Deserted corner of Tanukichou Street.
Swish!
A glint of cold light flashed in Tsunade's eyes as she threw a punch straight at Heiyan's face. It was fast and fierce—if it landed, Heiyan would probably lose several teeth and wouldn't be able to eat properly for half a month.
Over the years, Tsunade had wandered through the ninja world with the reputation of a walking gold mine, always racking up massive debts. Naturally, there were plenty of men who tried pressuring her into repaying them with her body instead.
Yet not a single one had ever managed to succeed.
Every time, Tsunade used her iron fists to teach those lecherous men a harsh lesson. When they were left bruised and battered, groveling on the ground begging for mercy, only then did they remember—this woman was once one of the legendary Sannin.
If even Jiraiya, the infamous Perverted Sage, couldn't get the better of Tsunade, how could mere lowlifes hope to stand a chance?
But Heiyan wasn't just any ordinary man, nor was he a fake immortal like Jiraiya.
He was a true immortal sage.
Smack!
With a crisp sound, Tsunade's punch stopped mere centimeters from Heiyan's face—he had caught it mid-air.
"What? Thinking about attacking your creditor?"
Heiyan held onto Tsunade's wrist, smirking slightly as he asked.
Hmm? What strength! So this guy is actually a ninja too?
Tsunade was startled. She suddenly exerted force trying to break free from Heiyan's grip, but his hand felt like an iron clamp, locking her completely in place so that her arm couldn't budge an inch.
You're forcing me to go full power?
Angered, Tsunade didn't think much further—she raised her other hand and threw another punch straight at Heiyan.
Except this time…
Boom!
A powerful gust burst forth from her fist, slicing through the air like a wind blade, stinging the skin painfully.
Not good.
Shizune gasped loudly when she saw this because she knew very well just how devastating Monster Strength could be. One punch from her Monster Strength could bring down a wall.
It seemed Heiyan hadn't sensed the danger. With a casual motion, he extended his other palm like a cloth wrapping around Tsunade's iron fist.
At the moment their fists met—
Bang!
With a deafening boom, a shockwave exploded outward from where Tsunade and Heiyan stood, blasting in all directions.
Caught completely off guard, Shizune screamed as the shockwave slammed into her and sent her flying.
When she steadied herself and looked back, her breath caught sharply.
Before them lay cracked ground stretching outward like a spiderweb beneath their feet. The fractures even spread upward along the surrounding walls.
What shocked Shizune most was that Heiyan had actually caught Tsunade's punch—head-on—again.
And yet, he appeared almost effortlessly calm—as if nothing happened—with his flowing white hair drifting in the breeze, adding to his ethereal aura.
"No way…!"
Tsunade stared in surprise. This was the first time in years anyone had dared withstand her Monster Strength directly.
"You don't want to repay the debt, and now you're attacking your creditor?"
"If such despicable behavior gets out, even Tsunade would probably see her reputation utterly ruined, right?"
Heiyan gripped both of Tsunade's hands, towering over her as he spoke coolly.
"What exactly do you want from me?"
Tsunade gritted her teeth and asked. At this moment, she finally realized just how deep in trouble she was—there was no way to escape either the debt or herself. Serious trouble.
Without realizing it, she was already drenched in cold sweat.
"Didn't I already say?" Heiyan said in a tempting tone. "Just agree to be my girlfriend, and not only will I forgive all your past debts, wiping away your ten million ryo deficit entirely, but I'll also teach you gambling jutsu."
The two were locked together now, face to face, eyes locked like a pair of passionate lovers caught in each other's gaze.
"No way! Don't even dream about it!"
Tsunade flatly refused, choosing death over submission.
Heiyan had known she would respond exactly like this. From his impression, Tsunade had always been an extremely fiery woman by nature. Therefore, he cleverly adjusted his tactics.
"Don't rush. Maybe I didn't express myself clearly enough earlier, which led to misunderstanding. Being my girlfriend would merely be nominal—exclusive between you and me alone. I won't make any public announcements. Furthermore, I won't touch you or restrict your personal freedom at all."
After saying this, Heiyan deliberately loosened his grip on Tsunade's fists.
"What benefit could you possibly get from doing this for yourself then?"
Tsunade looked suspiciously confused, completely unable to understand Heiyan's actions.
"Hehe."
Heiyan chuckled, intentionally building suspense before continuing, "The granddaughter of the First Hokage, the last Senju alive, one of the Legendary Sannin, history's greatest Medical Ninja—and above all—the ultimate beauty in the world of shinobi, Tsunade. If a woman like her is officially considered my girlfriend, isn't that enough? Just knowing that would satisfy my vanity completely."
Tsunade listened, stunned and even slightly blushing.
His flattery left her feeling giddy; she hadn't expected him to be so smooth-tongued.
Seeing her pleased expression, Heiyan suddenly switched gears.
"Besides, I'm the Gambling God of Tanukichou Street, handsome and wealthy, with more than enough young, beautiful women around me. You're already in your fifties after all—at the very least, you're old enough to be my aunt if not my grandmother. How could I ever be interested in your body?"
Classic hot-and-cold mind games—that sly old charmer, all the way.
Upon hearing this, Tsunade's face darkened instantly, deeply wounded by his words.
"So? What's your final answer to my proposal? If you refuse, I'll have no choice but to follow standard protocol—to go to Konoha and spread the word about your unpaid debts and assault."
Heiyan issued his ultimatum.
Tsunade had no other options.
"Fine... I accept."
She clenched her teeth as she spoke. When cornered under someone else's roof, she had no choice but to bow her head, thoroughly controlled by Heiyan.
Besides, just as Heiyan said, she wouldn't actually suffer any losses—it was nothing more than being called his girlfriend.
Thinking about it this way... wasn't she actually gaining something?
"Shizune, come here."
At this moment, Heiyan motioned with his hand towards Shizune standing nearby.
Shizune hesitated for a moment, then nervously approached Heiyan. She watched as he pulled out a thick stack of cash from his pocket — a conservative estimate placed it at over ten thousand taels.
"Take this money and find a good inn. Book two rooms, buy something delicious to eat, and take a hot bath to rest properly. Remember, don't give any money to Tsunade."
Heiyan carefully instructed her, ending with a glance at Tsunade.
"Master Heiyan..."
Shizune felt her nose tingle as she was unexpectedly overcome with emotion. Before she even realized it, she'd slipped "Master" into his name when calling him.
"I'll be staying in the casino's guest rooms. If you want to learn [Gambling Jutsu], come find me."
With that parting remark, Heiyan wasted no more time and turned away without hesitation.
What? He's actually leaving?
Tsunade stared at Heiyan's retreating back, lost in thought.
That guy didn't stick around to stir up any trouble — just let her and Shizune go so easily, even thoughtfully leaving them with living expenses.
Speaking of living expenses...
Coming back to her senses, Tsunade fixed her gaze on the money in Shizune's hands, her eyes gleaming with greed like those of a hungry wolf.
"Tsunade-sama, no!"
Shizune shuddered involuntarily and instinctively ran off with the money.
"Shizune!" Tsunade shouted loudly and gave chase without pause.
The two sprinted down Tanukichou Street one after the other, drawing many curious looks from passersby.
Heiyan hadn't gone far.
Watching this scene unfold from hiding, he shook his head again with a smile.
Tsunade wouldn't be able to resist coming after him sooner or later. He wasn't worried; he had plenty of time.
Come to think of it, Izumi had arrived in the Land of Waves quite some time ago. It should almost be time for her to finish handling matters there.
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