Chapter - 54: Shikamaru vs Temari

Whoa would you look at that! A 3 lucky 53's! 53 chapters / 53 follows / 53 favourites. It's a 53-53-53 lotto back for that chapter. Did you enjoy that battle with Borei's son? Not to worry, there will be more chapters and other screen times with the other characters. As long as the story progresses the characters of the story will have their action and not just the main characters of the fanfic. I would also put up some flashbacks just in case if there were any events related to the pasts of each other characters including Borei (Percy). Once again thank you guys for reading my Revenant fanfic so much, you guys are credit to team! Now let's get another chapter rolling!

The Kages who watched the fight of Nagato and Kenji were a bit impressive and a sort of extreme.

Hiruzen was a bit stunned and impressed at the young man's power altogether when he witnessed Nagato's display of power. ' Unbelievable! He was extremely accurate and as well as intelligent in the field of battle. Not only that, he had very large amounts of chakra to wield a lot of variety of jutsus including all 5 chakra natures and possessing a kekkei genkai. That power and his actions really do possess a value to the team. His eyes really are capable to do anything and he is a humble individual to see others just as the same in the field of battle.'

The Kazekage was shocked internally at seeing the boy's power demonstrated to the rest of the crowd ' Impossible! How could that brat perform all 5 chakra natures! Not even anyone is fast enough to master all of it! Then there's those clones of his, he was using them as bait and they revived even when they were targeted and he drains chakra as well as pulling the target towards him and was also capable of summoning. What is that boy?' The Kazekage thought in his mind.

"That battle was real intense, I never thought it would come to another kill like this." Hiruzen said.

"Indeed, that young boy performed really well, I gotta say he was using his abilities and multiple advantages around his surroundings." The Kazekage replied.

Hiruzen nodded " Nagato had hidden abilities and is also a powerful individual with vast chakra, he was using himself as bait to lure the enemy and confused them. When he grabs them he was a powerful fighter with everything he has."

" I see, It's been awhile as well to see killings occurred in the exams. Since the boy is a Mist shinobi and the adversary was a Cloud, I've heard they are still in conflict with their nations, still it's quite odd to see them here in all of places." The Kazekage noted as he looks towards the Hokage.

The Hokage put his head down on his Kage hat and replied " Indeed, My thoughts of Nagato is that he is a capable fighter and a strategist as well. Despite of the conflict he had with that cloud shinobi he was throwing everything he had to stop him and he isn't a pushover either. I really do recommend him as a powerful fighter."

"My thoughts exactly, he's also capable of handling himself and he would also soon face your jinchuuriki and/or my son later on when the matches progress further." The Kazekage said.

"I know, despite that there are deaths in the matches, it's part of the rules in combat before one of the competitors refuse to surrender or if the referee decides to do anything before it ended under those circumstances." Hiruzen said.

The Kazekage nodded " Indeed it is."

(In the Stands)

The Jonin instructors Kurenai and Asuma were quite shocked and a little impressed at the display of Nagato's fight.

" Unbelievable. That boy really did a whole lot of variety of jutsus and the way he wasn't even breaking a sweat." Kurenai noted.

"Yeah, he controls all 5 elements and a kekkei genkai plus he was flawless. He made himself as bait and in that situation he was confusing the enemy and literally was 5 steps ahead of the enemy. Still it's quite impressive and little bit gruesome for killing the opponent." Asuma said in detail.

The other genins who watched Nagato from the stands were a bit awed and in some other sayings/thoughts were shocked or lucky that they didn't want to face him because of the power he displayed.

Kiba was a little shocked and stunned at the power Nagato displayed ' Awww man! He really did a number on that cloud guy. If I was facing him, I could have stood no chance against him. Still I'm glad he won cause he is no pushover and also he's Naruto's cousin.' Kiba thought.

Hinata was also impressed at Naruto's cousin so she smiled in delight as well.

Sakura, Ino and as well Choji, who joined the seats were also awed at the display of Nagato's power. The former was in shocked and a little down in the dumps while the two latter were impressed despite the gruesome death yet in their minds as well they felt lucky in that case not to face Nagato in that situation and were nevertheless happy to know Nagato as Naruto's cousin and understood Nagato as a good person.

The chunin guards Izumo and Kotetsu were also surprise and impressed despite the death of the cloud ninja.

"I gotta say, that boy's an all out fighter." Izumo said.

"Yeah, he literally was using many tactics and show a tremendous amount of skill." Kotetsu noted

(With the Yugure and the Mizukage)

The Yugure alongside Nagato's family cheered and clapped at the display of Nagato's victory once again.

Mei was impressed at the skill demonstrated at the fight of her own nephew's battle. "He really done it. He was able to use one of my own kekkei genkai Vapour Style. Well done Nephew. You never ceased to amaze me." Mei felt proud at Nagato's fight.

Zabuza was also impressed with kid ' You'll be able to succeed all of us one day kid.' Zabuza thought as he smile underneath his mask.

Yagura and Utakata were clapping as well.

The Yugure members Sasori, Karin, Doshaburi, Nijimi, Ryota, Jujihoka , Hotaru ,Isaribi , Pakura , Guren, Gozu as well as Yukimaru cheered, clapped and praised their leader's son effort and skill.

The parents of Nagato were more than impressed, they were happy of their son.

"He did it." Miyuki smiled.

"He was able to call up on his Six Paths power and his Kekkei Genkai to overwhelm his enemy. Well done son." Borei smiled proudly of his pride and joy.

(With the Competitors)

The Yugure competitors who watched the whole battle of their comrade in arms were impressed in of his skill and power. They even thought and decide to fight him out and never back down even though his comrade is powerful. They watch their comrade goes back to the competitors box and rejoin them.

'Nagato, you are powerful but I will fight you with everything I've got. I will show my skill to you to prove we are the same and equal. Your power keeps on making me go forward.' Ohyo thought as he clapped for his comrade.

'You are one of my precious people, Nagato. I would choose to fight you soon as well, to prove that not only for the skill but also to fight and show how important they are for others.' Haku thought.

'Even though your powerful and strong, you kept us all going forward. It's not about power that makes you strong, it's about how you inspire others and change their lives to make them who they are. I will fight you with everything I've got and show how capable I am!' Seiichi thought of his resolve.

Nagato rejoins with his comrades as they cheered and praised him. Like his father Borei, the young generation of the Yugure members look up to their comrades in a show of goodwill and Nagato was also an inspiration like his father. That is why the goal of Yugure is to bring peace to the world and make everyone equal. It's not for one but for all in everything.

Naruto even approached to his cousin and praise him as well " You did well Nagato! You did it!" Naruto cheers.

Nagato smiles and nodded for the praise "Thank you." Nagato then extended his hand to Naruto.

Naruto grabs Nagato's hand and shook it meaning of good faith.

The other competitors were a little mix of excitement, worry, doubt and even impressed altogether.

The Scourge team were literally watching their main young leader and even acknowledges him as a powerful fighter with respect.

The Leaf team consisted Shikamaru and Shino were also impressed and a little mixture of fear of Nagato's power displayed.

Shikamaru felt he wanted to forfeit because now his chances of winning against his opponents were now troublesome in his case. He was either gonna face Naruto or Nagato in the finals if their names were chosen. So ultimately he would rather choose to forfeit instead and would rather not face them.

Shino on the other hand was a bit reluctant. Although he would also choose to forfeit in the match he would rather face him with everything he got. He was not a pushover also, he was also a strategist but that doesn't mean you give up when face to face with the other opponent like that. His clan, The Aburame Clan rarely backs down in the midst of fights, So He chooses to fight on instead and would rather forfeit if the odds are not in his favour.

The Sand Team however were a mixture of emotions in their odds when they watched Nagato's display of power.

Temari was wide-eyed and shocked ' This guy ain't no ordinary ninja. He can use all 5 chakra natures and he could do a lot of variety of attacks. That look he got, he was not a pushover to be taken lightly.' Temari thought as she observed Nagato. She narrowed her eyes a little if ever she's gonna face him. 'Dammit, I may be par on my skill of ninjutsu but this guy ain't a weakling.'

Kankuro was also in similar thoughts ' Damn, I can't believe it. This guy literally killed his opponents as well. Those matches he was face off with the cloud ninjas he killed.' Kankuro was a bit scared that if this guy might face of Gaara as well which was also part of the plan.

Gaara was happy and riled up watching Nagato's matches during the preliminaries and the finals altogether. Gaara sensed that Nagato was no ordinary shinobi in fact he realize that Nagato was extraordinary. 'Mother, These opponents will satisfy your hunger! Once I kill Sasuke off, I'll kill Naruto Uzumaki and Nagato Sorachi!' Gaara thought with his sick grin of bloodlust as these opponents will satisfy him further.

(In the Arena Grounds)

Genma notice that the competitors Gaara vs Sasuke were next. However , what he saw was that only Gaara was on the stands and Sasuke did not arrived yet. So the Hokage told Raido his bodyguard, then Genma to announce the next match instead to wait for Sasuke's arrival.

The crowd was disappointed for the next match delayed because the Leaf Ninjas place their bets on Gaara and Sasuke's matches and were eager to watch it.

Genma then announced to the next competitors "Alright, the match of Gaara and Sasuke has been delayed so we will move on to the next competitors. Shino vs Kankuro!"

(In the Competitor Stands)

The Sand Team as well as the Leaf Team were a bit shock that they were up next to battle. They were feeling nervous.

Shino felt ready but Kankuro does not want to participate as he had other plans.

"Proctor I withdraw!" Kankuro protested.

Shikamaru and Naruto were baffled. "Huh?!"

'What?' Genma narrowed his eyes as he wonders.

"I withdraw, so please? Advance to the next match." Kankuro said.

The crowd started protesting at that outburst.

Genma understood the decision and said "Winner by forfeit: Shino Aburame."

The Yugure competitors feel like something is up and going on so they converse to themselves 6 feet away.

"Something's not right." Haku whispered.

"Yeah, That puppet user is just giving up, admitting defeat." Seiichi whispered as well.

"I saw his look that he is up to something, maybe that's why he's not going for his next match." Ohyo noted.

"In that case, stay on your guard guys. If he is up to something be aware of the surroundings. Watch out for anything unusual or suspicious. Those sand trio are siblings, so be on your guard for anything." Nagato ordered.

His competitive Yugure teammates nodded in understanding.

"Yeah." Ohyo replied.

"Okay." Seiichi replied.

"Sure." Haku replied.

(At the same time with the rest of Yugure)

" How unfortunate. I thought I'd be seeing Kankuro's puppets. What a waste of no good art." Sasori stated.

Ryota saw a bit concern for his friend. " Do you know of his puppets Sasori?" as he turn to face him.

"I do, he was gonna use the Black Ant, Crow and Salamander puppets. I think that's why he is trying to save up for something." Sasori replied.

" Maybe. No wonder he didn't do anything and he forfeited. It looks like it's Temari's match next since Kankuro forfeited." Pakura noted.

"No doubt about it." Sasori acknowledges.

"She's got great Wind Jutsu and excels long rang range combat." Hotaru noted.

"Yeah, Still something is up." Utakata said.

Borei narrows his eyes in suspicion as he watches the Sand Siblings as well. Indeed, Something is up. Temari, Gaara and Kankuro are siblings and offspring of the Fourth Kazekage. A Wind Style user, a Puppet user and the jinchuuriki of the one tail. What else is going on? There must be a connection here.' Borei wondered.

(In the Competitors stands and the Arena Grounds )

Temari scoffed at disgust at her own brother's withdrawal and decided to take things in her own hands.

She grabs her giant fan behind and creates a large gust of wind and then uses the fan as a glider down to the arena below.

Genma notices her going down in the match and eager to take thins in her hands. "And you are?" Genma asks.

"It's my turn right?" Temari asks eagerly.

"You sure are an eager one aren't you?" Genma remarked her " Fine let's start the next match then."

Genma shifted his head towards the other competitor in the stands "Hey! You up there! Come down!" he ordered.

Shikamaru groaned "Aww come on. What are you doing moving these matches up like this? Why is it have to be my stupid match that gets pushed up. Oh man this is such a drag." Shimakaru complained.

" Shikamaru Nara. Come on!" Genma announced his name.

"Great, it's gonna be like this maybe I would withdraw too. " Shikamaru complains as he rethinks his options.

"Alright!" Naruto appears on Shikamaru's left side and pushes him forward down and at the same time protesting. "Shikamaru you can do it!" Naruto cheered for his friend. Shikamaru fell down landing on the ground like a ton of bricks with his body facing up.

Shikamaru was glaring at Naruto for that action ' Naruto, you jerk.' he thought.

The crowd was starting to throw garbage or rubbish in the stands at Shikamaru. The waste food,containers, leftovers and even empty bottles of drinks land on his body as the crowd jeers at him.

'They don't care about this match. I'm just a warmup for the main event. All they care about is watching Sasuke. Listen to them, The jerks!' Shikamaru thought as he was still lied down with garbage all over him and as he also watches the crowd jeers him.

'Well if that's the match it's gonna be, I will not give them a match at all. Why not myself out for them.' Shikamaru thought even more as he face above Temari on his back lying down overhead.

Temari settles her giant fan in the ground and taunts Shikamaru " What is it? Your planning on giving up too?" She said with confidence and a bit of eagerness.

'And to top it off, my opponent's a girl. Again.' Shikamaru thought dejectedly.

The crowd was getting more riled up and they keep jeering even more.

Temari frowned at her opponent "Well, If you won't move I will!" Temari then didn't waste anymore time and runs straight ahead to Shikamaru.

"Hey! I did not start the match yet!" Genma said but Temari didn't listen as she ignores the warning and keep on going.

"I forgot. This girl's a spunky one." Shikamaru said to himself as he watches her going for him. "I hate spunky." Shikamaru then helds kunai in his hand preparing.

As he watches above was still lying down, Temari then leaps up and strikes him with her giant fan above to smash him. As the impact hit, it created a cloud of dust in the area.

Naruto was shocked at watching that happened. Shino was calm. Temari's siblings were impassive.

As the dust clears, Temari saw that Shikamaru was gone. "Huh?"

Shikamaru dodge in time in the wall to escape the strike Temari would inflict.

"It really doesn't make a whole lot of difference to me whether I become a chunin or not. But I guess maybe I shouldn't let myself get beaten by a female." Shikamaru replied.

Temari grits her teeth.

"So… Let's do it!" Shikamaru challenges.

Temari narrows her eyes at him and then she pulls up her giant fan once more and then with her strength she unleashed a torrent of wave wind towards Shikamaru.

As the dust clears, Temari saw that there were two kunais place in the ground on the spot Shikamaru left them. She realize Shikamaru was gone.

Temari then turned around on her right side facing the shady area and notice Shikamaru's movements . She smirks 'He's quicker when it comes to running away.' she thought.

Shikamaru was hiding behind the tree and try to maintain his situation. 'I know it isn't classy for a guy to clobber a girl, but whoever said I was 'classy' ?' Shikamaru thought as he watches Temari in the center.

Temari sees Shikamaru's position as she retracts her giant fan ' Nice try. But I know what he gains.' Temari thought as she remembered watching Shikamaru's fight in the preliminaries and his Shadow possession powers.

Temari held her fan in a guard defense position and thought ' He's trying to lure me in the shadow of that tree. I'm not falling for that.'

Shikamaru was thinking awarely of his surroundings and also talking in his thoughts to himself ' So why do i have to fight girls? That's so lame.'

(in the stands)

Ino was cheering for her teammate to give the best. Her other teammate Choji arrived and took a seat on her left side. Choji asks her that where is Sasuke's match?

Sakura also heard the question and slumped down at that. Ino tried to cheer her up and reassures her. Ino then told Choji that it was a little postponed because Sasuke's a little late.

(In the Arena Grounds)

Shikamaru was still in the shades of the trees and bushes. What he saw earlier was the holes created by Naruto and Neji's fight and Nagato's fight as well. He was thinking 3 steps ahead and let Temari focus on Shikamaru's obvious tactics first.

Shikamaru also heard Naruto's support " Get your butt in gear! Let's go Shikamaru!"

Shikamaru stood up and smiled ' A guy's gotta do, what a guy's gotta do.' he thought.

Temari saw Shikamaru smirking and narrows her eyes at him ' What's he thinking behind that stupid grin? Is he mocking me?' she thought.

"Ninja Art: Wind Scythe Jutsu!" Temari unleashed a huge gust of wind towards Shikamaru's postion.

It disoriented Shikamaru's standing and the wind literally cut off the branches and leaves of the Trees.

As the dust clears Shikamaru attacks with his shadow possession. Temari saw it as it was going straight for her. She backs up behind away from the shadows grip. Then it stopped. The shadow could not reach any further.

Temari smirk and she drew a line in the ground indicating the limit.

(With the Yugure)

Borei and Miyuki were watching in a little interest in this fight.

"Wow, I may know that the Nara clan were lazy but they are not opponents to be underestimated. The girl as well is a powerful wind style user of the hidden sand. " Miyuki noted as she also red details about the Clans of the Hidden Leaf as well as one of the powerful users of wind style chakra from the land of wind. " To think two strategists at that age would go against each other. Strategist versus Strategist."

"Yeah, I think the boy Shikamaru had a plan that he is a step ahead while the wind user Temari is still focus on. I think I see what's gonna happen." Borei noted

(With the Competitor stands)

Nagato was also watching Shikamaru's fight and even the entire surroundings and he was getting on at Shikamaru's strategy as well.

' I see, These are a battle of two strategists a boy from the Nara Clan which uses the powers of shadow possession and a girl of the hidden sand which is a wind style user. ' Nagato thought.

Nagato then widened his eyes ' I see now! Shikamaru was planning to use his shadow possession abilities and lure Temari into a trap of the holes made earlier. Shikamaru really was looking out for the surroundings however Temari was focus on Shikamaru's power and capabilities, yet she was so eager and very cautious about Shikamaru's power she failed to recognize the other surrounding created earlier.' Nagato smiled ' Very Clever, but let's see if it happens.'

(Back on the Arena grounds)

"So you have some fighting spirit after all." Temari taunted as her fanf drew fully.

Temari launch another Wind Scythe Jutsu attack at Shikamaru which disorients him. " No use in hiding!" she shouted as she saw Shikamaru moves from one place.

After the attack subsides, Temari watches where is the opponent? " You can't hide forever. Come out coward!" she shouted as she launch yet another wind attack creating a dust cloud.

But with the cloud of dust, Temari saw a kunai going straight for her. She dodges it with a stepback. Then another kunai to the right and she blocked it with her giant fan. Another Shadow Possession attack was going straight for her.

Temari smirked thinking that the shadow was the same as last time 'Hmph, forget it. As long as I stay on this side of the line, he can't touch me.' she thought.

Then her luck ran out as her eyes widened "What the! It's still coming!" She yelled.

The Shadow possession line was now reaching over the crossed mark going straight for Temari. Then it stopped reaching the limit!

Temari panted as she was relieved it did not get to her and she gritted her teeth looking at Shikamaru.

"You're pretty quick on your toes." Shikamaru remarked.

"Now I see what you've been up to. You weren't just hiding, you were killing time, waiting for the sun to get lower and shadow of that wall to get lower." Temari noted.

Shikamaru grinned.

"The longer the shadows, the farther the range is, right!" she said.

Temari then was relieved as she thought up another plan of the height of the sun and the wall. However her thoughts were interrupted.

"Temari! Over your head!" Kankuro shouted.

Temari gasped and looked up 'What is that?' she thought.

Then below of the shadow limit a new shadow from above was forming and a new line was extending.

Temari noticed it and knew what it means " Oh no!" she leapt back away from the shadow possession.

Above the sky was a kunai wrapped with the hitai ite and Shikamaru's jacket like a parachute.

The parachute wrapped kunai was going down fast and Shikamaru used this advantage to keep the pressure on Temari as she was dodging away from the shadows.

"I've got you now!" Shikamaru yelled as he was using the shadows to chase and grab her.

Temari was dodging as quick as her feet could carry her 'he made a parachute out of his jacket and created an extra shadow. Clever move. Now I would not only have to worry about the shadows of the ground, I have to keep an eye of this thing above my head and extends his range indefinitely! Hmph! guess I've underestimating this slacker clown! His shadow possession jutsus a lot more dangerous than i thought! ' she thought as she gritted her teeth.

The Shadow Possession jutsu line ran into it's limit once more as the parachute was already in the ground and it stopped.

Temari was on the holes safe from the shadow jutsus as the Shadow possession retracts back.

Temari opens her giant fan once more and then she plants it on the ground like a shield wall thinking up for another strategy.

'The longer this match takes, the longer the shadows, the farther his range. Time to finish this!' she thought.

She decided to create a diversion using a clone jutsu to distract Shikamaru on one side as the real one would finish him off.

'Yeah! That will work!' Temari then formed hand signs when she saw the shadows retreated back.

'Clone Juts-" Temari stopped when she noticed something is wrong "Ughhh! What!"

The rest of the audience also notices what's going on even her siblings, Shikamaru's senseis and friends as well as Nagato and his parents.

'My…. My body! It's frozen!' Temari thought in shocked.

"It took awhile and my shadow possession finally work." Shikamaru said as he retracts his arms and got hold of Temari's shadow.

'NO! Impossible, how could he caught me with his shadow? It couldn't reach this far. ' Temari panicked.

Shikamaru smirked "Look behind you, I'll let you."

Temari looked behind her and saw the hole with the shadow possession line grappled her own shadow.

'Out of the hole how?!' Temari panicked.

"Don't you recognize that hole, it's where Naruto popped out of the ground when he knocked Neji out of the loop. The hole where he went through goes into the ground, the two are connected. " Shikamaru said.

Temari gritted her teeth in frustration and looked at Shikamaru " Now I see. I never thought of the shadows underground." she admitted.

Shikamaru frowned on her "That was your mistake."

(With the Yugure)

"Impressive, the Nara boy really was using his awareness by keeping the opponent focusing the obvious." Miyuki said.

"Indeed. Shikamaru was using bait to lure her and at the same time get Temari to focus Shikamaru on the obvious."Borei said. " Shikamaru was thinking a few steps ahead earlier."

( With Nagato)

'That was good, Shikamaru really did distract her and make her unaware of the other direction.' Nagato smiled ' Good job Shikamaru.'

(with the Arena grounds)

Shikamaru and Temari got close together in the center as Temari was controlled by the shadow movements of Shikamaru's shadow possession jutsu. They both raise their hands together as it was a link.

Shikamaru then stated " I forfeit!"

The crowd was in shocked including Shikamaru's friends and senseis. Nagato and his parents were surprised instead.

Shikamaru said that he wasted all the chakra in his fight when he grappled Temari.

Genma then announced "The winner is Temari!"

(With the Yugure)

Miyuki sighed " I see, he may be a strong individual but it doesn't mean you have to be aware of the limits."

Borei nodded " Indeed. Sometimes in a case like that if the enemy is very powerful and you are your limit you have to take the necessary action instead. Withdraw and fight the enemy on another day."

(With the Competitor stands)

Nagato was impressed at Shikamaru's fight. He also understood Shikamaru's strength and will. ' You did well, Shikamaru. Despite you decided to forfeit, at least you know your own strength and capabilities. Knowing yourself is to understand inside you better and in this case when you decided the fight is over you would end it as quickly as possible.'

There you go guys here is chapter 54 see you on the next chapter!