Hi everyone, I'm sorry about the late update. I usually write during my work since we receive less calls during the summer but there seems to be a lot of technical issues recently so it's a bit hectic here. Thus, the next few updates are going to be a bit sporadic until everything calms down here.

This chapter is a bit short but I already started writing the next chapter and it should be much longer.

Thank you all for your patience!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.


Being left guarding the lord might be a tad boring but it didn't really bother Shikamaru. It gave him really an opportunity to gather information no matter how devoid of info these servants were. Besides, spending his days at the mansion wasn't too stressful but the boy did miss being able to look up at the sky since the feudal lord and his wife rarely went outside.

Through his research, Shikamaru had discovered that the feudal lord used to be quite different than what he was now. He used to go outside all the time, walk through the sectors and socialize with the people. Once again, it had all changed at the same time than everything else, 20 years ago. So, at the bottom line, the question remained: what happened 20 years ago?

Today had mostly been a day like any other. Although there was some chatting about Naruto's disappearance, the servants would mostly speak of the same things than usual. It was actually becoming so boring.

There was still some things that were worthy of his attention today. First thing that the boy noticed was the guards. Just yesterday, there was a huge coup, here, at the mansion. Yet, today there aren't more guards than there usually is. In fact, Shikamaru counted about three guards less than usual. What could have been the reason? Did lord Takara feel safe enough with only the hidden leaf ninjas around that he would drop his guards? Did they not worry about another attack?

However, there was another thing that caught his attention. Not only were there less guards, some of them had different attires from the usual guards. At first, the boy thought that it meant that they were better skilled. During lunch, he discovered that it wasn't the fact. While eating lunch by himself in the private kitchen, a servant had come in to bring more water for the ninja. Before he had the time to leave, Shikamaru had insisted that he stayed to chat. After talking about small things, he asked him about the guards that were dressed differently. That was when that the boy learned that Ren, owner of the pleasure house, had sent some of his guard to protect the lord as he was worried about his safety. Was that really a reason to cut down the amount of guards in the mansion?

Their conversation also eventually led to how none of the servants were from the south-east sector. At first, Shikamaru thought that it was because of the rebels and the coup that had been happening. However, with the chatting old servant, he eventually established that this was the case even before the rebels were formed. Something was being hidden from the south-east sector and he really started to hope that he would figure it out. After hearing the information that Riko and Naruto had gathered, Shikamaru had been left thoughtful. Lord Takara had been known for his charisma and generosity. Many felt like that had changed after he declared Ren as head of the south-east sector. That thought had been reinforced when the feudal lord had turned a blind eye to the people's suffering. After spending a few days in the mansion, however, the boy had come to realize how the lord's personality hadn't changed as much as others thought. Sure, his habits changed and it was clearly obvious that he was hiding something, but after seeing how caring the lord still was about everything and getting the feeling that he was really holding back his desire to intervene in the people's affair, Shikamaru started to wonder if lord Takara was really the main cause for the rebels. It actually seemed to him that someone was and still is using the lord as a scapegoat. However, in order to use someone as powerful as the feudal lord, they must have had a way to keep his arm tied behind his back. What could this be?

After lunch, the boy resumed his position near the main room where lord Takara was attending to various manners. By standing near the front door, he could monitor everyone coming in and out. Shikamaru had also insisted to leave the door of the main room a tad open in order for the boy to listen. This way, if anything happened, he would know right away. The afternoon went smoothly as the lord worked on a few things. Just as lord Takara was finishing up and preparing to leave, an unexpected guest arrived at the mansion. Indeed, a servant that did not work at the mansion, ran in to announce the honourable Ren's arrival.

Surprised, lord Takara quickly walked the entrance of the mansion to greet his friend. Following closely behind, Shikamaru saw the feudal lord's expression change as he grew closer. The authoritative aura he usually had around him seemed to diminish.

"Ren, what a surprise to see you here! What could I possibly do for you?" asked lord Takara as he saw the man standing in the entrance.

"Lord Takara, I'm sorry for coming here without any warning. I'm actually here to talk to you," the man explained. Then, seeing Shikamaru standing behind the man, he added: "...privately, if possible."

The feudal lord's expression grew serious. He understood an understatement that was unknown to the others around him. With a quick nod, he turned around and faced the guards and servants.

"I must apologize but I will need some private time with Ren. Please make sure that the main room is unoccupied."

Everyone bowed and left, leaving Shikamaru standing behind the man alone.

"You must leave too, Shikamaru. I will call you once we are done."

"Are you sure, my lord?" asked the boy carefully, letting the man know that he was worried for his safety.

"Yes, yes. If you stay just outside the main room, I'm sure that it will still be safe," the man answered cheerfully.

Without another word, Shikamaru bowed and walked away. It was clear that their conversation ended there. He quickly walked away and after turning a corner, he looked around to make sure that no one was around. Something was going on and his instinct was telling him that it will help him clear up some confusion. Once he was positive that no one could see him, he made a handsign and created a clone of himself. Already knowing what he had to do, it nodded and walked to the front door of the main room to keep guard like the regular Shikamaru was expected to.

The black hair boy then quickly walked the other way, making sure to be unnoticed. The advantage with the last attack was that he now knew the main room like the back of his hand. Thus, going through another hallway and reaching the back of the kitchen where light barely reached, he knew that there was a trap door on the ceiling there. After making sure once again that no one knew he was there, he climbed up in the attic. Slowly, on his belly, he crawled until he reached the main room and could hear voices.

"Okay, let's cut the chase short. What do you want Ren?" asked a voice whom Shikamaru recognized as the lord's.

"Oh ho, so much familiarity suddenly! What have I ever done to you to deserve such treatment?" the second voice answered mockingly.

"You know very well. There is no need for me to explain myself. Now, you're obviously here for something. Isn't having a whole sector to yourself enough? Haven't you gotten enough money from these poor people?"

Ren chuckled.

"There will be never enough money but fear not. I am not here to request anything too extravagant. Actually, I simply want those ninjas gone."

"That is a request that I cannot accomplish."

"And why is that?"

"Because I hired them personally to protect me."

"Funny. I feel like they are doing much more than just protect you."

"Of course, they just want to understand better the situation in order to do their job."

"In other words, you want them to discover your dirty secret?"

"Of course not but now that their teammate has gone missing, they won't stop at anything to find what's wrong with your sector."

"I've got nothing to do with the kidnapping," said Ren harshly, his voice losing any kind of friendliness.

"Never you said you did," answered lord Takara with an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

"I don't know what you're planning, but you will regret it if you step out of line," warned Ren.

"Why, I only have the best interest for my people! Beside, these ninjas are to protect me from the rebels that you can't control, may I remind you."

"You will regret it," hissed the second man.

And from what Shikamaru could here, the owner of the pleasure house stormed out of the room. Soon after, lord Takara came out of the room and looked at the clone whom he thought to be the ninja.

"Thank you for your patience. I will be retreating to my room with my wife, if I need anything more, I will call you."

The clone nodded. Once the lord was gone, Shikamaru opened the airway trap that was in the ceiling of the main room and went in. Quickly, without being noticed, he took his clone's place, as it disappeared, and headed the opposite direction that the lord had left. While walking, Shikamaru reviewed the new information he had gained. Turns out that Ren and the lord were hiding something. Also, Ren was the kind of man to play in the shadows which meant that the team would have to be extra careful.

Lord Takara was a good man after all and it would seem that he did want the ninjas to help him with the business he had with Ren. But what was stopping him from asking them directly?


And that's all. Next update shouldn't take as long.

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