Each spent the night with their own thoughts.
The next day.
Sakura and the others, thinking they would be setting off back to the village with Tsunade, didn't dawdle and got up very early.
They waited outside and found Shizune also waiting there.
After a brief chat, they began waiting for Takumi and Tsunade.
"Why aren't they out yet?" Sakura asked with a frown.
"I just saw Takumi-kun go to wash up, so it should be soon." Ino said, looking towards the inn entrance.
Just then, Takumi and Tsunade walked out of the inn entrance together.
Ino and Sakura habitually came to Takumi's side.
Hindered by Tsunade's presence, they resisted the urge to hug Takumi's arms.
"Good morning, Tsunade-sama."
Both girls greeted Tsunade very politely.
"Mhm, good morning to you too."
Tsunade's mind was entirely on the gambling den, so she just nodded perfunctorily.
Then, she and Takumi started walking towards the gambling den?
"Huh?"
Sakura, the other two, and Shizune were instantly dumbfounded, watching the two gradually walk away.
Sakura quickly chased after them.
"Wait, Takumi-kun, aren't we going back?"
Takumi turned around and smiled, saying: "Tsunade-sama has some debts here. If we just leave like this, the people from the gambling dens won't agree."
"So, I'll help Tsunade-sama pay off her debts first, then take her back."
This was just an excuse Takumi came up with.
He certainly couldn't reveal the real reason.
"Oh."
Sakura nodded understandingly.
"So, how much does Tsunade-sama owe in total?"
"About 200 million."
Takumi said casually.
"200 million?!"
Hearing this number, Sakura and the others were instantly stunned!
Only Shizune showed a bitter smile.
Shizune, who had been accompanying them the whole time, naturally knew how much her teacher had lost.
"That much money, how can you possibly pay it all off!"
"It's simply a fantasy!"
Sakura said anxiously.
"Yeah, yeah!"
Ino also looked urgent.
"Let's just forget it. Otherwise, you'll get trapped too."
Hinata also spoke up:
"Tsunade-sama loses because her luck is bad."
"But the people in the gambling dens are definitely very shrewd. Winning 200 million is absolutely impossible."
"So, Takumi-kun..."
Even Shizune advised: "That's right. Even if we can't pay the debt immediately, these people won't pursue Tsunade-sama too hard because they can't beat her."
"But if we lose more money, we might really not be able to go back."
"It's fine, just watch."
Seeing the girls trying to dissuade him frantically, Takumi smiled suavely.
"No problem. Just believe in me."
Seeing Takumi's stubbornness, the others could only sigh helplessly and follow.
Tsunade had already walked ahead, putting some distance between them.
"Hurry up. Don't you need to win 200 million? How can you do that if you dawdle?"
In the distance, Tsunade said with a mocking expression.
She had already mentally decided that Takumi would become her servant.
"Coming right away."
Takumi quickly walked over.
"How much is owed here?"
Arriving in front of the first gambling den, Takumi asked casually.
"Hmm... over 40 million."
Tsunade thought about it.
"I don't remember the exact number; a rough estimate is fine."
"You're really casual about it."
Takumi gave an awkward laugh, then pushed the door open and walked in.
"Yo, young man."
Entering, the owner came out warmly to welcome him.
After all, this was the gambling den where Takumi and Tsunade had gambled yesterday.
Everyone inside knew Takumi.
Seeing him, they all showed welcoming smiles.
"Coming for a few rounds today, young man?"
The owner walked up with a smile. Then he also saw Tsunade behind him.
"Tsunade-sama is here again? How much are you planning to borrow today?"
"I'm not here to gamble today."
Tsunade crossed her arms under her chest, making her impressive bust look even more prominent, with a proud and self-satisfied expression.
As if not borrowing money was something worthy of pride for her.
"Then, what is Tsunade-sama here for?"
"This kid says he wants to pay off my debts. I'm here to see how he does it."
Tsunade pointed at Takumi, not hiding the situation at all.
After all, she didn't plan to pay back the money she borrowed here anyway.
By saying this, the gambling den's owner would definitely pay more attention.
He would surely send his most skilled person to be the dealer.
Undoubtedly increasing the chance of Takumi losing money.
Thus making it more likely for Takumi to become her servant.
But Takumi didn't care.
In his view, Tsunade's little tricks just made her seem adorably childish.
Receiving the information, the owner's eyes smiled until they were almost invisible.
"Since the young man is here to play, please come inside."
The owner bowed and scraped as he welcomed everyone in, saying.
"What would the young man like to play?"
Takumi carefully used Observation Haki to sense, 'Good, this gambling den was relatively legitimate, without any special trick mechanisms.'
After thinking, he said:
"Let's start with the simple one, high-low."
"Okay."
The owner immediately agreed, then subtly winked at one of his subordinates.
"Yasuda, you play with the young man."
The subordinate named Yasuda nodded slightly to acknowledge, then said loudly.
"Since he's a guest brought by the boss, let me have a round with the young man!"
He laughed heartily.
"Yesterday, the young man actually won ten rounds in a row. Such a record is unprecedented even for us seasoned gamblers."
"Having a round with the young man today is truly my honor."
"Just lucky."
Takumi said with a smile.
Soon, the two sat down.
Yasuda as the dealer.
Takumi as the player.
First round.
Yasuda shook the dice cup briskly and decisively.
After uncovering, the five dice showed: three, three, three, three, three.
A small display of skill.
Takumi shook his casually.
Then said.
"High."
Uncover and look.
One, two, two, three, six.
Exactly one point lower.
Takumi lost.
"That was really close."
Yasuda said with a smile.
Seeing him crash and burn on the first round, Sakura and the others behind him had worried expressions.
"As expected, the people in the gambling dens are very skilled, not as bad as Tsunade-sama."
"He lost the first round. What should we do now?"
Ino also looked anxious.
Only Tsunade had a face full of smug smiles.
'Hehe, you little brat, if I can't handle you, someone else naturally can!'
'Who told you to dare to take advantage of me!'
Second round.
Takumi lost again.
This time, he was off by six points.
He looked calm.
But Sakura and the others sitting behind him showed all sorts of emotions.
"Maybe we should just forget it."
Sakura tugged on Takumi's sleeve and said softly.
"Takumi, let's go home. If we lose all our money, what if we get sold!"
Ino also said nervously.
"Don't worry, just watch."
Takumi comforted gently.
Third round.
Takumi lost again.
The worry on the faces of Sakura and the others behind him increased.
Only Tsunade looked full of self-satisfaction.
'Hmph, as expected… it was just my bad luck.'
'This kid thought his gambling skills were so great.'
'Now that he's met these real experts, he's probably going to crash and burn!'
'It seems I'm going to get a free servant!'
Fourth round.
Takumi still lost.