A Fated Encounter

The silence in the Hokage's office stretched, thick with unspoken revelations. Shikamaru reread the mission log, searching for any hidden clues, any scrap of information that could explain the missing pieces. Across from him, Hikari sat, the memory of Tsunade's words echoing in her mind like a whispered secret.

Flashback

Sunlight streamed through the windows of the Senju residence, dappling Tsunade's weathered face as she spoke.

"Hikari," she began, her voice raspy with age but firm with resolve. Hikari, ever dutiful, met the legendary Sannin's gaze.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade?"

"How's the hospital lately?" Tsunade inquired, a veiled question masking a deeper concern.

"Good, Director Sakura has been kind. All the nurses are wonderful," Hikari replied honestly. Tsunade's smile mirrored Hikari's for a fleeting moment before a shadow fell across her face.

"Hikari, listen," she began,her voice dropping to a low murmur.

"Konoha is facing a difficult situation. I need your help." Hikari, had always held unwavering loyalty to the village. Now,seeing the legendary Sannin so troubled, a knot of unease tightened in her stomach.

"Anything, Lady Tsunade," she offered, bowing respectfully. Tsunade sighed, the sound heavy in the quiet room.

"There's… trouble surrounding Boruto Uzumaki," she admitted hesitantly.

"Accusations, whispers… they cast a long shadow over his loyalty." Hikari's brow furrowed. Boruto, Naruto's son, a troublemaker perhaps, but a traitor? It felt inconceivable.

"But… why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Tsunade leaned forward, piercing blue eyes meeting Hikari's.

"Something doesn't feel right. A nagging feeling that something is manipulating the situation. But I haven't been able to find any concrete proof." A spark of understanding flickered in Hikari's eyes.

"The jutsu… the mind control?" she ventured, a memory of hushed whispers floating through the village surfacing.

Tsunade nodded grimly.

"My suspicions exactly. But you, Hikari," she continued, a ghost of a smile gracing her lips, "you seem… unaffected."

Hikari's cheeks flushed slightly. While the village had been in a state of unrest, her own memories remained clear. Was it coincidence, or there's another reason?

"That's good," Tsunade said, her voice firming.

"It means my hunch might be right. I need someone to delve into the past,to find any discrepancies in the official records. Someone who can access the Konoha library's most sensitive scrolls."

Hikari straightened. The weight of Tsunade's trust settled on her shoulders, a heavy yet exhilarating burden.

"I understand, Lady Tsunade I won't let you down." "

I know you won't," Tsunade said, a hint of pride in her voice.  "Give your resignation to the hospital. I'll recommend you to work under Ino Yamanaka. She's sharp and resourceful. Together, I believe you can uncover the truth." 

"And Hikari," she added, a glint in her eyes, "that kid… Boruto reminds me of Naruto in his younger days. A bit of a knucklehead, but ultimately good-hearted" Hikari felt a surge of purpose.

"I won't let you down, Lady Tsunade," she vowed, her voice filled with determination. As she rose to leave, Tsunade's voice stopped her.

"You might encounter Shikamaru again, Hikari. Just… be professional with him. He's the Hokage now." A pang of something akin to sadness shot through Hikari's chest. She and Shikamaru, once childhood companions, were now bound by duty, separated by the weight of their roles.

"Of course, Lady Tsunade," Hikari replied, bowing her head respectfully.

End of Flashback

Hikari straightened her back, a newfound resolve burning in her eyes. She would be the first domino to fall, the one to set the truth in motion.

Hikari, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, cleared her throat.

"Perhaps there's another source of information we haven't considered. Maybe someone else remembers details from that specific mission."

Shikamaru nodded, his mind already formulating a plan.

"You're right. We need to expand the search. Konohamaru, get a team together and start interviewing anyone who might have been involved with Team Seven during that timeframe."

Konohamaru saluted crisply. "Understood, Hokage-sama."

"Thank you, Hikari," Shikamaru said, his voice tinged with a weariness that tugged at her heart. "This might still be a weak lead, but…"

"But you trust me to find more," Hikari finished the sentence for him, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Shikamaru nodded, a flicker of appreciation warring with the disappointment in his voice.

"That's my duty, Lord Eight," she said, adhering to the formality that created a distance between them.
.

.

.

Shikamaru emerged from the Hokage's office, the familiar stress headache throbbing behind his eyes. He craved a cigarette, the calming smoke a fleeting escape from the weight of his duties. Turning a corner, he spotted a figure at a dimly lit bar, a lone silhouette hunched over a steaming cup.

Hikari.

She looked different. Not in a physical sense – her sharp features and calm olive eyes were unmistakable. It was her posture – hunched over a small cup, shoulders slumped, a frown creasing her brow. It was a stark contrast to the stoic,almost intimidating figure she presented in the office.

Curiosity piqued, Shikamaru finished his sake in a single gulp and made his way towards her booth. As he approached, he could hear her muttering to herself, a monologue laced with frustration and a hint of triumph.

"…At least you did it, Hikari. Good job."

"Did what?" Shikamaru's voice startled her, causing her to jump and knock her glasses askew.

"L-L-Lord Eighth!" Hikari stammered, her cheeks flushing a deep scarlet that rivaled the color of her hair. Shikamaru couldn't help but chuckle under his breath – the ever-composed Hikari, flustered and red-faced.

He knelt beside her, spotting a half-empty sake carafe and a plate of untouched dumplings.

"What a coincidence, huh?" he said, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Good evening, Lord Eighth," Hikari finally managed to say, straightening up in her seat and bowing stiffly. "About the… addition…"

Shikamaru cut her off with a playful gesture, stuffing a dumpling into her mouth with his free hand.

"Shh…" he whispered, his voice warm and conspiratorial. "What we talked about in the office, just leave it in office."

Hikari chewed the dumpling, her annoyance momentarily overshadowed by Shikamaru's unexpected gesture. "

Anyway," he continued, resting his hand on his waist, "just call me Shikamaru. We are the same age, right? Ino mentioned it."

Tsunade's words echoed in Hikari's mind:"Just be professional with him."

But Shikamaru's relaxed demeanor and unexpected appearance at the bar threw her off balance.

'I won't let you down, Lady Tsunade!' she thought, forcing her expression back to its usual stoicism.

"That's so humble of you, sir," she replied, the formality of her address a stark contrast to his easygoing manner.

Shikamaru blinked, surprised by the formality.

'Sir?' he thought, a mixture of amusement and disbelief swirling within him.

This was certainly not what he'd expected. Perhaps, beneath the stoic facade, even Hikari, the enigmatic shinobi, had her secrets and vulnerabilities.

Her surprise must have shown on her face because Shikamaru's smile widened.

"Relax, Hikari," he said, his voice gentle.

"A drink between old friends? Or maybe… old acquaintances getting to know each other again?" The question hung in the air, a challenge masked as a casual invitation.

A playful glint flickered in Shikamaru's eyes as he nudged Hikari's untouched sake with his own.

"Come on, Hikari, live a little," he coaxed. "Duty is important, Hokage duties even more so, but even we need a break sometimes."

Hikari sighed, a flicker of frustration battling with the warmth spreading through her from the sake.

"With all due respect,Lord Eighth," she began, emphasizing the title to maintain some distance, "a fresh mind is a must for deciphering ancient scrolls."

Shikamaru snorted, a playful challenge bubbling within him.

"Ancient scrolls, huh? Sounds fascinating. Maybe you could enlighten me, Nara prodigy meets a codebreaker. Think of it as… cross-training."

Hikari raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement peeking through her professional facade.

"Lord Eighth, with all due respect again, wouldn't your expertise be better suited to strategizing Konoha's defense, not deciphering dusty scrolls about forgotten jutsu?"

Shikamaru grinned, "Touché. But hey, who knows, maybe I have a hidden talent for reading archaic chicken scratch."

His playful jab earned him a small smile from Hikari, momentarily breaking through her composed demeanor.

Suddenly, Shikamaru cleared his throat, his voice becoming slightly serious.

"Speaking of the past… I wanted to thank you for what you said at Temari's funeral."

Hikari's smile faltered, a wave of awkwardness washing over her.

"It… it wasn't anything," she stammered, desperately searching for a way to change the subject.

Shikamaru, however, wasn't easily deterred.

"It meant a lot," he insisted.

"About me not running away this time." He paused, a sheepish grin on his face. "Unlike Asuma's… well, you know."

Hikari choked on her sake, a sputter escaping her lips as her cheeks flushed a brilliant crimson.

"Lord Eighth!" she squeaked, her voice a mixture of amusement and scandalized propriety. "That's… that's an awfully personal topic!"

Shikamaru chuckled, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, truce! Just thought a little reminiscing wouldn't hurt. Besides, weren't you the one who said I should relax?"

Hikari tried to close the might-be-a-sensitive-topic ,"Just a comment from a concerned citizen. You know, the whole not-running-away-from-funerals thing. A good habit to get into, I hear."

Shikamaru leaned back, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Concerned citizen, huh? Or maybe a… friend worried about a Nara's emotional well-being?"

Hikari choked on her breath, sputtering out a laugh that sounded suspiciously like a cough.

"E-Emotional well-being? But so far in my observation, Lord Eighth always been...the picture of stoicism..."

He raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Is that so? Then perhaps you should have seen me after Asuma's… ah, but duty calls again, right Hikari?" He started to rise, a mischievous glint twinkling in his eye.

Hikari's eyes widened.
"Wait! Duty? Paperwork battles? Don't tell me Hokage-sama can't handle a little conversation without running away?"

A beat of silence hung in the air, then Shikamaru burst into laughter, the sound rich and genuine. He sank back into his seat, wiping away a tear.

Hikari, suddenly aware of the late hour and her dwindling inhibitions, realized she had pushed her luck too far. With a flustered laugh, she threw a few coins on the table.

"Looks like duty calls for me too, Hokage-sama," she said, her voice slightly slurred.

"Enjoy your… paperwork battles."

Before Shikamaru could respond, she stood up, her legs a bit wobbly, and made a hasty retreat out of the tavern. He watched her go, a smile still lingering on his lips.

Shikamaru shook his head, a chuckle escaping his lips.

"Well played, Hikari. Well played." He took a sip of his sake,savoring the warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the alcohol. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for friendship, even amidst duty and a web of hidden truths.

.

.

.

Hikari moved with a quiet efficiency, her brow furrowed in concentration as she scanned scrolls in the dimly lit archive room. The sake from last night had worn off, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose.

Today, she delved deeper, searching for any discrepancies, any hint of manipulation in the medical records of Kawaki's arrival.

The silence was broken only by the rustle of parchment and her own muttered observations.

Time seemed to melt away as she meticulously reviewed each document, a growing unease settling in her gut.

Inconsistencies began to appear, subtle inconsistencies, the kind most wouldn't notice. Dates shifted, reports contradicted each other, creating a hazy picture of Kawaki's initial days in Konohagakure.

Eureka! A breakthrough finally came. In the medical reports, there was a discrepancy in the type of chakra Kawaki possessed upon arrival. It didn't match what was documented later on. With a triumphant smile, Hikari carefully copied the passage, the evidence she needed to further solidify her suspicion. This, she had to report to Shikamaru.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, a different kind of tension crackled in the air. Shikamaru, eyes closed in concentration,had managed to establish a precarious mind link with Boruto. The fragmented images he received confirmed his hypothesis – a mind control jutsu, powerful enough to rewrite memories and sow discord.

A sense of relief washed over him, a flicker of hope rekindled. He ended the connection, his head throbbing from the strain. Konohamaru, who had been anxiously waiting nearby, rushed forward.

"So it seems Sarada's memories weren't completely fabricated," Konohamaru mused, a hint of relief in his voice. Despite his fragmented recollections of Team 7, he had noticed Sarada's unyielding belief in Boruto's innocence.

"Anything?" he inquired, his voice laced with concern.

Shikamaru nodded, weariness etched on his face. "He's alive," he confirmed. "But trapped. The details are hazy, but… it confirms the mind control."

A heavy silence descended upon the room. Konohamaru himself had started digging through old mission logs, his face grim.

"We need more information," Shikamaru declared, his voice resolute.

"Hikari must be making progress in the archives." He shot a glance towards the window, a flicker of worry crossing his features.

His encounter with her last night was…unexpected. It had left him with a strange sense of unease, a desire to know more about the woman beneath the stoic facade.

"There's still one missing piece," Shikamaru added, a dark note creeping into his voice. "Mitsuki. We haven't found a trace of him."

Konohamaru's expression darkened. "Maybe he's chasing Boruto," he suggested. "Once he identified his chakra signature…"

Before they could speculate further, a sharp rap on the door interrupted their conversation. A Konoha messenger stood at the threshold, his face grim.

"Hokage-sama," he announced, his voice tight. "The Konoha Council requests an immediate audience."

Konohamaru snorted. "Dealing with those old geezers again?" he teased, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Ugh… pray for me," he muttered, the weight of his dual role as Hokage and burdened friend pressing down on him.

With a sigh, he gestured towards Konohamaru. "Cover my shift for a bit, would you? I have a feeling this meeting won't be a walk in the park."

Konohamaru nodded grimly. "Go face the council. I'll keep an eye out for any other leads."

As Shikamaru left, a sense of foreboding lingered in the air. Dealing with the council while facing a memory-manipulating enemy and a missing teammate – these were just the first hurdles on a path that felt increasingly treacherous.

He knew he wouldn't face this alone. He had Hikari, with her tenacity and hidden knowledge, and Konohamaru, his loyal friend despite the clouded past. Together, they would unravel the truth, expose the mastermind,and find Boruto. The weight of this resolve settled within him as Shikamaru stepped into the council chambers, ready to face the storm.

Shikamaru exited the imposing Council building, a familiar ache settling into his shoulders. The council had once again pressed him to accept the title of Eighth Hokage, the weight of their words like stones upon his chest. He held onto the slimmest of hopes, a belief that Naruto was out there somewhere, alive. But duty called, and as acting Hokage, he had a village to lead.

Just as he emerged into the bustling street, a familiar figure caught his eye. Hikari stood patiently by the entrance, a stack of scrolls clutched in her arms.

"Hikari?" he raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"What brings you here? Council business as well?" He offered a tired smile, attempting to mask the weariness gnawing at him.

"N-no," she stammered, a blush creeping up her neck.
"Lady Ino asked me to find you here. I… I have additional evidence." Despite her usual composure, she seemed flustered, her voice barely a whisper.

Shikamaru's eyebrow shot up further. "Ino? She asked you… to meet me directly?" The audacity of his friend both amused and exasperated him.

Hikari nodded, her cheeks burning even brighter.

"I was just about to use the mind transmission jutsu, but Lady Ino insisted I deliver it to you in person."

He chuckled to himself, a genuine laugh that warmed the chill in his heart. Could Ino somehow sense a spark between him and Hikari?

'Seriously, Ino,' he thought, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

Meanwhile, in her office overlooking the village, Ino couldn't contain a satisfied smile. The mischievous glint in her eyes betrayed her feigned nonchalance as Sai materialized beside his wife.

"What has you in such a good mood today?" he inquired, curiosity piqued by her expression.

"Just a little help to a helpless romantic friend," Ino winked, her voice laced with amusement. Sai raised an eyebrow, amusement battling with confusion on his face. Ino knew the road ahead for Shikamaru and Hikari wouldn't be easy, but she intended to nudge them in the right direction. Temari's loss was still a fresh wound for Shikamaru, but maybe he needed someone to fill the hollow of his life.

Back on the street, Shikamari extended a hand towards Hikari's scrolls.

"Well, let's see what this additional evidence reveals," he said, his voice filled with newfound energy.
.

.

.

A heavy silence descended after Shikamaru's revelation. Hikari's eyes widened in surprise.

"Boruto… he's back?"

Shikamaru nodded, a flicker of worry crossing his features.

"Earlier today. I used a private mind transmission channel I established with him once I sensed his chakra entering Konoha." He took a sip of his tea, his eyes studying her.

"He confirmed it. The memory manipulation. He doesn't want to cause panic, but maintains his innocence."

Hikari absorbed this information quickly, her analytical mind piecing together the puzzle. A flicker of admiration flickered across Shikamaru's face – she was sharp.

Then, Shikamaru eagerly unfurled the scrolls Hikari presented, his face creasing with concentration as he scanned the documents.

"Medical records on Kawaki's arrival," he muttered, his voice a low rumble.

"This is a great discovery, Hikari.Maybe this will shed some light on the strange circumstances surrounding the Karma seal."

A flicker of hope mirrored his expression on Hikari's face.

"Hopefully, with this additional information, we'll discover a way to fix this situation," she added, her voice filled with newfound determination.

Just as the tension began to ease, Shikamaru's brow furrowed.

"Speaking of medical records…" he began, a thought niggling at him. "Why can't I find yours, Hikari?"

Hikari froze, the smile vanishing from her lips. "Mine? I don't understand what you mean, Lord Eighth," she stammered,her voice regaining its professional detachment a little too quickly.

Shikamaru's smirk sent a shiver down her spine. "What exactly are you trying to hide from me, Hikari?" he pressed, his voice laced with a hint of suspicion.

"Are you really just someone recommended by Tsunade?"

The air crackled with unspoken tension. Hikari clenched her jaw, her eyes hardening as she tried to deflect his questions.But Shikamaru wouldn't be deterred.

"Whatever you're trying to hide," he said, his voice firm but not unkind, "I know who you are, Hikari. Iwas there, witnessing your progress. There's no way they wouldn't have a record of your injuries, your treatment… your recovery."

Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Hikari remained silent, a wall of determination shielding her past.

Shikamaru sighed, a hint of frustration flickering in his eyes.

"Look," he said, his tone softening, "I understand you have your reasons. But if your past might hold a connection to this case, please, tell me. It could be crucial."

Hikari continued to stand there, her eyes locked with his, a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface. Finally, she managed to speak, her voice tight with controlled anger.

"Lord Eighth," she said, her words clipped, "if you think my past is relevant, convince me. But if you can't provide a valid reason for me to expose myself, I will remain silent."

Shikamaru chuckled, a dry humor coloring his voice.

"You're right," he conceded, raising his hands in surrender.

"Pardon me for overstepping. We have a bigger mystery at hand."

A flicker of something akin to gratitude crossed Hikari's face. "We do," she agreed, her voice regaining some of its composure.

"I take my leave, Lord Eighth."

She bowed curtly, her back stiff but her eyes holding a hint of something more – a silent promise to keep searching.Before turning to leave, she paused for a moment.

"And don't worry," she added, a hint of defiance softening into determination, "I will keep progressing with gathering information and evidence."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Shikamaru staring after her, a thoughtful look etched on his face.

The mystery of Hikari deepened, but one thing was clear – she was a woman with a story to tell, and somehow, it was intricately woven into the larger puzzle they were trying to solve.

.

.

.

Shikamaru's brow furrowed as he ended the mind transmission with Boruto. Hope, a fragile bud, had begun to bloom in his chest. Naruto and Hinata were alive, hidden somewhere. But relief warred with a knot of worry. Naruto's bond with Kawaki was undeniable. A forceful extraction wouldn't work. The Hokage's mind raced, strategizing, searching for a solution that wouldn't turn Kawaki into an enemy.

Just then, a soft knock on his door brought him back from the depths of his thoughts.

"Lord Eighth, it's me, Hikari," her voice came through.

Shikamaru sighed internally.

'That girl… how long will she keep up the formality?' A flicker of annoyance crossed him, but he quickly pushed it aside.

Then, inspiration struck. Perhaps, Hikari was the perfect person for this mission.

"Come in," he called out, setting his personal thoughts aside.

Hikari entered, a backpack slung over her shoulder, scrolls peeking out from the top.

"Did Ino send you again?" Shikamaru inquired, a hint of suspicion in his voice. It had only been three days since Ino had facilitated their last information exchange.

Hikari shook her head, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

"No, Lord Eighth. I took the initiative to come. These are additional scrolls with evidence."

Shikamaru felt a pang of guilt for his actions yesterday. Looking at her now, though, composed and focused, one would never guess the emotional turmoil she must be hiding.

Shikamaru gestured towards the substantial stack.

"That's quite a collection there." He stepped closer to help her with the backpack, surprised by its weight.

"Are you kidding me?" he exclaimed, his initial annoyance returning.

Hikari jumped slightly, flustered.

"So-sorry Lord Eighth! I thought… I would gather more evidence to strengthen our case." Her voice stammered, and she looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"B-but… don't worry, you can take your time to…"

Shikamaru cut her off with a sigh. "No, no, I wasn't… Look, isn't this too heavy for one person to carry from the library?"

A moment of awkward silence passed, punctuated only by the soft rustle of scrolls.

Clearing his throat, Shikamaru adopted a more serious tone.

"Have a seat, Hikari. I have a mission for you."

"Remember when you said I should convince you if your past might be relevant?" Shikamaru continued, his gaze holding hers. "This mission is crucial. If anyone can reach Naruto and understand the situation, it's someone resourceful, someone who might have… unconventional methods."

Then, with a sigh, he turned his head and established a mind transmission with Ino. "Ino, it's me. Please disrupt the transmission from this room for a while. I have a confidential discussion with Hikari. We'll loop you in once we finalize things."

To be continued.