Naruto: I am Nara Shikamaru

"At just twelve years old, he already has the strength of an elite Chunin! His intelligence is exceptional, especially since he even created his own jutsu, he's a genuine prodigy!"

The Third Hokage spoke slowly, and the word prodigy brought a fleeting, nostalgic look to his eyes.

"Shikamaru, I'm asking you, what is your dream?"

Suddenly, the Third Hokage's tone turned serious, and an overwhelming presence pressed down on Shikamaru like a heavy weight.

"A dream?"

Shikamaru felt completely frozen in place. The power of an elite like the Third Hokage was terrifying indeed. Locking his eyes on the Hokage's face, Shikamaru answered calmly, "To become stronger."

"Because only if I'm strong enough can I get everything I want and protect those I care about."

"Oh? You don't want to become Hokage?"

Hearing Shikamaru's answer, the Third Hokage's thoughts drifted briefly to his former student Orochimaru, whose ambitions had caused trouble. Hearing Shikamaru's last line, he finally relaxed and asked,

"No? Being Hokage is too troublesome."

Shikamaru said firmly, recalling Tsunade in the original story buried under endless paperwork, a thought that made him shudder.

"Hmm, then don't you want to contribute to the village in some way?"

The Third Hokage asked, reassured now that Shikamaru did not have Orochimaru's dangerous ambitions.

"Of course! I take missions regularly." Shikamaru replied. "And when Konoha is in trouble, I'll protect it!"

"Heh heh! Good. Shikamaru, then I'll promote you to Chunin right now. How about that?"

The Third Hokage smiled, clearly very pleased with Shikamaru.

"No thanks! I'll wait until after the third exam." Shikamaru declined. Although he wanted the promotion, if he became Chunin now, he wouldn't be able to participate in the upcoming competition next month, that wouldn't do.

"Ahem… alright then. If you ever have questions about jutsu, you can come to me!"

The Third Hokage chuckled.

"Really?"

Shikamaru was stunned and then thrilled. The Third Hokage was known as a master of ninjutsu. Seeing him nod, Shikamaru quickly asked what had been on his mind:

"Hokage-sama, I want to know about Kekkei Genkai, can a Kekkei Genkai be created by oneself?"

Shikamaru had long envied Kekkei Genkai users and once even wished he had been reborn as Sasuke or Neji, or even Naruto, who was a Jinchuriki.

Leaving the Hokage's office, Shikamaru was elated. Not only had he formally become engaged to Hinata, but the question that had puzzled him for so long was finally answered. The Third Hokage explained that creating a Kekkei Genkai was not impossible, as the earliest Kekkei Genkai were indeed inventions of ancestors.

However, it wasn't easy. First, one had to master a unique jutsu, like the Uchiha's Sharingan or the Hyuga's Byakugan, both highly difficult. There were also Kekkei Genkai formed by combining two chakra natures: the First Hokage's Wood Release fused earth and water, sand release fused wind and earth, ice release fused wind and water, and lava release fused fire and earth.

Most importantly, the Third Hokage told Shikamaru that his family's hereditary jutsu already had the potential of a Kekkei Genkai, it simply hadn't been realized yet. He also said that mental strength was the key to creating one: an immense spiritual power was essential.

"Mental strength, huh? Heh… mine isn't exactly ordinary." Shikamaru thought with a quiet smile. Having merged with another soul, his mental power was many times that of an ordinary person. Now he understood why inventing Shadow Ninjutsu came so easily, it was all due to his exceptional mental strength.

Unconsciously, Shikamaru arrived at the place where he used to practice the Triple Body Technique and stopped. Suddenly inspired, he quickly formed hand seals.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Boom! Boom! Two shadow clones appeared. One practiced Transformation Jutsu, the other practiced Clone Jutsu, while Shikamaru focused on Substitution Jutsu, all with one hand forming seals. He actually didn't need to practice Clone Jutsu anymore since he'd mastered Shadow Clone Jutsu, but he was simply used to it.

"Who's there?"

Shikamaru suddenly shot a kunai toward the side.

"Ah!"

The kunai hit a tree, followed by a shy voice. A blushing young girl stepped out from behind the tree. Shikamaru's eyes widened, it was Hinata, now his fiancée.

"Hinata…"

Shikamaru stared, mind racing with a smile. Finally, he understood why Hinata always blushed around him: her secret crush had shifted from Naruto to him! Tilting his head, he realized Hinata had been quietly in love with him all along.

"Ah… Shi… Shikamaru… I… I didn't mean to…" Hinata stammered, fidgeting with her sleeves, her face bright red.

Shikamaru instantly stepped forward, gazing at the adorably shy Hinata, barely able to resist pulling her into his arms.

"Heh heh, it's you, Hinata! So, how am I? Pretty impressive, right?"

Shikamaru chuckled.

"Yes… Shikamaru is the best." Hinata whispered, voice barely audible like a tiny mosquito. Shikamaru almost missed it.

"Ha! Of course! After all, I'm your fiancé!" Shikamaru declared suddenly, pulling out the black jade pendant he wore on his chest.

"Ah…"

Hinata let out a surprised, joyful squeal, eyes wide with a mixture of surprise, embarrassment, and happiness. Her father, Hiashi, had taken her token that morning, telling her they were arranging a marriage for her, but hadn't said it was with Shikamaru. She had been sad all day, which was why she had come here, where Shikamaru had long been absent.

Realizing this, Hinata's face flushed bright red as she looked at Shikamaru's mischievous grin, then she let out a soft cry and fainted.

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A/N: If you're enjoying the story, you can read up to Chapter 45 (28+ chapters ahead of the current one) on my Patreon: patreon.com/vynthor