Chapter 223: The Apprentice

*

The Chūnin exam was to begin very soon. Many have prepared and practiced diligently. So, for example, at one of the Konoha training grounds. One man in a dark shirt was training two lovely girls.

"So," Shikamaru looked menacingly at Ino and Sakura. "How long will this last ?!" I told you clearly, I choose you two! You don't have to argue.

- What?! But why her ?! Okay, Hinata, but it's big-faced ... ”Ino glanced at her friend with displeasure.

Sakura just snorted as she was about to punch the blonde properly, but Shikamaru again coldly replied.

- I decided so! Both of you are mine, so stop bickering or I'll end this workout!

After his words, both of them blushed with embarrassment.

- Well, I'm not serious ...

- Yeah, I don't even mind ...

They quickly changed their minds. To which Shikamaru just sighed and nodded.

- Okay, now I will teach you a better technique for chakra control. Then we'll test your spontaneous disposition and I'll give you a couple of training tips. You both took my pills, your talents were reflected.

- Ha, I already know my element! Yamanaka grinned proudly.

Sakura glanced dismissively at her friend and turned away, continuing to listen to Shikamaru.

- Okay, let's start.

Shikamaru proceeded with a simple explanation of a rather handy technique for training chakra control. He invented it based on his abilities, since he no longer just skillfully managed chakra - for him it became something at the level of ordinary breathing. This is certainly not the perfect control as the Sage of the Six Paths, but it is clearly stronger than even the Hokage.

In any case, he started out simple. The girls got stronger thanks to the pills, especially Sakura, whose chakra was strengthened and many problems from the body were removed. In terms of chakra volume and control, she even surpassed Ino, even though Yamanaka took the pills even earlier, increasing her talent. Of course, in battle, Sakura will definitely lose against her. But, Haruno's potential was initially higher, perhaps even without the pill, she would have surpassed her friend over time, especially with training from Tsunade. But Shikamaru didn't care that much, he just wanted to make her stronger at that moment, that's all. On someone else, he would not waste time today.

Even if the two fought out of jealousy, Shikamaru didn't take that into account. Until everything came to bloody massacres, things could be controlled. Getting in a relationship with multiple girls is dangerous, so he was always on the alert. But, in his absence, he still could not do much. So he gave them fuyin bracelets with his own seals and just wanted to trust that the two would not kill each other. Women's jealousy is a terrible thing, he knew it, but he was not going to keep them in a cage. In any case, his feelings were not the highest form of love, so in a pinch it won't hit him hard.

The trainings took place until the evening, and then, tired and broken, the girls went home in an embrace. Shikamaru walked them off for a bit, and then leisurely headed to the Konoha cemetery. Today he had a business in the area.

*

In the setting sun, hundreds of gravestones cast countless shadows. At this hour, one of the shadows looked especially lonely. A low silhouette stood among several gravestones. Time passed, but he continued to stand there and look at the two plates with names. One belonged to his mother, Mikoto, and the other to his father, Fugaku.

Sasuke just looked sadly, not saying a word or taking his sad gaze from the tombstones. Sadness, loneliness and resentment were read in it. The deep hatred lurking inside sometimes flashed in his dark pupils.

Suddenly, Sasuke lifted his head and turned. At the same moment, he met the eyes of someone familiar:

- But you...

Shikamaru glanced at the gravestones next to the boy and nodded briefly.

- Shikamaru.

- Why are you here? The Uchiha asked cautiously. Among all his peers, only this man really bothered him. Unknown, but at the same time everyone knows about him and is called the strongest genius of the generation. Sasuke hadn't seen him often and hadn't thought about it that much at the time. Now, wanting more power for his purpose, he seriously wondered - how did Shikamaru become so strong? What is his secret and why he looked like an adult in his years ...

"These are genes," Shikamaru smiled as he walked closer to Sasuke and looked down at Mikoto's tombstone.

- How do you ... Do you read thoughts?

Shikamaru chuckled a little and his eyes instantly changed to two black Sharingans with three snow-white tomoe.

As soon as Sasuke met those eyes, he immediately flinched and frowned.

- How is it ... These eyes ...

`` You're a funny guy. '' Shikamaru shook his head with a grin.

“He's just like Haku, with the same pretty face and fragile body. Strong eyes and clothes, that's all the parts of a man in him. All in a mother, isn't it? Remembering Sasuke's character as a child, I might also think it was a girl. But now ... No matter how you look, he took on too much to rely on others and be weak and kind "- after a moment of reflection, Shikamaru's eyes returned to normal, and he calmly replied:

- You understood correctly, I am a carrier of the Sharingan, just like you.

Silence fell immediately ... Sasuke would have been really shocked. He had not experienced such a shock in his life for a long time. He first met someone with his own Sharingan! This is not Kakashi with his transplanted eye, this is real, albeit strange, but the Sharingan!

- I don’t understand ... You’re not an Uchiha ...

“I’m neither Nara, nor Kaguya, and certainly not the Hyuuga. But, I am still the bearer of their abilities.

"So that's why you're so strong ..." Sasuke muttered in amazement. He still could not believe in what he saw and heard. It was all too unexpected.

Shikamaru did not deny, but did not agree either:

- Partly it is. But, this is something more ... - smiling, he mentally added:

“Perhaps, if I were in this world again and without a system, with my understanding of the chakra, I would simply become possibly already a Jonin. This knowledge is amazing ... ”- Shikamaru himself did not notice how Sasuke's gaze changed from surprise and shock to interest and determination. The guy frowned, and then sharply asked:

- Can you teach me?

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow in surprise.

- Teach?

- Mm, - the guy nodded: - Your Sharingan ... It is much stronger than mine. You know how to use it, right? I need strength and I ... ”Sasuke's head dropped, clenching his fists.

Sasuke himself did not understand why he reacted so strangely. But, this aura of strength and greatness left him no chance. He simply raised his head and, with a gleam of determination in his eyes, said:

- Shikamaru, take me as your student!

- This is somehow strange ... We are the same age, even in spite of my, ahem ... size. Do you want to recognize me as a teacher so easily? You haven't even seen me fight.

Painfully quickly, he went from surprise to this ...

The Uchiha nodded emphatically. For him, this meeting seemed so strange and at the same time fateful. His whole being told him that he should follow this man. If there is power in the world, then it is in its hands! It is not clear where he got trust and understanding, they exchanged just a couple of words, but he already knew his answer!

- I decided! I want to be your student! I'm sure you are the strongest person I have met!

"Interesting ..." Shikamaru was visibly surprised. Is this Uchiha so observant? Is he too dreamy? Doubtful, since Sasuke has so much pride ...

“Didn't he fall in love? Haha ... Well, maybe it's his reincarnation chakra. In any case, I somehow thought about teaching him. Loyal Uchiha, ready for anything, why not. Although it’s worth waiting with his mother, I’m not sure of her condition myself yet. ”Shikamaru pondered a little, which only made Sasuke tense. For some reason, he was scared of refusal, for him it was as if the whole world had stopped. He himself did not understand why he looked at his seemingly contemporary age with such hope. Maybe it really is something like ... Destiny.