At the headquarters of Konoha's Anbu, a completely sealed space presented itself before Shikamaru. The only visible entry was a door reinforced with special seals, bearing a large kanji for "Forbidden."
"This is the place, sir." Mai, standing beside Shikamaru, informed him.
"Hmm, can the seal be undone?" Shikamaru nodded, his curiosity piqued as he examined the door.
"Well…" Mai hesitated. "In the past, only Danzo knew how to remove this seal. I can't do it." she admitted.
"Is that so…" Shikamaru muttered thoughtfully. Approaching the door, his Shadow Eye activated, exuding an authoritative aura that made Mai feel a chill.
"Shadow Ninja Art: Dark Amaterasu!"
With a hum, an intense black flame erupted from Shikamaru's Shadow Eye, striking the sealed door with a resounding boom. The once-imposing seal disintegrated in a blaze of black fire, reducing the door itself to ashes. The flames danced ominously along the remaining frame.
Reclaiming the lingering dark flames into his body, Shikamaru turned to Mai. "Let's go, Mai. We're heading in."
The moment Shikamaru turned, Mai finally got her first glimpse of his Shadow Eye. In that instant, she felt herself inexplicably drawn in, her thoughts racing. What kind of eyes are these? They're utterly mesmerizing, carrying a dangerous allure...
Her body trembled slightly, and she averted her gaze, trying to steady her mind. How can a pair of eyes hold such power and charm? she wondered.
"Yes, sir!" Mai responded, forcing herself to focus. Despite her efforts, Shikamaru's eyes were already imprinted in her mind.
Shikamaru remained unaware that ever since his Shadow Eye evolved into the Mangekyo state, it had gained a passive, irresistible ability, an overwhelming allure. Any woman who gazed into his eyes found herself enchanted, unable to shake his image from their thoughts. This was the case with Kin and Shizune, who gradually fell for Shikamaru after experiencing the same effect.
As they entered the restricted area, a shadowy corridor stretched before them, lined with countless doors. Shikamaru had barely set foot inside when a sharp gust of wind surged toward him.
Clink!
Shikamaru effortlessly swatted away the kunai with a swift motion. In the dim light, a figure appeared, standing defensively before him, a woman, judging by her silhouette.
"Who are you?" The woman's icy voice echoed in the corridor.
Kami watched them warily. As Danzo's appointed guardian of the restricted area, her sole duty was to prevent unauthorized entry. Isolated within the confines of this space, Kami was unaware that Danzo had been killed by Shikamaru a month prior.
"How dare you attack the Chief?" Mai snapped before Shikamaru could respond.
"Chief?" Kami repeated, noticing Mai's Anbu uniform and her respectful address toward Shikamaru. Her confusion deepened as she shifted her gaze to him.
"That's right. Danzo is dead, and I am the newly appointed head of Anbu, Nara Shikamaru." he stated calmly. His sharp eyes appraised Kami, noting her striking silver hair, ethereal beauty, and perfectly sculpted figure. Her exceptionally long legs drew his attention, sparking a subtle heat in his chest. An angelic face paired with a devilish figure…
"That's impossible…" Kami whispered, shaken. Danzo had seemed invincible in her eyes, yet here stood his proclaimed successor.
"I am the Anbu Chief, and I'm here to investigate. Will you cooperate?" Shikamaru asked courteously, though his charm didn't go unnoticed by Mai, who rolled her eyes. Men. Always the same. Only my brother was different… but he's gone.
"No!" Kami's voice turned glacial. "Danzo-sama instructed that no one but him may enter this place. Even if he is gone, I will uphold his will!"
"You've broken the seal. That makes you intruders!" With her declaration, Kami's hands swiftly formed seals.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A towering dragon of water surged forth, crashing toward Shikamaru and Mai.
"Hmph! Fire Style: Fire Dragon Jutsu!" Mai countered with a snort, weaving her own seals. A blazing fire dragon roared to life, colliding with Kami's water dragon in an explosive clash. Steam filled the air as the two forces neutralized each other.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow in surprise at Mai's prowess. She had managed to unleash such a powerful technique effortlessly, displaying a level of skill that rivaled a Jonin. Meanwhile, Kami unleashed a combination of wind and water jutsu, forming an icy dragon that spiraled toward them.
"Don't think you're the only one with tricks!" Mai smirked, pulling out twin red fans and performing another intricate sequence of seals.
"Fire Style: Fire Dance!"
Flames coiled around Mai as she gracefully maneuvered, her fiery dragon tearing through Kami's icy creation. Despite this, Kami wasn't deterred. With a cold glare, she summoned nine water dragons that surged from all directions, aiming to overwhelm Mai.
"Enough." Shikamaru interjected calmly. "Let me handle this."
"Shadow Ninja Art: Dark Amaterasu!"
The moment Shikamaru's Shadow Eye gleamed, the water dragons dissipated into nothingness. Kami froze in shock, unable to comprehend how her powerful jutsu had been nullified.
"Shadow Ninja Art: Shadow Prison!" Tendrils of shadow erupted from Shikamaru, ensnaring Kami and holding her firmly in place.
"What now?" Shikamaru asked coolly as he approached. "Do you still wish to resist?"
"Just kill me!" Kami spat, her icy demeanor unwavering despite her predicament.
"Kill you? That would be such a waste." Shikamaru replied, his gaze lingering on her restrained form.
Kami felt a shiver under his intense scrutiny and turned her head away. "I served Danzo. You won't spare me."
"On the contrary, your knowledge is invaluable." Shikamaru stated. Who else would know more about this place than her?
After a tense moment, Kami sighed. "Kami reports to the Chief. What are your orders?"
Realizing Shikamaru had no intention of exterminating all of Danzo's remnants, Kami quickly chose to submit to him.
"Release."
With a low command, Shikamaru dissolved the shadow bindings around her. "Now, tell me about everything in this restricted area."
"Understood, Chief." Kami replied, immediately launching into an explanation.
This so-called restricted area was a hidden laboratory where Danzo conducted forbidden experiments on secret jutsu. Shikamaru listened in grim silence as Kami described it. The facility housed not only Kami but also a group of research scientists – fanatical, deranged individuals.
The lab contained an array of disturbing materials: the First Hokage's cells, Byakugan from the Hyuga clan, Sharingan, and even genetic experiments involving the fusion of ninja beasts with humans. As Shikamaru inspected room after room filled with dismembered limbs, eyeballs, and blood samples, his disgust grew. This filthy place rivals Orochimaru's depravity, he thought with a grimace.
Even Mai had to step outside several times to quell her nausea.
"What about this room? What's inside?" Shikamaru stopped at the final chamber, which bore a sealing mark on its door.
"Chief, I don't know. I've never been inside." Kami admitted.
"Interesting." Shikamaru's curiosity was piqued. What could warrant a seal in a place like this?
"Stand back," he ordered. No seal can withstand the flames of Amaterasu.
"Shadow Ninja Art – Shadow Amaterasu!"
As the black flames consumed the seal, Shikamaru cautiously entered the chamber. To his surprise, the room housed a single occupant: a woman lying motionless on a raised platform.
Shikamaru approached carefully, his sensory abilities confirming that the woman exhibited faint life signs. When he saw her face, his heart skipped a beat. No way… Uzumaki Kushina?
There she was: Uzumaki Kushina, Naruto's mother and the Fourth Hokage's wife. Her long, fiery red hair framed her serene, slumbering face. Her soft breathing was barely perceptible. She seemed to be in a deep sleep, untouched by time.
Shikamaru's mind raced. So this is where she's been all these years. After the Fourth's death, she didn't vanish; she's been here in Konoha's shadows all along.
Determined to save her, Shikamaru decided, Only Tsunade can help with this. He ordered Kami to carry Kushina out of the lab.
As they exited the facility, Shikamaru cast a massive Shadow Amaterasu, incinerating the entire lab. No more secrets like this under my watch.
"Mai, what you've seen here remains a secret. Tell no one." Shikamaru instructed. He gave Kami the same order.
After sending Mai to summon Tsunade, Shikamaru had Kami lay the unconscious Kushina on his bed. Turning to Kami, he said, "I don't know if your loyalty is genuine, but I'll grant you one of my True Shadows. Do you accept it?"
"I accept, Chief," Kami replied with resignation.
With a gesture, Shikamaru infused her with a fragment of his shadow. Kami gasped softly, her body trembling as the energy coursed through her. In the next instant, Shikamaru pulled her into his arms…
⚔────────
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