Naruto : The ultimate Troublemaker

Shikai settled into an armchair, observing Tsunade as she poured herself a cup of sake and sat down at her desk.

"So, you went to see your disciple?" she asked, leaning back, her tone serious.

Shikai nodded.

"Yes, but before that, I wanted to see you. And to know if you've thought about my proposal."

Tsunade gave a slight smile.

"You mean joining your organization to hunt down the Akatsuki?"

"Exactly."

Tsunade set down her cup and fixed her gaze on him.

"You really thought I'd refuse? You've entrusted me with your secret mission to track down Itachi. Of course, I'll help you."

Shikai smiled with relief.

"Thank you."

"Anything for MY Shikai," she replied, pinching her nose in an affectionate gesture. Then she added, "Who else has joined your group?"

Shikai enumerated calmly:

"A few renegade ninjas, Neji, an Uchiha I saved during the massacre, a Jonin from Kumo, Karin, and Kimimaro. Both were Orochimaru's subjects, and I managed to save them. They've joined us since."

Tsunade slowly nodded.

"It's a young, talented group. But I suppose that's where I come in, as the adult to guide them."

'That's not quite it,' Shikai thought.

Neji was already powerful enough to defeat Hiashi, the strongest Hyūga; the Uchiha had already obtained the eternal Mangekyō Sharingan; the Jonin from Kumo could utilize the chakra of Matatabi; Kimimaro was, in fact, Orochimaru in sage mode; and Karin was perhaps the most versatile with her knowledge of fuinjutsu and juinjutsu.

"Exactly. They have potential, but they need discipline and direction. Others will surely join us in the future."

Tsunade nodded in agreement.

The two ninjas then made their way to a room on the upper floor. Shikai opened the door to find Ino Yamanaka lying on a bed, her body bandaged from head to toe. Her multiple bruises and broken bones testified to the ordeal she had endured.

She turned her head with difficulty towards the door and murmured weakly, "Sensei..."

Shikai approached gently and sat down beside her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked in a soothing voice.

"Exhausted... My chakra is constantly drained, and my eye itches under this bandage."

"That's normal. It'll get better with time."

A silence fell, until Ino felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"Sensei... Thank you for saving me... I don't know what Orochimaru would have done to me..."

Shikai placed a comforting hand on her forehead.

"Don't think about that, Ino. I'm your sensei. And I failed in my duty. I'm supposed to be the fastest, but I was late again. It's my fault you're in this hospital bed."

Tsunade, who had been silent until then, placed a hand on Shikai's shoulder to comfort him.

"Don't say that, Sensei! You even sacrificed your most precious memory of Izumi to save me."

Shikai's expression darkened at her words, but he said nothing.

After a few minutes of conversation, Shikai and Tsunade left the room, allowing Ino to rest.

In the hospital corridors, Shikai broke the silence.

"I'll go report to the Sandaime about the situation at the border."

Tsunade stopped him abruptly, a look of curiosity in her eyes.

"You never told me how it went that night."

Shikai shook his head.

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Oh, I see. You can talk to Mei about it, but not to me?" she said, her tone tinged with jealousy.

Shikai shook his head with a tired smile.

"It's not like that, Tsunade. You shouldn't compare yourself to Mei. You both have different and equal positions in my heart. Mei helped me overcome this step, but you're just as special."

Tsunade remained silent, unconvinced.

To end the discussion, Shikai invented a watered-down version of what had happened, knowing that no one could contradict him.

***

Year 61. A few weeks after Shisui's death.

The night cast its silent veil over Konoha, and the stars seemed to observe the Uchiha domain with strange indifference. The clan, once vibrant and proud, was living its last moments. Shikai, perched on a rooftop nearby, read calmly from a scroll containing the secret techniques of the Yamanaka clan. His fingers idly traced the lines as his mind was already immersed in his plans.

For several nights, he had been watching the movements within the clan. He knew that Itachi, after obtaining the Mangekyō Sharingan, was preparing something. But this night, the atmosphere was different. Heavy.

A crow sliced through the sky, its black wings cutting the moonlight.

"Finally, it's harvest time."

Shikai smiled, closing the scroll. He formed a mudra with fluidity, activating his transposition technique. The next instant, he was in the crow's mind, his eyes perceiving the Uchiha domain through the bird's.

The crow glided silently, observing the deserted alleys and the moving shadows. There, at the turn of a lane, he spotted a dark figure slipping discreetly.

Shikai left his position, leaping from the rooftop with feline grace. Simultaneously, his shadow clones headed in the opposite direction, towards the Konoha police barracks.

For Shikai, this massacre represented a unique opportunity. Like Danzō and Obito, he intended to take advantage of the situation. The Sharingan were a precious resource, and he wasn't going to let this chance slip away.

In the barracks, Shikai's clone moved swiftly, collecting the Sharingan from the lifeless bodies. He sealed the pupils into scrolls, each containing an invaluable potential. As he exited the barracks, he came face to face with Izumi Uchiha, who seemed distraught.

"What's going on? Thank God, you're okay! I've been looking for you everywhere."

Izumi, her clothes stained with blood, raised panicked eyes towards him.

"I... I don't know, Shikai. I was working overtime, and now... there are only dead bodies in my path."

She noticed the scroll in his hand, still stained with blood.

"Shikai, what's this?!"