Chapter 45: If You’re Going to Lose Anyway, Why Not Lose to Me?
He wasn't completely oblivious to what was going on.
Some things were clear to him.
But understanding didn't necessarily mean he could do anything about it.
She's only 12 years old…
What could he do about that?
It's like trying to compare a paintbrush and a water tank. Just because one pairing works doesn't mean everything else will fit together.
There are just some things that time needs to resolve.
Give it a couple of years.
At the village gate, Kazuya greeted the guards and made his way out of Konoha.
Truth be told, the gatekeepers of Konoha weren't pushovers.
They were talented shinobi. In the original storyline, even Pain had to pull off a full-scale invasion just to get past them.
Underestimating them would be foolish.
Before long, Kazuya set off on his mission to the Land of Hot Water to find Tsunade.
In all honesty, he was looking forward to it.
While Tsunade might not rival legendary anime figures like Asuka, Asuna, or Tifa in terms of popularity, she was still in a league of her own within the world of Naruto.
She was the top-tier character, leaving even Hinata far behind in terms of standing.
This would be the first time Kazuya would meet Tsunade in person after being discharged from the hospital. He couldn't help but be excited.
But the real focus was on the Asura bloodline!
The Senju Clan—descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, known for their immense chakra reserves due to Asura's body!
Kazuya couldn't wait.
It would take about three days to reach the Land of Hot Water from Konoha.
If Kazuya went at full speed, he could likely make it in two days.
However, he wasn't in any rush.
As he traveled, Kazuya took the time to enjoy the scenic landscapes of the Land of Fire.
The mountains, the sunsets, the flowing rivers…
The geography of the Land of Fire truly was beautiful, and it was no wonder that it was often coveted by other nations.
After all, countries like the Land of Wind, with its endless deserts and harsh, sandy winds, couldn't help but be envious of the fertile and prosperous Land of Fire.
Wars often start with a simple thought of greed.
While on his journey, Kazuya even encountered two groups of bandits. Seeing that he was a Konoha ninja traveling alone, they thought they'd hit the jackpot.
These bandits, many of whom were rogue ninjas, had some degree of skill. They frequently raided merchant caravans and lone shinobi from the larger villages, seeking treasures like ninja techniques or valuable resources.
But trying to rob Kazuya? That was a fatal mistake.
The dozen or so bandits had their necks snapped, their bodies discarded in the forest.
Kazuya had no qualms about killing off these nameless characters that didn't affect the main plot.
Four days later.
The Land of Hot Water.
In a prosperous little town, Kazuya, now dressed in simple white robes, strolled through the bustling streets. He had removed his Konoha headband, blending in with the ordinary townsfolk.
After all, it was always wise to avoid drawing attention when entering a foreign land unless on an official mission.
The streets were packed with people.
The Land of Hot Water was famous for two things: the hot springs on Blue Bird Mountain and the bustling casinos of Rose Street.
Hot springs!
Casinos!
These were the twin pillars of the Land of Hot Water's economy.
As for Yugakure, well, there wasn't much to say. Aside from the rogue ninja Hidan, who later joined the Akatsuki, the village hadn't produced any notable figures.
If war broke out, Konoha could reduce Yugakure to ashes within three days.
Luckily, the leaders of Yugakure knew their limits. They had maintained a policy of peace, avoiding involvement in the major conflicts between the great nations. That's how they managed to survive.
"No wonder Jiraiya loves coming here so much," Kazuya mused to himself.
The atmosphere in the Land of Hot Water was far more relaxed than that of Konoha, more open and carefree.
The streets were alive with energy, and Kazuya couldn't help but notice some of the overly eager young ladies inviting passersby into their shops. The names of those places were hardly reputable, but Kazuya wasn't interested in any of that.
Too many people shared those spaces, and the thought of so much… traffic made him uncomfortable.
After strolling through the bustling streets for a while, he found a quiet restaurant and ordered a simple meal—grilled eel, roasted octopus, and some miso soup. Filling his stomach before he went looking for Tsunade seemed like a smart idea.
About ten minutes later, as Kazuya was finishing up his meal and getting ready to leave, he overheard a lively conversation at the next table.
"Did you hear? That rich sucker who lost over ten million at the casino yesterday? Word is, she's coming back today with thirty million to try and win it all back!"
"You serious?"
"Would I lie? It's the hottest gossip in town. She's got three million to her name and plans to gamble it all!"
"No way! And she's that good-looking?"
"Hell yeah!"
"Let's go! If we're late, we'll miss the show!"
The men at the table were practically vibrating with excitement, their faces contorted with thrill.
Gamblers, they're always the same.
Big bets and beautiful women—those were the ultimate allure for them.
And this particular "rich sucker" seemed to tick both boxes.
"A beautiful high roller?" Kazuya's curiosity piqued.
The address the Third Hokage had given him for Tsunade was right here in Rose Street, in the Land of Hot Water. A wealthy and attractive woman making such a bold play? Odds were it had to be Tsunade.
Otherwise, a rich, attractive woman flashing that much money in a gambling den would have been "dealt with" long ago.
Kazuya rose from his seat, casually following the group.
If Tsunade was going to lose money anyway, why not lose it to him? After all, they're on the same team, right?
A few minutes later, Kazuya followed the excited gamblers into a lavish casino.
As soon as he stepped inside, the cacophony of noise hit him.
Winners were celebrating with flushed faces, while losers sobbed, looking as though the ground might swallow them whole.
Kazuya stayed calm. He wasn't here to lose, just to gamble.
In the worst-case scenario, if things went south, he could always take down the casino owner, redistribute the wealth, and still come out ahead. That thought gave him plenty of confidence as he wandered through the casino, searching for a familiar face.
Just as he was about to think he'd arrived too early, the entrance to the casino erupted with excitement.
"Whoa!"
"She's here! The big spender!"
"Man, she's gorgeous!"
Kazuya's gaze shifted toward the commotion.
Two women walked in.
One had short black hair, cradling a small pet pig in her arms, her eyes timidly scanning the room.
Beside her was a striking blonde woman, clad in a green cloak with the kanji for "gamble" emblazoned on the back. Her aura was commanding, drawing all eyes toward her the moment she entered.
She radiated confidence, moving with the grace and authority of a queen.