Bang!
"That must’ve hurt!"
A fist slammed down on his head, raising a big bump. The Transformation Jutsu instantly dissolved under the impact. Kiyosuke clutched his head, squatting on the ground in pain.
"Ow, ow, ow! I think my skull just cracked open!"
"A ninja, huh?" Tsunade eyed the Konoha forehead protector on his head.
"And a Konoha brat at that. Gambling at your age? Clearly you haven’t had a proper education. Who’s your teacher?"
"It’s Orochimaru-sensei!" Kiyosuke didn’t dare get cheeky with her. All he could do was wave the biggest flag he had—Orochimaru. It wasn’t like Orochimaru was around to object anyway.
"Orochimaru? That guy actually took a student?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. Cold and emotionless as Orochimaru was, she never thought he’d take on a disciple.
"You say you’re his student. Got any proof?"
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Several snakes burst forth, instantly wrapping themselves around Shizune, who had been standing next to Tsunade. The girl shrieked in terror.
"Ahhh! Help me, Lady Tsunade! Asakawa-kun, let go of me!"
Shizune and Kiyosuke had graduated from the Academy together, though she had been taken away shortly afterward by Tsunade.
Mainly because her uncle had been Dan, the guy who won at life but died young. As Dan’s only living relative, Shizune was the last of the Kato line. Tsunade had taken her in.
"Yep, that’s definitely Orochimaru’s jutsu. Disgusting as ever. Put it away." Tsunade didn’t doubt Kiyosuke’s identity now. Only Orochimaru ever used that jutsu—well, him and now this little brat.
Was it really okay to teach such a nasty technique to a kid?
Still...
"You little punk, gambling at your age? You know about the three shinobi taboos?"
"Oh, that? You’re a ninja too, right? And weren’t you gambling just now?"
Bang!
Another bump joined the first on his head, stacking like a tower.
"You brat! Looks like Orochimaru didn’t teach you to respect your elders!"
"You don’t really look that old..."
"Ahem, obviously! I’m in the prime of my youth! Anyway, where’s Orochimaru? I need to talk to him."
Yeah, she was broke again. Time to borrow some money.
"Uh, Orochimaru-sensei’s still in Konoha. He’s not my team leader—I’m just out on a little trip. I’ve got a mission, so I’ll be going now. Bye, Lady Tsunade!"
"Oh? So you know who I am?"
Of course he did. With that legendary bad gambling luck and terrifying fists, how could anyone not recognize her?
Time to run!
"Yeah! Your name’s well-known. I’ve seen your portrait at the Konoha Hospital!"
A hand suddenly clamped onto his face and lifted him off the ground.
"You little brat! You knew who I was and still dared to take my money?! Looks like you’re tired of living!"
Help! Somebody help me!
"Aaaah! My face! It’s cracking! Was that a bone?! Shizune, save me!"
"Even if you beg..." Shizune glanced timidly at Tsunade. "I can’t really help you, Asakawa-kun. You’re on your own."
"Nooo! Shizune! Don’t just stand there! We’re classmates! You traitor! My body’s about to go ’pineapple pineapple duh’!"
"Okay okay okay! I was wrong! Lady Tsunade, I shouldn’t have gone to that gambling hall!"
"Are you gonna do it again?"
"No, ma’am!"
He apologized sincerely. Not that it would stop him from doing it again. The temptation of a quick payday was just too strong.
Getting rich overnight was possible!
In the end, Tsunade let him go. After losing both her brother and her lover, she’d developed hemophobia and didn’t want to return to Konoha. She was now traveling with Shizune, living a carefree life.
Kiyosuke rubbed his aching face, feeling like even his bones had cracked.
Well, time to enjoy the haul. How should I spend this money?
He already had a whole plan laid out. He ditched the R-rated ideas—he was still a kid, after all—and went to buy some snacks unique to the Land of Hot Water. After wandering the market for a bit, he returned to the inn.
Once he dropped off his stuff in his room, he realized it was still early. He figured he’d go out and train a bit.
Just as he was leaving, he ran into Minato.
"Ah, Kiyosuke-kun, you’re back. Did Obito and the others come back with you?" Minato asked.
"Nope. Obito and Asuma went shopping with Kurenai and Rin. I was with Kakashi, and we split up." Kiyosuke tilted his head.
"Did something happen?"
"We just got a report. A few nearby towns have had children go missing. I’ve got a bad feeling about it."
"Um, Minato-sensei, we’re all ninja. Who’s going to kidnap us?" Kiyosuke wasn’t worried. No way someone could just snatch up their team... Well, maybe Obito.
"True, but they’ve been gone for a while. Shouldn’t they be back soon?"
"Minato-sensei, girls take forever to shop. They browse everything, pick nothing, and drag you around until your legs fall off."
Minato nodded with the wisdom of experience. Every time he went shopping with Kushina, it felt more exhausting than going to war.
"Guess we’ll wait a bit longer. They should be back by dinner. Kazama-san’s taking us all out to eat tonight."
"Oh."
Just then, a small pug wearing a Konoha forehead protector ran in, panting.
"Bad news! Your four teammates were captured. Kakashi’s already in pursuit!"
They were actually kidnapped?! You guys are supposed to be ninja, seriously?!
"My premonition was right..." Minato rubbed his temples. "Pakkun, take me to them."
"I’m coming too," Kiyosuke said.
"But you—" Minato hesitated.
"They’re my teammates too, aren’t they?" Kiyosuke grinned. "Honestly, how do they even get themselves kidnapped just walking around town?"
"Alright. But be careful."
"I will."
Pakkun nodded and leapt onto Minato’s shoulder, pointing them in the right direction.
As they ran, Minato asked, "Pakkun, do you know who took them?"
Capturing four Genin in one go... Whoever did it had to be at least Chūnin level, or maybe there were multiple attackers. After all, aside from Rin, the others all came from strong ninja clans. It’d take serious power to subdue them quickly.
"No idea. Kakashi fought one of them and got pushed back with just taijutsu. Then he sent me to find you," Pakkun said.
Minato’s expression darkened. If someone could force Kakashi back with just taijutsu, were they dealing with a jōnin from Yugakure?
Kakashi was strong. Most Chūnin couldn’t take him head-on. Could it really be a high-level shinobi from Yugakure?
But why would they target Obito and the others? Did they recognize Asuma as the Third Hokage’s son and want to use him to threaten Konoha?
Lost in speculation, the two ninja and one dog sprinted toward Kakashi’s location.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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