CHAPTER 125: CHAPTER 125

"Mirror Dimension?" Tsunade paused, eyebrows lifting slightly.

"That’s... a good name."

The name lingered in the air like the genjutsu it described—fragile, illusory, and fleeting.

"Since you’re back," Tsunade said abruptly, already standing, "come with me to the Hokage’s office."

"Lady Tsunade!"

Shizune’s intuition flared immediately. "You’re not going to gamble again, are you? Can’t you rest for once?"

"Annoying." Tsunade flicked her hand dismissively. "Kitazawa and I will go. You stay here."

Before Shizune could protest, Tsunade grabbed Kitazawa by the wrist and swept out the door like a storm.

"Kitazawa!" Shizune called after them. "Bring her back in one piece!"

Once they were outside, Tsunade glanced down at him, a playful glint in her golden eyes.

"So... you planning to listen to your senpai?"

Kitazawa met her gaze and blinked innocently. "Actually, I thought of a new card game yesterday. Want to learn it?"

Tsunade slowed a step, interest piqued. "What kind of game?"

"It’s a bit complicated," he said smoothly. "I’ll teach you when we get back."

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, a sly smile tugging at her lips.

"You’re clever. But you think you can distract me from the casino?"

"How would I dare?" Kitazawa tilted his head, studying her flawless face with mock sincerity.

"Every word I’ve said is true."

"Hmph. Then I’ll hold you to that. Tonight, you teach me."

She jabbed a finger at his chest, realizing full well what he was trying to do.

Kitazawa decided to drop the act.

"Lady Tsunade, if you really want to gamble... why bother with the casino? How about this afternoon, we invite Kurenai over and gamble at home?"

"Oh?" Tsunade arched a brow, curiosity replacing impatience. "And what exactly are we gambling on?"

"Money’s boring, right? You do it every day. Let’s make it interesting—" he grinned, "—we’ll gamble on new jutsu."

"Gamble... jutsu?" She tilted her head, intrigued.

"Before, we always brainstormed new Ninjutsu together," Kitazawa explained.

"This time, the stake is time. Whoever loses has to research the lost hours alone."

Tsunade’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

"...Why does this feel like a trap?"

"Is Lady Tsunade afraid to lose?" Kitazawa asked, deliberately provoking her.

"Afraid?" Her pride flared instantly. "Fine. I’ll take that bet—and I’ll definitely win!"

"It’s a deal." Kitazawa nodded solemnly.

Only after a few steps did Tsunade realize she’d been played, and her lips curled in reluctant amusement.

The mere mention of gambling was her fatal weakness.

"You wouldn’t dare back out now, would you?" Kitazawa added with a sly smile.

"You are Konoha’s greatest beauty, after all. You have to keep your word."

Tsunade’s chest puffed with pride.

"Mm... I do like hearing the truth. And for the record, with my gambling skills, you and Kurenai don’t stand a chance."

"Then please... go easy on me, Lady Tsunade."

She suddenly smirked, leaning closer.

"You just called me Konoha’s greatest beauty. Aren’t you afraid Kurenai will get jealous?"

Kitazawa’s expression froze. "Lady Tsunade... are you really going to betray me that fast?"

"Who told you to scheme against me?" she laughed, bending over from the force of her own amusement.

Her chest strained against her robe with every shake of laughter, and Kitazawa had to glance away before his mind wandered somewhere dangerous.

"...Is it that funny?" he muttered.

"I just remembered something happy." Tsunade finally straightened, smugness radiating off her like sunlight.

’Teasing Kitazawa was surprisingly satisfying.’

Moments later—

Bang!

The Hokage’s office door slammed open under Tsunade’s kick.

"Kitazawa’s here too?" Hiruzen asked calmly, barely looking up from his paperwork.

"Another new Ninjutsu?"

Tsunade tossed the scroll onto his desk wordlessly.

Hiruzen unrolled it, his eyes scanning quickly.

"...A very promising genjutsu. It can treat trauma or be used in combat. Versatile."

The Mirror Dimension truly had infinite potential.

The illusory world it created shifted with the caster’s will, making it a tool that could be healing in one hand... and deadly in another.

"Then..." Tsunade held out her hand, lips curling into a sly smile.

"Add more money."

Hiruzen sighed. "One and a half million ryō, same as last time."

"Stingy. Add another five hundred thousand."

"I can," he said slowly, "but under one condition."

"...What condition?" Tsunade asked, her sharp instincts kicking in.

"The Psychological Medical Ninja program you’re developing is impressive," he said evenly.

"But jutsu alone isn’t enough. We need practical application."

Tsunade frowned, already sensing the trap.

"That’s easy. I’ll find a few shinobi with mental trauma and test it."

"No," Hiruzen said, his gaze steady. "Not patients. You should test it on yourself first."

The room’s temperature seemed to drop.

"Tch... Old man."

Tsunade’s face darkened, her eyes like molten gold.

A suffocating aura filled the office, and Kitazawa actually felt his chest tighten.

’So this is killing intent on par with Orochimaru...’

"Cough... cough... it was only a suggestion," Hiruzen said quickly, hands raised in surrender.

"If you’re unwilling, we can... reconsider."

"Hmph. I’m leaving. Kitazawa, let’s go."

She spun on her heel and left without another word.

Hiruzen watched her go without surprise.

’As expected. Hemophobia isn’t the problem—it’s the memories tied to it.’

His eyes shifted to Kitazawa.

"..."

"I’ll keep it a secret!" Kitazawa said immediately, sensing the unspoken warning.

Even without explicit words, it was clear: Tsunade’s psychological weakness must never leak.

"I hear you’ve been learning medical ninjutsu under Tsunade lately?" Hiruzen asked after a pause.

Kitazawa nodded. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

"And your progress?"

"I’ve already begun practicing Chakra Scalpel, and I’ve mastered the basic techniques," Kitazawa said, listing what the system had already granted him.

"You... became Tsunade’s student?" Hiruzen’s brows rose in genuine surprise.

Kitazawa shook his head. "Not yet. She said she wants to see my performance first."

"I see..." Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"In my opinion, your talent already exceeds most medical ninja. But..."

His tone shifted.

"...I have a mission for you."

A chill ran down Kitazawa’s spine. "...?"

"Although Tsunade hasn’t officially accepted you, I can see she trusts you. Your task..." Hiruzen’s eyes sharpened.

"...is to find a way to make her accept psychological treatment."

Kitazawa felt his world go dark.

’What kind of hell-level mission is this?!’

System Notification:

[Principal Hiruzen Sarutobi has issued a request.]

[Mission: Cure Tsunade’s Hemophobia.]

[ Reward: Yamato’s Wood Release.]

"Do you accept?"

Kitazawa subconsciously glanced at the mission screen—and froze.

Wood Release?!

Even if it was the Yamato version, lacking Senju Hashirama’s overwhelming, world-shaking might, it was still Wood Release—one of the most coveted bloodline limits in the entire Ninja World.

Bloodline Limits were almost always superior to ordinary elemental jutsu, and among them, Wood Release stood at the top.

Even Yamato’s watered-down version had made him an elite Jonin in the original timeline, his entire career built around that single ability. And in Konoha, Wood Release carried a symbolic weight no other jutsu could match.

If Kitazawa acquired it, even as an outsider with unclear origins, both Hiruzen and Tsunade would inevitably value him far more.

’Yamato himself is proof.’

He had been taken in by Danzo as a child, even sent to assassinate the Hokage later on. And yet, Hiruzen hadn’t executed him—instead, he’d brought Yamato into ANBU, even personally leading a team to pull him out of Root.

A single Wood Release shinobi was worth protecting at all costs.

Kitazawa exhaled slowly, forcing his voice steady.

"Hokage-sama, I’ll do everything I can."

Hiruzen’s expression hardened.

"What I’m about to tell you... must never leave this room."

"I understand."

Kitazawa had a faint guess at what was coming.

Sure enough, the old Hokage began to explain Tsunade’s hemophobia, recounting details far beyond what the original series ever showed.

’Even knowing this from my past life... hearing it in full is heavier.’

Hiruzen’s voice was grave.

"I’m telling you this so you can better reach her. Remember, only you and I know of this mission. No one else can hear of it."

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Kitazawa’s tone was equally serious.

"Good. Then go find Haru outside for your payment."

With a slight bow, Kitazawa left the office, collected two million ryō from ANBU, and only when he stepped out of the Hokage Building did he let out a long breath.

He had never expected this day to escalate so far.

But if he could truly pull this off, the rewards were enormous.

Wood Release from the system...

Status in Konoha skyrocketing as a member of the Hokage lineage...

His future would be secured.

"Why’d it take you so long?"

A voice drifted from above.

Kitazawa looked up—and saw Tsunade casually sitting at the edge of the building.

He nearly jumped. He had assumed she’d storm off to a casino or an izakaya to vent, not... wait for him here.

"What are you staring at?" Tsunade leapt down, and for a fleeting second, the scenery in front of Kitazawa was... blindingly magnificent.

"Let’s go," she said as if nothing had happened. "You’re teaching me that card game you promised."

"Right." Kitazawa quickly regained composure and handed her a bankbook.

"This is your money."

Tsunade opened it, her golden eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

"One million ryō?"

Normally, she’d have received seven hundred thousand.

Meaning... Hiruzen had paid two million.

Tsunade snorted softly. "Hmph, I never agreed to his terms... but if he’s already handed it over, I won’t say no."

"As expected of you, Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa said with a grin and a thumbs-up.

"Didn’t you say it yourself?" She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, smirking.

"One should always look forward."

Kitazawa arched a brow. "Right now, it looks like you’re mostly looking forward to money."

Her eyes sharpened. "Are you saying... I only care about money?"

"Of course not," he said quickly. "I know Lady Tsunade cares deeply for Konoha."

"I don’t," she said instantly, turning her head toward the distant Hokage Rock, refusing to admit it.

Kitazawa wisely kept his mouth shut.

"Come on," Tsunade said, striding forward.

Back at Kurenai’s house, the door barely opened before Shizune rushed over.

"Thank goodness... you actually brought her back."

"Kurenai!" Tsunade kicked off her sandals, eyes bright. "Let’s play cards!"

"Cards?" Shizune blinked, then turned to Kitazawa for clarification.

"The price of bringing her home safely," Kitazawa said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I did my best, Senpai."

"Well... as long as she’s not losing real money, I’ll take it." Shizune sighed and reached to pat his shoulder.

"What kind of card game?" Kurenai asked, blinking. "I don’t even know how to play."

"Even better!" Tsunade’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

Kitazawa held up a deck of playing cards.

"I invented this yesterday. It’s called... Fight the Raikage."

"Fight the Raikage?" Tsunade plopped onto the sofa, intrigued. "What does this have to do with the Raikage?"

Kitazawa explained the rules—a modified version of "Fight the Landlord" from his past life. In this version, two "Konoha ninjas" worked together to defeat the "Fourth Raikage" of the Hidden Cloud.

"Oh, this sounds fun!" Tsunade cracked her knuckles. "Let’s start!"

Half an hour later...

"Damn it!" Tsunade slammed her cards down, teeth grinding.

Seven rounds. Not a single win.

Whether she was the "Raikage" or the "Konoha Ninja," she lost every single time.

Kitazawa was stunned.

’Losing as the solo boss is one thing... but losing as a teammate?’

Two rounds in, he had even partnered with her. His hand was bad, sure, but her luck was... unsalvageable.

"Shizune! Water!" Tsunade threw off her jacket, pale arms flashing. "I refuse to believe I can’t win once!"

Shizune hesitated but wisely stayed quiet.

’At least she’s not losing real money.’

"This time the win’s mine!!" Tsunade suddenly yelped.

Kitazawa raised a brow at the familiar phrase.

’Could it be... her luck’s finally turning?’

Nope.

Kurenai drew a perfect combo and ended the game.

By evening, the warm sunset bled into the room, and Tsunade lay collapsed on the sofa, utterly defeated.

"I... am not playing anymore..."

Kurenai stared at the cards, world shattered.

’This woman... goes to casinos every day? With this luck?’

Suddenly, she understood Shizune on a spiritual level.

Kitazawa quietly packed up the cards.

"I’m going to learn my last Genjutsu. Need to finish it today."

He had already chosen Haze Clone Jutsu, a simple D-rank genjutsu that created harmless black illusions meant to spook novice shinobi.

"Do you need me to teach you?" Kurenai asked.

"No need," he said with a faint smile. "You cook dinner. I’ll handle this myself."

Within half an hour, the system notification appeared:

Mission Complete: Learn five Genjutsu over summer vacation.

Reward: Bringer of Darkness.

Kitazawa exhaled slowly.

With the Bringer of Darkness, he had essentially reached the peak of ordinary genjutsu. Beyond this point, true power only came from bloodlines—like the Sharingan and Mangekyō Sharingan.

And that mission... had already been triggered long ago:

Make Uchiha Sasuke defeat Hyuga Neji.

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