Chapter 9 : An Impressive Nara
"Shadow Possession Technique, Complete," came the sound of one very smug Nara.
But to Asuma's surprise, he wasn't able to see his student at all, looking around and not finding the pineapple head, he tried to send his chakra but before he did that.
He saw his own shadow start to morph and move, his eyes widened as slowly a head emerged from his own extended shadow and this was none other than Shikamaru.
"What," Asuma didn't bother to hide back his true emotions and asked with all his shock and curiosity on display.
"Ho..How did you," Asuma tried forming the words but it was pretty hard after being captured this easily by Shikamaru.
Usually, he would have replaced himself with a clone before contacting that shadow but even now after thinking about where he made the mistake, he couldn't find it when he let his guard down and Shikamaru connect his shadow with him.
And then there is also the fact that Shikamaru just now came out from his own shadow, since when the Nara clan had this kind of technique.
Shikamaru just smiled, The 10 Shadow technique also provided him with the ability to store anything in the shadows and even enter into shadows.
"So do I win," Shikamaru asked.
"Well, kind of. I know that even after stopping me here like this, you have no way to hurt me. We are not close to any of your team mates so there is that. And lastly how much longer can you hold me here anyway," Asuma still acted like he didn't care, this was the advantage of having knowledge about about the Shadow Possession technique works.
"Hmm agree, but I have help," Shikamaru said as someone suddenly appeared beside him.
Asuma's eyes widen, because this someone was none other than Shikamaru himself. "Shadow Clone," Asuma asked.
"Yup,"
A smile spread across Asuma's face, he didn't want to agree but it he really was captured, he could still get out if he put in enough power, he knew that currently Shikamaru's shadow possession was not strong enough, but still that would be unfair to the child.
"Okay, you won," Asuma said as the clone took out a kunai and put it on Asuma's neck.
----
(3 hours later)
Although Shikamaru technically won alone Asuma still asked him to act like he didn't until the exam ended, wanting to see what his other students could do.
Shikamaru had raised the standards now for his team and Asuma knew that not everyone was like him but still, he was disappointed.
After all, Ino didn't do anything, while Choji did try his family Justu but that child refused to hurt him, which dropped his chances of even touching a jonin like him from maybe something to absolute zero.
"Only Shikamaru passed the exam," he told them to the surprised look on their faces. Later he asked Shikamaru to explain how he won.
"Ten Shadow Tennique," Asuma muttered to himself, he was very interested in Shikamaru's strange summon, only to later realize that they were not summoned but spirits made out of his shadow, or at least that was how Shikamaru explained it.
Upon reaching the Hokage's office, Asuma respectfully entered and found the venerable Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, engrossed in paperwork. Asuma cleared his throat to announce his presence, and the Hokage looked up with a nod.
"Hokage-sama, I am pleased to inform you that Team 10 has successfully passed the graduation test. The new Ino-Shika-Cho team consisting of Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi pass the exam, though only one of them is really qualified," Asuma reported a hint of pride in his voice and at the same time disappointed.
The Hokage's eyes sparkled with interest, he would have seen the fight first-hand but just didn't have the time, intrigued by the prospect of new talents emerging in the village. "That's some news, Asuma. Tell me more about their performance."
Asuma began detailing the events of the test, emphasizing the trio's coordination was lacking and Shikamaru's strategic thinking. As he spoke, the Hokage's expression shifted from curiosity to approval. It was evident that Team 10 had not only met the requirements but had exceeded expectations but by one person. The other two were not as appealing.
"And there's something extraordinary about Shikamaru, Hokage-sama," Asuma continued, a smile playing on his lips. "He unveiled a technique during the test that left even me astounded. Shikamaru summoned hundreds of rabbits who could do Genjutsu, but according to Shikamaru himself, they were not summoned beasts, they were his shadow spirit, a technique which he created himself. I too also checked the summon didn't take any blood from him to appear and the hand sign he used was something entirely different than what I have ever seen, and he could also enter into Shadows.
That is how he caught me off guard, he first summoned a white rabbit from his shadow and used the rabbit's genjutsu, which by the way applies to the real world and doesn't influence others' chakra, created hundreds of white rabbits and used that as a camoflough to enter the shadow of the summon.
Later that rabbit bites me when I let my guard down and at that time he entered into my shadow from the rabbit's shadow. From then on he used his clan signature clan technique Shadow possession." Asuma said with excitement, and in his excitement he even forgot to tell that Shikamaru also knew Shadow Clone Jutsu, something that would have clicked the old Hokage's mind about a certain incident regarding a certain scroll a few days ago.
The Third Hokage leaned back in his chair, his aged eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and shock. "The Ten Shadow Technique you say? Impressive. Keep a close eye on Team 10, Asuma, especially on that boy. It seems we have some promising talent among us."
Asuma nodded, grateful for the Hokage's acknowledgement.
Hokage at this time was just wondering about this Ten Shadow Technique, in fact he was more and more interested about this technique, so much so that he make a mental note to asked about it to Shikaku the next time he meet him.
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