*Bang.
The desk was hit hard by one of the elders. This was the old hag Koharu of course, by now practically smoke was coming out of her head.
"That Brat, he absolutely has no respect for us, he is dangerous," Koharu shouted.
She didn't have to honestly, everyone there was roaring about the same ever since both Tsunade and Shika left the office, they were just not making it so obvious.
"Agree, the kid is dangerous. It was fine if he was disobedient but he is also strong." Homura nodded, agreeing with the old woman.
"Leave it to me." Danzo unlike them wasn't panicking or making noise. He was calm, his eyes were still sharp like usual.
"What are you planning Danzo…" Homura asked, almost immediately. Homura usually thinks more than Koharu.
He knew that Danzo was thinking something dangerous. It wouldn't matter if that brat was just anyone else but Tsunade was behind him.
If anything were to happen to him, Sage only knew what Tsunade would do. Her leaving the village quietly in that case might be the best outcome, and that already was not something that the village could afford.
The right now was the village's weak state. Jiraiya hardly stayed in the village, Danzo was held and was never as strong as Hiruzen to begin with.
Tsunade right now was their only option. They needed both Jiraiya and Tsunade in the village, if a hidden village doesn't have one or two Kage-level shinobi in the village then it could be a very dangerous situation for that hidden village. Especially Konoha who usually get targeted by other hidden villages due to its resources and fertile land.
No matter what, they can't let Tsunade go.
"Danzo… don't do anything rash, that kid was the reason why Tsunade came back to the village. Nothing should happen to him." Homura said with a little reluctance in his tone, he too was angry with that boy but taking action again that kid could spiral out of their control anytime.
Not only there will be problems from Tsunade but also from the Nara clan. Shika wasn't just anyone but a few of the current clan leaders.
"You don't have to worry about it, I don't plan to kill the boy." Danzo was still relaxed.
" Will just give him a reason to listen to us," Danzo said and stood up, he never saw the boy having this kind of attitude towards them but it doens't matter, regardless of his attitude, he wasn't planning on letting that boy go anyway. Either that boy will go under him or he will die…
---
"You should be careful brat, what you did was dangerous," Tsunade said, though she was still trying to hold back the laughter which was threatening to leak out of her mouth, she refrained from doing that just to send her message across.
Shika could only smile and nod at this, this woman could be a Slave driver in that cursed Hospital but besides that she was cool.
"Thank you for having my back there." Shika just said this much and nodded to her again.
Tsunade though frowned at this, her face was screaming that she was just a little away from hitting Shika. Maybe thinking that the boy wasn't listening got her. Possible?
"Don't worry, I know what I am doing. I might be young but I know the political structure of the village. Those fossils are nothing but power-hungry leeches who are eating away the village.
If we don't stand up to them even after the Hokage is dead then their meddling in the village with only increase." Shika replied without holding back the contempt he had against the elders of the village.
This honestly shocked Tsunade making her wonder why the kid in front of her seems like someone else entirely.
Someone more mature, more dangerous, more… shinobi like.
"Quit acting cool brat, remember to stay vigilant and if something happens then tell me directly." Tsunade again snapped, shaking out all those thoughts out of her mind and shouting at Shika.
Shika only smiled at this, 'That's right, there is no reason for her to get involved in this matter, her attention is the last thing I want right now.'
With that said, Shika was already moving back to his place, though before going there, there might be one another place where he has to go.
Maybe Two…
---
Shika's been meaning to check in with Hinata after all the recent chaos. This might be the best chance for him because, after today or probably tonight itself, he will be targeted by those darn elders.
When he arrived, he was greeted by a watchful Hyuga guard, who led him into the courtyard to wait for Hinata.
This was the first time he directly came to the Hyuga place, usually coming here to her home would not be something he would do, but he was well aware of his own fame in the village right now.
It's not just out of the blue those elders summoned him or just becuase he was strong.
One of the main reasons was his newfound popularity. Power is important but in a political war, once popularity is matters a lot.
If Shika only has power then that is fine, those elders can always put more shinobi against him. But when it comes to popularity, that's what they fear.
After all, no matter how big of a dictatorship one lives in, as long as it's not the ridiculous world of One Piece, Populance, when anger could dethrone any dictatorship.
Having a good public image for those elders is especially important.
It wasn't long before she appeared, looking a little surprised but pleased to see him.
"Hey, Hinata," Shika greeted with a warm smile. "Thought it'd be nice to go grab some ramen. What do you say?"
Hinata's cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she nodded, a shy smile forming on her face. "I'd like that, Shika Kun. Thank you for inviting me."
As they left the compound together, Shika noticed how relaxed Hinata looked away from the pressures of her family's formal setting.
Though right now she was handling the complicated Hyuga family matters more but it was as troublesome as always.
It was clear on her face that recently she had been taking too much stress. Shika wanted to remind her not to do so but he refraim himself. She was a big girl, she can handle herself.
Sometimes, silent support is more effective than any words in the dictionary.
The stroll to Ichiraku Ramen was peaceful, with the evening sun casting warm light over the village. Along the way, Shika talked with her a little bit, some casual banter.
However, Shika could easily see that she wanted to say something. Something was in her mind, she was just not saying it out loud.
When they arrived at Ichiraku, Shika pulled out a chair for Hinata before sitting down across from her. "Two bowls, please! And keep them coming…" he called out to the ramen chef with a grin, then added the last part after remembering who he brought with him.
"So, are you going to ask me what's on your mind or do I need a Yamanaka?" Shika asked with a smile on his face.
Hinata was of course blustered when Shika literally pointed out what she was thinking.
She hesitated a little bit then after a little pause, she finally said.
"Hmm Shika Kun…, I heard that it was you who beat that intruder….." She said with a hesitation on her face.
"It exaggerated Hinata's, I might have been the one who dealt the final blow but that was all, the real people behind taking down that enemy were Tsunade, Jiraiya, Guy and…" Shika said but remember that he isn't supposed to say Sasuke's presence to anyone.
"Ah… I see…" Hinata said but it was clear that she had something in her mind.
"Out with it already, I can practically feel that you want to say something." Shika grabs another Ramen brawl and puts it in front of Hinata.
"Hmm… Shika Kun has become very strong. In just this little time, you are not only studying under someone like Tsunade sama but also were able to fight that intruder." Hinata still wasn't saying it out loud but Shika understood. Sighing he could only smile and put his hands on top of Hinata's head.
A little habit which he exceedingly found doing as he enjoyed Hamster Hinata eating Ramen.
"You are strong Hinata, remember the first thing which I told you when we were training…" Shika asked to which Hinata pursed her lips and then nodded.
"What was it…?"
"Don't compare, just keep getting better," Hinata repeated, Shika made sure to drill this in her.
"Exactly, what I or someone else can do has nothing to do with you Hinata. What matters to you, is your own power. Your own progress. I know you are thinking that you are not getting strong enough, I feel the same at times." Shika said to which Hinata was glaring at him in disbelief, like wondering whether he could see through his thoughts.
"Remember, whenever you think like that, do what I do," Shika said and smiled but never said what he did.
Hinata waited, and waited until he didn't reply until she couldn't take it anymore and asked finally.
"What you do ?"
"I come here and see Hamster Hinata. This reminds me why I am getting stronger. To protect precious people around me. Now whether I am capable or not, I know that I will do it. Because it's not just about me alone anymore…." Shika grinned.
He could also see the Ramen guy on the side sneakily nodding and showing a thumbs up.
'Smooth…'
Hinata immediately turned into a burning red mess.
"Ah, I will miss teasing her." Sign…
xxx
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