Author Note:
Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!
--------------------------------------
Thanks to Guts's timely intervention, Kato Dan's death hadn't left much of a scar on Tsunade.
But her reckless gambling habit—clearly inherited from Senju Hashirama—remained as stubborn as ever.
And every time Tsunade racked up another mountain of debt, Guts was the one cleaning up the mess.
Not by paying it off.
No, Guts simply walked into a casino, won back the exact amount she owed, and walked out. Clean, efficient… intimidating.
His only game of choice?
Dice.
With his Observation Haki, locking the dice face was child's play. No one could stop him.
He never lost. The odds bent around him.
That's why, over time, the very mention of Guts's name sent shivers through casino owners in the Land of Fire.
The thought of him coming to their tables to "earn a little pocket money" was enough to make debt collectors drop everything and flee.
One line from him, and the suits disappeared:
"Tell your boss if I show up to his casino next, I'm walking out with everything."
That was all it took.
Now, returning home, Guts stepped into the courtyard and called out lazily,
"Come out, you female gambler."
Tsunade's voice rang out from inside, mock-offended,
"Who're you calling a female gambler? Show some respect to the Lady!"
Seeing that all the debt collectors had finally scattered, Tsunade emerged at last. With a grin, she pulled the now-taller Guts into a hug, her voice playful.
"Still, you're amazing as always. You've really got a talent for this. Thanks again!"
It was becoming a habit—her gambling, his clean-up duty.
Pressed against him, Tsunade didn't notice Guts go stiff for a second.
Man… if I wasn't just eight years old right now...
He let out a sigh and muttered darkly under his breath,
"One of these days, woman…"
His appetite was monstrous, but those old nights of hunting wild beasts in the Konoha Forest were long gone.
Now, all his mission rewards vanished into Tsunade's gambling pit.
Once, she had asked him seriously why he didn't just go gamble to make a living.
"I don't gamble to win money," he replied.
"I gamble to beat people—with my fists."
Tsunade had stared at him, speechless.
To her, gambling was about thrill, not profit.
He understood that now. Everyone had their own poisons.
At dinner, Guts scooped rice into his mouth using a rice ladle—straight from the pot.
His bowl was oversized, just like his appetite. In contrast, Tsunade took small, refined bites, watching him with half a smile.
Then she spoke up.
"Hey… it's graduation season, right? There are some promising kids in your class. I imagine quite a few are trying to graduate early."
Mouth half-full, Guts nodded.
"Right. Almost forgot. I plan to put Kurenai on your team. Third spot's up to you—doesn't matter much. Just let the old man know."
Tsunade blinked.
"You've really got it good lately, huh? Getting cozy with the Yuhi girl, are we?"
Guts ignored her and dumped another massive heap of rice into his bowl.
"Don't worry," he added, deadpan.
"I'll still keep you in mind for my second wife."
"Get out, brat!"
Tsunade roared, hurling a chopstick at his head.But for a moment—just a brief one—her eyes darted away when their gazes met.
The day of the graduation exam finally arrived.
True to Tsunade's guess, many students from Guts's class—future elite of Konoha—had applied for early graduation.
At the school gate, Guts stood with Kurenai, watching the other students arrive.
Genma, Might Guy, Rin Nohara, Ebisu…
"Look, Guts! I'll catch up to you in no time!"
Guy flashed a blinding White Fang-style smile, his thumb thrust skyward.
Guts also showed an equally huge grin.
"Sure. Can't wait."
He had long grown used to Guy's... passionate way of life.
"Wish me luck!"
Kurenai called, waving as she walked into the building with Rin and Shizune.
After seeing her off, Guts turned and strolled toward the riverbank training grounds to enter the illusory realm of the system as usual.
But something caught his eye—
Obito Uchiha, his signature goggles pushed to his forehead, was helping an elderly woman across the street toward Konoha Hospital.
The woman handed him a candy with a kind smile.
Obito scratched the back of his head sheepishly, grinning.
"Yo, dead last. Skipping the exam today?" Guts called out.
"I'm not dead last!" Obito barked back immediately.
Then he froze. His face went pale.
"Wait… the exam! I'm late!!"
He turned on his heel and bolted, yelling incoherently as he disappeared into the distance.
Guts chuckled to himself.
So that's the future Greatest Villain Behind the Scenes, huh?
But just as he turned to walk away,
his Observation Haki flared—his eyes glowing red.
As a sharp pulse of energy struck him from the direction where Obito had disappeared.
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters!
--------------------------------------
Update schedule: 7 chapters/week
Every 100 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.