Chapter 459 Shizune: It's Over, I’ve Become That Blonde's Bitter Rival

Naruto sat a bit away from Tsunade, absentmindedly playing a pachinko game. His peripheral vision caught sight of Tsunade nearby, and he couldn't help but feel amused.

The sound of the spinning reels rang out, but Tsunade's eyes were dull, as if she had no interest at all. As she played, she even seemed to drift off, her focus wandering.

She shook her head, and furrowed her brows.

'There must be something wrong… Damn it! Why did it feel like gambling games weren't fun anymore unless I was playing with that guy? No way! It had to be my imagination.'

"Having fun?" Naruto came over at some point with a smile on his face.

"Hmm." Tsunade's face remained stern, obviously not happy.

Naruto, who noticed something unusual, showed no expression on his face, but he was laughing like crazy in his heart. If there was no one around, he might've started rolling on the ground, clutching his stomach in laughter.

'Serves you right, Tsunade!! Even a fat sheep like you can have such a day too! Have a taste of the feeling of being depraved. When you are completely addicted, I will go back to the future and make you insensitive to gambling for 20 years.'

Like someone who's experienced a better game, the thrill of regular games will pale in comparison. Unbeknownst to her, Naruto had raised Tsunade's bar for excitement, making simple pachinko games seem dull in comparison.

Happiness is limited. After experiencing higher levels of happiness, you will be less obsessed with lower levels of happiness.

"Huh? What's fun about it?" Naruto asked mischievously.

"Can't you play by yourself?" Tsunade was speechless and stood up to leave.

The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment. Pachinko couldn't make her happy anymore. She decided not to play it again next time, 'And I won't play with that guy either… He's too evil.'

"Tsunade-sama, how about we play one more round?" Naruto asked tentatively.

"Hmm?" Tsunade paused mid-step and turned to look at Naruto. Her smooth, pale face froze, her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.

She was hesitating. She has already made a decision in her heart not to get involved with this person anymore, especially when it came to dice, as it was too easy to get hooked.

But as much as she tried to stick to her decision, she wavered when faced with the choice. After all, the pleasure was right in front of her, and all she had to do was nod.

Tsunade was struggling at the edge of the abyss of addiction, while Naruto stood beside her with a calm and composed look, his smile seemed a bit cocky and enticing.

"Isn't that a bad idea? Shizune is still waiting for us to eat." She said hesitantly, completely embodying the 'reluctant but tempted' look.

"It's okay as long as we go back before lunch." Naruto encouraged. He had already found a reason for Tsunade and was not afraid that she would not agree.

"Well…" She bit her lip, indecisive but undeniably charming in her struggle, "Well, let's make an exception this time."

Naruto laughed inwardly, thinking, 'Well, enjoy the descent into addiction.'

The two found a place to play for a while, switching between dice and cards, winning and losing in a perfect rhythm. It was almost time for lunch, so Naruto stopped playing.

"Okay, time to go eat."

"Oh, okay." Tsunade seemed a bit disappointed and tucked her golden hair beside her ears, "Let's go back."

Seeing Tsunade's absent-minded look, Naruto was also stunned for a moment, 'Had I gone too far by tempting Tsunade to indulge in playing games with me?

But then Naruto thought back to all the times she had bossed him around, and he sighed softly.

'Too far? What nonsense! Time to push even harder!'

'Damn it! Old woman, don't think I can let you go easily!'

Although Naruto knew Tsunade had good intentions toward him, she often abused her power as his superior, embodying the authority of the Hokage. Though nothing she did was too excessive, her teasing was relentless.

But for Naruto, it was just a bad taste. He had no intention to harm Tsunade, he just wanted to take revenge on her and vent his anger.

For Naruto, this was just a harmless way to get back at her, to vent a little. Even after he left, Tsunade wouldn't lose her love for gambling. Her passion might diminish without the thrill he provided, but in the end, that could be a good thing.

Shizune waited in the inn for a long time but no one showed up. She couldn't help but walk around the room anxiously, muttering to herself, wondering what the two people were doing.

"Could it be that Tsunade-sama... no, no way!" Shizune shook her head, her face suddenly filled with horror.

"What should I do after she give birth to a child? She won't ask me to take care of it, right? Kids are cute, but they're also terrifying. What should I do? What should I do?"

As she muttered to herself, Shizuneturned her head and bumped into Tsunade at the door, looking up to see two towering peaks before her.

"Shizune, what were you just saying?" Tsunade said through gritted teeth.

"Ahh!!"

After some 'loving discipline', Shizune, clutching her head, finally learned about Naruto and Tsunade's morning activities, and was even more speechless. She would rather believe that the two of them were sneaking off for some secret affair than believe they spent the whole morning gambling.

"This is really outrageous… this had to be full-blown addiction, right?"

Hearing Shizune's words, even Tsunade froze for a moment. She frowned, pacing back and forth, then spoke seriously, "Shizune, you might have a point."

"Yes, exactly, Tsunade-sama, you can't stay with that person anymore."

"Mm-hmm, you're right."

"Open! Open it for me!" Tsunade shouted. Naruto also seemed a little nervous and opened the dice cup carefully.

"I lost." Naruto sighed.

"Hah!" Tsunade, on the other hand, laughed joyfully.

Shizune, leaning against the door, bit her sleeve and sobbed quietly, her eyes filled with tears. Watching Tsunade in her downward spiral, Shizune felt helpless, like someone unable to stop a train wreck.

But no matter how much she disapproved, Tsunade's authority over her was absolute. She could only sulk at the door, peeking inside with a heart full of bitterness, looking very much like someone suffering in silence.

"Cough." Naruto felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by the little loli Shizune, and cleared his throat and said, "Maybe we should let Shizune come in. It feels kind of weird with her standing there watching."

"Huh?" Tsunade finally noticed Shizune. She frowned and asked, "Shizune, what are you doing there? If you want to come in, just come in. Don't just stand there."

Shizune was on the verge of tears, her heart full of misery, 'I was the one who came first, but Tsunade-sama was snatched away just like that? As expected!!! Women always abandon the old for the new!!!'

Shizune ran away crying, leaving Naruto and Tsunade a little confused. After exchanging bewildered looks, Naruto, gazing at Tsunade's innocent and bewildered face, couldn't help but ask, "Is Shizune sick or something?"

"I have no idea. She's acting weird." Tsunade replied, reaching for the dice cup and shaking it, "Don't worry about her, she won't go far. Let's keep playing."

"Oh, okay." Naruto replied, turning his attention back to the game.