Chapter 202. Losing Right From the Start

Chapter 202. Losing Right From the Start

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Soon enough, the Konoha Mahjong God Cup began.

At this time, at the Chunin Exams venue…

It was the same familiar place, with the same familiar banners.

"Authentic good milk tea, authentic good mahjong. Welcome to the Konoha Mahjong God Cup, exclusively sponsored by the leader in milk tea—Yuto Group!"

As the host's fast-paced opening speech rang out, the audience and participants who had been entering the venue fell silent.

"The Konoha Mahjong God Cup! Fuel up with barbecue! Yuto BBQ supports the Konoha Mahjong God Cup! This year's contestants from all over will embark on their journey toward their dreams!"

"For those participating in the online event—send 'Yuto666' to the Konoha Mahjong God Cup to receive a 100-ryo discount voucher from Yuto Group. A huge thank you to Yuto Group for their generous support of this event!"

"The final champion of the Mahjong God Cup will receive a grand prize of 10 million ryo, sponsored by Yuto Group, as well as the exclusive 'Dream Mahjong God Gift Pack'!"

"Thanks to Yuto Konoha Grand Hotel for sponsoring accommodations for all participants of the Konoha Mahjong God Cup!"

With all eyes on him, the host waved his hand dramatically.

"The First Konoha Mahjong God Cup officially begins now! All contestants, please take the stage!"

As soon as the words fell, the venue erupted into enthusiastic cheers.

Yuto, accompanied by Honoka, sat in the audience. According to the schedule, Suzune would be playing in the first match of Group A, while Kana and Konan would be in the first match of Group B.

The timing was planned so their matches wouldn't overlap.

He could watch Suzune's game first, then go see Kana and Konan afterward.

To think he would need time management one day too!

"Thank goodness! Thank goodness!" He felt relieved immediately. It was also thanks to his sudden thought of it. Otherwise, everyone would be stuck together. Who should he visit then?

Pakura?

If that happened, he'd probably have to eat leftovers when he got home!

That's right—Pakura and the Sunagakure team had also arrived yesterday. Judging by how things were going, their plan was a huge success. It seemed like many people in Sunagakure were getting hooked on the internet.

It was only a matter of time before Sunagakure was fully connected to the network!

At the same time, he heard that the Kumogakure ninjas staying at the hotel were also getting interested. Over the past few days, they had been ordering takeout online quite frequently. So maybe… this tournament could also be an opportunity to win over Kumogakure.

In short—

Regardless of the final results, the Konoha Mahjong God Cup was already halfway to success!

Yuto rolled his eyes and glanced at Minato, who was rubbing his hands nervously and pacing back and forth. "It's just a mahjong game. Why are you so tense? Aren't you going to watch it in person?"

Spectators weren't prohibited from watching the matches.

But—

Minato gave an embarrassed "hehe" and scratched his head. "I actually wanted to go cheer for Kushina!"

"You mean the fox?"

"Fine! I wanted to cheer for the Nine-Tails… but…" Minato sighed helplessly. "Kushina said she'd feel embarrassed with so many people watching, so she told me to wait until she reached the finals before cheering her on."

"Then you're doomed. You probably won't get the chance."

"Come on, don't joke about that!" Minato gave an awkward laugh. "The Nine-Tails is really strong now! Plus, with Kushina helping, there's no way he'll lose!" His eyes sparkled with confidence. "I believe in them."

"No wonder Kushina doesn't want you there." Seeing Minato's expression, Yuto immediately understood.

She was probably worried about this Fourth Hokage shamelessly waving a huge banner to cheer for her.

And at that moment—

The tournament officially began.

Each playing area was roped off with red lines, allowing spectators to watch from outside but preventing them from stepping inside.

"Tap, tap, tap~"

The sound echoed repeatedly.

Yuto was just about to check on Suzune's match when—

"A13 is over!"

A sudden announcement blared through the speakers.

"???"

Both Yuto and Minato froze.

It had only been a few minutes—someone was already finished?!

That's unscientific!

A bad feeling crept into their hearts, and they quickly turned their heads.

Since A13 wasn't far from their location, they immediately saw her.

The moment they spotted that blonde-haired woman grumbling in frustration, they both let out a sigh of relief.

Then, nodding knowingly, they muttered—

"No wonder…"

If it was her, this result was completely normal.

Way too normal!

However—

"What are you two whispering about?" Tsunade, clearly overhearing them, stomped across the red boundary line. "Damn it! I suspect they cheated! Otherwise, there's no way I could've lost so easily!"

Her?

[Gambling God of Konoha]?

Losing so fast? Impossible!

"We need a thorough investigation! I never thought that after I came back this time, Konoha would become so corrupt?!"

"Tsunade-sama." A helpless yet warm voice suddenly sounded from her shoulder.

Yuto and Minato turned to look.

A tiny, delicate slug emerged from Tsunade's shoulder. "My clones saw everything. They didn't cheat! But you… they hadn't even revealed their hand yet—how did you lose so quickly?"

"…"

…Wait a minute.

So she was the one cheating?!

"Hehehe! That was just an accident!" Tsunade, who had been planning to play rogue and demand a rematch, quickly forced a sheepish smile. She patted the slug and muttered, "And stop calling me Tsunade!"

Smack!

With a soft pop, the slug vanished—probably retreating back home.

Minato, watching Tsunade, who had been goofing off for days without even reporting to him, could only shake his head in exasperation. "Tsunade-sama…"

Before he could finish his sentence—

"I told you not to call me that!" Tsunade flashed a dangerous grin at Minato. "Minato, you really taught a good student!"

"Hehe…"

This time, it was Minato's turn to give an awkward laugh.

Feeling slightly embarrassed under Tsunade's gaze, he rubbed the back of his head. "S-Sorry about that!"

"Forget it. At least you seem to be doing okay as the Fourth Hokage." Waving him off, Tsunade impatiently added, "From now on, call me Slug-sama!"

"…Yes, Slug-sama."

Minato and Yuto exchanged helpless glances before complying with her words.

"Where's that girl Kushina?" Now satisfied, Tsunade suddenly remembered something. "How's the Nine-Tails' seal holding up?"

As her grandmother's chosen successor, she was naturally concerned about Kushina. Since she had finally returned to the village, she had planned to check on her.

"Kushina's doing great. She's participating in the tournament too." Minato hesitated briefly. "As for the Nine-Tails' seal… there haven't been any—"

"Wait! She's playing too?!" Tsunade's eyes lit up with excitement. She eagerly scanned the tournament area. "Which table is she at? I want to check it out!"

Before Minato could finish his sentence, Tsunade had already spotted something and hurried off.

With no other choice, Minato—who had promised not to watch Kushina until the finals—could only sigh and reluctantly follow her.

As for Yuto?

Well, Suzune's match happened to be nearby, so he simply followed.

…

Zone A7–8

Before long, the group arrived at the playing area.

Both matches were already in full swing, and the intense sounds of "tap, tap, tap" echoed continuously.

Unlike Tsunade, not everyone was doomed to lose at the start.

If you wanted to win?

A proper sacrifice had to be made first.

"Not bad! Not bad!" Tsunade nodded seriously. "This girl has some of my aura! Look at her aura—it's like a giant fox towering behind her, intimidating her opponents. Her tile skills also seem strong… looks like this match is as good as—"

She never finished her sentence.

Before she could say the final word—

Her gaze landed on that crimson chakra.

Her eyebrows twitched slightly.

Then, a moment later—

"What the hell?! Isn't that the Nine-Tails' chakra?!"

In the blink of an eye, she had grabbed Minato by the collar. With rage in her eyes, she roared, "Didn't you say there was no problem?! The Nine-Tails' chakra is literally spilling out!!!"

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