After hesitating for two seconds, Shikamaru decisively gave up overthinking it.
'Forget it, the important matters take priority.'
Kakashi was clearly not in the right state these days, as he's barely speaking a word. Shikamaru couldn't help but worry that his superior might end up clashing directly with those people at tomorrow's high-level meeting.
He was just a subordinate, trying to get his work done. It was all too much for him.
Even so, Shikamaru still agreed with what his wife said. The more troublesome the situation, the more important it was to find the right person. What seemed like a headache to him might not be the case for Naruto.
In other words, this matter might be a problem for Shikamaru, but for Naruto, perhaps it wasn't.
…
Hyuga Clan's Compound.
Hinata looked at Shikamaru who came to visit, and was slightly surprised.
"Naruto?"
"Yes."
"Isn't he in the village? He met with me three days ago. He should be..." Hinata looked puzzled, "He said he had some things to take care of and would rest for a couple of days, then meet me for a meal."
Hearing this, Shikamaru's face twitched.
"Did something happen?" Hinata asked, her face full of concern.
"Just some work-related matters. I wanted to ask Naruto for help." Shikamaru stood up and bowed slightly to take his leave, "Since that's the case, I'll be going now."
"Okay." Hinata also stood up and bowed slightly in return.
After leaving the Hyuga Clan's Compound, Shikamaru glanced up at the sky, 'The lunch break was almost over. There wasn't enough time to search for Naruto now, and there was still work to do in the afternoon.'
With only one night left, if Naruto didn't show up, he'd have to try Sakura instead. After all, she was also Kakashi's student, so she might be able to help.
Night fell.
Shikamaru left work feeling uneasy. He turned back for a moment and saw Kakashi still sitting at his desk, unmoving. The curtains blocked the light from the windows, leaving the office dimly lit.
"Kakashi-sensei." Shikamaru forced himself to speak through the awkwardness, "Today's work is done, so I'll head back first. You..."
"Oh, it's time to leave?" Kakashi seemed to snap out of his thoughts, his eye softened a little, and he forced a smile, "Thanks for your hard work, Shikamaru."
"You go ahead. I'll leave in a bit."
"...Alright." Shikamaru lowered his gaze and slowly closed the office door.
The office was plunged into darkness again. Kakashi closed his eye once more. After a pause, he reopened it, his fingers idly tracing the edge of a pen as his expression flickered between light and shadow.
He had grown up in Konoha, lived through countless wars, and seen all kinds of scenes. While Rin's resurrection was unbelievable, it wasn't something he couldn't accept.
Besides, Rin had already passed every inspection. What problems could there possibly be? What issues could those higher-ups even dig up? The answer was obvious.
With a sigh, he stood up and began pacing in the dim office. By chance, he passed by Shikamaru's desk and noticed a pack of cigarettes lying there.
After hesitating for a while, Kakashi pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a click. Soon, the Hokage's Office was filled with swirling smoke. He wasn't good with words, nor did he want to dwell on unnecessary worries.
'No matter what, they couldn't lay a finger on Rin.'
…
On the other side, Shikamaru went to Sakura, hoping she could come up with a solution.
"What can I do?" Sakura smiled, "I'm just a small-time Medical-nin, not Tsunade-sama. What kind of solution could I possibly offer?"
"Maybe you could talk to Kakashi-sensei?" Shikamaru lit a cigarette and exhaled the smoke naturally. A gust of night wind blew through the corridor and took away all traces.
"Why?" Sakura was stunned, "Shouldn't we be convincing those higher-ups instead?"
Shikamaru was also stunned, and the hand holding his cigarette trembled slightly.
"Ah... you're right?"
"Of course! This whole mess is entirely the higher-ups' doing. What does it have to do with Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura said, "Besides, I was the one in charge of Nohara Rin's medical examination."
"Now they're saying there's something wrong with Rin? Does that mean they're more qualified than me, the head of the Medical Department? Fine, I might as well resign right now."
Thump, thump, thump.
Shikamaru's eyelids suddenly twitched when he heard it. From the look on Sakura's face, he knew she wasn't joking. She meant every word. If Kakashi resigned over this, she would leave too.
If that really happened, the village would be in deep trouble. The Hokage's position aside, the role of Medical Department's head was crucial. Before Tsunade returned to the village, the Medical Department had been in decline.
Now, there's still Sakura holding it together. But if she were to leave, Konoha would suffer a major blow.
"You're not serious about this, are you?" Shikamaru asked.
"No." Sakura answered with utmost seriousness, "What if I told you I've wanted to quit for a long time? Would you believe me?"
For some reason, an absurd thought suddenly popped into Shikamaru's mind, 'Why did Sakura's tone sound so much like Naruto's? Could it be that the entire Team 7 was planning to leave?'
His heart grew uneasy, and he desperately suppressed that ridiculous notion. He no longer felt like chatting and quickly excused himself after a few more words.
'This was too much. If the entire Team 7 quit, Konoha would practically grind to a halt.'
…
Land of Wind.
Click. Click.
Naruto lounged in a rocking chair, watching with disinterest as Baki repeatedly flicked his lighter, failing each time. The man seemed increasingly irritated, his facial muscles tensing.
A cigarette remained unlit, and the frustration seemed to spread through the room, affecting everyone present. There were only five people inside… Baki, Naruto, and the Sunagakure Siblings.
Kankuro looked at Naruto with displeasure. Even though he was more into puppets, he could tell that the blond had an unusual relationship with his sister.
With an elder sister that is practically like a mother figure, Kankuro was scrutinizing Naruto as if sizing up a potential stepfather.
Naruto couldn't care less, 'What are you looking at kid? You're just a brat who only knows how to play with dolls. Keep it up, and I'll smack you!'
Naruto has been waiting here for an afternoon and is getting impatient. The materials for the Jashin's followers have not been found, so he has to accompany these people to witness them purge the traitors.
From the nobles of Sunagakure to the Genin, the executions had dragged on for hours and still weren't done.
"Could you please stop fiddling with that damn lighter?" Naruto finally snapped, his gaze shifting to the visibly agitated Baki.
"What did you say?"
"I said… Can you stop fiddling with that damn lighter?" Naruto sat up, "If you're so worried, go outside and check. Better yet, grab a sword and join the operation yourself."
"That's not how it works!" Baki stood up, his words directed at Naruto but also seemingly at himself, "The plan was set long ago. Me interfering now would only cause problems."
Naruto didn't bother responding and slumped back into his chair. Yugao would never have guessed that the person she wanted dead most was sitting right in front of Naruto, and he simply closed his eyes and continued resting.
Even though he had some friendship with Yugao, he wasn't about to rush into avenging her without being asked. Since she hadn't brought it up, he saw no reason to get involved. After all, it had nothing to do with him.
Besides, it wasn't his style to seek unnecessary trouble.