freenovelworld Chapter 94 Continuing the Bet
Chapter 94 Continuing the Bet
The afternoon sun lazily spilled into the courtyard, where Tsunade was comfortably reclining on a deck chair, swirling a half-empty bottle of sake in her hand, feeling more relaxed than ever before.
"Lady Tsunade, you seem to be in a good mood."
Nishikawa Tetsu walked over carrying a heavy suitcase and sat down on the stone bench next to him.
"Hmph, as long as I don't see your punchable face, I'm in a good mood."
Tsunade glanced at him, and although she was still sarcastic, the previous rejection in her eyes was gone.
After all, although this guy's methods were a bit dirty, he did cure her heartache.
"Since we're in a good mood, let's get down to business."
Nishikawa Tetsu patted the box in his hand, making a dull metallic sound.
"What do you want to do?" Tsunade sat up straight, alert.
"Don't worry, I just wanted to make a bet with you." Nishikawa Tetsu smiled slightly.
He laid the suitcase flat on the stone table and placed his fingers on the lock.
"Click".
The box was opened.
It is neither a ninja tool nor a document.
Those were neatly stacked, densely packed, and exuding the alluring scent of ink—silver notes.
Xiao Jingyin was sweeping the floor nearby when she saw this scene. The broom in her hand fell to the ground with a "thud," and her jaw almost dislocated.
"This...this is..."
"Ten million taels."
Nishikawa Tetsu said calmly, "If it weren't for the compensation for the streets Tsunade destroyed earlier, there would have been even more."
"This is my share of the profits from a small business I run in the Land of Rain, which is basically my personal savings. It's not accounted for through official channels; it's all in cash."
Tsunade's eyes widened instantly.
That's ten million taels!
That's enough for her to splurge at the casino for a few days, or pay off a small portion of her gambling debts!
She swallowed hard, forcibly averting her gaze: "What...what do you want to bet on?"
Nishikawa Tetsu closed the box and then pulled out two identical black blind boxes from behind him.
"Another blind box?!"
Tsunade instinctively shrank back, her expression changing slightly: "What kind of weird stuff are you trying to stuff in there now? Let me tell you, the same trick won't work on the Sannin!"
"This time there was no prank, just luck."
Nishikawa Tetsu pushed the two blind boxes to the middle.
"The rules are simple: in these two boxes, one has the word 'win' and the other has the word 'lose'."
"If you draw the 'win' card, the ten million taels will be yours, and the money you owe me will be wiped clean."
"If you draw a 'negative'..."
"The ten million taels will still be yours, but you must come back to the village with me and sign a three-year contract as the Chief Medical Advisor of the Scientific Research Institute. The money you owe me will be used to offset your salary."
How would Lord Mito know that he had truly cured Tsunade's hemophobia if he didn't return to the village?
Furthermore, Tsunade's research on medical ninjutsu was arguably the most cutting-edge in this era. To trick her back...cough...to coax her back...cough cough, to bring her back...bringing her back would definitely not do any harm.
The Third Shinobi World War broke out, and the Sannin were an extremely important fighting force.
Tsunade was stunned.
"Wait, win or lose, all the money is mine?"
"That's right."
"What have I lost?"
Tsunade's brain was working at lightning speed.
This sounds like a sure-fire way to make money, right? No, the worst outcome is just working for free for three years at some scientific research institute.
Moreover, if it's a matter of luck...
Tsunade glanced at Nishikawa Tetsu, a confident smile appearing on her lips.
She used to be afraid of blind boxes because she was afraid of touching blood and that kind of unknown fear.
But now, her hemophobia is cured!
With just two boxes and a 50/50 chance, how could she, the mighty Tsunade, possibly lose even in a simple two-choice situation?
"You underestimate me."
Tsunade stood up, placed one foot on the stone bench, and instantly unleashed her gambler's aura.
"I'm not the same person I was yesterday! My hemophobia is gone, so all my bad luck must have vanished with it!"
"Come on! Let's bet!"
Xiao Jingyin covered her face, unable to bear to look.
Lady Tsunade, don't you know that your hemophobia is a psychological illness, but your "fat sheep constitution" is a weapon of causality?
"Please." Nishikawa Tetsu gestured.
Tsunade stared intently at the two boxes.
Left? Or right?
The one on the left looks better... No, this kid is cunning; he must have predicted my prediction.
"I choose the right side!"
Tsunade took a deep breath and, with lightning speed, suddenly reached into the blind box on the right.
There was no viscous liquid, and no scary mechanisms.
There was only a thin strip of paper.
Tsunade was overjoyed; she had found it!
She abruptly pulled her hand away, slammed the note on the table, and burst into laughter: "Hahahaha! Kid! You lost this time... uh?"
The laughter stopped abruptly.
On the white slip of paper, a large character was written in bold black ink—
【burden】.
"..."
The courtyard was deathly silent, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Nishikawa Tetsu calmly opened the box on the left, took out the note that read "Victory," and showed it to Tsunade.
"It seems that fate is on my side after all."
"No!!!!"
Tsunade clutched her head and let out a wail.
"Why? Why can I lose even when I have to choose between the two? This is impossible!"
She felt like she was losing her mind. She had overcome her biggest weakness, so why couldn't she shake off the title of "fat sheep"?
"A bet's a bet, Lady Tsunade."
Nishikawa Tetsu pushed the heavy box of silver notes into Tsunade's arms.
"This is your 'signing fee,' ten million taels, not a penny less."
Holding the money box, Tsunade's broken heart finally found some solace.
Although I lost out on luck, at least I won money... No, this money is supposed to be given out regardless of whether you win or lose!
"You...you planned this all along!"
Tsunade realized what was happening and glared at Nishikawa Tetsu: "You knew I would lose, didn't you?"
"The people at the casino know that you're not losing out in this deal, are you?"
Nishikawa Tetsu took out the appointment letter and pen he had prepared beforehand and handed them over with a smile.
"For me, being able to exchange ten million ryo for the number one medical ninja in the ninja world to join me is an absolute steal."
"Besides, this money is your 'settlement allowance.' Once you return to Konoha, the Science Research Institute will offer you a special bonus, even if you don't receive a salary for three years. Isn't that more practical than gambling outside?"
"You wouldn't want to see Xiao Jingyin wandering around with you forever, living a life of uncertainty, either eating one meal a day or sleeping under a bridge or on the streets, would you?"
"It's not as bad as you say!" Tsunade said somewhat awkwardly, looking at Shizune.
"I'll go wherever you go, Lady Tsunade. Of course, it would be even better if you didn't go to the casino," Shizune said earnestly, tilting her head up.
Tsunade sighed, picked up the pen, and signed her name in a flourish.
"Fine, I admit defeat. I'll definitely win next time!"
Tsunade tossed the contract to Nishikawa Tetsu, then hugged the money box tightly and rubbed her cheek against it. It smelled so good.
Her carefree smile returned.
Nishikawa Tetsu put away the letter of appointment and said with a smile, "Lady Tsunade, Konoha is much more interesting than you imagine."
"By the way, be careful with your spending of this ten million taels, lest you lose it all before you even reach Konoha."
"Shut up, pack your bags, let's go back to the village."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
Watching Tsunade's hurried departure, Nishikawa Tetsu smiled.
Ten million taels to buy one of the Three Ninjas—the cost-effectiveness is ridiculously high.
After all, money can be earned back, but talent is priceless.
"Next, it's time to go back to the village. I wonder how Minato and Fugaku-senpai are doing lately."