"Uh..."
Ren straightened instinctively.
Tsunade's arm was still hooked around his shoulders, and the pressure against his back made it extremely difficult to pretend he was completely unaffected.
Soft.
Warm.
And far too distracting.
His heartbeat picked up despite himself.
Ren cleared his throat and forced his expression back under control.
"Lady Tsunade's kindness is impossible to repay."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
Ren continued solemnly, as though discussing a mission report.
"If thirty percent of Konoha Raw Cola's profits still aren't enough compensation..."
He paused.
Then turned his head slightly.
"I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to offer myself in marriage."
For half a second, Tsunade simply stared at him.
Then—
"Pfft!"
She burst out laughing.
"You little brat!"
Snap!
Her finger flicked Ren squarely on the forehead.
The impact wasn't particularly hard by Tsunade's standards, but Ren still stumbled forward half a step and rubbed the spot with a grimace.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Tsunade placed one hand on her hip, amusement still dancing in her eyes.
"Offer yourself in marriage?"
She snorted.
"You're trying to take advantage of me, aren't you?"
Ren opened his mouth.
Tsunade leaned forward slightly.
"You haven't even grown into a proper man yet, and you're already dreaming about marrying me?"
Ren's eyebrow twitched.
He almost answered.
Almost.
Then common sense stepped in at the final moment.
Arguing about whether he had "grown into a proper man" with Tsunade seemed like an excellent way to experience the destructive power of the Monstrous Strength Technique firsthand.
Ren wisely swallowed the words.
"Nothing to say?"
Tsunade asked.
Ren smiled politely.
"I value my life."
"Hmph."
Tsunade seemed even more amused.
Her mood had clearly improved compared with earlier.
And there was a good reason for that.
The Mikami family had already negotiated the profit-sharing agreement with her before Konoha Raw Cola went into serious production.
Tsunade would receive thirty percent of the profits.
Which meant the more the drink expanded, the more money would flow directly into her pocket.
That was precisely why she had been willing to personally bring the matter before Hiruzen.
It wasn't merely helping Ren.
She was protecting her own investment.
Not that Ren minded.
As far as he was concerned, giving Tsunade thirty percent was money well spent.
Her name alone opened doors that his family would otherwise struggle to approach.
And now that the Hokage himself had given them an unofficial blessing to expand throughout the Land of Fire...
Konoha Raw Cola's future had just become far brighter.
Tsunade finally released Ren and stretched lazily.
Her golden ponytail swayed behind her.
"Fine."
She glanced sideways at him.
"Considering you helped uncover the whereabouts of surviving Uzumaki..."
Then she held up three fingers.
"And considering my thirty-percent share..."
A grin appeared.
"I'll forgive you for that ridiculous marriage proposal."
Ren nodded seriously.
"Your generosity knows no bounds."
"Stop flattering me."
Tsunade immediately grabbed his sleeve.
"Come on."
Ren blinked.
"Where?"
"The casino."
"..."
Ren stared at her.
Tsunade's smile widened.
"I've got a good feeling today."
Those words immediately made Ren uneasy.
"Lady Tsunade, I was actually planning to go home and train."
"Nonsense."
"I have the Chunin Exam finals in three days."
"You could probably pass those exams half-asleep."
"That's not exactly—"
Tsunade tightened her grip.
Ren stopped talking.
She began dragging him down the corridor.
"What are you going to train for anyway?"
Tsunade asked dismissively.
"I'll help you with special training afterward."
Ren looked at the hand wrapped around his wrist.
Then at Tsunade.
Then toward the direction of the exit.
It seemed he had been given no voting rights in this matter.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
"Thought so."
---
Two hours later...
Inside a noisy gambling house tucked into one corner of Konoha, the air was thick with smoke, alcohol, sweat, and despair.
Dice rattled.
Cards slapped against tables.
Coins clinked.
Someone shouted in triumph from the other side of the room.
Someone else cursed loudly enough to make half the establishment turn their heads.
At one particular table—
Tsunade sat completely still.
Her face was dark.
Very dark.
Only a handful of chips remained in front of her.
A vein pulsed visibly near her temple.
Ren sat beside her.
The pile of chips in front of him had almost doubled.
Tsunade stared at her remaining money.
"...Again."
Ren rested his chin on one hand.
"You said that five rounds ago."
"Again."
The dealer swallowed nervously.
Another round began.
Tsunade pushed a large portion of her remaining chips forward.
"Big."
Ren glanced at her bet.
Then calmly moved his own chips.
"Small."
Tsunade's eye twitched.
The dice rolled.
Clatter—
They came to a stop.
The dealer announced the result.
"Small."
Tsunade froze.
Ren silently collected his winnings.
The corner of his mouth twitched upward.
Tsunade slowly turned toward him.
"Brat."
"Hm?"
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
Ren gave her an innocent look.
"Doing what?"
"Betting against me."
"I'm merely following my instincts."
Tsunade's fist tightened.
The truth was much simpler.
Ren hadn't cheated.
Not even once.
He hadn't used chakra perception.
He hadn't relied on enhanced reflexes.
And he certainly hadn't used his Nerve Activation Technique to manipulate anything.
He was simply using basic probability...
combined with one extraordinarily reliable gambling strategy.
When Tsunade bet big, Ren bet small.
When Tsunade chose odd—
Ren chose even.
If Tsunade trusted a particular number—
Ren avoided it like the plague.
The method wasn't perfect.
But after two hours, his success rate was hovering somewhere around seventy to eighty percent.
Ren finally understood why Tsunade's infamous nickname had spread throughout the gambling world.
The Legendary Sucker.
The Big Fat Sheep.
Those weren't insults.
They were statistical observations.
Even more amusingly—
his system's version of the Monstrous Strength Technique seemed to share Tsunade's gambling instincts.
Whenever Ren entered a casino or played cards with Rin and the others, the technique became unusually energetic through the Gala System.
Suggestions appeared constantly.
Bet there.
Choose this.
Raise.
Double down.
Ren had tested those recommendations before.
The results were catastrophic.
Its success rate was nearly identical to Tsunade's.
Which was honestly impressive in the worst possible way.
Another round ended.
Tsunade lost again.
Her final pile of chips shrank to almost nothing.
She stared at them.
Silence.
Then—
Bang!
Her palm slammed onto the table.
Fortunately, she didn't use chakra.
Otherwise there might no longer have been a table.
"Damn it!"
Several gamblers nearby flinched.
Tsunade stood abruptly.
"I'm done."
The dealer immediately looked relieved.
"This place is cursed today."
Ren glanced at his winnings.
"Of course."
Tsunade shot him a murderous look.
"Did you say something?"
"No."
Ren quickly gathered his chips.
"I said your judgment is flawless."
"Hmph."
He exchanged the chips for cash and hurried after her.
---
By the time they stepped outside, evening had settled over Konoha.
The sky above the village burned orange and violet.
A cool breeze rolled through the streets, carrying away the stale smell of tobacco and alcohol that had clung to their clothes inside the gambling house.
It did nothing for Tsunade's mood.
She walked several steps ahead of Ren.
Every movement radiated irritation.
People approaching from the opposite direction subconsciously gave her space.
Ren watched her back for a moment.
Maybe now wasn't the best time.
Then again...
there probably wasn't going to be a better one.
He cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
Tsunade didn't turn.
"What?"
"You remember what you said earlier?"
"No."
"You said you'd give me special training afterward."
Tsunade finally glanced back.
"I said that?"
Ren nodded.
"Very clearly."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You've got an annoyingly good memory when it's convenient."
"I work hard."
"What do you want?"
Ren immediately got to the point.
"I captured a ninja beast during the Forest of Death exam."
Tsunade's expression changed slightly.
"The lizard?"
"You already heard about it?"
"Shinku mentioned it."
Ren nodded.
"I want to establish a formal summoning contract with it."
Tsunade stared at him for a moment.
Then snorted.
"That thing?"
Ren blinked.
"What's wrong with it?"
"What isn't wrong with it?"
Tsunade folded her arms.
"It's not especially intelligent."
"It's not particularly strong."
"It doesn't have any rare elemental affinity."
"And apart from changing the color of its skin to blend into its surroundings, it has almost no special abilities."
She shrugged.
"You'll waste chakra summoning it."
Ren didn't immediately disagree.
The giant lizard really wasn't an elite summon.
Compared with creatures like Gamabunta, Manda, or Katsuyu, there wasn't even a comparison.
But its camouflage ability had tactical value.
Especially for scouting.
Tsunade continued.
"If you're serious about learning summoning techniques, you'd be better off forming a contract with Shikkotsu Forest."
Ren's eyes immediately sharpened.
There it was.
One of the Three Great Sage Regions.
Shikkotsu Forest.
Home of Katsuyu.
He had considered it before.
The problem was that Ren didn't know whether the Slug Sage could teach Sage Mode.
That information mattered enormously.
If he were going to commit himself to one of the legendary summoning regions, he wanted more than simply access to powerful summons.
He wanted Sage Mode.
So when Tsunade mentioned Shikkotsu Forest herself, Ren immediately seized the opportunity.
"Could I?"
Tsunade stopped walking.
Ren looked at her.
"Could I sign a contract with Shikkotsu Forest?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
For a moment, she seemed to realize exactly what he was trying to do.
Then she looked away.
"That depends."
Ren waited.
Tsunade continued casually.
"The Raw Cola bet."
"You still remember our agreement, don't you?"
"Of course."
"If I lose..."
Tsunade sounded reluctant to even say it.
"...I owe you one request."
Ren smiled.
"And you're expecting to lose?"
Tsunade glared at him.
"Don't get cocky."
Ren wisely stayed silent.
She continued.
"If you're willing to use that request in exchange for the opportunity to sign Shikkotsu Forest's summoning contract..."
Tsunade shrugged.
"I can arrange it."
Ren's expression became thoughtful.
Then he asked—
"What if my request is to become your direct disciple?"
Tsunade stopped completely.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then she laughed.
"Heh."
Her golden eyes returned to him.
"So that's what you're planning."
Ren maintained an innocent expression.
Tsunade pointed at him.
"You want everything."
"The contract with Shikkotsu Forest."
"Your medical ninjutsu."
"Monstrous Strength."
"Whatever other techniques you're willing to teach."
She snorted.
"If you become my direct disciple, then naturally you'd have the qualifications to sign Katsuyu's contract too."
Ren smiled.
"As expected of Lady Tsunade."
"You understood immediately."
"Stop flattering me!"
Tsunade crossed her arms again.
But she didn't actually reject him.
That alone was enough.
Ren stored the information away.
There was no reason to rush.
The bet hadn't officially ended yet.
And Tsunade's attitude toward taking him as a disciple had clearly softened compared with before.
That was progress.
A lot of progress.
After several seconds, Tsunade sighed.
"Fine."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Fine?"
"The lizard."
She waved one hand.
"It's mediocre, but its camouflage isn't completely useless."
Her expression became more serious.
"And you're about to participate in an infiltration mission."
Ren's joking demeanor faded slightly.
Kusagakure.
Right.
Tsunade continued.
"If you use it properly, something capable of blending into its environment could be useful for reconnaissance."
She pointed forward.
"I'll teach you how to establish the contract."
Ren smiled.
"Thank you."
"Don't celebrate."
Tsunade immediately poured cold water over his excitement.
"A low-level wild ninja beast like that doesn't require an especially complicated contract."
"And if you later get access to something better..."
She shrugged.
"Replace it."
Ren looked almost offended on the lizard's behalf.
"That's cold."
"I'm practical."
Tsunade glanced toward the busy street around them.
"Too many people here."
"Let's find somewhere quiet."
---
Not long afterward, the two reached an isolated clearing near the old Senju clan grounds.
The evening wind rustled the surrounding trees.
Ren removed a storage scroll.
He spread it across the ground.
His fingers formed a seal.
Poof!
White smoke exploded across the clearing.
When it dispersed—
the giant lizard lay before them.
Its enormous body was covered in dark green scales.
Several wounds from the Forest of Death battle were still visible, though they had already begun healing.
The creature raised its head weakly.
Then it saw Ren.
Its body stiffened.
Then it saw Tsunade.
The lizard visibly trembled.
Ren almost felt sorry for it.
Tsunade crouched near the summoning scroll.
"Listen carefully."
She tapped the blank contract section.
"Wild ninja beasts aren't like established summoning clans."
"There's no complicated tradition involved."
"No elders."
"No ritual."
"No ceremony."
She glanced toward the trembling creature.
"Especially not for something this stupid."
The lizard lowered its head.
Ren suspected it understood at least that much.
"First," Tsunade continued, "you create the contract."
"Then both sides establish a chakra connection."
"After that, you'll be able to use the Summoning Technique to call it from wherever it's located."
Ren nodded.
Simple enough.
He bit the tip of his thumb.
Blood surfaced.
Then he pressed his hand against the contract scroll and carefully wrote his name.
Ren.
The blood sank into the paper.
Tsunade gestured toward the lizard.
"Now establish contact."
Ren formed several hand seals.
Chakra flowed down his arm.
He approached the enormous creature.
The lizard immediately tried to pull its head away.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
"Hm?"
The creature froze.
Completely.
Ren looked at her.
Then at the lizard.
"...Effective teaching method."
"Shut up and continue."
Ren placed his palm against the creature's forehead.
The scales were rough.
Cold.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
Ren closed his eyes.
He pushed chakra outward.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Searching.
A faint foreign chakra signature appeared beneath his palm.
Different from a human's.
Heavier.
More instinctive.
Ren adjusted his own chakra to meet it.
The lizard shuddered.
The two chakra signatures touched.
For a brief instant, Ren felt something strange—
an invisible thread connecting them.
Thin.
Fragile.
But unmistakably present.
The summoning contract responded.
The blood writing on the scroll glowed faintly.
Tsunade watched closely.
"Don't force it."
"Let the connection stabilize naturally."
Ren slowed the flow.
One breath.
Two.
Three.
Then—
the sensation locked into place.
The contract was complete.
And almost immediately—
the familiar system notification rang inside Ren's mind.
[Ding!]
Ren's eyes opened.
Another notification followed.
[Ding!]
The Gala System had reacted.
Tsunade was still explaining something beside him, completely unaware of what was happening inside his mind.
But Ren wasn't listening anymore.
His attention had shifted entirely toward the translucent system interface appearing before his eyes.
The newly established summoning contract had apparently triggered something.
And judging by how quickly the system was responding...
this lizard might be far more useful than Tsunade thought.
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