Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 360 The Bet with Tsunade
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Inside the underground base of Amegakure, the torchlight cast dancing shadows on Sasori's puppet shell.

The entire space fell into a brief silence.

Scorpion of the red sand.

Although he had disappeared for more than ten years, the trigger for the Third Shinobi World War was the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, and along with the Third Kazekage, there was also this puppet genius who was a once-in-a-century talent of Sunagakure.

Five years ago, in the Western Shinobi World War, Sunagakure was completely defeated, and the Land of Wind was annexed by the Land of Stars.

Back then, some people in the organization joked about how Sasori of the Red Sand must feel, after all, it was his hometown, the place where he was born.

Scorpion's reply was only two cold words: "Boring."

At this moment, under the watchful eyes of Payne and Konan, Sasori's puppet shell emitted a slight mechanical friction sound.

His voice, transmitted through the puppet's internal sound device, was metallic, cold, and hoarse: "I have no feelings for Sunagakure. That place is nothing but a cage full of sand."

He paused, the puppet's eyes sweeping across the crowd:
"However, my informant in Sunagakure has provided some interesting information after joining the Land of Stars."

Zabuza Momochi raised an eyebrow.

He fought against Sunagakure during the Third Shinobi World War. Although Sasori of the Red Sand had already disappeared by then, Kirigakure's intelligence files still listed him as an elite Jonin of Sunagakure, with a danger level of S.

Having been a member of Akatsuki for many years, Zabuza has gained a certain understanding of Sasori.

This guy cares about nothing but puppetry; he joined the organization purely because Pain defeated him with overwhelming power.

For someone like that to say "interesting"...

"Oh?" Zabuza spoke up, "What kind of information could interest you?"

Others also cast curious glances.

Ringo Ameyuri stopped playing with the senbon needles, Midori Aoi's gaze also shifted over, and even Tobi and Hidan, who had been playing around, looked over as well.

Uchiha Itachi stood quietly, his three-tomoe Sharingan slowly rotating beneath his wispy hair.

He needs to assess the importance of this intelligence and whether it is necessary to send it back to Konoha.

Pain's Rinnegan stared at Sasori: "Speak."

Sasori's puppet raised an arm, opened its palm, and shot out a beam of chakra.

The beam of light formed a three-dimensional image in the air, which appeared to be a factory test site, where a white humanoid puppet with intricate mechanical structures at its joints was being tested.

"The Land of Stars possesses a puppet technology..." Sasori's voice rarely carried a hint of excitement: "It can operate independently without chakra threads. It can even autonomously determine tactics based on the battlefield situation."

The puppet in the video begins to demonstrate combat movements: quick movement, evasion, counterattack, and the use of simple ninjutsu.

Its movements were so fluid that it didn't seem like a mechanical creation, but rather like a living ninja.

"Most importantly, these puppets can be mass-produced. According to our informants, the standard model's combat power... is already comparable to that of a Chunin."

The concept of "mass-produced Chunin combat puppets" made everyone present look serious.

If it were just a few dozen, or even a hundred, Chunin, any member of the Akatsuki could easily handle them.

But "mass production" means that as long as there are enough resources, the Star Kingdom can produce this war machine in an endless stream.

Hidan scratched his head: "They're just Chunin, I'll kill as many as they come."

“Idiot,” Sasori said coldly. “The point isn’t the combat strength of Chunin, but the word 'mass production.' Do you understand what that means?”

Ringo Ameyuri spat out the senbon in her mouth and continued, "This means that as long as resources are sufficient, the Land of Stars can produce combat units with Chunin-level strength in an endless stream, just like producing kunai and shuriken!"

"An army composed entirely of puppets can be assembled in a short time. No training is required, no emotional bonds need to be cultivated, there is no fear, no betrayal... a pure tool of war."

Green Sunflower smiled gloomily: "Besides, puppets can be repaired and recycled if they break. Human life is much more valuable than weapons."

Konan chimed in, "The training period for a Chunin is at least five years, and the cost... is at least five million taels. But a puppet, if the material cost is kept below one million taels and the production efficiency is high enough..."

She paused, her brow furrowing, and her voice took on a serious tone: "The economic and industrial capacity of the Star Kingdom is probably far beyond our imagination."

Pain's Rinnegan stared at the puppet image in the air.

He saw something deeper: if this technology continued to develop, it would one day create puppets with the fighting power of Jonin or even Kage.

No commissions needed, no worries about injury or death compensation, just materials and energy...

At that time, the value of ninjas will be completely overturned.

"Is the intelligence reliable?" Payne asked.

“Reliable.” Sasori withdrew his chakra beam, and the image disappeared. “The informant is an elite member of the former puppet unit of Sunagakure, and now works in the puppet research and development department of the Land of Stars. I can guarantee that the information he transmits will not be false.”

Itachi Uchiha remained silent.

His mind was racing; this information had to be relayed back to Konoha!

If the Star Kingdom truly masters this technology, then the future mode of warfare may be completely changed.

Konoha must prepare countermeasures in advance!

“Interesting.” The ripples in Pain’s Rinnegan spread slightly, and his cold voice echoed in the conference room: “Zetsu, intensify the gathering of intelligence on the Star Country’s industries. In particular, the location, production capacity, and technical details of the puppet factories.”

The white-clad half-body replied with a grin, "Understood~ I'll have the clones work harder~"

………………

At the same time, on the border of the Land of Earth, in Renga Castle.

Renga Castle was brightly lit under the night sky, a stark contrast to the desolation of the rest of the Land of Earth.

This port city, located on the border, has undergone tremendous changes in just a few years since it was leased to the Star Kingdom five years ago.

Skyscrapers rise from the ground, and neon signs flash incessantly.

The streets were teeming with people, including merchants, tourists, and ninjas from all over the world.

Casinos, nightclubs, and upscale restaurants are everywhere.

This place became the most prosperous den of iniquity in the entire ninja world, and was also known by some as the "City of Depravity".

In the heart of the city stands a thirty-story skyscraper.

The rooftop sign, spelling out "Royal Casino" in huge neon lights, shone brightly in the night sky.

At this moment, the VIP area on the top floor of the casino was in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside.

Inside the magnificent lobby, various expensive gambling machines sat quietly, while the high rollers who had been spending lavishly here were politely "invited" out by the casino manager.

Heavy velvet curtains hung down, blocking out the outside world, with only the huge crystal chandelier on the ceiling casting a bright yet soft light.

In the center of the hall, around a giant gambling table covered with dark green velvet, the atmosphere was heavy.

The casino owner, a short man dressed in a well-tailored, luxuriously made suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, was standing respectfully to the side, presenting a deck of unopened, gold-rimmed, specially made playing cards to Mianma, who was sitting on one side of the gambling table.

Kado wore a fawning yet cautious smile, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead. He showed no signs of being the powerful head of the "Kado Group," who wielded immense influence in the ninja and business worlds.

Behind Menma to the side stood a figure with an even colder and more terrifying aura: Kakuzu.

He was wearing a long black robe, and ten sealed metal boxes were placed at his feet. They were being opened one by one, revealing neatly stacked large-denomination Star Kingdom banknotes that smelled of fresh ink!
Each box represents a huge fortune of one hundred million taels of silver!
Seeing the money piled up like bricks on the gambling table, even someone as greedy as Kakuzu had his green pupils twitch slightly uncontrollably, and his heart ached, but he dared not voice any objections.

On the other side of the gambling table sat a woman with a completely different demeanor.

She has an enviable figure and a beautiful face. Her long golden hair is tied into a ponytail, with two strands of hair hanging down in front of her forehead. She is none other than Tsunade, one of the legendary "Sannin".

She was wearing a loose coat and was holding a huge gourd of wine. She tilted her head back and took a swig, her face flushed with the effects of the wine and showing a hint of impatience.

Shizune stood nervously behind her, clutching a pink piglet tightly in her arms, her face full of worry.

Tsunade's gaze swept over the ten open money boxes opposite her, and her pupils contracted slightly.

She was a worldly person, but the visual impact of having a billion taels of cash piled up in front of her was still astonishing.

What caught her attention even more was the Asura opposite him, and the guard behind him who exuded an aura that even she found strange.

She could sense that the guard's strength was unfathomable; his chakra... was indescribably strange, but immense—definitely one of the strongest she had ever seen in her life. "Hey, kid!" Tsunade slammed her sake gourd on the table with a thud, breaking the silence, and asked, slightly drunk, "Making such a big fuss, what are the rules? What do you want to bet on?"

Menma took the playing cards from Kado, skillfully unpacked them, and shuffled them deftly with a pleasant "swish" sound. He said in a calm tone, "You can choose how you play: blackjack, all-in, or dice, which you ninjas like. However, I'll set the stakes."

"The wager?" Tsunade frowned slightly, a cold smile playing on her red lips. "What do you want from me? The Yin Seal? Or some forbidden scroll?"

She guessed that the other party was after her most treasured medical secrets, after all, the Star Kingdom was known for its huge investment in the medical field, and she had already sold a lot of medical technology and ninjutsu.

Menma stopped shuffling the cards, gently placed them on the green velvet table, raised his eyes, and stared intently at Tsunade, slowly uttering a few words: "I need the exact coordinates of Shikkotsu Forest."

"What?!" Shizune exclaimed in shock first.

The porcupine in my arms seemed to sense the tense atmosphere and started whimpering anxiously.

Tsunade sobered up considerably in an instant, her eyes sharpening as she leaned forward slightly, radiating a powerful aura: "Coordinates? Didn't you want a summoning contract? Kid, what do you think you're doing to the Slug Sage?!"

Shikkotsu Forest is one of the three holy lands, and the Slug Sage is both her teacher and friend. She will never allow anyone to have designs on the Slug Sage!
Despite Tsunade's imposing aura, Menma remained unfazed, his tone still calm: "I have no ill intentions towards the Slug Sage, but I have some questions that I need to ask it in person. The reason I need the coordinates is because I don't like being 'invited' by someone else's summoning jutsu; it makes me feel like I owe them a favor. I prefer... to visit them myself."

Tsunade stared intently into Menma's eyes, trying to find any trace of a lie, but those eyes were like a bottomless, icy pool, revealing nothing.

She scoffed, "Hmph! Easier said than done! You think you can just go to the Wet Bone Forest like that? Who knows what you're up to!"

Mianma seemed to have anticipated her response and didn't argue. He simply said calmly, "So, I'll use these ten billion taels to bet on a coordinate. If you win a round, you take one billion. If I win a round, you tell me the coordinate, or lend me the spirit scroll. A fair trade, each relying on luck. How about it?"

At that moment, Tsunade took a deep breath and made a decision.

She formed hand seals and uttered a low shout: "Spirit Summoning Technique!"

boom!
A puff of white smoke flashed by, and a small slug, about the size of a palm, with a crystal-clear body and several green stripes on its back, appeared on the gambling table, uttering a soft and cute voice: "Little Tsunade~ What do you need me for? Huh? This place is so bright and beautiful!"

Its voice was filled with joy; after all, the Wet Bone Forest was dark and damp all year round, so it was always good to be able to come out.

"Lady Slug!" Tsunade briefly explained the situation.

The little slug turned its cute antennae and looked at Mianma.

The moment its eyes met Mianma's, its soft, pliable body paused almost imperceptibly!
As an immortal that has lived for countless years, it is closely connected with the energy of nature and its perception far surpasses that of humans.

It sensed an extremely complex and immense aura emanating from the boy before it. It possessed the all-encompassing power of the Sage of Six Paths, mixed with a trace of the unsettling coldness and sublimity of the Otsutsuki clan, and even... something deeper, an aura it had never seen before.

“Your Excellency… the aura emanating from you…” the slug sage began slowly, his voice still soft and gentle, but with a touch more solemnity: “Truly unique.”

"Actually, if you want to see me, you don't have to go through all this trouble. I can have Tsunade lend you the summoning scroll. After signing the contract, you can summon my clone at any time, or I can guide you to Shikkotsu Forest."

These words surprised Tsunade once again.

She knew the Slug Immortal too well. Although this immortal, who had lived for over a thousand years, had a gentle personality, he was extremely strict in choosing his contractors.

For hundreds of years, only a very small number of people in the Senju clan have been qualified to sign the contract.

Now the Slug Sage is actually offering to make a Shura Contract?
Mianma shook his head, his tone firm: "Thank you for your kindness. But I'm used to getting what I want in my own way. I don't like owing favors, especially not favors."

The Slug Sage was silent for a moment, seemingly understanding Menma's insistence: "Strange humans..."

It said to Tsunade, "Tsunade, since this gentleman insists, let's do as he wishes. I believe he means no harm." After saying that, it slowly climbed onto Shizune's shoulder, indicating that it would no longer interfere.

Seeing that even the Slug Sage had said so, Tsunade, though still having doubts, could no longer object.

She picked up the gourd again, took another swig, and said to the mahjong player with great bravado, "Alright! Kid, it's your way! Let's bet! But winning anything from me won't be so easy!"

She appears confident, but those who know her well know that she is more likely to be bluffing and hiding her inner unease when she is in such situations.

Her "curse" of always losing at gambling is well-known.

"Deal the cards." Menma nodded slightly to Kado beside him.

Cardo immediately bowed, picked up the deck of cards with his white-gloved hand, and began shuffling and cutting the cards with the skill of a professional dealer, his movements fluid and precise.

First round, blackjack.

Kado slid the two cards to Menma and Tsunade respectively.

Mianma gently flipped over his cards: an Ace of Spades, a 9 of Hearts, and 20 points!
This is already a very strong hand, with an extremely high chance of winning.

Tsunade frowned slightly when she saw the mahjong tiles, but it wouldn't be bad if she could finish this strange bet in the first round.

Anyway, the Slug Immortal didn't care.

However, when she casually flipped over her two cards, the smile on her face instantly froze!
A Jack of Spades and an Ace of Spades!

Black Jack!

Blackjack! A clean sweep!

“This…” Shizune covered her mouth, staring at the cards in disbelief.

Lady Tsunade...

How did they manage to get the best hand in the very first round?
Menma showed a perfectly timed "surprise" on his face, then smiled and said, "It seems Princess Tsunade is having a lucky day. Kakuzu."

Kakuzu walked forward expressionlessly and pushed the top money box in front of Tsunade.

One hundred million taels!

Tsunade looked at the box of money in front of her, but it felt like a hot potato, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead.

She won money...

And the victory was so decisive and swift...

This is definitely not a good sign!

Her inability to lose at gambling, and each of her unusual "lucky" moments, meant that someone close to her was about to encounter misfortune!
In the second round, Tsunade had 20 points and Menma had 19 points.

In the third round, Tsunade had 21 points and Menma had 20 points.

In the fourth round, Tsunade had 10 points on the table, and the other player had 9 points...

……

Eight innings in a row!

Tsunade has unbelievably won eight games in a row!

Eight heavy money boxes, worth eight hundred million taels of silver, were already piled up in front of her!

That's enough to drive any gambler crazy.

But Tsunade's face grew paler and paler, her hand holding the cards began to tremble uncontrollably, and the back of her clothes was soaked with cold sweat.

Shizune realized something was wrong, tightened her grip on Tun Tun, and turned pale.

The ton seemed to sense its owner's fear and let out a low whimper.

The air around him seemed to freeze.

Kado kept his head down, not daring to look at anyone's expression.

Kakuzu watched the money box dwindle, his heart bleeding.

Ninth inning.

Cards are dealt.

The mahjong tiles are turned over.

A Queen of Diamonds, an Ace of Hearts, blackjack!
Tsunade, her hands trembling, turned over her cards: a 2 of clubs, a 7 of hearts, and a pitiful 9 points.

Mianma looked at the cards, let out a soft breath, and revealed a smile that seemed to indicate he had expected it: "It seems that luck has finally turned in my favor this time."

Bang!

Tsunade dropped the cards from her hand onto the table. She seemed to have all her strength drained away, slumping into the luxurious gambling chair, her face pale, her eyes vacant as she stared at the mountain of money boxes opposite her.

Overwhelming fear and unease, like a tidal wave, instantly engulfed her.

What kind of disaster does this unusual "good luck" foreshadow?
(End of this chapter)