Chapter 46 "He still hasn't left."...
Shikamaru and Itachi Uchiha didn't interact much, since they didn't have much overlap in their work. Itachi spent most of his time working for the Konoha Police Force, so after Shikamaru became a Chunin, he probably saw Itachi less often than he did when Itachi came to pick up his younger brother Sasuke back in the Ninja Academy.
All that has been said so far is to show that his relationship with Uchiha Itachi was merely a nodding acquaintance. Yet, given such a distant relationship, it's hard to believe that Itachi suddenly decided to try and build a closer relationship. That explanation is far too weak.
Within a few seconds, Shikamaru could roughly guess Itachi's true thoughts, but... after all, the other party was the future head of the Uchiha clan, and was currently in charge of the guard's affairs.
No matter how you look at it, he can't show too much defensiveness. Shikamaru adjusted his expression and said, "Ah, okay."
Shikamaru had never imagined that the journey from the ground floor to the Hokage's office would be so long and so far. Along the way, he also had to spare some attention to deal with Itachi Uchiha's questions.
Uchiha Itachi asked with a hint of doubt, "Why does Shikamaru seem so nervous? Is it because of me?"
“No…not really,” Shikamaru retorted.
"Is that so?" Itachi Uchiha maintained his smile, a faint, unfathomable smile. Shikamaru clearly disliked this kind of enigmatic feeling.
In some ways, Itachi Uchiha is a lot like you; he was referring to that elusive aspect.
However, there is one difference: when Shikamaru is with you, the unease he feels when listening to you speak is not as obvious. Perhaps it is because he subconsciously believes that you are at most using him, and not to the point of harming him. If it were Itachi Uchiha... well, that would be hard to say.
It's impossible to predict what Itachi Uchiha will do next.
Finally, they reached the floor where the Hokage's office was located. Just as Shikamaru was about to enter the office, Itachi Uchiha suddenly said, "Is it because the last mission outside the village was so difficult that Shikamaru-kun is so worried?"
See, they've started asking questions, inquiring about the mission to leave the village. Fortunately, Shikamaru's teacher, Asuma, stepped in and said, "I'm sorry, this mission is classified. I think you can understand that, right?"
Having deflected the question, Itachi Uchiha nodded, indicating that he understood. He then walked into the Hokage's office with the teacher and student. He had come to submit the monthly report on the police force's work. Normally, he should have left after submitting the report, but he remained rooted to the spot, showing no intention of leaving. Tsunade finally asked, "What's wrong? Is there anything else you want to report?"
"No, I just thought that after you read the report, you would have some questions. If so, I could answer them immediately, so as to save you from wasting time later."
These words sounded very respectable, and Shikamaru couldn't help but think to himself that perhaps part of the reason was indeed as he said, but he didn't believe that Itachi Uchiha stayed here without his own selfish motives.
This statement may be influenced by personal bias and stereotypes, but he just felt that Itachi Uchiha wanted to find out about his mission to the Land of Tea.
Tsunade said, "No, I've read your report. It's very detailed and excellent. I don't see any problems with it, so you can leave now."
Since it had already made its position clear, Itachi Uchiha had no choice but to leave. Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief after he left. To be honest, dealing with this Uchiha was a real headache for her. Even though she knew he was wholeheartedly for the good of Konoha, it was still... Never mind, she decided not to think about it anymore. Tsunade turned her gaze to Shikamaru and his teacher Asuma, "What brings you here this time?"
Shikamaru presents the letter you wrote with both hands.
Tsunade looked closely and said, "Oh, it's her letter..."
This is the first letter Tsunade has received from you since you and Shikamaru formed an alliance. She initially thought your offer was a trap, but after reading your letter, she realized that she might have been biased and thought you were using them.
But now... what you wrote in your letter is genuinely for the benefit of Konoha. Seeing this, Tsunade also remembered that you lived here for more than ten years before you fled the village. This place is like your hometown. Although you left because of the conflict with the Uchiha, this will not change.
Perhaps you genuinely hope that your hometown can improve.
Tsunade put down the letter in her hand and said, "Then let's do as she says. Shikamaru, I'll be relying on you for the next period of time."
It was as if he was being given high hopes, like a warrior in a fairy tale who fought wits and courage against a dragon. Shikamaru twitched the corner of his mouth, but he knew very well that you were a more dangerous being than a dragon.
Later, Tsunade gave Shikamaru some instructions, which he listened to patiently. However, as he listened, he began to drift off into his own thoughts. His gaze drifted to the window. The weather was beautiful today, sunny and cloudless, perfect for a walk. You might also go for a walk, but because you don't like the feeling of direct sunlight on your skin, you always wear a sun hat with a wide brim before going out.
The brim of the hat will cover most of your face, leaving only the lower half and your rosy lips visible.
His thoughts drifted here, then abruptly stopped, like a bubble floating in mid-air being suddenly popped. Tsunade said, "Alright, if there's nothing else, then you may leave."
It wasn't that nothing else was going on. He felt that he was in a bit of a predicament. He walked out of the Hokage's office. His teacher, Asuma, had other tasks to complete, so he didn't come out with him.
As Shikamaru walked out of the Hokage Building, he passed by the training ground and saw Naruto training there, his brows covered in sweat.
Perhaps your earlier words had an effect, for he stopped and, as if possessed, waved to Naruto. Naruto wiped away his sweat and ran towards Shikamaru with a radiant expression, creating a small whirlwind. He said, "It's you, Shikamaru. Why are you so listless? Going on another mission?"
"There are no missions at the moment, and don't you know that the Nara clan has a fixed period each year during which they don't accept missions?"
Naruto clearly didn't know, he blinked and said, "Huh?" "Why?"
I shouldn't have talked to this guy about these things, but the conversation had already started, and if I didn't finish, he would definitely keep chattering away. So Shikamaru said with a hint of helplessness, "Because we need to harvest deer antlers. Never mind, that's not the point. Have you had lunch? You haven't eaten anything since you started training this morning, have you?"
Naruto scratched his head. "No, I ate rice balls this morning. And Shikamaru, why are you suddenly asking this?"
Your voice echoed in his mind again. Shikamaru said, "It's nothing, I just suddenly wanted to treat you to ramen."
"Eh? Really? Really? That's great!" Naruto cheered, then suddenly realized something was wrong and asked, "Um... Shikamaru, why are you suddenly being so kind as to treat me to ramen? Do you have some troublesome business to ask me to handle?"
"Looks like he's not that stupid," Shikamaru said. "No, I just wanted to treat you. If you don't want to, that's fine too."
"Ahhh, no way! I'm willing! Of course I'm willing!" Naruto went back to the training ground, grabbed his jacket, and ran back to Shikamaru, saying energetically, "Let's go eat ramen now!"
"Naruto, can't you speak a little quieter?"
Naruto chuckled and readily apologized to Shikamaru, saying, "Sorry, sorry—" He was just too happy.
He's still the same as always, so easily pleased. Shikamaru, with his heart full of worries, can't be as carefree. It's true that emotions between people can't be shared. But that's fine too. If you saw Naruto like this now, you'd probably be happy too.
My thoughts drifted to you again... Ugh, what a hassle.
Shikamaru asked, "Naruto, have you received any missions to leave the village during this time?"
"No, that's really strange. Is it because those clients prefer someone like you, Shikamaru, who's good at brains? Damn it, I don't feel like I have any advantage at all..." Naruto muttered to himself as he spoke, his voice getting a little lower.
It seems that the higher-ups realized that Naruto, as a Jinchuriki, was not suitable to leave the village during this period, so they deliberately did not assign him any missions to leave the village.
However, this can't go on forever. We can't be cowards forever, can we? And if we keep hiding in the village, Naruto will eventually start to question us.
Forget it, let's wait until that day actually comes before we talk about it.
The current situation is that we have to take it one step at a time.
The two arrived at the ramen shop. Naruto skillfully ordered, found a seat, and noticed that Shikamaru hadn't followed. He waved enthusiastically at him and said, "Shikamaru, come on over! There's an empty seat here!"
"Ah, I understand..." Shikamaru replied as he walked toward the empty seat.
After sitting down, Naruto pushed the ice water to Shikamaru's side and said strangely, "Why do you seem so preoccupied, Shikamaru? Hmm, I think I used the right word, right? You seem preoccupied."
"Don't people have all sorts of troubles when they grow up?" Shikamaru said. "There's nothing we can do about it."
Hmm... the topic suddenly became much heavier. Naruto doesn't deny what he said. Is he troubled...? He seems to have his own troubles, troubled that you still seem to treat him like a child, and troubled that he still hasn't gained the approval of those around him.
Several times he dreamt that he became Hokage, and everyone praised him and thanked him for his existence. In his dream, you were there too, looking at him with your beautiful eyes and saying things like, "I knew Naruto could do it," and then there was a sweet kiss. Ah, stop, stop—
Naruto's face gradually turned red. Shikamaru looked at him suspiciously and said, "You're not thinking about something bad, are you?"
"Ahhh—no, absolutely not!" Naruto denied it outright. He picked up his water glass and drank several mouthfuls of ice water, eventually even crunching on the ice cubes.
This only makes him look more suspicious... Shikamaru didn't say it out loud. The ramen they ordered was served, steaming hot. Naruto couldn't wait to eat several bites before his expression calmed down.
My emotions have finally calmed down.
Shikamaru quietly ate his ramen beside him, thinking that he had been diligently completing the task you assigned him.
I just don't know what the situation is like on your end.
The situation here isn't as leisurely as Shikamaru imagines. You spent a couple more days in the Land of Tea, and then you had to go to other places to check on the development of local industries. You were practically working non-stop.
The only good thing is that you're traveling by train this time, so you don't have to endure the bumpy rides of horse-drawn carriages anymore. That's wonderful!
There were only you and Bai in the first-class carriage of the train. In addition to the seats, there were also soft beds for sleeping. When you got tired of reading, you could lie down and sleep. When you woke up, you would have reached the border of the Kingdom of Tea. Sigh, from now on you would have to travel by carriage again.
"I really wish railways could spread all over the world," you said, but at this rate of development, you felt that you wouldn't be able to cover the whole world with railways before Obito Uchiha's Eye of the Moon plan.
Speaking of Obito Uchiha's so-called Eye of the Moon Plan, you still feel that this plan is similar to the Brain in a Vat. Both are about immersing everyone in a virtual world to achieve a happy ending. You can only say that he was a complete idealist.
Your next plan is to first go to the Land of Rope to check on the steel smelting situation there.
However, plans can change, and when things are going too smoothly, it's time to start thinking about whether any unexpected situations might arise.
For example, right now, you haven't even reached the Land of Rope yet when you encounter an uninvited guest on the way. You look at the person's strange figure, uh, is he crawling? But the cloak he's wearing looks very familiar, isn't that the uniform of the Akatsuki? So, he must be Deidara and Obito's colleague?
You greeted him politely, saying, "Good evening. May I ask what brings you here that you suddenly stopped us on our way?"
The other person was staring at you, but you felt that their eyes were not real, somewhat like the eyes of a doll, dull and lifeless. After a while, they finally spoke, saying, "You are the woman who wasted so much of Deidara's time?"
Several pieces of information can be extracted from his words. First, he seems to be quite familiar with Deidara. Second, he is a guy who doesn't know how to respect women.
Since he's being so rude, you don't need to give him a nice look. Say, "Your voice is really awful. No wonder Deidara talks about you like that behind your back."
Yes, you're stirring up trouble without any qualms. They're just colleagues anyway, and frankly, his voice is really unpleasant; it's so rough that you feel like listening to even one more word would hurt your ears.
The person who is guarding you knows the other party's true identity: Sasori of the Akatsuki. Unlike you, who is calm and composed, he has already entered a state of combat readiness. If the other party shows any malice, he will not hesitate to launch an attack. Protecting you is his mission.
Sasori of the Red Sand was silent for a few seconds, then said, "You have a lot of guts to say such things to me. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"
Sigh, do the Akatsuki members have a complete employee training process? Why does everyone start by saying "I'm going to kill you"? Don't their members ever have team building activities to enhance friendship? Don't they usually chat? Didn't Deidara tell him about the consequences of threatening him?
With two cautionary tales already before him, the fact that he can still so brazenly provoke you only shows how confident he is in himself.
You said, "You have no reason to kill me, and you came here specifically to see me. If you really only came to kill me, you would have done it from the beginning, but you didn't."
You've said a string of words that sounds like a tongue twister, and you find it a little funny. You lean forward slightly, reach out your hand, and your fingers are about to touch his straw hat when he suddenly raises his head, seemingly annoyed by your approach.
But you only remained in the stage of annoyance and did not take any further action. You also took the opportunity to see his face clearly. It did not look like a human face. It was more like a puppet. You realized that what was in front of you was just a puppet. As for where the real body was, that was unknown. Your finger slowly approached and finally your fingertip landed on his forehead.
Sure enough, it felt a bit cold to the touch. You said half-jokingly, "You seem a bit cold."
It's a double entendre; both her personality and the feel of her skin are cold.
Haku was still worried that you would be attacked, but what he feared didn't happen. Sasori said, "Is this the kind of method you used to win over Deidara?"
What's going on? This sounds like your friend was emotionally cheated on by a scumbag and he's come knocking on your door to settle scores, but you didn't seem to have cheated on Deidara's feelings at all, did you? You just used him for free, but what's wrong with that? Isn't it a waste to leave such excellent labor unused?
What you're doing is called making reasonable use of resources, and you didn't force Deidara. It's all based on mutual consent. So you said to Sasori, "No, Deidara and I are friends. It's normal for friends to help each other, right?"
Mutual help? Scorpion noticed that you were indeed very good at playing word games. He said, "You just see him as a friend? But he doesn't think that way."
"Mr. Scorpion, you didn't come here specifically to stand up for your partner, did you? I didn't expect you to be in charge of mediating interpersonal conflicts?"
After saying that, you straightened up. You had originally planned to find a hotel nearby, but you miscalculated. This place was a desolate wilderness, with few people around. Not to mention a hotel, you didn't see any lights at night. This area was actually quite suitable for wilderness survival, you thought optimistically.
In short, let's find a flat spot nearby to set up the tent first. Scorpion's arrival hasn't disrupted your plans, so just continue doing what you were doing. Find an open space to set up the tent and work with Bai for every step.
As for Sasori of the Red Sand, you turn around and find him still standing there. Since he's a puppet, you can't judge his mood from his expression. You say, "So what about you? How are you going to spend the night?"
Is this something you need to consider? A voice popped into Sasori's mind. He realized that you seemed to think you wouldn't hurt him, and you cared for him without any sense of boundaries.
What a guy with no sense of boundaries.
He said, "How can you sleep tonight?" He meant, "How can you sleep with a rogue Akatsuki ninja right next to you?"
But you seem to have misunderstood him. You look around and finally your gaze falls on the tent. You say, "Although the conditions are a bit basic, it's still passable overall."
That's not what he wanted to ask.
Bai poked her head out from inside the tent, where she was laying out a mattress, and said, "Mingxi, it's all set up. Now you can rest."
And so your conversation with Sasori of the Red Sand ends here. You comfortably nestle in the tent, with Shiro guarding you. He's wide awake, because he knows that if Sasori of the Red Sand outside the tent wants to make a move, his chances of winning aren't high. Ultimately, it's because he's too weak to protect you properly.
You, who had already closed your eyes, suddenly spoke up, saying, "Don't worry, he won't hurt us."
"Mingxi, why are you so sure?"
“Because he’s very curious about me. Curiosity makes a person want to get closer to someone and understand them, but not to kill them immediately.” You spoke very directly. When Bai heard this, he lowered his eyes, his long, smooth black hair falling onto your forehead. He said, “Then I don’t want him to be interested in you, Mingxi.”
Attracting others' curiosity is not a good thing, Bai thought. Moreover, Sasori of the Red Sand is different from the previous people. Perhaps it's because he is a puppeteer? So the way he looks at you is more like he's assessing your collectible value after you become a puppet, which makes Bai even more uneasy.
As you were about to fall asleep, you reached out and patted Bai's hand, saying, "Shall we make a bet? Bet on whether he'll become our friend?"
Bai said softly, "I don't really want to be friends with him either."
Bai rarely speaks so bluntly. He always speaks tactfully and carefully in front of you. You chuckle softly, only in a whisper, and say, "Having more friends isn't a bad thing, is it?"
The key question is, what if the other person doesn't just want to be your friend?
You had already fallen asleep by then. Bai turned the tent light down to its dimmest setting, the dim light enveloping your sleeping face.
Bai glanced outside the tent every now and then; the figure was still there.
This stalemate lasted all night, and when you woke up, Bai still said, "He still hasn't left."
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