Konoha Ninja Shop System

Outside a grand casino in the Fire Nation, the neon lights sparkled like stars, illuminating the entrance with a gaudy brilliance.

"Mr. Jiraiya, we've arrived at our destination. This navigation has concluded. I wish you a happy life and hope we'll meet again soon!"

The cheerful voice belonged to 0007, a particularly chatty White Zetsu who had just finished chauffeuring Jiraiya. He was beaming, practically glowing with joy. After all, this job had earned him a generous personal reward from Jiraiya—untaxed, undocumented, and completely under the table. In other words, pure profit.

As 0007 prepared to speed away with a spring in his step and coins in his pockets, Jiraiya suddenly called out.

"Wait a minute," Jiraiya said. "Can you help me locate Orochimaru?"

0007 halted in his tracks, caught off guard. His cheerful expression froze as he turned slowly to face Jiraiya.

"Mr. Jiraiya," 0007 replied in a conflicted tone, "Orochimaru-sama is one of our company's top-tier operatives. His personal information is highly classified. I'm afraid I have no authority to disclose his whereabouts."

Jiraiya frowned. "???"

Orochimaru—a company employee? A gold-ranked mercenary working under this shady corporate umbrella? How could someone so powerful and independently dangerous sell himself to such a dubious organization?

As it turned out, Jiraiya's hunch was partially right.

The notorious members of the Akatsuki had indeed become mercenaries for Black Zetsu's newly formed company. Before registering the corporation, Black Zetsu had secretly invited the Akatsuki to join, promising high payments and global mission access. Nagato, always pragmatic and resourceful, accepted immediately when he learned the partnership would expand Akatsuki's influence and provide steady, lucrative commissions.

Now, Akatsuki missions were being dispatched to all corners of the ninja world. Due to overwhelming demand, they were in urgent need of manpower and actively recruiting new members. With mission requests piling up, Nagato had no choice but to re-employ the Six Paths of Pain, allowing him to complete six different tasks simultaneously.

Back to the present.

"Enough with the excuses!" Jiraiya barked. "Name your price. Just tell me exactly where Orochimaru is."

0007's expression twitched. Clearly tempted, but still putting on a show of professional ethics, he replied, "Mr. Jiraiya, you're really putting me in a tight spot here. This is a matter of principle! As a regular employee, I am strictly forbidden from leaking information about the company's senior staff—especially someone like Orochimaru-sama."

Jiraiya didn't even blink. "Two million. Right now."

0007 froze. His mouth opened slightly, and a moment later, a big goofy grin stretched across his face.

"Hahahaha! Mr. Jiraiya, look at you! Aren't you just my principle incarnate? Come, come—I'll personally escort you to Master Orochimaru!"

Jiraiya sighed. As expected, this White Zetsu was a money-hungry little fiend. If money couldn't move him, that just meant the amount wasn't high enough.

"Don't worry. Let me take care of Tsunade first," Jiraiya said as he turned and strode into the casino.

"Of course, Mr. Jiraiya! Take your time! I've got all day!" 0007 called after him with a flattering smile.

Once Jiraiya disappeared inside, 0007 began rubbing his hands together like a gleeful goblin. "Whew, that was close. The company strictly forbids revealing internal information. But what can I say? Two million is two million!"

He snickered madly. "As long as I keep this under wraps, the whole sum is mine. Hahaha!"

He flipped open his logbook and started writing with a practiced hand.

> Mission: Escort Jiraiya to find Tsunade.

Client: Jiraiya

Mission Fee: 500,000 taels

Commission Split: 80% to company, 20% to employee

Personal Earnings: 100,000 taels

The speed and precision with which he recorded the information made it obvious—this wasn't his first rodeo. If Black Zetsu ever found out, there would definitely be an investigation into tax evasion, embezzlement, and abuse of company resources. Who knows—maybe even a corporate-wide anti-corruption campaign.

---

Inside the Casino

The atmosphere was electric. Laughter, cheers, and shouts echoed through the massive gambling hall.

"Boss, you've lost!" Tsunade grinned triumphantly and leaned back in her seat. She pulled a cigarette from her pocket and held it between her lips.

"Miss Tsunade!" Shizune exclaimed and quickly struck a match, lighting it for her with practiced care.

"Oh my god, which casino is this again?"

"The seventh one!" someone in the crowd shouted. "Lady Tsunade has crushed seven casinos in a row—without a single loss!"

A collective gasp swept through the casino.

Seated across from Tsunade, the owner of this latest establishment looked like he'd swallowed a bag of nails. His face was ashen, and his eyes were dull with defeat. After what felt like an eternity of silence, he finally muttered:

"Miss Tsunade… I've lost. From this moment forward, this casino is yours."

With a dramatic wave of his sleeve, he stood and stormed off, leaving behind stunned guests and a victorious queen.

"Oh my god… even the Gambling King was no match! She's unbelievable!"

"Look! Those two huge characters behind her—'God of Gamblers'—they shine like divine symbols!"

The entire floor erupted in chatter. Awe and admiration filled the eyes of every spectator.

Right then, Jiraiya arrived. He spotted Tsunade almost instantly, standing like a goddess in the center of the room.

"Tsunade!" he called out, relieved. "I finally found you!"

"Oh, Jiraiya?" Tsunade said nonchalantly, stubbing out her cigarette. "Come with me."

Without another word, she turned and headed for the casino's second floor, where private rooms awaited.

---

Upstairs Room

Inside the lavishly decorated suite, the mood took a sharp turn.

"What do you want from me?" Tsunade asked, pulling out another cigarette and lighting it effortlessly.

"Tsunade," Jiraiya said solemnly, "I'm sure you've already heard. The Third Hokage is stepping down. I came here to ask you to return to the village and become the next Hokage."

With a click, the match flared to life. Tsunade took a deep drag and slowly exhaled smoke into the air. Her expression darkened.

"That old man was not only corrupt, but he also demolished the Senju Clan's ancestral land while I was away…"

Jiraiya coughed awkwardly, hoping to shift the conversation.

"Ahem… After the Nine Tails attack, the village's economy took a nosedive. He had to make some tough choices. It wasn't personal."

"Hmph. But I hear the Sarutobi clan's estate was recently renovated into a palace," she said coldly.

"Ahem… That's precisely why you need to come back! If you become Hokage, you can fix all of this."

Tsunade shook her head. "I'm not interested in being Hokage. Find someone else."

"Why not?" Jiraiya pressed, his voice rising in frustration.

Tsunade ignored him and casually began shuffling a deck of poker cards.

"My dream is to become the God of Gambling across the entire ninja world. That means I have to challenge every major gambler, defeat them all, and rise to the top."

Jiraiya's expression twitched. He couldn't help but recall a particular memory from years ago.

Back then, when he, Tsunade, and Orochimaru were still doing missions together, Tsunade had a fatal weakness—casinos. She couldn't walk past one without going inside. And without fail, she would lose every single coin she brought with her.

Still, Tsunade was nothing if not stubborn. Even after losing everything, she would beg him and Orochimaru to lend her more money, always convinced she could win it back.

She never did.

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