REBIRTH OF THE LEAF – A FIRST HEART BROKEN
One Week Later, Temari and Shikamaru's House
Normally Shikamaru and Temari enjoy a quiet lifestyle. That is rather, they enjoyed a quiet lifestyle before Clyde and his invaders came. Ever since then, life has been hellish not only for them but for all of the villagers in the hidden leaf. Since the reconstruction of the village entered its final stages, they have started to return to that lifestyle. That's not to say they don't have friends and that they don't go out, but there is only so much going out you can do when you reach your later years.
Instead of going out, they are often visited by the younger generation. Occasionally people would come to ask Shikamaru for advice on tactics, or for stories about the difficulties he has overcome on the battlefield. Sometimes people would come to ask Temari about her life around the Kazekages of the Hidden Sand and what it was like to grow up in that village. Once in a while though, they get a visit from Shikadai or from Mirai. These visits are unfortunately seldom however, both Shikadai and Mirai retain important responsibilities in the village.
Today is unique though. They have an even rarer visitor. A Kage from the Hidden Sand. Today Shinki is visiting them.
"It seems like you guys haven't had it easy either" Shinki says, hoping to get some new information from his aunt and uncle, information that could be important when it comes to casting his vote in The Circle.
Temari nods, "You can say that again".
"Training Naruto was a drag" Shikamaru remarks, to the slight annoyance of his wife, "It's hard to nurture a power you don't even understand".
Shinki shakes his head upon hearing this, "But you won, you're still here, that's all that matters". Truthfully, Shinki finds it slightly ridiculous how Shikamaru can be so laid back about the training he offered Naruto. Shikamaru, while an excellent strategist, had never been world-renowned for his individual strength, yet, despite that, he had managed to train the world's strongest shinobi to an even greater level.
"A lot of people sacrificed themselves so that we could make it this far". Temari thinks back to her friends who have died, her family from the Hidden Sand, to this time's Naruto, Sasuke, Sai and Konohamaru. "I'm glad you weren't one of them Shinki".
After a few more minutes of conversation, Shikamaru rises to his feet and lifts a jacket from a nearby hook. Putting it on he looks at Temari, "I'm going to meet Naruto and Hinata about now, so I have to leave. Thank you for the puppet, amulet, thing Shinki".
As Shikamaru leaves, Shinki quietly assures him that it is no problem. Temari momentarily believes she saw a look of relief in Shinki's eye as her husband departs but quickly puts it down to her imagination. The two of them continue to talk about issues big and small, about Temari's health and the wellbeing of the Hidden Sand villagers, to the short-term plans for the integration of the Sand villagers into the Leaf.
It takes about 20 minutes though, 20 minutes before the recurring issue returns.
"Still, Aunt Temari, I have to ask, are you really satisfied with this outcome" Shinki questions.
"Of course" his aunt answers with a smile, "We are still alive".
Shinki is still unwilling to accept this answer, he presses for more. "Don't you want revenge, for my father, for uncle Konkuro".
Temari bows her head slightly, the shadows cast over her eyes give Shinki a menacing feeling.
"Listen well Shinki, you don't get revenge for somebody else, you get justice for them". Her explanation implies to Shinki that justice has already been obtained, that justice is the non-lethal option. "Revenge is for yourself, it's a selfish thing to desire and all those who pursue it lose themselves as a result".
This is a lesson taught to shinobi, not just in the Hidden Leaf but all over the world. However, a certain generation of shinobi tell this story particularly well, Temari's generation. She has seen it in Gaara. Her husband has seen an even more extreme case in Sasuke but both narratives have something in common, they both regretted getting lost in vengeance.
Shinki contemplates this then his head feels like it's burning for a moment. The deep, manly voice returns.
"She is calling you bitter and twisted, Shinki" says the voice, "She is calling your father bitter and twisted".
Shinki momentarily hesitates before acknowledging the voice. He replies to it in his head, silent but very clear to the voice's owner. "I know, but… she's my aunt, I can't do anything… not to her… not to her…".
"Revenge Shinki, give up everything for revenge… you know what you must do".
Shinki's eyes widen slightly and he breathes in sharply as he realises what this voice is goading him into, what it's gesturing towards.
He reaches into his pocket.
He raps his hand around an amulet.
"That's it Shinki, revenge is but a squeeze away".
Once again, the Kazekage hesitates as he considers what he is about to do. Once he does this there may truly be no way back for him.
"Do it!".
So he does it.
He squeezes.
He squeezes until he feels a crack form.
He squeezes the amulet until it is broken.
The Hidden Leaf Streets, Half an Hour Later
Walking through the streets of the Leaf is a rare privilege for the shinobi of today but it is one they are happy to take when it is afforded to them. In this moment, that honour goes to the Hidden Leaf's latest Ino-Shika-Cho formation. The subject of their conversation is just as important as always though, it's Shikadai's cousin, Shinki and their concerns about his attitude that day at The Circle.
"It's like he's a completely different person" Shikadai smiles as he finishes recounting all the apologies that Shinki has offered as of late. Despite the Kazekage's initial outrage, he has since taken the decision gracefully and respectfully.
"Is that so?" Inojin asks.
"Are you sure you're not looking too much into his problems?" ChouChou questions.
"What do you mean?".
"His village has been destroyed by these people" she points out, "His father died at their hands".
"I've endured that as well" Inojin recalls. It is Inojin's father, Sai who stayed behind to detonate the bomb hidden under the village. In his last moments, Sai showed bravery to rival the greatest of shinobi, showed honour to rival even the greatest of the Kage.
"I know" ChouChou says with a pang of sympathy, "But we are still here to tell the tale. Most of the civilians from the Hidden Leaf survived this disaster. The Hidden Sand, on the other hand, only a very small group survived".
"I can understand why he would be angry" Shikadai admits, "I can even understand why he would want to kill them but it was the way he was acting. He was acting like it was everybody else's fault, like we were deliberately preventing justice from being carried out".
Inojin nods. "That is strange".
"But it's like you said, it's as if he is a completely different person now" ChouChou smiles as she reassuringly pats her teammate on the back, "Does it matter, as long as he is different now?".
With a sigh, the Nara clansmen drops the subject. "I suppose not".
"I hear he has been cooking again".
"Yeah, he always was a good cook" Shikadai grins nostalgically as he thinks back to life before the invasion, "He always used to cook for us when we would visit family in the Hidden Sand Village".
ChouChou jumps with excitement, "I want to try some of his food".
"I hear he's been cooking for various members of the Circle" Inojin smiles.
"I guess he must be doing it as some sort of apology". Shikadai scratches his chin as he considers this. Something strikes him as strange, Shinki hasn't cooked for Hashirama since then. The dark-haired shinobi comes to a realisation, Hashirama is the only one who voted with Shinki, due to Boruto's exclusion, perhaps his cousin felt an apology wasn't necessary.
"When he cooks for you let me know so I can try some" ChouChou asks as she shakes Shikadai by the shoulder.
Shikadai sweatdrops. "He's a pretty busy man you know".
A familiar house comes into view on the right side of the street.
"Do you mind if we stop for a moment so I can see how my mother is doing?" Shikadai asks.
"That's fine" Inojin nods, "We will wait out here for you".
"Wish her well from us Shikadai".
He nods before heading into the house.
A Field, Outside the Hidden Leaf Village
Together, Hashirama and Boruto activate their most devastating powers for their training. While Boruto activates his Tenseigan, Hashirama begins to absorb nature chakra at a terrifying rate. It wouldn't intimidate normal people but Boruto has had some training in sage mode so he can sense his teacher's incredible power. It is just that, incredible, even the Shadow Hokage cannot help but feel a little intimidated.
"Don't hold back, I'll make sure the fight doesn't get out of hand" Hashirama declares.
Boruto does just that, he uses the attraction powers of the Tenseigan to pull his new master towards him. As the 1st Hokage hurtles towards him he pulls back a fist and throws it towards his face as hard as he can. A punch that would kill a normal man.
Hashirama casually lets himself fly towards Boruto until the very last second. At the perfect moment, he taps the floor with his food, dodging the incoming punch by a whisker. One definite advantage he has over Boruto is his speed, enhanced by this revolutionary use of sage mode's power. He stretches out a finger and painfully pokes Boruto in the head.
"Opening" he declares as he does so.
Boruto notes Hashirama is to his right, he creates a rasengan in his left hand and swings it across his body towards his teacher.
Again, the attack proves easy to dodge. The 1st Hokage steps backwards slightly before catching the outside of Boruto's wrist. Both of them know in this moment that he has come out of this exchange on top once again. This is a position it is hard to recover from.
A tap on the back of Boruto's head.
"Opening".
The shadow Hokage pulls his wrist free from the elder Senju brother's grasp. He leaps forwards, away from his teacher as he begins to spin his body to face the other way. He reaches down towards his belt where one of his custom kunai is stored. The second he manages to take hold of it, he throws it towards his stationary opponent.
The attack is not effective, the moment Boruto throws the kunai his adversary is no longer where he was. With a gasp, he realises that Hashirama has moved somewhere else entirely, he is behind him.
A gentle push in the back.
Boruto falls flat on his face.
Hashirama lands.
"Opening".
Boruto takes in a quick breath of air before groaning. This has happened every time he has fought against his teacher. Getting back to his feet he hears the voice call to him.
"For someone who has no blind spots, you have a lot of openings" Hashirama critically remarks.
"I know".
"If you can find a way to remove all of these openings, you will soon reach the highest level you can as a shinobi. Just like your father and I have done".
Boruto shakes his head gently. The highest level one can reach as a shinobi, so few people have done it throughout history. Naruto and Sasuke. Hashirama and Madara. So far only the transmigrants have managed it, does that mean that he will never be able to do so?
"You're faster and stronger than I am" Boruto points out.
"It doesn't matter" the 1st Hokage asserts, "If you develop a better method of blocking than my method for attacking, the power of my attack won't matter, it won't reach you".
"I suppose you're right".
"Don't ever forget, you are a shinobi" Hashirama says as he looks unwaveringly into Boruto's eyes, "The invaders may fight using their strength alone but we do not. We use tricks and techniques, we overcome our obstacles in any way we can. That is the reason that my brother and Kakashi were able to win despite their relatively lower power".
Boruto nods. "It's because they used the flying thunder god and kamui perfectly". Thinking about it, Boruto realises how unlikely the success of Kakashi and Tobirama was. In terms of raw power, the two of them were weak, perhaps the weakest members on the entire team. They did not have the power to beat any Colonel one on one without using little tricks. Peterson was the strongest Colonel on the opposing team yet Tobirama was able to beat him despite their gulf in power, perhaps that is the greatest fighting strength of the shinobi.
Hashirama taps Boruto's forehead as he smiles. "These eyes grant you many incredible powers, you just need to learn to use them, to overcome the enemy".
"Can we try again" Boruto request, "I want to get rid of these openings".
Hashirama nods to Boruto and watches his student walk to an appropriate distance to start their next bout from.
'One day, Boruto'.
'One day, I will understand your power'.
'One day, I will help you unlock your true power'.
'Until that day, this is all I can do'.
Boruto launches at Hashirama, drawing a last second block from the wood-release user.
'Don't worry Mito'.
'We'll carry out your dying will soon, Boruto and I'.
Temari and Shikamaru's House
Shikadai enters his mother's house to find something he hadn't expected when he decided to visit her. She already has a visitor, her nephew, Shikadai's cousin, Shinki, is paying a visit.
"Shinki, I didn't expect to see you here" Shikadai starts before smiling.
"Sorry to disappoint you".
Shikadai joins the two of them, sitting at the dining table. "Not at all, it's good for her to have company other than dad for a change".
"Shinki's a good cook" Temari smiles as she gestures to the empty bowl on the table. Her face quickly turns sour though, "Why are you no good at domestic work Shikadai?".
"Now, now" Shikadai waves his hands in front of him defensively. There is one person he has never been able to handle when she is angry and that is his mother.
"Shikadai works hard to keep The Circle functioning" Shinki declares in defence of his cousin. "Aunt Temari, you shouldn't be so hard on him". This is a loose excuse but it is the best Shinki can make. Shikadai is indeed responsible for running The Circle, however, his duties should not occupy him to the same extent as those of the Kazekage.
"You can be grateful we have a guest here" Temari declares as she crosses her arms, "Otherwise you wouldn't be getting off lightly".
"Cousin, you're a fully-grown man" Shinki chuckles, "Surely you must be able to cook some things".
The Nara clansmen scratches his head as he reminisces about the pre-invasion life once again. "Sarada and I always used to eat from the diner at work, so I never really learnt how to cook anything".
"Honestly" Shinki sighs, "You haven't changed Shikadai".
A pleasant silence takes hold of the room. Each of them have many happy memories of their lives before the war. They used to gather in the Hidden Sand each year. Shikamaru would take time off from his busy schedule at work and the members of the Kazekage clan would gather for a family reunion. For a while it was discussed that Shikadai may have to move to the Sand and become the Kazekage, so the laid-back shinobi was especially glad when his cousin was officially allowed to become a member of the family.
"Have you given Shikadai one of your puppet amulets?" Temari asks.
"No I haven't" Shinki comments before throwing an amulet to Shikadai, "Here you go".
"This is a puppet?" Shikadai asks as he inspects the amulet shaped creation before him. It is much like the jewellery from a book he read as a child, like a medallion you would see a wizard wearing in a film.
"It's made using the same techniques that Uncle Konkuro taught me" Shinki explains, "Of course, I picked up a few things myself and used them to help me make it".
Shikadai nods, "The craftsmanship is amazing".
"Being able to control iron sand certainly helps".
Temari grasps at Shikadai's arm as she eagerly explains the function of the puppet. "If you put your chakra into it, Shinki can use it to check whether you are alive or not".
"Amazing" Shikadai gasps, astonished by the revolutionary function of this device, "That's a pretty useful ability".
He hesitates as he lays his eyes on something he had not noticed previously. A distinguishing mark on the rear of the amulet. It's a unique design that somewhat represents a symbol that someone would use as a unique form of identification. For some reason though, he is drawn to it.
"What's this symbol on the back for?".
"An old teacher of mine used that symbol as his marker" Shinki shrugs as he continues, "I guess I couldn't let it go after he died, so I decided instead to continue his good work".
"That's funny" Temari remarks as she leans over to inspect the amulet once again, "I don't remember seeing a symbol on it".
Shikadai scratches his chin as he contemplates the drawing, it doesn't quite feel right to him. "I feel like I've seen it before, it must have been when I visited the Hidden Sand in the past… but…".
Shinki looks on as his cousin loses himself in a trance, the amulet seems to have mesmerised him.
Shikadai shakes his head and takes hold of the amulet. "I must be looking too much into it" he says as he prepares to put his chakra into it. Just before he can do so, he is interrupted, the door is opened.
"Shikadai, it's your dad" Inojin shouts as he runs inside.
"My dad?" Shikadai repeats the words as he gets to his feet.
"What happened?" Temari asks, concerned for her husband's welfare.
"He's been taken into hospital" ChouChou says as calmly as she can.
"They think he has had a heart attack".
Author Note
Hi All,
I would like to apologize for not updating in a while. Given what I have said in the past, it is unacceptable to be updating at the slower rate I have been lately. You have my sincerest of apologies.
Excluding exceptional circumstances, my update schedule should be returning to normal as of now. A chapter every weekday.
Thanks for your patience,
Cbehrills