Transmigrated Nara
I do not own any of the properties
Chapter 23 Deadly New Arrivals
One Week After Chunin Exams Finals…
"Shikamaru Nara" POV
'Fresh air does feel nice to breathe in' I felt myself contemplate as I lay on the grassy field surrounded by the enormous trees letting only some sunlight pass through their branches. I managed to secure myself a spot in the shade next to a tree while I waited for a friend to arrive and start what we had planned to due today.
"I'm here Shikamaru-Kun I hope you didn't have to wait too long." A voice called as I lifted myself to sit up I saw the new arrival the pink-haired girl who brought what looked like a picnic basket.
"Hey ugh, Sakura what's in there." I pointed to the small bag in her grasp as she looked down taking it all in her attention before returning to smile.
"Well recently or more like today I was experimenting on chakra pills and seeing if I could try to recreate it and make something that tastes good." She said as she closed her eyes and her smile enlarged.
"I made some for you two if that's what you were wondering." Sakura said as I almost backed away remembering all about her 'Famous' chakra pills. Although I haven't watched the full series nor do I know anything…past the…Gaara retrieval mission?… ugh I remember scrolling on that and seeing the chakra pills and a variety of clips of Naruto with absolutely no context.
"Umm, are you sure?" I felt my voice crack as I watched the girl look at me with a more serious expression.
"I made sure I put enough portion to taste and be good for you…unless you already had a plan to eat…I should have asked…" she said while murmuring the last part to herself. While I strained to hear her I take the time to get off my ass and rise to my feet as I pat the dirt and dust from all places that were touching the grass and started to stretch.
"That's a relief…and I appreciate you thinking about me," I said as she looked a lot less hesitant as she layered the basket…bag…thing on the floor and joined me with our warming stretches.
There was an awkward silence that lingered in the air as I felt myself start to sweat over thinking about it I looked over to Sakura who seemed to be finishing with her set.
'I don't know but there is something wrong with her I can't put my hand on it' I thought as we finished we engaged in our training session.
Our training mainly consisted of upping our chakra reserves, yes I may be from a clan but even then compared to people of my rank now being a Chunin I deftly need more chakra. It is something that is almost needed to be able to fight unless you are Lee, but I'm not like Lee I'm not crazily dedicated and have an equally crazy Sensei I'm just Shikamaru the heir one of the laziest clans to exist and downright I say many people think were mediocre.
We are often compared to the other two clans we usually stay near the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans and while the Akimichi with their bigger Chakra reserves and body morphing and the Yamanaka clan is essential in their information gathering and spying how can the Nara clan even compete. With the laziness, we exude out of the three of our clans most would say our shadow manipulation was subpar compared to theirs.
I at first didn't get why the Nara clan got treated like that not just by the other villagers but by a lot of the Shinobi that have been around always sighed when they got teamed up with a Nara. Always thought they had to pull double the weight cause of the lazy Nara Clan.
These thoughts preoccupied my mind until I heard my stomach rumble.
I turned to Sakura who was already setting up a blanket.
"Oh ugh let me help." Taken aback I offer my help as I walk over she only raises her hand to stop me.
"I've got it Shikamaru-Kun don't worry," Sakura said as she turned her head to look at me and gave me a reassuring smile.
I sighed and waited for her to finish setting up for me to sit down and pick on one of the boxes she laid out.
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"Shikamaru-Kun is there something on your mind," Sakura asked looking over to me as I finished the boxed lunch I looked at her and smiled.
"There's nothing to worry about but what about you what have you been learning about in the hospital?" I asked trying to take the conversation away from me and to her.
"Yeah they have me working on patients that are of minimal risk nothing like surgery though they say maybe in a couple months they would…" she trailed off as I all but raised my eyebrow at her before she sighed.
"Sorry…I just came to a realization." She said with the softness of her voice all but left to what seemed like it was as fragile as glass.
"Can I ask what's troubling you," I said slowly as I looked right at her eyes and she stared right back.
Her eyes were of someone who was holding onto a fleeing hope.
"It's just…why? Why is life so unfair…I'm just so unlucky…" Sakura tucked in her legs so she was able to hug her knees as her voice broke.
I looked down contemplating what she meant as she continued.
"Why do people have to fight? Why do we so senselessly kill each other and why…am I so weak…" she cried as tears started to stream out of her eyes.
She sniffed as I started to grit my teeth over the subject.
"I…I don't know not a clue why but all we can do is protect the people we care about I guess that's why we kill each other." I said mind numbingly as she turned her sobbing stopping just as her eyes focused back on mine.
"Life's a drag its as simple as that Sakura," I said as I sat there with a small smile that she didn't return but looked downcast.
"Still with what strength I'm not…I'm not like you, Sasuke-Kun, or Naru-Kun so how am I going to be of any help." She said her voice gradually getting louder with each second.
"You all have these amazing abilities and strengths but what do I have? Naru and Sasuke went to train with a Legendary Sannin and you have your father and Sensei and whatever one of your clansman but what do I have what does Sakura Haruno have!!" She yelled letting out everything, All the stress of training, The Chunin exams, the invasion, and the clear gap in ability between her and her teammates grew and would only grow larger.
"Sakura Haruno is a smart girl with amazing Chakra Control and bundles of potential," I said and her eyes returned to me as I looked away and stared at the burning sun from where we sat in the shade.
Don't worry Sakura you're not the only one who thinks like that. I question it every day." I said and I heard a sniffle and the sound of hands cupping eyes.
"Truth be told I feel the same way about my clan being inferior," I mentioned as I heard a final sniffle.
"But how you're such an amazing Shinobi and person Shikamaru-Kun," Sakura said with her face all but cleared from her previous sobs.
"Yeah, but a promising youngster doesn't clear up multiple generations worth of opinions and facts." Sakura tilted her head in wonder as I began to tell about all the things plaguing my mind over my clan and my strength.
"Is that why you're trying so hard to become stronger?" Sakura mentioned as I turned to look at her and then to stare back at my feet unable to to look for longer.
"Not entirely but I wouldn't mind having my parents look at me with pride." I couldn't help but say whenever I came back from a mission I always had that feeling inside whenever Mom or Dad smiled when I made them proud I can't help but want that.
"Yeah I get that feeling too it makes me think I'm getting stronger and wants me to get even stronger too." She said with a smile soon starting to show on her face.
"Well I should get ready to leave my shift at the hospital starts soon." Sakura yelped and got up before picking up some of the trays we left and stuffing them back in the bag. I grab one of them and put them in and I try to look for another one but the last one was in her hand already.
"Can you get up Shikamaru-Kun" I heard her voice behind me and I stood off taking the weight of the blanket.
"Here let me walk you there I still have tons of time on my hands until my team's training," I said as Sakura finished her folding at that moment. "A-Alright if you don't mind I would like some company." She said with some nervousness that I didn't question.
Walking on the path towards the hospital from where we were was mostly following Sakura's path that she had taken for about a couple of days now. 'How's a week went flying by.' J couldn't help but think as I slipped Sakura a glance to see her wanting to say something,
"H-hey Shikamaru-Kun do you-" she was cut off by the rapid increase in footsteps.
I held my hand up to quiet her as we focused and jumped on the roof of a nearby building to see the commotion.
The hearing of clashing metal confirmed my suspicion as we saw two people we had met before.
"I-it's them…what are they doing in the leaf village and-" her voice sounded catching the attention of the people fighting.
Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai with Kisame and Itachi.
"Oh if it isn't it the little brat," Kisame said taking his eyes off Asuma for a split second.
"When I was wanting reinforcements I didn't mean you guys!" Asuma-Sensei thrusted his trench knives catching the big sword only being able to compete with the shark man's superior strength for a second before he was batted away.
"Now could you tell us nicely where the Nine Tails Jinchuriki is," Kisame said his sword now resting on his shoulder awaiting Asuma as he grunted and got back on his feet.
"D-does he means Naruto," Sakura whispered in her hushed voice beside me as I glanced at her and nodded.
"We need to leave." I motioned to Sakura to back away but she insisted on going to help by moving forward but I held her back.
"I-I can't be useless." She pulled her arm from my grip but I added chakra into my arm to help keep my hold on her arm.
"We will help by getting reinforcements we can't fight these guys…not yet," I muttered as she turned to me with heavy conviction in her eyes as she stopped struggling.
"I'm sending a flare." I started to weave hand signs for the Fireball Jutsu but was ultimately stopped by a kunai that missed my head by only an inch.
Both my and Sakura's attention was on Itachi who gave us a side eye his Sharingan spinning from the Mangekyo back to the three tomoe.
'Wait' I looked back to see Kakashi-Sensei on the floor.
"Change of plans…dammit." Sakura followed my eyes to see her Sensei.
"Kakashi-Sensei!" She yelled as she jumped down from our place on top of the building I followed close behind.
I heard the cry of "Dynamic Entry!" from a booming voice as Might Guy appeared kicking Kisame away from my own heavily injured Sensei having many minor cuts but from what I could see it was mostly a lot of pummeling that Asuma-Sensei endured.
"Kisame we need to leave we're attracting too much attention." Itachi's monotone voice cut through the semi-tense air as Kisame was taken from his ramblings about finding a worthy opponent to that of not wanting to then too soon abiding by throwing a smoke bomb.
"Don't pursue, help the injured," Guy said ordering both me and Sakura with incoming Shinobi who heard and came to investigate the situation.
"I guess your shift starts now," I said as I ran over to help Asuma-Sensei by lending the man my shoulder though he had to lean quite a lot.
"You're heavy." I simply said as I saw his face which erupted in amusement.
"That's the first thing you say to your Sensei when you haven't seen him in a while that's harsh," Asuma-Sensei said with a click of his tongue.
Putting Asuma-Sensei in a bed in a hospital room with 2 more beds and 2 more people residing in them.
I look towards the bed in the middle of the room to see Sakura standing there looking down at her recently coma-induced Sensei as tears threatened to slip out.
At the other end of the room getting the window view there was Team 8 there looking down at their Sensei, Kurenai.
'Damn all our Sensei's seriously…' I couldn't help but think as Asuma-Sensei was snoring quietly but loud enough to break off my path of thinking.
"Just who do they think they are." I heard someone say as I turned back to Sakura who still struggling to keep her tears at bay with her shaking fist clenched shut as her knuckles started to turn white.
"Sakura stop." At my urgency, Sakura stopped and turned to me abruptly. I noticed all the attention in the room turned to me as Team 8 was staring in wonder as nurses just stepping into the room stopped dead in their tracks.
She turned to me as she started to walk towards me very slowly and scared… it was silent and I felt myself start to shiver slightly. "O-Oi is something wrong-" I was cut off as the pink-haired girl picked up speed and knocked me over making me fall on my butt as she held onto me.
"Uh," I couldn't help but mutter as the girl was crying and holding onto me like her life depended on it.
"I-I'm Scared Shikamaru-Kun if they could do this to Kakashi-Sensei then what will they do to Naru and Sasuke-Kun." Sakura sobbed as what seemed like the world froze over and began again as ever be went back to their business.
"Have faith Sakura have faith that's currently all we can have."
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Outside of a Village in the Land of Fire
No POV
"Damnit why won't this pop!" A blonde-haired youth yelled to the sky he threw the rubber ball to the floor and watched it bounce.
"Like hell, if I know if that old pervert didn't leave us to train here then we could get a hint on it." A black-haired youth said to his blonde-haired companion.
"Hey Sasuke why do you think we're even looking for this Tsunade anyways." The blonde-haired youth asked his friend as the boy named Sasuke turned.
"I think it was for her to become the next Hokage or at least she was a candidate." That made the Blonde now named Naruto's mouth open wide.
"Why!?" Naruto's voice raised in disbelief as Sasuke backed away from the yelling blonde.
"Well Lord Hokage is already supposed to be retired," Sasuke mentioned that Naruto's face didn't morph into anything resembling happiness.
"But I wanted Hokage-Jiji to give me the hat." A whisper that Sasuke heard but chose not to comment further.
"Here let's get back to training we've already done the first step with the Water balloon thank Kanu for that." Sasuke moaned as he remembered all the time Naruto tried to throw water balloons at him and he would always return the Cavour making not only Jiraiya angered but using their money to pay for more Balloons.
'Where even was that old Pervert/Ero-Sennin it anyways." Both boys thought.
"Hey, Sasuke." The boy who seemed to keep his mouth shut called him soon-to-be not friend as he turned to face Naruto with another look.
"Do you think this technique is going to be all that like Ero-Sennin kept saying it is," Naruto said holding onto the new rubber ball in his hand.
"Hmm well other than that he said it was also the highest form of Chakra manipulation training as well." Sasuke motioned to his hand as he flared his chakra to try and pop the ball.
The first step of the Training for these two was to rotate the water in a water balloon until it popped. With Naruto's vast Chakra, he could go all day and Sasuke used his Sharingan to take a closer look which made them complete faster than Jiraiya himself planned but gave them the rubber ball.
Though Sasuke had made Naruto fully pop the first balloon with just one hand since he first did it with a cat-like motion.
Sasuke himself was having trouble with how much power he really should add since his chakra reserves weren't as mighty as Naruto's so he could probably try this a couple of times until having to try again another time.
Sasuke sighed as he looked at the rubber ball he was holding not taking into account Naruto's angry huffing that may have amused him on a different day but her looked intently as he started to add chakra into the ball.
'The Rasengan is a sphere of chakra that rotates at fast speeds which grind into people…now visualize!" Sasuke continued with his thoughts as he added every bit of chakra he had left for this last attempt Naruto who tried once more looked on at Sasuke in awe as he saw the rubber ball start changing but did not burst.
'Come on' Sasuke thought as he stared at the ball before he exhaled and placed his other hand on top of the ball before repeating the motion as the ball continued at an even faster pace until it popped.
"Sasuke…" Naruto muttered until he saw his friend fall over due to chakra exhaustion as the rubber ball's remains lay on the Uchiha boy.
Naruto stopped what he was doing and simply stared at the unconscious body of Sasuke in wonder and envy then at the rubber ball that was popped in distaste before grabbing his body and hoisting him up to hang him on his shoulder.
"We should get back to the hotel room." Naruto voiced his thoughts before grabbing at the bag of the rubber balls before heading off not knowing of the white-haired man who was supposed to be researching but decided to spy on his students today.
At first, Jiraiya questioned training two people but knowing that what his Sensei told him was right then Sasuke needed to be prepared not only for him but for Naruto too. Jiraiya could already tell that these two were going to go through a lot.
Jiraiya himself now saw the similarities between the two especially with their…rather peculiar fascination for a pink-haired girl who he had not yet seen but for both these two to be that infatuated with her meant she wasn't someone regular either.
'Truly…will I be able to finish Make Out Paradise?'
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Leaf Village
"Shikamaru" POV
Having canceled training today to keep watch over the recovering Jonin I scan the room once more seeing my team having arrived after telling them the developments then to the most injured person here Sakura sitting in the chair next to his bed as she looked away from the downed man once to look at the clock before taking one last glance at Kakashi-Sensei and standing up and starting to walk her shift at the hospital starting.
She past me but not before saying something that left my eyes slowly widening. "Meet me at the Library after my shift… I'm sure you know" Sakura left the room as I looked in the direction she left and mulled over my thoughts.
'Why does she want to go to the Archive Library?' I looked at Kakashi-Sensei and then at the ground floor right next to me where I saw my open hand before moving towards my headband on my arm.
'I'm a Chunin…she wants oh great' I couldn't help but blank and tilt my head.
She was using me for my rank oh how brilliant you are Sakura.
"Shikamaru Nara your presence is needed in the Hokage's Office." A stern voice knocked me out of my thoughts as the doorway was occupied by an Anbu with long purple hair she was wearing a mask just like all the Anbu but hers resembled a cat. She wore a sword that strapped around her back only popping out on her right shoulder. I was enamored with the blade before shaking my head dispelling my thoughts and answering her.
"Right," I walk over to the woman as she sidesteps.
"Follow me" She motioned for the open window jumped through the window and landed on a rooftop with the elegance of someone who's done this for a long time.
I followed jumping out of the window as we continued on the way toward the Hokage tower I couldn't help but stare at the sword and imagine myself and think how I would look with one. I pondered while following as I continued eyeing the blade.
'Now that I think about it Shikamaru with a blade does sound appealing.' I couldn't help but think as my staring turned more intent.
"Is there something wrong?" The purple-haired woman broke me out of my stupor as I looked slightly higher to see her mask now in my direction she stopped her moving with a swift landing, I followed quickly and she turned to fully face me.
"No just wondering are you good with that sword," I ask peeking at the sword on her back as silence fills the area. I couldn't help but start to sweat at the sudden change of tone she showed.
"Yes…quite." She said while adding more she turned and started our trek to the Hokage's office again.
'What was that about? I feel like something's wrong.' I jumped after the Anbu only focusing on the route towards the Hokage's office.
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Entering the room with the Purple-haired Anbu leading the way we stopped in the Hokage's office. There Anbu stood obediently in front of Lord 3rd and the purple-haired Anbu took her place among them I froze before finding a place for myself as the Third greeted me.
" Shikamaru-Kun you've arrived and at good timing." He said having the smoking pipe in his mouth before placing it on his desk.
"Shikamaru-Kun I have summoned you to assist their mission in the… extermination of Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki." With those words, I couldn't help but widen my eyes though I hardened my face before looking down at the ground.
"I know I'm asking much of you Shikamaru-Kun but with your recent experience and dealings with them and being of level I think you would be very capable." I looked up at Lord Hokage before he pushed at his chair and ducked grabbing hold of something before a box of a multitude of recognizable uniforms, a deer mask, and a Tanto.
"Anbu gear you're-" I said in wonder as I stepped up and grabbed the mask.
"Well, it's your decision in the end though I do think you would help in the mission and you are ready from what I've seen in the Chunnin exams." I grimaced at the thought of leaving Sakura but getting the chance to help Sasuke and Naruto in trouble I think she would hate me more.
"Do you perhaps have a note?"
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Konoha Hospital
Sakura POV
Hmm, I placed my hands on top of the injured man's chest and saw the green glow emanating from my hand as I closed my eyes to focus on the man and his chakra. Over a couple of months now she had gotten greater and greater. From what she overheard from some people she was growing at a mind-numbing pace even though I work here part-time.
I finished my healing of the man and as I headed to walk out I heard the man talk.
"Thanks, doc," the Man said I stopped in my tracks as I spun having a giant smile on my face.
"Just doing my job sir." I gave him a wink before leaving the room to see an Anbu wearing a deer mask.
"Ano there's no visitors yet for this patient-" I was stopped before a note was thrust into my hand and he left by an open window.
I sighed 'Why do we keep the windows open and why do people keep entering through the windows it's so much harder to keep track of people that way.' I let out my frustration as I looked at the note.
'Is this for the patient or me?' I silently question before opening up the paper to see a it was addressed to me by Shikamaru…
Dear Sakura
I'm writing this because I have been drafted for a mission of utmost importance and before you say something I'll make this up to you I promise…I was made a temporary/honorary Anbu member. There are many risks I might die on this mission but If I do pass I want you to continue being you I've seen it as of rather late that you've been using me probably from you're innocent reactions you haven't known or were aware but…don't try to be like me because you admire me but be Sakura Haruno and find out what you truly want to be. I know I pushed you on to things like Medical Ninjutsu but it's your choice if you want to stick with it. I'm sorry that I told you this in a letter but if I were to possibly die then I don't want you to feel bad I want you to keep going further and further and be the best you can be and I know you will be.
Love Shikamaru
I laid my back on the wall I started to fall on the ground having my knees tucked in as I was holding them for comfort tears were starting to come out as I brushed them away steadily before standing up. Reading that letter was like a whole obstacle course of emotion. From sadness to realization to despair and hope, she pressed the palm of her hand towards her heart as it started to beat faster and stronger than before.
'Love?'
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Outside of Konoha
"Shikamaru" POV
"Don't you think that letter was…dramatic Deer." The purple-haired Anbu known to me as "Cat"
People in the Anbu were referred to as codenames based on their masks not to give away their faces and name.
"I kinda just wrote to what was on my mind at the time." I said though with what I heard "Cat" had insisted on reading it and finding nothing wrong with it she gave it back to me and to rendezvous at the main gates.
However, that was before I told her that Sakura wasn't my girlfriend over some insistence from "Cat" who was quiet all the time I met her up until I was technically inducted into the Anbu.
We were currently on route to Jiraiya's location where Lord Third had sent a messenger hawk a message about the Akatsuki's recent pursuit and to be prepared for an unexpected attack or surprise.
"Cat" led the pack of 20 Anbu including me I was right behind her as she instructed as she was the Anbu Captain leading the operation. Jumping branch to branch I can't help but wonder who she is and her sweet sword maybe I could get her to teach me!
That would be amazing.
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Somewhere in the Land Of Fire
No POV
"Hey, Itachi we don't have any leads on where we should go do you think we should go back to base and report or keep on with our search for the nine-tailed fox today?" The fish-looking man said to his companion known as Itachi who with his red eyes scanned Kisame's face before noticing something.
"Something wrong Itachi ." Kisame shifted his balance to his other leg which made Itachis's face scrunch up confusing Kisame until he was pushed out of the way lightly.
"What're you-" he moaned just to see Itachi completely focused. Kisame grimaced and scanned Itachi's face before turning to the direction Itachi was so intent on looking that he had to push Kisame out of the way to see a hawk coming their way or in close direction to them.
"That's-" Kisame starts to say before Itachi cuts him off.
"The Hokage's personal Messenger Hawk," Itachi said as Kisame flicked his attention to Itachi with a raised brow before understanding and knowing Itachi's background before asking.
"Do you think it'll lead us to the Nine-Tailed Fox," Kisame said smirking grabbing hold of the handle of his sentient blade.
"That or the person protecting him…the Legendary Sannin Jiraiya." That brings shock to the shark man before he grits his teeth.
"We need to capture the bird and call for reinforcements." At that, Kisame looked on shocked for a moment before grimacing once more.
"How did you even know it's Jiraiya the Sannin protecting him," Kisame said spectacle over Itachi's knowledge.
"His insignia is marked on the hawk you probably can't see it but I can," Itachi said creating a shadow clone who ran right after the hawk.
"Let's go see where this bird heading too."
"Shall we"
End Chapter