"Love Apartment." Tengen muttered, staring at the video on his system. He recalled the last time he'd gotten a Love Apartment signal. What had he drawn?
Oh, right. Cigarettes. A memorable, if odd, reward.
"Cigarettes, huh." Tengen said, pulling a pack from somewhere and lighting a match to ignite one.
He held no high hopes for Love Apartment. It was a modern-world show, devoid of supernatural powers. Sure, something like a hydrogen bomb would be useful, but that was a pipe dream. And even if he got one, how would he use it? Fly over a ninja village with Flight and drop it? Tengen shook his head, dismissing the absurd thought.
"Let's draw it. Don't materialize it physically." Tengen instructed the system.
If the reward appeared as a shipping container, it'd wreck the inn, and that would be a disaster.
[Drawing in progress. Obtained: one crate of Hot Sauce.] The system announced.
Tengen sighed, unsurprised. As expected, nothing remarkable. The display showed a container's worth of Hot Sauce. He couldn't imagine how long it'd take to eat through it all.
"System, store the Hot Sauce in my system space." Tengen said calmly.
"Storage complete." The system replied. In his system space, a mountain of Hot Sauce jars appeared, the container itself recycled by the system.
"Let's try one." Tengen said, summoning a jar to his hand. He popped the lid.
"Still that familiar flavor." He said, grabbing a spoon from the room and taking a bite. "Spicy as hell, though. Definitely needs rice."
Tengen flung open the door and shouted, "Boss, bring me some food! I'm eating!"
"Right away, sir!" The innkeeper replied, not daring to slack. Tengen's Konoha forehead protector marked him as a ninja, and the village's safety relied on their efforts.
As Tengen savored his Hot Sauce feast, Tsunade, now fully dressed, stormed to his home.
"Tengen! Hiding won't help, you little creep! Get out here!" She bellowed, pounding on his door. "Don't make me come in!"
After a moment of silence, Tsunade clenched her fist and struck the door lightly. The wood splintered, revealing a modest, empty room.
Stepping inside, Tsunade searched for any sign of Tengen, but he clearly hadn't returned. She wouldn't find him here.
"Not here." Tsunade muttered, stepping out. "Fine. I'll track down Jiraiya. It's got to be him, that pervert must've corrupted Tengen."
Poor Jiraiya, unwittingly taking the blame for Tengen's antics.
Over the next month, Tsunade hunted Tengen relentlessly, while he expertly dodged her. Their chase became an unspoken game of cat and mouse.
Tengen's front door bore the brunt of Tsunade's Monster Strength, shattered countless times. He alternated between staying home and crashing elsewhere, including Jiraiya's place, which also suffered Tsunade's wrath.
Tsunade couldn't pursue Tengen constantly, she had to train Shizune for the upcoming Chunin Exam elimination rounds. This gave Tengen plenty of time to roam freely.
He occasionally hunted for signals, but most were ordinary, yielding lackluster rewards.
A month passed in a blur.
On the day of the Chunin Exam elimination rounds, the daimyo of the five great nations and ninja leaders gathered in Konoha. They'd arrived the day before to rest, ensuring they were ready for the event.
"Shizune, you've grown a lot. Even your presence feels different." Tengen said, noting a change in her.
"Yeah, Tsunade-sama put me through intense training this month." Shizune said, nodding. "But Tengen, what happened between you and Tsunade? Whenever I mention you, she gets… weird."
"Really?" Tengen said, feigning innocence. "No idea why she'd act like that."
He was lying through his teeth. If Tsunade heard him, she'd probably want to throttle him.
"Oh?" Shizune gave him a skeptical look but didn't press further.
"We're here." Tengen said, stopping at a large gate. Beyond it lay a circular arena enclosed by high walls, the site of the Chunin Exam elimination rounds.
Konoha-nin guarded the entrance. Tengen and Shizune passed through without issue.
Tengen's recent fame preceded him. Many Konoha-nin recognized him, their expressions tinged with curiosity.
"Over here!" Kurenai called from the competitors' area, waving enthusiastically.
"Kurenai." Tengen and Shizune said, hurrying over.
"Tengen." Terumi and Yugito said, their eyes fixed on him. Mei's gaze held a grudge from the Forest of Death, while Yugito sized up her opponent for the day.
The daimyo, ninja leaders, and spectators filled the stands surrounding the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Chunin Exam elimination rounds." Minato Namikaze announced, his golden hair unmistakable as he took center stage.
"Look around you. The daimyo and ninja leaders of the five great nations are watching. Show them your best."
"Now, as per the draw, numbers 1 and 2 will face off first."
***
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