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Chapter IV: Answers

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The sensation of panic overwhelmed me, making any coherent thought nearly impossible as I sat alone in Itachi's living room. This couldn't be happening. Not again. A relentless stream of questions replayed in my head. Did the Hokage know that the tournament was a mere facade designed to end Naruto's life prematurely? It seemed improbable, Tsunade had never been one to shy away from a battle. But the entire situation reeked of suspicion. And what about the other villages? Would the Raikage be willing to sacrifice his brother if they found out that Bee could be as much of a target? Did they not realize? Would Madara divide the deaths of the Jinchurikis across each year's selection to hide his true purpose? And who else would be selected to go through this new kind of hell? Orochimaru hinted at the inclusion of criminals. Was that another requirement to get rid of dissenters? Were they seeking to eliminate any potential threats to this accord?

I glanced over at Itachi, who sat in the corner of the room. His eyes seemed to be grappling with the same questions as me. Did he fit into the category of criminals? I didn't believe so. Despite the stark differences between him and Madara, the latter wouldn't risk losing a bearer of the Sharingan, which was now a kekkei genkai on the verge of extinction in our world. But could I truly trust him?

For now, perhaps not. Itachi possessed formidable power, but he couldn't provide the answers I so desperately needed. He no longer had access to classified information and after today's meeting I probably didn't either. I needed was someone who could answer my questions, someone smart and well-informed. And then it struck me, like a thunderclap. A vital member of the Hokage's inner circle had been strangely absent from today's meeting, and I couldn't understand why. I rose to my feet, with a renwed determination surging through me. I needed to find out. Itachi's gaze locked onto me, expectant.

- "Thank you for hearing me out, Itachi-san," I said, dodging his probing stare as I straightened my disheveled attire.

- "What's on your mind, Sakura?" he inquired, not wholly convinced by my act.

- "I think you're right," I replied, weaving a lie. The curious thing about lies is that with practice, they become easier to tell. – "All we have are theories. We need more information and it would be unwise to act harshly. Maybe she should sleep on it after all."

After a brief, loaded silence, I turned to Itachi, who regarded me with a tinge of sorrow. I knew he doubted my trust, but he made no attempt to stop me, for which I was grateful.

- "I'm sorry about the table... and your garden," I confessed, feeling a sense of indebtedness at least for the mess I'd made.

- "It's alright. I understand," Itachi responded with a forced smile, though I sensed his eyes were still analyzing me. "Shall we meet here tomorrow? The cemetery might be too public."

I wasn't eager to face him again the next day, but at least it would make my lies more believable. Itachi might try to stop me if he found out that I was taking the matter into my own hands. I felt like he could easily see right through me and would not be hard for him to figure out that I was planning something.

- "Here is fine," I agreed, heading towards the door.

- "I'm on your side, Sakura. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I'll assist you in any way I can," Itachi suddenly offered. I paused in the doorway, turning to offer him a genuine smile.

- "I know, Itachi. I appreciate it." I responded feeling it was the truth. Still, I couldn't help but wonder if he truly believed it.

Leaving the house behind, I was grateful that Sasuke wasn't around. I couldn't afford another confrontation with him. My goals were crystal clear, and god helped anyone who got in way. I deliberately avoided the village to avoid any chance encounters, making my way to the training grounds and then crossing the forest. I reached my destination in no time.

Before I approached the compound, I composed myself, trying to look as normal as would usually did. I nodded to the guards who bowed slightly at my presence. It was not unusual for me to visit their clan head so they did not ask any questions. I walked up to the primary residence and knocked three times. It felt like an eternity, about eight minutes, before I heard the slow, lazy footsteps approaching the door. As it opened, Shikamaru's sleepy face greeted me. He seemed annoyed as if he had just woken up from his nap. I didn't quite care.

- "We need to talk," I said, my tone dead serious. Weariness shadowed Shikamaru's eyes, a mutual understanding between us. He knew why I had come.

Without uttering a word, Shikamaru stepped aside, inviting me into his home and then to his private garden. I'd always found the Nara clan's compound beautiful and peaceful. A shogi board lay on the tatami outside, a reminder of the countless matches we used to play. It had been a while since I'd last stopped by for a game, and there were few who could challenge him. Shikamaru must have been playing himself that day.

- "You didn't attend the meeting today," I cut to the chase. Shikamaru sighed heavily as he sat down, crossing his legs, and began rearranging the shogi pieces without answering me. I persisted, "You're the Hokage's chief advisor; why weren't you there?"

- "I wasn't summoned," he replied. Liar.

- "But you knew what was going to happen," I pressed.

- "And now so do you," he responded. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be here. Please sit down, Sak; you look like you're about to have a meltdown."

I obliged, lowering myself onto my knees, clenching my fists in my lap.

- "You know why they're doing this," I continued, convinced that someone as brilliant as Shikamaru had figured it out by now. This time, he looked at me, his gaze as earnest as mine.

- "Yes. We were foolish to think they would let Naruto go," he acknowledged, confirming Itachi's theory, which sent a shiver down my spine. The realization of this grim reality was sinking in.

- "We have to do something, Shika. We can't let them take him away. They want him to fight to the death without his chakra against god knows what," I implored.

- "We still don't know if he'll be chosen this year," Shikamaru clarified.

- "Does the Hokage know?" I asked, with little desire to hear the answer.

- "She suspects it, but can't risk the agreement based on a hypothesis," he replied. Frustration and helplessness tinged his voice.

- "What if they choose him, Shika?!" I countered his earlier statement. "And forget about Naruto for a second. What about all the other people who are going to be sent to die there this year? And the years after that? Are we really going to let that happen?"

Shikamaru regarded the shogi pieces on the board, seemingly contemplating his response. I could not understand why others found it so challenging to recognize the gravity of the situation.

- "If we did anything... it would mean war," he stated, stating the obvious.

- "I don't care. I'd set the whole world on fire if it stopped anyone from targeting Naruto," I retorted, my response immediate and unwavering. Shikamaru let out another exasperated sigh.

- "Troublesome," he muttered. "I know that, Sak. But maybe that's not the answer to this. We also have to think about the future."

- "What kind of future is that? One where we're treated like cattle and give our sons and daughters to the Daimyo to slaughter themselves for his entertainment?" I said, trying to keep my voice down. Partly because I didn't know who might be listening, and partly because I knew Shikamaru had little tolerance for yelling.

- "I agree. But we need a plan," he said. "We can't go to war now. We're not ready. Honestly, I think at least this year's contest is inevitable. We need time to prepare."

- "What if Gaara gets chosen this year? Have you thought about how you're going to explain it to Temari?" I hated myself for bringing up Shikamaru's love interest. I knew I was playing dirty but I felt desperate.

- "Temari... she knows," he whispered. My eyes widened in surprise. "I sent a secret message to Suna as soon as I came to the same conclusion as you."

A message by crow takes at least a day and a half to get to Suna. I wanted to be angry with him, to ask why he had kept silent about the truth for so long, but I also understood. Temari was Shikamaru's world, just as Naruto was mine. He would have done anything to protect her.

- "What did she say?" I inquired, striving to be sympathetic.

- "She... understands. I think she's praying for Gaara to be spared from this year's selection."

- "Why weren't you at the meeting today?" I asked again, seeking the answer I knew he held.

- "Because I don't approve of this. But I don't know what else we can do," he responded, the truth evident in his words. I breathed a sigh of relief, as though I'd been holding my breath since that afternoon.

- "But we have to do something," I insisted, overcoming my own anger. I needed more information. "Do you know anything about the selection criteria?"

- "Only that they're going to investigate the criminal records of all the shinobi. Anyone who might pose a threat to the agreement. They'll select participants from there, using various ranking shinobi. There's no point in measuring their skills; they won't be able to use their chakra," he explained.

- "How is that possible? How can they seal off their chakra reserves competely?" I asked. I had heard of chakra suppressors but this was completely different.

- "Sealing jutsu. It will be placed on the contestants before they go through the portal Madara has created," he revealed.

This information was the puzzle's missing pieces, vital for formulating a plan or at least for crafting a convincing case to get Naruto out of the village for good. Shikamaru must have sensed my thoughts, as he looked at the board while adding:

- "No, Sak. Getting Naruto out won't stop them from going after him. If Madara finds out, they'll hunt him down."

- "But at least we'd be able to fight fair and square," I argued.

At the time, my emotions prevented me from seeing the brigger picture. Naruto was everything to me, and I felt an overwhelming need to get him out of there. Fast. Shikamaru got up from his seat and moved towards the garden, and I followed in silence.

- "Do you really think Naruto would allow that?" he asked with a half-smile. "We tried to lock him up during the war, and he never forgave us. He would never let others die in his place. He rushed into battle as soon as he found out what was happening," Shikamaru reminded me.

Of course, I knew. Naruto would rather die fighting alongside his comrades than hide like a coward, waiting for it all to be over. That's what made him the hero, the main character, the stubborn little brat who never went back on his word and became the guiding light of the alliance. But I wasn't Naruto, and I wasn't a hero.

- "I understand... but you know what will happen, Shika. Best-case scenario, Naruto survives the contest, but they turn him into a circus attraction. A killer. A monster. His reputation will be done for, and he may never become Hokage because of that. Worst-case scenario... we lose him forever," I managed to say. Shikamaru's pained expression mirrored mine. He knew it too.

- "I know, Sakura. And I don't want him to go through that. He is my friend. All I have done is to become his advisor on day… But we're running out of time, and I'm running out of ideas. None of the plans I've come up with lead to victory. Only death."

That was it. There was no way out. An oppressive silence hung between us. I couldn't pinpoint when Shikamaru had retreated inside the house, but I remained there for over an hour, gazing at the sunset. The sky was painted red, a reminiscent of the blood that haunted my nightmares. I couldn't let this happen. I couldn't. I recognized that there were no perfect solutions where everyone would emerge unscathed. I also knew that this year's contest was inevitable.

But I also knew that if we lost Naruto, the future would be marked by nothing but death. I felt it. I reviewed all the information Shikamaru had shared, and I arrived at the only solution that made sense. Swallowing my fear and disappointment in one gulp, I closed my eyes, exhaled deeply, and accepted my newfound purpose. I was going to save him. I was going to fight for him.

When I opened my eyes, I felt a newfound sense of relief. I was no longer a mere spectator to my own life, a passive bystander. Now, I had a goal, and I would fight for it. At that time, romantic ideas of sacrificing everything for your loved ones still made sense. I think that was the last time I was so sure of it.

I walked back into the house and headed straight for Shikamaru, who was seated at the kitchen table, his gaze fixed on the bottom of his empty coffee cup. When I stood in front of him, he looked up, meeting my determined gaze.

- "I need you to do something for me," I told him.

My body was steady, my anger entirely dissipated. I needed Shikamaru's full attention for what I was about to propose. And I was going to get him to help me. Whether he wanted to or not.

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…End of Chapter IV…