Chapter 87 Shearing the Big Fat Sheep

"Small, small, small!"

Kato Mikaze instantly spotted Tsunade in the surging crowd, her clear, melodious voice rising above the noise as she called out her bets. The sound was sharp, pleasant, and unmistakably hers.

Around the human corridor, some gamblers, forced aside by the security staff clearing a path, grumbled in annoyance. But when they turned and recognized the casino's security uniforms and, following behind, Kato Mikaze himself in full Leaf Jonin attire, the Leaf forehead protector gleaming under the lights, their irritation faded. His arrival had all the air of someone important.

A few seasoned gamblers recognized him at once: the legendary "fat sheep's" boyfriend, the newly-promoted, up-and-coming Jonin of the Hidden Leaf—Lord Kato Mikaze, now making a name for himself in the village. Those who knew who he was squeezed further aside, making way for this distinguished guest.

Whether or not these gamblers secretly cursed him for ruining their chance to fleece the "fat sheep" was anyone's guess. But apart from those who recognized Kato's status, most kept their focus on the game at hand.

…

The air was thick with shouts and excitement, crowding Kato Mikaze's ears.

"Who keeps pushing? Stop shoving, there's no more room!"

"Quit crowding, or I'll start farting! I just ate green pepper abalone and tofu braised beef—if you don't fear the stench, keep pressing in!"

"Brothers up front, comrades, it's so noisy here I can barely hear 'Fat Sheep' over the din! What did she bet on? Take me with you to fleece her!"

"Brothers, comrades, gentlemen, ladies—give me a hand! I'm going all-in with my life savings—tell me what the 'Fat Sheep' wagered on! Whoever votes for my pick, let's fleece that legendary 'Fat Sheep'!"

"To the hard-of-hearing brother in back—since fate brings us together, I'm betting with you! She wagered on small, small, small!"

"What? Small? Say it again, I couldn't hear! How could the 'Fat Sheep,' who's so big, bet on small?"

"Small, small, small! That's all I can do for you, brother. She bet on small. But you were right—the 'Fat Sheep' is indeed big! Let's go big, big, big! Good luck!"

As words like "fat sheep" and "fleecing" drifted to Kato Mikaze, he paused briefly, then turned to glance at the casino manager following behind him.

Naturally, the manager heard it all too. Unlike Kato's composed expression, his face was practically turning green with embarrassment. When he saw Kato pause and look back at him, he nearly wet himself, his cucumber-green face wilting further.

"Um, Lord Kato, we promise to correct this, absolutely! Our casino is a model establishment for healthy entertainment in the Hidden Leaf..."

"Our lord comes from a prestigious Leaf clan—why, his uncle's nephew's cousin's brother once served as your Jonin squad leader..."

"Wherever leaves dance, fire burns. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village and let new leaves sprout..."

The manager, face green as a cucumber, struggled to force a smile as he spoke these lines nervously and in fragments, under Kato Mikaze's steady gaze.

Kato listened in silence as the manager invoked everything from the casino's honor to Kato's late Jonin instructor, and even the Third Hokage's "Will of Fire."

What a character, Kato sighed inwardly—this cucumber was a master of sophistry.

Was he angry? Perhaps a bit. Hearing his woman, Tsunade, discussed so crudely, he couldn't just slaughter every uncouth gambler. Even if he did, it would be pointless—Kato had done such things in secret before, but at best it only cowed the gamblers for a while. Eventually, in the heat of play, they'd lose their heads and say whatever came to mind.

What could he do? As long as Tsunade loved gambling, such things would be inevitable.

His favorite woman, her favorite pastime—what choice did he have but to endure it?

"Big, big, big! It's big, after all!"

"Brother in the back, you won, it really was big..."

"We all won! Thanks to the brothers who pulled me along, and everyone who voted for me. The legendary 'Fat Sheep'—her reputation is well deserved!"

Hearing the round end—and Tsunade, true to form, lose her bet—Kato wasted no time making his way to her, afraid she'd join the next round if he lingered.

Having lingered a moment to observe the cucumber-faced manager, he now found the path ahead, which security had forced open for him, rapidly closing as the gamblers, flush with victory, pressed in with renewed excitement.

Kato Mikaze released a subtle wave of killing intent and pressure, channeling his wind chakra outward. With precise control, he let its sharp edge prick the overexcited gamblers, clearing their minds enough to make way.

He reached Tsunade, who was surrounded by a sea of exuberant patrons. There, he tapped on the shoulder of a muscular female attendant, who, along with her companion, had managed to carve out a private space for Tsunade amid the throng—a job Kato deeply appreciated.

The attendant, fierce-faced, spun around, expecting another unruly gambler to be bothering Tsunade, but upon seeing Kato, her expression instantly softened into a smile—clearly, she knew who he was. She flexed her strong arms, effortlessly pushing aside the crowd to open a path for him.

Talent indeed, Kato thought. The cucumber-faced manager was a character, and his staff too—these women were wasting their gifts not training in taijutsu...

With a silent nod of respect, Kato passed through the final barrier and at last reached Tsunade's side.

…

PS: Add to favorites, cast your votes, and may you all share in the legendary 'Fat Sheep's' good fortune! Prosperity awaits!