Naruto : The ultimate Troublemaker

In his office bathed in the soft glow of dusk, Shikai Nara was immersed in his research on fuinjutsu. Around him, carefully stacked scrolls, inks, and brushes aligned on his desk testified to the meticulousness with which he worked. His concentration was palpable. He slowly traced complex patterns on a parchment, trying to refine a technique that might revolutionize his personal quest.

"If this method works..." he murmured, his grave voice breaking the silence, "I could increase the efficiency of the fusion and perhaps finally awaken the Meiton."

His dark gaze wandered momentarily into the void, reflecting on the implications of his work. The Meiton... a power buried within him, whose awakening required an immense amount of chakra, specifically black chakra. Shikai had planned everything. The devices, the preparations, the calculations... But despite this, a lingering hesitation remained.

He sighed and set down his brush, leaning back in his chair. "I should probably go to Uzushio later to check on their work," he said aloud, breaking the silence once more, this time accompanied by a discreet smile. "Even if they can't betray me, it's better to be cautious."

This moment of reflection was interrupted by a strange sensation. A slight vibration in the air, almost imperceptible. Shikai furrowed his eyebrows and turned his head abruptly towards a corner of the wall.

If there had been an observer like Shizune, she might have thought he was losing his mind, as there was no one there. But Shikai knew better. An amused smile stretched across his lips.

"Hmm... so it was you, little one," he thought to himself.

Although he was not an expert in sensory detection, his affinity with chakra was sufficiently developed to sense the presence of a particular signature: that of Hinata Hyūga. The young girl, still a novice, had activated her Byakugan to observe him, but her lack of discretion betrayed her.

Shikai slowly rose from his desk, carefully placing the scrolls aside. The wooden chair creaked slightly under his weight. He opened the windows, letting in a cool breeze. His movements were fluid and controlled, and a golden gleam sparkled briefly in the room, almost disappearing immediately.

Under a clear blue sky, a gentle breeze caressed the training grounds near Konoha's hospital. Hinata Hyūga, her cheeks ablaze, was crouched behind a bush. Her pale eyes, illuminated by her activated Byakugan, were fixed on a masculine silhouette training a few meters away. Her heart was pounding, not from the effort, but from a mix of shame and nervousness. She had never ventured to observe someone in this manner.

However, before she could think of averting her eyes, her target suddenly disappeared. Hinata gaped, scanning the surroundings with her Byakugan.

"He... he's gone?" she murmured, confused.

Her Byakugan offered a 360-degree vision, yet the silhouette had vanished. Before she could analyze the situation further, a voice rang out behind her, icy and slightly mocking.

"So, little girl, spying on people?"

Hinata startled violently and turned around hastily, almost falling backward. There stood Shikai Nara, the shinobi she had been observing, with a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk on his lips.

"D-sorry, sen-sensei... It's just that..." Hinata stuttered, unable to hold his gaze.

"Hmm..." he said, inclining his head slightly. His piercing eyes landed on the necklace Hinata was wearing.

"This necklace... Where did you get it?"

Hinata lowered her eyes to the jewel, a precious memento around her neck.

"E-Actually, you might not remember me..." she murmured, hesitant to continue.

Shikai furrowed his eyebrows, intensely focusing on the necklace, and then something seemed to come back to him.

"Would that be... the little Hyūga girl from the snow?" he asked, his tone softening.

Hinata blushed deeply and timidly nodded.

"I see..." Shikai said, a gentle smile softening his face. He sat down in the shade of a tree and, before Hinata could slip away, he added, "Take a break, little Hyūga. If you leave now, you'll make me sad."

Hinata hesitated but eventually nodded and sat down at a respectful distance from him, her gaze fixed on the ground.

"So, tell me, how are you doing? School? Ninja life?" Shikai asked, trying to break the ice.

Hinata opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She felt intimidated by his presence and especially by his story. Seeing her discomfort, Shikai sighed softly and decided to take the lead.

"You know, I'll tell you a bit about myself, so you might feel more at ease."

Hinata timidly raised her eyes, curious despite herself.

"I'm an orphan from the Nara clan," he began, casting a pensive gaze at the sky. "Shikaku-san, whom I consider my uncle, raised me. Then, I had the chance to become the disciple of the Yondaime Hokage."

Hinata's eyes widened in surprise.

"The Yondaime?!" she exclaimed, her voice betraying her incredulity.

"Exactly," Shikai replied with a nostalgic smile. "But that doesn't make me extraordinary. I've just followed my path."

Shikai's words resonated with her. But a sudden realization struck Hinata.

"So... you're... the one who helped protect the village during the Kyubi attack?" she asked, hesitant.

Shikai nodded, his smile widening slightly.

"Yes, it's me," he said modestly.

Hinata observed him furtively, trying to contain her admiration. Then she lowered her eyes, nervously playing with her fingers.

"I... I'm Hinata Hyūga," she finally murmured. "The daughter of the Hyūga clan leader."

A flash of surprise crossed Shikai's features.

"I see... So you've grown up in a complex world. Your identity is not simple," he said pensively.

Hinata lowered her head, her sadness becoming palpable. Shikai, noticing this, leaned slightly towards her.

"What's troubling you?" he asked softly.