At dusk, the Hokage's office was silent. Tsunade read a scroll, her forehead slightly wrinkled. The sunset outside turned her blonde hair a warm orange, lighting up her weary face. The Hidden Leaf Village was still healing from the Fourth Great Ninja War, with rebuilding tasks piling up. But Tsunade had to focus on something bigger: picking the new leader of the Nara clan.
"Shikamaru," Tsunade said quietly. The young man at her desk looked up, his clever eyes sharp.
"Yes, Lady Hokage?"
Tsunade put down the scroll, her eyes serious. "Shikaku died in the war. The Nara clan needs a new leader, and you're the best pick." Her voice was steady, but her eyes showed pride.
Shikamaru looked down. "I get it. My father gave his all for the village, and I should step up. But * I'm not sure I can lead yet. *" His voice wavered. "I don't think I'm ready to win everyone over."
Tsunade stood and walked to the window. "That's why I have a special job for you. It's not just to prove yourself to the Nara clan, but to help the Leaf and Sand Villages." Her gaze shifted to the far-off desert.
"What job?" Shikamaru asked.
"A diplomacy trip. I want you to visit the Hidden Sand and build stronger ties." Tsunade turned, a small smile on her face. "Plus, there's a top-secret S-rank mission."
She took a sealed scroll from her drawer and gave it to Shikamaru. "This is about Temari, the Sand's princess. Everything's in there. No one else can know."
Shikamaru took the scroll and opened it carefully. His eyes grew wide as he read. "This... is it okay?"
"It's fine," Tsunade said firmly. "This matters for the Leaf. You need to handle the diplomacy part, but also get close to Temari and win her trust. It's an order and a challenge."
As night came, Shikamaru walked home, thinking over Tsunade's words. Far off, a faint wind from the Sand Village seemed to hint at the challenges coming.
* Such a pain * he sighed. * But if this is what it takes to lead... *
The next morning, Shikamaru packed early and waited at the village's meeting spot. Morning mist hung in the air, smelling of fresh dirt. A few Anbu appeared quietly, his escorts for the trip. They didn't know about the secret mission.
"Let's move," Shikamaru said softly. At the village gate, Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi showed up to say goodbye.
"Hey, Shikamaru!" Ino called, holding a big bunch of flowers. "Stay safe. I heard the Sand's been uneasy lately."
"No worries," Shikamaru said, acting casual. "I can deal with any problems."
Choji, chewing chips, mumbled, "We know you'll be fine."
Shikamaru nodded and started walking. The group soon reached the desert. The noon sun burned the ground, and the sand sparkled like a golden ocean. Shikamaru studied the land as they went.
* The wind here is strange * he whispered. * Around three, a strong west wind will blow. If I can use it... *
By evening, they arrived at the meeting spot. Soon, the Sand's welcome group showed up, led by a middle-aged man with a friendly smile. "I'm Baki, head of Sand diplomacy. Welcome, Lord Shikamaru."
They walked through twisting streets to the Kazekage's building. In the meeting room, Shikamaru saw Gaara at the head, no longer the scary figure of the past but a calm Kazekage. Beside him stood a tall woman, Temari, the real goal of his mission. Her blonde hair shone in the sunset, and her blue eyes gleamed. She wore a light purple outfit with a huge fan at her waist. When she caught Shikamaru's look, she raised an eyebrow and gave a polite smile.
"Visitors from the Leaf!" Baki announced.
Shikamaru stepped forward and bowed low. "Greetings, Lord Kazekage, Lady Temari. I'm Shikamaru, here for the Fifth Hokage."
Gaara nodded. "No need for formalities. We've set up a feast. We'll talk more later."
But as they exchanged greetings, Shikamaru sensed something odd. Temari's breathing was a bit quick, like she was hiding a feeling.
At the feast, glasses clinked, and voices filled the room. Shikamaru sat quietly in a corner, sipping his drink and watching Temari. When their eyes met, she quickly looked away, her ears slightly pink.
"Shikamaru," a clear voice said. He looked up to see Temari standing there. "Want to step out to the balcony? It's stuffy here."
Under the moonlight, the desert lay quiet, with only soft gusts breaking the silence. They stood close, not speaking. The tension built until Temari's light laugh cut through.
"Why so tense?" Shikamaru teased, turning to her. "Or * Do you like me? *"
Temari stared at the desert, memories rushing in. "Remember the Chunin Exams prelims?" she asked, breaking the quiet. "You caught me with your Shadow Jutsu, and then..."
Shikamaru grinned. "And then I gave up. The rest of the contest seemed like too much effort."
"That 'effort' excuse," Temari said, a small smile on her lips. "You were scared of tougher fighters later, right? I thought I'd won, but then I couldn't move. That stuck with me."
She paused, then went on. "During the Sasuke Retrieval Mission, you almost died saving your team. That's when I got what 'friends' really mean."
The night breeze lifted Temari's hair, glowing in the moonlight. Shikamaru saw the mixed feelings in her eyes.
"Later, I worked as a diplomat for both villages," Temari said quietly. "Every time I saw you, my heart sped up. * Am I nuts? * The Sand's princess, crushing on a guy who says everything's a hassle?"
Her words stopped when quick footsteps came. Baki ran in, alarmed. "Trouble! Rebels are near the border, probably after our supply lines!"
Shikamaru focused fast. "What's the situation?"
"About twenty skilled ninjas with big weapons. They want to block our supplies."
Shikamaru looked at a nearby map. * If we set a trap here, using the wind... * "Hold on!" Temari cut in. "Let me come. I know the desert's night winds best and can help your plan."
Her voice was serious. "Plus, I want to see you lead, like before."
Under the moonlight, their eyes met, a silent agreement forming. Shikamaru nodded. "Okay, you're with me."
That night, Shikamaru led a small team to the ambush spot. The roaring wind and swirling sand made a natural cover. They waited quietly.
"Listen," Shikamaru whispered to Temari. "When the enemy walks into the trap, you control the wind. I'll use Shadow Jutsu to tie them up. Timing is key."
Soft footsteps came near. Enemy scouts moved carefully, but a sudden gust hid them from view.
"Now!" Shikamaru yelled, slipping into the shadows.
The fight was quick. With Shikamaru's smart planning and Temari's wind control, the rebels were caught. In less than ten minutes, they were beaten.
As the last moonlight lit the battlefield, Shikamaru breathed out and turned to Temari, who was closing her fan. Sweat shone on her forehead, her hair moving in the breeze.
"Great job," he said. "We worked well together."
Temari shook her head. "Your leadership did it. Oh, and you didn't answer my question."
"What?"
"Why did you really give up that match?" She looked straight at him. "Was it just too much effort?"