The Nara compound was quiet in the early afternoon, sunlight streaming softly through the thick canopy of trees. The deer moved gently in the distance, their hooves barely disturbing the moss-covered ground. It was the kind of silence that could only be found in places long untouched by conflict.
Ayanokoji sat on the edge of a wooden veranda, polishing a kunai. Each movement was methodical, precise—not because it needed to be, but because discipline mattered, even in the small things.
Behind him, the sliding door creaked open.
"You have a visitor," Shikaku said, stepping outside and lighting his pipe.
Ayanokoji turned his head just slightly. "Who?"
"My son."
A pause.
"The one you're named after."
Ayanokoji slowly stood, dusting off his pants. He had heard the name before, in whispers, in records. Shikamaru. The prodigy born during the peaceful years. The only known Nara genius of his generation—besides himself.
He had always wondered if Shikaku compared them.
Now he'd know.
---
First Impressions
Shikamaru Nara was… ordinary-looking.
Lazily tied hair. Slouched posture. Half-lidded eyes that looked like they hadn't fully opened in years.
"This is such a drag," Shikamaru muttered, hands in his pockets as he stepped outside. "Dad said it'd be quick, but here I am, already regretting standing up."
Ayanokoji studied him. He didn't seem dangerous. In fact, he barely seemed awake.
Shikamaru glanced at him. "So, you're the cousin I've heard next to nothing about."
Ayanokoji didn't flinch. "You sound underwhelmed."
"I'm not easily impressed."
"I'm not easily insulted."
Shikaku smirked from the side and stepped back. "I'll let you two geniuses get acquainted."
Shikamaru groaned. "Troublesome."
---
A Battle of Wits
The two were soon seated across from each other at a small table, a shogi board between them.
"Know how to play?" Shikamaru asked, stretching his arms with a yawn.
Ayanokoji simply moved a piece.
It was the correct opening move.
They played in silence for a while, both calculating several moves ahead, neither rushing.
"You're good," Shikamaru finally said.
"You're slow," Ayanokoji replied.
Shikamaru chuckled. "Touché."
After twenty-seven moves, Shikamaru leaned back. "You play like someone who hates wasting time. Like you'd rather crush your opponent in ten moves than explore their tactics."
"Is there value in exploring inferior tactics?" Ayanokoji asked flatly.
Shikamaru stared at him, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe. Sometimes you learn more from someone struggling than from someone winning."
Ayanokoji raised an eyebrow. "That sounds inefficient."
Shikamaru smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "And that's why people like you need people like me. I think about the long game."
"I *am* the long game," Ayanokoji replied.
For a long moment, they simply stared at each other—two shadows born of the same bloodline, but shaped by very different lights.
---
A Stroll through the Gardens
Later, the two walked through the wooded edges of the compound. Deer grazed in the distance, a soft wind rustling the leaves.
"Why didn't your father ever mention me?" Ayanokoji asked.
Shikamaru shrugged. "Probably didn't know how. He doesn't talk about the war much. Doesn't talk about his brother at all."
Ayanokoji nodded slowly. "My father."
"Yeah."
They stopped near a tree.
"I heard he died protecting his squad," Ayanokoji said. "A shadow binding five enemies at once while they escaped."
"He was brave," Shikamaru said. "Too brave for his own good."
Ayanokoji looked up at the leaves. "Then why am I nothing like him?"
Shikamaru glanced sideways at him. "Because the world you were born into didn't give you the chance."
---
A Bond Begins
As the sun dipped lower, the two boys sat in the grass. Shikaku watched from a distance, content to remain silent.
"I don't hate you, you know," Shikamaru said. "Even if you're better than me at shogi and probably everything else."
Ayanokoji blinked. "Why would you?"
"Because it'd be easy. You show up out of nowhere, smarter than everyone, already training with Kakashi… and let's be real—you're probably going to be ANBU by the time I'm still learning how to babysit Konohamaru."
Ayanokoji said nothing.
"But you're also the only person I've met who understands the pressure of having to think three steps ahead just to stay sane."
Ayanokoji nodded slightly. "We don't think that far ahead because we want to. We think that far because we're scared of what happens if we don't."
Shikamaru smiled faintly. "Exactly."
---
Evening — A Message in the Dark
As Ayanokoji prepared to return to his room, Shikaku stopped him.
"Keep an eye on Shikamaru too," he said quietly. "He may not have gone through what you did, but… he's going to be dragged into this world eventually."
"What world?"
"The one where people like us make decisions that get others killed."
Ayanokoji nodded. "I already live in it."
"And he will too."
Then Shikaku placed a hand on Ayanokoji's shoulder.
"You're not alone anymore. Remember that."
---