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In the living room, Shin and Kushina sat facing Tsunade. They had finished tidying up their rooms, and now Shin felt it was time to have a chat with Tsunade.
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She knew he was hiding his strength. While she didn''t know the extent of it, she knew he wasn''t just an ordinary child.
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If she told the Sandaime, knowing his personality, he would definitely have Anbu keep an eye on Shin.
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Shin didn''t want to be monitored. It would expose his secrets and complicate things.
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"Lady Tsunade, there''s something I need to talk to you about."
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"Oh? Go ahead."
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Tsunade took a sip from her cup, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
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She wasn''t stupid; she had a good idea what Shin wanted to talk about.
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"Lady Tsunade, you''re aware that I''m... not exactly normal, strength-wise."
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Shin didn''t beat around the bush. There was no point; it was already out in the open.
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"Indeed. The speed you displayed when we were attacked was quite surprising."
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Tsunade''s gaze was intense. She had been genuinely shocked. Shin''s speed rivaled her own.
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It was hard to believe a five-year-old could move that fast.
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"Well, it''s not that unusual. People can exhibit superhuman strength in moments of danger. It was probably just an adrenaline rush."
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Shin made up a flimsy excuse.
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"Heh, you think I''m an idiot? I''m a Medical Ninja."
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Tsunade scoffed. What Shin described was possible; people could unleash incredible power in life-or-death situations.
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But such bursts came at a cost, either a shortened lifespan or even death.
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Shin, however, was perfectly fine. This wasn''t just an adrenaline rush. He was trying to fool her, and she wasn''t falling for it.
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"Okay, fine. I''m a bit stronger than I look. But I need you to keep it a secret, Lady Tsunade."
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Shin knew Tsunade wasn''t easily fooled, so he dropped the act. There was no point; it would only make her more suspicious.
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"Why should I?"
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Tsunade was puzzled. ''Why hide his talent?''
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He was just a child, yet he could move with such speed. Regardless of the method, he was a genius.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
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"Lady Tsunade, have you ever heard the saying..."
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"A tree that stands taller than the rest will be felled by the wind. A mound that rises above the shore will be eroded by the current. One who walks above others will be criticized by the masses."
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"When someone is too exceptional, they attract not only admiration but also envy. And envy is a dangerous thing; it can twist people beyond recognition."
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Shin''s words startled Tsunade. She stared at him as if he were a monster.
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"I haven''t heard that saying before, but I understand the sentiment. You make a good point. I''m starting to doubt you''re really a five-year-old."
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Tsunade eyed him skeptically.
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If these words had come from someone much older, she wouldn''t have been surprised. But Shin was only five!
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Shin coughed awkwardly. He might have overdone it with the profound act.
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"Don''t ask me how I know these things. I''ve always been too exceptional for my own good, always attracting envy and jealousy."
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Shin tilted his chin up, a smug expression on his face. Tsunade burst out laughing.
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"You''re quite the character."
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"It''s not an act. It''s the truth. I''m so used to an extraordinary life that I want to experience what it''s like to be normal."
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Tsunade and Kushina both stared at him, speechless. One word echoed in their minds: ''show-off!''
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Shin smirked inwardly. He had successfully diverted her attention from his strength.
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"Fine, I''ll keep your secret. But you have to agree to a few conditions," Tsunade said.
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"A few? Are you sure it''s not just one?"
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Shin smiled, but inwardly, he was groaning.
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"Yes, a few, not one," Tsunade said triumphantly. ''Let''s see how you weasel your way out of this, kid.''
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"As long as they''re not unreasonable, I suppose I can agree," Shin said cautiously.
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Kushina''s expression changed. She glared at Tsunade. "Don''t you dare ask for anything outrageous!"
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"Don''t worry, I won''t make things difficult for you," Tsunade said, completely ignoring Kushina.
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Kushina slammed her hand on the table, fuming. This woman was deliberately ignoring her!
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"First, from now on, when I ruffle your hair or pinch your cheeks, you''re not allowed to resist or dodge."
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Shin''s face fell. Kushina''s expression mirrored his.
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"Old hag! You just want to take advantage of Shin!" Kushina jumped onto her chair, glaring at Tsunade.
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"What did you just call me?!"
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Tsunade was furious. She was only sixteen, and this little girl was calling her an old hag?!
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"You heard me. Cougar!" Kushina was fearless when it came to Shin.
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"Little girl, if you weren''t so young, I''d teach you some manners."
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"Hmph, old hag, if I were your age, I''d be the one teaching ''you'' some manners."
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Tsunade and Kushina locked eyes, the air crackling with tension.
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"Ahem, shouldn''t we focus on the important matters at hand? I agree to your condition, Lady Tsunade," Shin interjected.
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Tsunade narrowed her eyes. Shin had been so resistant to her touch before, why the sudden change of heart? Was he up to something?
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She wasn''t going to underestimate him now.
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In truth, Shin was playing the long game. He''d let her have her fun for now, but he''d get his revenge later, with interest.
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He''d make her regret taking advantage of him.
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"Shin, you agreed?!" Kushina looked at him, betrayed, then turned away, refusing to acknowledge him.
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Seeing Kushina''s anger, Tsunade felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
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Then she mentally slapped herself. Why was she competing with a five-year-old?
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"Now, on to my other conditions," Tsunade announced.
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She watched Shin closely, trying to gauge his reaction.
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But to her disappointment, his expression remained unchanged. He even gestured for her to continue.
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Tsunade''s suspicion grew. Something was off.
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She had no idea that Shin was planning to settle the score in the future, with interest.