"Boss, he—"
The dealer rushed forward, but Takahashi Shinichi raised a hand.
"No need. I already know."
His gaze settled on Isamu.
"You've already won several million," he said calmly, though there was an edge beneath his tone. "That's enough. Time to stop."
Isamu didn't even stand.
He remained seated, casually studying the man in front of him.
"Well, you must be the boss."
Slicked-back hair. Black suit. Confident posture.
Yeah—this guy fit the role perfectly.
"That's right," Takahashi replied. "Takahashi Shinichi."
"And you are?"
"No one important," Isamu said lightly. "Just someone here to make money."
Then his expression sharpened slightly.
"You opened this place to profit. I came here for the same reason."
"When we were losing, no one stopped us."
"But now that we're winning, suddenly we can't play anymore?"
He leaned forward just a bit.
"Tell me… how is that any different from robbery?"
The surrounding air grew tense.
Takahashi's eyes darkened.
Annoyed—but controlled.
"Call it whatever you like," he said evenly. "I don't mind people winning."
"But if you keep this up, I'll be bankrupt in days."
"So let's end it here."
---
Isamu chuckled softly.
He already knew—there was no way they'd let him keep winning.
"Alright," he said, finally standing up. "Then let's do this another way."
"I'll give you two options."
Takahashi raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Go on."
---
"Option one," Isamu said plainly.
"You give me five million."
"I walk away immediately."
"No trouble. No scene."
"You keep your business running, and I leave satisfied."
Silence.
Then—
"Not happening," Takahashi replied instantly.
No hesitation.
Five million? In front of everyone?
I'd lose face—and control.
"Next."
---
Isamu shrugged.
"Figured."
"Then option two."
He crossed his arms.
"You and me. One game."
"If I lose—I return everything I won today."
"And I never step foot in this place again."
A pause.
"If you lose… you pay me ten million."
The room went quiet.
---
Takahashi didn't answer immediately.
He thought it through.
Better than handing over five million outright…
But—
Ten million if I lose? That's a third of my assets.
Still…
If he didn't deal with this guy now, the losses would keep piling up anyway.
"…Fine."
Then he added, eyes narrowing:
"But that's not enough."
---
"If you lose, you don't just return the money."
"You add another five million."
Takahashi stared straight at him.
"Otherwise, this gamble isn't worth it."
Isamu smiled faintly.
"So you want higher stakes."
"Fair enough."
---
"I don't have five million on me right now," he said casually. "Only about two."
"But I'm from Konoha."
"If I lose, I'll get you your money."
"If I don't—you can report me to Konoha."
"That should be enough, right?"
On the surface, he sounded relaxed.
Inside?
If you actually manage to win… I'll tear this place apart.
Let's see if you're even alive to collect.
---
Takahashi considered it.
Konoha…
That name carried weight.
Reputation.
Order.
Even if this kid tried to run—
He had ways to deal with it.
Fei Liu would handle it.
A rogue ninja. Jonin-level strength.
That was his real trump card.
"…Fine."
He nodded slowly.
"I'll trust you once."
"Let's take this somewhere private."
---
He turned and walked off.
Isamu followed without hesitation.
---
The moment they left—
The dealer collapsed back in relief.
"Damn… that guy's got guts."
"Challenging the boss directly?"
"Didn't you hear? He's from Konoha."
"That doesn't matter. The boss has a ninja backing him!"
"What?! Seriously?"
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Meanwhile, the dealer sneered.
"Hmph… embarrassing me like that…"
"You're dead."
---
Inside the private room—
Isamu sat down and glanced around.
"…Nice."
"Even better than outside."
Takahashi smirked faintly.
"I invest in comfort."
"What's the point of money if you don't enjoy it?"
---
Isamu leaned back.
"Then I don't get it."
"You could've just paid the five million."
"I'd have left quietly."
"Why go through all this trouble?"
---
Takahashi looked at him steadily.
"Because that five million?"
"It takes me three years to earn."
He paused.
"Tell me… would you work three years for nothing?"
---
Isamu smiled.
Now that—
That was honest.
And honesty, in a place like this?
That made things even more interesting.
"…Fair enough."
"Then let's see whose luck runs out first."