The M, Nara Residence

  “Sensei.”

  Link greeted with a slight bow, his torained. He wasn’t the type to warm up to people quickly, and he hadn’t ied much with his Sensei, Nara Shikaku, leaving some unfamiliarity between them.

  Shikaku waved his hand casually. “e in.”

  Leading the way, he said as they walked, “Since you’re staying in the vilge for now, feel free to drop by often.”

  “Shikamaru’s usually free; you young people should hang out together sometimes.”

  His tone was id-back, pletely devoid of any authoritative air.

  The two ehe living room, where Shikamaru sat with his usual disied expression. Forced to spend his rare day off eaining his father’s apprentice, he inwardly groaned, "What a drag."

  Once seated, Shikaku addressed Link’s ret mission. “Don’t worry too much about the task; the vilge will ha.”

  Then he added, “You might be assigo another department soon. Do you have a preference?”

  Straightforward favoritism.

  Being the Jonin ander’s student came with privileges, and arranging a position was effortless.

  Link thought for a moment. “I’d like to join the Medical Corps.”

  Shikaku nodded approvingly.

  Joining the Medical Corps ractical choice. Uhe mysterious Barrier Corps or the intimidating Interrogation Unit, the Medical Corps aligned with Link’s skills and goals. He already had a knack for chakra trol due to his Fine Disease Extra Jutsu and sought to further refine his abilities.

  Learning medical jutsu would allow him to Sensei advaeiques, uand anatomy better, and ultimately adjust his Transformation Teique more effectively.

  “Good choice,” Shikaku remarked. “I’ll make the arras.”

  Switg topics, Shikaku asked, “What do you think about shogi?”

  “I don’t py.” Link’s reply was sud ho; games that didn’t tribute tth didn’t i him.

  “Figures,” Shikaku observed. It was obvious his apprentily cared about being stronger.

  “Shikamaru, didn’t you mention a team gathering tonight? Bring Link along.”

  Shikamaru gave a small nod. “Sure. Link, I’ll introduce you to my friends tonight.”

  Ino–Shika–Chō, and now the vilge’s most talented rookie.

  Shikamaru sighed internally. This guy seems like the type I’d csh with, but there’s no helping it.

  Link quickly assessed the situation and replied, “Alright. Sorry for the trouble.”

  “It’s no trouble at all,” Shikamaru replied, feeling slightly awkward at his apprentice’s formality.

  Shikaku then asked, “Anything else on your mind, Link?”

  After a pause, Link replied seriously, “Sensei, I’d like to train in taijutsu systematically.”

  “Taijutsu…” Shikaku stroked his beard thoughtfully. While brilliant in strategy and teiques, he wasn’t a taijutsu specialist.

  “I’ll find you a suitable teacher,” he assured. “Leave it to me.”

  “Thank you very much.” Link bowed deeply. Rising to leave, he added, “Excuse me.”

  Shikaku nodded. “I’ll hahe Medical Corps and taijutsu arras.”

  Shikamaru walked Link to the door. “Let’s meet at Yakiniku Q at 4 PM.”

  “Got it.” Standing outside in the m sun, Link’s half-lit face revealed a faint smile. “Thanks, Shikamaru.”

  “Mm.” Shikamaru watched Link walk away, his gaze falling on the shadow trailing behind—a fra out of sync with its owner.

  "So that’s another shadow teique…"

  …

  4 PM, Yakiniku Q

  “Link, these are my friends.”

  Shikamaru introduced the group: “Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino.”

  “Good afternoon, o meet you. I’m Link,” he said politely.

  “Hi,” Choji greeted between bites of chips.

  Ino, notig Link’s small stature and polite demeanor, smiled warmly. “Hello there.”

  “…”

  Choji whispered something to Shikamaru, drawing a sharp gnce from Ie her unwavering smile.

  “Yo~” A burly, bearded jonin strolled reeting them with a grin. “You must be Link. I’m Team Ten’s instructor, Asuma.”

  Pg a hand on Shikamaru and Choji’s shoulders, he crouched slightly to meet Link’s gaze, his eyes narrowing in a friendly manner. “Kakashi’s told me about you.”

  “Jonin Asuma,” Link replied, bowing his head respectfully.

  “Ah, no need for formalities.” Standing up straight, Asuma led the way ioday’s meal is on me, so eat as much as you want!”

  He ruffled Link’s hair pyfully before heading in.

  Link’s eyes flickered for a moment, but he didn’t swat Asuma’s hand away.

  Shikamaru crossed his arms behind his head. “It’s just a D-rank mission reward…”

  “Awesome!” Choji cheered enthusiastically.

  “Geez, Choji…” Asuma chuckled helplessly.