1 Chapter 1: Invitation to The Peak

"Shikadai, do you think this village is too cramped?" Boruto looked up at the clear sky.

His hands formed a small pinch, as if he wanted to capture the sky in that pinch.

"Small? Well, Konoha isn't the biggest village, I heard that Kirigakure has a harbor and a wide sea."  Shikadai was also looking up at the sky but with a pensive look as if he was thinking about something complicated.

"That's not what I meant, whether it's Kirigakure, Kumogakure or any other shinobi village, they are all just a small part of the world. Why do we Shinobi who have power, have to be willing to live in this remote place? Meanwhile, the Land of Fire is led by a Daimyo with no real power.  He occupies a territory with abundant resources, but even in the previous great Shinobi war, there wasn't any contribution from him."  Boruto replied sarcastically.

Shikadai's thoughts were interrupted by those words.  "Oi, oi, Boruto ... what you said kinda scared me. But even though the Daimyo weren't much use in the previous war, didn't the Daimyo send a lot of funds after the war to make the Shinobi villages more prosperous? Look at Konohagakure's current progress, if  without financial assistance from the center, it is impossible for us to develop into the era of sophisticated technology."

"Ha ha ha, Shikadai, if it were anyone else, I would overlook this naivety. However, I'm sure you understand the big picture. We Shinobi are stationed in autonomous villages, not because of the Daimyo' goodness who gave us the freedom to govern ourselves. However,  it is to guard their interests. We, Shinobi, are gifted people who can control Chakra due to bloodline. As for them Daimyo, even though they are called nobles, in the end they have no way to practice controlling it.

"Because they know we cannot be subdued by force, we are enticed with the right to govern ourselves, namely by establishing Shinobi villages. All the founders of Shinobi villages are figures with real power. Of course they have their own prestige and don't want to be subordinate to others. The Daimyo took advantage of this prestige and the grudges between those great figures to divide us into scattered forces and enemies against one another."

"Nowadays, the Shinobi villages are no longer hostile to each other thanks to the Shinobi Alliance. Therefore, the Daimyo have no choice but to please us by sending large funds for village development. Shikadai, you're not an idiot who doesn't understand this, right?"  Boruto glared at Shikadai.

Shikadai winced slightly, he wanted to answer immediately but his mouth was held back by a lot of thoughts.  He sighed, as if letting go of the many complicated things in his head and choosing only the ones that were easiest to digest.

"Yes, of course I can see that much. However, so what? Isn't our life practically comfortable? I don't understand why you are complaining about that Boruto."

Shikadai answered lazily, as if this talk was just a passing wind.  After all, the topic of conversation for teenagers is sometimes erratic.

A strange silence passed between the two for a while.

Boruto suddenly stood up and looked at Shikadai below him.  His body covered Shikadai from the scorching sun.

"Shikadai, I am the son of the Shinobi Alliance' hero. I am the son of a Hokage. I am the highest scorer in the academy's written and physical exams. I am what the villagers call Young Master."

"Now, tell me Shikadai. Do you think it's possible for me to sit quietly as a friendly villager? Or is it possible for me to just be lazy like you, despite having abilities but not doing much?"

Shikadai was horrified in his heart, but his face remained unmoving.

"Hah..." Shikadai also stood up from his sleep.  He patted his clothes which were slightly soiled by the ground, "It's past afternoon, I forgot that my father came home early today. See you later, Boruto!"

Shikadai waved his hand and left immediately without answering Boruto's previous question.

"Shikadai, I will ask you this. Would you accompany me to the top?"  Boruto was serious.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Bye-bye!"  Shikadai didn't turn around and just waved from behind.  His silhouette started to move away from where they were talking.

Boruto stared intently at Shikadai's back as if thinking about his attitude just now.  At the end, he also let go of that burden and let out a breath, before then he headed off in a different direction to return home.

 ***

"I am home!"  Shikadai opened the door of his house.  The door slid open with a distinctive scraping sound.

"Hey kid, your daddy's back a while ago. I told you not to play too long. It's late."  Temari, Shikadai's mother started to grumble.

"There, there. The important thing is that he comes home, that's for the best!"  Shikamaru, Shikadai's father stood up for his son.

"You too! If it's not working overtime today, you better help me with the housework. Instead of lazing around and watching dramas!"  Temari's nagging didn't stop.

Shikamaru was dead tick in front of his wife's scolding, he only replied with laughter.

"Mom, is dinner ready?"  asked Shikadai.

He had memorized his mother's explosive temper.  Usually, under those circumstances, the father-son duo would cover for each other with spontaneous conversation.  As a result, Temari would always forget her previous anger and her tone would lighten.

"Dinner is being prepared. You better take a shower first while you wait!"

"Thank you beautiful mother! He he he."  Shikadai praised while heading to the bathroom.

"Heh, you can be sweet-talking too! Unlike your insensitive father."  Temari glanced at Shikamaru who was still lying relaxed watching the drama.

Shikamaru shuddered because he was involved again.  "Hey honey, who said your husband is insensitive? I can be sweet too if I want to."

"Oh, that means you don't want to?"  Temari looked exasperated.

"No no, I mean, I can say nice words any time for you. Yes, my beautiful and kind wife."

"Humph! Pretend!"  Temari left Shikamaru alone and returned to the kitchen.

She patiently stirred the curry that was starting to thicken in the large pot.  Even though there were only three people at home, sometimes she made five people's portions.  If it didn't run out, she would share it with neighbors or passers-by.  Although her temperament was explosive, but she had her own goodness.

After some time, the food was ready.  The table was neatly arranged, the main menu was curry, with a mixture of potatoes which was more than the meat.  The Shikamaru family was already sitting at the dining table and preparing to eat.

"Enjoy your meal!"

"Enjoy your meal!"

"Enjoy your meal!"

After a few mouthfuls, Shikadai started the conversation.  "Dad, what do you think about Boruto?"

"Boruto? Why suddenly ask?"  Shikamaru replied flatly.

"Well, just curious. From an adult's point of view, how would you see a genius like Boruto?"

"Well, same as you, just a little kid!"

"Tch, even though I asked seriously."

"Why? Do you feel disappointed that he is always above you in academy exams?"  Shikamaru teased.

"No. I'll tell you, I wasn't serious in all the exams I took. If I were serious, even though I might not be able to achieve the best in the physical test, I'm sure that in the written test, both Boruto and Sarada, they will all be far behind."  Shikadai praised himself in front of his father.

"Oh... So you haven't taken the exam seriously all this time?"  Temari's unfriendly voice sounded.  She clenched her fists as if she was going to punch Shikadai mercilessly.

"N-no, mother ... I, I, ahhhhh my goodness ..." Shikadai struggled as his mother squeezed his head and was pressed by both of his mother's furious hands.

"Well then, he's probably just boasting. After all, you know, Boruto and Sarada are the children of those two. There's no way our little kids can beat them."  Shikamaru intervened with logical words.

"Humph, you're right. After all they are the children of those two inhuman monsters!"  Temari released her grip and relaxed back to eat.

Shikadai who was in pain didn't seem to accept that he was labeled as boasting, but he didn't continue speaking because of the lingering throbbing in his head.

"Well, speaking of Boruto, there is one thing for sure that he is very different from his father."  Shikamaru continued the topic.

Shikadai who was curious spontaneously asked, "What it is father?"

"Well, Boruto is a bit cold. Unlike Naruto's aura which can embrace many people, Boruto seems to only look at people he wants to be close to."

"You mean like Sasuke?"  Temari was suddenly curious as well.

After all, her interaction with Boruto was not as much as her husband or son.  She had mostly stayed at home since she got married, and only talked to Boruto when Shikadai took him to visit their house.  It was only limited to offer him food or ask how his parents doing.

"No, he's not as extreme as Sasuke. Well, how should I describe him, he's like a King who would only talk to his ministers and not think too much of officials of a status below that. Or like the chief merchant who would only serve customers personally if they have deep pocket."

"Hm? Doesn't that mean he's an arrogant kid?"  Temari couldn't help but be surprised. After all, during her interactions with Boruto, he seemed like a polite and friendly boy.

"No, no. I can't call him arrogant. He's more like someone who knows his position and acts according to circumstances. Well, in short he's adaptive. Well, enough about Boruto, why don't we rock-paper-scissors to decide who gets to wash  plate this time?"  Shikamaru suggested with a small smile.

Suddenly, heat rose again at Temari's side, "It's your turn, old man! Don't try to run away from your task! If you do..." Temari's fists clenched and exposed the green veins on her fair white wrists.

"Just kidding, just kidding. Don't be mad, honey!"  Shikamaru tried to calm the volcanic crater that was his wife.

Seeing this scene, Shikadai didn't feel like going inside.  He was pensive about Boruto's previous offer, 'will you accompany me to the top?'.