The State of Affairs

Synopsis
Shikamaru and another shinobi handle documents for Kakashi. Kakashi tells them they should take a break sometimes. During a break, Shikamaru looks at the clouds, and the other shinobi asks if he gets bored with a desk job. The other one tells him he sounds like an old man sometimes. At the end of the day, Shikamaru and Kakashi discuss how things have changed during peace times, and how Shikamaru is doing a desk job so he can help Naruto become Hokage in the future. Kakashi invites Shikamaru to eat, but Shikamaru has a game scheduled with Ōnoki. At the game, Shikamaru beats him. Later that night, Shikamaru trains. During the day, Shikamaru performs his duties as Kakashi's aide. Shikamaru arrives late for barbecue with Ino and Chōji, where they discuss what they've been up to. Shikamaru says he has to leave for Shinobi Union business. On a Shinobi Union meeting, Shikamaru is asked about the drop in mission requests, but says it's still being investigated. Later, Temari tries getting more information out of him, but when he evades her questions, she slaps him. Shikamaru informs Kakashi Temari is growing suspicious of him, and that their independent investigation on the Land of Silence could lead to Shinobi Union intervention due to rogue and missing shinobi potentially undertaking illegal missions there. They finally receive word from Sai, who left to infiltrate the Land of Silence. Sai's report gets them worried, and Shikamaru requests two Anbu to accompany him to the Land of Silence. Shikamaru is introduced to Rō and Hinoko, who were selected based on Shikamaru's mention of preferred abilities. Shikamaru visits his father's and Asuma's graves. At Asuma's grave, he is met by Kurenai, Mirai, and her babysitter. Early in the morning, Shikamaru runs into Naruto, who's on his way to Ichiraku for breakfast. Shikamaru meets up with Rō and Hinoko by Konoha's gate, ready to leave for the Land of Silence.