[Naruto: Superpower Roulette] Chapter 347 (Patreon)

"Get lost, and don't think of pretending to be the Kazekage's relative again!"

The Sand ninja escorted Temari to the village gate and promptly threw her out. Although they confirmed she wasn't responsible for the lightning train's destruction, her claims of being related to Gaara and Kankuro annoyed them enough to expel her.

"Leave the Sand Village, and stay out of the Land of Wind!"

The Sand ninja returned to their posts, leaving Temari behind.

"Hmph! You idiots. When I restore your memories, you'll all owe me apologies—especially Gaara," Temari muttered bitterly.

Despite knowing her brothers weren't at fault for this bizarre situation, she felt disheartened. Her primary goal now was to return to Konoha. Surely, Shikamaru and Shikadai wouldn't have forgotten her too?

But even that thought brought a tinge of worry. Not waiting for the train repairs, Temari quickly set off toward Konoha.

At the same time, Konoha received a report from the Tenseigan clone's merchant caravan.

When the dispatched Konoha ninjas arrived at the scene, they were stunned. A 70-meter-long white whale lay dead on land—an inconceivable sight.

Even more bizarre, the whale appeared to have been gutted, its horn and several organs missing.

The ninjas questioned the merchant caravan, but the guards claimed ignorance, having only heard strange noises. Left with no leads, the Konoha team decided to bring the whale's massive corpse back for study.

Given the ongoing missions involving mysterious creatures, some suspected a connection to the disasters they were investigating. Without proof, however, they could only escalate the matter.

After the Konoha team departed with the whale, the merchant caravan resumed its journey. Meanwhile, the Tenseigan clone discreetly handed all recovered treasures to the Kamui clone, who delivered them to Yoichi's true body in Konoha.

The clones worked seamlessly: the Tenseigan clone expanded Yoichi's influence in the ninja world, gathering intelligence, while the Kamui clone caused chaos as a shadowy antagonist. Yoichi's true body, in contrast, remained in Konoha, focused on unlocking the greatest treasures of the ninja world.

"Finally back."

Having traveled tirelessly, Temari reached Konoha at dusk. Her former status no longer valid, she resorted to sneaking in.

Exhausted from the journey and her injuries, she hurried to the Nara household, hoping Shikamaru and Shikadai would recognize her.

"Please, don't let them forget me too," she prayed silently, leaning against a wall to catch her breath.

"Hey, Auntie, what are you doing here?"

Temari turned sharply at the familiar voice. Seeing Shikadai, her heart leapt with relief, but her joy quickly turned to concern as she realized how he addressed her.

Rushing to him, she grabbed his shoulders. "Shikadai! It's me, your mother. Don't you recognize me?"

"Ouch, let go!" Shikadai winced, pulling away.

Eyeing her suspiciously, he asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

"It's me! Your mother!" Temari exclaimed desperately.

Shikadai's expression darkened. "Don't joke about the dead. My mother passed away years ago. Leave, or I'll call the guard."

"Shikadai!"

As her son stormed past her, Temari's voice broke with anger and heartbreak. She stomped the ground in frustration, barely holding back tears.

Even her own child didn't remember her. That realization stung more than she could bear.

Still, she refused to give up. Shikamaru was the most intelligent person she knew—if anyone could help, it was him.

"This has to be the work of that foggy white whale," Temari thought bitterly, making her way to the Hokage's office.

But without her official status, the heightened security at Konoha prevented her from entering. Forced to wait outside, she requested someone deliver a message to Shikamaru.

After half an hour, Shikamaru emerged, his expression curious yet guarded.

"You were looking for me?" he asked politely.

"Listen to me. You might not believe this, but I'm your wife, Temari. Our son is Shikadai. Eight years ago, you proposed to me and said..."

Temari recounted their history, carefully explaining her encounter with the foggy white whale and its apparent ability to erase memories.

Before Shikamaru could respond, Ino exited the Hokage's office and greeted him.

"Still here, Shikamaru? Who's this?"

"I'm Temari," she began, but Shikamaru cut her off.

"Just someone I don't know. I was about to leave," he said, dismissively.

Turning back to Temari, his tone grew cold. "Don't joke about Shikadai's mother. I won't forgive you for it."

"Shikamaru, I'm telling the truth! That white whale erased everyone's memories of me. You've mentioned an onmyoji in Konoha who predicted these disasters. He could help us!"

Shikamaru froze. Few knew about Yoichi, the mysterious onmyoji assisting Konoha. Temari's knowledge of him—and her detailed recollection of his past—made him pause.

"Come with me," he said finally, leading her back into the Hokage's office.

Naruto looked up as Shikamaru entered. "Back already? Something wrong?"

Pointing to Temari, Shikamaru asked, "Do you recognize her?"

Naruto frowned. "No. Should I?"

Temari left the room as instructed, and Shikamaru relayed her story to Naruto.

Naruto scratched his head. "Weird. Everyone knows your wife passed away years ago. Why would someone make up something like this?"

"She knows about the onmyoji and details of my past only someone close to me would know," Shikamaru replied.

Naruto nodded. "If that white whale really altered memories, it's terrifying. Let's consult Sasuke—his Rinnegan might detect traces of manipulation. Meanwhile, take her to Yoichi. If anyone can make sense of this, it's him."

"Alright," Shikamaru agreed.

As Shikamaru left with Temari, Naruto called for a ninja to gather more information.

"If that whale's power is as strong as she claims, it might have left traces in others' memories. Let's see if her story checks out," Naruto said grimly.

Shikamaru led Temari through Konoha, heading for Yoichi's pharmacy. Though skeptical, he couldn't deny the strange familiarity he felt toward the woman claiming to be his wife.

(End of Chapter)

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