The room was quiet, sunlight spilling across the Hokage desk where several mission files lay open.

  Sasuke stood beside Naruto, staring at a large poster pinned to the board — one showing Yuta Uzumaki vs. Hanabi Hyūga.

  Sasuke (dryly):

  “So… niece and aunt are fighting now. Shouldn’t we stop this before it becomes a mess?”

  Naruto (calmly):

  “It’s Shikamaru’s move. If he thinks it’s worth it, maybe we turn this into something else… a verbal war, not a battle.”

  Sasuke folded his arms, glancing at Naruto.

  Sasuke:

  “You know Yuta’s only fourteen, right? He’s an introvert — just like his mom. He won’t talk unless he has to.”

  Shikamaru (leaning on the desk):

  “And that’s exactly the point.”

  Sasuke arched an eyebrow.

  Sasuke:

  “Aira can help him then. She was… his past lover.”

  Naruto:

  “But isn’t she in love with Sylus — Yuta’s reincarnation from the other world?”

  Shikamaru (smirking):

  “Exactly. We’ll use that. We push Aira to bring Yuta out of his shell.”

  Sasuke nodded and turned to leave, cloak swaying. Naruto, however, wasn’t convinced.

  Naruto:

  “You’re too smart to base a plan on teenage love, Shikamaru. What’s the real idea here?”

  Shikamaru chuckled softly, eyes narrowing.

  Shikamaru:

  “That’s my boy, Naruto. Here’s the play — Sarada will see Aira consoling Yuta. She’ll get jealous. That’ll push her to express her feelings, maybe even fight for him. Yuta needs emotional fuel, not orders.”

  Naruto raised an eyebrow as Shikamaru continued, voice lower now.

  Shikamaru:

  “Also… make sure Hinata spends more time around him. He might be from an alternate world — your son from another timeline — but he’s still your blood. I look at Yuta and see Hinata in male form. Himawari’s a mix of both of you, and Boruto… he’s your face with her eyes.”

  Naruto (softly smiling):

  “You know that exactly, huh? No wonder you’re called a genius.”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Shikamaru (shrugs):

  “Meh. I’m just lazy most days. But this time… I want to win. I couldn’t save Neji. He and Tenten deserved better. He died in front of me, Naruto. I only had brains — not strength like you.”

  His voice cracked slightly.

  Shikamaru (quietly):

  “Sorry for using your son as part of my plan.”

  Naruto walked over and hugged him tight.

  Naruto (warmly):

  “It’s okay, Shikamaru. You’re not using him. You’re giving him purpose.”

  Shikamaru’s eyes glistened. He nodded silently.

  Aira stood on the balcony, gazing down at Earth — the blue planet glimmering below.

  Aira (whispering):

  “I waited a billion years… but you became someone else’s crush material. I always wanted you, Sylus. But now you’re Yuta… and I don’t know if I’m chasing the past or falling for who you’ve become.”

  Tears shimmered in her eyes as Toneri walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

  Toneri (softly):

  “It’s okay to cry, my queen. Even goddesses can mourn love.”

  Aira:

  “Yeah… but it still hurts.”

  Toneri:

  “Shikamaru requested your help. Yuta will face a verbal war against his aunt for the Hyūga heir post. He needs you.”

  Aira (wiping her tears):

  “Then I’ll go. I’ll awaken Sylus inside Yuta — just enough for that war.”

  She stepped forward, her aura glowing as she prepared to descend to Earth.

  Yuta trained alone under the trees, his movements precise but distant.

  Aira appeared behind him, her presence calm yet radiant.

  Yuta:

  “Sorry… I know I’m not the one you loved in your other life. But thanks for taking care of me anyway.”

  Aira(quietly):

  “Thank you… for being my friend.”

  Yuta:

  "See i may not be sylus i dont know how deep u loved him ,but i do know he is strong if he can make u fall for u and confident too which im not ".

  Aira (smiling):

  “Then let me teach you how to win this verbal war. Don’t stutter. Don’t shy away. Speak like a king.”

  She trained him gently, correcting his words, his stance, even his confidence.

  Yuta tried — shyly, hesitantly — but slowly started to smile.

  Hidden behind a tree, Sarada watched.

  Her Sharingan flickered softly… and her expression darkened.

  Without a word, she turned and ran away.

  Yuta stirred awake at midnight, hearing a soft rustle.

  He opened his eyes — only to see Sarada covering his mouth.

  Yuta (muffled):

  “Mm?! S–Sarada?”

  Sarada (whispering):

  “I’ll train you too.”

  Yuta (still half-asleep):

  “You already do…”

  Sarada blushed, realizing he was shirtless. She quickly adjusted her glasses.

  Sarada (flustered):

  “It’s fine… just—here. Read this.”

  She handed him a small journal filled with notes, cute doodles, and tiny chibi versions of herself around motivational quotes.

  Yuta (softly):

  “You made this… for me?”

  Sarada (turning red):

  “Yeah.”

  Far above, Shikamaru leaned against the railing, watching the Uzumaki house through binoculars.

  He smiled faintly.

  Shikamaru (to himself):

  “All according to plan… for Neji’s peace.”

  This chapter was a turning point I’ve been waiting to write for a long time.

  It’s not about power-ups or bloodlines this time… it’s about emotion, strategy, and manipulation.

  Aira’s pain, Sarada’s jealousy, and Yuta’s quiet heart all clash here under one theme: “love as a weapon.”

  This isn’t a fight of fists — it’s a battle of fate, loyalty, and buried emotion.

  Neji through this arc. Shikamaru’s line wasn’t random — it’s my tribute to one of the most selfless ninjas in the series.

  Hyūga Verbal War, and trust me… things will not go as planned.

  ?? #TeamAira or #TeamSarada — I wanna see where the fandom stands.

  This story’s been evolving, and this chapter marks a new era for it — more emotion, more stakes, and more soul.

  Mijil ???