cry 13

Hours ticked by and eventually he felt confident enough to start following Shisui again. So he packed up and left the store and followed his shadow to the target he needed to find.

He did make sure that the shadow was not pointing anywhere that would raise eyebrows. If he stalked Shisui to the Hokage Tower for example he would have far more attention than he wanted. The same could be said for the Uchiha compound.

It was kind of hard to have a pin on that as his shadow kept bouncing around in different directions. He knew that Shisui had mastered the Body Flicker technique but he never thought the guy would use it so freely to travel around.

He would say it was a massive waste of Chakra since the guy should be combat ready even when not assigned a mission but this might be training for Shisui. There was no better way to hone a skill than adding it to your daily life. 

Still, even if the guy was flickering all over the village, Shikamaru was able to catch up to him. The guy was breaking up a conflict between a drunk who was spewing vile comments at a member of the police force. The officer in question had a cold, almost murderous look on his face and it was only becoming colder with every word the drunk threw at him but Shisui was standing between them so the officer made no move.

Shisui’s own expression seemed to be twitching from the bright smile he was trying to wear but he still stood firmly on the side of the civilian. The Officer gave one last glare at the drunk who was giving him a smug look before he walked away with an angry energy that seemed to fill his very being.

The officer was a member of the Uchiha clan, which was to be expected since the entire police force was made up of Uchiha members. So even though the officer hated backing down from such disrespect he dropped it for Shisui.

Shisui kind of had a strange reputation with his clan. They hated that Shisui stood on the side of the village in almost everything but they loved Shisui as a person. They had to, Shisui was a war hero and one who had an almost sterling reputation. Someone who managed to have their name rung out around the world even when a monster like Minato was strutting about.

Shisui was honestly the only reason the Uchiha clan had not rebelled or defected by this point. Being kicked out of the central areas of the village to the outskirts hurt their pride. Having their lives being thrown under a microscope with constant surveillance hit their sense of safety. The disgust and hate from the freaking worthless weaklings had them almost boiling in rage.

Those emotions have been building for decades and even with Shisui holding back the boiling point it had reached a point of no return. Even Shisui's strength and reputation was not enough to hold back the reckoning that was going to befall the village. Not any more at least.

Shisui turned towards the drunk civilian but the drunk in question just ignored him and went about his day stumbling down the street. Not even a word of thanks to the man who saved him from a beating for his louse tongue and disrespectful attitude.

Shisui twitched at that but he just had a disappointed almost sad look about him instead of the irritation or anger. Shisui was clearly used to this treatment but it was still baffling to see.

The civilian populace were too brave for their own good. This was a world where men could throw waves of molten fire like it was candy. A world where a guy could twist your head off if you ticked them off.

So civilians really should be more meek when dealing with ninja. You never know what would set someone off after all. But for some strange reason the civilian populace felt like it was okay to mock and insult people who could kill them without any real effort.

It was not just the Uchiha either. The civilians knew Naruto was a Jinchuriki and while they might not understand the details on that they knew Naruto had the power of the Nine Tails. So they should try their best to not set the literal bomb off but that did not happen.

Instead the civilian populace whispered hateful comments at the boy and made sure he knew everyone hated him. They had him kicked out of the orphanage and they denied him service in a large amount of the stores. There was no physical violence inflicted on Naruto from most people but there were always lunatics that took things too far.

Thankfully that seemed to be too much for the Hokage to turn a blind eye to so the Anbu usually took care of those morons. Still, the actions of the civilian populace of Kohona painted a picture of arrogant, self-centered morons who were better off killing themselves instead of infecting the gene pool with their limited intelligence.

Shikamaru walked towards Shisui who was still standing around with that despondent look about him.

“Do you really think this is the right call to make? He asked the brainwashed child soldier with a raised eyebrow.

Shisui seemed to snap out of his mood when faced with this question. Shisui turned towards Shikamaru and frowned after a moment as he understood what Shika was asking him.

He stared at the younger boy as if trying to figure out why he was asking about this.

“Of course, I don’t want to see the situation in the village getting even worse. ” Shisui spoke out after a moment but it was clear he knew that the civilian was at least a little at fault but he was not willing to rock the boat.

That was the difference between Itachi and Shisui. Itachi viewed the village and peace as the be-all-end-all. If he had to kill his entire clan to ensure the safety of the village at large he would do it. Shisui on the other hand cared for both. He was trying his best to mediate the situation in the village so his people could live another day.

The issue was Shisui was too naive for his own good. Shikamaru looked at the older boy and let out a deep sigh that seemed to surprise Shisui.

“There is a difference between tolerance and submission.” He spoke out as he gave Shisui a long measured look. Shisui frowned in turn and an irritated look flashed in his eyes.

“I don’t care if the rest of the village views us as submissive as long as everyone is safe.” Shisui spoke out firmly as he faced Shikamaru with a steely glint in his eyes. Shikamaru in turn just let out another sigh.

Shisui was just reading the surface levels of the issue. He thought Shikamaru was looking down on his actions as a submissive slave to the current village but that was not all of it. The regime needed the Uchiha to either be submissive or dead, there were no other options. So while Shisui actions were certainly breaking the tension between the two sides it was not enough in the eyes of both sides.

He did not seem to get that the Uchiha would never bend the knee to someone like Hiruzen. Fugaku had taken a major hit in reputation with his own concession to Hiruzen as they viewed him backing down as a sign of weakness. The Uchiha worshiped the strong and despised the weak.

Shikamaru let out a sigh and reached his small hand towards Shisui to introduce himself.

“If you think this is the right way then by all means continue. I’m sure you know this already but I am Shikamaru Nara, the current heir to the Nara clan.” He spoke out slowly as he continued to hold out his hand in a lazy manner.

Shisui seemed confused about the sudden introduction but reached out to shake his hand all the same. As he did so Shikamaru took the chance to slip a note from his inventory and made sure Shisui knew he was being given something. The Inventory really was a cheat as there was no way he could have passed this note off in a ninja village with his own skills.

There was a sudden tensing in Shisui’s eyes as he realized the sudden introduction had some meaning but he kept it managed. He understood that Shikamaru was plotting something and it had to be kept on the down low. So Shisui was willing to play along if only to find out more information before he turned the Nara heir in.

Shikamaru gave him a bland smile as he let go of his hand. Shisui might very well turn him in but after reading what that note said he was bound to show up to the meating spot Shikamaru arranged.

Shikamaru walked away and went towards his clan grounds to shake off any unneeded eyes his actions had given him. Once he was secure there he used the I.D create skill to walk to the arranged area he then used the transformation jutsu to turn himself into someone else before dropping the I.D and arriving at the area.

Now all he had to do was wait. From the shuddering of his shadow as it tried to pull towards Shisui he knew the guy got to reading his note. So he waited and looked at the surrounding clearing with a lazy attitude. 

He picked a small clearing near the Nakano River. It seemed a fitting spot considering it would be the eventual gravesite of Shisui. Although, this place currently had no meaning towards Shisui other than being close to his clan grounds.

He leaned against the tree and barely tensed up as a kunai was pressed against his throat. The sudden appearance of Shisui by his side with his Sharingan blood red as he stared at him really was threatening. Shisui might be a fool but there is no denying his deadly skill.

“How did you know about Kotoamatsukami?” Shisui hissed out with killing intent boiling around him like a heavy cloak. If he did not get the answer he wanted then it was likely the Nara clan was going to be missing a clan heir from now on.

Shikamaru may be wearing a different face but it was clear Shisui knew exactly who he was talking to. Well, this little charade was not meant to fool him since Shikamaru had blatantly handed him the note. This little change was meant for anyone following along that was not supposed to.

He was fairly confident Shisui was taking care of this all by himself. He used a bait that Shisui would not want others knowing about after all. Kotoamatsukami was a card he kept to his chest until things were almost too late. 

Still, he was not going to have this conversation in the open. His shadow melded with Shisui’s, not taking control so the ninja did not immediately slit his throat. Instead he just made the connection, with that connection he dragged the two of them into another empty I.D.

He thought Shisui would not notice but the kunai dug deeper into his throat as if warning him. He just gave a harmless smile back to the ninja who might end up killing him in a moment.

“I’m sure if you wanted that answer so badly you could pluck it right out of my head with very little effort. You are known for two things after all. Your body flicker and your perfect mastery of Genjutsu.” He spoke out with a mocking smile on his face. On the inside he was sweating bullets but he could not let Shisui know that.

Shisui glared at him and the red glow from his eyes intensified but he did not do anything just yet.

This guy was a near legendary ninja and if he wanted answers he could get them. His clan heir status was the only thing stopping that from being the immediate option. Still, it was clear if he did not answer soon things were going to go in that direction.

So with a dramatic sigh he released the transformation jutsu and looked over to Shisui with the same smile.

“Fine, I came here for a conversation so there is no point holding information back from you. Can you do me a favor and give me some space? You could kill me in an instant at nearly any distance so this whole song and dance with a blade to my throat is not really needed.” He spoke out with a calmness he was not feeling but he was going to either die here or get what he wanted.

No big deal right?

Shisui again looked at him for a moment as if contemplating the need but eventually he did pull the knife back and take a step away to face him in a proper conversation. The guy was still glaring at him with his Sharigan glowing an ominous red and spinning in a concerning way but that was okay.

“There, you have your space now tell me how you found out about it?” Shisui asked with a glare and killing intent billowing off of him.

He rubbed at his neck now that the knife was no longer threatening to decapitate him. After a moment of that he faced Shisui and smiled with a knowing look.

“Well, I’m sure you know about me. Like I said earlier I am Shikamaru Nara and you probably know how I am considered a prodigy in my clan.” He spoke out with a smile. Before he could continue Shisui let out a scoff.

“I’ve dealt with prodigies before and while you are impressive for your age, finding out that particular secret could not be found with simple skill kid. Not a single soul other than me knows that and you don’t have the power to subdue me and drag that answer out of me. If you did, you would not be standing here for your so-called conversation.” Shisui spoke out with his Sharigan spinning violently as if to enhance his point.

“Obviously, you are a ninja who could fight monsters like the Raikage and Minato-sama and come out alive. No, I don’t mean to draw attention to my skill but to tell I am a Nara like no other. For example, look.” He says while reaching down towards his shadow and plucking the piece of Shisui’s shadow out of his own shadow.

He presented the wiggling and struggling piece of shadow towards Shisui who only looked at it blankly. Clearly what he was showing him was strange but Shisui had no idea what he was trying to show him.

“Neat trick kid, but I am getting tired of these games. You are going to tell me how you know about Kotoamatsukami.” Shisui spoke out with a tone that brokered no argument. 

“Impatient aren't you? Fine, I was getting to it anyway. This little shadow is not mine. It’s yours.” He spoke out as he let go of the wiggling mass and it surged like a bullet towards Shisui’s own shadow. Shisui frowned as the piece merged into his shadow.

The man’s fingers twitched as if he was going to respond in a violent manner from the sudden show but held off for now. Instead he started at Shikamaru as if measuring him again.

“See, that shadow was yours. A part of you that you do not pay attention to but a part all the same. For most of the Nara clan shadows are just weapons, things to kill others with. But I am like no other Nara. I have delved deep into our techniques and have broken into ground not found anywhere else.” He spoke out solemnly as if trying to reveal some grand trick.

He was lying out of his ass as his knowledge came from the Manga but he needed to change Shisui’s perception about him. It looked like it was working as a contemplative look was worn on his face as he looked at his own shadow.

“All shadows have an identity, a source in which their image is cast. A sort of reflection of what the true object is. I have reached far beyond just controlling my own shadow. I understand them like no other and they whisper such sweet secrets if you can only listen to them.” He spoke out with a sharp smile as he faced the legendary ninja who could kill him in a blink.

Shisui looked over at him with a sharp look, but it seemed like he had no idea how to deal with Shikamaru. The guy seemed to believe him so that was a score at least.

“You…even if you know things kid you should not reveal them like this. You're going to end up dead if you keep up with this.” Shisui chastised after a moment of contemplation.

The man was still wary but his hostility had drained away slightly. To him Shikamaru was another member of the same village and they should be striving for the same goals. So he was treating him as a junior that was overstepping in excitement over the new trick they made. Trying to impress a legendary ninja.

Shikamaru had made it clear how much respect he had towards Shisui after all.

“But I had to.” He spoke out seriously, the mask of emotions falling apart as he stared at Shisui with his genuine feelings. He needed to talk to Shisui, he was the only one who could solve the mission ahead of him.

Shisui seemed startled by the shift and he shot a concerned look at Shikamaru. It was not clear if that concern was for the boy in front of him or for the strange mood that might affect him.

“The shadows don’t just whisper about your darkest secrets, Shisui. They ramble and beg for your deepest desires.” He spoke out quietly and Shisui stiffened, seemingly knowing what was to come. “They speak of the weight you have put on your shoulders, they scream for help, they beg for peace. You want to solve the conflict between your clan and the village and you would bet your very life on it. It’s such a strong will that your shadow is all but dyed in that notion. How could I ignore a call like that after hearing it?” He spoke out to the stunned Shisui.

Shisui looked like he wanted to dig a hole and bury himself in it. For a man who was moments away from murdering a child earlier he fell apart like a house of cards when his own feelings were brought up.

Shisui took a step back as if trying to distance himself from his embarrassment. He shifted from each foot as if fighting something unseen before he faced Shikamaru with a more vulnerable look.

“Still, even if you wanted to help me, going about it like this is dangerous. I almost killed you on principle alone.” Shisui admitted quietly. “ I don’t need help either, no matter what my shadow says, kid.” Shisui spoke out quickly as if to dismiss Shikamaru entirely.

“You do Shisui, even if you don’t want to accept it.” He spoke out seriously as he stared at the older man. Shisui frowned and tried to put up a tough front but the cracks were getting clear.

“You just don’t understand what is really happening Shisui, the world is not as you see it. You are stumbling down a path blindly reaching towards the never ending shadows for salvation.” He spoke out quietly and Shisui frowned again.

“I know. But knowing does not change anything kid.” Shisui admitted, the man knew that his current path was doomed but he was going to try all the same.

“No, you really don’t know anything Shisui,” He spoke out as he stared at the fool. 

“Your shadow is not the only one that talks to me Shisui. I can see the world far more clearly than you, the thick shadows binding your sight might as well be glass to be. So trust me and accept my help before it’s too late.” He spoke out with an earnest nature that seemed to almost overwhelm Shisui.

“I…” Shisui started his eyes dancing around as he tried to think how to respond before he sunk into himself and let out a sigh. “Fine, welcome aboard kid. If you really want to help then you can. Still, even if you are the Nara heir you can’t change the situation in the village. That much I know to be true.” Shisui spoke out in a sullen manner, giving up but not liking it.

“I don’t need to change the village Shisui, I just need to pull back the shadows that are blinding you.” He spoke out firmly but shifted his gaze away from the guy for now.

Everything had been going according to plan but it was going to get complicated here. He was going to say some things that will challenge everything Shisui knows after all.

“What do you mean?” Shisui asked with a frown, the weight behind Shikamaru’s words had him curious but oddly apprehensive.

Shikamaru swallowed but decided to just get right into it.

“The reason you can’t see a way out for your clan is because you don’t understand what is driving a wedge between the clan and the village.” He spoke out with a nervous energy about him.

“What do you mean? My clan is arrogant and prideful, I have broken up more than a dozen fights between civilians and my clan daily. They looked down on anyone they considered weaker and that bothers the general populace.” Shisui spoke out firmly as if he had already seen the answer and he had no need to listen to anything else.

“You are not wrong but you are also not right. Your clan is arrogant and they refuse to bow to weaker people but that alone would not have brought this situation about. Like you said, your clan members are prideful by nature, so they usually don’t care about the feelings from the general populace. So they would not fight them on a regular basis if this was a regular situation.” He explained and Shisui seemed interested but confused.

“What angers your Clan is that the general populace is spitting on their pride. They treat your clan like vermin because they might have been involved with the nine tails being freed.” He continued but Shisui frowned even more.

“I know that already, the Nine tails had a Sharigan pattern in its eyes when it attacked the village. It’s the reason the village has us under surveillance.” Shisui spoke out with a frown, not seeing where he was coming from.

“That is true but it has been a long time since that night and you are still under surveillance, to the general populace that looks like a sign of guilt.” He explained and Shisui opened his mouth to say something but he continued.

“The Hokage and his advisor have also not made a statement, so the general populace see that as your clan being guilty but are not being punished because of their power. This has hurt the Uchiha like nothing else, prideful people absolutely hate being blamed for something they did not do and I know for a fact that your clan was not involved.” He spoke out but was interrupted in a hurry as if Shisui had seen the light.

“You know who freed the Nine tails!?” Shisui asked with a desperate need as he rushed forward and grasped Shikamaru’s shoulders, nearly shaking him to get answers.

Shikamaru frowned at that but shrugged off the sudden energy.

“No, I just know none of your Clan was involved. Their Shadows can’t keep secrets from me after all.” He spoke out to stop Shisui from asking more. He was playing a dangerous game as admitting you had scanned a whole clan for secrets was a very big crime.

He was only admitting it because Shisui was not one to say anything about this because he wanted his own salvation more.

“Okay, we have to tell the Hokage this. With this the surveillance will drop and my Clan will relax.” Shisui spoke out excitedly, not as excited when he thought Shikamaru knew the true culprit in the Nine Tail Riot but still like a ball of energy.

“Stop, that is not going to work. First of all, the Village already knows your clan is not involved. Secondly, telling the Hokage what I am capable of would only lead to disaster for me so I’m not taking part in that.” He spoke out firmly and Shisui was back to frowning.

“What do you mean they know already?” Shisui asked with a brittle look that was out of place on the man.

“The location in which Kushia was giving birth was only known to Minato-sama, Hiruzen, and Danzo. The placement was only decided at the last minute since Minato-sama could teleport to any location quickly. So the Uchiha being a part of this was eliminated almost immediately.” He explained and Shisui just looked lost.

“So why?” Shisui asked in a daze not understanding why his clan was being suppressed if not for the Nine Tails Riot. Shikamaru let out a sigh.

“Because the Hokage and his advisors fear your clan, they fear the might that is brought about from monsters like Madara and they want to either suppress your clan completely or destroy it.” He explained but a sharp look was thrown at him and the killing intent was back as if daring Shikamaru to slander the Hokage again.

He let out a sigh as dealing with this fool really was going to kill him.

“You might not believe that but it’s the truth, Shisui. You don’t understand the fear that Madara and Hashirama brought to this world. They could tear the world asunder on their whims and Hiruzen and Danzo are old enough to remember the fear they induced on them.” He continued and the killing intent started to flicker down as Shisui took in his words.

He still wanted to argue but he also looked like he did not know how.

“It’s also not just about fear, it’s also about interest. Hiruzen can not afford for the Uchiha clan to be strong and ambitious as the Uchiha would never treat his clan as he thinks it deserves.” He kept striking at the truth with out shrugging.

“Hokage-sama would never!” Shisui spoke out like a feral animal defending itself in a last desperate bid for survival.

“He would, you don’t even have to believe my words alone. You can find the answer pretty easily if you just look. For example, why is Hiruzen the Hokage right now? Minato died sure but that would just mean the next Hokage needed to take office, instead we have the old frail third sitting on the seat.” He spoke out with a wry smile on his face and Shisui froze as if not expecting that route but looked at Shikamaru to respond again.

“He would say it was because there were no ninja in the village who could become the 5th Hokage but we both know that to be a lie. You are a Kage level ninja and you have a sterling reputation from the war, heck Fugaku makes a good candidate as well. But you might argue that the Uchiha clan was under investigation for the Nine Tails event so they could not be made Hokage.”

“If that is the argument you want to make then let’s turn away from the Uchiha. Orichimaru was loyal and in the village after the nine tails riot, so he should have logically been the next choice. He was the other candidate in the election for the 4th after all but it was denied to him yet again. You could argue that Hiruzen knew about Orichimaru’s shady attitude so he did not let his student lead the village but what about Jiraiya? Or Tsunade?”

Shisui flinched at every name being flung at him but Shikamaru was far from done.

“There are plenty of ninja who could have sat on that chair but instead we got an old man whose strength is waning and nearly done. Hiruzen might have been great once but that is no longer the case. That is why Kumo was able to push us around at the Hyuga incident. Kumo views Hiruzen as weak and he proved them all but right by bending over backwards in the name of peace.” He explained with a frown as the various acts Hiruzen did had him irritated all over again.

“He made the right call there, if one life could bring us peace it was worth the price.” Shisui shot out quickly but his tone was shaky as if not believing the words even though he was the one he said them.

“Did he? Do you really think that was the correct call? Kumo may have backed down in the end but that was because they always were going to back down. The war was taxing on them and they only had a young but reckless Raikage and a Jinchuuriki that was barely making a name for themselves. They could not fight again but Hiruzen let our village bleed to appease them when they were going to give up.” He spat out and Shisui flinched at that.

“My point being, that Hiruzen should not be sitting on that chair right now but he is. You could call it pride and vanity that let that man sit on that chair but it’s not. He is sitting there for his clan and the clan of his friends. Did you know that the Sarutobi clan has swelled from a middling clan to a clan who could field nearly ten thousand ninja? Similar numbers could be brought from the various clans from the Hokage’s advisors. Do you think that is a coincidence? That their clans are really that talented!?” He shouted out at Shisui and the once powerful man sunk into himself like a naughty child.

“So you finally see the interests that drive this village, do you now know why the village is all but condemning the Uchiha? Your clan threatens their hold of power and they would rather you all die than power slip from their fingertips. So tell me Shisui, did I manage to tear the shadows blinding you!?” He asked with a near snarl and Shisui just looked lost and despondent. 

Good, with this he might actually go through this mission with flying colors.