Chapter 27: 27. A Drunk Tsunade
"Ah! That hits the spot!"
Tsunade downed the contents of her sake bottle in one go, slamming it onto the table with a loud thud.
Hanekawa sat beside her, the mix of alcohol and her faint fragrance making him feel slightly dizzy.
The next moment, he suddenly felt the soft cushion of her ample figure pressing against his head.
Tsunade pulled him into a one-armed hug, laughing heartily. "Eat as much as you want! Today's on me!"
Hanekawa could understand why she was so happy.
Initially, he had guided her to bet against her instincts, but later, that wasn't necessary.
If he always advised her to go against her bets, she would eventually catch on and feel tricked.
The real reason for their streak of luck was a newly triggered trait of his:
> [E-Rank Talent: God of Gambling]
Activation Condition: Guide Tsunade to win nine times.
Effect: Increases gambling luck by 100%.
Note: Cannot be synthesized.
To be fair, Tsunade's luck was absurdly bad.
Even with Hanekawa's luck doubled, it only barely managed to balance out hers.
---
"What are you spacing out for?"
Tsunade picked up a piece of roasted chicken with her chopsticks and held it up to his mouth. "Here, try the roast chicken."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade." Hanekawa took a bite and swallowed it.
"When's your next free day?" Tsunade asked with a mischievous smile.
After an entire afternoon of gambling, she now fully regarded Hanekawa as her personal good-luck charm.
"I still need to practice medical ninjutsu," Hanekawa replied earnestly.
"That's easy. I'll teach you."
Tsunade took another swig of sake, sighing contentedly afterward.
Of course, she wasn't formally accepting him as a disciple—just offering casual guidance.
Hanekawa understood this too.
He wouldn't learn Tsunade's iconic Yin Seal or monstrous strength, but regular medical techniques were more than sufficient for now.
Moreover, it was a chance to grow closer to her. Who knew? One day, she might officially take him as her student.
Given her current state—living alone without Shizune due to certain circumstances—it wasn't impossible if he impressed her enough.
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade," Hanekawa said tactfully. "After each medical ninjutsu lesson, I'll go with you to the casino."
"Not bad! Fair enough!" Tsunade laughed, ruffling his hair affectionately.
"..."
Hanekawa's expression turned helpless.
Please, stop with the head pats!
"Hahaha, you're so fun!"
Seeing his reaction, Tsunade laughed even harder.
Her body swayed back and forth with laughter, her white valley rising and falling in a way that made Hanekawa avert his eyes in embarrassment.
"Eat!" Tsunade turned back to the table, attacking the dishes and drinks with gusto.
Hanekawa picked up his chopsticks and began eating as well. The blend of alcohol and the aroma of food in the air grew even stronger.
---
"Lady Tsunade," Hanekawa said after a brief hesitation, snatching the sake bottle from her hand, "You've had enough to drink. We should head back now."
Having lived two lives, he knew just how troublesome drunk people could be.
And he was still a kid! How was he supposed to carry her back if she passed out?
"What… what did you just say?"
Tsunade swayed slightly, her flushed face radiating heat like a ripened peach.
"I said, we should go home!" Hanekawa raised his voice slightly to make sure she heard.
"Home?"
Tsunade looked down at him, her eyes unfocused and dreamy.
"Yes, home," Hanekawa repeated. After a pause, he asked, "Where's your home?"
"My… home?"
The word struck a chord deep within Tsunade, and she subconsciously rubbed her eyes.
In that moment, she thought of Nawaki, her younger brother.
The memory sobered her up significantly.
"You don't need to worry about me. Just go ahead."
Tsunade reached out, trying to grab the sake bottle in Hanekawa's hand.
"No way."
Hanekawa held it out of her reach, firmly refusing.
"Give it to me!"
Tsunade's eyes glinted sharply, exuding an overwhelming aura of authority.
"I won't."
Hanekawa, familiar with her personality, stood his ground without fear.
"You little brat!"
Tsunade glared at him for a moment before unexpectedly breaking into a laugh.
"Fine, let's go. Time to sleep."
She stood up, settled the bill, and walked out of the tavern with Hanekawa.
---
Night had just fallen, and the streets were bustling with people. Upon seeing Tsunade, many greeted her warmly, creating an atmosphere akin to a fan meeting.
In the world of ninjas, highly renowned shinobi were akin to celebrities.
After walking for a while, Tsunade turned into a quiet alley, leaving the noisy streets behind.
Hanekawa glanced around, his curiosity piqued.
In the original storyline, Tsunade's residence in Konoha was never mentioned, so he had no idea where she lived.
---
"Why do you want to learn medical ninjutsu?"
Tsunade asked casually.
"Because I'm a fan of yours," Hanekawa answered honestly.
"No, you're not."
Tsunade shook her head.
"Your reactions don't match those of a fan."
"I'm just reserved," Hanekawa replied with a slight cough.
"Who are you trying to fool?"
Tsunade turned to face him, bending down to his eye level.
Hanekawa froze.
Her face, slightly flushed from the alcohol, still radiated youthful beauty.
Her slender waist bent gracefully, her chest strained to its limits, and her entire presence exuded a mature and seductive charm.
"I…"
Hanekawa hesitated, then opted for a different approach.
"I want to become Hokage."
The overly ideal response momentarily surprised Tsunade.
She ruffled his hair with force, chuckling.
"How boring."
If it's boring, why are you still ruffling my hair?
Hanekawa could only grit his teeth in silence.
Tell the truth, and you don't believe me.
Lie, and you don't believe me either.
This is too much!
Tsunade withdrew her hand and continued strolling ahead.
After passing through a bamboo grove, a row of houses came into view.
---
"We're here."
Her voice, tinged with drunkenness, was casual.
"Want to stay over?"
"No, I need to head back," Hanekawa declined politely.
He hadn't informed Yūhi Shinku or Kurenai beforehand, and staying out would surely worry them.
"See you tomorrow," Tsunade said nonchalantly, waving him off.
She only bothered asking because of Yakushi Nono and today's unexpected good luck.
To her, Hanekawa hadn't yet reached a level where he truly mattered.
"Goodnight, Lady Tsunade," Hanekawa replied.
As he walked away, he reflected that the day had gone better than expected.
If my system were a relationship simulation, I'd probably have cleared the first stage by now.
---
When Hanekawa returned home and opened the door, as expected, he was greeted by Kurenai.
"I was at Konoha Hospital today and met Lady Tsunade," he said with a smile.
"Lady Tsunade?"
Kurenai's expression immediately turned excited.
"What happened? Tell me everything!"
She was the real fan.
To be precise, Tsunade had immense influence among kunoichi.
In the original story, characters like Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka regarded Tsunade as their idol.
Yūhi Shinku couldn't help but feel something strange.
How does this kid keep running into big names?
First Minato Namikaze, now Tsunade. Who's next, Hiruzen Sarutobi?
But that wasn't a bad thing.
Hanekawa had already entered the radar of Konoha's elite.
As long as he proved himself capable, countless opportunities would come his way.
______
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