Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The late morning sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the Nara clan's expansive fields. Shikamaru lay sprawled on the soft grass, arms behind his head, eyes lazily following the drift of clouds above. Beside him, Naruto sat cross legged, an almost uncharacteristic calmness about him as he squinted upward, trying to see what Shikamaru claimed to see in the clouds.

“That one kinda looks like a kunai.” Naruto said, pointing at a long, thin cloud stretching across the blue expanse. 

Shikamaru squinted, tilting his head slightly. “Maybe. If you squint... and tilt your head... and use some imagination.”

Naruto huffed, puffing out his cheeks. “Well, what do you see, then?” 

“That one looks like a deer.” Shikamaru said with a lazy grin, pointing toward a cluster of clouds forming antler like shapes. 

Naruto studied it for a moment, his lips twitching into a small smile. “I guess I can see that.”

Shikamaru turned his head toward Naruto and paused, his brows furrowing slightly. “Hey, Naruto.” he began, his voice casual but laced with curiosity. “Has anyone told you your hair’s changing?”

“What?” Naruto asked, his fingers instinctively brushing through his messy blonde spikes. “It’s been changing? How so?”

“Yeah, you’ve got these black streaks now.” Shikamaru said, sitting up and gesturing vaguely. “They weren’t there a few months ago.” 

Naruto blinked in surprise, grabbing a lock of hair to inspect it. “Seriously? That’s weird…” 

Shikamaru shrugged, leaning back on his hands. “Weird, sure. But it’s not bad or anything. Kind of makes you look cooler, honestly. Like you were born in the clan or something.”

Naruto’s eyes softened at the comment, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. “Thanks, I guess. I wonder why my hair is turning black. That’s not normal, is it?” 

Shikamaru hummed thoughtfully, staring at the sky again. “I’m sure it’s nothing important. You know Dad would’ve taken care of it or said something by now if it were dangerous.”

Naruto nodded, lying back in the grass. They stayed like that for a while, soaking in the peaceful quiet. At some point, Shikamaru’s breathing slowed, and his head lolled to the side as he dozed off. Naruto chuckled softly. “Troublesome.” he muttered, mimicking Shikamaru’s favorite word.

Left to his own thoughts, Naruto toyed with the black strands in his hair, turning them over in his fingers. The change still baffled him, but it didn’t feel bad. If anything, it was...comforting, almost like it was meant to happen. Lately, he’d been experimenting with shadow puppets, using the afternoon sun to cast shapes on the grass. It might’ve been childish, but the activity gave him a small sense of belonging, like he was an actual member of the clan, with the power to control shadows.

He held his hands up, shifting his fingers to form a clumsy deer, then a fox. Finally, he tried a dog. For some reason, the Dog symbol felt...right. Like it was calling to him, resonating in some deep, quiet part of himself. He couldn’t explain why, but it felt as if something inside was waiting for him to answer some unheard call. As if in a trance, his hands fix themselves, making a perfect dog. A name flashes through his head. “ Divine- ”

“NARUTO! SHIKAMARU! YOU BETTER BE TENDING TO THE DEER LIKE I ASKED!” Yoshino’s sharp voice cut through the air like a kunai. Shikamaru jolted awake, his eyes snapping open as he sat up in a daze. Naruto sprang to his feet, heart pounding. Their gazes met briefly, a shared flash of panic passing between them.

 “Uh-oh.” Shikamaru muttered. Without another word, they bolted toward the deer pens. For all the Nara clan’s famed laziness, their mothers and partners had an undeniable talent for snapping them into motion with startling efficiency.

A few hours pass as Naruto and Shikamaru collect antlers, and brush the deer's fur. Naruto tried to tend to a small doe but it got spooked by him and ran. Shikamaru let out a small sigh, crouching low as a young doe approached him, her delicate nose sniffing curiously. “See, Naruto? Just stay calm. The deer can sense if you’re too jumpy. The adults are used to people, but the young aren’t. You have to let them come to you.”

Naruto nodded, trying his best to copy Shikamaru’s movements. When a curious buck took a hesitant step toward him, Naruto froze, his eyes wide. “It’s coming closer…” he whispered, excitement lacing his voice. 

“Relax.” Shikamaru muttered. “If you freak out, it’ll freak out too.”

Naruto steadied his breathing, holding out his hand, and let out a squeal of pure delight when the deer nuzzled his palm. “It worked! Shikamaru, did you see that? It’s letting me pet it!” 

Before Shikamaru could reply, Shikaku’s calm voice drifted toward them. “Patience is the foundation of trust. Whether it’s with deer, people, or shadows, you’ll get nowhere without it.”

Both boys turned to see Shikaku leaning casually against a nearby tree, arms folded as he watched them. His expression carried its usual blend of calm and calculation, but there was a faint glint of love and happiness in his eyes. 

“Patience?” Naruto echoed, tilting his head. “I don’t get it. I mean, I was just—”

“You were patient.” Shikaku interrupted. “You stayed calm, let the deer approach you on its terms, and didn’t rush it. That’s the key, Naruto. Rushing things might work for some, but not here.” 

Naruto blinked, then smiled, a bit of pride swelling in his chest. “Huh… I guess that makes sense.”

Shikaku pushed off the tree and walked closer, hands tucked into his sleeves. “Good work with the deer today. They’re a good judge of character. But starting tomorrow, we’re changing a few things.”

Shikaku looked between them, his tone gaining a hint of seriousness. “It’s time for both of you to start your training. Shikamaru, you’ll need it to handle your duties as clan heir. And Naruto…” 

He glanced at the blonde, a flicker of something unspoken crossing his face. “You have a lot of potential, and need to learn how to protect yourself too. While you might not be the heir, you would still be a target for any enemies that wish to get at us.”

Naruto straightened, a determined grin lighting up his face. “You mean, real ninja training? Finally!” 

Shikamaru sighed, scratching the back of his neck. “Troublesome, but I guess it’s gotta happen eventually…” 

Shikaku smirked, gesturing for them to head back. “Rest up tonight. You’ll need it. Tomorrow’s going to be the first step toward something much bigger.” With the deer wandering back into the forest, the two boys followed Shikaku toward the house, a mix of anticipation and curiosity settling in as the sun began its slow descent. 

As the first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon, the backyard of the Nara household was bathed in a soft, golden glow. Shikaku stood calmly, his hands tucked into his sleeves, while Naruto vibrated with barely contained excitement and Shikamaru looked like he’d rather still be in bed.

“Alright.” Shikaku began, his voice carrying a calm authority. “First things first, we’re going to try unlocking your chakra. It’s not guaranteed to work today, and some people don’t manage it until they’re older, but we’ll give it a shot. After that, whether you unlock it or not, we’ll focus on physical training for the rest of the day.” 

Naruto’s grin stretched wide. “Finally, some real training!” 

“Troublesome…” Shikamaru groaned, rubbing his face, already dreading what's coming. 

“Sit down and cross your legs.” Shikaku instructed, lowering himself onto the grass in a fluid motion. He waited until the boys followed suit, their expressions a study in contrasts, Naruto buzzing with energy, Shikamaru already looking like he’s about to fall asleep.

“The process of unlocking chakra.” Shikaku explained. “Is meditation. You need to look inward, search within yourself. It’s different for everyone, but most describe it as finding a warm, comforting feeling, sometimes accompanied by the color blue. When you find it, grab hold of it. Will for it to come out and let it envelop you.”

Naruto and Shikamaru closed their eyes, their breathing gradually slowing as they settled into meditation. Shikamaru’s expression grew slack, his face a mask of quiet concentration, while Naruto’s brow furrowed slightly, his fingers twitching. Inside his mind, Naruto felt a peculiar sensation, a faint sound that grew clearer with every moment. 

   ‘ Was that a howl? Is my chakra supposed to make noise?’

The sound grew louder, resonating in the depths of his consciousness. It wasn’t distressed or hostile, it was guiding him, pulling him toward something just out of reach. As he moved closer, the howl morphed into a steady, rhythmic hum. Finally, he saw it. A radiant, blue glow that pulsed warmly, beckoning him forward.

On the outside, Shikaku watched the boys carefully, his sharp, seasoned eyes scanning for any changes. His gaze flicked to Naruto’s shadow, and his breath hitched. It shifted. For a fleeting moment, it moved like liquid, rippling unnaturally before settling again. Shikaku blinked, focusing harder, but the movement didn’t repeat.

Before he could ponder it further, a sudden surge of energy erupted from Naruto. The air thrummed with power as an intense blue aura exploded outward, enveloping the area. Shikamaru’s eyes snapped open, his trance broken as he stared at Naruto in shock. Shikaku acted quickly, placing a calming hand on Naruto’s shoulder to suppress the outburst. The aura receded, and Naruto opened his eyes, looking slightly dazed but victorious.

“Not bad.” Shikaku said, a hint of pride in his voice. “It took you just under an hour and a half to unlock your chakra. And…” He paused, assessing Naruto with a calculating gaze. “You already have high Genin levels of chakra despite just unlocking it. Honestly, you have more than anyone I’ve seen at your age.” 

Naruto beamed at the praise, but Shikamaru let out a groan. “Great. Now he’s even more energetic.”

Shikaku chuckled, ruffling Shikamaru’s hair. “Well, something tells me we’re done with chakra training for today. Let’s move on to the physical part.” Naruto jumped to his feetwhile Shikamaru sighed, reluctantly standing as well. The sun climbed higher in the sky as the trio prepared to take the next step in their training.

Hours passed as Shikaku put the boys through their paces. Laps around the backyard, sets of pushups, situps, and other basic drills filled the day. Occasionally, Shikaku would flick a pebble at them without warning, his aim precise and deliberate.

“If that were a kunai.” Shikaku said after a throw hit Shikamaru on the head, his tone firm. “You’d be dead. You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. A real enemy won’t announce themselves or wait for you to be ready. Stay alert.”

Naruto’s reactions were...unusual. At first, his body would flinch or move just in time, his instinct used to it slightly due to the villagers. Then, as the pebbles continued to fly, Shikaku’s sharp eyes caught something odd. Naruto’s hands began to shift unconsciously, moving to make a Dog shadow symbol, as if he were instictually trying to summon something to defend him.

The motion was fluid, almost second nature, yet Naruto seemed like he wasn't entirely aware of what he was doing. Even stranger, Shikaku noticed Naruto’s shadow. Each time a pebble was launched, and the hands would make the symbol, his shadow seemed to twitch, rippling faintly as though trying to reach out or react to the perceived danger. 

The movement was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Shikaku’s trained senses didn’t miss it. Shikaku frowned slightly, his mind churning. 

‘What’s going on with him? And that shadow...Could it be tied to the blood transfer? Did the Kyuubi do something? He doesn't have any family ties to the Nara clan, yet his shadow is definitely moving like ours. No. Not like ours. His are too fluid, almost like they're made of liquid.’

Meanwhile, Shikamaru was having a very different experience. His groans of annoyance at the pebble attacks contrasted sharply with Naruto’s strange grace, and he muttered complaints between each dodge, or lack thereof, getting practically pelted with the pebbles.

They took plenty of breaks throughout the day. Shikamaru would collapse onto the ground, panting heavily, while Naruto, seemingly unaffected, stood with his hands on his hips, grinning. His energy never seemed to waver, though his fingers occasionally brushed through his hair, fiddling with the black streaks as if in deep thought.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Shikaku finally called a halt. “Alright, that’s enough for today,” he said, his calm voice cutting through the boys labored breathing. “Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we’ll be out here training. You can rest tomorrow, but don’t think that means slacking off.”

He glanced at Shikamaru, who was sprawled on the grass, staring at the sky. “The Naras may be lazy.” Shikaku continued, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “But we’re still shinobi. And shinobi don’t survive without training. Strength, discipline, awareness, those things don’t come from doing nothing.”

Naruto, still buzzing with energy, nodded enthusiastically. “Got it, Shikaku-sensei! I’ll train as hard as I can!” 

Shikamaru groaned, waving a hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah. Troublesome…I’ll try to put effort into my training.”

As the boys trudged back toward the house, Naruto bouncing with energy, Shikamaru dragging his feet, Shikaku lingered behind for a moment. His gaze followed Naruto, thoughtful and calculating.  

‘Whatever’s happening with that boy...I’ll need to keep an eye on him, and keep it hidden for as long as I can. Something’s stirring, and it’s not just his chakra. If the wrong people learn about this then who knows what would happen.’

A week passes. It’s a warm Saturday afternoon, and Shikamaru and Naruto are relaxing on a hill by the lake, lying underneath a tree in the shade. The gentle rustle of leaves above them and the occasional chirping of birds create a serene atmosphere. 

Shikamaru lets out a long sigh, folding his hands behind his head. “Man, I wish every day was like this. No training, no chores, just peace and quiet.”

Naruto, sitting cross legged beside him, snorts. “Yeah, right. You’d still find something to complain about. ‘The grass is troublesome’ or something.” 

Shikamaru chuckled, knowing full well that he would say that. “You know me too well.” 

Naruto begins idly playing with his shadows, his fingers forming shapes as the dark outlines move across the ground. Shikamaru glances at him lazily. “You do that a lot, you know.” Shikamaru comments, raising an eyebrow. 

Naruto looks up, confused. “Do what?” 

“Your hands.” Shikamaru says, sitting up slightly. “You make shadow puppets often, but  you always end up making the same shape. The Dog symbol.”

Naruto blinks, then looks down at his hands. “What? No, I don’t. I just...I do whatever.”

Shikamaru smirks. “Yeah? Prove it. Show me something else.” 

Naruto grins, accepting the challenge. “Fine! Watch this.” He quickly moves his hands, casting a shadow of a rabbit onto the ground. “See? Bunny!”

Shikamaru gives a slow clap, his expression deadpan. “Impressive. Truly terrifying. Must be the most terrifying potato ive ever seen.”

Naruto sticks out his tongue and shifts the shadow into a bird. “How about now? A fierce hawk!”

“Uh huh.” Shikamaru replies, smirking. “A real predator of the skies. Definitely not anything else.”

Naruto laughs, then starts forming other shapes. A deer, a fish, a snake. As he goes, Shikamaru offers sarcastic commentary, each remark earning a playful glare from Naruto. Finally, Naruto moves his hands into the dog symbol. He freezes, his smile faltering. The air around them seems to shift, the playful atmosphere growing heavier.

“Hey...Naruto? Are you okay?” Shikamaru asks, sitting up fully now. He looks at Naruto with concern, having felt the shift in the air.

Naruto doesn’t respond at first. He feels it again. A distant call. No, it's not distant anymore. He can hear it loud and clear. It's a call for him, calling him to draw them out, to bring them forth into the light. Naruto takes a breath, and hears a haunting howl echo in his ears, just like the one he heard that helped him unlock his chakra. His voice is distant, almost as if speaking on instinct. “ Divine Dogs! ”

Shikamaru’s eyes widen as the shadows beneath Naruto begin to ripple unnaturally. The once motionless darkness flows outward, twisting and rising from the ground like living ink. From the depths of the shadow, two large wolf like creatures emerge, each standing at least three feet tall.

The first wolf is white, its fur shimmering faintly as though reflecting the sunlight. The second is black, its form seeming to absorb the light around it. Both wolves possess three red dots on their foreheads, forming a triangular pattern, and strange symbols etched faintly into their fur. Their glowing eyes lock onto Naruto, their presence commanding yet eerily calm.

The wolves stand still, awaiting orders, their expressions unreadable but their attention fixed on their summoner. Naruto stumbles back, his heart pounding in his chest. “Wh-what the...?” he whispers, staring at the creatures in a mix of awe and panic. 

Shikamaru takes a cautious step back, his face pale but his mind working overdrive to make sense of the situation. “Naruto, what did you just do?”

Before Naruto can respond, a strange sensation floods his senses. A sharp, overwhelming awareness of the world around him. It’s as if invisible threads are connecting him to everything nearby, and the faint hum of chakra signatures fills his mind like a second heartbeat.

Naruto gasps, clutching his head. “Sh-Shika...I can feel it. I can feel chakra!” His voice trembles, caught between amazement and fear. “I can feel the chakra signatures of people nearby. They’re...everywhere!”

The black wolf lets out a low growl, not of aggression, but almost as if in agreement with Naruto’s words. The white wolf steps forward, nudging Naruto’s hand gently with its nose. The contact sends a strange warmth through him, grounding him in the midst of the chaos.

Shikamaru finally finds his voice, his tone sharp but laced with concern and fear. “Naruto, calm down. Deep breaths, okay? Focus.” 

Naruto nods, his breaths shaky but slowing as he steadies himself. His wide eyes remain locked on the wolves. “What...what are they?”

Shikamaru glances between Naruto and the wolves, his sharp mind already running through the possibilities. “I don’t know, but this isn’t normal. These things, they’re not just some random jutsu. They’re connected to you, somehow. And that chakra sensing...I’ve never heard of anything like this.” The wolves remain silent, their glowing eyes flicking between the two boys as though they’re waiting for Naruto’s next move.

Naruto swallows hard, his fingers brushing against the black wolf’s fur. “Shika...what do I do? What if they’re dangerous?” 

Shikamaru’s lips press into a thin line, his mind racing. “We’re going to tell dad.” he says firmly, his voice steady despite the storm of questions swirling in his own mind. “If anyone can figure this out, it’s him. But for now, try to keep calm. They don’t look like they’re going to attack...as long as you don’t lose it.” 

Naruto takes another deep breath, his hand lingering on the wolf as he nods. “Okay... let’s go.”

The two boys rushed through the forested paths leading back to the Nara compound, the wolves keeping stride effortlessly. Shikamaru kept glancing at the creatures, his mind churning with questions, while Naruto jogged ahead, still half in awe and half terrified of what he’d just done.

“Do you think dad’s going to freak out?” Naruto asked, his voice shaky but laced with nervous energy. 

Shikamaru snorted, though his usual calm demeanor was clearly shaken. “Dad doesn’t freak out. He’ll figure this out…somehow.” He side eyed the wolves, who moved with uncanny silence.

As they burst into the Nara compound, they spotted Shikaku sitting in the backyard, seemingly enjoying the late afternoon while slowly drinking from his cup. His relaxed posture vanished the moment he caught sight of the two wolves trailing slightly behind Naruto.

  In an instant, Shikaku’s hands formed a quick seal, the glass shattering once it made contact with the ground. “ Shadow Possession Jutsu! ” His shadow shot out like a whip, extending toward the wolves. The black tendrils snared both creatures before they could react, locking them in place. The wolves didn’t fight back, simply standing there as though they understood Shikaku’s intent.

“Shikamaru! Naruto! Stay back!” Shikaku barked, his sharp eyes trained on the wolves, his usual laziness replaced by cold calculation. 

Naruto froze, his hands raised instinctively. “W-wait! Don’t hurt them! I think...I think they’re mine!”

Shikamaru stepped forward, his tone calmer. “Dad, it’s not what you think. Naruto summoned them from his shadow.”

  Shikaku’s eyes narrowed. ‘His shadow? That’s impossible. Only Nara clan jutsu can manipulate shadows, but none can summon animals from them.’ He studied the wolves again, their stillness unnerving. ‘These aren’t ordinary summons. What are they?’

  Naruto took a shaky step forward, wringing his hands nervously. “I didn’t mean to summon them. It just...happened.”

Shikamaru interjected, his tone thoughtful. “He’s been making that Dog shadow symbol a lot lately, and when he did it just now, these things came out. They haven’t done anything aggressive, they just showed up.”

Shikaku’s gaze flicked to Naruto, then back to the wolves, his mind working through the implications. 

‘They’re not resisting the Shadow Possession. They’re letting me hold them in place. It’s like they know. They’re tied to him...but how? This can’t just be a coincidence. That blood transfusion...This must be the Kyuubi’s doing. But what exactly did it do?’

  “Alright, stay calm.” Shikaku said, his voice steady but firm. “I need to understand—”

Before he could finish, Naruto, overwhelmed by the tension, gestured downward with his right hand. “I didn’t mean to! Wait, just stop already!” The wolves responded instantly. In one smooth motion, they melted into puddles of shadow, slipping free of Shikaku’s hold and flowing back into Naruto’s own shadow like water down a drain.

The sudden disappearance left the yard in stunned silence. Shikaku’s eyes widened slightly, his sharp gaze snapping to Naruto’s shadow. The edges of it rippled faintly before settling back into its normal form. His thoughts raced.

‘This is more than just shadow manipulation. It’s something entirely new...and dangerous. If the wrong people find out, Naruto could be in serious trouble.’

Shikamaru broke the silence, staring at Naruto’s shadow as if it might move again. “Did you just...dismiss them?” 

Naruto blinked, looking just as surprised. “I-I guess? I didn’t even mean to! It just...felt right to do that.”

Shikaku finally stood, crossing his arms as he regarded Naruto with a weighty stare. “Naruto, I don’t know what kind of power this is, but it’s dangerous to use something you don’t understand. For now, don't summon them unless I tell you to. We don't know what these wolves are capable of just yet.” 

Naruto nodded quickly, still shaken. “Y-yeah, okay. I won’t do it again until you say so.”

Shikaku’s expression softened slightly, though his thoughts remained serious. 

‘I’ll need to dig deeper into this. This isn’t just chakra manipulation or some fluke. This is something far more complex. And if it’s tied to the Kyuubi...the consequences could be catastrophic. If it ends up being a new Kekkei Genkai then all hell will break loose. Danzo would stop at nothing to get a hold of him.’

Shikaku’s sharp eyes lingered on Naruto’s shadow, then shifted back to the boy himself. His mind churned with possibilities as he pieced together the details. “You said they were summoned when Naruto made the shadow puppet for a dog, right?” he asked, his gaze flicking to Shikamaru. 

Shikamaru nodded. “Yeah. He’s been doing that one a lot lately, like it’s instinct or something. And then...they just appeared.”

Shikaku’s attention snapped back to Naruto. “And you said you could sense people’s chakra when they were summoned?” 

Naruto nodded hesitantly, rubbing the back of his head. “Yeah, but I can’t feel anything right now. Is it because of the dogs?”

Shikaku’s brow furrowed deeper. “Interesting...Summon them again. I want to test something.” 

Naruto hesitated, his gaze flickering to Shikamaru. “Are you sure? What if—”

“Do it.” Shikaku interrupted, his tone calm but firm. Swallowing his nerves, Naruto raised his hands, instinctively forming the shadow puppet for a dog. 

“ Divine Dogs! ”

The air around him seemed to shift as his shadow rippled, dark tendrils rising like smoke before solidifying into the two wolves. The black and white creatures emerged from his shadow, their glowing eyes scanning their surroundings before settling on Naruto. They stood beside him, their postures alert and ready, as though awaiting his command.

Shikaku’s eyes narrowed as he studied the wolves. Their presence was unnatural, yet there was no immediate hostility in their behavior. Slowly, he reached out with his chakra, testing the space around them.

The wolves reacted instantly. Both creatures turned their heads toward Shikaku, their glowing eyes locking onto him as they stepped in front of Naruto, shielding him slightly. Naruto gasped softly. “I can feel it again! Your chakra.”

Shikaku leaned back slightly, his sharp mind already forming theories. ‘They’re not just constructs. They’re connected to him on a fundamental level, tied to his chakra. And they’re more than just trackers, they’re guardians.’

The wolves remained still, their attention unwavering. Shikaku raised a hand, motioning toward the white wolf. “Step forward.”

The wolf doesn't move. 

Naruto looks at the white wolf. “Step forward please.” The white wolf moves a step forwards, keeping its eyes on Shikaku. 

Shikaku exhaled, his voice steady. “Dismiss them, Naruto.”

Naruto glanced at the wolves, unsure how to proceed. His hands twitched, his fingers mimicking the downward flick he’d made earlier. The reaction was immediate, the wolves dissolved into shadowy tendrils, flowing seamlessly back into his own shadow. 

Shikaku turned to Naruto, his voice calm but firm. “Naruto, we need to understand this power. For now, only summon them when I’m around. This isn’t something we can take lightly.”

Naruto nodded quickly, his expression a mix of awe and nervousness. Shikamaru, who had been watching silently, finally spoke. “Dad, what do you think this means? Is this...dangerous?”

Shikaku hesitated, his gaze flicking between Naruto and the shadow where the wolves had disappeared. “It’s not dangerous yet. But we’ll need to keep this quiet. No one outside this household can know about it. Understood?” 

Both boys nodded, and Shikaku’s stern expression softened slightly. “Good. Now, go wash up and get some rest. We’ll revisit this tomorrow.”

As the boys headed inside, their voices fading into the distance, Shikaku remained rooted in place. His sharp gaze stayed fixed on the ground where the wolves had disappeared into Naruto’s shadow. His thoughts churned, each one more troubling than the last.

  ‘This power...it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. If it’s tied to the blood transfer, then it’s already unprecedented. But if the Kyuubi is involved...could this be just the beginning? Could he mutate other abilities, mimicking or even surpassing known kekkei genkai? There’s too much I don’t know, too many unknowns.’

He clenched his fists, his expression hardening as his thoughts spiraled. 

‘The council...they’ll call for his head the moment they find out. The villagers, already teetering on their hatred for the boy, would riot if they saw this. And Danzo...that hawk would stop at nothing to take him. If he gets even a hint of this power, Naruto will never have a moment of peace again. He’ll either be turned into a weapon or eliminated as a threat.’

Shikaku’s eyes darted to the tree where Naruto had first summoned the wolves. He could still feel the faint disturbance in the air, the echo of something ancient and primal. 

‘And those wolves...What are they, really? Are they just the beginning, or are they all he can summon? How far can their chakra sensing reach? Can they distinguish individuals, or is it just a vague awareness of energy?’

 His jaw tightened as his analytical mind raced through scenarios. 

‘If I don’t figure this out and create some kind of a safety net, he’s as good as doomed. I need answers. But more importantly, I need a plan. Something airtight that keeps this power hidden until he’s strong enough to protect himself or until I’ve ensured no one can use it against him.’

Shikaku took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, though the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his chest. His fingers twitched slightly, mimicking the seal for Shadow Possession. 

‘One step at a time. First, I need to understand the limits of his power. Then, I need to figure out how to train him without anyone finding out. If I can buy us time, I can build the safeguards he’ll need.’

He cast one last glance at the house where Naruto and Shikamaru had disappeared, his features softening for a brief moment. 

‘This kid...He has no idea what’s happening to him or how much danger he’s in. But one thing’s clear, I won’t let anyone take him or his future away. Not Danzo, not the council, not anyone.’ 

Straightening, Shikaku turned and headed inside, his steps purposeful and his mind already working through contingency plans. There was no room for error. Not now. Now while his kids lives were at stake.