HEY GUYS AND GIRLS, THIS IS ANOTHER QUICK CHAPTER THAT HOPEFULLY TIES UP ANY LOOSE ENDS. I THINK I MIGHT BE COMING TO AN END WITH THIS STORY SOON WHICH I AM A LITTLE SAD ABOUT BUT HOPEFULLY IT WILL END ON A GOOD NOTE. I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO END SO I AM JUST AS MUCH IN THE DARK AS YOU GUYS AND GIRLS.
HAPPY READING
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Shikamaru asked Ino the next day. They found themselves in the Interrogation Unit's headquarters in the village after a lot of arguing which ultimately led to the Hokage having to make the final decision.
"Are you seriously doubting my abilities?" Ino replied as she began setting up the communication device, similar to the one that her father used during the war.
"Are you sure that you're up for this?" Yoshino asked her son as she pushed the wheelchair he was sitting on. Lady Tsunade had finished healing him for the day so they came straight from the hospital. He was in so much pain thanks to her healing but it was worth it. She said that it was working but that there was still a lot of work to go so this was just the start of his pain.
"I am. I need to do this." Shikamaru told him mom.
"Okay, I am ready." Ino sat down on a chair and placed the device on her head. Yoshino pushed her son in front of the troublesome blonde girl. He grabbed her hands then closed his eyes and focused. He went through this process with Ino already so he knew what to do. He just hoped that she was able to reach all the shinobi he needed her to reach or at least the Kage and Daimyo in each nation.
"Everyone is listening, you may begin Shikamaru." She permitted him.
"Good afternoon to all the shinobi, Kage and Daimyo listening to my message right now. I am Shikamaru Nara. The reason I am transmitting this message to you is to address the recent joint mission that occurred. A group of rogue ninja made up of older shinobi from each land came together and decided that this peace could not last forever and recent events have led me to agree with them. This illusion of peace is fragile and easily broken. Their mission, however, was to steal the Treasured Tools of the Sage of the Six Paths and use that to harness the power of the Tailed Beasts so that they could rule and create a peace that would suit them. They targeted the Wind Nation first by starting a coup as a diversion in order to steal the treasured tool that the Kazekage was tasked with protecting. The Kazekage skillfully managed to foil them so a group of ninja then deserted their village. They then targeted the treasured tool in the Fire Nation by sending a group of bandits to attack a village close to the border of the nation as a diversion. The Hokage managed to stop their plan and drive them out of the nation before they could do anything else. I was then tasked to take the group of bandits down in a joint mission with shinobi from the Earth Nation. We successfully stopped them before they could do anymore damage but we were unable to identify the group of rogue ninja who began this in the first place. I arranged a meeting with all the Kage from each nation in order to discuss this matter and find out a way forward. I proposed the creation of a unified alliance between all five nations in the form of the Shinobi Union so that we could help each other and to stop groups like the rogue ninja from starting another gruesome war. In the meeting with the Kage, I learnt that Sasuke Uchiha had stolen the Shichiseiken from Kirigakure. We managed to track Sasuke down so a group of shinobi from Konohagakure including Naruto Uzamaki and Sakura Haruno went after him. Naruto and Sakura then deserted the village and joined Sasuke. I took it upon myself to retrieve the Shichiseiken and to bring them back to the village. Along with Shino Aburame, I was able to create a plan to retrieve the Shichiseiken, bring Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura back to the village, and take down the group of rogue ninja responsible for this whole mess in the first place. My plan was to move the treasured tools in each nation to a secure place outside their villages. My hope was to bait the rogue ninja and thankfully they took the bait. I asked the Mizukage to assist the Raikage in defending the Kohaku no Johei since that was the only treasured tool that was not targeted yet. While the transportation of the treasured tools were taking place, my team and I went to go retrieve the Shichiseiken from Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. I knew that we would not be able to take them down so I asked Shino Aburame and Hinata Hyuga for help. Shino imbued a new type of insect into my body that would not only allow him to track me but also slowly poison anyone who touched me. Hinata agreed to join Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura as a double agent and to protect me when I ultimately stayed behind while I sent my team back to Konohagakure to continue my plan. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura then looked after me which meant that they touched me and got poisoned so we just had to wait for the effects of the poison to activate. While that happened, the rogue ninja thankfully took the bait and went after the Kohaku no Johei. The shinobi from Kumogakure, Kirigakure and a team from Konohagakure managed to stop them and find the rogue ninja then take them down successfully. I instructed Shino to order a joint mission between all 5 nations to take down Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura when that was finished in case they managed to counter the effects of the poison. I was grateful to hear that all the nations agreed to it and managed to subdue the group in Otogakure. The entire mission as a whole was successful and each shinobi from their respective villages worked together perfectly and in sync with my plan and for that I thank you. Unfortunately the risk that I took with imbuing Shino's insects into my body took it's toll on me. Lady Tsunade and Shino managed to save me before my body couldn't handle it anymore but the damage was already done. As such, I am unable to fulfil my duties as a shinobi anymore so I am forced to step down from a few of my positions that I undertook. I cannot continue my role as the temporary leader of the Shinobi Union anymore and a member of the Shinobi Union as a whole so I resign and nominate that Darui from Kumogakure take over as the temporary leader until Kage can meet and agree on a permanent leader. I also nominate Shino Aburame to take over my role as a representative of Konohagakure. The unity that each nation displayed alongside each other to protect the peace that this group of rogue ninja threatened is the strength and conviction that will carry this peace forward in the future. I might not be able to help ensure that peace anymore so it's up to every shinobi listening to this to continue fighting for it. Our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers died in the last war to create this peace so don't let their sacrifice down. It's our turn now and the Shinobi Union is a step in the right direction. I once again thank all of you for your help and for believing in my plan." Shikamaru released Ino's hands and immediately took a deep breath.
"That was a rather abrupt ending." Ino stated while she took the communication device off her head.
"They already listened to my long and boring speech so I didn't want to continue their torture anymore." Shikamaru replied as he looked around but didn't see his mother anymore.
"Looks like your mom couldn't listen to it anymore as well." Ino joked as she stood up.
"She should be used to it already."
"Clearly not." He couldn't help but smile as she had a smile on her face now as well.
"Can you push me to the Hokage's office?" He asked Ino but she looked confused.
"Shouldn't you go back to the hospital? Can you even work right now?" Ino asked but made her way around him and began wheeling him out of the room.
"I'm actually planning on resigning from work."
"Really? Why?"
"I can't really be an advisor to the Hokage when I can't even look after myself right now."
"Yeah but once you get your strength back then you can still help him. He hardly leaves the village anyway so the two of you can still work together."
"There's no guarantee that I will get my strength back and if I do get it back then we don't know to what degree. It's best if I resign now rather than give anyone false hope." They exited the building and the cool breeze immediately swept across him. He enjoyed it now more than ever since he was probably going to be confined to the hospital most of the time.
"But…"
"Ino, it's okay. I am still going to be here. I am not going anywhere so you'll still be able to boss me around." That left a reluctant smile on her face.
"Shikamaru, Ino." Shino suddenly appeared next to them while they slowly made their way to the Hokage Tower.
"Hey Shino." Shikamaru greeted him.
"I'm not talking to you. You weren't supposed to let this idiot do stupid things. You were supposed to be the smart one." Ino suddenly told him but Shikamaru couldn't help laughing at that. Ino's outburst was definitely not going to faze the Aburame so she could throw as much insults as she wants to at him and he still wouldn't change his expression.
"Ignore her Shino, what's up?" Shikamaru asked him.
"You appointed me as your replacement in the Shinobi Union." He didn't think that Shino would have a problem with that.
"Sorry I didn't inform you about that before. I couldn't appoint anyone else and I trusted you to make the best decisions for this village and the shinobi realm as a whole."
"Are you planning on returning to the Shinobi Union when you get better?" This is probably what Shino really wanted to know. He didn't want to be a placeholder until Shikamaru returned.
"That is up to the Kage but honestly, you're a better representative than I am. If they do want me to be part of the Shinobi Union then they're going to have to take both of us. I do think we've proven to work well together." Shikamaru felt proud about that fact and he hoped that Shino did too. It wouldn't kill him to show some sort of emotion every once in a while.
"If poisoning yourself and nearly dying is a great plan then you guys are the perfect team." Ino commented. Looks like she couldn't help but have something to say.
"Are the bad guys taken down and everything is back to how they are supposed to be?" Shikamaru shot back.
"I think I liked you better when you were unconscious." Ino knew she had lost there and he had to admit, it felt good getting the upper hand over the Yamanaka.
"Thank you for all your help with this whole mess Shino. I literally couldn't do this without you." Shikamaru told him. Shino gave him a nod in response. He definitely wasn't a man of many words but his actions seemed to speak volumes.
"I'll see you guys around the village." Shino awkwardly greeted them then disappeared.
"I know Shino is our friend and all but he is weird." Ino stated as they reached the Hokage Tower.
"So are you. He just embraces." They entered the building as Shizune made her way towards them.
"Whatever." Ino replied.
"Good afternoon Shizune." Shikamaru greeted her but she immediately stared him down.
"Why are you not in the hospital?" So that's what Shizune was angry about.
"This is where I take my leave. Shizune-sama, make sure that this idiot doesn't do anything stupid please." Ino replied then turned around and left them.
"I just need to speak to Kakashi. It's about the message I sent out." That softened her angered expression.
"You resigned from the Shinobi Union." Shizune made her way behind him then began pushing the wheelchair.
"Yeah. I was forced to seeing as I can't be a shinobi right now and I was only the temporary leader until this whole thing was sorted out and now that it is sorted out, the Kage can pick a permanent leader." Shikamaru explained.
"How did today go with Lady Tsunade?"
"Painful. When she said that she was going to be repairing my body, she forgot to mention that it would feel like I was going through hell."
"What did you expect? She's basically regrowing layers of tissue under your skin so it's going to hurt."
"Can't you do it rather? I'm sure you can do it gentler than Lady Tsunade." If Lady Tsunade could do it then Shizune should also be able to do it. She didn't unlock the Hundred Seals like Sakura but she was still an amazing medic-nin in her own right.
"No matter who does it, it is still going to hurt." That didn't make him feel any better. "You shouldn't be outside the hospital though. Your body is susceptible to diseases now more than ever."
"Then it's a good thing that you're here." He couldn't see Shizune's reaction but he was sure that she rolled her eyes at that.
"As soon as we're finished here, I am taking you straight back to the hospital." Shizune informed him.
"Yes ma'am." Shikamaru agreed as they stopped in front of Kakashi's office. Shizune went to the door and immediately opened it without knocking. The silver haired Hokage was probably alone in his office but when Shizune wheeled him inside the room they saw that Kakashi was joined by his 3 former students; Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura.
"Oh, I didn't know you had company." Shizune said as all their eyes turned to the lazy ninja sitting in the wheelchair.
"We can wait in my office." Shikamaru told Shizune.
"It's okay. What do you need Shikamaru?" Kakashi asked him. He was hesitant to say what he wanted to say in front of his former students but he didn't care anymore. The three of them were exonerated from all their crimes and returned to their ninja duties so they were bound to hear his news sooner or later.
"I am going to be in the hospital for the foreseeable future and I may never be able to be an active shinobi again so I am forced to step down as your advisor for now." Shikamaru gave the Hokage the news but his expression was as emotionless as Shino's. It didn't help that both of them hid most of their faces as well. Maybe he should get himself a mask or something to cover his face so that no one could see what he was feeling.
"What do you mean that you may never be able to be an active shinobi again?" Naruto quickly asked him.
"I have extensive muscle and nerve damage." Shikamaru bluntly answered him. "I might never even be able to leave this wheelchair." Okay, he knew that was a bit of an exaggeration but it was still a possibility.
"But Lady Tsunade can heal you right? She can make more cells for you like she did for my arm." At least Naruto was optimistic about it and he cared still but Shikamaru wasn't buying any of it.
"Your right to care disappeared when you deserted the village." He knew that his words would hurt Naruto but he wasn't going to sugarcoat what he felt for the 3 of them right now. He wouldn't go as far as to say that he hated them but he wasn't going to deny that he would rather he never saw them again.
"Shikamaru…" Sakura said his name but he immediately stopped her.
"No, you guys don't get the chance to say anything to me." Shikamaru sternly told them.
"I'm sorry Shikamaru but you have to see it from our point of view. We did what we had to do to protect the shinobi realm from being subjected to another war." Sakura told him.
"And in that process you stepped on anyone you needed to and threw away all your relationships."
"We protected the village." Naruto's word immediately angered Shikamaru.
"What you guys did was selfish. If you wanted to protect the village then you would've come to Kakashi and myself for help but you guys thought that you could do it all on your own. Just because you guys are three of the most powerful shinobi right now does not mean that you can do whatever the hell you want to do. You need to use that power that you were given in the right way and for the right purposes and if you can't do that then there's no way I can support you being the Hokage one day. I will make sure that you aren't even considered as a candidate if I have to because you don't deserve it." He didn't know where that came from but he was damn sure going to stand behind his words right now.
"You know as much as anyone that Naruto is worthy of being the Hokage." Sasuke stated.
"Why are you even speaking right now? You abandoned this village and made it pretty clear that you didn't want to come back. We tried to give you a home and be your family but you threw all our effort in our faces. I do admire that you owned your betrayal and that you accepted the consequences but that doesn't mean that you suddenly have a voice in this village." Shikamaru definitely didn't have to dig deep to find those words and throw it at Sasuke. No matter how much he tried to ignore what Sasuke did, he had this deep seeded hatred in his heart because of how the mission to retrieve him ended.
"Please stop Shikamaru." Sakura told him.
"Don't speak to me ever again. You had your chance to speak to me so now you can just do me a favor and stay out of my life." Why did his those words feel like it broke his heart all from over? He hated feeling this way but he meant it. He didn't want to see her right now and he doubted that he ever would want to see her again. Her tear filled eyes didn't evoke any reaction out of him. She didn't hold any power over him anymore.
"Shizune, can you take me back to the hospital please?"
"Sure." Shizune agreed then quickly turned him around and wheeled him out of the room. He probably ruined his relationship with the 3 of them but he still didn't care. They were free to do whatever they wanted to do now so he hoped that whatever they did didn't include him.
OKAY THEN, THAT WAS A RATHER HARSH CHAPTER IF I CAN PUT IT THAT WAY BUT AT LEAST WE GOT OUR ANSWERS. I KIND OF UNDERSTAND WHAT SHIKAMARU IS GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW BUT I DON'T REALLY SUPPORT HIM WANTING TO THROW AWAY HIS FRIENDS LIKE THAT. I MEAN, HE AND SAKURA WERE KIND OF IN A RELATIONSHIP SO THOSE FEELINGS CAN'T JUST DISAPPEAR RIGHT? I DON'T KNOW ANYMORE, WE'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER. UNTIL THEN GUYS AND GIRLS, SEE YA…