Naruto: I am Nara Shikamaru

The Land of Waves was a small island nation, connected to the outside world by a single bridge. It had almost no native shinobi, a poor economy, and its people lived in poverty.

On their journey to the Land of Waves, Naruto's team encountered the Demon Brothers, missing ninja from Kirigakure who had disguised themselves as nothing more than a puddle of water, just as in the original manga. As expected, Kakashi made quick work of them.

Not long after the group moved on, a figure appeared atop a tree branch nearby. It was Shikamaru, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

"Hm… Kakashi really is a heavyweight among Konoha's elite. Impressive."

Watching Kakashi's swift takedown, Shikamaru murmured to himself. Two Chunin-level missing ninja had been defeated in seconds. Naruto and the others might not have understood the significance, but Shikamaru did. If he had to fight Kakashi right now, he'd be crushed, no question about it.

Everything was unfolding according to the original plot, and Shikamaru had no intention of interfering. He only came to witness it firsthand. After all, it was during this mission that Naruto first awakened the Nine-Tails' chakra, and Sasuke began to manifest his Sharingan. Shikamaru didn't want to accidentally alter something that could have serious consequences later.

But when Haku moved to sacrifice herself to block Kakashi's Chidori, that was when Shikamaru stepped in.

"Ah!"

With Haku no longer intercepting the blow, Zabuza took the full force of Kakashi's Chidori. His scream rang out as Kakashi's hand pierced straight through his chest, blood spraying violently into the air.

"Zabuza-sama…"

Haku cried out in despair, then immediately collapsed. In a flash, Shikamaru caught her, feeling something soft press against his chest. His heart skipped a beat.

So it's true, Haku really is a girl! he thought.

"Who are you?! Let go of the big sister!"

Naruto shouted as he saw Shikamaru holding Haku. The fiery chakra of the Nine-Tails had already receded into his body.

Shikamaru smiled slightly. He wore a mask now, one like the kind Yang Guo wore in The Return of the Condor Heroes, and his outfit was completely different from what he usually wore in the village. No wonder Naruto didn't recognize him.

Clink! 

Kakashi immediately drew a kunai and stared at Shikamaru with a sharp, cold gaze.

"Enemy?" he asked grimly.

"Ah, no, don't get the wrong idea! I'm just here for her."

Shikamaru raised his hands slightly. Even though Kakashi had used a lot of chakra, he could still overpower Shikamaru easily. Shikamaru did want to fight Kakashi someday, but only after he'd gotten stronger.

"Oh?"

Kakashi narrowed his eyes, then relaxed his stance. "Well, since you got what you came for, I assume you'll be on your way?"

"Kakashi-sensei…"

Naruto shouted, clearly unwilling to let Haku fall into the hands of someone he assumed to be an enemy. In his eyes, Shikamaru was just another bad guy.

"Naruto!"

Kakashi barked, cutting him off. Then he turned to ask, "Where's Sasuke?"

"Ah… Kakashi-sensei… Sasuke… Sasuke, he…"

Naruto's eyes reddened as he stammered through the words.

"Sasuke…"

At that moment, Sakura saw Sasuke lying motionless nearby, his body riddled with senbon needles. The sight was terrifying. She cried out, abandoning old man Tazuna to run to Sasuke's side, with Naruto quickly following.

"Thanks. Well then, I'll be on my way."

Shikamaru said calmly, glancing at the scene.

"Take care. I won't see you out."

Kakashi replied, but his gaze remained fixed on Sasuke with clear concern.

"Don't worry." Shikamaru said, catching the look in Kakashi's eyes. "That kid's not dead."

And with a flicker, he vanished, taking Haku with him.

Sure enough, moments later, Sasuke began to stir under the barrage of Sakura's tearful pleas. Kakashi quietly committed the masked stranger's image to memory.

⚔──────────────

A/N: Yes, I know that Haku is a boy in the original Naruto canon. But in this fanfic, Haku is a girl, full stop. She's part of Shikamaru's harem, and yes, there will be scenes that go there — wink wink. If that's not your thing, feel free to skip. For everyone else, enjoy the chaos, the fluff, and the steam!

 If you're enjoying the story, you can read up to Chapter 32 (28+ chapters ahead of the current one) on my Patreon: patreon.com/vynthor.