Naruto : The ultimate Troublemaker

Words poured out of Hinata like a river. She spoke of her struggles, her failures at the academy, and her father's constant disappointment in her.

"Today... I decided to run away," she admitted, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm useless. I only embarrass my family."

Seeing the young girl cry, Shikai approached her gently and, without hesitation, took her into his arms, caressing her hair with a fraternal tenderness.

"Listen to me, Hinata," he said, his voice firm yet warm. "Strength is useless if it doesn't allow you to protect those you love. I myself have failed in this mission. I saw my sensei die before my eyes."

Hinata raised her eyes to him, her tears still flowing.

"You... You went through that?" she asked, shocked.

Shikai nodded, his gaze filled with pain and determination.

"Yes. And that's why I know what true strength is. It's not in techniques or talent but in the heart, unwavering convictions, and purpose."

Hinata remained silent for a moment, then nodded softly.

Shikai smiled and gently wiped away her tears, his fingers brushing her cheek. Hinata felt her heart race. Their faces were so close that she felt like she was losing her footing.

"And I thought you were a serious guy. Even girls my age can't escape you? Didn't you have a girlfriend?" Shikamaru said, his hands in his pockets, his tone mockingly calculated to annoy.

Shikai clenched his teeth slightly, his gaze darkening. "That kid..." he murmured, his lips pursed, as he observed the boy who seemed to be amusing himself at his expense. Beside him, Choji was stuffing himself with chips, a distracted look on his face.

Faced with this palpable tension, the previously silent Hyūga girl seemed to lose her footing. "Ah... sorry, Shikai-kun... I'm going to go. I don't want to create any misunderstandings," she stammered, red with confusion. She backed away hastily, tripping in the process before fleeing awkwardly.

Choji chewed on another chip, his head tilted. "The Hyūga princess is quite young, do you think Shikai-sensei has some strange tendencies?" he asked innocently to Shikamaru, a bit perplexed.

Shikai remained silent for a moment, then sighed deeply. Those two certainly had a talent for meddling in what didn't concern them. Yet, he couldn't deny that they had inadvertently sabotaged a precious opportunity for him.

'Oh well...' he thought, shrugging his shoulders. 'It's already a good start.'

With a confident stride, he walked towards them, his hands nonchalantly crossed behind his back.

"Shikamaru? Choji? You come here often to take in the fresh air?"

Choji, taken by surprise, raised an eyebrow while maintaining his detached attitude. "Ah... yeah, sensei. Iruka's classes are pretty stifling."

Shikai sketched a mischievous smile. "Ooh, is that so, Shikamaru?"

The young Nara flinched slightly. He had just realized he had made a mistake. He knew that Shikai was not the type to forget or overlook such details, especially when it involved his mother, Yoshino.

"Come on, answer. I'm sure Aunt Yoshino would be interested to know why you prefer to loiter here instead of studying."

Shikamaru swallowed hard, feeling the pressure mount. In an effort to divert the situation, he proposed with a cunning smile, "Let's make a deal, Shikai-sama. You forget that you saw us here, and I won't tell your girlfriend."

A brief, amused laugh escaped Shikai. This kid was definitely clever, worthy of the Nara lineage. Unfortunately for him, Shikai was not a man to be easily manipulated.

"I don't care if you tell her, but what I know is that I have some time to train you."

Shikamaru's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? What's he talking about?" he murmured to Choji, who, true to form, shrugged his shoulders while calmly chewing on his chips.

Shikai assumed a position, his legs slightly bent and his arms extended, adopting a martial arts stance that exuded mastery and determination.

Shikamaru felt a drop of sweat trickle down his temple. 'This isn't good...' he thought, sensing a growing tension in the air.

"Get ready, Shikamaru. I'm going to teach you what it really means to be a ninja."

Without waiting for a response, Shikai leaped forward, launching a direct punch. Shikamaru barely managed to block it, his arms numb.

"Stop thinking, Shikamaru! In a fight, instinct and action take precedence," Shikai declared as he followed up with a circular kick.

As Shikai's foot was about to reach its target, a green flash of light cut through the air. A firm hand stopped his movement abruptly.

"Gai-sensei?!" Shikai exclaimed.

Facing him, Gai Maito, in all his flamboyance, smiled with all his teeth. "Ohhh, I knew I recognized that stance! Shikai Nara, you fought Kakashi years ago. So what do you say about facing his eternal rival?"

Shikai stepped back, intrigued by this sudden intervention. "Gai-sensei... Always so energetic, as I see."

Gai puffed out his chest, a hand on his hip. "Of course! But tell me, Shikai, are you ready for a fight full of youthful power?"

Shikai, understanding that he would have no respite, glanced at Shikamaru and Choji, who had discreetly moved away, leaving the two jōnin face to face.

"Very well, Gai-sensei. I have some free time. You can go all out." Shikai replied, adopting a defensive posture.