Would you be able to expand on why it doesnt properly catch your attention anymore?
Is it the pacing? the update rate? 'not enough happening'?

With lately, do you mean after the culmination of the Land of Hot Springs?
Because if so then I would say that is understandable, even if I don't agree with you.

What do you think romance or naruto would bring to the story?

I think that your post could be so much better if you just expanded on your statements.

My point is these unforgiving heartless monsters at dlp doesn't care about what you want just because you want it, neither if you like the story anymore.
They want you to explain why you think the story have become less interesting, and why romance would add to Shikako's character or the story.

Also sadly I am black and boil water, but that is neither here nor there.


Regarding a relationship with Sasuke; I think it is just what Shikako needs at the moment. It would give her an explanation for being absent without having to mention a

Spoiler

clandestine porcelain career.


Ofc I am joking here. It would be too out of character for Shikako, hormones or not.
And Shikako wouldn't put Sasuke in such a position for something as benign as getting into anbu.

 

I am sorry that I didn´t expand, English isn´t my first language and sometimes I find difficult to express all my thoughts.
Regarding your questions:
I don´t know how to explain it, maybe is the arc. I just feel like something is missing. I guess, is because I like this kind of fanfic because I can compare the story with canon, and see how this OC is changing this characters, and in this arc, you don´t have that, I still appreciate this original stories, I guess, this why I also want Naruto to come back. I mean, is a different Naruto, a little bit more mature, and it will mean we are following canon again.
About the relationship between Shikako and for the matter, whatever character the author would want, I am just a sucker for love stories, although I really think Sasuke is kinda attracted to Shikako. I just want to see Shikamaru act a little bit overprotective about her sister in a relationship, but I am not hoping for anything like that to happen in the time being, maybe in the future, I can only hope.

 

I have read, or at least tried reading this story many times.

Sometimes I manage to read 30+ chapters, sometimes only one or two.

But I might as well read the manga or watch the anime, that's how big of a canon rehash this story is.

The existence of the MC should have a bigger impact on the universe than it has here.

I'm hesitant to rate this story at all, to be honest.

It's just not exactly my cup of tea, I always disliked canon rehash stories, especially whenever I see the mentality of the main character wanting "to preserve the timeline". Because you just know that it's simply an excuse for the author to be lazy and unoriginal.

After all, why bother taking the story in new and unexpected places when you can simply write a novelization of canon and say you're "preserving the timeline".

It's a common problem in time travel fanfiction and self-insert fanfiction.

It is written well, the author clearly knows how to piece together sentences, but again, what's the point if it's the same as canon?

So, no rating from me.

 

The changes snowball as the story moves on. The more recent arcs have diverged completely.

 

Pretty much what Koalas said. The story does well to pretty much ground the plot of Naruto and builds everything to make sense. and at the start, yeah, her ability to influence things without revealing herself and fucking things over is very limited but as time goes by and her abilities grow, she is able to make more and more changes.

The story deviates pretty hard in some places, many changes subtle, some not so.

Spoiler

Haku and Zabuza play roles later on, Karin dies during the chunin exam IIRC and well Sasuke is firmly on Konoha's side at this point and didn't defect

So yeah. It is the canon world but way better explored and with depth. The story earns its changes.

 

So, Ive reread parts of DOS since the second Chunin Exam in Grass and here are a few thoughts:

Spoiler

- I know there is not going to be any romance since there have been several WoGs of that nature but if there were, Shikako x Ino would be the most likely one. They just seem to have the best dynamic and Shikako kinda acknowledges Ino as an equal in emotional/maturity manners, more so really than any of her peers.

Especially after the kidnapping thing, one of the things that really hurt her was the fact that Ino was nearly as shaken as she was and couldn't provide the support that Shikako required at that point. Interesting thing.


-Did Shikako lose her lightsaber during the Jashin debacle? Because she pulls it out right before she loses consciousness and is strapped to the altar. And after everything that has happened, I don't think either she or the deer picked it up again.

And I think she used it in the Chunin Exam in Grass. So, does that mean Cloud will find the sword there and know Shikako was involved in some way? Not necessarily deduce what happened but enough to blame things on her/Konoha.

Or did I miss Shikako resealing her sword on both reads?

- All but convinced that Shikako will become the heir/leader of the clan at some point. Like 80% sure, if only because she repeatedly mentions how little she wants the job but getting groomed for it anyway by her father. And how she describes leadership positions in the village tend to go to the people who leave things better than they find them, who initiate positive change. Shikamaru would be a good leader and no doubt bring some improvement but that just doesn't compare to anything that Shikako would bring as the leader to the clan. And while some people might be concerned about the brashness of hers right now, I can't help but think that ultimately later on, they would want her to be the leader. Not only will she almost certainly be the stronger shinobi, she will also have interacted with the clan way more. Have better relationships outside the clan as well, connections and all that and a list of achievements that practically dwarf Shikamaru's.

I know she doesn't want it and I don't see a GoT style vying for the throne story taking place. More that Shikamaru and the clan people are going to slap the title on her and she'll be forced to accept.

 

Spoiler

I think you just missed it - Chapter 130

For the second point, I agree it could go that way. However it would probably feel a little strange as I don't think that individual clan leadership is decided the same way as Jonin. It just feels odd to strip someone of heirship (when they can and probably would do a fantastic job) for someone who might do better.

I do think Shikako is in line for a leadership position though. I just think it's Tsunade who's setting her up for one. Her whole intelligence posting was so vague and seemed to mainly be to get her up to speed on how the Hokage Tower was run. It was a different posting from what anyone else had to do and served the purpose of getting everyone to recognise her. I think Tsunade is grooming her to potentially be next Hokage (or at least help Naruto out for when he becomes one)

 

Spoiler

Status of motherfucker=mauled.

More plot progression than story in this chapter, but things are happening.

 

Spoiler

The old school Ino-Shika-Cho know how to get shit done.

 

Update.

 

Yeah, loving the ANBU stuff. I've got to say, DoS keeps delivering good stuff again and it's great.

 

I feel the opposite. Not a fan of the ANBU stuff. We never get the impression in Canon that ANBU as a whole is actually all that competent, so it always struck me as weird when a fic decided to take them so seriously. But this chapter had a hint of humor and self parody so I actually liked it.

 

At this point, I think this could serve as a tag line for the fic as a whole, lol.

 

Update.

Spoiler

I really enjoyed the banter between Sasuke and Shikako in this one, especially this line:

I'm looking forward to the Mist exam.

 

That feeling of genuine friendship and comeradery that exists between the rookies in general and within the teams in particular is one of the stories greatest strengths.

 

New chapter is out.

Interesting to see the Mist described as not a hellhole but rather a place that seems to have pulled itself together for the most part, or at least is able to present a veneer of that while still having some problems that will need time and effort to iron out. Also like how they're putting a different focus on their ninja eduction.

Also looking forward to the Shikako and Zabuza fight.