"Jiraiya! Are you leaving again?" Tsunade asked him.
"Yes." Jiraiya nodded. "I'll be taking Naruto for training. It'll take around three years."
Naruto, now awake after Tsunade's treatment, was heartbroken. Not only had they failed to bring Sasuke back, but Sakura had also gone after him. What Naruto didn't know was that Sakura left because of Shikamaru, not Sasuke. Ultimately, she didn't pursue Sasuke and would gradually forget about him entirely.
Jiraiya proposed taking Naruto on a journey for training, and Naruto, aware of his insufficient strength, agreed. Despite being able to unleash the power of three tails due to his fusion with numerous Anbu shadows, Naruto knew it wasn't enough. He resolved to grow stronger and retrieve both Sasuke and Sakura.
Before leaving, Jiraiya entrusted Shikamaru with safeguarding Konoha and Tsunade. Then, he departed with Naruto earlier than in the original timeline.
⚔──────────────
In the Hokage's office, Shikamaru held the alluring Tsunade in his arms. "Tsunade, I might need to leave for a while too."
"Huh? Why?" Tsunade asked, her reluctance evident.
"Because of Hinata, Ino, and the others. You're all my women, but their combat strength is still too weak. I want to go out and collect powerful shadows for them to fuse with, so they can at least protect themselves." Shikamaru explained his plan. He also had a more ambitious idea: to gather the shadows of all the Tailed Beasts. He knew it was a crazy thought, but with his abilities, he could do it. If he couldn't use them himself, he could give them to his women.
"Alright." Tsunade nodded, though her reluctance lingered. "But wait until Konoha stabilizes. Things are still unsettled here."
Knock, knock.
Before Shikamaru could respond, urgent knocks echoed through the office.
"Come in." Tsunade said.
Shikamaru frowned slightly. He had made it clear that interruptions were only allowed for emergencies.
"Hokage-sama, there's a riot in Konoha Prison!" A Chunin burst in to report.
"What?" Tsunade slammed her hands on the desk. "What's going on?"
Shikamaru's heart sank. Listening to the Chunin's report, he recalled that this event happened in the original series. It was orchestrated by Mizuki.
"Tsunade, stay here. I'll handle it." Shikamaru assured her. His figure gradually faded until he disappeared entirely.
⚔──────────────
Outside the Hokage building, Shikamaru activated his Shadow Eye ability.
"Shadow Art: Shadow Wings." he murmured, and a pair of dark, shadowy wings sprouted from his back. With a powerful flap, he soared into the air, his keen eyes scanning the village.
Amidst the fleeing prisoners, Shikamaru zeroed in on two massive figures: the Raijin and Fujin brothers.
"Heh, two high-level targets I never considered before." Shikamaru smirked, gliding toward them.
⚔──────────────
Mizuki was leading the prison escape when the brothers alerted him. "Boss, there's someone in the sky!"
Looking up, Mizuki saw Shikamaru approaching. Sensing his strength, Mizuki immediately ordered, "Raijin, Fujin, take him down!"
"Got it, Boss!" The brothers roared, slamming the ground to launch massive chunks of earth at Shikamaru.
"Shadow Art: Super Shadow Chidori!" Shikamaru countered, his attack shattering the incoming projectiles into dust. Mizuki paled, realizing his disadvantage.
"Hold him off! I'll be ahead." Mizuki shouted before fleeing.
Ignoring Mizuki, Shikamaru focused on the brothers.
"Shadow Art: Shadow Trap!" A black field spread out, ensnaring the pair.
"Shadow Art: Shadow Possession!"
"Brother, I can't move!" Fujin shouted.
"Me neither! Did you do this?" Raijin asked, baffled.
"Idiots." Shikamaru muttered, preparing his next move.
"Shadow Art: Shadow Extraction!"
As Shikamaru began drawing out their shadows, the brothers' rage grew. "Did he call us idiots? Unforgivable!" they bellowed, their strength disrupting the shadow extraction.
Shikamaru was astonished. These two were idiots, but their raw power was undeniable.
⚔──────────────
The fight continued, showcasing Shikamaru's mastery of shadow-based techniques, while the brothers' brute strength repeatedly disrupted his abilities. Their antics, however, proved they were as dim-witted as they were strong. Shikamaru ultimately decided not to recruit them, joking to himself that stupidity might be contagious, and they weren't even attractive enough to consider otherwise.
Demonstrating overwhelming power with his self-created technique, the "Super Shadow Rasengan-Chidori." Shikamaru obliterated the brothers' attacks, awing the observing Konoha shinobi.
⚔────────
Visit my Patreon for more: patreon.com/vynthor
Extra Content Already Available:
The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
Naruto: I Am Nara Shikamaru – 30 advanced chapters!
One Piece: Summoner of the 3D Zone – 38 advanced chapters!
That's a total of 124 chapters ahead of public updates!
With your support, I release 10 chapters per fanfics every week, keeping the stories alive and growing.
Thank you so much for being part of this journey!