In the living room, Shin and Kushina sat fag Tsuhey had fiidying up their rooms, and now Shi it was time to have a chat with Tsunade.

  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.

  If she told the Sandaime, knowing his personality, he would definitely have Anbu keep an eye on Shin.

  Shin didn't want to be monitored. It would expose his secrets and plicate things.

  "Lady Tsuhere's something I o talk to you about."

  "Oh? Go ahead."

  Tsuook a sip from her cup, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

  She wasn't stupid; she had a good idea what Shin wao talk about.

  "Lady Tsunade, you're aware that I'm... ly normal, strength-wise."

  Shin didn't beat around the bush. There was no point; it was already out in the open.

  "Ihe speed you dispyed when we were attacked was quite surprising."

  Tsunade's gaze was intense. She had been genuinely shocked. Shin's speed rivaled her own.

  It was hard to believe a five-year-old could move that fast.

  "Well, it's not that unusual. People exhibit superhuman strength in moments of danger. It robably just an adrenaline rush."

  Shin made up a flimsy excuse.

  "Heh, you think I'm an idiot? I'm a Mediinja."

  Tsunade scoffed. What Shin described ossible; people could unleash incredible power in life-or-death situations.

  But such bursts came at a cost, either a shortened lifespan or eveh.

  Shin, however, erfectly fihis wasn't just an adrenaline rush. He was trying to fool her, and she wasn't falling for it.

  "Okay, fine. I'm a bit strohan I look. But I need you to keep it a secret, Lady Tsunade."

  Shisunade wasn't easily fooled, so he dropped the act. There was no point; it would only make her more suspicious.

  "Why should I?"

  Tsunade uzzled. 'Why hide his talent?'

  He was just a child, yet he could move with such speed. Regardless of the method, he was a genius.

  "Lady Tsunade, have you ever heard the saying..."

  "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."

  "When someone is too exceptional, they attraot only admiration but also envy. And envy is a dangerous thing; it twist people beynition."

  Shin's words startled Tsunade. She stared at him as if he were a monster.

  "I haven't heard that saying before, but I uand the se. You make a good point. I'm starting to doubt you're really a five-year-old."

  Tsunade eyed him skeptically.

  If these words had e from someone much older, she wouldn't have been surprised. But Shin was only five!

  Shin coughed awkwardly. He might have overdo with the profound act.

  "Don't ask me how I know these things. I've always been too exceptional for my own good, always attrag envy and jealousy."

  Shin tilted his up, a smug expression on his face. Tsunade burst out ughing.

  "You're quite the character."

  "It's not an act. It's the truth. I'm so used to araordinary life that I want to experience what it's like to be normal."

  Tsunade and Kushina both stared at him, speechless. One word echoed in their minds: 'show-off!'

  Shin smirked inwardly. He had successfully diverted her attention from his strength.

  "Fine, I'll keep your secret. But you have to agree to a few ditions," Tsunade said.

  "A few? Are you sure it's not just one?"

  Shin smiled, but inwardly, he was groaning.

  "Yes, a few, not osunade said triumphantly. 'Let's see how you weasel your way out of this, kid.'

  "As long as they're not unreasonable, I suppose I agree," Shin said cautiously.

  Kushina's expression ged. She gred at Tsunade. "Don't you dare ask for anything eous!"

  "Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you," Tsunade said, pletely ign Kushina.

  Kushina smmed her hand oable, fuming. This woman was deliberately ign her!

  "First, from now on, when I ruffle your hair or pinch your cheeks, you're not allowed to resist or dodge."

  Shin's face fell. Kushina's expression mirrored his.

  "Old hag! You just want to take advantage of Shin!" Kushina jumped onto her chair, gring at Tsunade.

  "What did you just call me?!"

  Tsunade was furious. She was only sixteen, and this little girl was calling her an old hag?!

  "You heard me. Cougar!" Kushina was fearless when it came to Shin.

  "Little girl, if you weren't so young, I'd teach you some manners."

  "Hmph, old hag, if I were ye, I'd be the oeag 'you' some manners."

  Tsunade and Kushina locked eyes, the air crag with tension.

  "Ahem, shouldn't we focus on the important matters at hand? I agree to your dition, Lady Tsunade," Shin interjected.

  Tsunade narrowed her eyes. Shin had been so resistant to her touch before, why the sudden ge of heart? Was he up to something?

  She wasn't going to uimate him now.

  In truth, Shin ying the long game. He'd let her have her fun for now, but he'd get his reveer, with i.

  He'd make her regret taking advantage of him.

  "Shin, you agreed?!" Kushina looked at him, betrayed, then turned away, refusing to aowledge him.

  Seeing Kushina's asunade felt a strange sense of satisfa.

  Then she mentally spped herself. Why was she peting with a five-year-old?

  "Now, on to my other ditions," Tsunade announced.

  She watched Shin closely, trying to gauge his rea.

  But to her disappoi, his expression remained unged. He eveured for her to tinue.

  Tsunade's suspi grew. Something was off.

  She had no idea that Shin nning to settle the score iure, with i.

  <><><><><><>

  ~ If you like the story, please leave a review.