Naruto: Sasuke Reborn – No Clan Massacre! No Injustice！

"Um, can I surrender?"

The whole arena fell completely silent.

"Shikamaru, what nonsense are you talking about? You're the team leader! How can you start thinking about surrendering as soon as you step onto the arena? If you don't want to be the leader, just hand it over to me!"

Naruto was the first to react. In a fit of anger, he shouted from the stands.

What a joke! He wanted to be the leader but never had the chance. The guy who didn't want it ended up as the leader.

"Shut up, Naruto! He already said he wouldn't be a team leader of a team with a Genin. Can't you listen carefully?"

Kiba rubbed his ears, which were throbbing from Naruto's ear - piercing shout.

"Uuuu~"

"Shikamaru, are you not feeling well, or do you just think this is too much trouble and want to surrender? I don't really care. As long as you go explain it to Lady Tsunade yourself, I can declare you the loser right away."

Kakashi knew Shikamaru's personality well. He must have found this kind of battle incredibly boring. But regardless of his wishes, this was the reality.

At the mention of having to explain it to Lady Tsunade, Shikamaru, who was about to give up, shuddered. What a joke! Given Lady Tsunade's temper, she'd probably punch him right out of Konoha Village.

Forget it, he thought.

"I... I'll participate..."

These words seemed to have drained all his energy. After saying them, he visibly slumped.

"Hahaha, you're such an interesting guy. I wonder if you really want to surrender or if you're just trying to make me let my guard down."

Just as Suigetsu was laughing heartily, his expression suddenly changed. He scrutinized Shikamaru from head to toe with a sharp look in his eyes, as if he wanted to drill holes through him.

Another troublesome guy!

Shikamaru couldn't help but mutter to himself. And this Suigetsu Hōzuki looked like a tough opponent.

............

"Sasuke, what's wrong? You look so serious. Is that Shikamaru guy really that good?"

"Goodness comes in many forms. Shikamaru Nara is very smart. Moreover, Shikamaru's moves are a perfect counter to Suigetsu!"

"This is too much of a coincidence. In the previous match and the one before that, they always managed to pick opponents whose Ninjutsu countered ours."

"There's nothing we can do. Since we're the ones who go first, and Konoha has so many Ninjas. They just need to pick opponents based on our characteristics, and they'll have a significant advantage."

"Are we just going to let this go without a fight?"

"As Ninjas, the path of cultivation is never smooth. It's normal to encounter opponents whose skills counter ours. Figuring out how to get out of this predicament is what a real Ninja should think about. Instead of worrying about whether we can tolerate it, we should see this as a trial to hone our strength."

"Sasuke..."

"Besides, Kidōmaru just succeeded, right? I'm sure Suigetsu can do it too!"

............

"Let the bout begin!"

As soon as Kakashi announced the start of the match, Shikamaru instinctively stepped back, putting enough distance between himself and Suigetsu.

This enclosed arena was a perfect place for him.

"Ninjutsu: Shadow Imitation Technique!"

Shikamaru's shadow began to tremble eerily and crept straight towards Suigetsu. Suigetsu didn't try to dodge at first because the arena was so small that no matter where he went, he seemed to be within the range of the Shadow Imitation Technique.

Rather than fidgeting around like a monkey, he decided to turn his body into a liquid state. Just as he was about to change his form, the shadow of the Shadow Imitation Technique firmly merged with his own shadow.

Suigetsu froze. He couldn't even move a single finger. He looked at Shikamaru and realized he was making the same movements as him.

"The Shadow Imitation Technique worked!"

Shikamaru let out a sly chuckle. As he made various moves, Suigetsu's body followed suit. Suigetsu knew this technique didn't have much offensive power, so he asked calmly with a mocking tone,

"So this is all you've got? Making me repeat your moves won't help you win the match, will it?"

"Oh~ I never said this was my only move. Since you're so eager, let me show you another one - Ninjutsu: Shadow Head - Binding Neck Technique!"

A strange black shadow rose from the ground, extending two long tentacles that gently wrapped around Suigetsu's neck and slowly tightened.

To Shikamaru's surprise, the expected sight of Suigetsu choking didn't happen. The shadow sank into Suigetsu like it was going into water, and Shikamaru felt no resistance at all.

Shikamaru raised his eyebrows and looked at Suigetsu, who seemed completely unfazed.

He knew this match wouldn't be a piece of cake. Ah~ Why did Lady Tsunade always give him such troublesome missions?

He was really annoyed.

As the power of Shikamaru's Shadow - Binding Technique gradually weakened, Suigetsu could start to move his fingers slightly.

"So, this technique has a time limit. If you don't subdue me quickly, I'll start fighting back."

Shikamaru was speechless. He wasn't an offensive fighter. Usually, in a team battle, all he needed was someone to use Lightning Release on the target, and the problem would be solved.

That's why he hated single - combat in an open arena the most.

As time passed, Shikamaru's shadow suddenly retracted, and he slumped, dropping his hands that had been making hand seals for a long time.

Suigetsu burst out laughing and took out a great sword from somewhere. Although Sasuke was supposed to give him the Cleaver Sword, Zabuza had been missing for years.

Helplessly, he had to use this temporary sword. Shikamaru was shocked that Suigetsu's slender arms could wield such a heavy - looking great sword.

The blade whistled through the air. A single swing of this powerful sword could probably cut a person in half at the waist.

Suigetsu was an excellent swordsman, and Shikamaru could only scramble to defend himself.

However, even so, the next moment he was kicked away by Suigetsu's high - leaping kick. Right after that, Suigetsu executed Swing of the Great Sword. Being unable to dodge in time, Shikamaru first employed Shadow Imitation Technique to make Suigetsu pause for a moment. Finally, he quickly held a kunai in front of himself.

Suigetsu's motion of swinging the great sword paused for a moment and then he executed Swing of the Great Sword again.

Shikamaru, holding the kunai in his hand, was slashed towards the wall behind. After a heavy thud, he ceased struggling.

"The winner is Shikamaru Nara."

As Kakashi declared the result, the bout came to an end. Suigetsu glanced at Shikamaru, shouldered the great sword, and turned to leave. There was an eerie expression on his face that was hard to understand...

..............

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