The Hokage Office.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shikamaru were all present.
"You brat! This time, you've turned Konoha completely upside down!" Jiraiya remarked with a bitter smile. After all, Shikamaru had dismantled Root, killed Danzo, and even dealt with Koharu and Homura, who had been colluding with him.
"They brought it upon themselves." Shikamaru responded coolly.
"Have you considered the consequences of this?" Jiraiya said irritably. "You've destroyed Konoha's hidden strength, and the Anbu has taken heavy losses as well..."
"Enough!" Tsunade interrupted Jiraiya. "We should focus on how to handle this situation instead."
Jiraiya fell silent. He didn't have a solution and could only remain speechless.
"Tsunade will take over as the Fifth Hokage, and I'll assume control of the Anbu." Shikamaru suddenly declared, catching everyone off guard. He was serious. After his Shadow Eye evolved, he gained not only a forbidden technique, Shadow Domain, but also a new ability that he intended to use to establish his own faction. Taking control of the Anbu was the perfect opportunity.
The decision was made, and not a single member of Konoha's leadership dared oppose it. Shikamaru's strength had silenced them, and the Hyuga clan supported him as well.
Neither Jiraiya nor Tsunade had any objections; in fact, Tsunade had initially considered appointing Shikamaru as Hokage.
The very next day, Tsunade officially succeeded as the Hokage, while Shikamaru quietly took control of the Anbu.
Shikamaru addressed the entire Anbu in a commanding speech. He used his mental power to envelop every member, targeting those who objected. Those who experienced his new ability, Shadow Deprivation, quickly learned its terrifying consequences. Initially, some dismissed it as a mere threat, but the moment they stepped into the sunlight outside the Anbu headquarters, they burst into flames and vanished in the gentle sunlight.
Witnessing this, even the most reluctant members of the Anbu had no choice but to submit to Shikamaru. Those spared from the sunlight begged for mercy and quickly shifted their attitudes.
⚔──────────────
That evening, Shikamaru visited the Yamanaka household to apologize to Ino and her mother for the death of Ino's father, for which he felt responsible.
"Shikamaru, there's no need to apologize. My father is gone too. Just promise me you'll take good care of Ino." Ino's mother said with a forced smile, her face still marked by grief.
"Ninja life is always fraught with the risk of sacrifice. We shouldn't grieve for those who've passed. Instead, we should carry on their will and keep moving forward. That's what Ino's father always said." she continued, her words unexpectedly comforting Shikamaru.
For a moment, Shikamaru found himself captivated. Despite her maternal attire, Ino's mother's beauty shone through.
"Auntie, I understand. I'll take good care of Ino." Shikamaru promised earnestly.
He stayed with Ino until late into the night. As he was about to leave, Ino suddenly spoke.
"Shikamaru, will you stay with me tonight?"
"Won't your mom hear us?" Shikamaru teased.
"I'll try not to make any noise... Please?" Ino said softly, her vulnerability evident in the wake of her father's loss.
"You said it." Shikamaru replied with a smile before picking her up and heading to her room.
⚔──────────────
Afterward, Shikamaru immersed himself in reorganizing the Anbu. It wasn't long before a piece of shocking news reached him: Sasuke had defected.
"Are you sure Sasuke has defected?" Shikamaru asked Tsunade skeptically after rushing to the Hokage's office.
"Shikamaru, what brings you here?" Tsunade asked, surprised but smiling warmly.
"How did Sasuke defect?" Shikamaru pressed, growing anxious.
"It appears he left on his own. Sakura reported it this morning." Tsunade explained, noting Shikamaru's worried expression. "I've already sent Naruto, Shino, Kiba, Choji, Neji, and Lee to retrieve him."
Shikamaru nodded but seemed preoccupied. "I need to confirm something. I'll explain when I return." he said, leaving Tsunade concerned as he departed.
Moments later, Tsunade was informed of visitors from the Sand Village, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, seeking to restore relations with Konoha. They claimed their prior hostility had been a result of Orochimaru's manipulation.
⚔──────────────
On the road to the Valley of the End, Shikamaru ran swiftly, muttering to himself, "Orochimaru... You're still alive, aren't you?"
This was the very thing he feared. If Orochimaru were dead, Sasuke would have no reason to defect. The fact that Sasuke had fled confirmed Orochimaru's survival.
"Partial Expansion Jutsu!"
The sudden sound caught Shikamaru's attention. He spotted Choji battling Jirobo, one of the Sound Four.
"Die, you annoying brat!" Jirobo roared, sending Choji, who had consumed the second food pill, flying.
Just as Choji prepared to take the red chili pill, Shikamaru appeared.
"Leave the rest to me, Choji." Shikamaru said calmly, stepping forward as Choji's eyes lit up with relief.
"Shikamaru..." Jirobo's face twisted in fear at the sight of him. He remembered Shikamaru from the Chunin Exams, the one who had destroyed Orochimaru's body.
Terrified, Jirobo turned to flee, knowing he had no chance against Shikamaru.
"Too late." Shikamaru said coldly, appearing in front of Jirobo in an instant. "Shadow Imitation Jutsu."
Jirobo froze as Shikamaru's shadow bound him.
"Shadow Neck Binding Jutsu!"
"Argh!" Jirobo screamed as his body convulsed. He activated the second stage of his cursed seal, transforming his appearance.
"Exactly what I was waiting for." Shikamaru said with a chilling smile. Activating his Mangekyo-style Shadow Eye, he glared at Jirobo.
"Shadow Deprivation!"
⚔────
A/N: If you're enjoying the story, you can read up to Chapter 68 (30+ chapters ahead of the current one) on my Patreon: Patreon.com/vynthor