The Hokage requested another surprise meeting again. These politics are so troublesome. Rogue ninjas on the loose, illegal shipments from the Water Nation, rising tensions between two nations over land that originally belonged to a third party—I'm amazed that Asuma-san managed. The guy was almost as lazy as I was.
His secret? Figured it out over a round of shogi...or rather, trademark rant.
It started out as a typical speech. He was musing how despite being a woman, the queen was one of the strongest pieces in the game. I told him it was because women are scary beasts by nature and they're within their innate capacity to destroy entire mountains. Or people. He shook his head. "No, Shikamaru. It's because every kingdom and every child needs a queen, a woman strong enough to carry the burden of man on her shoulders." At first I thought this was another allegory for the spirit of Konoha. Fostering future generations, motherhood, pushing legacy, etc. And then I realized what he meant. What he really meant. He lit a cigar and laughed about it, too.
Kurenai—she was picking up all of his slack.
That lazy bastard.