The Nara Clan would never be monitored by the Anbu, at least not while the Third Hokage was in power.
Shikaku was absolutely certain of this.
The Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka Clans were united, having been good friends for generations, supporting each other, and had long formed an unbreakable alliance.
Each generation would have excellent young people who would become heirs to the Ino–Shika–Chō title.
And the Sarutobi Clan had always been the staunchest witnesses to the Ino–Shika–Chō combination.
These three clans were the core and most loyal supporters of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and indispensable pillars of the Hokage faction.
Therefore, for both public and private reasons, logically and emotionally, the Sandaime, known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," who understood the art of checks and balances but also cherished old friendships and trust, would absolutely, unequivocally not send people to monitor his loyal subjects and partners.
This was unreasonable.
However... Shikaku's gaze grew deeper, and a hint of cold vigilance flashed in the depths of his pupils, reflecting the night sky of the courtyard.
That Hokage advisor from the Shimura Clan, Danzo, was a different story.
The leader of Root, who always hid behind Konoha's sunlight, his way of thinking and principles of action were completely different from the Sandaime's.
For the sake of his so-called "foundation of Konoha," there was no place he couldn't infiltrate, no one he couldn't suspect.
Trust and friendship, in his eyes, were perhaps far less important than control and precaution.
Shikamaru lowered his head, the moonlight casting fine shadows on his hair.
He was silent for a moment, his voice lower than usual:
"Then, is this why, when I asked you last year why Naruto was ostracized by the villagers, you didn't tell me the specific reason, but instead told me to get closer to him?"
"Yes and no."
Shikaku finally turned to look at Shikamaru.
In the dim light, his gaze was complex and hard to decipher, containing both a father's love and the profoundness of the Nara Clan's head.
Shikamaru would come to him to play chess when he had something on his mind, but usually it was Shogi. This time, however, he chose Go.
It seemed he had already made up his mind.
"I think you've long since made your own judgment."
Shikaku's voice was soft, yet it was like a pebble dropped into calm water. "Does it really matter if Naruto is a Demon Fox? What matters is what kind of person he chooses to be, and how you choose to see him."
Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the Go board. Shikaku's fingers gently tapped the edge of the board: "You are Nara Shikamaru, the son of the Nara Clan head. In some situations, your attitude represents the Nara Clan's attitude.
And what our Nara Clan must do is to see all paths while taking our own step."
His tone suddenly softened: "Do you remember last year when you and Choji got into trouble, and Naruto stepped forward to help you out? Didn't you already make your decision then?"
Shikamaru's fingertips unconsciously stroked a Go piece, and his father's voice continued to echo in his ears: "So, don't overthink it now. At this moment, you are Nara Shikamaru, and he is Uzumaki Naruto."
Silence spread between father and son.
After a long time, Shikamaru steadily placed the Go piece in his hand on the board, making a crisp sound.
"No."
His voice was calm yet firm.
"I will always be Nara Shikamaru, and he will always be Uzumaki Naruto.
But this doesn't mean we can only be bound by our surnames and identities.
Precisely because I am Nara Shikamaru, I must see my own path more clearly; precisely because he is Uzumaki Naruto, I must see more clearly what kind of person he truly is."
The black Go piece landed on the tengen position, glowing with a gentle luster in the moonlight.
Nara Shikaku looked at his son, who was rarely so serious, and a smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Even if he usually seemed lazy, and even with a mind almost demonic in its intelligence, Shikamaru still harbored the unique spirit of a young man deep down!
He looked at the moonlight in the courtyard, his thoughts drifting.
Life is like a journey, with many companions along the way.
Some are born riding carriages, while others can only travel on foot.
Brief encounters in youth, some deliberately slow down, some desperately speed up, making the gap between them seem less obvious.
But when the time for farewell comes, everyone must eventually Go their separate ways.
In the Ninja World, talent can bridge the gap in background, but effort often struggles to overcome the chasm of talent.
According to Shikamaru's description.
Naruto, able to defeat Uchiha Fugaku's son with Taijutsu, and reportedly using Sealing Techniques to preemptively seal a B-rank Fire Release Ninjutsu, was indeed an undeniable genius.
However, what puzzled him was that the boy's performance in other basic Ninjutsu was like that of a completely different person.
Whether it was Shadow Clone or Transformation Jutsu, they were clumsy and unrefined, often requiring several attempts to succeed even once.
This extremely uneven distribution of talent was truly perplexing.
Moonlight spilled onto the Go board, and Shikaku's gaze grew profound, as if piercing through time.
I wonder if he can reach your level... Minato.
"Father, teach me the Nara Clan's secret techniques! I don't want to be left too far behind by Naruto."
Shikamaru's voice held a rare urgency, his eyes, usually half-closed, now bright as stars.
Nara Shikaku was slightly startled, then showed a relieved smile.
He had originally planned to let his son enjoy two more years of carefree life, as the Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Techniques required extremely high mental fortitude and Chakra.
But seeing the determination flickering in Shikamaru's eyes, he nodded gently:
"Alright. Since you're ready, starting tomorrow after school, I'll guide you in training the Shadow Imitation Technique."
Moonlight spilled into the courtyard, stretching the shadows of the father and son long.
Shikaku's voice was especially clear in the night:
"Our Nara Clan's secret techniques are driven by Yin Release Chakra. Yin Release represents spiritual power and controls form; while the Akimichi Clan's Partial Expansion Jutsu requires Yang Release Chakra, which represents life force and provides vitality.
As for the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Transfer Jutsu, it also requires exquisite Yin Release manipulation."
He paused, his tone becoming serious: "The cultivation of Yin-Yang Release is far more difficult than you imagine. It requires not only precise Chakra control but also a deep understanding of one's own spiritual power.
Many children, even those from ninja clans, have to wait until they are over ten years old before they can begin to learn these secret techniques.
It's not due to lack of talent, but because their Chakra reserves are simply insufficient to support the training when they are young."
Shikaku looked at his son: "Are you sure you want to start now? This path is not easy."
Shikamaru nodded without hesitation, his fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of the Go board: "I've already thought it through. Since I've chosen to become stronger, I can't continue to be lazy."