Chapter 31: Gambling

Inside the Hokage Office.

Qian Yuanchi also handed his report to the Third Hokage; after reading it, the Third Hokage took a pinch of tobacco from the ashtray beside the desk, placed it in his pipe, and struck a match to light it.

As he smoked, the swirling smoke completely obscured the Third Hokage's face, preventing Qian Yuanchi, who sat opposite him, from seeing the Hokage's expression or knowing what he was thinking.

Taking another deep drag, the Third Hokage set down his pipe and said to Qian Yuanchi, "It's not a big deal. I was present for Qimu Chao's junior ninja test, so I know his strength. Since Shui Men gave him a B‑rank mission directly, it shows he has his own assessment of Qimu Chao's abilities."

He smiled again and said, "And even if you don't trust the Genin strength of Qimu Chao, do you still doubt Shui Men's judgment?"

Qian Yuanchi also laughed; he certainly trusted Shui Men's judgment, and submitted the report merely as a formality to inform the Third Hokage.

After Qian Yuanchi left, the Third Hokage rubbed his forehead, walked to the window, and his thoughts were unknown.

Meanwhile, with Bofeng Shuimen and Qimu Chao pushing full speed, they were nearly at the Fire Country border, about to enter the He no Kuni.

This country lies between Fire Country and Wind Country and has no ninja village of its own.

Because the He no Kuni backs onto Fire Country, its scenery is pleasant, unlike the desert‑like Wind Country, so many people come here out of curiosity, and the massive influx has made its gambling industry unusually thriving.

"Let's rest here for a while; we'll head to the mission target this afternoon."

Glancing at the sky, Shui Men smiled at Qimu Chao and said, "A Chao, you probably haven't been here before. This is the famous Tanzaku Street inside Fire Country; because of the neighboring He no Kuni's influence, its gambling industry is also quite developed."

"I heard from Teacher Jiraiya that the First Hokage and Lady Gongshou often came here to gamble. Later we can relax a bit, but just make sure you don't get addicted."

Hearing Shui Men, Qimu Chao paused and asked, "Does the First Hokage still like gambling?"

"Anyway, Lady Gongshou said that she gambles because the First Hokage often took her to casinos when she was young, which gave her that habit."

Shui Men spoke as the two walked toward the town where Tanzaku Street lies.

Regarding this information, Qimu Chao really wasn't clear; Qimu Shuomao never gave him such background, perhaps fearing he'd pick up these bad habits.

While having lunch, they strolled through Tanzaku Street, and Qimu Chao glanced around briefly, finding it uninteresting.

The gambling here is basically limited to small steel‑ball machines, as well as ghost‑card draws and dice‑shaking games.

When playing the steel‑ball game, Qimu Chao would simply use Magnetic Field Rotation to flick a ball, making it whiz away; even without that, he could employ his own magnetic field mind to accurately calculate the timing and launch force, earning a full pot.

Unless the proprietor tampered with the machine, the game felt to him like a cheat mode—no fun at all.

As for ghost‑card draws and size‑bet dice games, his Magnetic Field Sense rendered them meaningless; even if the shop cheated, he could win effortlessly.

"Sigh, the stronger I become, the less fun life seems to be."

Hearing Qimu Chao's sigh, Shui Men looked at him with an amused expression and said, "Aren't you only seven now? Why do you speak like an old man?"

"That's not an old man's remark; it's my genuine feeling inside."

Qimu Chao corrected Shui Men: "If you had the same perception as me, you'd also find these gambling games meaningless."

"Is that so?"

Shui Men was taken aback by Qimu Chao's words.

Then, in the next moment, Qimu Chao placed his hand on Shui Men's shoulder and shared his sensory experience.

I..., this...

It was the first time Shui Men experienced such an odd sense; the whole world seemed altered to his eyes. He could see more colors than before, effortlessly discern the dice numbers inside the betting cup, and even the dealer's slightest movement couldn't escape his perception.

Even using chakra‑condensed enhanced perception, he couldn't reach that level.

"What is this… Bloodline Limit? Do you normally maintain this kind of sense?"

Shui Men looked at Qimu Chao in disbelief: "I don't know how the Byakugan or Sharingan perception works, but I think your senses are stronger than those of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans in some respects."

"That's not a Bloodline Limit; if I had to call it something, it's just my innate talent."

A strange smile appeared on Qimu Chao's face: "As for your compliment, I'll accept it."

"No wonder my dust‑conceal technique didn't work that day; this smoke‑obscuring ninjutsu probably can't affect you at all."

Shui Men let out a sigh.

He didn't ask much about this sensory talent.

Honestly, he also possessed his own unique neural‑reflex and perception talents; according to Teacher Jiraiya, he might even study the Flying Thunder God Technique created by the Second Hokage, which demands exceptionally high talent—perhaps his own fits the requirement.

After their idle chat, Qimu Chao and Shui Men quickened their pace and arrived at the client's house by evening.

This time the client was a casino owner who demanded that, over the next month, Qimu Chao and Shui Men serve as his daughter's close bodyguards, following her everywhere to ensure her safety.

If it were merely a simple escort, the mission would be C‑rank, but because clashes or battles with ninjas from other countries might occur, the contract marked it as B‑rank.

Unlike the casino on Tanzaku Street, the He no Kuni's casinos appear more modern, featuring luxurious décor, flamboyantly dressed dealer girls, and a wider array of gambling equipment and games.

Some casinos even have barriers that monitor chakra fluctuations, to prevent ninjas from using ninjutsu to cheat.

One could say that gambling in the He no Kuni has reached the pinnacle of the ninja world.

After Qimu Chao and Shui Men reached Tianhejing, the He no Kuni's capital, they followed the contract's record to a medium‑sized casino, and, led by a black‑clad, sunglasses‑wearing bodyguard, they ascended to the casino's top floor and met the issuer of this contract—

Caiqian Fenglin.