"Why did you stop?" Koharu glared with wide, angry eyes when she noticed Shin had stopped what he was doing. She snapped, "Just as expected from a member of the Uchiha clan."
"From the day I left the Uchiha compound, I've had nothing to do with the clan," Shin replied. He wanted to snap back and finish this vile woman on the spot, but he held back and explained.
"Even if you've cut ties with the Uchiha clan, the evil in your bloodline cannot be erased," Koharu sneered, her tone sharp and biting. "You're destined to be an evil brat."
"Don't you think you're going too far? All these years, haven't I helped you countless times? Can you even count them? I've never asked for anything in return, but you constantly ask for my help while going out of your way to mock me with your venomous words. Do you really think that's fair?"
"You have the nerve to talk back?" Koharu's expression instantly turned sinister. "You really think I won't kill you? Someone like you dying wouldn't even matter."
"You want to kill me? Fine, go ahead, do it! Just do it!" Shin spread his arms, showing he was ready for whatever. But what he was really thinking was, I bet this old witch won't make a move. And if you do, I won't hold back either. I'll kill you on the spot. I've had enough of this kind of life.
Of course, killing her wasn't part of his actual plan, he knew he couldn't yet withstand the endless pursuit from Konoha if he crossed that line.
"Listen up, brat!" Koharu didn't make a move but snarled viciously, "Deliver the antidote to the front lines. If there's any delay, you won't be able to afford the consequences."
"And I'll say this for the last time too, if you want my help, fine. But treat me with a little respect. Otherwise, do your own research!"
Koharu turned and left without another word, clearly unwilling to deal with Shin anymore. But she was angry, really angry.
Of course, Shin understood what she was thinking, but this was all part of his plan. This was why he called it a dangerous gamble, the danger lay in this old witch.
But if this plan succeeded, Tsunade would start listening to everything he said, at least for a while.
Having known her for so many years, and with all his careful observations and subtle suggestions while working with her, he felt the only thing missing now was a final spark to ignite everything.
He believed that soon, he might truly be free.
---
At Konoha Hospital, Tsunade seemed distracted after not seeing Shin all morning. Over the past three months, her relationship with him had grown closer. Though they still bickered often, their teamwork was seamless when it mattered.
Especially when they discussed medical ninjutsu, they could go on for hours if there were no patients to interrupt.
In just three months, three new medical techniques had already begun to take form.
She believed it wouldn't be long before they were fully developed.
But seeing that Shin skipped work without notice, she felt annoyed.
Why didn't he say anything to me? Does he still not see me as a friend?
"Lady Tsunade, aren't you going to lunch?" a pretty nurse named Kawai Nao passed by her office and asked, seeing Tsunade still sitting at her desk.
Lately, Tsunade had been dragging Shin to lunch every day, so everyone had gotten used to it, hence the question.
"I'm not hungry," Tsunade said, suppressing her emotions.
"Are you waiting for him?" Nao asked with a smile. "No need to wait today, he said he won't be back until much later."
"You know where he went?" Tsunade asked curiously, but felt even angrier.
Why does everyone else know, but I don't?
"He went to the Pharmaceuticals Department," Nao replied. "Every so often, Koharu-sama comes to borrow him. It's been happening for years, so we've all gotten used to it."
"The Pharmaceuticals Department? What's he doing there?"
"He's helping the village develop new medicines," Nao said truthfully. "Many of the village's highly effective medicines over the years, and the antidotes needed on the front lines, were developed with his help."
"But…" she hesitated for a moment. Seeing that no one else was around, she lowered her voice.
"But every time he comes back from the Pharmaceuticals Department, he's in a really bad mood, and for the next few days, he's irritable. Around that time, we all try to avoid him."
"That guy usually has a great attitude, what could possibly make him that angry?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.
"That, we don't speculate," Nao said carefully. "We're just ordinary nurses. We wouldn't question the higher-ups."
"Alright, go eat," Tsunade dismissed her.
After sending Nao away, she fell into deep thought.
She knew that Konoha's Medical Division was led by Koharu, and the Pharmaceuticals Department fell under that division.
Which meant, every time Shin went to the Pharmaceuticals Department, he had to interact with her?
Of course. Developing new antidotes was a classified task, she would never delegate that to just anyone. But she was notoriously bad-tempered, incredibly difficult to deal with, and known for making things hard for others. Especially in recent years, people went out of their way to avoid even passing by her.
So the answer wasn't hard to guess.
Shin was clearly being mistreated by her in the Pharmaceuticals Department, and based on what Tsunade knew of Koharu, she was likely throwing every insult she could at him.
That explained why he always came back so furious.
With that realization, she suddenly wondered, could I do something to help him?
Koharu likely insulted and tormented him, but she wouldn't try the same with me. If she really ticks me off, I'll bite back, who's afraid of who?
What if I went in his place to help at the Pharmaceuticals Department? Then he wouldn't have to suffer through it anymore.
That settles it!
She had made up her mind, but decided to keep it a secret for now, wanting to give Shin a surprise.
Serves him right for disappearing without a word, let's see how he likes being kept in the dark.
---
Five hours later, in a secret room of the Pharmaceuticals Department, the latest antidote was successfully developed.
Shin took out a scroll and began writing down the formula, the exact proportions of each ingredient, and the detailed preparation steps. After completing everything, he left without saying a word to anyone and went straight home.
Hopefully Tsunade will figure it out.
It's not hard to find out where I've been, right? And once she does, asking me directly wouldn't be difficult either, right? Then I could lead her right into my little plan, totally reasonable, right?
He skipped work for three days straight before finally returning to the hospital.
To his surprise, she did ask where he'd been and seemed genuinely concerned, but she didn't mention the Pharmaceuticals Department at all.
Since Tsunade didn't bring it up, he didn't feel it was appropriate to do so either.
Despite her usually fiery temper, she was sharp and incredibly perceptive. If he brought it up himself and she sensed an ulterior motive, it might ruin everything.
Fine, if you won't ask, I won't say. Let's see how long you can hold out.
Another month passed just like that.
Shin reported to work every day as usual, until one day, Tsunade didn't show up, a rare occurrence.
After asking around, someone told him she had some personal matters to handle and had requested leave the night before.
It wasn't unusual to occasionally take time off for family matters, so Shin didn't think much of it.
But what he didn't expect… was that right at that moment, Tsunade was secretly doing something that would soon bring catastrophe down on him.