Chapter 13: Chess
"After getting over that file a bit, let's see what's next." Naruto explained.
"Yeah…" Izuku said.
"What's the next file about?" Ichigo asked, feeling better after eating something organic.
"It's about two people playing a game of chess." Maka explained.
"Why chess?" Soul asked.
"You never even played it." Sorey said.
"I did… once!" Soul hollered.
"And lost." Maka said.
Soul gritted his teeth out of irritation.
Subjects: Shikamaru Nara x Temari
Date Subject: Chess
Shikamaru and Temari are currently paying another round of chess.
Shikamaru has won three rounds already.
"Damn, you're too good." Temari commented.
Shikamaru started to reset the board to how it should be before the game began.
"Remind me again why I'm playing chess with you?" Temari asked.
"Because it's a way to help us change the team's tactics a bit." Shikamaru replied.
"And~?" Temari asked, being suspicious.
"Plus, it's more fun with someone than doing it alone." Shikamaru replied.
Temari smiled and put the black pieces on her side in order since Shikamaru's pieces are black.
"One more round?" Temari asked.
"You sure?" Shikamaru asked.
"I might just end up beating you – no offense." Shikamaru explained.
"Fourth time's a charm." Temari explained.
"You're on." Shikamaru said.
Shikamaru and Temari began playing their fourth game of chess.
For the next ten minutes, Shikamaru gained a heavy lead on his black pieces advancing towards Temari's board.
Temari tried to cut off his advance with a formation of two black pawns, one knight and one rook.
However, Shikamaru saw right through her strategy and used his white knight piece to jump over Temari's black pawn piece.
Shikamaru then used his queen to move to the left on one empty space near the king.
Temari believed she saw this coming and used her bishop to advance on the queen.
But Shikamaru was two steps ahead and used his rook to block the path.
"Wow. You managed to see my plan coming." Temari commented.
"I'm always two steps ahead." Shikamaru said.
Shikamaru then moved one of his pawns to the right diagonally.
Three minutes later…
"Checkmate!" Shikamaru hollered.
Shikamaru moved his knight on Temari's king and capturing it in time.
Shikamaru won the fourth round of chess.
"And now that makes four." Temari muttered.
"At least you're improving a bit." Shikamaru commented.
Temari lightly blushed.
"W-Whatever." Temari said.
Shikamaru smiled and gathered all the pieces before putting the game away.
"Come on. We should probably meet up with anyone who needs help." Shikamaru explained, getting up from his seat.
"Before that." Temari said.
"Yeah?" Shikamaru asked.
Temari gave Shikamaru a kiss on his right cheek, causing him to blush.
"That's your reward for beating me." Temari said.
Temari then left in a hurry, leaving the Konoha strategist confused before snapping out of his confusion and gave his usual expression.
"Women sure are troublesome." Shikamaru thought.
Naruto and Soul snickered.
"Who would've thought chess could win love as well." Naruto explained.
"Yeah. Better than poetry." Soul said.
Maka overheard the duo and a red tick mark appeared on her forehead.
- Maka… Double Chop! – Maka shouted.
Maka knocked out Naruto and Soul with her book two now.
Ichigo, Sorey and Izuku deadpanned at the sight.
"You two don't even know how to read at all." Ichigo, Sorey and Izuku thought in unison.
Shikamaru and Temari do make a great team! And I gotta say, chess is a relatively good strategy game for those who need to plan strategies. Seven more files to go!