Chapter 26 : Realization

Shikamaru then didn't talk much to Haku, he did say that if she wanted to join Konoha then he was willing to let her in as long as she didn't have any ill intentions towards the village. but that's it nothing more than that. Just opening a door for her or him... whatever.

Later when Haku finally left, Shikamaru just showed a little smirk on his face, 'Zabuza should kick the bucket sooner or later, as long as he doesn't wake up. I need to make sure that that happens.' Thinking this Shikamaru make a hand sign and a toad appears out of his shadow.

Just to make sure that Zabuza doesn't wake up, a toad is not that strong but it can poison an already unconscious shinobi.

----

While this was happening, back in Tazuna's house, both Jonin's senses were contemplating on what Shikamaru said to them and the other Genin.

"I knew that there was something in his mind, the kid had been working really hard for the last few months. He was not like that before, I met Shikaku san after noticing Shikamaru's mad-like training behaviour, he was not like that before," Asuma let out a smoke and said, it was a sudden sentence as both Kakashi and him were just sitting in one place without much conversation till now. 

But in reality, both of them were thinking the same thing as after hearing what Shikamaru said, no matter what they just couldn't get those words out of their minds.

"The kid is not wrong, we have regressed than what we used to be, what Konoha used to be," Kakashi replied while still looking at his Icha Icha book, but unlike his normal self, he was not actually reading the masterpiece in his hand this time.

Both had frowns on their faces, it was not because Shikamaru was right, but what kind of realization his words had brought to them.

Asuma was thinking about his own strength, yes he was Jonin but his father was already a Hokage in his age and had wage war. He was no slough but...

Kakashi was comparing himself with his previous self, he never liked his previous self when he only cared about missions and following rules, somewhere he even considered himself responsible for the death of his teammates. But in pursuit of atoning himself, he also has lost his power. He no longer has the edge he used to have when he was 16.

"What are you thinking," Kakashi asked Asuma.

"The child is a genius but not like how you were back then, his tactical thinking is what makes him unique.

There is no denying that the current Konoha has declined, but that is not something we don't know already. His reason to get stronger is what got me," Asuma said after taking another puff of his smoke.

Kakashi understood what Asuma was pointing at, in fact, that too was bothering him, they were not in this depressed mood because Shikamaru said that the current village was weak. No thats fine, although many don't know as they never know what truly strong is and those who knew have already died in previous war. 

But for those who know, for those very few, they know that the village has declined a lot. So no, that was not something that bothered either of them. What exactly was bothering them was Shikamaru's words about the future. His words about War. 

Yes, peace has been there for way too long, and what happens when there is peace for too long without a clear supremacy?

Weak become strong when they have a chance. Strong become weak in their arrogance.

War will come, there is no doubt about it, is Konoha ready for such a war, or rather is the next generation of Konoha ready for that war?

Slowly their doubts become a realization after questioning themself, and later that becomes depression and determination.

The Konoha Genin was also thinking the same, Naruto didn't understand what Shikamaru said but others did. No more than Sasuke.

"We are so weak right now that we can't even save our own loved ones if the situation comes to it, don't let the peace blind you, power is the only thing which can maintain this peace," 

Shikamaru's words were resounding in his mind, he had personally experienced it. He knows.

"Okay enough glooming around, come on we are gonna go and train," Asuma said and Kakashi was also with him.

They have decided, that they will from now on gonna increase the training rate of their respective teams. 

Well, Asuma has already been going hard on them and if he won't then most likely Shikamaru will try to train both of his teammates under his nose, he knows that to some extent he already is doing with Choji. He is not blind, the boy is showing improvement suddenly. His being the best friend of the troublesome Nara is not helping him in any way either.

"Training !" Everyone was out of their stupor. 

"Mah mah come on, I don't want my team to get behind by Asuma's. We are already running behind," Kakashi showed his single-eye smile and left the house.

All the genin was surprised. But Naruto and Sasuke were the first to get up and went after the Jonin. followed by Choji and then the girls.

They didn't know that this will be the turning point in this world.

xxx

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