The Nara Clan

Nara Clan [Please Vote]

Nara Shikashin appeared in that hospital room once again, his face wearing an utterly helpless and dejected expression.

He looked at Toneri, who was sitting on the bed, wrapped tightly in a blanket.

Toneri looked completely clueless and well-behaved, and there wasn't even a flicker of emotion in his eyes. But that only proved how clever he was.

What child would become the Jinchūriki of a terrifying Tailed Beast, arrive in an unfamiliar place, and not only show no fear, but even wear such an "innocent" expression?

What a little fox!

"Ahem, Toneri, is it all right if I call you that?" Shikashin asked with a cough.

No matter how much he hated trouble, or how unwilling he was to "take in" the little fellow, he knew how serious the situation was. He had seen the clash between the Third Hokage and Danzo in the office just moments ago.

As staunch supporters of the Hokage, the Nara Clan's fortunes had long been bound to the Hokage—or, more accurately, to the Sarutobi Clan, which produced the Hokage.

A Jinchūriki like him absolutely could not fall into the hands of Root. Otherwise, Danzo would have the leverage to challenge Hiruzen Sarutobi for real.

Shikashin only avoided saying certain things because they were a nuisance. That didn't mean he couldn't see what was going on.

"Mhm, sure. You can call me whatever you like, Uncle. It's just... could you get me some clothes first?" Toneri asked from inside the blanket.

Shikashin had come prepared. He casually tossed Toneri a set of clothes belonging to his own kid.

When Toneri saw that Shikashin had come alone, his heart finally began to settle.

At least he should be safe for the time being.

If they were planning to deal with him, Shikashin wouldn't have been the only one to show up. A squad of fully armed Anbu elites would probably have been waiting for him instead.

He still didn't know what decision Konoha's higher-ups had made. But since they hadn't acted against him right away, it meant they saw some value in him.

The most likely reason was the Two-Tails. The next most likely was the way he and the Two-Tails got along.

Buried beneath the blanket, Toneri silently put on his clothes, one piece at a time, his mind churning with thoughts.

He had an adult's mind in a child's body, which might fool quite a few people. But Konoha's higher-ups weren't among them.

He knew that much.

Anyone who really thought the whole world was stupid was probably the biggest fool of all.

Once Toneri was dressed, he followed Shikashin out of the hospital.

After a brief conversation, Toneri had learned who he was.

The clan head of the Nara Clan!

And for quite some time, Toneri would be staying at the Nara Clan Compound.

They called it looking after him and helping him fit into Konoha's big family as quickly as possible. But that excuse might only fool a child.

In reality, they were going to monitor him from every angle, without leaving a single blind spot.

Still, Toneri couldn't do anything about it. This was clearly a necessary step.

He probably wouldn't have any privacy for a while.

He followed Shikashin obediently toward the Nara Clan Compound.

They ran into quite a few people along the way.

Some greeted Shikashin casually when they saw him, while most bowed respectfully.

Every one of them gave Toneri, who was following close behind Shikashin, a curious look.

Toneri's clothes were obviously much too big for him. He was stared at all the way, like an animal in a zoo.

To be fair, Toneri was good-looking. In those oversized clothes, he had a kind of adorable contrast to him.

That was why a few young women looked delighted when they saw his appearance and clothes.

They passed through the bustling streets and entered a residential area where the trees grew thick.

The Nara Clan Compound!

"Honey, I'm home!"

As soon as Shikashin stepped inside, his whole demeanor changed.

His usual lazy air vanished, and he perked right up.

On the way over, Shikashin had explained some of Konoha's rules and regulations to Toneri. He had looked so serious that he seemed like a strict teacher.

But now... he was just like an overexcited... (you know what I mean)

Ahem.

"Hello, ma'am. My name is Toneri. I may be imposing on you for a while!" Toneri followed obediently behind Shikashin and bowed deeply to Shikashin's wife inside the house, bending at a ninety-degree angle.

As he slowly straightened up, he saw a woman holding a spatula and a frying pan, ready to go after Shikashin.

Shikashin just stood there grinning foolishly.

The scene froze in place.

And behind them, a child watched their performance with a helpless, listless expression. That child was Shikashin's son, Nara Shikaku!

Nara Yoshimi immediately set down all the pots and pans in her hands, shot Shikashin a fierce glare, and walked over to Toneri with a beaming smile.

Toneri was already eight or nine, but malnutrition had left him smaller than other kids his age, and there wasn't much flesh on him.

"Hello, Toneri! Make yourself at home here from now on. Just tell Auntie what you want to eat, and I'll make it for you!

"It's not often you meet such a polite little boy!" As she spoke, Yoshimi took Toneri's hand.

Maybe because he was so skinny and his clothes were so big, as she led him along, the garment slowly slipped off his other shoulder.

His little shoulder!

Was exposed!

Ahem...

Yoshimi quickly came to her senses and glared at Shikashin again. She recognized the clothes as her son's at a glance, but they were still much too big for Toneri.

But then Toneri tilted his head and looked at her with his bright, blinking eyes, and Yoshimi suddenly realized...

Toneri was actually quite handsome!

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

But when she saw how painfully thin Toneri was, especially those two prominent collarbones, her heart ached.

A feeling called motherly love surged up from deep within her.

"Poor child. Come on, Auntie made a whole table of delicious food for you." She gently patted Toneri on the head, then led him toward the dining room without looking back.

As for Shikashin and her son, Nara Shikaku, they could only stare at each other, stunned.

At that moment, they both had the same feeling: maybe...

Their places in the household were in danger!

"Oh, Toneri, slow down! No one's going to take it from you. Eat slowly, or you'll choke!" Yoshimi watched Toneri wolf down his food, feeling both happy and worried.

"Mmm! Aunt Yoshimi, your cooking is so good! I've never eaten anything this delicious in my whole life!" Toneri praised her after finally swallowing everything in his mouth.

Compared with Military Rations Pills and the like, this was freaking food from heaven.

Gulp—

Across from Toneri, Nara Shikaku looked at the table he had cleared out, then at the untouched rice in his own bowl.

For some reason, just watching Toneri eat made him feel full.

And... nothing was sadder in life than running out of dishes while still having rice left!

He looked toward his father for help, only to see the man, very much "going with the flow," rapidly shovel the soup and scraps from his plate into his rice and gobble them down.

The expression on his face as he ate was truly "going with the flow"!

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

As for her husband and son...

What were they? Could you eat them?

Burp— "That was delicious. This would be a top-tier meal even in the Shinobi World. Aunt Yoshimi, I'm full. Thank you for the meal!"

When he finished, Toneri let out a very, very, very long burp. Even a dragon's roar might not have been louder.

"Hahaha! Good, good. You're such a sweet talker, Toneri!" Yoshimi happily began clearing away the dishes.

Toneri looked at the mountain of rice still sitting in Shikaku's bowl and couldn't help feeling sorry for him.

So he decided to lend him a hand.

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

Crack—

Nara Shikaku's body stiffened. He slowly turned his head and saw that his mother had quickly returned to normal as soon as she noticed him.

White rice, straight from the bowl.

Mm, it tasted pretty good, too!

Ahem. "All right, I have something to discuss with you after dinner. Shikaku, Toneri, come with me."

At that moment, Shikashin decided it was time to show some authority as the head of the household.

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

Toneri had figured it out: the Nara Clan's traditions definitely ran in the family...

Shikaku drooped his head.

Toneri followed behind them obediently.

Toneri had more or less figured out the Nara Clan's attitude toward him.

He quietly moved alongside Shikaku and whispered in his ear, "Shikaku, make sure you eat properly from now on. They say if you don't eat your meals, little Shikaku won't grow up."

Shikaku: "!!!"

Shikashin: "..."

I'll just have to make do and grab a bigger bowl today. After all, we've all got to eat.