Chapter 233: Shukaku

After a short speech by Morino, all examinees received plates with numbers, and then worksheets. Naruto was a little indignant, but no matter how he shouted, he had to shut up and sit still.

Shikamaru relaxed and looked around. The silence bothered him a little, especially in this boring place. To him, these examiners, led by Ibiki Morino, looked like little weaklings. However, this is probably why no one said a word to the guy when he insolently sipped wine from the gourd, throwing his legs on the table.

In fact, Shikamaru was sorted by special circumstances. On this score, he simply resolved the issue with Hiruzen. So he was considered a loner without a team. Besides, no matter how badly he passed the test, he's not here for it. Shikamaru had already informed the Hokage of the possible danger, so he had to give his student the advantage. That was why none of the Jonin interfered in this matter, especially Ibiki, who coldly ignored all his actions. He was well aware of Shikamaru's abilities and had heard of the battle with the Hokage and the Hyuuga case. To him, the presence of such a dangerous person among ordinary genin seemed like something definitely not easy, so he did not get involved in this matter.

Shikamaru placed the answers on the test by eye, for him these questions turned out to be no more than a child's puzzle, just as probably for Kabuto. Even at the age of six, he learned almost everything that a genin and even Chūnin needed just by reading books in the library.

After taking a couple of sips, Shikamaru narrowed his eyes, looking at Kabuto's back.

“He has the most ordinary chakra, and is really a good spy… Quite unremarkable, but that's his advantage. Chakra control is too hard to define. The most I can see is his muscles, they are noticeably better than many here…” Shikamaru then turned his gaze towards one of the Hidden Grass shinobi. He wore a bamboo braid on his head and looked quite ordinary, only his clothes resembled Orochi's usual attire, with his purple belt. But, Shikamaru knew well that this was the guy Orochimaru would use in his disguise the next day.

Suddenly, this guy turned sharply and grinned a little, an unpleasant smile. Shikamaru just nodded grimly in response, turning his gaze to Gaara. The future Kazekage did not look so hot, he clearly had problems with the circulatory and nervous systems, but there was enough chakra. In addition, there was a sealed area with Shukaku deep within his body.

With a chuckle, Shikamaru closed his eyes. Ten seconds later, he sharply opened them, two black abysses of dark pupils filled everything. The two silver disks flashed and the three tomoe transformed into a nine-pointed star in the form of a sun - silver light filled the pupil, and the star turned black, taking on shades of deep darkness. At the same moment, Gaara flinched and involuntarily turned around to immediately lose the ability to think. At the same moment, a dark flash flashed deep in his subconscious and Shikamaru seemed to step out of the void. In the next moment, a large green bubble appeared on his shoulder, transforming into a miniature version of Isobu with a loud pop. Man and beast appeared in a dark space, surrounded by several sharp columns, they surrounded a huge one-tailed creature like the tips of spears. The dim yellow light barely illuminated the area, when suddenly Shukaku shuddered and roared as he woke up sharply:

- Who you are?! - but, he immediately fell silent, staring in surprise at the shoulder of the arrived person:

“I-Isobu!?” Little one, what are you doing here?

Shukaku bowed his head menacingly and stared at the man with his small yellow eyes.

“You… That guy… Your eyes!” Shukaku immediately shuddered as he noticed two dark stars in Shikamaru's sparkling eyes, it was the first time he'd seen something like this!

The guy smiled and closed his eyelids calmly said:

As promised, you can talk to him. I won't interfere.

Isobu briefly nodded and looked at his relative, and then his voice, like the wind, scattered throughout Gaara's subconscious:

“Shukaku, this boku is happy to see you… So many years have passed…”

“Mm,” the One-Tail nodded frowningly, “That’s right… But… Junior, what the hell are you doing with this human?!

“Ah, I…” Isobu hesitated, and then timidly answered: “We are partners with him.

- Partners? Shukaku growled furiously, "You're on your own again!" Humans are not your allies, have you forgotten?! To these bastards, we are no better than slaves! For all!

Isobu lowered his head and did not dare to argue, but he still quietly said:

- Not all...

- Not all?! - Shukaku wanted to swear, but then snorted: - Okay ... Why are you pinning yourself?

Isobu frowned at Shikamaru, who immediately understood everything and clearly said one word:

— The Ten-Tails.

- What?! Shukaku's face showed surprise mixed with fear.

“Where are you from… Who are you?!

"My name is Shikamaru. Heard about you Shukaku, and the rest of the Tailed Beasts too. I know that the Sage sent you to guard the temple in the Land of the Wind, but after that, you were captured and sealed in a priest.

Bijuu immediately changed his expression, the first time he met such a knowledgeable person. Few people at that time knew about the mission given to him by the Sage! Shukaku immediately stopped looking at Shikamaru with an angry look, he quickly became interested in him. Perhaps, in this he was similar to Isobu. At one time, Shikamaru told the Three-Tails about his knowledge and about the eternal Tsukuyomi, among other things. Since then, Isobu is not so wary of him and has completely begun to accept his position. Since the man was honest with him and did not treat him as a tool or a demon, this was quite enough for him. Of course, this is unlikely to work with Shukaku, and even more so with Kurama, but Shikamaru just wanted to establish contact and grant Isobu's request. Yes, and warn the Tailed Ones will not be a mistake either. After all, maybe in the future he would be able to complete all Ten Gates.

Seeing Shukaku's interest, Shikamaru continued to speak.

“The shell of the Ten-Tails was summoned to this world with the help of the Rinnegan. Now one organization is looking for Tailed Beasts all over the world and sealing them in a statue. I don't think it's hard to understand why? As soon as all of you are gathered together, the Ten-Tails will awaken. Hogoromo divided you for a reason - when the power of the Ten-Tails jinchuuriki is gathered, the day of Kaguya's awakening, with whom the Sage and his brother fought, is not far off.

"Are you... Are you sure?" Shukaku asked with a tremble in his voice.

How do you know that, man?

“Ask me how I know exactly the names of all nine Tailed Beasts, the name of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and her sons.” Shikamaru was amused by the beast's scowling face and smirked.

“You don’t have to believe me, I just warned you of the coming danger. The day will come and the Akatsuki people will come for Gaara, they will extract you and put you in the statue. As well as the Yin part of Isobu, which I will print out in a timely manner.

- What? Shukaku frowned, "What do you mean?!

Isobu finally raised his head and spoke softly.

"Shikamaru said that I would have to lose my half." This will allow me to continue to exist and at the same time I will stop being hunted. I agreed...