"Shikamaru, I don't really have a choice either," Nara Shikaku said heavily. "The Hokage has assigned this task specifically to you—he believes you're the only one who can pull it off."
"You've read Naruto Uzumaki's file as well. Yes, he's a jinchūriki, but in all these years, he's never hurt anyone. He shouldn't be dangerous, so—"
"Sigh… Father, that's not what I'm worried about," Shikamaru interrupted, rubbing his temples. "What I'm trying to tell you is this—this mission is destined to fail."
Night had already fallen.
After another long discussion in the Hokage's Office, Shikaku had brought his son home. The two of them sat on the tatami mats, the atmosphere heavy. Shikaku tried to reassure his son, but his own expression was even more somber.
"Hm?" Shikaku frowned. "Why are you so certain it'll fail?"
Shikamaru shook his head, then closed his eyes. Stretching lazily, he brought his hands together in a thoughtful pose.
"It's a guaranteed failure."
"You haven't even spoken to Naruto," Shikaku said sharply. "How can you be so sure?"
Seeing the calm certainty on his son's face, Shikaku's concern deepened. He knew Shikamaru well—he wouldn't reach a conclusion like this without reason.
And if this couldn't be explained clearly, it would be impossible to report back to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. After all, the Nara Clan had long served as the Hokage's strategists and shadows.
"Take a closer look," Shikamaru said, pulling out two photographs.
"One was taken when Naruto was three years old, the first time he ever left his house. The other is recent—taken after he walked Hyūga Hinata home."
"These are both real photos of him."
"In the first one, he's surrounded by villagers, being insulted in the street. Look at his face—especially his eyes."
Shikaku examined the photos carefully, frowning deeper with each glance.
"I don't see anything unusual."
"That's exactly the problem," Shikamaru said firmly. "In the first photo, Naruto is completely isolated—opposed by everyone. And yet there's no fear in his eyes. No hatred. Not even the instinct to escape."
"Any normal person—even an adult—would feel fear in that situation."
"But Naruto's gaze is eerily calm. Indifferent. As if he cut himself off from the world on his own."
Shikaku remained silent.
After a long pause, he asked, "And the second photo?"
Shikamaru stood, brushing off his clothes.
"They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. A smile should mean something."
"But look closely. Naruto is smiling here—but his eyes haven't changed at all."
"The same indifference. The same emptiness."
"And Hinata should've been his best chance to form a connection—yet after walking her home, he didn't even say her name."
Shikaku stared at the second photo for a long time.
The blond hair. The blue eyes.
Finally, he sighed deeply.
"…This is going to be troublesome."
Half a Month Later
Early morning.
Naruto walked alone along a narrow path beside a small river. Ahead, a dense forest rose like a silent green wall.
Ever since his encounter with Uchiha Shisui, Naruto hadn't returned to the Uchiha District. With the growing tension between the Uchiha Clan and the village leadership under the Third Hokage, that area had become too dangerous.
This forest, however, had been suggested by his father—Namikaze Minato.
Today, Naruto planned to establish a new personal training ground.
"…That's the Nara Clan crest?"
Naruto slowed as he noticed a stone marker on a nearby slope, carved with the unmistakable Nara symbol.
"Yes," Minato's voice echoed from the seal space. "This forest belongs to the Nara. There are no dangerous beasts—only deer raised for harvesting antlers used in medicine. They won't appear this season."
"I've heard the Nara are all geniuses," Naruto said mildly.
"That's the reputation," Minato replied. "I didn't interact with them much—I wasn't Hokage for long."
Naruto entered the forest, found a clearing, and sat down.
His consciousness slipped into the seal.
Minato appeared beside him. They touched fists, chakra flowing between them as Minato began teaching the foundational principles of the Flying Thunder God Technique (Hiraishin no Jutsu).
He had finally agreed.
Hokage's Office
"Heh… what a coincidence."
Peering into the crystal ball, Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled.
"Naruto wandered straight into the Nara forest."
Nearby, Nara Shikamaru stared in disbelief.
He had been trying to engineer a "chance encounter" for weeks. But Naruto's movements were unpredictable—leaving home only once a day, at different times and locations.
Every plan had failed.
Moments ago, Shikamaru had been playing shogi when ANBU suddenly arrived and dragged him to the Hokage's office.
"Hokage-sama," Shikamaru asked, steadying himself, "do you want me to go now?"
"This is a rare opportunity," Hiruzen said, his smile fading. "Naruto may not return to that forest tomorrow."
Shikamaru shivered.
The Hokage was displeased.
"I'll leave immediately."
Seal Space
"These are the basics of the Flying Thunder God Technique," Minato explained. "The fundamentals won't be difficult for you. My three bodyguards grasped them with minimal instruction."
"Wait," Naruto frowned. "They learned it too?"
"Not fully," Minato admitted. "They lacked the sensory precision to use it alone. That's why they relied on the Flying Thunder God Formation."
After the Third Great Ninja War, Minato had been overwhelmed with village affairs. Then Kushina Uzumaki became pregnant. Then he became Hokage.
"And then," Minato said quietly, "the incident five years ago happened."
At those words, Kurama opened his eyes. A red gleam flashed—memories of the masked man with the Mangekyō Sharingan surfacing.
Naruto quickly waved it off.
"Okay, Dad. I just wanted to confirm something."
His thoughts were elsewhere—already planning how to train while avoiding the Hokage's scrying crystal.
Even without physical surveillance, that crystal could still peer into his life at any moment.
"Dad," Naruto asked casually, "are you sure there's only one of those crystal balls?"
"Just one," Minato replied instinctively—then froze. "Wait… Naruto, are you thinking about destroying it?"
"I'm calculating the odds," Naruto said calmly. "Or do you think it's acceptable for them to keep spying on me?"
Minato's eyes widened.
Before he could respond, Naruto sensed an approaching chakra signature.
"It came from the Hokage's office," Naruto said quietly.
Minato fell silent.
They had just spoken about surveillance.
And someone was already on the way.
The approaching presence was Nara Shikamaru.
With every step toward the clearing, his heart grew heavier.
The Hokage had made it clear: this wasn't a spy mission.
He was to become Naruto's friend.
Gain his trust.Understand his thoughts.Report back regularly.
A bitter smile tugged at Shikamaru's lips.
If that isn't spying… then what is?
Did the Hokage even understand what friendship meant?
What trust meant?
If he followed these orders… would he ever be able to make a genuine friend again?
The image of Akimichi Chōji surfaced in his mind.
Chōji had already taught him the value of friendship.
If the Hokage wants me to be Naruto's friend… then I'll be his real friend.
With that resolve, Shikamaru's steps grew lighter.
He entered the forest, followed the location he'd seen in the crystal ball—
—and finally saw Naruto.
Naruto sat calmly on a rock, waiting.
The moment Shikamaru came into view, Naruto recognized him.
There was no doubt—he had come for him.
Shikamaru walked straight up, his usual lazy posture intact.
But when he stopped in front of Naruto, his expression turned serious.
"Hello," he said clearly."I'm Nara Shikamaru."
"The Hokage sent me… to be your friend."
(End of Chapter)