Kyoichi's home in Konoha wasn't particularly large—just enough for a small family to live comfortably. The reason it felt so spacious now was, unsurprisingly, due to the war.
Konan was a little stiff.
Yahiko and Nagato were family, but Kyoichi obviously didn't fall into that category. Staying in a stranger's home—it was a first for her.
However…
Once Kyoichi found a few topics to open up the conversation, Konan quickly relaxed. The initial nervousness faded, and she settled in naturally.
She wasn't exactly talkative.
But—
She also didn't guard herself much around Kyoichi. She answered whatever he asked, honest and straightforward. If Kyoichi had been trying to extract intelligence on the Land of Rain, he likely would've gotten everything already.
Of course…
He had no use for something like that.
The Land of Rain was too small, and its climate was uniquely challenging—there were only a few short weeks in the year when the sun was visible. The rest of the time, it was nothing but rain. Because of this, Amegakure had an abundance of lakes.
What's more…
The flooding extended into northern parts of the Land of Rivers, leaving the region so waterlogged that no nobles chose to live there.
That was also why Kyoichi had suggested they help the Land of Rivers establish a shinobi village in the north.
As they chatted casually, the conversation shifted to Amegakure's academy.
"What was your school like before?" Kyoichi asked.
"Before? The old Amegakure academy… Honestly, it was basically useless. They'd teach us for a little while, then throw us straight onto the battlefield."
Konan replied calmly.
Kyoichi nodded in understanding.
That kind of model…
What it produced were wild-card shinobi. It wasn't impossible to get elites out of it, but the odds were low—it all felt like evolution by mutation. Survival of the freakishly strong.
"No choice," Konan said. "It's a small village. And back then, there were so few people in Amegakure. The only reason we're trying to expand now is because surrounding minor nations have started sending students to us."
"Mainly because Hanzō finally saw hope," Kyoichi followed up.
Konan paused, then nodded. "Yahiko mentioned something like that. Hanzo-sama has his own ambitions, but the path he took before… it was the wrong one. That's why he fell into despair."
"Despair comes from not seeing a future."
Hanzō was a central figure in the Second Shinobi World War.
It was Amegakure, and Hanzō alone, who entangled countless shinobi from Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Konoha. He turned the entire western region of the continent into a chaotic battlefield.
The cost?
The Land of Rain was completely devastated.
As for the great nations?
Even the weakest of them—Sunagakure—managed to recover within a few short years.
Because the great powers had wealth. The Land of Rain did not. A drawn-out war? They couldn't afford one.
Hanzō came out of the war with a painful realization—
He wasn't strong enough. Not to truly stand against the overwhelming foundations of the great nations.
And as for Yahiko…
If Kyoichi hadn't stepped in, the way Yahiko had been going—so recklessly—even without Danzō's interference, there still would've been a massive clash between Akatsuki and the Land of Rain sooner or later.
Konan clearly understood that now too.
After returning from wandering and scattering, they had come back to Amegakure with a changed perspective—able to see things they hadn't before.
She sighed. "Even now, we can only say… it's thanks to you and Konoha's support. Without that, this alliance of small villages would've never come together."
"I'm supporting you—but it's not without cost."
Kyoichi made his stance clear, hiding nothing.
Konan understood, and replied earnestly, "You're a jōnin of Konoha. Of course you have to consider your village first. Besides, you've already helped us more than enough. What Amegakure has now is thanks to your guidance."
"It's mutual benefit, nothing more. Just casual talk—no need to be so formal."
Kyoichi was about to add that she might even be older than him.
But…
Age is a sensitive topic for women, and Konan was likely no exception.
So he let the subject drop.
There was still time to talk about education tomorrow.
Midway through their conversation, Oriri returned. Upon entering and seeing a beautiful woman with pale bluish-purple hair, she froze for a second. Then, spotting the forehead protector, she realized—
She's from another village.
Amegakure…
If she remembered right, Yahiko had also been from Amegakure. Kyoichi had even mentioned another descendant of the Uzumaki clan once, also apparently an Ame-nin.
Could they be connected?
Oriri felt a flicker of curiosity.
To be honest…
Ever since leaving Uzushio, her sense of belonging to the Uzumaki clan had never been particularly strong. On the contrary, her hair color had always made her a target, and in the end, she'd been forced to take refuge in Kusagakure.
But here in Konoha…
The ANBU didn't care about your background—only your codename. She got along well with her teammates, and had recently been studying fūinjutsu. She'd surpassed quite a few people in the sealing division with little effort.
So, she had no intention of leaving Konoha.
Even if she had her suspicions, it was nothing more than curiosity. Without saying much, she gave a respectful nod and returned to her room—worried that her Transformation Jutsu might be seen through with a guest present.
"She seems to be… hmm."
Konan paused, then chose not to continue.
This girl was probably using a Transformation Jutsu.
But…
Given Kyoichi and Tsunade's abilities, there was no way they hadn't noticed. So she said no more.
Oriri's return also meant Tsunade wouldn't be far behind.
She was Tsunade's personal escort now. Her combat skills weren't stellar, but that powerful sensory ability of hers made her more than qualified for the job.
Tsunade valued her highly for it.
Basically…
If Oriri was back, Tsunade had to be nearby. Probably loitering outside some tavern.
Kyoichi shook his head.
Sure enough…
Moments later, Tsunade returned.
"Kyoichi, you little brat. Where the hell were you today? You dumped everything on Owl at the ANBU. Your life's even cushier than mine now."
"Tsunade-nee, you've been drinking, haven't you?"
"I have not! Hmph. Whatever… Hey, you're that girl Jiraiya saved in Amegakure, right?"
She came in with a round of complaints, tossing her robe aside and looking thoroughly at ease.
But…
Konan just stared.
Tsunade…
The legendary First Female Hokage of the shinobi world.
This is her?
She even looks like she's been drinking!
Another idol, shattered.
Her mouth twitched slightly, but she still bowed deeply and said, "Tsunade-hime, it's an honor. I'm Konan. I've come to Konoha on behalf of Amegakure to study your shinobi academy system."
"Oh, yeah. Jiraiya mentioned something like that."
Tsunade slumped into a chair, propping her chin on the table and eyeing Konan with interest. Then a smirk appeared on her face. "That Jiraiya's luck really is something."
"Right? He shamelessly told Konan that it was all thanks to his hard work that he got where he is today. But I say, his luck is top-tier."
"No kidding. That guy once misused the Summoning Technique and ended up in Mount Myōboku by accident. Only one in the whole shinobi world who's done that. We all thought he was dead back then."
Tsunade nodded, completely serious.
Mocking an old friend—everyone enjoyed that sort of thing.
And honestly…
They weren't wrong.
Konan didn't quite know how to respond. She was both nervous hearing them talk about her teacher's embarrassing past and a little excited—Jiraiya had never mentioned any of this before.
"How's the succession prep going?"
"Ugh, don't ask. When are you going to ship that old hag off somewhere else? Just seeing her face drives me up the wall."
Tsunade grumbled.
Since Konan was there, she didn't name names, but Kyoichi could guess—she had to be talking about Mitokado Homura.
"I told them to keep it simple—gather everyone and have them witness it. But they want all these ceremonies. What a damn hassle."
"Well, it's not wartime. Might as well do it right. It only happens once in a lifetime."
"Er…" Tsunade frowned. "That sounds kinda ominous."
But…
In most cases, the Hokage ceremony really was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Still, she couldn't help griping about it.
She slapped the table as she spoke, making quite the impact.
People really do…
Get a little carried away after a few drinks.
Luckily, everyone here was familiar.
Kyoichi rubbed his forehead and glanced at Konan, feeling a twinge of sympathy.
In just one day, both of her idols had fallen from their pedestals. That feeling…
Must be delightful, huh?
Konan, of course, noticed. She was speechless for a long time, until Tsunade was urged by Kyoichi to go wash up. Then, finally, she murmured, "I know there's a difference between how someone is outside and how they are at home, but…"
This is too much.
"When you say 'outside,' do you mean outside the village?" Shizune couldn't help but chime in.
Konan nodded.
"Then you must've been well cared for. Clearly never been near a casino. Otherwise, you wouldn't be under any illusions."
Shizune was fetching water, her voice dry and merciless.
And Konan…
She paused for a few seconds, then looked at Kyoichi and asked, "Casino?"
"Nothing much. It's just that Tsunade's a living legend at the casinos. Used to be the legend. Now there are two."
"Casino legend?"
Konan imagined it for a second, then sighed in admiration. "How enviable. A powerful shinobi leaving a legendary story behind—no matter the field."
"Uh… I'm going to water the plants."
Shizune couldn't keep a straight face anymore. She had to leave, or she'd laugh out loud—which really wouldn't be appropriate with a guest present.
So…
She bailed.
Kyoichi didn't know how to respond either. Konan's admiration left him utterly stumped.
That "legend"…
Wasn't meant in a good way.
But it seemed Konan misunderstood.
He thought about it, then chose not to explain. Instead, he nodded and changed the subject, praising Tsunade.
Knowing her well…
Once she was done freshening up, she'd definitely challenge Konan to a card game—every time she met someone new, she had to have a gamble.
Not once had she won.
Take Oriri, for example.
Her luck was already pretty bad. She usually lost more than she won. But the moment she played against Tsunade, it was like she got blessed with divine luck—utterly inexplicable.
Sure enough…
Tsunade returned, the alcohol smell mostly gone, and she looked refreshed.
First thing she did?
Let's go!
Soon, Konan won her first round.
A few rounds later, she fell into deep thought. Recalling Shizune's strange expression earlier, she quickly realized—
She might have misunderstood the meaning of "legend."
It wasn't necessarily a positive thing.
She didn't even know how to play cards, and yet she kept winning…
This was too weird.
The kicker was—
Tsunade had zero skill but still couldn't stop playing.
Losing badly, and still insisting on continuing like she was having the time of her life.
That expression on Tsunade-hime's face…
No way!
Does she actually think she can win?
Kyoichi came out of the study to get some water. The moment he saw the scene, he burst out laughing.
Every time there was a newbie who didn't know how to play, Tsunade would get all hyped—and every single time, she'd lose horribly, while the newbie just sat there confused and questioning reality.
This kind of scene…
Was a classic.
"Good times… sigh, I'm done."
Tsunade put down her chips, looking both pleased and heartbroken. Konan, meanwhile, sat frozen, clutching her winnings.
This money…
Was way too easy.
So this is gambling?
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