At the Konoha Anbu Headquarters, Lee, Neji, Kiba, Choji, and Shino stood in a line before Shikamaru, their expressions solemn and respectful.
"Lee, Neji, Kiba, Choji, and Shino, do you know why I've called you here today?" Shikamaru asked calmly, glancing at the group. Among the original Twelve of Konoha, all the male members were here, except for the late Sasuke and Naruto, who was still out training with Jiraiya.
"Shikamaru-sama, whatever you need, just say the word!" Lee replied energetically, even though he wasn't sure what this was about.
"Heh… All of you, except Choji, have already fused with the shadows I granted you," Shikamaru said with a slight smile. "And I assume by now you've all felt the power those shadows gave you?"
"Yes! Shikamaru! Guy-sensei even said that in six months, he might not be able to defeat me anymore!" Lee declared excitedly.
The others, while not as loud as Lee, had fire in their eyes. Clearly, they too had experienced the immense power Shikamaru's shadows had granted them. With that strength came an even deeper respect for him.
Still, they were all waiting, Shikamaru wouldn't bring this up without a reason.
"You should also understand," Shikamaru continued with a small chuckle, "since I could give you these shadows… I can also take them back anytime I want."
His tone suddenly shifted to something more serious. "The reason I've called you here is simple, I want your loyalty. The choice is yours."
Then he turned to Choji. "As for you, Choji, I hope you'll support me too. When the time comes, I'll find a shadow best suited for you as well."
The room fell silent.
Loyalty to Shikamaru? But what if he ever turned against the village? Yet at the same time, none of them wanted to give up the strength they had finally gained…
Sensing their hesitation, Shikamaru added, "Don't worry. I'm not asking this because I plan to betray Konoha. I just want to build a foundation of my own. You all know Tsunade-sama, the Fifth Hokage, is my woman. I am Konoha now. Why would I ever betray myself?"
"Wha, Hokage-sama?!" Lee shouted, stunned. Then, with fiery admiration in his eyes, he blurted, "As expected of Shikamaru-sama!"
Neji, Kiba, Shino, and Choji were less dramatic in their reactions, but they weren't entirely surprised either. They'd already heard whispers about it.
"There's something else you should know," Shikamaru continued. "This power you wield doesn't naturally belong to you, it's mine. But here's what you might not know: if I'm still alive when you have children, and your shadows are still intact, your descendants will inherit this power as a complete kekkei genkai."
Boom, his words hit them like a bombshell.
A complete kekkei genkai? That meant even if Shikamaru took back their shadows one day, their bloodlines would still carry the ability. Their clans would rise to new heights…
"Shikamaru-sama! I swear my loyalty to you!" Neji was the first to kneel on one knee, declaring his decision.
"I, I do too! Rock Lee is honored to serve you, Shikamaru-sama!" Lee quickly followed.
"I, Kiba Inuzuka, pledge myself as well!"
"Same here," Shino added, kneeling beside the others. The power of the shadow technique was too great, he wasn't about to give it up.
"Count me in too, Shikamaru," Choji finally said.
"Good, very good. Stand up, all of you," Shikamaru said, clearly pleased. "Starting today, I'll personally train you for the next six months. After that, you'll be the ones protecting Konoha."
Their loyalty thrilled Shikamaru. Sure, he could empower his women, but he didn't want them fighting and risking their lives all the time. It was much better to have loyal subordinates handle the killing and dying. That way, he could enjoy a more comfortable life in Konoha.
After the group left, Shikamaru began thinking about how to tailor each of their training. His goal was to get them all to at least near-Kage level in half a year.
As for collecting more tailed beast shadows, Shikamaru knew his spiritual power was currently too depleted to handle more. He needed at least six months to recover. That's why he wanted to strengthen the village in the meantime.
And of course, he wouldn't forget his women, they were always his top priority.
"Mai!" he suddenly called out.
A flash of red appeared in front of him. Mai Shiranui had arrived.
"Shikamaru-sama, do you need something?" she asked respectfully.
"Mai, do you know of any good training areas around Konoha? Preferably at least a thousand meters wide," Shikamaru asked, sneaking a glance at her curvaceous figure.
"Hmm… There's the Seventh Training Field. It's a valley, abandoned for a long time now," she replied thoughtfully.
"Oh? Take me there," Shikamaru said.
"Yes, Shikamaru-sama."
⚔──────────────
About two miles outside Konoha, the two of them stood in a secluded valley. Training equipment littered the area, though most of it had fallen into disuse.
"This is it, Shikamaru-sama," Mai said.
"Hmm. Not bad, plenty of space for training," he murmured. Then he turned to her. "Alright, let's head back."
"Wait, Shikamaru-sama!" Mai suddenly called out.
"Hm? What's wrong?" he asked, puzzled.
"Um…" She glanced around to make sure no one was nearby. Then, hesitantly, she said, "I have a request… May I ask for one of your shadows?"
"…Why?" Shikamaru blinked, surprised.
"I want revenge for my brother," she said, her tone turning bitter. "He was killed during the Chunin Exams by Baki from the Sand Village. I'm not strong enough to beat him, but with your shadow, maybe I can."
"Baki…" Shikamaru muttered, hesitating. Baki was Gaara and Temari's mentor, he didn't want Mai getting involved with someone like that.
Then he looked at Mai's sultry figure, and a darker thought crossed his mind. He chuckled slyly. "Well… getting a shadow isn't impossible. But you know the conditions, right?"
"Those I give shadows to either swear loyalty to me… or become my woman."
"I'm willing to be your woman," Mai said without hesitation, locking eyes with him. She had been waiting for this chance. She just never had the courage to confess directly.
"You're serious?" Shikamaru asked, surprised. He had only intended to get her loyalty first, then seduce her later. He didn't expect her to offer herself up so quickly. In his mind, Mai was a rational woman, not one so easily swayed.
"Yes." She blushed under his gaze, her red outfit making her look even more seductive.
Shikamaru's mind went blank. She was just… too beautiful. Unable to hold back, he pulled her close and kissed her fiercely.
"Mm…" Mai let out a soft moan, feeling Shikamaru's passion. Her body responded instinctively, eager and unresisting. She returned his kiss, shyly but eagerly, their tongues entwining.
As his hands roamed her body, Shikamaru realized she'd played him, there was no revenge plan. Someone as clever as Mai would never risk Konoha's wrath over a dead enemy. She had simply used it as an excuse to lower her pride and make him act.
Shikamaru smirked inwardly. So she liked him all along, huh? But he didn't think too much about it. With a satisfied grin, he picked her up and vanished back to the Anbu base in a flash.
Back in his room, his body aching with need, he stripped her red outfit away and gently laid her bare body on the bed, kissing every inch of her skin.
"Ah… Shikamaru-sama… please…" she begged breathlessly, trembling under his touch.
With a wicked grin, Shikamaru undressed, parted her long legs, and drove himself deep inside her with one swift thrust, her cry of pain and pleasure echoing in the room.
⚔──────────────
The next morning, one of Shikamaru's shadow clones gathered Neji, Choji, Kiba, Shino, and Lee and took them to the Seventh Training Field. There, within a massive shadow barrier, their six-month training would begin.
Meanwhile, the real Shikamaru personally guided Yugito, Karui, Hinata, Ino, Yakumo, and Tenten, all girls whose potential had yet to be fully awakened. Under his training, their progress would be exponential. Veterans like Kurenai and Anko, who already had solid foundations, could continue on their own.
Interestingly, Tenten had personally requested Shikamaru's guidance, he had planned to lure her in himself, but she beat him to it.
Back then, Shikamaru had asked her, "Tenten, why do you want me to train you?"
"I don't want to be a burden to Neji and Lee," she'd answered. Ever since those two fused with Shikamaru's shadows, their team had begun taking on high-level missions. Tenten, whose strength hadn't improved much, had become the weak link. Once, Lee even got injured saving her. So when she heard Shikamaru would be training Neji and Lee, she came to him on her own.
Little did she know that the "Shikamaru" training them was just a clone. The real one was here, in the Anbu base, overseeing the core trials.
"Yakumo, have you adjusted to your new constitution yet?" Shikamaru asked as he approached her. He had assigned her the shadow of a powerful rogue Mist ninja known for their unique body structure.
"Yes, Shikamaru-sama! I've completely adapted. Thank you!" Yakumo said, beaming. She couldn't believe it was real, she could finally become a proper ninja. Her heart swelled with gratitude and admiration for Shikamaru.
"Good. Then let's test it. Try casting a genjutsu on me," Shikamaru said with a light smile. Her joy made him smile as well, and he was eager to see how far her bloodline potential had grown.
"All right, Shikamaru-sama! But be careful~!"
⚔────────
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 164 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!