*Knock, knock.*
Shikai opened his eyes with difficulty, his body still heavy with fatigue. A female voice echoed behind the door.
"Young Master Shikai, please prepare yourself. Shikaku-sama wishes to see you immediately."
Shikai grumbled softly and nodded, as if the servant could see him.
"I'm coming, give me a few minutes."
Dragging his feet slightly, he made his way to the bathroom. Once inside, he stopped in front of the mirror, observing his reflection intently. For a five-year-old child, Shikai had an impressive physique. His body, sculpted through years of hard work and chakra manipulation, was toned and remarkably muscular. Every movement revealed defined muscles, far beyond what one would expect from a child his age.
However, what drew even more attention were the stigmas that marked his body. Each of the engraved crosses seemed to pulse weakly, as if they had a life of their own. The cross on his nape, the one on his chest, his left arm, his back, and his forehead... these marks told of sleepless nights and five hours of sacrifice and determination.
'At least it will increase my pain resistance.'
His deep, captivating black eyes gave him a piercing gaze, and his long blonde hair, tied at the back of his head, created a striking contrast with his Nara clan heritage. At times, he resembled a Yamanaka more than a Nara.
He tied a black headband across his forehead, carefully concealing the cross in the middle, and let a few disorderly blonde strands fall over it to reinforce the cover. He murmured as he splashed cold water on his face:
'The Pentagonal Stigma Seal technique is a success. Now, all I have left is to collect these types of chakra.'
He raised his head, observing his silhouette in the mirror one last time. A dark expression settled on his face.
'It won't be enough.'
He spoke aloud, as if addressing his own reflection:
"My body won't be able to withstand such a load. Storing chakra is one thing... but using it? I'll need a much more resilient and genetically adapted body."
His voice deepened, a tone of frustration in his words.
"Indeed, it's problematic, especially with the stigmas of the Moon, the Sage, and Jūbi."
Shikai crossed his arms and lowered his head slightly, thinking, his brain quickly devising a solution. Finally, a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.
"To solve this problem, I'll need Hashirama's DNA for his regenerative cells, the DNA of an Ōtsutsuki to strengthen my lineages and my Shinjutsu, the Sharingan and the Byakugan to expand my versatile technique panel, and... Jūgo's DNA to better manipulate natural energy. With that, I'll have a supreme body."
He turned his gaze to the ceiling, as if already envisioning the future.
"But before all that, I'll need a laboratory. A place where I can experiment uninterrupted."
Taking a deep breath, Shikai left the bathroom, preparing to meet Shikaku Nara.
...
Shikai calmly made his way to the back of Shikaku's house. There, under a large tree, was a small low table surrounded by cushions. The inseparable Ino-Shika-Chō trio was gathered, sharing a barbecue and several bottles of sake.
Choza Akimichi laughed loudly, holding a massive skewer of meat in one hand and a cup of sake in the other. Shikaku, true to himself, seemed more focused on the strategy of an unfinished *shogi* game with Inoichi beside him than on the food, while the Yamanaka sipped his sake with elegance, although a slight redness on his cheeks betrayed his emerging state of drunkenness.
When Shikai appeared, Choza straightened up enthusiastically, his wide smile lighting up his face.
"Ah, Shikai! Glad to see you, my boy! Those enhanced pills you gave me last time... I don't know what you did, but they're incredible!"
Shikai nodded, a modest smile on his lips.
"Thank you, Choza-san. I'm glad they could help."
Inoichi put down his cup and observed Shikai attentively, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You know, kid, with those blonde hair and this haircut, you strangely resemble a Yamanaka. It's quite possible that..."
He took a sip before smiling broadly.
"... I left some traces among my old conquests five years ago."
Shikai, although a bit annoyed internally, replied politely with a calm smile:
"You have a great sense of humor, Inoichi-san. Even though I'm not from the same clan, I could still watch over little Ino like an older brother."
At these words, a slight smile stretched his lips. However, a darker thought crossed his mind.
'Yes, I'll watch over Ino... but only until she reaches an age where she can fully contribute to my plans.'
Inoichi burst into laughter, ruffling his hair.
"Perfect! In that case, I'll teach you some of our clan's secret techniques. What do you say? After all, they say you're obsessed with secret and forbidden techniques, right?"
Shikaku, who had been observing the scene critically, intervened:
"Hey, Inoichi, stop corrupting the kid. Shikai already has a set future. He'll probably be Shikamaru's mentor and our clan's advisor, and that's more than enough."
The conversation continued on a lighthearted note, with laughter and anecdotes. Shikai, while playing the role of the respectful and attentive child, discreetly formed a one-handed mudra under the table. The black-violet cross of his Yin stigma illuminated subtly, pulsing like a heart.
Without raising any suspicion, he directed the technique towards Inoichi, slowly absorbing a part of his chakra. Inoichi slightly furrowed his eyebrows, setting down his cup of sake.
"Hmm... This sake is surprisingly potent," he murmured before shaking his head.
Shikai continued to drain cautiously, his gestures and expression giving nothing away. Eventually, Inoichi collapsed onto the table, unconscious.
"Ah, Inoichi! Always the first to fall!" Choza exclaimed, laughing loudly.
Shikaku shook his head, a mischievous smile on his face.
"This guy's a dead weight as soon as he goes over ten cups."
Shikai discreetly released his technique, noting that the absorbed chakra was not yet sufficient to fully complete his Yin stigma.
'I'll have to collect much more... but how much exactly? It's impossible to know without precise information.'
A flash of thought crossed his mind.
'I must create some kind of device... A chip capable of monitoring my body in real-time, analyzing my chakra reserves, my stigmas, and their functioning.'
He diverted his thoughts as Choza stood up to carry the unconscious Inoichi on his back.
"Well, I'll take this guy home before his wife makes a scene."
Shikaku nodded in agreement.
Watching the obese man walk away, Shikai understood that his need for a laboratory was becoming increasingly urgent. And for that, he would need funds, lots of funds.