Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 146 Fat Sheep Zhang Village

Chapter 146 The Fat Sheep Returns to the Village

Sosuke arrived at the "Sweetness Place".

"Mr. Sosuke, um—I'd like to ask for a leave of absence."

Maki walked over.

"Are you taking leave? What's wrong?"

"Tomorrow is the entrance exam for the Ninja Academy."

Maki lowered her head and twisted her fingers.

I'd like to give it a try too.

"Although I'm a bit older (12 years old), I don't want to be a waiter for the rest of my life."

"I want to become a ninja too."

Sosuke looked at the girl. She was hardworking and intelligent at the shop.

But being a ninja—that's a path of no return.

"Have you thought it through?"

Zongjie asked.

"Being a ninja means killing. And you can be killed."

"I've made up my mind."

Maki raised her head, her eyes resolute.

"I want to become stronger. I want to—be able to help you."

It's not just about serving tea and water. She wants to be like Kaori's right-hand woman.

"Okay. Leave granted."

"Besides, since it's someone from my shop taking the exam, it can't be too shabby."

Sousuke took out a piece of paper and wrote, "Take this and go to Tenten Ninja Tool Shop to collect supplies. Get the best ones."

Maki took the note.

"Thank you, Mr. Sosuke!"

Maki bowed deeply with excitement.

Watching Maki's departing figure, Sousuke seemed lost in thought.

"Even Maki wants to be a ninja now—"

"In this world, power is indeed the only true currency."

Just then.

A figure sat down opposite him.

It was a woman.

She had blonde hair tied in two ponytails. Although she looked very young and had smooth, jade-like skin, the weariness and vicissitude that emanated from her very bones were something a young girl could never possess.

She was wearing a green jacket with the word "gamble" written on the back.

What's most eye-catching is her chest, where she wears a crystal-clear necklace adorned with the First Hokage's necklace.

Tsunade.

One of the legendary Sannin, the originator of the medical ninjutsu revolution, and also the most famous fat sheep in the ninja world.

Sousuke's left eye, the snake-like pupil, contracted slightly.

In Snake Eyes' vision, Tsunade's chakra was as abundant as the midday sun.

That was a massive amount of Yang Release chakra, far exceeding that of Misa Hayama.

"Give me a pot of wine. Strong, please."

"Excuse me, this is a dessert shop."

Sosuke poured her a cup of hot tea.

"However, if you'd like some, I can have someone buy it for you. The finest Daiginjo."

"Hmph, you're quite sensible. First, a bowl of red bean soup, with extra sugar."

"OK."

Sosuke personally went to the kitchen and served a bowl of extra-thick red bean soup.

Tsunade took a sip, and her brows relaxed.

"The food is delicious. No wonder Jiraiya recommended this place to me."

After finishing her red bean soup, she rested her chin on her hand and brazenly sized up Sosuke.

"You're Takaya Sousuke? That famous businessman?"

"I am a businessman, and also a logistics officer."

Sousuke corrected.

"I heard you're very rich?"

"It's alright. I'm doing some small business."

"Small business?"

Tsunade chuckled.

"Monopolizing the clean water supply to the front lines, controlling half of the Fire Country's food and ninja tool production—you call that a small business?"

"That must be a big business."

Sosuke did not deny it.

"Lady Tsunade, did you return to the village because of Jonin Minato?"

Tsunade's reasons for leaving Konoha are well-known. The deaths of her younger brother Nawaki and her lover Dan caused her to develop hemophobia, and also made her weary of the village where people were constantly being sacrificed for political maneuvering.

At this point in time, she should be wandering the ninja world with Shizune, hiding from her debts.

The reason she returned at this time was probably because the village had lost Minato, a top-tier fighter, so the Third Hokage summoned Tsunade back.

When Minato was mentioned, Tsunade's eyes dimmed for a moment.

"That silly boy—"

She picked up the teacup again and took a big gulp, as if she were drinking alcohol.

"I told him long ago that the Hokage title is a curse. He didn't believe me. Now look what's happened, he's gotten himself into this mess."

"I didn't want to come back."

Tsunade took another sip of tea.

"The Third Hokage issued twelve urgent summons orders, urging me to return as if it were my life. He said the medical department was about to collapse. Sunagakure has developed a new poison, and there are too many wounded soldiers who have been poisoned."

"But before that—I need your help."

"Please speak."

"I'm here to borrow money."

Tsunade spoke her mind.

She held out her hand to Sosuke, palm up.

"Lend me fifty million taels."

Sosuke raised an eyebrow.

"Fifty million? How much gambling debt do you owe?"

"Mind your own business!"

Tsunade slammed her hand on the table.

"Just tell me if you'll lend it to me or not! I'm the princess of the Senju clan, do you think I'd renege on my debt?"

"You certainly won't default on your debt, but you can't afford to pay it back."

Sosuke calmly pointed out the facts.

"The Thousand Hands clan's fortune has long since been exhausted. Your only source of income now is completing quests. But you haven't taken on any quests in a long time."

Tsunade's expression turned grim.

"You brat, you have a really nasty way of talking."

She stood up, ready to leave.

"Fine, don't lend it to me then. I'll go ask my husband for it."

"etc."

Sosuke called out to her.

"I won't lend you money. But I can take a gamble with you."

Tsunade stopped in her tracks.

Upon hearing the word "gamble," her ears twitched. It was a conditioned reflex etched into her DNA.

"What are we betting on?" She turned around, her eyes instantly turning sharp.

Do you have any dice with you?

"Of course." Tsunade took out three dice.

Sosuke took the dice and placed them on the table.

"It's simple. Guess whether it's odd or even."

"If I lose, I'll give you fifty million taels for free. You don't need to pay it back."

Tsunade's breathing quickened. Fifty million, given away for free?

"What if you win?"

"If I win—"

Sousuke pointed at Tsunade.

"I want to hire you as my medical consultant."

"It will last for one year. You don't need to fight; you just need to help me complete a few experimental projects."

"For example—the rejection reaction to organ transplants, and the effect of chakra on the nervous system."

Tsunade frowned.

"Organ transplantation? Nervous system? Are you conducting human experiments?"

She is very sensitive about this.

"Legitimate medical research," Sosuke smiled. "For the purpose of saving lives. Just like clean water."

Tsunade stared at Sousuke for a long time.

Fifty million taels is enough for her to pay off her debts and continue gambling for a long time.

And the price is merely being a consultant for a year?

Although she was notorious for losing every bet, she didn't believe her luck would stay that bad forever in a game like guessing odd or even, which was purely based on chance.

"Alright! Let's bet!"

Tsunade sat back down in her chair.

"You shake it."

Sosuke placed the dice upside down in the bowl and shook them a few times.

Splash!

The dice are hitting each other inside.

The sound stopped.

"Odd or even?" Sosuke asked, pressing down on the bowl.

Tsunade stared at the bowl.

Her intuition told her it was twins.

However, her intuition is often a contrarian indicator.

"I'm betting—!" Tsunade shouted.