23 Losing to Legendary Sucker

Kai stood in front of Tsunade, his voice calm and steady. "Tsunade, I challenge you to a gamble."

Tsunade looked up, her eyes narrowing as she sized up the stranger before her. "And who might you be?" she slurred, clearly intoxicated.

"I am Kai," he replied simply, his voice devoid of emotion. "I have heard of your legendary gambling skills and would like to test them against my own."

Tsunade smirked, her interest piqued. "Alright, I'll bite. What are you offering?"

Kai had amassed a considerable fortune from the numerous odd jobs he had undertaken. However, instead of offering money, he decided to present something far more valuable – his services. He never regarded money as something important, although he was taking missions for years, he never cared about money.

"My skills and abilities will be at your disposal for one mission of your choosing," he said, his voice calm and steady.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his offer. "And just who the hell are you to think I'd want your help? What makes you so special?"

Kai looked her straight in the eyes, his expression never wavering. "Kai."

At first, Tsunade didn't recognize the name, but then her eyes widened in shock, and she exchanged a glance with her assistant, Shizune, who looked equally stunned.

Tsunade hesitated for a moment before agreeing to the bet. "Fine. If you win, I'll teach you some of my techniques. But if I win, you'll work for me on a mission of my choosing. Deal?"

Kai nodded, accepting the terms of the gamble.

The two sat down at a table, a deck of cards between them. A small crowd began to gather, curious to see the legendary Tsunade in action. Kai and Tsunade each drew their cards, and the game began.

Tsunade, despite her inebriated state, played with the skill and cunning that had earned her the nickname "The Legendary Sucker." She bluffed and maneuvered her way through the game, seemingly unfazed by Kai's unwavering gaze and emotionless expression.

As the game progressed, the tension in the room grew palpable. Each player was carefully calculating their moves, trying to anticipate the other's strategy. The onlookers watched with bated breath, unsure of which player would come out victorious.

Kai, his face a mask of indifference, remained focused on the game. He played with a skill that matched Tsunade's, his moves calculated and precise. He seemed to have an uncanny ability to predict her actions, reacting with a speed and precision that left her frustrated and baffled.

Tsunade, her eyes narrowing in determination, continued to push forward. She was not used to being challenged like this, and her competitive nature spurred her on. As the game neared its conclusion, both players found themselves with a nearly equal number of cards, their scores neck and neck.

In the final hand, Tsunade decided to go all in, confident that she could outwit Kai and secure her victory. She studied his face for any hint of his intentions, but found nothing – his expression remained as cold and unreadable as ever.

With a flourish, Tsunade revealed her hand, a triumphant smile playing at the corners of her lips. The crowd gasped as they saw her impressive combination, certain that she had won.

And to everyone's surprise, Tsunade won. Even Tsunade herself was shocked. Shizune's face paled, her eyes darting around as if searching for a bad omen. Whenever Tsunade won, something terrible usually followed. Tsunade managed a wry smile, the victory feeling both exhilarating and worrisome.

"Again!" Kai demanded, his voice as emotionless as ever. Aware of Tsunade's title as the Legendary Sucker, he assumed her victory was merely a fluke.

Tsunade hesitated for a moment, glancing at Shizune, who looked visibly worried. She then turned her attention back to Kai, a fierce determination in her eyes. "Fine. Let's play again."

And so, they played another round. The onlookers watched in amazement as Tsunade continued to win, her luck seemingly holding out. Kai, however, showed no signs of frustration or surprise. His expression remained cold and detached, his eyes never leaving the cards.

As the games continued, Shizune grew more and more agitated, her eyes frequently darting around the room as if expecting something terrible to happen. Tsunade, though she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at her winning streak, couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was very wrong.

After losing the tenth consecutive game, Kai finally spoke up, his voice devoid of emotion. "Enough. It seems your luck has changed. As per our agreement, I will honor the terms of our bet."

Tsunade eyed him warily, her inebriation forgotten in the face of her unexpected victory. "You'll work for me on ten missions of my choosing, then?"

Kai nodded, his expression unchanging. "I am a man of my word."

Tsunade, elated by her unexpected winning streak, led Kai to her hotel room where they could speak privately. As they walked, Tsunade mused aloud, "Maybe I should keep you around all the time. You seem to be my lucky charm." But she quickly added, "We'll wait a few days, though. Let's see if my usual bad luck catches up with us or not."

Upon reaching the hotel room, Tsunade closed the door behind them, her eyes locking onto Kai's. "For one of the services I want from you," she said firmly, "you need to find Orochimaru for me."

Kai shook his head, his face as emotionless as ever. "That is impossible."

Tsunade's anger flared, her fists clenching at her sides. "Are you refusing to honor our bet?" she demanded, her voice dangerously low.

Kai's expression never wavered as he replied flatly, "No, I am not refusing. I cannot find Orochimaru because I killed him."

Tsunade's eyes widened in shock, and she took a step back, her fury momentarily forgotten. "What? When? Why?"

Kai explained the events that had transpired. "Orochimaru, disguised as Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, infiltrated Konoha and sought to deceive the Hidden Sand Village into attacking Konoha. I saw through his plans and informed Hiruzen, effectively thwarting Orochimaru's intentions. As a result, Orochimaru sought vengeance, but ultimately, he met his demise at my hands, along with his partner, Kakuzu."

Kai studied Tsunade's reaction as she absorbed the news of Orochimaru's death. Her shock was evident, but there was something else lingering beneath the surface. Curiosity piqued, Kai asked, "Why were you searching for Orochimaru?"

Tsunade hesitated for a moment before responding, her anger slowly being replaced with a mix of emotions. "Orochimaru reached out to me a while back. He wanted me to heal one of his associates in the Akatsuki, and in exchange, he promised to bring back my old lover, Dan, and my brother, Nawaki. I knew it was a trap, but I couldn't resist the chance to see them again. I wanted to find him and make him pay for using their memories against me."

Kai's expression remained neutral, but his mind was working quickly. He had inadvertently interfered with Tsunade's personal vendetta by killing Orochimaru. However, his primary focus remained on learning her healing techniques. He decided to address her concerns in order to move forward with his own agenda.

"I understand your desire for vengeance," he said evenly. "But Orochimaru is dead, and I doubt there is anyone left who could fulfill his promise to you. It would be best to focus on the present."

Tsunade clenched her fists, her eyes filled with a mixture of grief and anger. "You're right," she admitted through gritted teeth. "But I still can't help but feel like I've been robbed of my chance to confront him."

Kai looked at Tsunade, then offered, "I learned Edo Tensei as well. I can bring Orochimaru back for you to beat the shit out of him if you want, and I will not even consider it one of my services. All I want is to see you executing your healing arts."

Tsunade stared at Kai in shock, as he revealed he knew Edo Tensei. She opened her mouth to ask him to bring back her loved ones, but before she could, Kai shook his head.

"I will not bring your loved ones back, Tsunade. Do not disturb good people's rest. I will not allow it. Orochimaru is evil to the core, and if you want, you can take out your anger on his reanimated form. But your family, they are gone. Let them rest."

Tsunade's eyes filled with tears, but she nodded in agreement, realizing the truth in his words.

"Fine," she said, her voice cracking slightly. "Bring him back."

Kai shook his head, his voice calm and emotionless. "I need a living sacrifice. Let me go and find a criminal." With that, he vanished from the room.

In the town, Kai's keen senses picked up on a disturbance in an alleyway. He arrived just in time to see a man cornering a terrified woman. The man's intentions were clear, and Kai acted without hesitation, knocking the would-be rapist unconscious with a swift blow. He then turned to the woman, reassuring her that she was safe and offering to escort her to a safer location.

After ensuring the woman's safety, Kai returned to the hotel room with the unconscious man, startling Tsunade and Shizune.

"What are you planning to do with him?" Tsunade asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Kai's expression remained impassive as he explained the man's crimes. "This man was about to commit a heinous act. I stopped him and saved his victim. I intend to use him as a sacrifice for the Edo Tensei."

Tsunade and Shizune exchanged uneasy glances, disturbed by the idea of sacrificing another person for the technique. But when they looked back at the man, their expressions hardened with disgust, knowing the pain he would have inflicted upon his victim.

Kai retrieved a vial containing Orochimaru's blood that he had stored after their confrontation. He took parts from both his and Kakuzu's bodies before burning them to ashes. As he prepared to execute the jutsu, he glanced at Tsunade and Shizune, their faces reflecting a mix of fascination and apprehension.

With a series of intricate hand seals, Kai activated the Edo Tensei, and the criminal's body began to convulse as Orochimaru's essence overtook it. His features morphed and changed, transforming him into the image of the legendary Sannin.

Orochimaru's reanimated form blinked in confusion, taking in his surroundings. When his eyes fell on Tsunade, a sinister grin spread across his face.

"Well, well," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "If it isn't Tsunade. What a pleasant surprise."

Tsunade glared at him, her fists clenched in rage. "You don't get to speak to me, you monster."

Orochimaru chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "And yet, here I am, thanks to your new friend." He turned his attention to Kai, appraising him with a curious gaze. "I must admit, I'm intrigued by you. It's not often that someone manages to kill me and then bring me back."

Kai remained impassive, his expression betraying no emotion. "I did it for Tsunade. She has a score to settle with you."

Orochimaru laughed again, the sound sending a chill down Tsunade's spine. "How touching. But I doubt you brought me back out of the goodness of your heart. What's in it for you?"

Kai didn't hesitate to answer. "I want to learn Tsunade's healing techniques."

Orochimaru's grin widened. "Ah, so that's it. You're a man after my own heart, always seeking power. But I doubt Tsunade will be so eager to share her secrets with someone like you."

Before Tsunade could respond, Kai interrupted. "Tsunade has agreed to teach me in exchange for the opportunity to confront you. It's time for her to get the closure she deserves."

Tsunade's eyes blazed with fury as she stepped forward, her voice filled with venom. "You used my pain against me, Orochimaru. You dangled the hope of bringing back my loved ones to manipulate me. Now, you will pay for your deception."

Orochimaru sneered, his arrogance undiminished even in his reanimated state. "Oh, Tsunade, still so sentimental. But if you think you can defeat me, you're sorely mistaken."

Tsunade wasted no more words on him, instead launching herself at Orochimaru with a speed and ferocity that belied her age. Her fists struck with the force of a hurricane, each blow landing with devastating impact. Orochimaru, despite his confidence, was unable to avoid her relentless assault.

Shizune watched the confrontation with a mixture of admiration and concern, her eyes darting between Tsunade and Kai. She could see that Kai was watching the battle closely, studying Tsunade's every move as she unleashed her fury upon Orochimaru.

As the fight raged on, Orochimaru attempted to retaliate, but Tsunade's powerful strikes left him off-balance and unable to muster an effective counterattack. With each passing moment, his reanimated form began to show signs of wear, cracks forming along his body as the Edo Tensei started to break down.

Eventually, Tsunade landed a final, crushing blow to Orochimaru's chest, sending him crashing into a wall. As he lay there, his body crumbling into dust only to be reformed from nothing, Tsunade looked at Kai in surprise. Kai, his face as emotionless as ever, explained, "Edo Tensei is feared because the resurrected corpses have unlimited stamina and can regenerate endlessly. The only way to counter is to seal them or if the caster sends them back. Do you want to play with him more, or shall I send him back?"

Tsunade panted, her breaths heavy from the exertion. The satisfaction of finally getting to punish Orochimaru for his manipulations coursed through her, but she knew that this wasn't enough. She wanted to ensure that he could never hurt anyone again.

"I want him sealed," she declared, her voice filled with determination. "I want him gone for good."

Kai nodded, understanding her desire for closure. He gestured to Shizune, who stepped forward hesitantly, her hands trembling. "Shizune, prepare the sealing technique."

Shizune took a deep breath and began forming the necessary hand seals, her focus entirely on the task at hand. Orochimaru, sensing his impending doom, struggled to break free from the restraints of the Edo Tensei, his voice a mixture of anger and fear.

"You think you can defeat me?" he spat, his eyes darting between Tsunade, Shizune, and Kai. "You're all fools!"

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, her fists clenched at her sides. "You're the fool, Orochimaru, for underestimating us."

Shizune completed the sealing technique, a bright light enveloping Orochimaru as his reanimated form was sealed away, his malicious laughter echoing through the room until it abruptly stopped.

Tsunade sighed in relief, her shoulders sagging as the weight of her vendetta was lifted. She turned to Kai, her expression serious. "You held up your end of the bargain, and now I'll hold up mine. I'll teach you my healing techniques."

Kai nodded, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Thank you."

Tsunade then looked outside, the weight of her emotional burden momentarily relieved. "But before that, I need to drink," she declared, grabbing Kai by the collar and dragging him towards the door. "You're coming with me."

Kai didn't resist as Tsunade led him to a nearby bar, his face as emotionless as ever. Upon entering, Tsunade immediately headed to the counter and ordered a round of drinks for both of them. Kai watched her silently, knowing better than to question her actions.

As they sat down, Tsunade began to drink heavily, her mood gradually lightening. Between swigs of her drink, she began to talk, recounting tales from her past, her lost loved ones, and her experiences as a Sannin. Kai listened attentively, his expression never changing even as Tsunade's emotions fluctuated wildly between sorrow, anger, and laughter.

Kai spoke only when asked a direct question, answering in a terse, detached manner. He shared that he was a free shinobi, not affiliated with any village, and that he chose his own jobs without being beholden to any Kage. His words were carefully chosen, offering little insight into his true motivations.

As they continued to drink, Tsunade found herself growing more comfortable in Kai's presence, even though she knew he was an outsider. She respected his skill and appreciated his help in dealing with Orochimaru, but she also sensed that he was not letting himself go. Despite his impassive exterior, there was something about him that made her uneasy.

"Tell me, Kai," Tsunade suddenly asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Why did you become a shinobi?"

Kai didn't hesitate to answer, his voice monotone as he spoke. "I became a shinobi to survive. I had no other options."

Tsunade's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I grew up on the streets, alone and desperate," Kai continued, his voice devoid of emotion. "I learned to fight and steal to survive. Eventually, I realized that becoming a shinobi was the only way to escape the poverty and violence of my life."

Tsunade listened intently, her eyes never leaving Kai's face. She could sense that there was more to his story, that there was a pain and a darkness that he kept hidden.

"But why did you choose to become a free shinobi?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I prefer to be in control of my own destiny," Kai replied, his voice calm and measured. "I do not wish to be a pawn in someone else's game. I take jobs that interest me, and I do not take orders from anyone."

Tsunade nodded, understanding his reasoning. She could see the appeal of being free, of not being bound by the rules and restrictions of a village or an organization.

As they continued to drink and talk, Tsunade couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for Kai. He was a survivor, someone who had overcome adversity and made a life for himself on his own terms. She knew that he was not someone who could be easily swayed or manipulated, and that made him all the more valuable as an ally.

Eventually, the night wore on, and the sake began to take its toll. Tsunade slumped against Kai, her words becoming slurred as she spoke.

"You know," she said, her voice heavy with alcohol. "You're not so bad, Kai. For an emotionless, stoic, outsider."

Kai didn't respond, his expression remaining neutral as ever.

Tsunade chuckled, her laughter tinged with sadness. "But I know that you're not like us. You don't feel the same way we do. You don't bond with people, you don't form connections. You're just... alone."

Kai didn't deny her words, his silence speaking volumes.

Tsunade decided that if she was going to spend the night drinking, then Kai should join her. "Come on, Kai," she slurred, her words thick with alcohol. "You're gonna drink with me. It's no fun if you're just sitting there all stoic."

Kai hesitated for a moment before finally giving in to her insistence. He began to drink alongside Tsunade, his expression never changing. As the alcohol started to affect him, however, a hint of relaxation became visible in his posture.

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