Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza, who were on the veranda, had already noticed Shikamaru's return.
"Yo, Shikamaru's back." Inoichi's gloomy expression from a moment ago changed, and he smiled as he asked, "Looks like my Ino went home too?"
Shikamaru nodded. "Yeah. When I left, I was with Ino and Choji."
Inoichi and Shikaku exchanged a glance, each seeing understanding in the other's eyes.
It seemed this acting Hokage did still have some reservations. He had not done anything to the heirs of their three clans.
At least, for the time being, he did not intend to do anything to their three clans.
As for the other children—there was no telling when they would be able to get out of the Anbu.
Inoichi rose from his cushion, let out a breath, and said, "Then I won't bother you any longer. I'll head back and check on my girl."
That mountain of flesh, Choza, also slowly stood and said to Shikaku, "Then I'll head back too. Choji's home, so my wife's definitely going to make a lot of good food. I need to go get some."
The two left together, waving to Shikamaru and Shikaku, father and son, and soon disappeared from the veranda.
"Those two." Shikaku watched their backs vanish, then looked at the unfinished game on the shogi board and sighed.
He knew the two of them were worried about their children, so they had gone back early, but leaving a game half-finished still made Shikaku feel an itch in his heart.
So Shikaku looked at his son, who was standing to the side, and said, "You come finish this game in your Uncle Inoichi's place."
"Huh?" Shikamaru looked at the board. The position Inoichi had left behind was clearly very unfavorable.
"What a drag. I just got back and