The Nara Clan [Seeking Recommendation Tickets]

Chapter 20: The Nara Clan [Seeking Recommendation Tickets]

Shikashin Nara's face wore an expression of extreme helplessness and dejection as he reappeared in the hospital room.

He met Toneri's gaze. Toneri sat on the bed, tightly wrapped in his blanket.

Don't let Toneri's innocent and well-behaved appearance fool you. The lack of emotional fluctuation in his eyes was precisely what indicated his intelligence.

What child, after becoming the Jinchūriki of a terrifying Tailed Beast and arriving in a strange place, wouldn't be scared but instead show such a "pure" gaze?

A little fox!

"Ahem, Toneri, is it okay if I call you that?" Shikashin asked, coughing.

No matter how much he disliked the trouble or how unwilling he was to "take in" this little guy, he understood the gravity of the situation. He had witnessed the power struggle between the Third Hokage and Danzo in the office just now.

As staunch supporters of the Hokage faction, the Nara Clan's honor and disgrace had long been tied to the Hokage, or rather, to the Sarutobi Clan as the Hokage.

A Jinchūriki like this absolutely could not fall into the hands of Root. Otherwise, Danzo would truly have the confidence to challenge Hiruzen Sarutobi.

There were things Shikashin didn't want to say because they were troublesome, but that didn't mean he didn't understand them.

"Mhm, it's fine, uncle. Call me whatever you want, but... could you get me some clothes first?" Toneri said from under the covers.

Shikashin Nara was prepared. He casually tossed a set of his own child's clothes to Toneri.

As Shikashin Nara appeared alone, the worry in Toneri's heart gradually subsided.

At least, he should be safe for the time being.

If they intended to deal with him, Shikashin Nara wouldn't be the only one here. He would likely be met by fully armed Anbu elites.

Although he didn't understand Konoha's higher-ups' decision yet, the fact that they hadn't acted immediately indicated they saw something valuable in him.

The most likely reason was the Two-Tails, followed by his relationship with the Two-Tails.

Tucking himself deeper into the blanket, Toneri silently put on the clothes, his mind racing.

While his adult mind and child's appearance might fool many, they definitely wouldn't fool Konoha's higher-ups.

He had that much self-awareness.

To truly treat everyone in the world as a fool would likely make him the biggest fool.

Dressed and ready, Toneri followed Shikashin Nara out of the hospital building.

Through simple conversation, Toneri roughly learned his identity.

The head of the Nara Clan!

And he would be staying in the Nara Clan's compound for a considerable time.

Under the guise of "better taking care of him" and helping him "integrate into the Konoha family," but that was just to fool a child.

In reality, it was 360-degree surveillance from every angle.

However, Toneri could do nothing about it. This was a necessary process.

For the next while, he wouldn't have any private space.

He obediently followed behind Shikashin Nara, heading towards the Nara Clan's compound.

Along the way, they encountered many people.

Some greeted Shikashin Nara cheerfully upon seeing him, while more bowed respectfully.

Without exception, they all cast curious glances at Toneri, who was trailing closely behind Shikashin Nara.

Toneri's clothes were noticeably too large, and he felt like an animal in a zoo, being gawked at the entire way.

To be fair, Toneri was quite good-looking. With the oversized clothes, he had a certain contrasting charm.

This caused some young girls to show expressions of pleasant surprise upon seeing his appearance and attire.

They passed through the bustling streets and entered a residential area with denser trees.

The Nara Clan's compound!

"Wife--I'm home!"

As soon as Shikashin Nara stepped through the door, his entire demeanor changed completely.

His usual lazy appearance was instantly replaced by an energetic one.

On the way, Shikashin Nara had explained Konoha's rules and regulations to Toneri, acting like a strict teacher with a serious expression.

But now... he was completely letting loose like a child... (look at my mouth)

Cough.

"Hello, Auntie. My name is Toneri. I'm afraid I'll be troubling you for a while!"

Toneri entered the house obediently behind Shikashin Nara and bowed respectfully at a ninety-degree angle to Shikashin Nara's wife inside.

As he slowly straightened up, he saw a woman holding a spatula and a frying pan, preparing to strike Shikashin Nara.

Shikashin Nara just stood there, grinning foolishly.

The scene froze at this moment.

Of course, behind them, there was a child watching their performance with a helpless and lazy expression. This child was the son of Shikashin Nara, Nara Shikaku!

Immediately dropping the pots, pans, and bowls in his hands, Nara Yoshimi shot Nara Shikashin a fierce look before smiling and walking up to Toneri.

Although Toneri was eight or nine years old at this time, due to malnutrition, he looked younger than children his age and was quite thin.

"Toneri, hello, hello! From now on, consider this your home! If you want to eat anything, just tell Auntie, and Auntie will make it for you!

It's rare to see such a polite little friend!" As she spoke, Nara Yoshimi took Toneri's hand.

Perhaps because his body was too small and his clothes were too big, as he was being led, the clothes on Toneri's other shoulder slowly slipped down.

A small shoulder!

It was exposed!

Cough cough...

Nara Yoshimi quickly reacted, glaring at Nara Shikashin again. She recognized her son's clothes at a glance, but they were still too big for Toneri.

However, when Toneri tilted his head, his eyes blinking as he looked at Nara Yoshimi, she suddenly realized...

This Toneri was actually quite good-looking!

At least, much better-looking than her husband and her son, who inherited her husband's genes!

But when she saw Toneri's emaciated body, especially his very prominent collarbones, her heart ached.

A feeling called maternal love surged from the bottom of her heart.

"Poor child, let's go. Auntie has prepared a table full of delicious food for you." She gently patted Toneri's head and led him away towards the dining room without looking back.

As for Nara Shikashin and her son, Nara Shikaku, they could only stare at each other, bewildered in the wind.

At that moment, they suddenly had a feeling that perhaps...

Their position in the family was in jeopardy!

"Oh my, little Toneri, eat slowly. No one is snatching it from you. Eat slowly, don't choke!" Yoshimi watched Toneri wolf down his food, feeling both happy and heartbroken.

"Mmm--Auntie Yoshimi, your cooking is so good! I've never eaten such delicious food in my life!" Toneri said, flattering her after finally swallowing the food in his mouth.

Compared to Military Rations Pills, this was simply a divine feast.

"Gulp--"

Nara Shikaku, sitting opposite Toneri, looked at the dining table that had been cleared by Toneri and then at the untouched rice in his own bowl.

For some reason, he felt full just by watching Toneri eat.

And... the saddest thing in life is when the dishes are gone, but the rice remains!

He looked at his father with pleading eyes, only to see the man very "cautiously" mix the soup and some leftovers from the plate with his rice and quickly finish it.

His expression of enjoyment was truly very "cautious"!

Yoshimi was genuinely happy that Toneri loved her cooking so much.

As for her husband and son...

What were they? Could they be eaten?

"Burp--So delicious. Even in the Shinobi World, this is absolutely top-notch cuisine. Auntie Yoshimi, I'm full. Thank you for the meal!"

After finishing, Toneri let out a very, very, very long burp. The so-called roar of an evil dragon might be nothing compared to it.

"Hahaha, good, good, little Toneri, you have such a sweet mouth!" Yoshimi happily prepared to clear the dishes.

Toneri looked at the rice filling Shikaku's bowl and couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

So, he decided to help him out.

"Shikaku, why aren't you eating? Auntie's cooking is so delicious."

Click--

Nara Shikaku's body stiffened, and he slowly turned his head. When he saw his mother looking at him, he quickly resumed his original posture.

Plain white rice with saliva.

Hmm, the taste is quite good too!

"Ahem, alright, after dinner, I have something to tell you both. Shikaku, and Toneri, come with me."

Nara Shikashin felt it was time to show his authority as the head of the family.

Mainly because Nara Yoshimi had gone to wash the dishes...

Toneri was sure, the traditions of the Nara Clan were definitely hereditary...

Shikaku drooped his head.

Toneri obediently followed behind them.

Toneri had a good understanding of the Nara Clan's attitude towards him.

He quietly walked beside Shikaku and whispered in his ear, "Shikaku, you must eat well from now on. It's said that if you don't eat properly, little Shikaku won't grow big."

Shikaku: "!!!"

Shikashin: "..."

I'll do my best, I'll use a bigger bowl today, after all, everyone needs to eat.