Naruto: The Shadow Lord of the Nara Clan

"If you can't shut up, I can shut up for you."

Sensing the coldness in Shika's words, Narasaki Shiba swallowed nervously and fearfully.

However, he quickly reverted to his arrogant and domineering demeanor, letting out two dry laughs:

"Hehe, what's wrong?"

"Lu Ying, you're at a loss now too!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the deer shadow rushing towards him, holding two gleaming kunai in its hands hanging at its sides.

—This guy wants to kill me?

The thought that suddenly popped into his head startled Narasaki Shiba, but was followed by a surge of shame.

—Is it really necessary?!

He admitted that he was not as good as Lu Ying.

But this is the Nara main family, and they attacked him, a Konoha ninja, in broad daylight. It's clear they don't take Narasaki Shiba seriously at all!

"Lu Ying, I'm not the same person I used to be!"

"you……"

Seeing that Shikakage had chosen close-quarters combat, Narasaki Shiba swallowed his words and barely managed to use a kunai to fight back.

—Damn it, isn't this guy planning to fight with ninjutsu?

—How dare you look down on me like that!

The Nara clan's secret techniques meant they weren't good at close combat, so when Shikakage rushed in front of him, Narasaki Shiba was surprised, but felt more humiliated by being looked down upon.

His physical skills were inferior to Lu Ying's when he was in school, so he performed exceptionally poorly when facing Lu Ying's attacks.

After using all his strength to block part of the attack, Narasaki Shiba had no time to feel smug when he unexpectedly discovered a cold glint of light coming from a blind spot.

He was so frightened that he panicked and could not even maintain a basic standing position.

Driven by instinct, he wanted to use his arm to block the kunai's edge, even if it would cause injury, it would protect his vulnerable neck.

The idea was good, but just as Narasaki Shiba was about to raise his hand, his body stiffened for a moment.

In that split second, Narasaki Shiba completely lost his chance to block and was on the verge of dying on the spot.

Just as the kunai was about to sever that fragile neck, its blade could not penetrate any further.

It turned out that the deer's shadow had frozen.

He stood like a statue on the stone path in the front yard.

The body is unable to move, but the eyes and lips are not restricted.

He looked at the figure standing on the edge of the eaves not far away and smiled:

"Uncle Suzaku, sneak attacks aren't honorable."

Nara Suzaku formed hand seals, his slightly aged face filled with dissatisfaction towards Shikakage.

"Lu Ying, he's your cousin, wasn't that a bit too ruthless?"

"With you here, how could I possibly hurt Sakishiba?"

The sarcastic tone in his words made Nara Suzaku's expression grow even more sinister.

Even so, Lu Ying did not show the slightest fear, and still had a leisurely smile on her face.

"Lu Ying, you lack respect for your elders!"

Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, a gentle voice rang out to soothe the nerves:

"Alright, Brother Suzaku."

"Lu Ying is only twelve years old after all. Why should adults argue with children?"

Upon hearing this, Nara Suzaku snorted coldly, but still obediently released the shadow binding on the deer.

"Lu Jiu, I know you feel sorry for Lu Ying."

"But geniuses aren't pampered; how can they become pillars of Konoha without experiencing setbacks and hardships?"

Nara Shikaku, with his hands behind his back, walked slowly towards them and nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, you're right."

As if oblivious to Shikaku's perfunctory attitude, Nara Suzaku pressed his advantage, saying:

"Lord Danzo is very satisfied with Shikakage's recent performance and often tells people that the Nara family has a prodigy."

"I think it would be better to let him join the root and polish him properly."

Nara Shikaku did not answer immediately, maintaining a gentle expression, but a hint of worry lurked deep in his eyes.

—Danzo…

After a moment's thought, Nara Shikaku shook his head, his tone growing colder:

"I have other plans for Lu Ying."

This answer was not unexpected by Suzaku Nara.

He had long known that Nara Shikaku would never agree to such an arrangement.

From beginning to end, his only target was Nara Shikamaru!

Thinking about the recent personnel changes within the Root Clan, and the increasing number of members from powerful clans, such as the Yamanaka Clan and the Aburame Clan…

Suzaku Nara was filled with helplessness and fear.

Clearly, Danzo's influence over the various clans of Konoha had deepened.

Since the death of the Fourth Hokage, Danzo's actions in order to gain more political influence have become increasingly radical and undisguised.

Although he was not a member of Root, in a sense he was a member of Danzo's faction.

Now that Danzo intends to infiltrate the Nara family, his son Nara Suzaku, Narasaki Shiba, is the best choice.

He followed Danzo solely to gain more wealth, power, and strength.

He would never allow Suzaku Nara to send his son to Root to be used as a tool!

However, Suzaku Nara was not the head of the Nara clan, and he did not have the confidence of Shikaku Nara to easily refuse Danzo's "invitation".

Therefore, in order to prevent his son from falling into the "abyss," Nara Suzaku chose to bring misfortune upon the clan head's family.

If Nara Shikaku had only one child, Nara Suzaku would never have set his sights on the clan leader.

But the two sons are a different story.

Giving one to Danzo would satisfy him, prevent the sacrifice of his only son, Suzaku Nara, and more importantly, the clan leader still has another son!

As for whether he's afraid of being retaliated against by the clan leader...

Just kidding, they're the fair and democratic Nara clan!

So what if he's the clan leader? He's just working for the Hokage too!

He works for Danzo, and Shikaku works for Sarutobi; they are essentially equal!

"Then let Shikamaru go to Root."

Nara Suzaku said casually, but at the end of his sentence, he still mentioned it briefly:

"Lord Danzo truly values ​​our Nara clan!"

This blatant threat caused Nara Shikaku to lose his gentle expression.

He stared intently at Suzaku Nara, his heart filled with both anger and sorrow.

Once upon a time, this cousin, who was six years older than him, was willing to be punished by the previous clan chief for his sake.

Everything changed after I joined Danzo's group.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Suzaku."

Lu Ying spoke on behalf of her father:

"Shikamaru cannot be removed from the root."

"Because I plan to join the Dark Side."

"We can't have both sons join the 'Dark Side' in our family."

Shikakage deliberately emphasized the words "Anbu" (Dark Department), fearing that Nara Suzaku might be too old and senile to understand.

Fortunately, Suzaku Nara was clear-headed and understood what Shikakage meant.

He glared fiercely at Lu Ying, then walked out without a word, his face tense.

As she passed by Narasaki Shiba, she coldly slapped him across the face.

"waste!"

"What are you still doing, making a fool of yourself? Let's go!"

At this moment, Narasaki Shiba did not have a clear understanding of the distinction between the Dark Part and the Root.

He thought that Shikakage had chosen to "replace" Shikamaru, and he grinned from ear to ear.

He wasn't quite sure what the specific work of the Dark Division and the Root was, but Suzaku Nara's attitude already indicated that it was probably not an easy job.

Therefore, he firmly believes that Nara Shikakage will have many unlucky days ahead!

This schadenfreude gave Narasaki Shiba a strong sense of self-confidence; he even dared to turn around and make a "throat-slitting" gesture towards the deer shadow.

Seeing her idiotic cousin's stupid behavior, Lu Ying was not angry at all; instead, she smiled gently.

"These two baskets..."