Inside the inn in the Land of Hot Water.
After taking a look at Jiraiya—who looked like he had lost all hope in life due to the overly attentive care of the obasan—Ren, Tsunade, Shizune, and the others finished breakfast together.
"Shizune, have you really mastered the Yin Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Technique?"
Looking at the diamond-shaped mark on Shizune's forehead, Tsunade examined her with visible surprise.
She truly hadn't expected the Spirit Transformation Technique to be used in such a way.
But then again—
only a monster like Ren could pull something like that off.
Tsunade wasn't unfamiliar with the Spirit Transformation Technique.
After her second grandfather developed this S-rank soul-based ninjutsu, it allowed the user's spirit to travel into another person's body and control it silently.
However, it was far from being as effortless as moving one's own body.
Let alone using someone else's body to help them cultivate forbidden techniques like the Yin Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Technique.
After all, when using someone else's body, even performing advanced ninjutsu was normally extremely difficult.
Moreover, the Spirit Transformation Technique itself was dangerous—otherwise it wouldn't have been classified as a forbidden technique.
Not only was the user's body left defenseless while their spirit left it,
but if the target's mental strength was too strong, the user might fail to control them and suffer severe backlash.
In extreme cases—
it could even lead to death.
"No, Lady Tsunade, I haven't completely mastered them yet…"
Touching the Strength of a Hundred Seal on her forehead, Shizune smiled.
"But if you give me a little more time, I believe it won't be a problem."
She had already confirmed several times.
Thanks to Ren's help yesterday, her chakra control had improved tremendously.
Of course, she still couldn't compare to Tsunade.
But compared to her past self, it was like night and day.
Her control had greatly improved.
Even the Monster Strength Fist, which she previously used somewhat reluctantly, now felt natural and smooth.
Furthermore, Ren had already helped her fully condense the Yin Seal.
With his enormous chakra reserves, he had stabilized the Strength of a Hundred Seal, which normally required three years of chakra accumulation.
In other words—
he had helped her bypass the hardest step.
He had opened a shortcut for her.
Now, as long as she continued practicing diligently, it wouldn't take long before she fully mastered the Yin Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Technique.
However—
thinking about how yesterday, because she wanted a figure like Lady Tsunade's, she had somehow been tempted by Ren…
Shizune's face suddenly flushed red.
She subconsciously glanced at Ren.
Seeing him smiling and even winking at her, her heart skipped a beat.
She quickly looked away.
"Good. That's great."
Tsunade smiled with satisfaction.
Although Shizune was somewhat shy and lacked confidence, always instinctively treating herself like a mere assistant—
Tsunade had always regarded her as a true personal disciple.
If she mastered the Yin Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Technique, her future achievements would certainly rise to another level.
It had to be said—
ever since she accepted Ren as her disciple,
everything in their lives seemed to go smoothly.
Except for gambling.
He really was a lucky star.
"Really?! That's wonderful!"
Karin exclaimed happily.
She was genuinely happy for Shizune.
She was still young and currently in the stage of building her foundation.
According to Tsunade, she would have to wait another two years before learning the Yin Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Technique.
Although Karin was confident in herself,
now that Shizune had found a shortcut—
she felt completely reassured about her own future training.
"Kid, you better work hard."
Ren rubbed Karin's head and smiled.
"Once Shizune-senpai fully masters those techniques, you'll be the only one left."
"Besides the Monster Strength Fist, the Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred Technique are the most important secret techniques of our lineage."
"Don't fall behind."
"Hmph! As if I would!"
Karin wrinkled her cute nose.
Then she realized her hair had been messed up.
Showing her teeth angrily, she lunged at Ren.
"Damn it, Ren! You messed up my hair again!"
The result, of course, was predictable.
Wood vines instantly wrapped around her and lifted her into the air, leaving her dangling and swaying.
The little girl was so angry she nearly unleashed the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
After chatting for a while,
Shizune stayed behind to guide Karin's training.
At Tsunade's signal, she and Ren moved to a secluded corner.
Each of them left behind a Wood Clone and a Shadow Clone.
Then they quietly disappeared from the inn.
Less than half an hour later,
the two arrived at a nearby town.
Ren secretly left a Flying Thunder God mark there.
"Big or small!"
"Stop talking—I'm betting it all!"
"Damn it, small!"
"Big! Big!"
Inside a casino,
gamblers from all walks of life shouted loudly, creating a chaotic atmosphere.
Having come here to fulfill his promise to Tsunade,
Ren looked at her excited expression and couldn't help twitching slightly.
He could only carry the money he had prepared beforehand.
Under the casino owner's delighted gaze,
he exchanged it for a pile of chips.
"Let's start with the slot machines!"
Tsunade grabbed the chips and sat down in front of a machine.
"Tsunade-nee, this is too boring."
Ren's eyes rolled mischievously.
"How about we make a bet?"
He decided to take advantage of Tsunade's legendary bad gambling luck.
"A bet?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
Remembering the last time she had bet with Ren—when she almost fell into his trap—
she immediately refused.
"No. I'm not falling for your tricks again!"
"Listen to my offer first."
Ren said with a grin.
"Fine. Go ahead."
Tsunade had already decided she wouldn't accept no matter what he proposed.
"You and I will each play ten rounds on the slot machine."
"If you win even once, I lose."
"But for me, if even one of my ten rounds fails to hit the triple Lucky Seven jackpot, then you win."
"Ten jackpots in a row?"
Tsunade frowned suspiciously.
"You're not planning to cheat, are you?"
"You know the casino rules—ninjutsu is strictly forbidden."
She had grown up visiting casinos with her grandfather, the First Hokage, watching him dominate gambling tables.
That was how she had developed her love of gambling.
For her, the thrill came from the moment the result was revealed.
If cheating was involved—
it would be meaningless.
"I wouldn't do that."
Ren shook his head.
"Am I that kind of person?"
He looked at Tsunade and smiled.
"If I win, the condition will be the same as yesterday."
"No! I already said yesterday was the last time!"
Tsunade rejected him immediately.
"But remember," Ren continued temptingly, "I need ten Lucky Seven jackpots in a row to win."
"You only need one ordinary win."
"Are you really not going to bet?"
He knew Tsunade would be tempted.
Under normal circumstances—
getting even one Lucky Seven jackpot meant incredible luck.
But Tsunade had a mysterious ability to lose every gamble.
After two years of observing her…
Ren was extremely confident.
"This…"
Tsunade hesitated.
Slot machines rarely produced even a single jackpot.
Ten consecutive jackpots?
That was impossible.
If she accepted—
she was practically guaranteed to win.
"Gulp…"
Facing such temptation, Tsunade swallowed nervously.
After struggling for a moment,
she finally made up her mind.
She nodded firmly.
"Fine. I accept!"
No matter how you looked at it—
One ordinary win vs. ten consecutive jackpots.
The advantage was clearly hers.
There was no way she could lose.
"This round… the advantage is mine!"
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