Chapter 624: Takuya – No Money, No Cards! What Are You Even Thinking?

Just look at the Jonin instructors in the original story.

A few rounds of treating their students to barbecue was enough to make them feel the pinch.

The stronger you are, the higher your expenses.

Ninjutsu scrolls, explosive tags, weapons, gear upgrades—those alone were already massive costs.

Add in food, daily necessities, and medical bills, and most ninjas' wallets would be completely drained.

Thinking about eating lavishly every day?

Sorry, better check your finances first.

Even Minato and Nawaki didn't dare to splurge like that.

Only Takuya and Kushina, who weren't strapped for cash, could afford to indulge.

Are kids these days just this materialistic?

Or have we just become old relics, completely out of touch with the times?

Senju Hashirama watched as the group happily devoured their food, his mind nearly crashing from the realization.

He silently turned to look at Senju Tobirama, who was sitting cross-armed in the corner, his face stormy and unreadable.

Why are you looking at me?

Having just gotten into another argument with Takuya—neither side backing down but unable to actually fight—Tobirama was in a foul mood.

That damn brat always had to oppose him.

Tobirama shot Hashirama a glare, making him awkwardly look away.

As for the argument?

It was the same as always—Tobirama criticizing Takuya for not acting like a real ninja, always thinking about good food instead of how to get stronger.

Back in his day, ninjas were obsessed with power, always scheming on ways to improve.

But Takuya?

He only thought about enjoying life.

As for strength? That was just something he worked on while enjoying life.

To Tobirama, it was infuriating.

What annoyed him even more was that Takuya wasn't just doing this himself—he was dragging others down with him.

Even Minato, the one Tobirama had the highest hopes for, was starting to slack off under Takuya's influence.

So of course, Takuya fired right back at him, refusing to back down.

After hitting a wall with his younger brother and having nothing else to do—no gambling, no wandering around, no talking too much—Hashirama grew more and more restless.

"Takuya, are you sure that if I show up, Madara will come charging straight to the Hidden Cloud Village?"

Oh, for crying out loud.

How many times are you going to ask this?

"Lord First Hokage, why don't you take a nice, dignified stroll outside? Walk around like you own the place.

By the time you finish, you probably won't even need to wait for the other Kage to arrive—Uchiha Madara will be here before they are."

You yourself said Madara was like this.

So why do you keep asking the same thing over and over?

Even a dog would get annoyed at being asked the same question too many times.

Clearly, this old gambler was losing his mind from boredom.

Forget I asked.

Hashirama slumped his shoulders and entered a self-imposed sulking state.

No exploring, no gambling, no unnecessary chatter—how was this a life worth living?

Maybe going back to the afterlife was the better option.

Staying in the ninja world was torture.

I need to find something to do.

Otherwise, at this rate, I might actually lose my patience and pick a fight with Madara just to relieve my boredom.

After pondering for a while, Hashirama's gaze suddenly landed on Takuya.

And his eyes lit up.

"…????"

Why the hell are you looking at me like that?

I'm not some beauty.

"Big Brother, don't even think about dragging Takuya into gambling with you!!!"

Tobirama, suspecting what was going through Hashirama's mind, immediately put a stop to it.

He already hated how Takuya was influencing everyone around him to slack off and enjoy themselves.

Adding his gambling-addicted older brother into the mix? That would be an absolute disaster.

Tobirama would not allow that to happen.

Gambling?

Not a chance.

"…"

Are you really my little brother?

Hashirama felt betrayed.

You're even controlling this?!

Seeing Hashirama get completely shut down, Nawaki felt a little bad for his grandfather and tried to stick up for him.

"Don't worry, Second Grandpa—Grandpa won't be gambling with them."

"Because he doesn't have any money."

Hashirama: "…"

You little brat! Did you have to say that out loud?!

And you talk like you have money?!

"You guys done eating?"

Takuya asked.

Kushina eagerly nodded, even rubbing her full stomach.

She had eaten way more than usual today and was feeling stuffed.

Minato let out a satisfied burp and waved his hand, signaling that he was full.

"Good. Then let's get started. Bring out the cards! It's been a while since we played Landlord. Let's have a couple of rounds."

Takuya clapped his hands and then nudged Nawaki.

"Move over. We need the space."

"Why me?"

Nawaki protested, still holding onto his plate.

"Why don't you go play somewhere else? Can't you at least wait until I finish eating?"

"Wait, my ass. You got money?"

With Tsunade as his sister and Hashirama as his grandfather, Nawaki's savings had long since been wiped out.

Anything costing over a hundred ryo? He could forget about participating.

"…"

Damn, he's right. I'm broke.

Nawaki shot a resentful glance at Hashirama, who had thoroughly drained his funds, then silently took his plate and shuffled off to a corner to eat in sadness.

"Kushina, how about letting me join in today?"

Inside the sealing space, Kurama suddenly spoke up.

Gambling was way too fun—how could the Nine-Tails be left out?

"Hurry up and have Takuya release my clone! I want in!"

"But didn't you lose all your money already?"

Kushina asked, puzzled.

"…"

After a brief silence, Kurama quickly blurted out:

"From now on, I'll listen to whatever you say. Just give me a small ten thousand ryo advance!"

"Deal!"

Kushina immediately agreed, seeing the opportunity for a profitable exchange.

She pulled out a stack of cash from her purse and placed it on the table, then tugged at Takuya's sleeve.

Takuya got the hint and released Kurama's clone.

"Let's go!!!"

Kurama, controlling his clone, jumped onto a chair, striking the pose of a legendary gambler.

"Hurry up, Minato! Shuffle the deck and deal the cards!"

"Big Brother, come with me. We need to talk."

Not caring whether Hashirama's heart broke or not, Tobirama grabbed him by the armor and dragged him away.

I wanted to play, too…

As the card table got further and further away, Hashirama could feel his heart shattering into pieces.

"Poor Grandpa First Hokage…"

Kushina shrank back slightly, stuck out her tongue playfully, and whispered:

"Grandpa Second Hokage is way too strict. He controls everything."

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01. 

DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING