Chapter 32 - Bet

''Sukuna-sama, this way'' An attendant said politely as she guided Sukuna to the balcony to overview the finals. 

The curtains of the entrance were pulled aside by two ANBU members as Sukuna walked inside. It seemed that he was one of the last to arrive, only the Raikage and his people hadn't arrived yet. 

Sukuna's arrival caused many heads to turn. Tsunade was the first to react and pointed at the seat besides the Mizukage who eyed him curiously. 

Hiruzen nodded to him while Hiashi looked relieved to see him. 

''Sukuna, it's about to start. Any favourites?'' Hiruzen asked with light smile. 

Sukuna arrived in front of him and gave him a hand, ''Not really, they are just children. They should be doing something else then compare who can kill others better'' 

Hiruzen shook his hand and smiled bitterly as Sukuna arrived before the Mizukage who looked at him with an interested expression as she said, 

''We finally get to meet, I thank you for the boat designs you send us'' 

The Mizukage was a tall, slender woman with fair skin. She had green eyes with ankle-length auburn hair styled into a herringbone pattern at the back, a top knot tied with a dark blue band, and with four bangs at the front with one covering her right eye. 

She wore a long-sleeved, dark blue dress that falls just below the knees. It seemed to be closed at the front with a zipper and is kept open on the front-right side from the waist down. The dress only covers up to the upper part of her arms and the underside of her breasts. 

She also wore a skirt in the same color as her dress and, underneath those, mesh leggings reaching down over her knees. 

''It's an honor'' Sukuna said politely with a light smile as he shook her hand. 

''Hoho~… Calluses, it seems like you're not just a smart one, but also hard working'' The Mizukage said with a mature smile. 

''We didn't communicate directly before, but you can call me Sukuna. The current leaders of the Senju's'' Sukuna said as he let go of her hand and sat down with the Mizukage. 

''Indeed, my retainer has been in contact with one of your maids to solidify most of the business. I have to say, mainly those boats will help us greatly. You can just call me Mei, Sukuna-sama'' Mei said politely with a warm smile on her face. 

''Alright Mei, but then also remove the 'sama' from behind my name. Let's converse as equals then'' Sukuna said with a light smile. 

''Understood, Sukuna. I do have some questions regarding the blueprint you send us, do you mind if I ask you some small questions?'' Mei asked politely to which Sukuna nodded as they continued conversing. 

She didn't show any weird emotions regarding his young age, didn't show any disrespect and treated him like an equal which made his feelings towards her start off as extremely favorable. 

Hiruzen and Tsunade looked quite speechless as the two of them spoke with each other like they were old friends within a few minutes considering Sukuna's character, but Hiruzen instantly thought back of the woman Sukuna brought back to the village while Tsunade thought of the woman she met at his house..... 

He and that woman probably slept together yesterday.... 

'Lustful brat....' Two curses mumbled through the air as Mei and Sukuna turned around with confused expressions, clearly not able to hear what they said. 

''….they travel around 40% faster than your current boats and their cost is only 55% of your current expenses for a single unit'' Sukuna said as he explained a blueprint Mei had taken with her. 

''Genius! With this the farmers don't have to pay such a high toll and can we make the trade routes between villages many times faster!'' Mei said with a gleeful smile as she held the blueprint as if it was a priceless treasure. 

''Thank you!'' Mei said earnestly to which Sukuna shook his head, ''You gave us a 75% Tax Exemption for a decade. Naturally I won't make you suffer any losses'' 

Mei smiled lightly as she nodded, ''Truly a magnificent boy, if only you were a little bit older'' 

''Then what?'' Sukuna asked with light grin on his face, causing Mei to look at him with a cheeky smile, 

''You like teasing older woman?'' 

''I couldn't consider you old, besides, age is just a number after you become a Shinobi'' Sukuna shrugged, causing Mei to show a beautiful smile. 

''That's a beautiful take on it'' Mei nodded as the curtains opened once more as A and Killer Bee entered the balcony. 

''Thank you for coming, Raikage'' Hiruzen smiled lightly and shook his hand while A only nodded and said, ''This is for our alliance ofcourse'' 

Hiruzen wanted to say something, but Killer Bee suddenly appeared in front of him as he excitedly held Hiruzen's hand and said, ''Yo! Nice meeting ya' Hokage-sama!'' 

''A..ah, yeah, likewise?'' Hiruzen confusedly said as Bee disappeared and came in front of every, excitedly introducing himself while the Raikage wiped the imaginary sweat of his forehead, tired of his brother doing the most random stuff. 

''Yo! My name is Killer Bee, nice to meet ya'!'' Killer Bee said with an excited smile in front of the Mizukage who politely shook his hand. 

Hiruzen looked at Killer Bee before turning back to the Raikage, ''So, Raikage, any favorites this time?'' 

''I expect some great results from my people'' A said with a cold face as he took a seat while Hiruzen just smiled with a bitter expression, clearly used to his attitude. 

Bee came in front of Sukuna as he said with an excited smile, ''Yo! I heard from the new Senju Clan leader, Hashirama Senju is a major inspiration to me!'' 

Sukuna stretched out his hand with a kind smile as Bee suddenly felt his back tingle while laying eyes on Sukuna before a voice entered his brain with urgency, 

[Bee, back off!] 

Bee didn't hesitate and disappeared underneath the balcony platform under everyone's stunned gazes as they looked at him and Sukuna. 

''What is wrong pal?'' Killer Bee asked seriously while holding the hilt of one of his blades, his previous demeanor nowhere to be found. 

[I sense one of my kind on him] Gyúki said seriously 

''That is weird, there was no information on that. Are you sure?'' Killer Bee asked as he noticed the confused stares at him from the VIP stage. 

[I'm 100% certain] Gyúki said as Killer Bee noticed Sukuna's sarcastic grin, 

''Gyúki, stop overreacting'' Sukuna's sarcastic voice confused people even more as Killer Bee calmed himself down and appeared next to the Raikage. 

''Bee, what is wrong?'' A asked as he looked at him with a doubtful expression, Bee hesitated before reciting the Gyúki's words to A, causing his eyes to narrow as he looked at Sukuna who looked at them with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. 

''It seems that you are hiding quite some secrets Sukuna'' Mei's voice interrupted them while Hiruzen and Hiashi gave him a confused look while Tsunade looked helpless. 

''Everyone has their own little secrets, right?'' Sukuna said with a meaningful smile to Mei who grinned and gave him a meaningful look back. 

''Why aren't you taking part in this Chuunin Exam, Senju Leader. You're still a Genin, right?'' A asked with a cold tone. 

''Correct, I'm indeed still a Genin. But if I took part in the exam, it wouldn't be any fun'' Sukuna said as he supported his head by one of his hands as he sat down. 

''It seems that you think you are too good to take part in this exam, I heard you were marrying the oldest Byakúgan daughter, I also suggest a marriage between my adoptive son and the youngest Byakúgan daughter'' A said with a double meaning as he looked at Hiruzen with a light smile while Hiashi shot him a cold look. 

''Mmm, did you get an answer to that yet?'' Sukuna asked with a grin on his face, which caused A to shake his head, ''Sadly not, I'm wondering why it takes so long. Lord Hokage, can you elaborate?'' 

Hiruzen hesitated for a moment and wanted to answer, but Sukuna interjected and said, ''That would be because Hinabi-Chan doesn't want to'' 

A was mildly surprised as he said nonchalantly, ''A child like her doesn't have a say in adult matters, this is about the alliance of our two villages'' 

Sukuna looked at him as if he was an idiot, ''It seems that you don't understand human language, she said no. No matter how high or low you jump, she is my little sister-in-law'' 

Hiashi shot him a grateful look while Mei gave him an interested gaze, his demeanor clearly sparking an interest considering Sukuna never seemed to be the rash type. 

As for Tsunade, she was already getting ready after sighing about her misfortune. It seems another fight would break out.... 

A felt a vein pop on his forehead as he looked at Hiruzen, ''Hokage, is that your intention as well?'' 

''Well, we were supposed to vote about this matter. We never said it wasn't happening'' Hiruzen said with a bitter smile as his back tingled, he looked at Sukuna who looked at him with a gaze that sent shivers down his spine as he spoke slowly, 

''I never asked for your opinion, my little sister-in-law won't get married for your benefits. Enough children have sacrificed themselves for your mistakes'' 

Hiruzen trembled as he couldn't find the words to retort as A's chakra started flaring around him, creating sparks of lightning as he walked towards Sukuna. 

However, before he could reach Sukuna, two similarly powerful Chakra's blocked his path as Mei and Tsunade appeared in front of him. 

''Raikage-sama, we are all here for a joyful occasion. Let's not create a fight here, okay?'' Mei said with a seductive smile on her face while Tsunade just gave him a cold look. 

A looked at Sukuna who still sat on his chair and said coldly, ''There won't be a next time'' 

Sukuna's expression turned eerie as his eyes grew cold. Mei and Tsunade gave a sigh of relief and wanted to sit back down, until they felt a huge amount of Chakra appear behind them, causing them to rapidly turn around and look at Sukuna who was now being covered by a light blue Chakra. 

As the Chakra coated his body, his cloak started glowing a light blue color while his hair turned the same light blue color as his own eyes, almost shining in bright daylight. 

[It's the Three Tails, Bee. However, it isn't forced control.... It's just like us] Gyúki's voice sounded through Bee's mind as he finally knew why he felt the innate fear towards Sukuna. 

A turned to look at Sukuna with a serious expression and asked, ''What? Do you want to fight? Try me brat'' 

''You keep continuing to show off your own abilities without knowing the depth of my own, you should act wisely. Know where you are, Raikage. You don't know a thing about me, if we fight, I'm confident I can drag you down with me'' Sukuna said coldly. 

''You? Funny, you should grow some hairs first brat. Think about your life first, you do not have the resolve to die'' A said coldly as Sukuna slowly stood up and moved in front of A without any fear in his eyes. 

Their Chakra's collided as the people around them made some distance while the VIP stage began to shake, many people noticed the commotion and looked at the huge amount of Chakra in confusion. 

''What were you words again? Oh yeahh...'' 

''Try me.'' 

Sukuna's cold voice pierced to A's brain as he wanted to punch the kid, but he couldn't considering not only Tsunade, but also Hiruzen would jump him. 

He might be able to get away, but Bee would definitely be caught, he would lose a brother and the Eight Tails! 

''How about this then, you fight my brother. Since you're both Jinchuuriki and all. If you win, the engagement is off, if we win, the engagement goes through. Deal?'' A said with a grin on his face. 

''Enough! Raikage, do you not have any sha-….'' Tsunade angrily yelled but Sukuna interrupted her, 

''Who do you think you are to consider making her a bargaining chip. Besides, you don't offer anything'' Sukuna coldly said as A grinned, ''Oh, are you scared kid? I thought you were so confident in your abilities'' 

''You're flaunting your abilities to a child, your maturity as worse than the average child in my clan'' Sukuna sarcastically said, causing Mei to have to hide her laugh while Hiashi basked in the humiliation of the Raikage. 

The Raikage forcefully calmed himself as he said, ''What else do you want to bet on then?'' 

Sukuna's grin turned evil as he walked down towards the edge of the stage, ''Let's bet the thing you hold dear most. The Tailed Beasts'' 

''Absolutely not!'' A and Hiruzen said simultaniously, having another Tailed Beast in the village, a perfect Jinchuuriki to boot was too much to lose for Konoha. 

Hiruzen definitely wouldn't let such an opportunity go to waste. Although it was painful that the Jinchuuriki was Sukuna, as long as he was in the village, they would have another war-deterrent. 

A followed up coldly, ''You want to bet the Three Tails for the Eight Tails? Their strengths are way different!'' 

''Indeed, but how about this?....'' Sukuna grinned as his eyes turned into slitted pupils as they turned towards Bee, 

[You can confirm who I am right, Gyúki?] 

Killer Bee trembled as his pupils turned slitted as well, 

[It's been a while, Isobu] 

'Sukuna' nodded and turned towards the Raikage, [Now you know who I am, let me confirm this bet. Sukuna Senju will hand me over to the Cloud Village and I will obey the new Jinchuuriki, those stakes should be pretty even now, right?] 

Everyone was momentarily lost for words as they saw two Tailed Beast conversing before A regained his senses and hesitated, this bet could make his own village the strongest in the Lands... But if he lost the Eight Tails..... 

''I will bet you the Two-Tails'' A said after much consideration to which 'Sukuna' shook his head, 

[Matatabi has always been a troublemaker, Gyúki can vouch for my character. If we lose, I will honor the bet] 

A hesitated as Bee nudged his shirt with a reassuring nod, clearly knowing the value of Tailed Beasts. If his brother got another perfect Jinchuuriki, his political power would be completely solid. 

His confidence was mainly because of experience and the Eight Tails that was clearly more powerful than the Three Tails under normal circumstances. 

Tsunade didn't say anything but wanted to stop Sukuna originally, but remembering all his decisions, she didn't do anything. 

After all, those eyes..... 

''Fine, you got a deal'' A gritted his teeth as a maddened expression covered his face, ''You against my little brother, the winner takes the loser's Tailed Beast'' 

'Got you....' 

Sukuna's smile grew wider as he spread his arms as he took back his body, 

''In that case, thank you beforehand!''