A/N: I know it's already been less than 5 days since the last update but I couldn't help myself. Thank you to everyone reading this! Like I said, every view, visitors, reviews, and followers count!
"Huh, what a small world, " Darui said in his head as he sees Ino introduces herself to the Raikage.
B sees Ino for the first time and is in awe of her beauty. He nudges Naruto to tell him something.
"Yo Naruto" B said quietly to Naruto
"Yea, Octo-pops ?" Naruto said curiously.
"She's hot as in H-O-T hot! " B said.
"Psh, she's soo out of your league Octo-pops, don't even bother. Plus, you're way too old for her, you're like 2-3 times her age. " Naruto said to B.
"Why you gotta bring me down Naruto " B said.
"Just trying to be real here, " Naruto said and chuckled at the jinchurriki
" I heard a lot of great things from the lord sixth and Ibiki, Ino. I'm looking forward to seeing what you're capable of, you won't disappoint me right ?" The Raikage said to Ino.
"Rest assured Raikage –sama, I'm going to give it my all, " Ino said to the Raikage with a determined face.
"Ino " Ibiki said.
"Yes, sensei? " Ino said as she turned to Ibiki
" Show Raikage-sama how the mind-body transmission technique works and how you interrogate minds, Ino" Ibiki commanded
Ino nods and decides to demonstrate mind transmission first.
" First off, the mind-body transmission technique is a hijutsu used specifically by the Yamanaka clan to telepathically communicate with people. You probably already heard of this since it was used during the fourth great shinobi war. My father used this technique to connect Shikaku Nara with the entire allied forces. About the technique itself, the Yamanaka/user – I, act as a medium for persons to communicate with another person. Along with this, the user can connect and communicate with multiple people, however – "
"The more people that are connected through this technique, the more physical strain is put on the user, " C said as he interrupted her.
"Right… and you are? " Ino said and asked the blonde juonin.
"I'm C, one of Raikage-sama's bodyguards "
"It's nice to meet you. Anyways, this technique requires precise and careful chakra control. Now, let me demonstrate it, as it's better done than said. " Ino said as she closes her eyes and performs the hand sign.
As Ino closes her eyes and performs the hand signs, she concentrates her chakra and telepathically connects the minds of the Raikage, C, Darui, and Ibiki.
"As I explained earlier, the purpose of the technique to connect people's thoughts and communicate with them, like what I'm doing right now. " Ino said as she communicated to the Raikage, C, and Ibiki.
"This technique is a huge military asset, and it was used during the war," Ibiki said
"I already said that sensei " Ino telepathically said.
"Oh right.. I forgot " Ibiki said.
"You're getting old sensei, " Ino said.
"I'm impressed Yamanaka, " The Raikage said.
"Oh, thank you so much Raikage-sama" Ino responded.
"So, how long can this jutsu last ?" C asked
"A few seconds to a minute. However, if you misjudge your level of skill and carelessly increase the jutsu's intensity, worst case scenario is that you could die. The more useful a jutsu is, the riskier it is. As this jutsu correlates to the user's skill;, transmission speed, the scope, the number of people in the conversation, these skills can change according to the user's level. " Ino said and disconnects the connection of the jutsu.
"However, it is best to use this justu within 10-30 seconds which is why I disconnected it just now," Ino said.
"I see, " The Raikage said.
"I remember during the war, I wondered how Inoichi-san connected me to Shikaku when I was fighting against Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Ah, so this is the technique he used " Darui said
"Yup. Now, I'm going to show you how I interrogate minds. This way please " Ino said and walks to the mind interrogating room.
Ino passes by C and Darui to show the Raikage the room and opens it. As she passes by the two juonins, the smell of fresh flowers engulfs around C which causes him to avert his attention all on her.
"She smells like fresh flowers " C said to himself.
Darui sees that C' is looking at Ino like a puppy and decides to have some fun and tease him.
"What are you looking at, C? Are you looking at Ino " Darui teased C.
"Huh, what? Oh, no one. I wasn't looking at Ino! " C told Darui.
"You sure about that? Hm " Darui said in his head.
"So who's mind am I going to interrogate? Anyone willing to volunteer? " Ino asked them.
Ino sees that no one is willing and raises her eyebrows and as she was going to speak.
"Huh, no one? it appears that everyone is a scaredy cat except the Raikage ( of course, she didn't want to interrogate his mind)" Ino said.
"Ino, you can demonstrate it to one of the criminals we have here"
"Seems fine to me, " Ino said.
Ibiki leaves for a bit and five minutes later, he comes back with a criminal they caught a few days ago with chains.
"Stay put, " Ibiki said as he secured the criminal in a boulder like a chair where it only has a hole so the head sticks out.
"He's set, Yamanaka, " Ibiki said.
"Alright, so mind interrogation is a simple but effective process. But, if it's done poorly, your mind can be trapped inside the criminal. During the time I interrogate this Peron's mind, I'm going to probe his mind and thoroughly go through his memories and thoughts. The memories and thoughts will tell me his motives and etc " Ino explained.
"So that's how it works, I see, " Darui said.
"Now, let me demonstrate it. Unfortunately, you won't be able to see how I go through his memories and thoughts since its only happening between the user and the person being interrogated.
"Then, what's the point in demonstrating it then, " C said in his head
"But, it's crucial for someone to supervise the whole process just in case unwanted situations occur that put the interrogator at risk. " Ino said.
Ino touches the Criminal's forehead and starts to interrogate his mind. During the process, Ino closes her eyes to concentrate her chakra and mind, so that she can interrogate the mind with ease.
"Ibiki, how long have she been doing this for? " The Raikage said as he observes the young kunoichi.
"It's been one and a half years. She's the best one yet, even surpassing her father. And since she also trained under Tsunade for a few years for medical ninjutsu, her chakra control is better than her father's ,so that it's a bit easier for her to grasp on her clan's hijutsus.
They see that Ino has interrogated the criminal's mind successfully. How'd the know? Just by the smile on her face and how she was able to retain soo much information in such a short span of time.
"Very good Yamanaka, I can see why the Hokage and Ibiki speak so highly of you, " The Raikage said as he praised her.
"Ah, thank you soo much Raikage-sama. You shouldn't thank me though, you should thank Ibiki-san for guiding me and - " Ino said but was interrupted when Aoba whispered something into her ear causing her to avert her attention to him instead to the Raikage
"The hospital needs you, it's urgent " Aoba whispered.
"Excuse me Raikage-sama, " Ino said apologetically to talk to Aoba for more details about the situations in the hospital.
The Raikage nod and gives Ino permission to excuse herself.
"Sorry about that Raikage-sama, Ino's been really busy these days. Everyone has been getting her to do as much as they can before she leaves for your mission "
"It's okay, it's understandable. " The Raikage said.
"What do you mean Aoba, what's going on? " Ino said seriously.
" A patient just came in the hospital with a malfunctioning lung, " Aoba said.
"Where are the surgeons? where's Sakura? " Ino asked with a stern look on her face trying to keep her cool.
"Half of the surgeons are out of the village and Sakura hasn't returned from her break. We already sent people to contact her but so far nothing " Aoba said with a sigh.
"Alright, tell them that I'm going to be there. We must hurry Aoba. The patient needs urgent care " Ino said to Aoba.
"Hai, " Aoba said.
"Argh, of all days why does it have to be today ?! " Ino internally screamed to herself.
After her conversation with Aoba, an apologetic face appears on Ino as she walks towards the Raikage.
"Sorry Raikage-sama, it appears that I'm needed at the hospital. There's a patient in need of urgent help. I have to go now, I'm so sorry Raikage-sama " Ino apologetically said.
"It's fine, you're a shinobi, go tend your duties, " The Raikage said to the blonde.
"Thank you, " Ino said as she immediately leaves the unit.
"Hm, it looks like she isn't devoted to the T&I unit as she should be, typical " C said in his head.
Shortly after, Ino arrives at the hospital. She rushed to the patient and examined him.
"Oh Ino, you're here! Thank god " one of the nurses said with a relieved face.
"Take him to the surgery room, he needs surgery asap " Ino commanded to the nurses.
"Ino prepares herself for surgery. She washes her hands and puts on gloves, mask, and etc. She enters the surgery room and begins the operation. 10 minutes into the surgery, Ino is working diligently and is halfway done. As she was about to make an incision, Sakura enters the room.
"I'm here Ino, thanks for covering for me, something happened during my break. I'll tell you the details after this. Now, go, you deserve a break " Sakura said as she takes over the operation.
Ino nods at the pinkette and debriefs her on the surgery so far. After doing so, she leaves the room and cleans up herself.
A few minutes or so, Sakura finishes the operation in ease and the patient is fine.
"We did it, the surgery was successful, " Sakura said to Ino and the two high-five.
"We're so glad you were here Ino-san, if you weren't here, the patient could've died. We're going to miss you when you leave for your mission " One of the nurses said.
"Aw, you're too sweet! Don't miss me too much, I'm just going to be on a mission for a week, I'm coming back you know, cheer up! " Ino said to the nurse and she ( the nurse) nods.
"Wanna go out for some tea? " Sakura asked Ino.
"Sure, " Ino said.
" So how was the meeting with the Raikage? " Sakura asked Ino as she sipped her tea.
" It was good till Aoba told me that the hospital needed me. I had to cut the meeting short. " Ino said.
"Yea.. sorry about that " Sakura said apologetically.
"It's fine. Oh yeah, what happened during your break " Ino asked.
" Long story short, one of the rocks from the great stone of faces fell on a business and injured a few people "
"Ouch, " Ino said.
"Yeah "
The two kunoichis chat a bit more and they were having a fun time. Sakura then brought up a topic that the two haven't talked about since they were teens.
" So, has anyone caught your eyes lately? " Sakura asked curiously.
Ever since the Fourth Great Shinobi War ended, every nation, every shinobi have been working non-stop as they were trying to rebuild the economy; trying to recruit and train as many shinobis as much as possible just in case unpredictable events occurs. Because of this, everyone, especially the juonins were bombarded with work leaving them with little days where they have the day off.
"I've been busy for the past few weeks so, no. And now that I have a mission for the Raikage to do, not anytime soon " Ino said.
"Oh cmon, you're Ino! Don't lie to me and tell me that you haven't looked at some guys and fantasized about them because everyone has, at least once" Sakura said making Ino chuckle.
"Well, now that I think about it, two guys have caught my eyes lately, " Ino said.
"Oh, who? And where did you meet them?" Sakura asked the blonde as she was curious about the two guys.
"When I met the Raikage. He had two bodyguards. I must say that both of them are pretty damn good looking. They're both blondes. One is more dark-skinned than the other and has two tattoos on both shoulders named Darui while the other one is more lighter-skinned with no tattoos named C. I must say that Darui has a more masculine aura than C but C is quite handsome and he has more of a "cool" aura. I think Darui is more chill while C is more serious " Ino said as she pictures the two juonins from earlier in her head and tried to recall as much information as possible.
" So which one are you more attracted to, if you had to choose ?" Sakura said with a smile.
"Hm, I prefer someone serious a bit more, so C? I don't know. I'm not even interested in being in a relation at the moment. I'll just let fate do its job" Ino said.
"Alright. So, when are you leaving for Kumogakure? " Sakura asked.
"Tomorrow, with Ibiki and two other juonins that the Hokage still hasn't told me. We're going there with the Raikage, B, and his bodyguards since they're also returning back and it's more convenient that way"
" Oh, I see. I hope you'll have a good time there. I'm going to miss having you around " Sakura told her best friend.
"Aw, don't worry. I'm just going to be there for a week, so don't miss me that much. Anyways, I gotta go, I have another meeting with the Raikage. See ya " Ino said and leaves.
It was a normal day for Shikamaru Nara. Being the Hokage's assistant didn't exactly grant him the free and relax life he hoped for when he was 13. As the Hokage's assistant, he was in charge providing the Hokage tasks and feedback. He didn't like the workload at first but soon got used to it. The Nara spent his usual day being cooped up in his room looking at files and get off work late. Today, in particular, was a bit different compared to his usual days. The Hokage granted him to get off work the Hokage was in a good mood or something but it certainly made Shikamaru's day. Being granted the opportunity to get off work early, he decided to do something that he hasn't done in a long time. And, that is - to cloud watch.
He walked to his usual cloud watching spot and laid on the grass. He watched the clouds freely move on the blue skies. He laid there and was also to catch up some sleep. After cloud watching and sleeping, he decided it was time to get up. It was almost time to have BBQ with his teammates, Chouji, and Ino.
Shikamaru arrives at their favorite BBQ restaurant, Yakiniku Q. He sees that Chouji is the first one there and that his teammate is already ordering.
"Yo Chouji " Shikamaru said to his best friend as he sat down.
"Ah Shikamaru, you're here! I just ordered if you don't mind " Chouji said
"It's okay, order as much as you want, " Shikamaru said
"So what's up ?" Chouji said.
"It's been fine but troublesome at the same time, " Shikamaru said.
"I'm surprised that you voluntarily become the Hokage's assistant "
"Yea me too, I'm surprised I did that too myself. It's funny how things change over time " Shikamaru said.
"It's been awhile since we had BBQ together now that we're all juonins, " Chouji said.
"And that we're all so busy. Heck, it took us forever to schedule this dinner .. oh yeah, where's Ino? it's not like her to be this late " Shikamaru said.
"Oh, I bumped into her earlier and she told me that she had a meeting with the Raikage and Ibiki, " Chouji said.
"Another one? troublesome " Shikamaru said.
"Yea, the Raikage has been keeping her busy these days, " Chouji said as he cooked some meat on the grill.
" I bet, " Shikamaru said.
"Troublesome woman, does she ever have days off? " Shikamaru said to himself.
"Oh yeah, the Hokage told me that we're going to be involved in the mission as well," Chouji said
"Ino's mission with the Raikage ?" Shikamaru said
"Yea, we're just going to be there to make sure no one gets's hurt and to make sure the mission is done well. Nothing much " Chouji said
"Troublesome, when do we leave? Shikamaru said as he grilled some pork
"Tomorrow, " Chouji said as he stuffed some pork into his mouth
"Even more troublesome," Shikamaru said and sighed at the fact that has a mission now.
Shikamaru wasn't the type to like missions that require him to go somewhere far from Konoha. It's not like he doesn't like it, it's more like he prefers to stay close to home since he's more familiar with the area and that he's Shikamaru.
Both Chouji and Shikamaru continue their dinner and chat some more to catch up.
During the BBQ, Shikamaru thinks back when team 10 wasn't so busy. He remembers the time when Asuma was still here, when Choji ate too much BBQ that he had to go to the hospital, and when Ino suddenly fed him, and when he accidentally drank Ino's drink instead of his that resulted to an indirect kiss between the two. He didn't know why he still remembers that particular memory of Ino feeding him and the drinking one.
"Oh look, we can have dinner here. What do you think, C? " Darui said as he looks at the restaurant's name: Yakiniku Q.
"Sure," C said.
The two Kumo juonins walk in the restaurant and are immediately were seated behind Shikamaru and Chouji.
"Man, it's been awhile since the last time we had BBQ, " Darui said as he looks at the menu.
"Hm," C said.
The two juonins order the BBQ set and start grilling the pork and enjoy their meal.
When Darui was enjoying the food, he sees that C is blanking out as he eats his pork.
"Still thinking about the blonde ?" Darui asked C.
"Huh, who are you talking about, " C said.
"You know who " Darui responded back.
"You mean Ino Yamanaka ?" C said.
"Yeah," Darui said
"What about her ?" C asked.
"It looks like you can't help but stare at her all day long. Are you interested in her ?" Darui asked.
"As if, like I'll ever like her and besides, she's not my type " C scoffs at his question.
"Not yet, " Darui said to himself.
"You sure about that. I feel like she's cool and that she matches your ideal type." Darui said.
"Like what, surprise me. I don't even have an ideal type " C said as he grills some pork.
"Well for starters, she's the top chief in the T&I unit so that means that she's hardworking and smart. She's a medical ninja like you, and she's a florist. She's a triple threat you gotta admit it and she's Inoichi's daughter " Darui said.
" It doesn't matter if she's a triple threat or not. Also, the things you said about her are just what she does, it doesn't necessarily tell us about her personality. Another thing is that it doesn't matter how much the Hokage and Ibiki speak so highly of her, I'll be the judge of that when I actually see her skills put to the test. " C said nonchalantly.
" Didn't she already showed her skills to the Raikage, we were there too. "
"That was just one time, that can just be purely based on luck. If she can do it many times and consistently, then I'll be impressed. For now, I'm not impressed. Also, why is the fact that she's Inoichi's daughter matter " C stubbornly said.
"Well didn't you looked up to him? I figured that it'll be cool if you and his daughter date " Darui said
"That's never going to happen " C said.
"Ugh, why is he so hard to convince? Yet again, he's C for crying out loud. C is a stubborn person " Darui said to himself
" And, it seems like she isn't devoted to T&I since she suddenly left and cut the meeting short and that was rude of her," C said
"She left because she was needed at the hospital C and she apologized two times to Raikage-sama. She's far by rude, she's considerate and kind judging the way how she was to the young girl earlier ." Darui told to C
"It doesn't matter, she's lucky that Raikage-sama let her go. And, why does she do so much? She's a medical ninja, florist, and the top chief of the T&I unit? It's unnecessary, I rather have her focus on one thing " C said.
"Wow, why is he so riled up about Ino. This is soo unlike him." Darui said to himself and sigh.
"Yeah Yeah, whatever, let's talk about something else and enjoy the meal since today's the last day we're here in Konoha before we leave, " Darui said and raises his drink to C.
" Yeah, whatever " C said as he raises his drink and cheers with Darui.
The two of them continue their meal and talk about something else. The kumo juonins chat some more and laugh as they hear about each other's funny life moments they shared together. Both C and Darui enjoy the night without knowing that a certain person was seated behind them the whole time
As Shikamaru and Chouji enjoy their meal together, two blonde juonins catches his eyes. He sees that one of them is wearing a Kumogakure headband and immediately realizes that they're C and Darui.
Shikamaru overhears their conversation about Ino and his grip on his drink tighten when he realize that C's talking about Ino.
" And, it seems like she isn't devoted to T&I since she suddenly left and cut the meeting short. That was rude of her."
Shikamaru didn't like hearing people talk smack about Ino and he certainly didn't like it when people underestimate Ino . Although he was mad hearing the conversation take place, he was somewhat glad that Darui was defending his teammate. Shikamaru was protective of Ino and that was that.
The morning after
Shikamaru woke up earlier than usual. He even woke up before his annoying alarm clock, which doesn't happen as often. He was up early not because he didn't have a good night's sleep, but because he had some things to do in his office before he leaves for his mission.
He lazily walked to his office and yawned indicating that he didn't have enough sleep and that he was tired. He sees that Yurito is also in his office and raises his eyebrows.
"Good morning senpai " Yurito cheerfully said.
"Morning, why are you here so early ?"
" I figured that you'd be here since you're leaving for a mission in an hour and that I wanted to help you arrange some files for you before you go, " Yurito said.
" Oh thanks, Yurito. You shouldn't have, " Shikamaru said
"It's alright, and also senpai, " Yurito said
"Yeah?" Shikamaru said
"Before you leave, I wanted to ask you something, " Yurito said
"What is it ?" Shikamaru said he looks at some files
"I was wondering why you didn't answer my question a few days ago, " Yurito said
"Hmm, " Shikamaru said as he thinks back his question and smirks.
"But Ino-san is extremely pretty, don't you think so? Well, as her teammate "
"Well if she wasn't pretty, then she would be able to have the criminal whipped by her tail so easily am I right ?"
"So… that's a yes ?" Yurito said.
"Yea yeah, Whatever you think. Answering these types of questions so early in the morning is troublesome. Anyways, See ya " Shikamaru said as he leaves the room with his hands against the back of his head.
Everyone in the village cannot deny Ino's beauty. In fact, it'd be an understatement to say that she's pretty. If one were to ask all of the male shinobis on whether they find Ino is attractive 101% of the time, they'll say yes. If someone were to say no, it was assumed that the person is lying. There were times that her beauty was unrivaled.
Having a teammate that's well known as one of "Konoha's flowers" was interesting and annoying at the same time, well in Shikamaru's perspective. Seeing males constantly trying to hit/flirt on her during on missions or not was always a hassle because they were constantly interfering with their mission process, making it even more troublesome than it was before. Also, seeing Ino getting hit on somehow makes his blood boil and that he wants to strangle them with his shadow neck binding technique.
Although Shikamaru wouldn't admit it openly, but if he was forced to , then he will admittedly say yes. Say yes that Ino is an attractive close friend and teammate of his .
An hour later
At Konoha's entrance gates.
"Darui and I are ready to depart Raikage-sama, " C said
"What about you, B ?" The Raikage asked.
"I was so ready so ready like a bakayarō! Konoyarō! " B rapped.
"And, what about you, Ibiki ? is everyone here? " The Raikage asked.
"We're waiting for two more people, they're juonins assigned by the Hokage himself. They should be here by now " Ibiki said.
"Alright "
5 minutes later, Ino sees two familiar figures walking towards her and realizes that it's Chouji and Shikamaru.
"HEY INO, " Chouji said as he finishes eating his packs of chips
"Chouji? Shikamaru ? What are you guys doing here? " Ino asked Chouji and Shikamaru.
"Right on time Shikamaru and Chouji. I'm glad you guys can make it " Ibiki said with a smile.
"Wait, you guys are the two extra juonins that the Hokage assigned ?! "Ino said excitedly.
"Yup," Chouji said.
"Oh my gosh, yay! I can't believe it " Ino said excitedly and hugs both her teammates at the same time.
"It's like a reunion, well sort of, " Shikamaru said as both he and Chouji hug Ino back.
"What is her relationship with Shikamaru? " C asked to himself when he sees the trio hug and smile. C started to feel something weird in his stomach and that it suddenly irritated him seeing witnessing the scene when he sees Ino and Shikamaru hug and he didn't know why.
The trio then broke apart their embrace to greet the Raikage.
"Good morning Raikage-sama " Shikamaru and Chouji both said to the Raikage.
"Good morning, " The Raikage said.
"I'm Akimchi Chouji, It's a pleasure to meet you Raikage -sama, " Chouji said to the Raikage and they shook hands.
"Oh, so Shikamaru "
"Yes Raikage-sama "
"So are Ino Yamanaka and Chouji Akimichi the teammates you mentioned a few days ago ?"
"Yes, Raikage-sama, " Shikamaru said.
"And together we form Team 10! " Ino said happily since she gets to work with her former teammates.
"They're teammates? " C said to himself
"Huh, it makes sense Ino-Shika-Cho" Darui said to himself.
A/N : okay, this chapter is incredibly long. I didnt expect it to be this long OTL . But it's okay ! the more the better right ?
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and till next time ~