How Kurama Leads Naruto Astray

The Nara clan, known for their brains in the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, naturally have higher thinking abilities and intelligence than the average person. That's why the Second Hokage appointed the Nara clan as military advisors for Konohagakure.

Even though they were politically suppressed later and are now somewhat distanced from Konohagakure's higher-ups, it hasn't changed the excellence of the Nara clan.

And Shikamaru is the best of the Nara clan in Asuma's memory. At just twelve years old, he can think like someone in their twenties or even thirties. His combat skills may not be the best, but his brain certainly is.

If Shikamaru would focus on Konohagakure instead of finding everything troublesome, Asuma believes that Konohagakure could have the best military advisor in the future.

That's the judgment of Sarutobi Asuma, son of the Third Hokage.

Elsewhere, Sakura covered her mouth in disbelief, staring down, "Shikamaru actually... really won?"

Wasn't he the one being suppressed all along? How did it suddenly turn around?

"Shikamaru wasn't being suppressed; he did it on purpose," Chouji said emotionlessly, munching on chips.

"Huh?" Sakura was confused.

"Our team is famous now!" Ino said happily.

Chouji shook his head silently, tossing away the empty chip bag and grabbing a new one. Knowing Shikamaru, Ino might be disappointed this time.

Meanwhile, Naruto's face turned red with excitement, ignoring the pressure from Gaara as he leaned over the railing and shouted, "Shikamaru! I knew you could do it!"

Shino pushed up his glasses, a hint of a smile in his eyes that others couldn't see.

Although he doesn't stand out much, Shino has a good relationship with Naruto and Shikamaru since they're all from the same class.

Kankuro's face turned sour as he gripped the railing tightly, shock written all over his face, "How is it possible? That pineapple-head is so strong?"

From the preliminaries, one could roughly gauge their strength. According to Sunagakure Village's intel, excluding the girls and ninjas from other villages, the weakest was Lee, who only knew Taijutsu, and he almost blew Gaara away. The second weakest was Naruto, who suddenly unleashed his power and took down Hyuga Neji, the strongest according to the intel. And the last, a support ninja from the Nara clan, 

Nara Shikamaru, managed to take control of the entire match.

Thinking of this, Kankuro suddenly remembered Aburame Shino, ranked fourth from the bottom in the intel. He instinctively turned to look at Shino, who also turned to look at him at that moment.

Their eyes met briefly, and Kankuro broke out in a cold sweat, quickly turning his head away.

"Scary, this guy doesn't have any presence," Kankuro realized Shino's extraordinariness. As a ninja, one would have some chakra presence, and those with strong chakra sensing abilities could even identify people by it.

But Shino was different; Kankuro couldn't feel any chakra presence from him, as if he were just an ordinary person.

Kankuro's forehead sweated profusely, "Hey, hey, hey, is this the depth of the first great ninja village? Even those ranked at the bottom have such strength, what about those at the top..."

For some reason, Kankuro thought of that Uchiha Sasuke. Could that guy really defeat Gaara?

No, no, no, that's impossible, Kankuro shook his head frantically. He knew what Gaara was hiding inside him. If Sasuke could really defeat Gaara, it would mean he'd have to overcome the monster inside Gaara. How could that be possible?

Kankuro swallowed hard, trying to comfort himself.

But compared to the complex feelings of the spectators, Shikamaru, the main character, didn't seem to feel much. He still had that dazed look, touching the back of his head, which made Temari do the same dazed action because of the shadow imitation technique.

Of course, compared to Shikamaru's expression of annoyance, she looked like she was about to shoot lasers from her eyes.

Shiranui Genma stepped between the two, first glancing at Temari, then turning to Shikamaru. Unlike his indifferent look at Temari, he was all smiles when looking at Shikamaru.

Four matches, five people from Konohagakure, three from Sunagakure Village, with one match Konohagakure against Konohagakure, and the remaining three were Konohagakure against Sunagakure Ninja. Shiranui Genma was pleased because Konohagakure won both matches against the Sunagakure Ninja.

Although the last Sunagakure Ninja forfeited, this time everyone saw a Konohagakure ninja overpower a Sunagakure Ninja. What? You say it wasn't a direct defeat? 

Since when do ninjas fight head-on?

Everyone knows that ninjas use every trick in the book; they're not samurai who fight head-on. 

Shiranui Genma was very satisfied, raising his right hand to declare Shikamaru the winner.

But just at that moment, or rather as he raised his right hand, Shikamaru also raised his own right hand and spoke before him, "I forfeit this match."

Shiranui Genma's face froze: "..."

Not just Shiranui Genma, everyone who was ready to celebrate Shikamaru's victory was stunned at that moment, looking bewildered at Shikamaru below.

Under everyone's gaze, Shikamaru spread his hands, "I've run out of energy, my chakra is overused, I'm injured, and I probably can't maintain the shadow imitation technique much longer. If this goes on, I'm sure to lose."

As if to prove the truth of his words, the shadow connecting him and Temari suddenly broke, conveniently returning to normal.

Temari: "..."

Clenching her fists, the fire in her eyes grew stronger, "Are you looking down on me?"

Two shadow imitations, hiding behind a tree the whole time without much movement, and you're telling me you're out of energy? Chakra exhausted? Do I look like a fool to you?

Shiranui Genma wanted to ask Shikamaru the same question, but his professional integrity as a referee kept him from voicing it out loud. Instead, he carefully said, "Are you sure you want to forfeit?"

"Of course." Shikamaru, ignoring Temari's fiery temper, waved his hand nonchalantly, "You can announce the outcome of the match now."

Shiranui Genma: "..."

He had never seen such a refreshingly unconventional surrender. Not even a pretense of struggle. Is winning somehow shameful to you?

Shikamaru felt helpless. Winning wasn't shameful, but he didn't want to fight the guys coming up next. Whether it was Naruto, Sasuke, Shino, or that dangerous-looking ninja from Sunagakure, he couldn't beat any of them. There was no point in subjecting himself to that.

Besides, he didn't need to win. As long as he showed he tried his best, his mom wouldn't beat him up for it. And his dad, well, sorry, but dad doesn't have a say at home.

Shiranui Genma was also at a loss, but since Shikamaru had already used his Ninjutsu, what could he do? He sighed and announced, "Konohagakure's Nara Shikamaru forfeits. The winner is Sunagakure Village's Temari."

The crowd erupted.

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