Chapter 210: Shikamaru's Exclusive Skill [Lower]
"As long as I don't get caught in your shadow bind, I'll be fine!"
Temari recalled the information Baki had given her about the Nara clan before entering the arena. A smile crept across her face. The shadow-based secret techniques of the Nara clan were indeed troublesome to deal with. Once controlled, it was extremely difficult to break free. However, there were also clear weaknesses to their shadow techniques.
To control an enemy using shadow techniques required physical contact between both parties' shadows. But Shikamaru was only a Genin; no matter how strong he was, his abilities couldn't possibly be that advanced. The range his shadow could extend was likely very limited. If she carefully kept her distance and attacked with Wind Release techniques, then she would definitely win this battle.
Temari began thinking through her next move, eyes locked on the shadow spreading across the ground.
As Temari was about to retreat to the edge of the arena, Shikamaru's shadow finally stopped advancing, appearing as if it had reached its limit. Seeing this, Temari's heart immediately lifted with joy.
"So, you've already reached the limit of your technique? Then it's my turn to counterattack now."
A smile surfaced on Temari's face as she slightly opened her Three-Pointed Fan. Wind Release chakra erupted from the fan. [Wind Release: Sickle Weasel Technique]!
The power of Wind Release lay in its cutting ability, and the storm formed by the [Sickle Weasel Technique] possessed immense slicing force—enough to slice even rocks in half.
[Hidden Techniques: Hands of the Shadow Demon]!
Calmly, Shikamaru reacted without panic. From the shadow beneath his feet, several sharp claws suddenly shot out, waving and blocking the Sickle Weasel attack.
"Damn those shadows! If that's how it is, I'll suppress you first, preventing you from using your jutsu, and then attack!"
Temari shot an annoyed glare at the pitch-black shadow hands and swung her Three-Pointed Fan fiercely. Wind Release chakra appeared around Shikamaru's body, binding him like a net. [Wind Release: Net Snaring Technique]!
"So you want to first restrain my movements with Wind Release and then finish me off with [Sickle Weasel Technique]? That's too bad," Shikamaru immediately saw through Temari's plan, his expression turned slightly regretful—he didn't want to end the fight too soon and draw unnecessary attention, but he definitely didn't want to get beaten up either. So he could do nothing but silently apologize to Temari in his heart.
"Great, you're already restrained. Then now comes, [Wind Release: Sickle Weasel]!"
Seeing Shikamaru already immobilized by the Net Snaring Technique, a gleam of determination flashed in Temari's eyes. She raised her Three-Pointed Fan, ready to launch the Sickle Weasel Technique. However, at that very moment, she suddenly felt her body stiffen, completely unable to move.
"What's going on? My body…"
Temari struggled desperately, trying to move, but no matter what she did, she couldn't budge even the slightest bit.
"There's no need to struggle so hard. Your shadow has already fallen under my control. Unless I release the jutsu, you won't be able to move on your own!"
Since Temari couldn't move, the Net Snaring Technique naturally unraveled. Seeing the shocked and uncertain expression on her face, Shikamaru lazily explained.
"What exactly happened?" Temari asked, her pupils shrinking as Shikamaru's words sank in. A heavy weight settled in her chest.
"When? Why, right when you first attacked me up close, swinging your fan at my head!"
Shikamaru explained calmly, "From that moment on, you'd already fallen into my trap."
"Then why didn't you finish the fight immediately?" Temari asked in a low voice, astonished. Had she really lost already right after attacking? She'd actually thought she was gonna win.
"That would've been way too showy for my taste. I don't like drawing attention to myself." Shrugging his shoulders, Shikamaru added, "Besides, moving around once in a while feels pretty good."
"How exactly did you control me?" Temari asked curiously. "Your shadow never even touched me."
"Secret family techniques—none for outsiders!"
Shikamaru replied dismissively. Actually, it was entirely due to his special abilities. As both a strategist and lazybones, he wasn't used to charging forward recklessly—he preferred secretly sabotaging others from behind, so it made sense his evolved power worked the same way.
The Nara clan's hidden techniques enabled them to manipulate shadows. But unlike theirs, Shikamaru could freely control not just his own shadow but also others' by connecting through their shadows.
In short, once someone touched Shikamaru's shadow, their own shadow would fall under his control. And by manipulating their shadow, Shikamaru could control their body. The key point was that unlike the Nara clan's shadows—which extended using chakra—his shadows could separate part of themselves and merge with opponents' shadows to control them.
Since during practice matches Shikamaru always liked sending out miniature shadow clones no bigger than fingernails to sneak inside others' shadows, Sakura had described this skill as something specifically made for ambushing enemies—an ability truly impossible to guard against—like a ghost in the dark.
"I didn't expect to lose so quickly!" Temari's expression turned bitter. So she had actually already lost right from the beginning. How ironic that she'd felt proud of her strength.
"You didn't lose,"
Shikamaru suddenly blurted out, then raised his hand toward Hayate Gekko and said matter-of-factly, "Examiner, I forfeit."
"You're sure about that?" Hayate Gekko looked confused—clearly, Shikamaru had won this match.
"Absolutely certain!" Shikamaru wiggled his fingers slightly. A tiny shadow clone—a centimeter or so in height—scurried out from within Temari's shadow. "Competitions are way too boring. I'd rather be sleeping anyway!"
"Fine… If you insist, then let me announce Sand Village's Temari as today's winner."
Seeing Shikamaru's indifferent expression, Hayate Gekko couldn't say anything else and simply declared the official match result.
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