Chapter 20: The Nara Clan
Nara Shikashin returned to the hospital room, his face an expression of utter defeat and reluctance.
He found himself staring at the boy sitting upright in bed, wrapped tightly in a blanket.
The boy, Tonari, met Shikashin's gaze with a calm and seemingly innocent demeanor. His pure, unassuming eyes betrayed no emotional ripples—a detail that only highlighted his cunning.
What child, after becoming a jinchūriki of a fearsome tailed beast and finding themselves in a strange village, could remain so composed, let alone maintain such a "pure" gaze?
A little fox indeed.
"Uh, Tonari, is it alright if I call you that?" Shikashin asked after clearing his throat.
As much as he found this arrangement troublesome, Shikashin understood its importance. The recent clash between the Third Hokage and Danzo had played out before him, and he was all too aware of the stakes.
The Nara clan's loyalty was deeply intertwined with the Hokage's faction. Allowing the jinchūriki to fall into Root's hands would only give Danzo the leverage he needed to challenge Hiruzen's authority.
Though Shikashin usually avoided meddling in such matters, he couldn't deny their implications.
"Of course, no problem at all! But, um... could I maybe get some clothes first?" Tonari asked, his voice muffled by the blanket.
Shikashin sighed, tossing him a set of his son's old clothes.
By now, Tonari was starting to relax.
The fact that Shikashin was here alone suggested that, at least for now, he wasn't in immediate danger. If the village leadership had decided to eliminate him, there would have been an army of ANBU waiting for him instead of a single clan leader.
This implied that Konoha saw value in him—either in the Two-Tails or in his ability to coexist with it.
As Tonari dressed behind the blanket, his mind raced.
Though he had the advantage of a mature mentality in a child's body, he wasn't naïve enough to believe he could fool everyone—especially not the higher-ups of Konoha.
To underestimate them would be foolish.
Fully dressed, Tonari followed Shikashin out of the hospital. Along the way, he learned more about his temporary guardian.
Shikashin was the head of the Nara clan, and Tonari would be staying in the Nara clan compound for the foreseeable future.
The official reason? To ensure he was properly cared for and integrated into Konoha's "big family."
The reality? A thorough, round-the-clock surveillance operation disguised as hospitality.
Tonari knew he had no choice but to comply for now. His every move would be watched. Privacy would be a luxury he couldn't afford.
As he followed Shikashin through Konoha's bustling streets, Tonari attracted plenty of attention.
Many greeted Shikashin warmly or respectfully, their curiosity inevitably shifting to the boy trailing behind him.
Tonari's oversized clothes made him look even smaller than he was, giving him an air of vulnerability. Some passersby, particularly young women, couldn't help but smile at his appearance.
The journey led them to the quieter, forested outskirts of the village—the Nara clan compound.
"I'm home!" Shikashin called out as they entered the house.
The moment he stepped inside, Shikashin transformed from a composed clan leader into a carefree man.
He greeted his wife with a broad grin, seemingly oblivious to the frying pan and spatula she was wielding like weapons.
Behind her, a young boy with a perpetually bored expression watched the scene unfold. This was Shikashin's son, Nara Shikaku.
"Hello, Auntie! My name is Tonari. I'll be staying here for a while. Please take care of me!"
Tonari's polite bow and respectful tone caught Shikashin's wife, Nara Shikimi, off guard. Her irritation melted away, replaced by a warm smile.
"What a polite boy! Come in, come in. Make yourself at home!" she said, discarding the frying pan and spatula.
As she led Tonari inside, she noticed how thin he was, his oversized clothes slipping off one shoulder to reveal a bony frame.
Shikimi's heart ached at the sight.
"Poor child... come, let Auntie cook you something nice."
Tonari allowed himself to be led to the dining table, where a feast awaited.
"Eat up, Tonari. There's plenty for everyone!" Shikimi said, beaming.
Tonari didn't need to be told twice. He dug in with gusto, devouring the meal as if it were the best he'd ever had—which, to be fair, it probably was.
"Auntie Shikimi, your cooking is amazing! I've never had anything this delicious before!" Tonari exclaimed between bites.
Across the table, Shikaku watched in stunned silence as Tonari cleared plate after plate.
His own bowl of rice remained untouched, but the sight of Tonari eating made him feel strangely full.
Shikashin, ever pragmatic, scooped up the remaining scraps and mixed them with rice, eating contentedly.
"Ah... it's like eating the leftovers of a feast. Simple yet satisfying!"
For Shikimi, Tonari's praise was a source of joy. Her husband and son's plight, however? Completely ignored.
After the meal, Shikashin called Tonari and Shikaku aside.
"There's something I need to discuss with both of you," he said, adopting a rare tone of authority.
Tonari followed obediently, while Shikaku trailed behind, shoulders slumped.
As they walked, Tonari leaned close to Shikaku and whispered, "You should eat properly, Shikaku. Little deer who don't eat their food won't grow big and strong."
Shikaku froze.
Shikashin sighed.
This is going to be a long day.
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(End of Chapter)