Shikamaru Shinden Chapter 10

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CHAPTER 10

Shikamaru stamped the pile of papers in front of him, but his mind was buzzing with thoughts of the Land of Earth and the negotiations. For that reason, his mind was blocking out all of the voices in the room, he’d been lost in thought for days. Someone would have to shout many times to grab his attention.

At the last Five Kage meeting, until he’d threatened the other nations as Konoha, everything was stuck. He’d tried to tell Naruto that there were no concrete solutions for the Hidden Rock, but there was nothing that could be done, for now, only waiting and seeing.

Rou and Soku were still in contact, their reports were gradually narrowing down the Hidden Rock’s actions. The ninja of the Hidden Rock seemed to have assembled, getting ready to dispatch at a moments notice.

That was not a day he was looking forward to. Shikamaru didn’t want to wait for it to come. The path was faint, but he could make it out. Just talking to shinobi wouldn’t make it clearer.

After all, shinobi’s actions were influenced by the Daimyo’s greed and desires. The Five Nations were only worsened by that influence.

The root of shinobi’s existence was said to be battle, so in Shikamaru’s ideal world, they no longer existed. To him, it would be good if ninja ceased to be. His ideal might have been a laughable fantasy, but he knew the tragedy of war should never be repeated.

There would be no need for Shinobi when war is gone.

A shinobi’s chakra and jutsu are very useful for a civilization. If people other than ninja could use it, the world would be even better.

That ideal could only be realized when they had permanent peace. If shinobi technology was misused, it would destroy the world. That much was clear, especially from the last war.

Peace wouldn’t exist until the fear and hatred of a shinobi’s power ceased to be. That’s why he believed the technology should be shared.

The way to his ideal was evident, but he wouldn’t give up until the day had come. Otherwise, all of his work at the expense of his family was for nothing.

Someone was calling him from the other side of his paperwork mountain.

“-ru san…”

A woman’s voice. Lost in thought, he kept working.

“kamaru-san…”

Ugh, be quiet…

“Shikamaru san!”

Her voice pierced his ears and his thoughts. He raised his head and met her eye.

There was her face, her arms holding apart the mountains of paperwork. It was the daughter of his former teacher.

“What’s up Mirai?” he asked.

“What’s up? How long did it take for you to notice me!?” she shouted.

Only Mirai talked to Shikamaru like that, just like her father had.

She had her hands on her hips.

“If you’re concentrating, don’t put your circle hand thing under the desk!” she cried.

“I don’t have time to worry about things like that, they don’t matter,” he replied.

“What are you gonna do when someone brings something you don’t have time to think about?”

“Cry out like you do.”

“I see…” she muttered.

Mirai had brought troubling news, he could tell from her face. She was, however, satisfied by his sharp wit, and smiled.

In the past, she’d called him “Shikamaru-niichan!”, something he’d missed. She was his student, and the reason he’d become a teacher. Before Mirai was born, her father had passed away, Shikamaru promising him that he’d take care of her. On top of his work as Naruto’s assistant, he’d been her Sensei when she left Academy.

Asuma, Mirai’s father, was the son of the Third Hokage. She had the blood of a Kage running through her veins. Under Shikamaru’s teachings, she’d become an amazing ninja. Once he had shown her something, she’d mastered it in a few tries.

But Shikamaru still instructed her as her master. He was very proud of her, even if it was embarrassing to admit it.

She placed a square paper on the desk, which had a seal on it. He leaned back in his chair and asked her.

“So what bizarre story did you bring for me today?”

“In three days, do you know whats happening in this village?” she asked.

“Don’t answer a question with a question,” he said, smiling.

“The Fire Daimyo is meeting with Naruto,” she said.

A good opportunity. Shinobi matters were not often discussed with the Daimyo. They could get a read on the Land of Earth’s Daimyo. He was going to be Shikamaru’s secret weapon in ending the stalemate he was in. A meeting with the Land of Fire’s Daimyo…

An unexpected chance to sort things out.

Through Naruto, the Daimyo would be told to meet with the other leaders of the lands. It was their only chance to move past this. They had to convince him.

“Do you have anything planned?” Shikamaru asked.

“There’s no problem with the talks themselves but the Daimyo’s son, Tentou is going to be in the village,” Mirai explained.

“Is the brat a hassle?”

There was nothing he could do about that.

“I can’t help you with that…” he muttered.

Mirai’s face looked stressed.

“What is it?” Shikamaru asked.

“It seems someone is targetting Tentou,” she said. “Shojoji’s gang has escaped from their prison. Shojoji is the leader who uses Corpse Clone technique. He’s to be treated as a big threat.”

“That story must have come out when I was away,” he said.

He quickly refiled through the documents on his desk, then carefully yanked out the dossier from the stacks of paper.

“There he is. Boruto’s team is responsible for the gang’s capture.”

“That’s the one.”

“He’s got a sneaky face,” Shikamaru said.

“Tentou’s been making a big deal about it around the village.”

“Perhaps they got caught to remove Shojoji from the investigation?” he asked.

“Shojoji is unlikely to appear before Boruto,” she said.

The possible abduction of Tentou… He could let the enemy steal a few pieces, leave them some bait. He’d use those measures if he could.

“Keep an eye on Tentou while he’s here. Don’t lose him. If they make a move, let them take him.” Shikamaru said.

“What!?”

“Be quiet and listen to the whole plan.”

Shikamaru’s eyes shone with vigor.

“Once he’s been kidnapped, you can rescue him right away. You have to let him get caught just once,” he explained.

“Why is that!?”

In order for the plan to work, Mirai would need to know about it beforehand. She had to know of his orders.

“The Daimyo will owe us a favour,” he said.

“…………….”

Mirai was at a loss for words. Shikamaru went on, regardless.

“The enemy is Shojoji, we already know that so don’t worry. Tentou will be kidnapped. Follow them to his hideout, and once you get there, get rid of him. Then you just have to bring Tentou back here without a scratch-”

Shikamaru paused to breath.

“Please don’t tell Naruto,” he muttered.

“Huh?”

“If Naruto found out, he’d try to prevent the kidnapping and Tentou will be guarded. There will be no kidnapping. For the plan to work, he has to be captured and Konoha ninja have to save him. It has to happen.” he explained.

“What are you thinking Shikamaru san?” she asked.

“Believe me Mirai, this isn’t just for the village. This is for the future of the entire world.”

This was to prevent a war. He wasn’t going to pretend he wouldn’t dye his hands with darkness to help Naruto. He had to do the dirty work.

“I leave this to you, you won’t let Tentou get hurt anyway. All right?” he said.

“Yes…” Mirai left the room, looking perturbed.

-000000000000000000000000000000-

Three days later, the Daimyo and his son arrived in Konoha. At the same time, there was a report that Boruto’s team had secured the rest of the Mujina bandits.

Shikamaru was in the Hokage’s office at that time, Boruto was busy boasting proudly of his achievement.

Mirai was the one to tell the Hokage.

“Boruto’s team! They did it!” Naruto rejoiced, slamming his hands on the desk in joy.

“Ohh, they’re not too bad are they?” Shikamaru said, pulling a cigarette out and placing it in his mouth. “Mirai do you have a light?”

Mirai rolled her eyes at the question.

“No smoking here, Shikamaru,” she said.

“Oh fine,”

He caught Mirai’s eyes and saw her dedication, as if she was saying ‘don’t worry, I got this’. He nodded at her, looking away and listening to the report.

“So Shojoji didn’t appear? But we captured three of his guys…” Shikamaru sighed.

“That bastard Shojoji…” Naruto muttered to himself.

“Well… He is a big deal. He can copy a dead bodies face and voice.” Shikamaru spoke to his friend. “We’ll deal with him right away.”

Naruto calmed down at that. If he had learned about the planned kidnapping, it wouldn’t happen. Naruto had to be ignorant to Shikamaru’s plan.

“So, let’s leave it at that. We have to go to today’s meeting,” Shikamaru said.

He felt bad for distracting Naruto.

-000000000000000000000000-

A surprising event had happened.

When Tentou was kidnapped, Boruto was the one to save him. While in the village, Tentou had become close with Boruto and they were now friends. Shikamaru had received Mirai’s reports, one at a time.

- Tentou was kidnapped just as Boruto’s guard mission ended. When he’d found out, Boruto went alone to Shojoji’s hideout. When his friends showed up, he was able to save Tentou safely.-

Mirai’s troops had no chance to jump in and help.

“What would have happened if Boruto wasn’t there? If it wasn’t for Konoha’s ninja, who would have saved Tentou?” Shikamaru asked.

“I’m sorry.” Mirai bowed.

“Don’t be, the plan worked. Don’t worry,” he said.

“Yes sir,” Mirai said. “Shikamaru san…”

“Yes?”

He had an unlit cigarette in his mouth and was playing with his lighter.

“What are you doing Shikamaru?”

He put down his lighter and spun out of his chair.

“You win. I’ll go…” he sighed.

Man I’d totally forgotten about Shojoji until this chapter….