Shikamaru's expression turned serious as well. He had heard Asuma and several other jonin gossip before that Lady Tsunade had a grudge against Lin Chongshu.
Before Lady Tsunade became Hokage, she had hunted Lin Chongshu several times. Later, when the Hidden Sound Village was destroyed, Lady Tsunade had already gone after him in advance.
Shikamaru asked curiously, "Do you want to humiliate the Hokage this way?"
Lin Chongshu paused, then nodded.
"That's not wrong, when you put it that way."
Shikamaru stared at him. "Then if I go back now and tell the Hokage where you are, won't your plan fall apart?"
"Don't make yourself the star of some elaborate drama. Just deliver the message."
Lin Chongshu jerked his chin toward the cells. "Go say goodbye, then get out!"
Shikamaru thought for a moment before turning around and returning to the prison.
As he reached the door, Lin Chongshu added from behind him,
"Don't tell those two about this. You understand why. Think carefully about what you should say and what you shouldn't.
"If anything leaks, I'll kill all three of you and bring back three new people."
Shikamaru nodded. "I understand."
What he thought was that Lin Chongshu was afraid Naruto and Sakura would learn about the bet. Once they knew they would not die, they would recklessly try to escape all the time, making them difficult to manage.
But what Lin Chongshu thought was: If you tell them, how am I supposed to fool them with other excuses?
Shikamaru returned to the cell. Naruto and Sakura had both crowded against the bars to look at him.
Shikamaru glanced at them. "I'm leaving. Don't worry, he won't kill me.
"I'll tell the Hokage about this place. Stay here obediently for a while. The Hokage will come save you."
Sakura