Over the next two months, Nagato's class performance improved tremendously. The Third felt a sudden surge of pride when he saw the perfect score on the child's test. "He has truly improved."

"He has, Hokage-sama," Iruka agreed respectfully. "Now that he has decided to apply himself, his answers are rarely wrong anymore and his accuracy with kunai is nearly perfect now. He hardly misses the center by now."

"Excellent," the Hokage answered. "What about his friends?"

Iruka hesitated. "He does not get along very well with his classmates," the man admitted. "Many of them did not take his sudden improvement too well, and Naruto himself does not seem to be too interested in playing with them. He is more focused on learning."

Hiruzen furrowed his brows. "I see." He sighed. "I suppose it is to be expected. Naruto has experienced something very traumatizing. This incident has forced him to mature way too early." He sounded displeased.

The teacher nodded slightly. "Well, there is someone he seems to be getting along with."

"Oh? Who might this be?"

"Chino Noriko, Hokage-sama," Iruka reported.

The Third furrowed his brows, unfamiliar with that name. "Civilian-born?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama. As far as I know, she is being raised by her grandfather."

"Interesting." The Hokage shifted slightly in his seat and almost immediately a light pulse of chakra confirmed his unspoken order. He could feel one of his ANBU leave, undoubtedly relaying his order to investigate Naruto's newest friend.

Nagato watched silently as the young Uchiha happily greeted his oldest brother at the academy gates, throwing his arms around the older boy's waist and burying his tiny head into his brother's stomach.

Itachi's hand settled on top of the child's head. Gentle and protective.

Pain allowed himself a moment to appreciate the sentimental value of the scene. Uchiha Itachi was a kind child, the complete opposite of the coldly efficient man he had become. The love he felt for his brother was apparent. Nagato could read it in the way his face softened at the child's approach. In the slight relaxation of Itachi's shoulders when he saw him safe and sound.

There was no doubt that Uchiha Itachi loved his little brother, and judging by the sparkle in the child's eyes, Itachi was adored in return.

Nagato silently wondered how their relationship could have become so twisted to the point that they loathed each other. Twisted enough for Sasuke to long for Itachi's death. For Itachi to revel in degrading his brother; humiliating him over and over again.

Akatsuki's leader turned away, allowing them to enjoy their bonds while they still could.

He still had someone else to observe.

The house the young girl was living in was rather rundown but still seemed to be well-cared for. The stainless windows contrasted with the peeled off paint, and the small stone path leading to the door looked like it had been recently freed from moss.

It was obvious that someone was trying very hard to keep it inhabitable.

A slight movement behind one of the windows drew Nagato's attention, and he silently moved closer until he could look inside.

The first he saw was the worn armchair in the center of the room. An old man was sitting on it. Nagato could only see his profile, but even so he could not help but notice the unusual paleness of the man's face; sharp cheekbones highlighting his sunken cheek.

It was obvious that he was ill.

The door to the adjoining room opened and Nagato could see Chino Noriko walk in, a steaming bowl in her hands.

Nagato took a sharp breath as he saw the paper-flower adorning the girl's black hair.

It reminded him painfully of Konan.

His chest ached.

Quietly she approached the old man and his head moved into her direction.

Nagato applied chakra to his ears to enhance his hearing.

"Nori-chan," the man's voice was rough and brittle, like a parchment that had been left in the sun way too long.

"Grandfather," Noriko replied quietly, gentleness in her voice. "I have brought your dinner. Can you eat?"

The man attempted to move into a straighter position, and Noriko immediately put the bowl onto the side table and went to support him.

"I am alright, child," the man rasped. "Now, what wonderful thing did you magic up for me?"

Noriko giggled, dragged a chair next to the armchair and picked up the bowl again. "It's just a soup, grandfather."

She picked up a spoon and carefully filled it before bringing it to the man's mouth. "I made sure it's not too hot. You should have no problems eating it."

The man answered by opening the mouth and accepting the food. He swallowed and let out an exaggerated sound of contentment. "Delicious."

Noriko smiled softly at him, and they spend a few minutes in silence as she fed him.

"How is the academy going?" the man finally asked when she set the empty bowl down.

The girl lowered her head. "It's fine. You don't have to worry."

"But I do," her grandfather replied quietly. "You are a gentle child, Nori-chan. This life is not for you. I am worried that it will destroy you."

"It's the only way we can stay here," she answered quietly.

Her grandfather sighed and brought his bony hand up to pat her head. "I won't try to dissuade you anymore. But I am still worried."

The girl nodded slightly, careful not to dislodge his hand.

Nagato suddenly felt like he was witnessing something very intimate and left as quietly as he had come, musing over the scene he had just witnessed.

The next day was a Saturday, which meant Nagato was free to pursue his plans without any interference of the academic kind.

He was now ready to implement the second stage of his "prodigious child" strategy. Two months had been sufficient time to introduce people gradually to to his more intelligent side, and now it was time to step things up.

He had carefully deliberated on what to show that would be suitably impressive, but not overly suspicious, and had finally reached a decision.

Making sure that the ANBU still tailing him had a good view of his actions, Nagato came to a stop in front of the Naka river and stared at the surface.

Several minutes passed in which he just stood there, seemingly lost in thought, before he put his foot on the surface, clear hesitation in his action.

It sunk in slightly and Nagato hastily pulled it back.

He repeated this process a couple of times with different amounts of chakra, experimenting with the output, until his foot finally remained on the surface.

Nagato slowly pushed more of his weight onto it until he was standing on one leg and slowly started to take wobbly steps, his movements getting surer and more stable with each try.

Not long after that he was running over the surface like he had done it for his entire life.

He could feel his hidden guard's chakra spiking slightly in surprised disbelief and decided to take his display even further.

Nagato lowered himself down until he was comfortably sitting on the river, idly playing with the surrounding water, scooping it up and frowning when it seeped through his fingers.

For a few moments Nagato stared at his empty hands before he rose, left the stream, and walked back to the tree he had left his bag at. He rummaged through it until he found an empty ramen cup.

Settling back on top of the stream, he filled the cup to the brim and attempted to will the water back into the brook.

Half an hour passed in which the child simply stared at the cup before the surface suddenly shuddered slightly and tiny drops started to raise, slowly trickling over the cup's edge back to where it came from.

Nagato smiled. That was enough for today. Time to return before his poor ANBU guard got a heart-attack.

"Naruto!"

The boy stopped and turned to look at the two men who had just rounded the corner.

"Hello, jiji," Nagato greeted the Third cordially and smiled lightly at him. "Are you escaping your paperwork?"

"I am merely taking a break to get some fresh air," the Hokage replied, sounding amused.

Nagato hummed and nodded sagely. "So, you are ditching it."

The Hokage looked slightly indignant, and the man next to him chuckled at his disgruntled expression. "He got you there, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen threw him an unimpressed look. "Don't pretend you are not doing the same, Shikaku."

"Well, I never denied it," the man answered easily.

Nagato eyed him critically. "Are you Shikamaru's father, sir?"

Shikaku turned his attention towards the child, taking in the calm yet relaxed stance and noticing the intelligence shining brightly behind the dull blue eyes. "I am. You are in the same class, correct?"

Nagato nodded. "Yes, but I have not talked much with him yet. He spends most of his time sleeping."

Shikaku snorted. "Of course he does."

"Like father, like son," the Hokage commented with obvious mirth.

Shikaku ignored that comment with practiced ease and eyed Nagato with something akin to mild interest. "Say, Naruto-kun, have you ever played shogi?"

The Third snorted.

Uzumaki Naruto had an interesting way of playing, Shikaku mused as he eyed the board. The child was obviously a planner. One who did not mind playing the long game to reach his goals.

Each move was precisely calculated, and Shikaku found himself quickly fascinated with the gentle ruthlessness the boy displayed. Naruto was not afraid to sacrifice his pieces if he had to, but he still tried his best not to endanger them needlessly.

He raised his eyebrows when he recognized the strategy behind the child's next move. "Have you read The Art of War?"

"Yes," Nagato answered, turning his piece around to promote the rook.

"And you understood it?" the man asked casually.

Nagato threw a glance at the man, not fooled by his tone. "I did."

"Interesting."

"It is," Nagato agreed calmly, the double meaning clear to both of them.

Shikaku grinned wryly, strangely reminded of the times he had played with Minato. The man always had the peculiar ability to make you feel both intelligent and stupid at the same time.

"You have indeed changed. I have not heard anyone complain about your pranks in months."

For a moment something dark flitted through the child's emotionless eyes. "I don't have time to play around." Nagato answered firmly. "I won't be weak again."

"I see," Shikaku replied, feeling sad on the boy's behalf. He had heard the details of the attack. According to the reports of the first-response teams, the scene had been gruesome.

It was no wonder the child had changed so drastically. Nobody would be the same after this kind of experience.

"Perhaps you would like to join us for dinner sometime?" he found himself offering.

Nagato paused. "I don't want to intrude."

"You wouldn't," Shikaku assured him, his hand hovering over the bishop. "And my son could do with having someone his age around when he isn't sleeping."

The child smiled slightly. "Okay, then. Thanks for the invitation."

"Of course," Shikaku replied, pleased with his answer.

The match continued on and slowly a very interested crowd formed around the two players who were so immersed in their match that they had completely forgotten to eat the ice cream they had ordered.

Nara Shikaku was an excellent player. It seemed the intelligence of the Nara clan could really not be underestimated.

The jonin commander would either make an excellent ally or a very dangerous opponent. He was a man Nagato could respect. A man he would not have minded befriending. But it was not to be.

Nagato was a child now. A child the age of the man's son.

It was a pity.

He moved his rook.

It was time to end this game.

The spectators applauded when Shikaku finally won the match. It had been a close one.

"Congratulations," Nagato congratulated him with a pleasant smile.

Shikaku met the boy's calm gaze over the board with a knowing glint in his eyes. "Thank you." There was a dry undercurrent in his voice. "You played very well. Perhaps we could repeat it, soon?"

Nagato paused. He had enjoyed the game. It was nice to feel actually challenged again.

He inclined his head. "But I have one condition."

"Oh? And what would it be?" Shikaku asked with a raised brow.

"The next time I want to play Go."

"I believe this can be arranged."

It seems like Shikaku just found a new shogi partner. *xD*

I wanted Nagato to have some "adult interaction" for once and this is the closest I could go.

And yes, there is a reason "OC Noriko" is getting so much screen time. A very important one You just don't know it yet - or perhaps you do? ;-)

Jutten Thanks! =) Yes, it will be very interesting to explore. I am really looking forward to that.

TysonG Thank you :D And to answer your question: The betrayal has already happened and Zetsu and Obito are already messing around :-/

deathdragon2.0 Well, they'd either get along like a house on fire and bond over their common goal or they'd try to kill each other because they have different ideas on how to reach said goal. *xD*