Chapter 36 : What's The Plan

"They got it, it's the earth scroll. Now we got both the scroll with us." Ino shouted while showcasing the newly found earth scroll from the team they took down. 

Although they followed Shikamaru's plan, but ultimately they didn't have to. They were just as they thought, weak.

"Give it here," Shikamaru all but snatched the scroll from her hand and after taking out a very similar-looking scroll, something he prepared before hand and handed it over to Ino.

Before Ino could say anything, Shikamaru's shadow extended and Shikamaru quickly put the other scroll in his shadow, arguably the safest place he could keep them.

"It's safe in my shadow," Shikamaru said that the first objective of this mission was completed. Now his team just have to reach the centre tower. 

"Huff, you don't have to be a prick about it you know," Ino huffed.

"Yeah, yeah I am sorry. But now that we possess both heaven and earth scrolls, we need to make our way towards the centre tower." Shikamaru said as he was already planning ahead. 

From this point onwards, he can let his clone lead his team, with his clone and one of his divine wolves, they shouldn't suffer any problem in reaching the centre tower. 

"You are doing that again. Honestly, what are you thinking when you zone out like that," Ino asked, suddenly closing the distance between herself and Shikamaru. 

"Planning, nothing my cute teammates have to worry about," Shikamaru just said and withdrew from her. 

Leaving the blond girl with the flustered look, that comment got her off guard. 

Shikamaru didn't care about the slight blush and for the first time getting one up on her blond teammate. He was more focused on working on a plan of action for himself. 

Already decided to leave a shadow clone with his team, and now he was planning where he should go first. There are three targets in his mind. 

Karin, Kabuto and Team 7. 

Closing his eyes, he senses all of his shadow spirits. The closest to him was Karin followed by Kabuto. It should be a no-brainer what he should choose, but...

He sensed the Location of NUE and it was getting surprisingly close to team 7. He did sense his clone to bring some help but will that be enough? Will help come in time.

'Darn, this is such a drag. Even if I go there personally what can I do anyway? Not like I can stop Orochimaru.

Troublesome,' Shikamaru muttered and finally, he began to compromise. He was going after Karin. While making another clone send it towards Team 7. This way he will not waste much time while also can act if needed. 

'But... three clones at the same time !' Shikamaru questioned himself, his small chakra reserves never held him back so much as it has right now. 

Narrowing his eyes, he thought. It's not like he can't use shadow clone if he has to then even 2 more clones are not an issue. The biggest problem is that after making another clone he won't have enough chakra to go against someone like Kabuto. 

'No, that is not right. I need chakra if I have to take Kabuto down. I am already running low thanks to that one clone and all those spirits. Almost 40% of the chakra is gone. Can't waste more.' Shikamaru came to the conclusion and and finally looked at his own team. 

"Ino, Choji listen carefully." Shikamaru started, attracting the attention of both of his teammates. 

"What is it, Shikamaru," Choji asked, finally taking out his chips as he couldn't take it anymore. 

"I need to go after a certain team. I suspect that there is an criminal in the forest of death and that person is targeting one of our Konoha team," Shikamaru said calmly.

"What !" x2

"Who are you talking about," Ino didn't suspect Shikamaru's words, although now Shikamaru is not as lazy as he once used to be, but that's only when his guy is training. 

Otherwise, his laziness is still peerless throughout the elemental nation. So no, Ino don't believe that Shikamaru will go through the trouble of making a joke like this.

"I can't tell you now, but the situation is dangerous. Not for us as I deliberately took this route, making the distance between the person I suspect and us. I have one of my spirits tracking that person and I believe that Team 7 is in danger." Shikamaru again in a calm tone.

...

"So what are you planning? There is no point telling us this if you didn't have a plan, do you." Ino replied, showing that she knew Shikamaru too well.

"Correct, you see that dangerous person is not the only problem. There are more, obviously, I have sent my spirits to target them from the start.," Shikamaru replied and only now did both Ino and Choji realize why they didn't encounter any difficulty. 

Shikamaru was working behind the scenes all this time. This makes them purse their lips a little. Here they thought that they had gotten stronger just becuase they easily took down an enemy Team. But it turns out that's only becuase Shikamaru evaded all the dangers for them.

Unknowingly to Shikamaru, both Choji and Ino clench their fists. They too wanted to get strong, they didn't want to be a hindrance to their team.

And although Shikamaru couldn't say what they were thinking, seeing their faces he understood. 

He understood because that was the same face he made in front of the mirror when he started to compare himself to the monsters of Team 7, to the powers of Sage Of Six Paths. To those darn aliens. 

He feels weak, so he knows.

"Don't think too much about it, it takes time to grow and get stronger. I know what you both are thinking. Don't.

You are strong, both of you. You just don't know how to use that power yet. I feel the same sometimes and the only thing I tell myself every time is my strength is different from other's strengths.

Clear your mind, I know you are feeling disharten. Its normal but remember that if you are feeling disharten that some how you are not enough. Set your heart ablaze. Give your best and let the rest leave to the world. " Shikamaru said to calm them down.

...

"Geez, since when you become such a good talker," Ino said as Shikamaru perfectly pointe out what they were thinking and at the same time even calmed their uncertain heart.

"I will get stronger. I promise," Choji just said, putting away the chips package which he was yet to open.

Shikamaru smirk.

"Good now listen what I want to say." 

xxx

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