Chapter 20 : Land Of Snow Arc 6

Shikamaru soars through the sky on top of his brand-new spirit, he honestly wanted to complain about not getting this spirit before. This is mighty useful in almost all situations, defence, attack, travel, what more a man can ask for?

It took only 5 minutes to catch up with the aircraft, it was a big balloon anyway. Shikamaru ended his planning of how he could use Nue to take a nap in the sky and started looking for an entrance inside the balloon. 

"There is no open entrance here, maybe I have to burst open my way in, but that means also fighting more than 90 to 100 people and shinobi alike with those blasted suits. No that is not just troublesome but idiotic, no can't do that, not the fronted assault," he muttered to himself and started making a plan. 

After 5 seconds he had a basic plan ready. "Nue, I want you to drop me on top of that balloon," he said.

Shriek..

----

(2 hours later)

Shikamaru waited for the balloon to go down, the biggest problem here was not to get spotted by anyone. He was currently in the heart of the enemy operation.

This was Kazahana Castle in the land of snow. As the aircraft went down, Orion noticed the giant gate opening as Doto himself came out of the aircraft and with him were many shinobi wearing that same chakra armour. But Shikamaru just kept his focus on one person and one alone. 

Yukie was there, well her real name was Koyuki Kazahana but whatever. Names don't matter as much as saving her.

Shikamaru was still hiding on top of the aircraft. Peeking out only slightly to see where Doto is taking the princess.

----

Infiltrating the castle was not hard at all, just identify an important character who will most likely go inside where Doto is or where Yukie (I will call her Yukie to make it simple and understandable) is being kept. 

He entered into the shadow of an important-looking guard and got inside, the guard didn't know anything, in fact, this was the best part about this shadow ability that others couldn't sense it, and he doubted that anyone besides members of Hyuga and Naruto with sage mode can find him.

Upon finally entering the castle, he waited until there were not many people left in a single room. And when only two guards were left, the person in whose shadow he was hiding and another person.

Deciding to act, he extended his shadow as neither of the guards was paying attention to him and then bind them. Rather than using shadow possession which will let the man make noise, he use shadow binding to tie them up and even close their mouths before they attract unwanted attention.

Making quick work of them, he was now ready to go after Doto and find Yukie. So he made one shadow clone and both of them turned into the two-man they just knocked out. The real Shikamaru chose the more important-looking man as he was going after Doto while the shadow clone would find Yukie and bring her to safety.

----

The clone navigated the labyrinthine halls with a purpose. He utilized the cover of darkness, slipping past guards and concealed alcoves with practised ease. The urgency of the mission weighed on his shoulders as he sought to locate the missing princess, Yukie Fujikaze.

His sharp intellect guided him through the maze of the castle, analyzing patterns of patrol and predicting potential obstacles. Shikamaru's clone moved with calculated precision, utilizing every shadow to his advantage, blending seamlessly into the environment.

Shikamaru's clone assessed the situation, mapping out potential escape routes and analyzing the strength of the guards. His strategic mind calculated the odds, considering every possible scenario. It was time to act.

The clone extended tendrils of darkness to ensnare the unsuspecting guards. In a swift and silent motion, they were incapacitated, rendered powerless against Shikamaru's shadow manipulation.

With the path clear, the clone moved into action. His swift movements allowed him to reach Yukie's side unnoticed. With a deft touch, he severed the bindings that held her captive.

Yukie's eyes widened in surprise and relief as she whispered, "Shikamaru?"

The clone, donning a faint smirk, replied in Shikamaru's voice, "Just a shadow but yes, told you I'll help princess and here I am."

Of course, this let to some heated discussion about the possibility of winning again Doto among Yukie and Shikamaru's clone but ultimately Shikamaru convinced the troublesome girl.

Guiding Yukie through the shadows, the clone led her towards safety, leaving the castle's depths behind. The true Shikamaru, somewhere outside the castle walls, continued orchestrating the rescue mission, ensuring that his shadow clone's actions unfolded seamlessly.

----

While his clone was escorting the princess, Shikamaru finally found where Doto was. But before acting he needed a plan, a plan which would work against Doto as most likely the boss is not an idiot and also has one of those chakra armour and if he does then he has to have the best one out of all.

Furrowing his brow, he started to make a plan, currently, he didn't particularly have any powerful attack that could pass through that armour. 

"How did Naruto beat him in the movie ?" Shikamaru asked, well the question actually is pretty understandable, 'Rasengan' is all problem-one solution jutsu but the timeline does not match.

Knowing Rasengan meaning third Hokage is death and Tsunade is in the village, but not long after Tsunade came back, she healed Sasuke and the fight between Naruto and Sasuke happens leading to Sasuke's defecting. But remember that Sasuke was clearly present as the entire team 7 came to the land of snow.

"Doesn't matter, this anime timeline shit is hard to understand, especially in Naruto where what's canon and what's not require a PhD in Narutoverse to figure out.

Right now I need to find a way to take down this guy," Shikamaru started to come up with a plan, taking down Doto if possible without any direct conflict. He is sure that he can take that guy down with his new spirit and grey werewolf but still, if possible he rather not fight.

With that said finally he opened his eyes and acted on his plan. 

In the room inside where Doto and one other shinobi were standing, the same one who kidnapped Yukie, Shikamaru under his disguise enters without asking for permission.

"My lord, there is important news I have to tell you," Shikamaru started acting. 

Although Doto never liked this kind of unruly guard, but seeing the hurry, he asked to explain.

"Konoha Shinobi my lord, they infiltrated the castle and are currently moving towards where Princess is held," he said with much panic on his face and voice.

This finally broke Doto's calm and he bangs his hand on his chair's armrest. "And what are you doing here, incompetent waste," Doto shouted and pointed at the purple-haired man to look after the trouble.

The man nodded and moved but at this time multiple fireballs rushed out of the door and hit Shikamaru but others thought that the guard died.

"Release Koyuki Kazahana now or you will have trouble doing it later, when I am done with you guys," Another Shikamaru clone sprung up and entered with a giant grey wolf and some toads.

xxx

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