Naruto: I am Nara Shikamaru

After sending Hinata back to the Hyuga residence, Shikamaru returned to where Sai was waiting.

"Shikamaru! You're back!"

Sai greeted him immediately.

Seeing Sai, dressed beautifully in elegant women's clothes and looking as radiant as ever, almost as if greeting a husband returning home, Shikamaru felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. He stepped forward and embraced Sai's delicate form. "Sai, you're amazing."

"Hm! It's what I'm supposed to do." Sai replied with a slight tremble in her body and a genuine smile.

After carrying Sai into the room, Shikamaru couldn't resist some playful moments together. When he told Sai about Hinata, Sai didn't bat an eye. In the ninja world, it was normal for a strong man to have multiple wives.

Asuma then arrived and took Shikamaru's team to the Hokage's office again.

"Hokage-sama! We're here to receive our mission!"

Asuma said to the Third Hokage. Although Asuma was his son, he still addressed him formally as Hokage.

"Oh! Shikamaru's exam is in a month. No need for some extra training or tutoring?"

The Third Hokage teased.

"No need! Shikamaru's strength is obvious now. I want to take them on some missions outside the village to gain experience." Asuma replied.

"Hmm, that's true." the Third Hokage nodded. "Alright then, let me see what missions are available… C-rank? Hmm, looks like none left!"

Muttering to himself, the Third Hokage scanned the mission list.

"Well then! I'll assign you a B-rank mission! Escort an important figure from the Land of Bears safely to the Land of Fire. There may be ninja attacks on the way, so it's rated B-rank."

The Third Hokage announced to Asuma's team.

"A B-rank mission?"

Asuma frowned slightly and looked at the Hokage with some surprise. Such missions were usually for Chunin or above. Though he was a Jonin, Asuma was mostly supervising.

"Asuma-sensei! Take it, please!"

Ino's face lit up with excitement at the mention of a B-rank mission, finally, they'd get to leave the village!

"Yeah, yeah!"

Choji nodded vigorously too, tired of boring low-level missions.

"Alright then! We accept the mission!"

Finally, Shikamaru, with his usual indifferent expression, and Asuma turned back to the Third Hokage.

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On the way to the Land of Bears, the carriage sped forward. Shikamaru lay lazily on top, while Ino, Choji, and Asuma sat up front. Inside the carriage was their escort target: Kumotai, the heir to the Land of Bears' daimyo.

Sigh 

When will my chakra reach Jonin level? If I had Naruto's chakra reserves, I could split myself into two hundred clones to practice taijutsu, two hundred practicing hand seals, and two hundred practicing shadow jutsu...

Shikamaru gazed at the blue sky, lost in thought.

Though he knew Shadow Clone Jutsu was the biggest cheat in the ninja world, he still lamented his limited chakra. Thinking of cheats, Shikamaru suddenly had an idea, besides Shadow Clones, there was another cheat in the Land of Bears. He smirked.

"Jonin-sama, do you think we've reached the Land of Bears' border yet?" Kumotai suddenly poked his head out of the carriage and asked Asuma.

Before Asuma could answer, a kunai whizzed from the trees toward Kumotai! Asuma immediately sensed danger but didn't move.

Clang!

A figure jumped up to shield Kumotai, blocking the kunai with their own. It was the only female in their team, in fact, it was Ino!

Asuma gave a barely perceptible nod and said calmly to the startled Kumotai, "Prince Kuma, please return to the carriage. Leave the rest to us."

Kumotai nodded and quickly retreated inside.

"Since you've made your move, come out and face us! No need to hide!"

Asuma shouted toward the direction of the kunai.

"Haha! Impressive, Konoha ninja, so skilled for such a young age!"

A hearty laugh came from four figures stepping out. The speaker was a middle-aged man, accompanied by three younger men.

"Star Ninja?"

Shikamaru's mind flickered at the sight of the forehead protectors.

"Konoha ninja! Our target is the person inside the carriage. Don't make this difficult for us, or else…"

The middle-aged Star Ninja spoke calmly.

"Oh? Since you know we're from Konoha, haven't you heard that Konoha never abandons a mission?"

Asuma replied confidently.

"Is that so? Then it seems we'll have to deal with you first if we want to complete our mission!"

The middle-aged man smiled, his gaze growing cold. Turning to his three companions, he commanded, "Attack!"

"Yes!"

All four formed hand seals simultaneously.

"Mysterious Peacock Method!"

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! 

Four streams of purple chakra burst from their bodies, shooting toward the carriage where Shikamaru and the others were.

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A/N: If you're enjoying the story, you can read up to Chapter 45 (28+ chapters ahead of the current one) on my Patreon: patreon.com/vynthor