Chapter 50: Tsunade Won the Bet…

"Lord Emiya is amazing..."

Little Tsunade was still praising Emiya Shihara for his vast knowledge.

"..."

Emiya Shihara offered no reply, nor did he ask her any questions. When he led little Tsunade away from the Konoha Hospital, he did not even look back.

Orochimaru.

The truly chosen one.

Long before Orochimaru was born...

Emiya Shihara, having known the history of the ninja world from his past life, had already selected him.

If Tsunade was the destined person chosen by Emiya Shihara to wield the crystal coffin, then Orochimaru was the ultimate person chosen by Emiya Shihara to utilize it.

Orochimaru was a true genius.

Even though at this point in time Orochimaru was merely a five-year-old child in Konoha, he had already begun to display terrifying potential.

At the age of five, this little fellow had already started self-taught experiments, attempting to use toxic substances derived from food to overcome adults.

It was obvious.

This child possessed a remarkably clear logical mind and an insatiable curiosity for knowledge. In the future, he would inevitably attempt to master the chaotic and forbidden techniques of Konoha.

The Reanimation Technique.

It would undoubtedly fall within Orochimaru's sights.

When Orochimaru mastered the Reanimation Technique, it would also be the moment when the crystal coffin Emiya Shihara left behind a thousand years ago reached its destination.

Furthermore...

That crystal coffin within the Shikkotsu Forest was exceedingly special...

It had been meticulously designed by Emiya Shihara to be compatible with Orochimaru.

If the crystal coffin of the Senju clan was merely the bait Emiya Shihara left in the ninja world, the crystal coffin in the Shikkotsu Forest would be his ultimate hope for resurrection.

At the same time.

Orochimaru was far too clever.

Emiya Shihara did not wish to appear before him too often or engage in excessive conversation, as prolonged interaction would inevitably arouse Orochimaru's suspicions when he grew older.

Emiya Shihara would maintain no direct contact with Orochimaru, preventing the future adult Orochimaru from perceiving too early that his resurrection was a grand conspiracy.

Even if Emiya Shihara were to be resurrected in this era through the Reanimation Technique and lived quite comfortably, he would not naively assume he was completely safe; he still needed to leave behind a fail-safe on Orochimaru to ensure his true resurrection.

Tsunade.

Shimura Danzo.

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

These figures, who would form deep bonds with Orochimaru in the future, would all retain a profound impression of him in this era and remember his kindness toward them.

When this genius Orochimaru truly grew up, these people would string together into a long thread of destiny, constantly surrounding him and influencing the course of his life.

"That guy is so stupid..."

Little Tsunade had no idea that she would cross paths with Orochimaru again in the future. She was rambling on about past events concerning him: "When I came here with Grandpa before, I saw him eating the wrong thing and getting sent to the hospital..."

"Tsunade."

Emiya Shihara patted little Tsunade on the head, teaching her, "If we don't like someone, we should tell them to their face rather than speak ill of them behind their back."

"Is that so?"

Little Tsunade nodded, then muttered in soft dissent, "But I don't think that guy is really that bad. His brain is just a little silly and clumsy. Every time, he gets poisoned by eating weird food and ends up sent to the hospital..."

"..."

Emiya Shihara instantly fell silent.

Should he perhaps have her eyes checked?

In this ninja world, anyone could say Orochimaru was exceptionally evil, or even call him somewhat incompetent, but no one could ever claim Orochimaru lacked intelligence...

"Sigh..."

"I heard he's about the same age as me..."

At such a tender age, little Tsunade couldn't help but sigh, worrying about her future classmate: "I'm going to start school this year too. Won't he be in my class? I hope he gets a little smarter in the future, otherwise he's bound to get bullied. I might even have to protect him..."

"..."

Emiya Shihara wondered if his reanimated ears were malfunctioning.

Could Orochimaru possibly be foolish enough to be deceived?

It had taken him a full thousand years to orchestrate a deception against Orochimaru; who else in this ninja world could possibly pull the wool over Orochimaru's eyes? In the future, if Orochimaru didn't wrap everyone around his finger, it would only be a testament to his high moral standing...

However...

Kindness was worth encouraging.

And fortunately, this kindness would not harm little Tsunade in any way.

Emiya Shihara hoisted little Tsunade onto his shoulders and led her all the way toward the Konoha commercial district, choosing not to dampen her spirits.

"Today, you may choose to drink a glass of sugarcane juice that is even sweeter than chestnut juice."

"Eh? Why?"

Little Tsunade curiously touched her milk teeth!

"Remember to brush your teeth after drinking it."

Emiya Shihara's voice remained calm, as if he were merely acting on a whim, offering no explanation for why he was rewarding the little fellow.

"Lord Emiya is the best!"

Little Tsunade cheered, wrapping her arms around Emiya Shihara's forehead.

"..."

Emiya Shihara pulled away the small palms that were somewhat blocking his vision and asked, "Are you still going to gamble with Hashirama after we go back today?"

"I'll gamble!"

Little Tsunade's attitude was resolute.

This little one had been led astray by the unreliable elders in her family.

Although Emiya Shihara's tutoring was the lifestyle she enjoyed most, gambling with her great-grandfather was also the most comfortable form of entertainment for her!

When Emiya Shihara bought the sugarcane juice and brought little Tsunade home, he happened to see young Jiraiya—whom he had spotted upon returning to Konoha—smiling brightly and chatting happily with an adult woman at least twenty years his senior. The little fellow's smile carried a strangely rippling joy...

It seemed...

Perhaps this was simply in their blood.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru.

The legendary Sannin of Konoha from Emiya Shihara's past-life memories were truly gifted with extraordinary talents, having embarked so early upon the three distinct paths they loved most.

"I'll definitely win against Great-grandfather today!"

Little Tsunade clenched her small fist full of confidence.

As a gambling prodigy, by the age of five she had already mastered all sorts of gambling games, from the simplest dice rolls to the most troublesome card games. Pondering whether to try a different game today, she felt certain she would win!

"..."

Emiya Shihara could only sigh.

Regarding little Tsunade's luck, he truly didn't know what to say.

At Senju Hashirama's home.

Little Tsunade immediately looked eager to restart the gambling match.

"Great-grandfather, I'm definitely going to win today!"

"Hahahaha, good, I believe you..."

Laughing heartily, Senju Hashirama lifted his granddaughter down from Emiya Shihara's shoulders, first producing a pendant from his hand.

"However..."

Senju Hashirama's hand closed into a fist like a magic trick, and then he suddenly spread his palms open. "Great-grandfather has a gift for you first."

As he spoke, a pendant suddenly appeared in the palm of Senju Hashirama's hand. Atop it rested a crystal-clear, emerald-green gemstone, which looked to be no ordinary object.

"Eh?"

Watching Senju Hashirama hang the pendant around her neck, little Tsunade happily grasped the gemstone on it. "This is so pretty, is it for me?"

"Of course it's for little Tsun..."

Smiling warmly, Senju Hashirama patted her head and beckoned the little one to lay out the mat and start the game. "Go on and get ready, I've prepared plenty of money today!"

"Okay!"

Little Tsunade eagerly set up the mat, intending to begin the gambling session.

However...

The situation in the courtyard today was somewhat unusual.

Senju扉间 (Tobirama), who was usually extremely busy, was also present. Uzumaki Mito and their children had all gathered as well, and an expression of worry hung on everyone's face.

Surrounding the house, aside from the regular guards of the Hokage's personal security team, there were significantly more Anbu operatives stationed both inside and out.

"It seems..."

Emiya Shihara cast a meaningful glance at Senju Hashirama, then turned to look at the grim-faced Senju Tobirama. "We will be staying here as guests tonight."

"..."

Senju Tobirama turned his head away with a sullen expression, a sense of unease and pain mixed into his usually detached voice: "I only hope... I can still come to my brother's house as a guest tomorrow."

Time was running out.

Senju Hashirama's life was drawing to a close after all.

Yet not the slightest trace of impending death could be seen on the face of the First Hokage. He still walked onto the gambling mat full of vitality, the mat piled high with all his savings, as he shouted and beckoned little Tsunade to start the round.

"Four, six, six, Big!"

"Little Tsun, you lost again..."

"Three, one, one, Small!"

"Little Tsun, I won again..."

"Darn it..."

The bills in front of little Tsunade steadily dwindled. The little one puffed out her cheeks, sticking them out further and further as if she were about to explode from her terrible gambling luck.

"Little Tsun..."

"This is the last round, you know..."

"As long as you win this round, all your previous debts will be written off, and all the money here will belong to you!"

"Really?"

Greedy little stars instantly burst forth in little Tsunade's eyes.

If she won this round, she would rake in a massive fortune and wouldn't have to worry about gambling capital when playing with her great-grandfather in the future!

She might even be able to proudly lend money to her great-grandfather!

Though...

Interest was still something to consider...

As little Tsunade rubbed her chin with a sly expression, daydreaming about what arrogant pose she should strike while counting her money upon winning the game, her wrist accidentally brushed against the gemstone at her chest...

Well...

Considering the gift...

She could choose not to collect interest from her great-grandfather!

Clatter, clatter...

The dice inside the cup rattled ceaselessly.

Little Tsunade blinked her eyes, staring intently at Senju Hashirama's movements, straining her ears to listen to the sound of the dice for fear of missing out on a massive fortune!

"Small!"

Little Tsunade locked in her wager!

"Alright, alright... then I have no choice but to pick Big!"

Smiling broadly, Senju Hashirama nodded and lifted the dice cup.

Two, two, one.

The dice inside the cup displayed three small numbers.

"Hahahaha... I won!"

With an arrogant air, little Tsunade snatched up the banknotes on the gambling mat, recklessly counting the cash in her hands with a proficiency that looked remarkably practiced!

"..."

Smiling, Senju Hashirama watched his granddaughter count her money, but at that exact moment, his body slowly slumped backward, collapsing onto the mat in a rather ungraceful heap!

"Great-grandfather?"

"Great-grandfather!"

With a face full of shock, little Tsunade watched as Senju Hashirama fell.

That great-grandfather who had protected her like a god was uncharacteristically unglamorous, leaving her young mind entirely incapable of processing what had just happened!