.
The red-haired boy handed Tsunade a wad of cash.
"Wow, thank you, little redhead!" she said cheerfully, ruffling his hair. "Don't worry, big sis is gonna win this time and treat you to something nice!"
"…Okay."
Tsunade turned back to the table and confidently placed half the cash on "Small."
The red-haired boy watched silently, then doubled her amount and bet on "Big."
Shizune: "???"
What kind of move is that?!
"Place your bets!"
"445, Big—13 o'clock!"
"Ugh! Again!" Tsunade groaned, clutching her head.
Meanwhile, the red-haired kid calmly pulled his winnings off the table, a slight smile forming at the corner of his lips.
Tsunade, still determined, threw the rest of her money on "Small" again. And again, the boy placed a bigger amount—on the opposite side.
Nani?
Does this kid know Lady Tsunade? Shizune was deeply suspicious now. This had to be intentional. Tsunade had never won a single bet. But this child… how did he know exactly how to bet against her?
Still, Shizune didn't recognize him. There weren't any known red-haired kids from Konoha.
Could he be an enemy…?
Shizune crept closer to Tsunade, keeping her eyes locked on the boy.
Suddenly, the boy turned and gave her a small smile.
Shizune: "…"
What the hell does that even mean?
"Place your bets!"
"356, Big—14 o'clock!"
"Aaaagh! I lost again!" Tsunade shouted.
Again, the boy calmly pushed more money her way. "Here, sis. Let me lend you some more."
Tsunade scratched her head sheepishly. "Well… if you insist."
She had already taken the money with her left hand before finishing her sentence.
"…I believe you'll win eventually," the boy said, exasperated.
"Of course! And when I do, we're all eating good!"
Tsunade kept losing. The red-haired kid kept winning. And he kept lending her more money. Again. And again.
Until finally…
The casino couldn't take it anymore.
He had won 25 times in a row, and the pot was only growing. If this kept up, they'd be bankrupt.
A group of large men surrounded him and Tsunade.
"Kid," one of them growled, "this place ain't for you. Time to leave."
One reached out to grab him.
But the red-haired boy just smiled—and raised his left hand. A swirling blue orb formed in his palm.
Chakra? He's a ninja? Shizune's eyes narrowed.
Boom!
A split-second later, several large men were sent flying into the wall, leaving behind a crater.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "That technique… feels familiar."
It reminded her of a place she both loved and hated. Loved, because it was where she grew up. Hated, because it was where her loved ones were buried.
"Little brat!" shouted the remaining casino guards as they closed in on him.
"Should we help him, Lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked.
Tsunade looked on calmly. "Do you think he needs help?"
The boy was surrounded, but he didn't seem worried in the slightest.
With a smirk, he clasped his hands together. "Shadow Clone Technique."
Poof! Two identical red-haired clones appeared instantly.
"You guys take care of this," the original said, already turning away.
A guard tried to intercept him—but the kid sent him flying with a kick, then strolled toward the door.
Shizune: "…"
Tsunade stood. "Let's go, Shizune. I want to know who that kid is. Red hair, huh… if he's from that place, there's only one person he could be."
They followed him beyond the town, onto an open, grassy plain.
"I know you've been following me," the boy said suddenly, stopping in his tracks. "Come out."
Tsunade and Shizune stepped out from their cover casually.
The red-haired kid turned around with a cheeky smile.
"Sis, you here to pay me back? That'll be 98,000 ryo, thanks!" He held out both hands expectantly.
Tsunade scratched the back of her head. "Hehe… yeah, about that… Big Sis doesn't have the money right now."
The boy's smile froze.
He slowly lowered his hands. "Wow. Just like Jiraiya. Owes money and never pays back. Why did I even bother lending it to you…"
Jiraiya?!
That confirmed it.
"You know Jiraiya?" Tsunade's tone sharpened. "What's your relationship with him? Who are you? Why did you approach me?"
She wasn't a fool. She pieced everything together in her head—the timing, the tactics, the bets. This kid wasn't random.
The red-haired boy straightened up.
"Nice to meet you, Lady Tsunade, Shizune."
"My name is Menma Uzumaki."
(End Of Chapter)
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