Naruto : The ultimate Troublemaker

The days passed in a meticulously boring routine for Shikai. Between his responsibilities at the hospital, his relentless training with Shikamaru, and the occasional formal dinners he shared with Izumi's family, his life followed a bland rhythm.

At the hospital, Shikai was known for his almost inhuman efficiency. His colleagues admired him as much as they feared him. In the evenings, he dedicated himself to perfecting his skills. Shikamaru, often tormented in taijutsu, had gotten used to grumbling in silence, although his abilities were noticeably improving.

Among Shikai's many encounters, his meetings with Gai were particularly memorable. The two men faced off on several occasions, and Shikai quickly realized he couldn't compete in brute strength without using his Sennin mode. But these encounters allowed him to develop new strategies, as all his skills were geared towards a swift and singular attack to end resistance. However, in a prolonged fight, he was increasingly disadvantaged, losing the element of surprise.

And as Mikoto had requested, they didn't exchange a single word. Yet, each silence carried a weight that she couldn't ignore. And Shikai knew it well; he had worked hard in the previous years, and this event was the final step for her to be completely his.

Shikai also spent time conversing with Hinata, but nothing serious ever came of it. He contented himself with speaking calmly, often telling her absurd stories that sometimes elicited a shy smile from the young girl. Hinata, on the other hand, seemed fascinated by this enigmatic young shinobi. She frequently spied on him with her Byakugan.

Three months passed in this manner. That day, as he returned from yet another training session with Shikamaru and then Hinata, her cheeks flushed, softly crying as she told him how her cousin Neji was treating her.

"Finally home!" he exclaimed as he opened the door, but he stopped short, sensing an unusual presence.

He turned abruptly, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings. "Get out of here!" he snapped in a cutting voice.

A man dressed in black appeared as if by magic. His face was masked, but his uniform clearly indicated his affiliation with Root, Danzo Shimura's secret organization.

The man advanced slowly, offering a sealed scroll to Shikai.

"Danzo-sama sends you this message. I'm sure you'll make the right decision," he said, his voice monotone. Then, as suddenly as he had appeared, he disappeared in a whirlwind of smoke.

Shikai stood still, the scroll in his hand, staring at the spot where the man had vanished.

"Danzo, huh?" he murmured to himself, an bitter smile forming on his face. He knew Danzo and his methods. Receiving a scroll from him was never a good sign.

He carefully broke the seal and unrolled the message. The words were written with care, but their content was as cold as a military order.

...

Evening fell on Konoha, and silence gently enveloped the village. Hinata Hyuga, faithful to a habit she would never dare admit, activated her Byakugan from the safety of her room. Her pale pupils lit up as she directed her gaze towards Shikai's apartment.

She observed him as she usually did, an odd mix of fascination and shyness pushing her to spy on every moment of his life. When he talked with Izumi, worked on his complex jutsus, slept, or even in more intimate moments, Hinata couldn't tear her eyes away. She often blushed, her heart pounding wildly, but she couldn't help but follow each of his movements.

That night, however, Hinata noticed something unusual. Not only had he received a visit from a mysterious shinobi, but Shikai seemed frozen, holding a sealed scroll, his expression strangely grave. Out of curiosity, she focused her Byakugan on the parchment.

The words on the scroll appeared clearly to her eyes as if they had been written under a bright light.

[ "DarkRai,

I know your loyalty to the village is unwavering. You understand, better than anyone, that difficult decisions are necessary to protect our homeland. It is not for the small person that is Hiruzen that we act, but for the future of Konoha.

Recently, Shisui Uchiha has shown suspicious behavior. His Sharingan is a powerful weapon, but in the wrong hands, it could become a threat to the village. This mission will serve as your ultimate test: master this traitor or betray Konoha yourself.]

Hinata read and reread the words, her heart tightening with each line.

"Shisui Uchiha?" she murmured to herself. "Isn't he one of Shikai-kun's childhood friends?"

She continued reading, discovering the inflexibility of Danzo in his orders. The mission left no room for escape: kill a childhood friend labeled as a traitor or be labeled a traitor oneself.

Hinata bit her lip, her mind whirling. She had heard rumors about DarkRai, a shadowy figure in ANBU, known for carrying out bloody missions without leaving a trace. But she had never imagined that this dark legend was, in reality, Shikai, the kind and understanding man she secretly admired.

She averted her gaze from the scroll to observe Shikai himself. His shoulders seemed heavy, as if the weight of the world rested on them. His expression was marked by sadness and guilt, but also by a cold resolution.

"He... he really thinks he has no choice," she murmured, her heart broken.

Hinata felt a wave of anger rise within her. Not against Shikai, but against the system that had turned him into a tool of destruction. She clenched her fists, tears in her eyes.

"Shikai-kun is not a bad person," she thought forcefully. "He's a loyal man, a talented shinobi... and they're using him. They're manipulating his loyalty to make him do unforgivable things."

She deactivated her Byakugan, taking a deep breath to calm the frenzied beating of her heart. Hinata knew she couldn't do anything to directly help Shikai, not in his current state. But an idea was taking root in her, a resolution that shone like a flame in the darkness of her mind.

"I have to become stronger," she told herself, determined. "Shikai-kun is talented, but he's far too kind. His kindness and sense of duty are his weaknesses. If I train enough, I can protect him... protect that light within him that they're trying to extinguish."

She rose abruptly, her determined gaze fixed on the void.

"He helped me fight my own demons. Now it's my turn to do the same for him."