Naruto: Wood-Wood Fruit

In a quiet inn in the Land of Hot Water.

Kiyoshi glanced at Jiraiya, who looked utterly miserable as the ever-attentive older lady attended to his every need. 

Meanwhile, Kiyoshi, Tsunade, Shizune, and the rest finished their breakfast.

"Shizune, have you really mastered the Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred Technique?"

Tsunade's gaze fixed on the diamond-shaped mark on Shizune's forehead. She was genuinely surprised, marveling at the skill involved in reaching such a level. 

She hadn't expected that a soul-based jutsu could be used in such a way, a feat likely achievable only by someone as remarkably talented as Kiyoshi.

Tsunade was no stranger to the Spirit Transformation Jutsu. 

Her granduncle developed this S-rank soul jutsu, which allowed one to project their spirit into another's body to control it, albeit clumsily. 

It could not remotely be used with the effortless precision that Kiyoshi demonstrated, let alone aid someone else in mastering high-level forbidden techniques like the Yin Seal or the Strength of a Hundred.

Handling advanced ninjutsu in another's body was normally unthinkable, even risky, which is why the Spirit Transformation Jutsu had been classified as forbidden. 

Not only did it leave the user's own body unprotected, but if the target's mental strength proved too strong, it could even lead to catastrophic harm or death.

Shizune touched the mark on her forehead, smiling gently. "Not entirely yet, Lady Tsunade… but give me a little more time, and I'm sure I'll get there."

She was sure of it. After Kiyoshi's assistance yesterday, her chakra control had improved drastically, far beyond what she'd thought possible. 

Though not on par with her teacher, Tsunade, she had reached a new level altogether. She had honed her previously shaky strength technique, which now felt natural and effortless.

With Kiyoshi's help, she had also fully formed the Yin Seal on her forehead and stabilized the substantial chakra reserves needed to maintain the Strength of a Hundred, typically an exhausting process that took years to perfect.

In essence, Kiyoshi had helped her bypass the toughest obstacles.

And, though she felt a bit embarrassed remembering her own wish yesterday—wanting a figure like Tsunade's—she'd somehow let herself fall for Kiyoshi's sly encouragement. 

A glance at him, smiling with a mischievous glint, made her heart skip, and she quickly looked away.

Tsunade, beaming, nodded with approval. 

Despite Shizune's shyness and her tendency to view herself as merely a tagalong, Tsunade genuinely valued her as an apprentice. 

Mastering the Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred would elevate Shizune's skill level to new heights.

"Really? That's amazing." Karin, who had been listening in, gasped with joy. She was truly happy for Shizune. 

Though young and still in the basics of her training, Tsunade had told her she'd be ready for the Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred in a couple of years. 

Confident as she was, knowing Shizune's success gave Karin more reassurance for her own future.

"Keep working hard, kid," Kiyoshi said, ruffling Karin's hair with a smile. 

"Once Shizune masters these two jutsus, you'll be next."

He teased, "Besides Chakra Enhanced Strength, the Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred are the signature jutsus of our line. Don't let us down."

"Hmph! I won't." Karin, scrunching her nose, charged at Kiyoshi after he messed up her hair. 

"Kiyoshi, you messed up my hair again."

Unfazed, Kiyoshi used a wooden vine to suspend her in mid-air, swaying her back and forth. 

Furious, the girl nearly exploded with rage, muttering something about "Adamantine Sealing Chains."

After some playful chatter, Shizune began coaching Karin, while Tsunade discreetly signaled Kiyoshi to follow her. 

In a hidden corner, they both left behind wood and shadow clones before slipping out of the inn.

In under half an hour, they arrived in a neighboring town, where Kiyoshi immediately marked the area with the Flying Thunder God Jutsu.

"Big or small?" a voice yelled.

"Less talk, bet it all."

"Screw it, bet small."

"Big! Big."

In a lively casino, a mix of rough and shady characters cheered and jeered as they gambled. 

Fulfilling his promise to accompany Tsunade, Kiyoshi could only sigh as he handed over the money he'd prepared in advance, much to the glee of the casino owner.

"Let's start with the slots." Tsunade took the chips and promptly seated herself at a slot machine.

"Tsunade-nee, isn't that a little too basic? How about a wager?" Kiyoshi suggested with a mischievous grin. 

He was planning to use Tsunade's uncanny luck—or lack thereof—to his advantage.

"A bet?" Tsunade arched her brow, recalling their last bet, which almost had her completely embarrassed. 

Shaking her head firmly, she refused, "No way. I'm not falling for your tricks again."

"Just hear me out before deciding." Kiyoshi smiled confidently.

"Fine, let's hear it." Tsunade braced herself, determined to turn him down regardless of what he said.

"Let's each play the slots ten times. If you win even once, I lose," Kiyoshi grinned, his eyes glinting with cunning. 

"But if I fail to hit the triple-lucky-sevens jackpot in any of my ten tries, you win."

"All ten… with lucky sevens?" Tsunade squinted at him suspiciously. "You're not planning to cheat, are you?"

"Do you know the casino's rules? No jutsus are allowed," Kiyoshi said. 

Tsunade, who had spent her childhood watching her grandfather dominate casinos, had developed her own passion for the thrill of winning and losing. 

Winning fairly was the essence of gambling to her.

"And why would I cheat?" Kiyoshi laughed, meeting her gaze. "If I win, same stakes as yesterday."

"No way! Yesterday was the last time." Tsunade protested firmly.

"But remember, you only need to win once, whereas I have to get lucky sevens all ten times." Kiyoshi continued, tempting her. "Are you really going to pass this up?"

It was impossible for Tsunade not to be tempted. 

Even with good luck, hitting lucky sevens once was a stroke of fortune, but hitting it ten times in a row? 

Outrageous! Tsunade's unique "bad luck" in gambling was practically legendary, and Kiyoshi was confident she'd lose.

"This!" Tsunade paused, considering. Hitting lucky sevens even once was considered lucky, let alone ten times in a row. She couldn't possibly lose.

"Alright, let's bet." She nodded, finally giving in to the temptation. With ten chances at a jackpot against Kiyoshi's single chance, there was no way she'd lose. 

This time, she had the advantage.

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