Daiko P.O.V.
Fuck this is way worse than Ibiki. Torture?! A cold sweat formed on my back as the hairs all over my body started tingling and standing at attention. What should I do? I mean I'm not a spy. Why would Shikamaru think I'm a spy? I'm sure if he does his research, he would find out I'm not a spy.
I started feeling calmer, but my thoughts began to spiral as I started thinking back to the projects I've been working on this past month. Oh shit! I thought as I sprinted after Shikamaru.
"SHIKAMARUUUUUUU!" I yelled as I saw his figure walking towards the Academy gate, "WAIIIITTT!"As he turned around and saw me, I could see his eyes widening in apprehension. I managed to stop myself right before I accidentally tackled him, "Shika," I huffed. "I, huff, need, huff, talk, huff, again," I said as I tried to catch my breath.
"This conversation is already a drag…" he murmured, nevertheless motioning me to continue.
"I'm not a spy. I have reasons to keep some things to myself, but it's not because I'm a spy." I looked him straight in the eyes, my seriousness hopefully evident. Shikamaru looked startled hearing my words.
"Why would you say that?" Shikamaru asked looking deeply unsettled.
How do I keep messing this up, I thought to myself. I took a deep breath as I tried to think of a lie, but I figured it would also help to look like I was getting ready to reveal an uncomfortable truth. "We're both smart, and if I were in your shoes, it's exactly what I would think," I said. "But I'm not a spy. I'm definitely private and I know I'm weird but I promise I'm not a spy."
"Your actions say otherwise, Daiko. And actions speak louder than words." Shikamaru replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Let's talk ab-" I said but before I could counter, a deep, older voice interrupted us. "Shikamaru, why are you loitering here. I've been waiting for 15 minutes, and you know how your mother is," Shikaku Nara, Shikamaru's father and the Jounin Commander of Konoha, walked up to us, an expression of mild annoyance on his face.
Shikamaru muttered a noncommittal response, causing his father to sigh exasperatedly. Shikaku's eyes then drifted over to me, a soft smile replacing his previous stern expression. "You must be Daiko, Shikamaru has mentioned you. Said you two hang out often after class, I'm a big fan of your dakos."
I blinked at that, taken aback. Was Shikamaru using me as an alibi while he was spying on me?, I thought. Well, if I let his father know he had been spying on me… no, he might start investigating me too. Trying to play along, I smiled back, "Yes, sir. I enjoy Shikamaru's company. He's the only one that's ALMOST as smart as me," I said as childishly as I could.
Shikaku studied me carefully, and then nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Well, I hope you're a good influence on him. Shikamaru tends to find most things troublesome, but he seemed quite enthusiastic about spending time with you. Do you want us to walk you home?"
I laughed nervously, glancing over at Shikamaru, who was almost glaring at me despite cheeks tinged red from embarrassment before saying, "No, thank you, Mr. Nara. I was going to talk to Sasuke after talking to Shikamaru." As his father walked away, I found myself relieved and, at the same time, filled with an increased sense of urgency. If I didn't convince Shikamaru of my innocence soon, I had no doubt the situation would only become more of a 'drag'.
I couldn't find Sasuke before I made my way home, my mind brimming with anxious thoughts. Once inside my student housing room, I kicked off my sandals and made a beeline for the training field. My rippling abs glistened with sweat as I finished running my 15th lap around the track. Some of the kids playing in the training field looked at me with envy, I mean I had a physique no reasonable 7-year-old could have. This is probably due to the steroids flowing through Konoha's water, otherwise how did this mid-size village manage to monopolize all of the talented shinobi for generations. My goal right now is to be as strong as the world's greatest taijutsu master… Maito GUUUYYY! If I can be as strong as him without using chakra, no one in this world could challenge me. Sweat dripped off my eyebrows, stinging my eyes before dripping down my chin as I practiced the basic academy taijutsu until my muscles screamed in exhaustion. Only then did I end my workout.
Back inside, I collapsed onto the chair in front of my desk, a dim lamp casting long shadows around the room. Piles of papers were scattered haphazardly about my desk, but amidst the chaos, a certain notebook caught my eye. A faint smile played on my lips as I picked it up. "God coming from the modern world makes it so easy to make money," I thought as my fingers traced over the inked words – my words, but essentially a plagiarism. A multi-million ryo plagiarism, maybe adaptation would be more fitting.
Hours later, the moonlight spilled through the window indicating it was well past midnight. My thoughts swirled in my head, "Who should I see this weekend? How do I get Sasuke to become my sparring partner? But most importantly, what should I do about Shikamaru? What time is it? Oh, I gotta go." I quickly left the comfort of my home, plunging hands back into the stillness of the night. The physics don't make sense but the Naruto run is really more efficient in this world. But, I was late and I had a meeting, a secretive one at that.
The person I met, cloaked in the darkness of the night, passed me a small purse. The weight of it was familiar and comforting. "Do you want to count it, Daiko?" the voice said. I closed my eyes and activated my zen'ningan. I didn't count the coins – there was no need to. This was trust. Trust in my cheat-like eyes that is.
I opened my eyes and the tinge of shining bronze quickly vanished. "There's no need. I've already verified the amount." And with a quick nod, I was off, heading back home. As I jumped to the rooftops, I saw the silhouette of a boy my age running in the opposite direction. Is that?, my heart froze, Shikamaru? Shit! There's no way he doesn't misinterpret this. I can't chase him down, from work to my evening workout, my body is killing me.
The next day at the academy, lunchtime rolled around, and I found myself seeking out Shikamaru. He was, as usual, lounging under a tree, the cloudless sky visible through the branches.
"Hey, Shika," I said, trying to keep my voice casual as I sat down next to him. He glanced at me, one eyebrow raised, but didn't comment.
"I want to clear up something from yesterday," I began, not looking at him but at the clouds instead. "I know you saw that little exchange last night." He turned to look at me, curiosity clear in his eyes. I continued, "that was the distract manager for my dako stands delivering my week's earnings."
"Hmmm," he said as he sat up forming a circle with his hands, a clear sign he was thinking hard about something I just said.
I have to strike while the iron is hot, I thought. Even if I can't change his mind right now, I can sow the seeds of doubt. "Look, I'm not trying to 'help' Konoha. I mean, I don't want to hurt it, and I will end up helping Konoha, but that's not my aim." I paused, "I just want to be rich, Shika. I want to live like a lavish young master. That's all. But the world isn't kind to the weak. I want to be sure that I'm safe, that I'm not a sitting duck. If an S-rank shinobi decides they want what I have, no amount of money could stop them." I paused, letting my words sink in. When I spoke again, my voice was barely a whisper, "at the end of day, I can only trust me to protect what's mine."
Shikamaru didn't say anything for a long moment. "That doesn't answer anything, Daiko," he stated flatly. His voice was devoid of its usual drawl. "Your behavior, it's... odd. A seven-year-old inventing a new food dish? The secretive meetings at odd hours? Sure, you run a successful business… that you started when you were five? It doesn't make sense. And you don't act your age at all, Daiko. Trying to get close to the clan heirs? "
I felt my heart pause for a moment. His words hit me like a rasengan to the abdomen, and suddenly, I felt exposed. But I couldn't let him see that. I had to maintain my composure.
"I never see you playing with the other kids either," he added, his gaze not wavering.
"Neither does Sasuke," I shot back, a bit too defensively.
That seemed to take him aback. He sat silently for a moment, seemingly contemplating my words. "True," he said finally, "but Sasuke...Sasuke is different."
"Guys! We have to get back to the classroom," Naruto should before I could rebut Shikamaru's words. His mind seemed made up, his suspicions not alleviated in the slightest. Perhaps this was inevitable. Maybe, from the moment Shikamaru had started observing me closely, this was bound to happen. I got up turned around and headed back to class.
Shikamaru P.O.V
With my gaze resting on Daiko's retreating back, I took in a deep breath. This is such a drag. Daiko was more of a puzzle than I'd originally thought, and as much as I found such things troublesome, I couldn't help but feel intrigued.
My dad confirmed that Daiko's parents were indeed casualties of the Kyuubi attack and that he was raised at the orphanage since birth. No suspicions there. But was it possible to remember everything that happened since birth? Next was his daily routine. During the day, he was always either at the Academy or his dako carts. That was easy to confirm. He trained every day. So, he definitely cares about being strong, so that checks out. But his night-time activities were harder to track. He mentioned working late on his business, but was that all? I had to know.
Last night, I stealthily trailed Daiko from his house, keeping a safe distance to avoid being detected. It was a quiet night, the moon casting a pale light over Konoha. As I followed him through the shadows, I saw him visit several of his dako carts. Just like he said, he was doing his business.
But then he met someone. In a secluded part of the market, a man handed him a purse. It jingled with the unmistakable sound of coins. The two of them exchanged a few words, too quiet for me to hear from my position, and then the man disappeared. Daiko, on the other hand, turned back towards his home, the purse safely tucked away. I saw a glow in his eyes I never noticed and with that, I knew I had to get out of there as fast as I could. This whole scenario was far too strange, too… suspicious.
The next day at the Academy, Daiko was his usual self. His focus was on his business, his training, and avoiding my attempts to talk to him. He acted as if our conversation never happened, as if he hadn't exposed a part of himself to me that day.
"Shika, you're overthinking again," Choji said, interrupting my thoughts as he passed me a bag of chips. "You're going to burn your brain out."
"I can't help it, Choji," I sighed, accepting the chips. "There's something about Daiko I can't put my finger on. It's bugging me."
Choji shook his head, popping another chip into his mouth. "Maybe you're looking too much into it, Shika. Daiko is just... Daiko."
Just Daiko. The phrase echoed in my mind. Was I really overthinking? Or was there truly something more to him? I wished the answers were as simple as Choji made them seem. But the mystery that was Daiko didn't seem to have any easy answers. And even though it was tiresome, I found myself looking forward to the challenge. I couldn't help but think that the solution, when I found it, would be worth the effort.
During breaks in the Academy, while other kids were playing and enjoying their free time, I kept a keen eye on Daiko. He was always busy, either scribbling something in a notebook he never let anyone see or arguing with Sasuke. I asked Sasuke what that was about, but he sneered at me and walked away. I became familiar with Daiko's schedule.
Two days later, I crept through the Konoha academy barracks as a full moon illuminated the building. At the full moon's peak, I saw Daiko leave the barracks before bolting away. I slipped from shadow to shadow trying to ensure that no one would see me breaking in through his window. After carefully scanning for traps, I slid the window open with the gentlest touch. CREAK! My heartbeat dropped as the rusty edges of the window scraped against each other.
I quickly jumped through the window and hid. I may have never broken into someone's house before, yet I'm no stranger to stealth techniques. I should probably thank my dad for taking me hunting every day the summer. After I was sure no one was going to coming to inspect the noise, I turned on the light. Daiko's room was as orderly as I imagined it would be. Everything was neat, organized, and clean. Well, apart from his desk. His desk was cluttered with maps, papers, folders, and there was a thick scent of ink. After scanning his desk, I noticed a stack of papers at the top right corner.
Business plans, all detailed, well-researched, and surprisingly ambitious. One plan suggested ideas for expanding his food cart empire to other nations. Another showed his intent to start a theater company. I didn't know Daiko was into theater, I thought. After scanning all of the business plans, I decided to go through the papers on his desk. There was a map of Konoha littered with circles and red miniature dako cart pins. There was a file containing the names and details of various individuals – merchants, clan heads, seasoned shinobi, and academy students. Alongside each name were specific details – an overall evaluation, list of strengths, weaknesses, preferences, habits, and notes suggesting potential ways Daiko could utilize these people, mostly to generate profit. This was a comprehensive guide to the key players of Konoha. Underneath the file there were pages of ink scribbles that covered a blue manuscript.
The first few pages revealed the manuscript to be a story, a romance novel set against a tragic conflict between Iwa and Konoha shinobi. How odd, I thought. The story was beautifully penned, emotions ran deep, and the characters felt real. It's not my sort of thing but I can definitely imagine my mom liking this.
The soft sound of foot steps interrupted my train of thought and I froze as a familiar voice sliced through the silence. "Breaking and entering, Shika? That's a crime, you know."
My heart was beating out of my chest but I couldn't speak. The weighty silence was interrupted by Daiko's rhythmic steps as he moved closer. He leaned against the edge of the desk, his eyes filled with curiosity. "What did you hope to find, Shika?" he asked, his voice a comfortable monotone – as though he had expected this.
"I wanted to know what you were doing," I said plainly as I raised my hands in surrender having been caught.
"Do you play go?" Daiko asked pointing to a go board.
"Yeah, but I prefer shogi," I said back curiously.
"Let's talk while we play, I think that might be the best way to understand each other," he said as he walked towards the go board.
I followed behind Daiko and sat opposite him on the go table. He motioned me to choose from two covered stone bowls. I picked the right bowl and opened to find black stones. My fingers grabbed a stone, as I subconsciously started playing with it. "What are you trying to do?" My eyes swept towards his desk, "the business plans, the list of important people, the Konoha companies and their value, and the love story of all things… it just doesn't add up." I said as I placed my first stone.
Daiko placed his own stone, "I told you before, but I'll put it in a way you can understand, I'm trying to win."
I placed my own stone and paused to think about everything I had learned so far. My thoughts were disorderly, What if I assume Daiko wanted me to sneak in? What if I assume Daiko had no idea I was coming? If I were Daiko what would I do? In addition to processing my findings, I was also learning from playing with Daiko. Daiko placed his stones on the table quickly and decisively after I placed my own. Hmph, Is he trying to get me to play at his pace? But no matter how fast you go Daiko, I'm still going to play at my pace. Daiko played very conservatively, he never overextended his stones or took on any risk, when I attacked, he played defensively to secure his territory never taking the risk I was trying to bait him into.
"For someone who says he wants to win, you play more like you're trying to avoid losing, " I said.
A hint of a smile ghosted over Daiko's lips, "what's the difference?"
Is there a difference between winning and not losing? Daiko's real-life personality is not like this, what's the difference? If he wants to avoid losing, shouldn't he think harder about his moves? But he hasn't made a bad move yet. Is he trying to send me a message? If we look at the board and the dozens of stones that have been played thus far it's clear that I'm barely winning. If we look at the investigation I've been conducting, it's clear that Daiko is suspicious. But what's more suspicious is that Daiko didn't decrease his activities after our initial confrontation, he increased them.
I've also known Daiko for two years. What sticks out from all of our meetings? Thinking back, what do I know about Daiko? CLICK. The sound of Daiko's stone broke my train of thought. I almost hadn't realized it but, Daiko really took his time with that move.
This was move was definitely odd. He took a lot more time to play it but, it was also his first aggressive move, targeting a weak group in my largest territory. After a few minutes thinking and calculating I responded with a counterattack. "Daiko, why do you want to be rich?" I asked as I placed my stone.
"That's something only someone who grew up rich could ask," Daiko said with a laugh. "Shikamaru, why do you want to be lazy?" he asked rhetorically as he placed his stone. "It's just in your nature."
What is your nature, Daiko? Are you the friend I've known for the last two years? Or do you have ulterior motives? As I thought about that, Daiko clicked his stone on the board. Gotcha! I shouted internally as I quickly responded with my stone. Daiko had ignored my counterattack and continued his own attack, but I've already calculated that the territory I will gain will be worth more than the territory I will lose. Daiko responded just as quickly, and we soon found ourselves playing faster and faster as we claimed our territories and tried to stop the other's expansion. Daiko was playing very well, better than he has any right to play.
I didn't expect Daiko to be this good at go, I thought. Yet another thing that doesn't make sense. Hmmm, what all doesn't make sense about Daiko and what is the most reasonable explanation. He's a genius, but it couldn't be that straightforward. His eyes, I saw them glow before but there's no doujutsu like that in any of the books I looked through. Hmmm, he does keep them a secret. Is that why he 'hates' using his chakra? Do they glow when he uses them. Would he lie about it? "Hey Daiko, what's with your glowing eyes?"
All of the control Daiko seemed to have before that moment disappeared as he froze, his cheeks were getting rosier by the second. I knew I was onto something, I just had to stop talking and wait for him to respond. Daiko averted eye contact, looking only at the board as we listened to the songs of cicadas.
"It's my doujutsu," he said.
I had originally thought it was a doujutsu but abandoned that line of reasoning after I couldn't find any information on it. "What does it do?" I asked curiously.
Daiko P.O.V.
"It shows me the value of things," Daiko said as his eyes began to glow copper bronze. "How much something is worth, how much it should cost, how much certain people are worth."
I'm tired of playing all of these games. I'll just tell him the truth, or most of it, I thought.
"That doesn't make any sense. No doujutsu can do that," Shikamaru responded. "The sharingan and byakugan only let you see the real world better, there's no way chakra can determine how much things cost and moreover how can a value be assigned to a person."
"Shikamaru," I said, "do you want a demonstration?" Shikamaru eyed me nervously for a second before nodding. I covered my eyes with my hands and turned my back to the go table. "Place a stone on 3-3."
"What are you showing me?"
"My eyes can even see the value of the best move on a board game," I responded. I heard the placement of a stone. I turned around and showed my eyes were still covered, "not 4-4, Shikamaru," I said.
"I played at –"
"It's fine, I can see exactly what you played," I said cutting Shikamaru off. "3-5"
Within a couple of moves it seemed like Shikamaru had started taking his time again, he was in his infamous thinking pose but I didn't know if he was analyzing the game or our conversation. I would've been doing much better right now but I was a bit peeved having to tell Shikamaru about the zen'ningan.
But the more I thought about it, the more I thought that telling him about it was the best decision I could've made. Right now, my biggest concern right now is that Shikamaru finds me suspicious. Shikamaru finds me suspicious because he has a lot of questions about me that he can't answer. So if I introduce a magical explanation he can use to explain away my weirdness then I'll be free.
"So, how do you know where the best move is?" Shikamaru asked.
"My eyes show me how much a stone on each point is worth, so if I just pick the most expensive points it's impossible for me to lose. I don't even understand the point of most of those moves," I said plainly, "but, you can see the outcome."
"Why do you hate using chakra?"
"Because it makes my eyes glow," I lied. I definitely can't tell him I need to burn money to use chakra, I thought.
"Why do you want to be a ninja?"
"So, I can protect myself," I said.
"You don't need to be a ninja to be able to protect yourself," Shikamaru responded.
"Shikamaru, I can't explain it." I literally can't explain that you're just an anime character. "But, I know I have to be a ninja even if I make less money because of it. At least for right now, it's something I have to do for myself."
"You said before that what you were doing would end up helping Konoha, what did you mean by that?"
"I will make Konoha the richest village in the world. Do you know what money can do? Money can make you live longer. Money can buy happiness. Money can even end wars. Imagine if every nation's economic interests became so entangled that they are all getting rich together while enjoying a higher quality of life, why would any of the nations go to war and risk losing that? I mean nations might still try but every other nation would be against them. Shikamaru, I don't think you understand my pursuit of money. Why do you like shogi?"
"I like the stimulation, most things are just too boring, I like strategy, and I like puzzles."
"What do you think it would feel like to play a real-life game of shogi?"
"Like my dad?"
I just realized I'm talking to the wrong person about this, his dad is literally a war commander. "What do you think business is? It's a real-life strategy game where you get paid to win." Shikamaru looked up at me in interest. "You might still be suspicious of me or my intentions but, why don't you work for me as a part-time strategist? You would get to find out about my business and get to learn real strategy."
Shikamaru sat in silence pondering my proposal. I was jubilant, if I get Shikamaru and another S-rank employee my business will be unstoppable.
"Sure, I'll work for you but you still have to pay me," Shikamaru replied.
Ding. Quest Completed –– Outwit Detective Shikamaru
Rewards: Gain an S-rank employee.
I clicked on the reward and and hid the throbbing vein in my forehead when I saw the new pop-up.
Ding. [You've unlocked the Shikamaru Nara as an employee]
System, you're still going to make me pay for him?!, I internally cursed. "Of course, I'll pay you. I'm so excited to be working together."
"Since we're working together, mind if I ask you about the romance novel?"