Shin knew what Tsunade would think, but he did it on purpose. As long as his intentions weren't to harm others but to protect himself, he believed the understanding she would be able to accept it.
He didn't know when it started, but he found himself more and more unwilling to lie to her. So, he turned his head and said to her, "In the past, I had no choice and did deceive you many times. But from now on, I won't lie to you about anything anymore. It's you who gave me a reason to keep living. It's also you who made it so I no longer have to hide and cover everything up."
She blushed when she realized he had seen through her thoughts, and quickly retorted, "Who cares about you!"
But she believed his words. Today, when she asked, he told her everything about his plans to leave and the reasons behind them. He even called over Sakumo in front of her and spoke with him openly.
No matter how much scheming he had done against her in the past, it was all for survival. Besides, over the past month, he had genuinely treated her very well, so why bother holding onto old grudges?
"When I said I'd help and save you, I truly meant it," Shin continued, speaking to Sakumo.
"I don't care," Sakumo said and then instantly used the Body Flicker Technique to return to a nearby large tree.
"Remember this, I'll be your steadfast ally from now on. Whatever you need, you can come to me, and I'll do my best to help you!" Shin shouted in Sakumo's direction, startling him so badly he nearly jumped out of his skin, breaking out in a cold sweat.
If someone hears this, how am I supposed to live it down?
"Be quiet!" Sakumo shouted back.
"He's mad! Tsunade, look, he's mad!"
"Shin, that's enough," Tsunade quickly stepped in. She didn't want Sakumo to really explode.
"Alright." Shin dropped the teasing, after all, this man would be an ally in the future.
Since Sakumo chose not to kill him, it meant he could no longer escape the fact that he'd twice withheld vital information. There was no way he'd side with Hiruzen again.
It had to be said, Sakumo's character really wasn't suited for the ANBU. He was too upright and had too many strong, unshakable personal convictions. But that was exactly why Hiruzen tried to suppress him using these methods, he didn't fit into any other role, so he was forcibly recruited.
Because if Sakumo were set free, with his strength and reputation, no one would be able to keep him in check.
Even though Shin was annoyed that Sakumo had stopped him from fleeing, he still appreciated the secret support the man had given him.
"I'll verify what you've said," Tsunade said seriously after a while. "If it's all true, I'll agree. But until then, you can't leave."
It wasn't that she didn't believe him, but this was a big decision. Becoming Hokage wasn't something one could just decide overnight.
"Alright, but if you truly can't make up your mind in the end, I'll leave quietly. But you don't have to overthink it. Talk to your grandmother more, anything I've told you, you can tell her. She's far more clear-headed than you and sees things more clearly."
"I understand." Tsunade nodded solemnly.
---
After they parted, Shin didn't go home, but instead went to a civilian residence near the Ninja Academy. At that moment, in one of the bedrooms, Minato was curled up under a blanket.
He had been tracking Shin's chakra and knew he had gone to talk to Tsunade... and then came straight in his direction.
Having been exposed to his brother's schemes and tricks since childhood, how could he not realize the secret was out?
"Are you okay?" his classmate asked in concern when they saw him suddenly acting like this.
"Renji, I'm going to die! What should I do?" Minato said in a panic, his face filled with dread.
The classmate, beside him, was startled and quickly touched Minato's forehead. "You don't have a fever though…"
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Just then, there was a loud knock at the door, and Minato shivered all over in fright.
---
"Who is it?" Miyashiro asked with a bit of irritation in his voice.
"It's me, Shin. I'm here to pick up Minato," Shin's voice called from outside.
Miyashiro quickly threw on some clothes and rushed to the door.
"Shin! I didn't expect you to visit. Please, come in!"
He owed his life to Shin, so no matter how he treated others, he could never be anything but respectful and enthusiastic toward Shin. It was because of this relationship that Minato and Renji were so close, and Minato could even stay over at his house at will.
"I'm sorry to bother you so late, but something came up at home. I'm just here to take him back," Shin explained with a smile.
"Oh, of course! Minato is here, come on out!" Miyashiro called as he headed toward his son's bedroom.
I'm doomed! Minato was completely despairing now. But he knew that fate had caught up with him. There was no escape, he had to come out, however unwillingly.
When he saw Shin, he gave a smile that looked worse than crying.
"Niisan…"
Shin simply gave a sinister little smile, making him instinctively shrink back in fear.
After politely saying goodbye to Miyashiro, he grabbed Minato and left.
---
Late at night, in the training field, Minato was trembling despite the warm breeze blowing around him. But before he could even begin to explain, or rather, try to weasel out of it, Shin grabbed him and began to whack him on the butt. "This is what you get for running your mouth! What's wrong with you? Let's see if you'll do it again!"
"Ow! Stop! It hurts!" Minato's pitiful cries echoed through the training field.
"Talk. Why did you try to sell me out?" Shin asked harshly, finally calming down a little after giving Minato a proper spanking.
"Didn't you say Tsunade-nee could be trusted?" Minato responded.
"Just because she can be trusted doesn't mean you can say whatever you want!" Shin raised his hand again, about to resume the beating.
"No, no, that's not it!" Minato, still dangling from Shin's grip, clutched his sore butt with both hands and cried out with dramatic sincerity, "It's because I couldn't bear to see you go!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Shin's hand froze mid-air, and his heart softened.
"Didn't I tell you that I'd only leave after mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique?" he said, still somewhat upset. "I'll come back often to visit you when that happens."
"But it's not the same!" Minato's eyes welled up with tears.
"How is it not the same?"
"It just isn't the same…" Minato said sadly. "Even if I get to see you often, it still feels like you're far away… But if you stayed in Konoha, even if we didn't see each other every day, I'd still feel satisfied."
Shin was deeply moved by those words. He set Minato down gently, fixed his clothes, and scolded him half-laughing, "Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do. You messed up, so now you're using this emotional ploy to try and get out of trouble, aren't you?"
"Hehe…" Knowing Shin's personality well, Minato realized he was out of the danger zone and joked, "Didn't you tell me that if one conflict can't be solved, just create a bigger one to shift the focus? You have no idea how mad Tsunade-nee was. But the second I said you were leaving, she stopped being angry!"
Shin was so annoyed that he laughed, and started rubbing Minato's cheeks vigorously. "I taught you to use your brain, but I didn't say to use all your tricks against me, did I?"
"Guh… can't… Niisan… let go…"