Chapter 390: Shikamaru Begins His Deduction
Nara Shikaku didn't pay much attention to Shikamaru's little scheme.
Trying to monopolize the information?
That was wishful thinking.
This time, it wasn't just the two of them participating.
At most, Shikamaru had only gotten the information a bit earlier.
Shikaku didn't believe Shikamaru could solve everything with just that small time advantage.
If it were that simple, the Hokage wouldn't have called both of them over, nor treated this as a first test.
As the current acting clan head (self-appointed), Nara Shikaku had to return and inform the clan.
"Wha? There's such a good deal?"
"Hokage-sama, we respect you so much!"
Once the Nara clan, young and old, men and women, heard about this opportunity, they all became eager to try.
Everyone could tell, even the clan head himself wasn't sad about potentially losing his position. He was clearly aiming for that first-place privilege.
So naturally, no one held back anymore.
As for self-awareness?
That didn't exist in the Nara clan.
Previously, to avoid responsibilities, everyone had been pretending to be incompetent. No one actually knew each other's true abilities.
As for skill in shogi?
That had absolutely nothing to do with strategy, tactics, or solving cases.
Otherwise, the greatest strategist in modern times would be a chess engine.
The entire Nara clan mobilized. Except for the elderly who had already retired and the very young who couldn't even speak or walk, everyone showed up.
They found Shikamaru at the training ground, who had just finished gathering information from the others.
"Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, everyone, you're all here."
Shikamaru jumped down from a wooden post and tossed over a scroll he had been recording on.
"You didn't pull any tricks, did you?"
Shikaku took it, eyeing Shikamaru suspiciously.
"Dad, you can doubt my intelligence, but not my character…"
Shikamaru scratched his head.
"I doubt your character the most! You brat actually pretended to be a 'bond-type' ninja during the Chunin Exams just to slack off! You've disgraced the Nara clan!"
Shikaku cut him off directly, seeing through his schemes completely.
This wasn't just about strategy, it was because he knew his son too well.
Shikamaru liking men? Not a chance. He wasn't even necessarily interested in women.
His desire to marry and have children was only to avoid standing out too much and being nagged, and out of a sense of family responsibility.
Now that there was finally a chance to slack off for life, would Shikamaru let it go?
Even Shikaku himself couldn't bear to let it slip.
If he won, even his wife wouldn't be able to stop him from slacking off, it would be his rightful reward!
So Shikaku, along with the rest of the Nara clan, chose not to trust Shikamaru and asked for the full account again.
After hearing everything, Shikamaru noticed many of them had questions, but didn't want to ask openly. Their expressions were conflicted.
So Shikamaru made a suggestion: "If you have questions, write them on slips of paper. They'll answer and return them to you."
"Oh, and each person can only ask one question. Otherwise, they'll be exhausted."
"But honestly, I suggest you give up. I already have the best information and a lead."
"This brat…"
Shikaku felt like Shikamaru had become a completely different person. For the sake of earning the right to slack off, he was showing unprecedented sharpness.
So this is how serious you can be, Shikamaru?
The information-gathering phase ended.
Using his advantage as a peer and classmate, Shikamaru monopolized the key individuals and led everyone away.
The rest of the Nara clan returned home, analyzing the information like solving a problem, trying to find clues.
Shikaku watched his son's underhanded tactics but didn't stop him.
"The Hokage didn't say to prove their innocence, nor to find the truth. The task is to 'resolve this matter.'"
A smile appeared on Shikaku's face.
Since Shikamaru had taken control of the key youths, he would go to their families instead.
Meanwhile…
"Shikamaru, what do we do now? Help me!"
Inuzuka Kiba looked miserable.
Naruto being labeled a "bond-type" freak didn't matter, his reputation was already bad.
But Kiba wasn't like that!
"I'll help too."
Hinata spoke up.
Deep down, she thought that if Kiba's innocence could be proven, maybe Naruto could also be cleared of being a "bond-type" ninja.
"The situation seems to have no clear breakthrough. So we start with the only unknown."
Shikamaru said calmly.
"You mean…"
Shino adjusted his glasses.
"That's right, the Impure World Reincarnation body. We find out whose it is!"
"And…"
Shikamaru scanned the group.
"After all, there were only a few people present. The culprit might be among you."
"Among us? Don't talk nonsense, Shikamaru!"
Kiba looked at everyone nervously.
"The key issue is that Akamaru didn't detect any third person's scent."
Ino pointed out the inconsistency.
"Exactly. So we have two tasks."
"First, return to the scene and investigate again."
"Second, go to Amegakure, the gathering place of Impure World Reincarnation, and find the person connected to Sasuke."
Shikamaru laid out the plan.
They returned to the scene from that morning.
Shikamaru spoke quietly to Akamaru, who barked and ran off, then returned shortly after.
"Well?"
"Woof woof."
Akamaru nodded.
No need to understand the words, his gestures were clear.
Shikamaru's eyes sharpened, and a smile formed on his face.
"What is it?"
The others were curious.
"I've found a flaw."
Shikamaru turned to Kiba.
"In your account, you said you were searching for Naruto. You and Akamaru used Fang Over Fang to leap into the air and track his scent, but it suddenly disappeared mid-air, right?"
"Yeah. So?"
"The strange thing is, I had Akamaru track Sasuke's scent from when he left this morning. Even though time has passed and the scent has faded, it should fade evenly."
"But Akamaru found that Sasuke's scent disappeared suddenly at a specific point, just like Naruto's."
"What?!"
Kiba's face turned ugly.
"Don't tell me… Sasuke and Naruto, those damn 'bond freaks,' are trying to drag us down with them so people won't discriminate against them?"
The more Kiba thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. He gritted his teeth in anger.
"That's actually very possible."
Even Shino nodded slightly in agreement.
(End of this chapter)