"Tsunade-sama..."
Opening the door, Shikamaru found Shizune staring at him and Tsunade with a peculiar expression, particularly at Tsunade, who seemed even younger than before.
Nearby, Uzuki Yugao stood by, her gaze full of admiration for Shikamaru. She hadn't expected him to win Tsunade over. The previous night, neither she nor Shizune had drunk any alcohol, but they had accidentally fallen asleep. Upon waking, they found Tsunade and Shikamaru missing. Searching for them led to overhearing something rather… passionate from Shikamaru's room. The two women had no choice but to wait outside.
"Shizune, pack up. We're heading back to Konoha!"
Tsunade's face reddened slightly but quickly returned to her usual authoritative demeanor.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama!"
Shizune replied, shooting Shikamaru a complex look before leaving to prepare.
As the group exited Tanzaku Town, Shikamaru and the others unexpectedly encountered two familiar figures. Their arrival startled the newcomers as well.
"Jiraiya!"
Tsunade exclaimed in surprise. The two people standing before them were none other than Jiraiya and Naruto, who had finally caught up.
"Ahem, long time no see, Tsunade!"
Jiraiya greeted her warmly, then turned his attention to Shikamaru. With a puzzled look, he asked, "Shikamaru? What are you doing here? And with Tsunade?"
"Weren't you sent by the village to find Tsunade?"
Shikamaru was startled and quickly asked, "Yes, but why would the council also send you?"
Jiraiya murmured, "Is that so? Strange... Why would the elders ask me to come as well...?"
"They might have thought one person wouldn't be enough for the task, so they sent another for backup." Yugao suggested.
"Let's hope that's all it is." Shikamaru said, though a sense of unease gnawed at him. Turning to the group, he urged, "We should hurry back to Konoha."
No sooner had he spoken than Shikamaru's expression shifted, anger rising in his eyes.
"What happened, Shikamaru?"
Tsunade asked, noticing his sudden change.
Suppressing his fury, Shikamaru said in a low voice, "My shadow clone left in Konoha just sent me a message. Two of my women were taken by the Anbu!"
"Was it Haku and Sister Natsuhino?"
Yugao immediately asked, her voice filled with worry.
Shikamaru nodded gravely. "Yes." Turning to Jiraiya and Tsunade, he added, "Sensei, Tsunade, I'm heading back to Konoha immediately. Follow when you can!"
Before anyone could respond, Shikamaru's figure vanished, leaving the group stunned.
"Yugao, who are Haku and Sister Natsuhino?"
Tsunade asked urgently, sensing Shikamaru's distress.
"They're also Shikamaru's women." Yugao explained.
"Wow! Shikamaru is amazing!" Naruto exclaimed.
Thwack! Jiraiya smacked Naruto on the head, then turned back to Yugao. "Who exactly are they?"
Yugao detailed Haku and Natsuhino's identities, causing Jiraiya and Tsunade's expressions to shift.
"We need to hurry. That old relic Danzo might be trying to force Shikamaru into exile." Jiraiya said urgently.
⚔──────────────
Inside the Anbu Headquarters
"Danzo-sama, is it really appropriate to use enhanced interrogation on the two women, Haku and Natsuhino?"
An Anbu operative hesitantly asked Danzo.
"Do as I instructed." Danzo replied coldly.
"But, sir, is provoking Shikamaru into exile truly beneficial? He's a Kage-level shinobi!"
Danzo's confidant questioned, still doubtful.
"He cannot be allowed to remain." Danzo declared firmly, his eyes gleaming with calculated menace. "That boy's potential is too dangerous. As the Third Hokage's student, he's a threat to our plans."
At that moment, another Anbu operative entered the room.
"Minister Danzo, the Hyuga clan demands the release of Natsuhino and Haku. They argue that we have no right to detain them since Natsuhino is a Konoha ninja approved by the Third Hokage and Haku is legally Shikamaru's family."
"Hyuga, huh?"
Danzo's eyes narrowed before he sneered. "Inform Hiashi that we'll release Natsuhino, but Haku stays."
"Understood, Minister."
⚔──────────────
Shikamaru sprinted relentlessly, reaching Konoha's gates after two days of non-stop travel.
"Shikamaru!"
Without pause, he rushed toward the Hyuga clan's estate. Upon arrival, he was relieved to see Natsuhino unharmed, running out to greet him.
"Natsuhino!"
Shikamaru's relief was palpable. "Where's Haku?"
"Shikamaru..."
Hiashi Hyuga interjected with a grave expression. "Apologies, Shikamaru. We could only secure Natsuhino. Danzo refused to release Haku, claiming her origins are unknown and that she must undergo their interrogation."
Bang! Shikamaru's chakra flared uncontrollably, his voice filled with fury. "Danzo!"
Cursing himself for not securing Haku's status as a Konoha ninja, Shikamaru clenched his fists. He realized this was all part of Danzo's plot to target him.
"Natsuhino, stay here. I'm going to get Haku back!"
Shikamaru declared.
"Wait, Shikamaru!"
Hiashi called out. "How do you plan to confront Danzo?"
"I'll demand her release. If he refuses, I'll take her by force." Shikamaru replied firmly.
"You can't do that." Hiashi warned. "Danzo clearly wants you to act rashly. The Anbu headquarters is heavily guarded, and direct action will play into his hands. Wait for Jiraiya to return, and we can strategize together."
Shikamaru hesitated before nodding reluctantly. He knew Hiashi was right; rushing in recklessly would only escalate matters.
Just as Hiashi breathed a sigh of relief, an Anbu operative appeared.
"Shikamaru Nara, the Minister requests your presence." the operative said coldly before vanishing.
Bang!
Hiashi slammed his hand on the table. "Damn it!"
"Shikamaru, you can't go!"
Hiashi urged.
"Hmph. I've been wanting to meet Minister Danzo myself." Shikamaru replied coldly, his eyes brimming with lethal intent. Ignoring Hiashi's protests, Shikamaru disappeared, leaving the Hyuga clan in dismay.
"Shikamaru is too impulsive." Hiashi muttered.
"Father, let's send someone to help him!" Hinata pleaded anxiously.
Hiashi hesitated but eventually summoned someone. "Inform Shikaku Nara of the situation."
⚔──────────────
Inside a dark room in the Anbu headquarters, Shikamaru stood face-to-face with Danzo, his right arm wrapped in bandages.
"Heh, Nara Shikamaru. So you've come at last..."
⚔────
A/N: If you're enjoying the story, you can read up to Chapter 68 (30+ chapters ahead of the current one) on my Patreon: Patreon.com/vynthor