Recovery

That's a one-hell mission. Even after a month, Hina is still in recovery. Naruto and Sasuke gained consciousness. After the mission lot was going on, especially in the intel department. 

Third Hokage," This year Chunin Exam is gonna be a lot of trouble" 

Jiraya," According to my intel both Village of Sound and Snow Crystal Village will be on the move" 

Third Hokage," We need to gather as much intel as possible on the movement of both these villages."

Jiraya," I will keep an eye on them. But they will be participating in the Chunin Exam for sure" 

Third Hokage," I will leave the intel to you. I will focus on security during the upcoming chunin Exam"

Jiraya," Sure"

Third Hokage," What about the Naruto boy's incident ?" 

Jiraya," Let him be for now. I will think about it" 

Third Hokage," Maybe you should train him"

Jiraya," Not now. There is still time for it. " 

Third Hokage," Your wish. Hope he didn't go berserk in the Chunin Exam" 

Jiraya," He won't " 

With that Jiraya left.

On an open training Ground.....

Kakashi," Sasuke. it's good that you can activate Sharingan now but if you use it without a plan you are going to lose your chakra pretty soon." 

Sasauke," I will" 

Kakashi," And Naruto your mastery of Shadow Clone Jutsu is good but What's the use of Jutsu if you can't think properly in battle? Try to understand what's going on and what kind of opponent you are facing. Never forget the stupidity you did during your fight with Haku. You got trapped in Demonic Mirror Jutsu on your own because of your adrenaline rush instead of thinking straight. Now redo the drill again. This drill will not be over until I am satisfied." 

Since the Day they recovered, Kakashi trained them like hell every day and became more straightforward without mercy towards them. He knows the opponents are whole different level but for them to survive this is necessary. It's been a month. Hina is still in treatment. That was their biggest motivation. Naruto and Sasuke never complained about Kakashi's training since they knew how weak they were. Being weak is more painful compared to the drill they are going through. 

While viewing Training Ground...

Shikamaru," They are at it again." while viewing Naruto's and Sasuke's training. 

Ino," Yeah. They went through a lot in the previous mission" 

Sakura," I heard Hina is still in treatment" 

Sadness was all over their face. When they heard what happened during their mission for the first time they were shocked. They couldn't believe their own eyes. They all know Hina is the strongest one in their year batch. They had never imagined something like this could happen.

Asuma," Team 10 keep your heads high. This is what the real shinobi world is. If you are weak you will be killed, your friends will be killed. The worst thing that can happen in our life is watching our friend die in front of us and we can't nothing do about it. You guys better train hard, especially Shikamaru. I don't want to hear you how troublesome it is. "

Shikamaru," Yeah. Even I don't want to stop training. " said with determination. Asuma is very happy seeing the normally dull Shikamaru very active ever he saw Hina in treatment.

Asuma," Team 10 how long you guys are going to stand here and watch? we have over own drill. "

Team 10 followed behind Asuma for their training.

Team 10 went to the training ground where they usually train.

Asuma," Shikamaru, You got a pretty good brain. The thing you need to work on is your special bloodline ability. Shadow Imitation technique" 

Shikamaru," Weren't I already in full control of it, Sensei?" asked with confusion.

Asuma," Full control doesn't mean full potential. Let me demonstrate." 

Asuma moved in front of Shikamaru. The distance between the both of them is small.

Asuma," Use your Shadow Imitation jutsu to control me" 

Shikamaru extended his shadow towards Asuma's shadow and took control of Asuma's body. Since Asuma was very strong compared to young Shikamaru he immediately released himself from Shikamaru's control. Shikamaru bit annoyed that he couldn't even hold for 10 seconds.

Asuma," Don't worry. You are improving. " 

Now Asuma moved a bit further away from Shikamaru.

Asuma," Now try to control me with your Shadow Imitation Jutsu" 

Again Shikamaru tried to extend his shadow towards Asuma to control him. Since the distance was greater this time his shadow couldn't reach Asuma's shadow. There is a small extra distance he needs to cover to control Asuma. Shikamaru tried to move to shorten the distance.

Asuma," No Shikamaru. What are you doing? Is simply moving towards me going to solve the problem? In fighting with your enemy stronger than you, will he simply let you walk towards him so that you can use your Shadow imitation Jutsu? Think of a real-life battle situation. You are not allowed to move without a plan" 

Shikamaru got confused for a second. You can't walk but have to reach your enemy.

Asuma," you see, Shikamaru. Our distance is not that far/big. " 

Shikamaru started to think again.

'How can I shorten the distance between myself and Sensei? Since I can't walk plainly, the answer is in somewhere else. Maybe some external things can help me?'

Shikamaru started to look at the things he had, to get an idea. he has Kunai knives, paper bombs, Shiurikens, flash bombs, and some metal threads with him.

'Maybe use paper bombs to distract the enemy while he gets closer? Let's try it.'

Shikamaru attached the paper bomb with the kunai. He threw the kunai towards Asuma with a plan to close the distance between them. 

[ Note: Asuma said that Shikamaru cannot move without a plan. Now Shikamaru has a plan. So he is allowed to move] 

Asuma moved sideways to escape the explosion and to maintain the distance. Whenever Shikamaru tried to move forward, Asuma used the same tactics ( Paper Bombs ) to maintain the distance. Shikamaru clearly didn't expect his own tactics to be used against him. It is like playing Chess and Shogi.

Asuma," Now, the look on your face is quite amusing to watch." Asuma laughed.

Shikamaru still tried the same tactics in different ways by using fake paper bombs mixing along with real ones. Still, Asuma managed to win.

Asuma," You are close to the answer Shikamaru. But Paper bombs are not the answer I am looking for. The answer I am looking for is Flash Bombs."

Shikamaru looked confused.

Asuma," Let's give a detailed explanation. So listen carefully"

Asuma," In the Shadow Imitation technique, the user manipulates their shadow across a surface to merge it with a target or targets' shadow. The user can stretch their shadow however they wish in order to accomplish this goal. But there is a limitation. Shadow's surface area. If a target can move far enough away from the Shadow Imitation's user, they are theoretically safe from it. Like how I did in the second half. But there are ways around this: the user's shadow can freely move within other shadows, extending its range. That's where these flash bombs will come. Flash Bombs are used for diversions, creating a blinding light when they detonate. The core of the shadow is light. Without light, there is no shadow. These Flash bombs lights can be used to extend your own or your opponent's shadow. This can help in the medium distance between you and your enemy. The extra distance will be nullified with the shadow extended."

Shikamaru was shocked. he never expected this. Yes, Light is the core of shadow. Very basic theory. How can I forget this?

[ AUTHOR: Sometimes we all forget how intelligent Asuma is. That guy has some crazy IQ to teach Shikamaru. ] 

Asuma," Now let's do our drill again. this time with the flash bombs."

Shikamaru," Ok"

With that Asuma and Shikamaru were training again and again.

[Author here. I like to have feedback on this chapter. Do you guys understand the theory behind the Shikamaru's training? Basically, he will use flash bomb lights to increase the shadow and will catch the opponent's shadows in case of medium distance. Opponents will not be expecting this. ]