Yamanaka Inoichi's subtle bragging added a sense of urgency to Shikaku's demeanor.
He didn't play the game of saying one thing and doing another. After some thought, he said, "Originally, I planned to let Shikamaru relax for a few more days. But since Ino is working so hard, it seems I'll have to push my son to train harder as well. You're busy, so I'll head to the Ninja Academy to check on him!"
True to his word, the strategist left the Hokage Building and made his way to the Ninja Academy.
Inoichi felt a deep sense of satisfaction, both inside and out. Perfect! He had managed to get Shikaku to leave. Now, there was still one more member of the Ino-Shika-Cho Formation to deal with—the father of the chubby Choji, the 15th generation "Butterfly," Akimichi Choza.
Ever since the 14th generation "Butterfly," Akimichi Torifu, died in battle, the Akimichi Clan had essentially lost its upward momentum. The family's current mindset was largely one of resignation.
Inoichi didn't care whether they were truly resigned or just pretending. He waited in front of the Hokage Building, and soon enough, the massive figure of Akimichi Choza, standing at 180 cm tall and weighing 120 kg, emerged. Inoichi exchanged a few casual words with him before repeating his earlier spiel about his daughter being "low in talent and weak in willpower."
Choza was so overweight that his face was almost entirely covered in fat, his eyes reduced to mere slits.
He wasn't as sharp as Shikaku, and it took Inoichi two rounds of subtle bragging before he roughly understood the underlying message.
After offering a few words of congratulations, the big man chuckled warmly and then left the Hokage Building. Judging by his direction, he too was heading to the Ninja Academy.
Inoichi continued to wait in front of the Hokage Building, watching as one Jonin after another strolled out.
Kakashi? A loner destined to remain single. He probably didn't understand the deep bond between parents and children. No point talking to him. Move on.
Might Guy? A muscle-headed brute. Did this guy even know what a woman was? Move on.
Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai? Hmm, Inoichi hesitated for a moment. These two were deeply in love and likely couldn't relate to the anxieties of parenthood. Let them pass too.
As he waited, the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hinata's father, Hiashi Hyuga, walked out.
Inoichi immediately approached him. You're the one.
In less than half a day, the story of Ino and Hinata competing in Body Techniques at the academy, followed by their determination to improve and work harder, spread like wildfire among the Jonin circles.
The story had all the necessary elements—time, place, people, cause, process, and outcome—and there were plenty of witnesses, so no one could find fault with it.
Most of the Jonin were supportive of Ino's efforts. Hard work is a commendable trait in any profession, and being a Ninja was no exception.
Many of the Jonin had been married and established in their careers for years, so comparing their children was a common topic. Using Ino as a starting point, they reminisced about how hard they had worked in their youth, lamented how today's children didn't appreciate their good fortune, and the discussion grew so heated that it even caught the attention of the Third Hokage.
After hearing the details, the Third Hokage personally wrote the words "Stay Humble and Work Hard" and had an Anbu Ninja deliver them to Hinata, hoping she wouldn't become complacent and would continue to strive.
On the other side, Shimura Danzo, for reasons unknown, also wrote a message on the spot: "Catch Up and Surpass." He then had a Root Ninja deliver it to Ino.
It's ironic to say, but the Yamanaka Clan was actually aligned with Shimura Danzo. The clan's Jonin, Yamanaka Fu, was Danzo's right-hand man. Inoichi's intelligence department had many secret connections with Root. After the Fourth Great Ninja War, the original Ino brought Sai into the family through marriage, and the Yamanaka Clan took over a large portion of Root's ninjas, partly for this reason. Since they were already on the same side, Root had no qualms about aligning with the Yamanaka Clan after Danzo's death.
While the Jonin were casually chatting, Shikaku was the first to arrive at the Ninja Academy.
Upon asking, he found out that Ino hadn't come to school today. Yamanaka Rino had requested leave for her, citing the reason as special training at home to prepare for the graduation exam.
Shikaku found his son on the school rooftop, along with the ever-present chubby Choji. Choji was still munching on snacks, while Shikamaru lay on his back, hands behind his head, staring into space.
Shikaku coughed lightly. Strictly speaking, communication between him and his son was a bit problematic. Both were too clever, and often didn't know what to say to each other.
After thinking for a moment, he simply said, "Since you're skipping class anyway, come home with me and start training in the clan's Secret Techniques."
His tone carried little room for discussion, almost sounding like an order.
Shikamaru was slightly surprised and glanced at his father. "I remember we agreed that I'd start learning the Secret Techniques after graduating from the Academy."
"That was the original plan, but now that girl from the Yamanaka Clan has already started training in her Secret Techniques. According to Inoichi, she's progressing quickly. You're a smart kid, so you should be able to guess what I'm thinking, right?"
Shikamaru fell silent for a few seconds, his gaze fixed on the distant clouds. "Women are such a hassle… I just wanted to peacefully get through these last six months. Why is it so difficult? Sigh…"
He was a top-tier genius and understood very well that the Ino-Shika-Cho Formation was a team that fought together, but there was also competition within the alliance. If he fell behind, it could lead to a series of unpredictable consequences.
Allies support each other, but they also push each other forward.
Inoichi's subtle flex earlier had the same intention—he was reminding the Nara Clan.
"Let's go, Dad. We'll head home," Shikamaru said lazily, standing up with his hands in his pockets. He turned to Choji and said softly, "If nothing unexpected happens, I probably won't be here tomorrow. Your good days… well, they're over. See you in a few days. Women are such a hassle!"
"Oh, see you," Choji replied blankly, still holding his snack bag.
Shikaku gave him a slight nod, then took Shikamaru to Iruka to request leave.
Only Choji remained on the rooftop.
Choji might look chubby and seem simple-minded, but he wasn't actually stupid. With Ino and Shikamaru leaving one after the other, he roughly understood the reason. It seemed like he couldn't stay out of this matter either?
He finished the snacks in his hand, his mind in a daze, and started walking home alone.
Just as he stepped out of the school gate, he ran into Akimichi Choza.
Choji was still confused. He didn't have Shikamaru's intelligence, and being young, many things were only vaguely clear to him. Unable to fully grasp the situation, he decided to ask his father.
"Is the village going to war again? Why does someone as laid-back as Shikamaru force himself to do things he doesn't like?"
The big, burly Choza gently patted his son's head and spoke in a soft tone, "No, it's not your turn to go to the battlefield yet, my child. Remember my words: you are a ninja, and that means you must make some sacrifices. Both Ino and Shikamaru have made their choices, and you must keep up. This is the mission you were born with."
Choza took his son back to school, made up an excuse for his absence, and then returned home to practice their Clan Secret Techniques.