Disclaimer:
This fanfiction is based on characters and settings from Naruto, which is owned by Masashi Kishimoto, Shueisha, Viz Media, and Studio Pierrot. I do not claim ownership of the original Naruto story, characters, or universe. This work is purely fan-made for entertainment purposes, and no profit is being made from its creation. All original plot elements, storylines, and character interpretations are my own. Please support the official release.

Shikamaru's POV (First Person)
Time Skip: 2 Days

The day had finally come, the day everyone in the Forbidden City had been eagerly awaiting—when the Emperor would reveal his choice for Empress. I'd known this day was coming for a while, but now that it was here, I found myself feeling an odd mix of nerves and curiosity. It wasn't as if I craved the title, but I couldn't deny the significance of it, and how this decision would shape not only the future of Naruto's reign but the entire political landscape of Konoha.

Yesterday, I held court with Ino, Choji, and Shino. It was a small, intimate gathering, one of many I'd held recently, and it had become a ritual of sorts for us to talk candidly about the palace's internal affairs. Ino, with her gentle smile and sharp mind, had been showing the smallest hint of her pregnancy at two months. Shino, ever reserved, was now in his third month and carried himself with the calm confidence that suited him well. And Choji—he had been a particular topic of interest.

After Shino had become pregnant, Choji had confided in us that he wasn't sure he was ready to have a child just yet. He had shared, somewhat hesitantly, that Naruto, ever attentive to the needs of his harem, had respected Choji's wishes. Every time they had shared a bed since then, Naruto had taken measures to ensure Choji didn't get pregnant. It was a rare gesture in the palace, where the expectation was to bear children for the Emperor. But Naruto had always been different, compassionate, and willing to listen to what each of us needed. Choji told us Naruto had reassured him that, when he was ready, they could try again for a child.

The conversation naturally shifted to the impending announcement. We speculated who Naruto might choose as Empress, though deep down, I had a strong suspicion that it would be Hinata. She had always been the perfect picture of grace and poise, qualities that made her seem an ideal candidate for such a prestigious title. But I had long since learned that assumptions in the palace were dangerous. Nothing was ever truly certain until it was said.

The Banquet Hall

When I arrived at the hall for the announcement banquet, I was taken aback by its grandeur. It was larger than any of the previous halls we had dined in, more formal than the intimate family meals we usually shared. The towering ceilings and intricate tapestries reflected the importance of the event. Every detail had been meticulously planned, down to the arrangement of the tables.

Everyone had their own individual table, as was the custom when the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the harem dined together. Two long rows flanked the center of the room—one for the harem and one for the council. Across from us, the council members were seated, including the fathers of many harem members. My father, Shikaku, sat at his own table, exuding calm confidence, though I could sense his pride simmering beneath the surface. On the other side, members of the harem, dressed in their finest robes, sat quietly, waiting for what was to come.

Naruto entered the hall, escorting his mother, the Empress Dowager Minato, to her seat at the raised table on the left side of the room. His entrance commanded respect, and all eyes were on him as he helped Minato settle before making his way to his own seat. Once everyone was seated, the room fell into a tense silence, anticipation hanging in the air.

Naruto stood at the head of the room, his presence alone calming yet powerful. His eyes swept across the hall, taking in the faces of the council, the harem, and his mother. He began to speak, his voice steady.

"Today is a day of significance," he said, "a day that has come sooner than anticipated. This banquet was not intended to take place for another three months, but after much discussion with my council and with the Empress Dowager, I have decided to make my choice now."

A murmur rippled through the council. There had been whispers for weeks that Naruto was being pressured by certain council members to choose their child as Empress. Naruto's eyes lingered on Sasuke's father, Fugaku, and then on the Hyuga patriarch, Hiashi, before continuing.

"Some of my council," Naruto said, his tone sharp now, "have been less than subtle in their attempts to push me toward a particular choice. Let me remind you all—your role is to advise, not to interfere in the personal matters of the imperial harem. Just as my harem is forbidden from meddling in the governance of this nation, so too must the council respect the boundaries between state and family."

His gaze moved pointedly across the room, and the guilty parties shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Even though Naruto didn't name names, it was clear who he was referring to. Silence reigned once more as Naruto allowed the weight of his words to settle.

He continued, his tone softening, "But before we begin the meal and enjoy the entertainment, it is time for me to announce my choice. My Empress will be the one who brings balance and peace to my life, someone who has never sought the title for the power it bestows, but for the love and devotion they carry in their heart."

The room was utterly still as Naruto's gaze moved toward me. My breath caught in my throat, though I did my best to maintain a calm expression. My heart pounded, and I could feel the eyes of the entire room on me.

"My Empress is someone who has always provided me with quiet strength and wisdom," Naruto said. "Someone who, though not seeking power, has shown great loyalty to the crown and to me."

I couldn't deny the nervous energy coursing through me, but I forced myself to remain calm. Naruto smiled softly as he spoke the final words.

"Today, I name as my Empress, Shikamaru Nara."

The hall erupted into applause. My heart raced as the announcement echoed in my mind. Shikamaru Nara. Empress. The weight of the title hit me, but so did the warmth in Naruto's words. He had chosen me not for political gain or pressure but because of who I was to him.

Among the applause, I noticed the reactions of the others. Some were genuinely pleased, clapping with smiles on their faces. Others, like Sasuke's and Hinata's fathers, struggled to hide their disappointment. My father, however, was beaming, his chest puffed with pride.

Servants came to help me stand, guiding me to my new seat at the table on the right of Naruto's, now sitting opposite Minato, who offered me a small, approving nod. I took a deep breath, feeling the shift in my role, the responsibility that now came with this new title. I wasn't just Naruto's consort anymore—I was his Empress.

The Announcements

Once everyone was seated again, Naruto raised his hand to silence the room. "The ceremony for Shikamaru's ascension to Empress will take place in one month," he announced. "Afterward, we will reassess the rankings within the harem. No one will drop in rank, but some may be raised. This decision will be made by myself, Shikamaru, and with guidance from the Empress Dowager."

A wave of whispered conversations broke out across the tables. I could feel the weight of the moment sinking in further—this was no small change. The entire harem's structure would shift.

Naruto gave the signal for the meal and entertainment to begin, and the tension in the room eased slightly as platters of food were brought in, each dish more luxurious than the last.

During the meal, my father raised his cup to me, and in a voice filled with pride, he toasted, "To Shikamaru, the new Empress of Konoha, and to the Emperor for finding his perfect match."