A/N: With the positive responses to Iron Shinobi, it will shortly be added to the list of active fics I have going. However, it will be a while. I want at least 3 to 5 complete chapters before I start posting it. Also, as I stated in my profile, I have a post-Naruto 437 project I am working on. I hope you will all enjoy it, even you non-Naru/Hina fans out there.

But enough about OTHER works. The next update after this will MOST DEFINITELY be Ultimate Experiment: Weapon-X. As such, I have decided to give you all yet ANOTHER preview of the coming chapter of the Chuunin Selection Exams Preliminary Round. Now... After a match like the one I let you all preview before... I had to show you one that was either just as good or better. So looking back at them, I had to make a choice. A very hard one indeed.

So which match to show?

The Uchiha match? No, the outcome was too predictable, even if the fight was good. However, I personally don't think the fight was as epic as Temari and Haku's fight.

The Haruno match? Now Sakura haters/fanboys back off. The fight isn't finished yet- it's the only thing currently holding back this chapter actually... But when it finally does come to fruition, it will be well worth the wait.

The Hyuuga Match? I don't even have to write most of it since it's eerily similar to canon.

The Tenten match? It was one I heavily considered, and I think it's brilliant, but I decided not to.

The Gaara Match? Wasn't even on the table. We know who wins and who dies automatically. So that leaves us with...

Naruto's match.

Nope. Nadda. Nuh-uh! It was actually my first choice as, IMHO, it is an epic fight. However... I've decided I'll make you squirm a bit longer for that one.

So where does that leave us?

Nara Shikamaru.

This, Chouji and Sakura's matches were all rather difficult to write (the last one I'm STILL writing) and while I believe Sakura's will be epic and Chouji's passable, Shikamaru's match is a favorite of mine as it has quite a bit of side interaction between characters.

So do enjoy, this little piece of the story...

Round XX

Nara Shikamaru

vs

Kinuta Dosu

Shikamaru sighed, "This is going to be troublesome..."

Before he could go further, he was stopped by his female teammate, "Shika-kun... Are... Are you sure...? I mean, after Hinata..."

"As troublesome as it is to do this, my Kaa-san would only be more so if I just gave up now," replied Shikamaru, "I think I've come up with something."

"If you're sure..." replied Ino in an almost uncharacteristic show of concern. While she rarely let it show, she truly did care for both of her teammates greatly and it was Uchiha Sasuke's rampage in the Forest of Death, combined with his fight with The Wolverine, that made her realize how much she needed and relied on them. She wasn't sure what she'd do if she lost either of them.

"Relax, Ino," said Chouji reassuringly, "There is no way Shikamaru will lose if he sets his mind to it."

Ino sighed, "I guess you're right, but I can't help but worry..."

Dosu waited patiently for his opponent to make his way to the arena, his one eye piercing Shikamaru with its' intense, penetrating gaze. "Are you ready for another humiliating defeat? I have studied your jutsu, I know its' weakness. Without the Wolverine's interference, you will surely perish."

Shikamaru merely shrugged. "You might know my technique, but I also know yours. You have to get close to be able to use it, which puts you in range of my jutsu."

Dosu's eye narrowed.

"I've been waiting to see what the Nara gaki is made of," said Naruto.

"Why is that, Wolverine-san," asked Kakashi, "Shikamaru isn't exactly known for his combat prowess."

"Because I know about where Dosu's skill and power level is," replied Naruto, "He's good, better than most. Even your typical Chuunin would have trouble beating him. He's primarily a close range fighter and his strength, speed and stamina are all far superior to Shikamaru's. He has good analytical skills and is fairly good with strategic planning and tactics. There is a reason he is the leader of his team."

Dosu charged as Shikamaru, who jumped back throwing various kunai at his opponent. Dosu blocked each on with his Melody arm as he attempted to get into range to complete his attack.

Just as Dosu was almost in range, Shikamaru's hands formed a hand seal, "Kagemane no Jutsu!"

His shadow then elongated towards his opponent, who immediately jumped backwards. However, the shadow was still coming. Dosu ran right and Shikamaru's shadow bent to follow. Dosu jumped backwards again, to try and keep Shikamaru's shadow from touching his own. When Dosu got to a certain point he realized that Shikamaru's shadow could no longer follow him.

"You make it sound like the result has already been decided," said Kurenai frowning, as was Asuma. Kakashi, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow at Naruto.

Neji, at this point, spoke up. "One's fate is impossible to change. Our destinies are predestined from birth. While his team can make up for his inadequacies, Nara-san is a mere drop-out, barely scoring higher than Hinata-sama. In single combat, he will fall to a far superior shinobi."

This statement caused many of the remaining Rookies, Ino and Chouji especially, to glare at the Hyuuga, who was either oblivious to their insulted expressions, or he just didn't care.

"A futile plan, as I have now discovered another flaw in your jutsu," boasted Dosu.

Shikamaru gave an uncharacteristic smirk as he threw a kunai behind him. His hands then formed the required seals once more, this time his shadow running to each of the kunai that were now sticking out of the ground.

Dosu's eyes widened in realization as the shadow jumped from kunai to kunai. He predicted correctly that each of the minute shadows cast by the small throwing weapons allowed the Nara scion to extend the range of his jutsu. Dosu jumped away to further avoid the jutsu. Though the kunai did extent the range of Shikamaru's Kagemane no Jutsu several feet, it just wasn't enough to entrap the Oto-nin.

"Not clever enough. Soon, your pitiful chakra reserves will be depleted from your failed attempts at trying to defeat me, and I will have a clear path to strike out at you at will," analyzed Dosu, who was slightly confused why Shikamaru simply stood in the same position, rooted in place with his eyes closed, merely holding the jutsu and taking no other action.

Naruto snorted humorously, causing Neji to look at him inquiringly. "You don't actually believe that garbage do you? If I was a betting man, I'd put my money on the Nara."

"I don't see why you would waste your money on such a pathetic loser. You just said he was an inferior shinobi, and from everything I have observed, it is an accurate assessment," replied Neji coolly.

"Then you better get your eyes checked, bub, because your observations skills suck," Naruto said bluntly, causing many to gape at his direct insult to Neji's skill with the Hyuuga doujutsu. "Never underestimate an opponent no matter how much or how little threatening they are. Dosu's good enough that he might even be able to beat you. He's easily capable of thinking three steps ahead of his enemy. He's confident in his skills and he has every right to be. However, his confidence clouds his judgement. Because his team beat Shikamaru's in the forest, he thinks that Shikamaru isn't a threat, causing him to underestimate his opponent."

After he said this, he closed his eyes and covered them with his arm. Many in the room were confused by this action, though a few took the hint and did the same. Just seconds later the room was completely bathed in bright light.

The increase of light behind Shikamaru was more than enough for him to be able to extend his shadow to entrap the now blinded Oto-nin.

"Kagemane Jutsu... Success..." said Shikamaru, who then bent backwards as far as he could go. Being entrapped by Shikamaru's jutsu, Dosu had no choice but to mimick his opponent's actions. Unfortunately for him, he was close enough to the wall to be knocked out cold.

When the light died out and nearly everyone had regained most of their eyesight, Hayate declared Shikamaru the victor.

"Sometimes it doesn't matter how much stronger, faster, or 'better' you are," stated Naruto, "In the Shinobi world sometimes it isn't the strong that survive, it's the smartest. The right amount of tactics can make any advantage useless and turn your strengths into weaknesses. Shikamaru was fated to lose that match, but he defied his so called destiny and emerged victorious. Nothing is predestined, a man chooses his own fate."

"And what do you know of the unshakable burdens given to us at birth that predetermine our 'chosen' paths? What do you know about fate?" asked Neji accusingly, his voice only revealing a small fraction of the annoyance and hatred he felt.

Naruto met his accusing Byakugan and replied, "More than you'll ever know."

Though he would never admit it, either to himself or aloud, Neji, strangely enough, believed him.

Before anyone could contemplate anything further, the marquee began to cycle through opponents once more.