The Nara Clan would never be placed under ANBU surveillance, at least not while the Third Hokage was in office.
Of that, Shikaku was absolutely certain.
The Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka Clans had stood together for generations, bound by friendship and mutual support in an unbreakable alliance.
In every generation, outstanding young members would inherit the title of "Ino-Shika-Cho."
And the Sarutobi Clan had always been the staunchest witness to the Ino-Shika-Cho partnership.
Their three clans were Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's most devoted, steadfast supporters, indispensable pillars of the Hokage's faction.
Thus, whether in public or private, by sentiment or reason, the Third Hokage-known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," a man well versed in balancing power yet still appreciative of old friendships and trust-would absolutely, unequivocally never send anyone to spy on his loyal subordinates and partners.
It made no sense.
But...
Shikaku's gaze grew darker, a flicker of cold vigilance passing through the depths of his eyes as they reflected the nighttime courtyard.
The Hokage Advisor from the Shimura Clan, Danzo, was another matter.
The leader of Root, who always lurked behind Konoha's sunshine, thought and acted in ways entirely different from the Third Hokage.
For the sake of what he called "Konoha's foundations," there was nowhere he would not infiltrate and no one he would not suspect.
In his eyes, trust and friendship might matter far less than control and precaution.
Shikamaru lowered his head, moonlight casting scattered shadows through his hair.
He fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a voice lower than usual:
"So is that why, when I asked you last year why the villagers shunned Naruto, you didn't tell me the actual reason, but instead told me I could get closer to him?"
"Yes and no."
Shikaku finally turned to look at Shikamaru.
In the dim light, his expression was difficult to read, holding both a father's affection and the depth of the Nara Clan's head.
Whenever something troubled Shikamaru, he would come to play a board game with him. Usually, it was shogi, but this time he had chosen go.
It seemed he had already made up his mind.
"I think you've long since reached your own conclusion."
Shikaku's voice was soft, yet it fell like a pebble into still water. "Does it really matter whether Naruto is the Demon Fox? What matters is what kind of person he chooses to become, and how you choose to see him."
Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting mottled patterns across the board. Shikaku lightly tapped its edge. "You are Shikamaru Nara, the son of the Nara Clan's head. In certain situations, your stance represents the stance of the Nara Clan.
"And what our Nara Clan must do is see every path clearly, then take a step of our own."
His tone suddenly softened. "Do you remember when you and Choji got into trouble last year, and Naruto stepped forward to get you out of it? Hadn't you already made your own decision then?"
Shikamaru unconsciously rubbed a stone between his fingertips as his father's voice continued beside him. "So don't overthink it now. At this very moment, you are simply Shikamaru Nara, and he is simply Naruto Uzumaki."
Silence spread between father and son.
After a long while, Shikamaru firmly placed the stone in his hand on the board with a crisp click.
"No."
His voice was calm but resolute.
"I will always be Shikamaru Nara, and he will always be Naruto Uzumaki.
"But that doesn't mean we have to be bound by our surnames and identities.
"Precisely because I am Shikamaru Nara, I have all the more reason to see my own path clearly. Precisely because he is Naruto Uzumaki, I have all the more reason to see what kind of person he truly is."
The black stone sat at the center point of the board, gleaming softly in the moonlight.
Shikaku Nara looked at his son, who was rarely this serious, and couldn't help smiling.
For all his usual laziness, and despite his almost uncanny intellect, Shikamaru still had the fire of youth in his bones!
He gazed out at the moonlit courtyard, his thoughts drifting.
Life was like a journey, with many people traveling alongside you.
Some were born riding in carriages, while others could only make their way on foot.
During those brief encounters in youth, some would deliberately slow down, while others would desperately quicken their pace, making the distance between them seem small.
But when the time came to part, they would ultimately go their separate ways.
In the shinobi world, talent could bridge the gap in one's birth, but hard work often struggled to cross the gulf of talent.
Judging by Shikamaru's account,
Naruto had defeated Uchiha Fugaku's son with taijutsu, and had apparently even anticipated and sealed away B-rank Fire Release Ninjutsu using Sealing Jutsu. He was unquestionably a genius.
What puzzled Shikaku, however, was that the boy seemed like an entirely different person when performing other basic ninjutsu.
Whether it was the Shadow Clone or the Transformation Technique, his execution was clumsy and unpracticed, often requiring several attempts before he succeeded once.
Such an uneven distribution of talent was truly baffling.
Moonlight spilled across the board, and Shikaku's gaze gradually deepened, as though it could pierce through time.
I wonder if he can reach your level... Minato.
"Father, teach me the Nara Clan's secret techniques! I don't want Naruto to leave me too far behind."
A rare urgency colored Shikamaru's voice, and his usually half-lidded eyes shone like stars.
Shikaku Nara paused briefly, then gave a gratified smile.
He had originally intended to let his son enjoy another two carefree years. After all, the Nara Clan's shadow secret techniques demanded a great deal of both mental maturity and chakra.
But seeing the determination shining in Shikamaru's eyes, he nodded gently.
"All right. Since you're ready, starting tomorrow, I'll teach you the Shadow Imitation Technique every day after school."
Moonlight bathed the courtyard, stretching father and son's shadows long across the ground.
Shikaku's voice rang especially clearly in the night.
"Our Nara Clan's secret techniques are powered by yin release chakra. Yin Release represents spiritual energy and governs form, while the Akimichi Clan's Multi-Size Technique requires yang release chakra. Yang Release represents physical energy and bestows vitality.
"As for the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Body Switch Technique, it also requires delicate control of Yin Release."
He paused, his tone turning serious. "Training in Yin-Yang Release is far more difficult than you imagine. It requires not only precise chakra control, but also a profound understanding of your own spiritual energy.
"Even many children born into shinobi clans have to wait until they're over ten before they can begin learning these secret techniques.
"Not because they lack talent, but because their chakra reserves at a young age simply aren't enough to sustain the training."
Shikaku looked at his son. "Are you sure you want to start now? This won't be an easy road."
Shikamaru nodded without hesitation, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the board. "I've already thought it through. Since I've chosen to become stronger, I can't keep lazing around anymore."