They stayed closely pressed together for a long while. Tsunade could no longer hold back, she turned around and hugged Shin tightly.
He was momentarily stunned, but then he wrapped his arms around her in return.
This moment… they had waited far too long for it.
For the past five years, the two of them had already left the deepest imprints on each other's souls.
Tsunade had always shouted about wanting to spar with him, wanting to defeat him, constantly looking for him. But in the end, wasn't that just a way to hide how much she wanted to see him?
A young girl's feelings were always difficult to express.
As for Shin, at first, he indeed had the intention to use her. But later on, hadn't he come to look forward to seeing her? He simply feared he couldn't bear the overwhelming guilt, and so he never admitted it. At this moment, words were unnecessary. The two just wanted to hold each other, as if forever.
Cough cough... After a long time, a soft coughing sound came from a nearby tree.
It was Sakumo, he couldn't bear to watch anymore.
"I hate to interrupt," he said, "but you've been standing there for nearly an hour."
A little affection is fine, but don't forget I'm still single here! Isn't this a bit much?
Shin pulled back slightly, irritation flashing across his face. "Your timing is impressively poor."
"Let it go," Tsunade murmured, her hand resting on Shin's arm. "Sakumo's just doing his job. Besides," she added with a teasing smile, "let's be considerate. I heard that he is still single"
Cough cough… Sakumo's coughing started again, but this time it wasn't on purpose, he choked. "If you two could refrain from commentary on my personal life, I'd appreciate it."
Will you two please give it a rest?
Don't rub salt in the wound. So what if I'm single? I… Isn't it all because of Shin? Nearly five years wasted on this guy, it's absolutely maddening!
"Did you need something specific, Sakumo?" Shin asked, his composure returning. "Or were you just planning to observe our conversation as well?"
"As if I have nothing better to do," Sakumo replied dryly. "Some of us have actual responsibilities rather than time for..." he gestured vaguely at them, "whatever this is."
How many times has this happened? Have you ever seen a monitor being openly dismissed by the people he's supposed to be watching? Forget it. I've already been delayed enough, no need to delay these two fools.
Once Sakumo walked off, Shin took a deep breath and said, "Tsunade, actually, I…"
Tsunade reached out and placed her index finger on his lips, cutting him off. She spoke first: "I know you once meant to use me. But I've never blamed you."
Shin was stunned. He immediately wanted to explain, but when the words reached his lips, he couldn't say a single one. He had sworn never to lie to her again, so any explanation now would just feel empty and unnecessary.
Taking a deep breath, he held her hands and said with utmost sincerity, "I'm sorry."
Tsunade shook her head firmly and said seriously, "You don't have to be sorry. Back then, you had no choice. I just regret not realizing it sooner, and that you had to suffer for so many years."
"Even if you had known," Shin said gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face, "what could you have done then?"
"I could have stayed with you!" Tsunade looked up, her burning gaze meeting his eyes, and the atmosphere suddenly turned very intimate.
Under the streetlamp, with the evening breeze gently brushing past them, their shadows slowly leaned toward each other, uncontrollably coming closer. The chirping of insects and birds around them sounded especially crisp and pleasant, as if nature itself were playing a symphony for two souls merging into one.
Lovers in the throes of romance always hated to part. Sitting on a park bench, the two talked for four whole hours.
Only when Tsunade couldn't suppress a yawn did Shin realize how late it had grown.
"I'll walk you home," he said, reluctant but unwilling to let her get too tired.
"I don't want to go yet," Tsunade replied, leaning against his shoulder.
"We have tomorrow," he reminded her, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "And your grandmother needs you at home."
"Fine," Tsunade finally agreed after he mentioned her grandmother.
After walking her home, Shin headed back by himself, feeling like he was floating the whole way. This kind of happiness, he had not only never experienced it before, he hadn't even dreamed of it.
But halfway home, his joy began to fade as a thought crossed his mind, and his expression instantly turned cold.
Orochimaru, you're more perceptive than I gave you credit for.
Shin was no fool; he understood now that today's events had been carefully nudged along by Orochimaru's conversation with Tsunade.
She would never have orchestrated something like this on her own. She's too straightforward.
But don't think that just because you helped me from the sidelines today, I'll be grateful to you.
If you can help me this way today, you could just as easily use this same method to hurt me tomorrow.
This matter needs to be addressed, and something like it must never happen again.
Meanwhile, Sakumo, who had been tailing Shin again, finally found an opportunity and suddenly appeared in front of him in a dark, empty corner.
"So," Sakumo said, removing his ANBU mask, "I trust you're satisfied with how the evening turned out."
"More than satisfied," Shin replied with genuine warmth. "And I owe you my thanks. When the time comes, I'll expect you to stand beside me as my best man."
"Interesting change from your earlier irritation," Sakumo remarked dryly.
"Come on, you can't take that seriously!" Shin showed no remorse and even turned it back on him, "I should be the one complaining. Just as Tsunade and I were hugging, you spoke up and interrupted us. Don't you think you were the one being unreasonable?"
"An hour, Shin," Sakumo emphasized. You were hugging for a full hour! I was afraid you'd die of suffocation...
"Time flies," Shin shrugged, then noted Sakumo's exasperated expression. "But I suspect you didn't track me down just to discuss my appreciation of the moment. What's on your mind?"
"I don't want to be your monitor anymore. You've got to help me, I know you'll have a way," Sakumo sighed heavily.
"Has our bond become so fragile?" Shin asked in feigned shock, acting like he'd been betrayed.
"This isn't about bonding," Sakumo replied firmly. "When was the last time this actually resembled a monitoring assignment? You practically have me running errands half the time."
"Fair point," Shin conceded, then studied Sakumo more carefully. "But there's something else, isn't there? Your timing... it's not just about the assignment."
"That's not relevant."
"On the contrary," Shin said, genuine interest replacing his teasing tone. "If there's someone you're interested in, perhaps I could help. After all, you've done plenty for me, intentionally or not."
Sakumo's face flushed red, his eyes darted away, and he gave a small cough before asking very seriously, "Really?"