Chapter 204: The First Step

After listening to his father's instructions, Shikamaru nodded, stood up and bowed to his parents.

- Thank you ... Father, mother. I'll ... I'll go.

- What? B-but ... Yoshino wanted to protest, but Shikaku stopped her with a negative shake of his head.

- Not worth it, even though he is thirteen, but you look at him ... This is already a grown man. He really should find his place in the world.

`` Mm, '' Yoshino nodded uncertainly and walked over to her son.

`` If ... if anything happens, you know where we are and remember, '' Yoshino became serious and cold-blooded for the first time that day:

- Don't you dare be lazy and don't keep your promises! Take responsibility for your actions! When you find yourself a home, let me know. I ... - Yoshino lowered her head sadly and whispered: - I can't believe that my little Shikamaru ... I, just ...

`` Hey mom, '' embracing the woman, Shikamaru gently stroked her back:

“I’m not leaving the village, I’m only leaving the clan, not you. I will be coming. Promise.

It was all too unexpected. Although Shikaku could accept this and assess the situation sensibly, realizing that Shikamaru was already too old. He understood the maturity of his son before, but now that he looked like a grown man, it would be too strange if he continued to live with his parents like a thirteen-year-old boy. Even though he was, Shikamaru clearly didn't seem so young. The father simply could not delay the growth of his son, he well understood that he started this conversation just for this. Shikamaru wanted freedom, lifted the clan's restrictions, and reassured his parents. Even if it is unexpected, this is a completely logical action on the part of an adult man.

At least seeing Shikamaru like that, Shikaku no longer worried, and Yoshino would have accepted everything in time. Strong, confident and adult, there is no point in patronizing him anymore. With such an early maturity, a similar outcome would be expected. The man chuckled wryly and rose from his seat. He suspected that his son was still hiding something, but it seems too late to find out. And now is not the time.

Having embraced his father and mother, after listening to their serious instructions, Shikamaru left the parental home. He did not even take things, as he had grown out of them for a long time. Now he was finally able to finish with the Nara clan and begin to build his future with confidence.

The first step on the path is one of the most important.

Turning towards the huge rock with the faces of the Hokage, Shikamaru's lips spread in a vicious grin.

- It's time to uproot the roots!

*

Meanwhile, in a hidden part of Konoha. In the Root's hideout.

After receiving the report of Shikamaru's arrival, Danz crossed his fingers and bowed his head thoughtfully.

“So he finally showed up ... The Anbu didn't even notice his movements. Became stronger and, as you can see, bolder. This could be a problem ... Maybe I should have started earlier ... ”Danzo's face changed dramatically and jumped up.

- Who is there?!

At the same moment, a girl in an Anbu mask burst into his office, and her gaze swept through the office:

- What happened Danzо-sama?

“Hmm,” the old man frowned. He hoped that by his reaction he could force the enemy to act, but he continued to hide.

"I just felt ..." - just for a moment of a second, but Danz felt the movement of an outsider, and now he seemed to evaporate.

The old man frowned even more, and then threw an annoyed look at the girl:

“Go away,” he kicked her out coldly.

Without further ado, the girl immediately closed the door and returned to the guard. Danz returned to his seat and said menacingly:

- Show yourself, I know that you are still here. I just feel your annoying look with all my gut! Whoever you are if you ...

But, Danz didn’t have time to finish his threatening speech. A silhouette slipped out of the shadow of the corner and calmly walked towards Shimura:

- And you are not so bad, you have preserved the makings of a shinobi and are always on guard, I am impressed!

Danz turned sharply, turning his cold gaze on the newcomer.

- Shikamaru? What are you ... What does all this mean ?!

- O! - the guy just grinned and went to the door, calmly leaned against the wall, crossing his arms on his chest:

- If I were you, I would not invite my children to our conversation, I do not want to cripple them at all.

- What you said?! Danz was not furious, but his voice and cold attitude rose noticeably. Basically, he was annoyed by the sudden arrival of a completely unexpected guest and at the same time by his rather suggestive presence:

- Do you even understand who you are standing in front of, boy?

Shikamaru's lips curled into a vicious grin.

- Before the one who took Shisui's Sharingan? - Danz immediately changed in his face, which naturally did not hide from Shikamaru:

“I don’t even need proof, your right eye is enough to recognize you, great elder, involved in the murder of Shisui Uchiha.

- How are you...

- How did I know? Shikamaru let out a chuckle, "Come on ... It doesn't matter." Hating the Uchiha and still using their eyes, yeah ... You didn't even hesitate to use Hashirama's cells. Let me ask you, who made this pathetic little hand for you? Maybe ... Orochimaru?

If someone else was here, Shimura might have been able to maintain his composure, but the force emanating from the guy's body made him unwittingly lose patience. Danz finally got angry, but he did not show it, but only gritted his teeth and proudly straightened up. The cold expression immediately returned to his face:

- Silly boy, what do you know? Pathetic Genin, came here and accuses the village elder of treason, in collaboration with this vile bastard Orochimaru? How dare you ?!

"Oh," Shikamaru shook his head in disappointment. "I thought you were smarter." After all, I should have assumed that I have reason to say so. If I were a “pathetic Genin,” would I dare to come here? Sensei is too soft, this is his greatest weakness. To be kind among people like you, in the shinobi world, is tantamount to betraying all the people you love. You, the other side of the coin ... The blame for the Uchiha massacre lies with you both, but you will die all the same.

- Will I die? Ha ... Ha ha ha ha! - Danz laughed loudly: - I can not believe that I hear such pompous words from someone from the Nara clan ... I thought you would be more intelligent and be able to assess the situation. It seems that such a long absence from the village affected your brain, and you decided to betray the village. What a disappointment.

Danz sighed and shook his head as if he was truly sad. He turned out to be quite a good actor. But, as Shikamaru said earlier, he really had every right to say so. What foundation can there be in a ruthless world of murderers? Only one thing - strength!

“Well, I didn’t expect anything else ...” Instantly Shikamaru's eyes darkened, darkness filled everything and instead of pupils, silver discs appeared on them.

- Shinobi darkness? Shikamaru chuckled, "I alone rule in the darkness!"