Answer honestly, as always.

"I think you're already pretty amazing, Shizune," you remark.

She points to herself. "You think so," she ask doubtfully.

"Yes. When I was small, I wanted to become Hokage because Hokage is the 'guy'... or 'girl', 'person' on top of the village. I still want to be one, of course. But along the way, I realize that there's a lot of impressive people who are not Hokage. Like Teuchi for example" you say while gesturing at the Ichiraku Ramen to right side of the road, "Or Iruka. And of course, you."

"You're just flattering me."

"I'm not the one who gives you the nick name 'Shin Hokage', Shizune."

"The real Hokage?" Shizune ask incredulously.

You explain to her about how you heard people saying that Shizune is actually the real Hokage who manipulates Tsunade from behind the scene. There are various theories put forth to support this opinion, from the rather benign suggestion that Shizune uses Tsunade as a figurehead to an outlandish claim that Shizune is actually collaborating with Iwa under a shadow cabal that is competing with Akatsuki to take over the world.

"What?!" Shizune demanded, forgetting her melancholy. "I'm controlling Konoha is something I can understand but in league with Iwa? How does that come about?"

You made a face. "You wouldn't like the explanation."

"Just tell me."

"If you say so. Your uncle is said to possess earth release, and people suspect you are the same."

"And?"

You take a deep breath. "Are you sure you want to continue?"

"Sure.

"Okay, Earth release means your ancestral root most probably can be traced from the Land of Earth, the clan name's lack of prominence mean it's a fairly new one, Dan Kato's suggestion to increase medic nins is actually a ruse to reduce Konoha's battle strength and he's actually sought Tsunade in order to increase your clan's influence... in order to take over Konoha." You turn to look at Shizune only to find out that she is gobsmacked.

"That... is so stupid that I don't know whether I should be angry or amused or insulted or despondent about Konoha's future. Or all of them."

You shrug. "At least you don't have people suspecting you pretending to like ramen to hide the fact that you eat people three times a day."

"Wait? What!"

You're saved from answering her as the two of you finally arrive at the hospital.