I do NOT own Naruto or any other characters, except for my own OCs who are running wild in this fanfic.
Kishimoto really left me hanging. I know, shocker. I mean, why's he gonna waste his time on someone like me, right? But you know what, old man? Seems like a normal race isn't your style so how about we shake things up a bit—a wheelchair race. You and me, no excuses. The price, oh it's obvious.
What do you say? Ready to roll, old man?
Talking: "Get me Naruto."
Thinking:'Get me Naruto.'
OoO
Sweat trickled down Ayaka's forehead, her breath coming in short ragged gasps as she struggled to push herself off the ground. Her vision blurred for a second, the pain in her arm pulsing in time with her heartbeat. 'I can't keep this up.' She forced herself upright, gritting her teeth as a sharp pang shot through her left arm as she gripped it tightly, a hiss of discomfort escaping her lips. Her legs wobbled under her weight, and for a moment, she feared they'd give out. But her eyes were locked on Naruto, and she knew she had to push through. 'If I fall here, he's going to break… and we can't afford that.'
They were at a severe disadvantage. Ever since the man had revealed his true identity, Naruto's spirit seemed to have collapsed. The fierce determination that usually burned in his eyes had faded, replaced by hesitation and doubt. His will to fight had all but vanished, leaving him holding back, unwilling to risk harming their opponent.
She couldn't entirely blame him. The revelation had been shocking—beyond belief, even. It was both confusing and unsettling. Although she wasn't as deeply affected as Naruto, she felt the weight of hesitation creeping into her own actions, a subtle restraint she wasn't willing to admit even to herself. She didn't fully understand why, but it was there, nagging at the edges of her resolve.
Yet, even if neither of them were holding back, she had realized moments ago as their fight dragged on that their chances of victory were slim to none. They were being tossed around like children and their movements were sluggish compared to the man who toyed with them. Their injuries were mounting, bruises and cuts far more severe than those of their opponent. His expression remained unchanged—a smirk that spoke volumes, silently taunting them.
Boom!* The sound echoed through the forest as Naruto crashed into a tree, sending splinters and chunks of bark exploding outward from the impact.
"Naruto!" she shouted, rushing over as fast as she could. She dropped to her knees beside him, her face filled with worry. Thankfully, he was okay, already propped upon his knees. Aside from a few splinters poking out of his skin, he seemed to be in one piece. She carefully pried one of the splinters free but the wince and force look in his eyes told her that they would do it another time.
Their attention snapped to the approaching footsteps, their body tensing as the sound grew louder. The man emerged, his face twisted into a sneer. "Honestly, this isn't good for me," He spat, voice filled with disdain. "You're both holding back for reasons I don't understand, and it's ruining my enjoyment. Make this fight worthwhile—punch, kick, do whatever the fuck you can. Just don't make me regret sparing your lives.
She shot him a glare and let out an annoyed 'Tch' as she clenched her right fist tightly. "You did not spare our lives."
"Did I damage your brain a little? Look at you. Left arm, broken. Battered and bruised, cuts all over your face. I can count how many times I sent you crashing into a tree." His voice oozed with mockery as he circled them as if they were his prey. His sneer shifted as his gaze turned to Naruto. "And you, Naruto—where's all that energy that you had before?"
The blonde stayed silent, his jaw clenched.
The man's eyes narrowed, his voice rising in frustration. "What's the matter? Did that crash leave you deaf?" He leaned in closer, trying to provoke a response. "Answer me!"
"Shut up," Naruto muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as if the words themselves were reluctant to leave his lips.
The man before him didn't even flinch, a smug grin spreading across his face as if the blonde's words had simply vanished into the air. "What was that?" he taunted, cupping his hand around his ear. "Speak up, will you?"
Naruto's body trembled, not from fear or rage, but from an inexplicable gnawing sensation that unsettled him. His muscles were taut and his breath was shallow and uneven. His mouth quivered as if his body was fighting to keep the words locked inside though he was desperate to speak, evident in every stuttered syllable. Before he could find the words, Ayaka's staff sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh, aimed precisely at where the man had stood just moments ago. The man however, slipped out of the way in a blur, feet barely touching the ground as he repositioned himself a few meters away, a playful smirk playing on his lips.
She could see it—Naruto was way too emotional for this fight, and it could get them both killed. Now wasn't exactly the best time to remind him about the shinobi rules on keeping emotions in check. But now more than ever, she needed to keep a level head. She was responsible for Naruto here, and if they were to survive, she had to help him regain his spirit before it was too late.
Her voice was firm yet laced with concern as she addressed Naruto. "You don't have to answer any of his questions. You're too worked up right now." She looked back at the man with a steely gaze. "Let's cut to the chase and address the main question here. How in the world are you alive… Zankoku-san?" This was a question that shouldn't have needed asking—because Zankoku was supposed to be dead.
At the mention of his name, Zankoku's lips curled into a slow knowing smile, although it flattered—just for a moment. "I've been waiting for you to say my name. Thought you might have forgotten it." He paused, observing the lack of amusement on her face. "No bantering? Fine, I'll let you in on the secret—might as well give you something to think about before the end."
Without hesitation, he sat down on the ground, propping his chin on his fist as if he were settling down for a casual chat. "Story time," he announced with a smirk, eyes gleaming with delight. "Before I wrap this up and send you two on your way, let me give you a crash course on how it all went down." He noticed Ayaka tightening her grip on her staff, her knuckles white with tension. "Alright, I get it. No more jokes. But really, loosen up a little. You don't wanna die with a frown on your face, do you?"
He chuckled to himself, then continued, "After we separated, I stuck around for a bit, since, you know, it was my job to keep an eye on you four. While you were running around town and asking stupid questions, I was getting bored out of my mind. So I hit the bar, figuring I'd drink away the dullness. But then, I got the signal to proceed with the 'plan.'" Their expressions practically begged him to elaborate but instead, he just mimicked zipping his lips as he grinned teasingly. "Can't tell you what it is if that's what you're wondering. Classified information."
Zankoku leaned back, savoring the tension in the air. "Seeing me leave that bar? All part of the game to get your attention. And of course, it worked like a charm. I got the feeling you two were trailing me so I led you right to that abandoned house, waiting for one of you to make your move. When Naruto sent it a clone, I performed the Kawarimi no Jutsu(Substitution Jutsu) with the nearest person and boom!" He clapped his hands together dramatically. That's how I'm here, alive and well."
As Zankoku finished his explanations, Ayaka's mind whirled with conflicting thoughts. There were still so many unanswered questions, but amidst it all, one thing stood out: she felt utterly stupid. How had she allowed her emotions to cloud her judgment so completely? She should've examined the body more closely, should have confirmed without a doubt that it was Zankoku who had been burned alive. She should've searched for evidence, anything to prove that it wasn't just some poor fool used as a substitute. But it was too late for regrets. What mattered now was the present—and surviving it.
She needed to buy time to stall long enough to regain her strength.
"Okay," she began, "but what about the people who found us at that cottage? We were too far from town. Tracking us wouldn't have been that easy."
Zankoku chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "Haven't you noticed?" He met their confused stares with a knowing grin. "No, I suppose you haven't. It isn't as strong anymore."
He sighed, clearly enjoying the slow revelation. "Back in the forest, when I 'saved' you four—do you remember those two small spheres I dropped? The ones that released smoke? And if you think back, you'll recall that the smoke had a sweet, lingering fragrance.
Both their eyes widened slightly as their memory resurfaced.
"That fragrance," Zankoku continued with a triumphant tone, "was long-lasting. It clung to your clothes, your skin, everything. I sent those bandits after you knowing they could follow the trail it left behind. All to keep you distracted and busy while we wreaked havoc on the town."
His words sent a fresh wave of frustration through Ayaka. She clenched her jaw, silently berating herself for also not seeing this sooner. Zankoku had planned this all along, manipulating them from the shadows, laying traps they hadn't even realized they had fallen into.
There was no time for self-pity. She still needed a bit more time.
Unfortunately, Naruto cut her off before she could even get a word out. "You… you used us!" His breath was ragged, fists clenched and trembling with barely contained fury. "You threw innocent lives into this twisted plan of yours! Killing people left and right, like it's… like it's nothing! Do you even care about anyone but yourself? All that doubt I had of you—hesitant to even hurt you, touch you—you twisted it against us! Well guess what, Zankoku. Now that I see you for who you really are, I'm not gonna stand by and—"
"My name is not Zankoku!" His voice was sharp as he cut Naruto off mid-sentence. "It never was! Zankoku was the perfect one—the one everyone praised. The hero, the man who could do no wrong. But me? I was just Hiroshi. The one who cleaned up his messes, the one who lived in his shadow like a damn ghost." He spat on the ground as though even the mention of Zankoku left a bitter taste in his mouth. "Hearing that name… makes me sick. I hated him. I hated him more than you ever could." He threw his arms up, his patience clearly at its limit as he hurriedly stood, movements erratic as if he couldn't bear to sit through another second of Naruto's speech.
Naruto froze for a moment, his mind scrambling to catch up with the sudden shift.
"I'm done with all this crap!" Hiroshi continued in frustration. "I've told you everything you want to know. What do you want, a damn apology?"
Naruto's fists tightened even more. "You think a name changes what you've done? You're still—"
But Hiroshi was already moving, ignoring the accusation. "I don't care how you feel about me, got it? You can keep your anger and self-righteousness to yourself," He snapped, eyes narrowing in cold finality. "I don't have time for this. It's time I finish what I started."
Naruto's fists trembled at his sides. His chest was tight—the weight of Zankoku—no, Hiroshi's—words clawing at him. The hesitation still lingered, holding him back like chains around his ankles.
Ayaka's grip on her staff tightened as her eyes flicked between the approaching Hiroshi and Naruto. But her gaze lingered longer on Naruto, trying to read him, to see where his head was at. From the way his fists clenched and his posture shifted, it was clear—the Naruto she knew was back, ready for anything.
Naruto's fists trembled, but it wasn't from fear. His mind was racing, flashes of the lives Hiroshi had stolen burning in his thoughts—the innocent caught in the crossfire, their bodies, some without limbs, left in the wake of his twisted plans. He clenched his fists tighter, knuckles white, the horror of what he'd seen replaying in his head. People who hadn't even been shinobi, families who had been torn apart.
'All those lives… because of him.'
His hesitation crumbled, now replaced by an iron will. The uncertainty, the doubt, it was all gone. It didn't matter what Hiroshi had been before. What mattered now was that he was a killer. 'And I can't let him get away with it.'
"I won't let you hurt anyone else!" he shouted, voice shaking. He took on his fighting stance, ready for whatever Hiroshi was about to hit him with as he slowly approached.
A maniacal smirk played on Hiroshi's lips as he approached, closing the distance slowly between the three of them. His footsteps echoed around the forest, each step feeling heavier like nature itself was trying to hold him back, daring him to turn around. But that wasn't going to happen.
Sweat trickled down at the back of Ayaka's neck, her forehead damp as she struggled to steady her trembling hands. She stole a quick glance at Naruto standing beside her. His uneasiness mirrored her own—his shoulders tense, eyes sharp with worry—but despite it all, there was a fierce determination radiating from him. Her fingers fumbled with the staff in her grip, nearly losing hold of it. 'Nervousness.' She scoffed inwardly. 'Great, just what I need right now.' With a shaky chuckle, she wiped her brow and forced herself to focus. She could already sense what Hiroshi was about to do. One more step and he would come charging at them.
She wasn't wrong.
Hiroshi took that fateful step, the sharp crack of a stick breaking beneath his foot echoing in the tense silence. His body shifted in position, muscles coiling as he prepared to launch himself at them. Ayaka braced herself, tightening her grip on her staff, heart pounding in her ears.
But before he could move, a rustling sound tore through the air, coming from the nearby bushes. Her breath hitched as a blur of purple shot out of the undergrowth, too fast for her to fully comprehend. In the blink of an eye, Hiroshi's body was hurtling through the air, his momentum lost as he crashed violently into a nearby tree with a sickening thud.
All was still for a moment. Ayaka and Naruto exchanged glances, eyes wide with confusion. The tension between them shifted as they slowly turned in perfect unison to look at the place where Hiroshi had collided with the tree. The sight before them made no sense—his body, limp and crumpled against the tree trunk, lay at an awkward angle.
They turned their heads back towards the source of commotion, and the sight that greeted them only deepened his confusion. Standing in the clearing before them was a figure they hadn't expected to see so soon.
Naruto let out a low snarl, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "What are you doing here?" He demanded, voice laced with venom.
Ayaka shared his expression, her mind racing as she glanced around the clearing, trying to make sense of it all. 'This guy, what the hell is he doing here?' The last time she'd seen him, he'd clutched Kenta after a surprise attack to go fight someplace else. Now that he was here and Kenta was nowhere in sight, did that mean he was dead? Her stomach twisted at thought. And what about Shikamaru? She hadn't seen him since the chaos began. Her fingers dug into her scalp as she gripped her head tightly, feeling overwhelmed. Too much was happening all at once.
"Hey! I asked you a question, didn't I, bastard?" Naruto's voice rang out, the sharp edge of his anger echoing around the clearing. "What the hell are you doing here, Yumi?"
But there was no verbal response. Yumi simply gave a small nod, an acknowledgement that he'd heard Naruto, but nothing more. It was strange—too strange. This wasn't the Yumi they knew. The confidence that used to radiate from him had vanished. In fact, there was no aura, no energy at all. His stance was off, awkward and riddled with openings that Naruto could have easily exploited. It was as if he was asleep. But the most unnerving thing was that Yumi's eyes were closed, as if he wasn't aware of the chaos around him.
"What the hell is going on…?" Ayaka muttered under her breath, her grip on her staff tightening. She shot Naruto a quick glance, but he seemed just as confused as she was.
Suddenly, a voice snarled from behind them. "You shithead!"
Naruto whipped around to see Hiroshi leaning against a tree for support, blood trickling down the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away with the back of his hand as his gaze zeroed in on Yumi. There was fury in his eyes, burning even brighter than before.
"What the fuck is this all about? Have you gone traitor?" Hiroshi growled, voice low and menacing.
Yumi remained silent, his expression unchanged. The eerie calm radiating from him only served to heighten the tension.
Hiroshi's patience snapped. He pushed himself off the tree, managing to stand on his own despite his battered state. "No need to explain traitor," he spat, the venom in his voice matching Naruto's earlier tone. "I'm not interested in whatever bullshit excuse you've got. This just means I get to beat the crap out of you and these snot-nosed brats. A win-win for me."
His words dripped with malice, and Ayaka felt a shiver run down her spine. She had no idea what was going on with Yumi, but it seemed they were on the same side for now. And this is what completely rattled Hiroshi.
Naruto darted forward, leading the charge with a flurry of punches, each one faster than the last. His fists blurred, seeking any vulnerability in Hiroshi's guard. But Hiroshi's movements were fluid, untouchable. He weaved and ducked with precise movements, slipping through the onslaught without so much as a misstep, feet light against the dusty ground.
Ayaka wasn't far behind. Despite the pain throbbing in her broken arm, she lunged in from Naruto's right, her staff a whirlwind of rapid strikes. She swung the weapon toward Hiroshi's midsection, yes air hissing, the air hissing as it sliced through. Hiroshi twisted his body, narrowly dodging the blow, but Ayaka was relentless. She quickly shifted her weight, jabbing the staff at his face.
Hiroshi brought his forearm up just in time, blocking the strike, but the sheer force of it sent him stumbling back.
"Now, Naruto!"
Naruto's grin widened as he closed in, his fist already cocked back. Without missing a beat, Ayaka spun her staff low, aiming to sweep Hiroshi's legs out from under while Naruto's punch targeted his jaw.
For a split second, it looked like they had him. But Hiroshi wasn't done yet. With a sharp twist of his body, Hiroshi launched himself into the air, tucking his legs to avoid Ayaka's sweep while leaning just far enough back to dodge Naruto's punch. In the same breath, he lashed out with a powerful downward kick aimed at Naruto's head.
Naruto managed to block just in time, but the impact sent him sliding back, his feet digging into the ground for stability.
Yumi appeared and charged from the side, throwing a massive lunch at Hiroshi. Hiroshi's eyes narrowed as he sidestepped the attack with ease, letting Yumi's wild swing miss by mere inches. Yumi stumbled forward from the momentum, his balance faltering.
Hiroshi moved, slipping behind Yumi and delivered a sharp elbow to his ribs, leading to the brute staggering sideways as he held his ribs. He followed up with a roundhouse kick, aiming to finish him off , but Naruto darted in, catching Hiroshi's foot mid air.
Naruto smirked. "Gotcha!"
Before Hiroshi could react, Ayaka was already in motion. Her staff swung up in a blur, striking at Hiroshi's exposed side. The blow landed hard against Hiroshi's ribs, forcing a grunt of pain from him. He spun from the impact, using the momentum to bring his leg down in a rapid axe kick aimed at Ayaka. She barely raised her staff in time to block, but the force sent her crashing to the ground, her broken arm screaming in agony.
Still, she grit her teeth and rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding Hiroshi's follow-up punch as it struck the earth where her head had been moments before.
"Switch up!" Naruto shouted, moving in perfect sync with Ayaka. As she rolled away, Naruto took her place, delivering a powerful uppercut aimed at Hiroshi's chin.
Hiroshi tilted his head back, just narrowly dodging the blow. He countered with a swift palm strike aimed at Naruto's chest,but Naruto deflected it with ease, twisting around to lock eyes with Ayaka.
"Now!"
Ayaka, already moving, used her staff as a springboard, vaulting over Naruto's head in a graceful flip. As she descended, her staff came down like a hammer, targeting Hiroshi's skull. Meanwhile, Naruto dropped low, sweeping his leg toward Hiroshi's feet in a coordinated attack.
Hiroshi's eyes widened as he realized he was cornered.
Naruto's leg swept Hiroshi's feet out from under him just as Ayaka's staff slammed into his shoulder. Hiroshi hit the ground hard, the air rushing from his lungs. But even as he fell, he twisted, rolling with the impact and springing back to his feet in a fluid motion. He stood, panting but grinning.
"You two… are pretty good," he admitted, wiping a streak of blood from his lip. "But not good enough."
Yum charged in again, fists raised. His massive fists flew with reckless abandon, each punch thrown with brute force. Hiroshi dodged the first, then the second, his movements sharp and calculated. But Yumi was relentless, forcing Hiroshi to retreat with each wild swing. One of Yumi's punches grazed Hiroshi's shoulder causing him to stumble slightly.
That was all Naruto needed. In the blink of an eye, he was beside Hiroshi, fists already in motion. Hiroshi blocked the first two punches, but the third connected squarely with his chest, knocking the wind from him.
Naruto followed with a spin kick, but Hiroshi ducked just in time. He countered with a punch aimed at Naruto's ribs, but before he could follow through, Ayaka was there again, her staff swinging toward his head.
Hiroshi blocked the staff with his forearm, but the force of the blow left him open. Naruto and Ayaka moving in perfect sync, pressed their advantage. Naruto threw a jab, and as Hiroshi moved to block, Ayaka swept low with her staff, aiming for his legs.
Hiroshi was skilled, incredibly so, but with both of them attacking from different angles, even he was struggling to keep up.
The blonde's fists slammed into Hiroshi's stomach with a solid thwack, just as Ayaka swooped in low. Hiroshi was airborne before he even had time to blink, his limbs flailing as if he was trying to swim through the air.
Then came the inevitable. Hiroshi smacked against a tree, the sickening crack of bone echoing through the clearing.
Naruto bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for air. To an outsider, the battle might've appeared slow, but for the two of them, it had been anything but. Every second had been a blur of high-paced movement, each decision needing to be made in an instant—faster than Hiroshi could strike. Thinking quickly had never been Naruto's strong suit, and the pressure of reacting in time against someone stronger than him was suffocating. But Ayaka's movements synced effortlessly with his, and for a brief moment, it was as if they didn't need to speak to execute their attack. It was a rare, seamless coordination he'd only ever experienced with Sasuke.
Speaking of Ayaka, Naruto cast her a quick glance. She was on her knees, clutching her broken arm, her face twisted in pain. The fight had clearly taken its toll on her as well. His brow furrowed with concern as he took a few slow steps towards her, his body still heavy from the intensity of the fight.
But then, a voice cut through the stillness, halting him in his tracks. A cold shiver ran down his and Ayaka's spines as they froze, their instincts immediately on edge.
"Both of you are calm… as if this fight is over," Hiroshi's voice slithered from the shadows, his figure emerging from the wreckage with cuts and bruises barely slowing him. His eyes gleamed with a dark intensity, lips curling into a twisted grin. "Let's end this, shall we?"
His fingers blurred through hand seals, his eyes never leaving Naruto and Ayaka as they prepared for his next move. With a sharp exhale, Hiroshi formed the final hand seal and narrowed his eyes. A sudden, fierce surge of chakra rippled through his body, and a blazing line of fire erupted from his mouth.
"Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu ( Fire style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!)"
The flames burst forward in a concentrated, serpentine stream, a vivid orange dragon made of pure flame coiling along the ground, flickering wildly under the moonlight as it coiled at dangerous speeds. It tore through the clearing with incredible speed, the tendrils of fire stretching outwards and curling like claws as the dragon roared forward. The intensity of the heat warped the air around it, shimmering in the clearing, and the bark of trees nearest to its path instantly ignited.
Ayaka's eyes went wide as she took in the sheer ferocity of the jutsu. "Naruto—move!" she shouted, voice tight.
The dragon blazed toward them, consuming everything in its path. Its body burned brightly, leaving a streak of destruction as it melted through a boulder that had been in its way causing it to explode into molten fragments. The ground itself charred and cracked under the onslaught, blackened grooves making the dragon's trajectory as the flames hungrily devoured everything they touched.
Naruto's heart hammered in his chest. There was no blocking something like that—not with its overwhelming heat. "Right!" With a burst of chakra to his feet, he leaped to the side, feeling the searing heat lick at his skin as he narrowly evaded.
Ayaka, despite her broken arm, mirrored the movement, pushing off the ground and shooting herself out of the dragon's path, the two of them landing on opposite sides of the clearing.
The dragon flame didn't stop; it crashed into the far end of the clearing, splintering trees and carving a deep trench into the earth before dissipating into a cloud of heated smoke.
They stared, wide-eyed and panting, at the smoking, scorched path the jutsu had left behind. The once green clearing was now scarred and burned, he aur thick with the acrid smell of charred wood and singed earth.
"That thing…" Naruto muttered, his voice strained. "It just burned straight through rock…"
Ayaka nodded slowly, eyes still on the path of destruction. "If that had hit us directly, we'd be toast."
"We have to take him down before he pulls something like that again," Naruto said, voice low but steady, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He glanced at Ayaka, who nodded with agreement.
Hiroshi's form emerged from the smoke, his eyes cold and calculating. He cracked his neck slowly, the remnants of the jutsu's power still shimmering around like an aura of deadly heat. He smirked.
"Still standing? Impressive."
A bead of sweat rolled down Naruto's forehead, trailing along his cheek as his fists tightened, knuckles turning white. Across from him, Ayaka mirrored his focus, her grip on her staff firm.
"Bring it," Hiroshi muttered, entering into a fighting stance as excitement danced in his eyes, as if he couldn't wait for the fight to continue.
Without another word, Naruto and Ayaka launched forward, bodies moving as one. Naruto was a blur, fists flying in rapid succession, while Ayaka swung her staff with deadly precision. They attacked from the opposite sides—Naruto pressing from the left, Ayaka from the right—their movements perfectly in sync.
Hiroshi's eyes flickered between them as they closed in, muscles coiled, ready. He deflected Naruto's first punch with a swift parry, his forearm absorbing the impact, but Ayaka was already there. Her staff sliced towards his ribs but Hiroshi twisted just in time, the staff grazing past but Ayaka followed up with a quick thrust toward his chest.
Hiroshi retaliated with a sharp kick aimed at Naruto, but the blonde's reflexes were quicker. He spun low, sweeping his legs at Hiroshi's ankles. Hiroshi leapt to avoid it, but Ayaka surged forward, thrusting her staff upward toward his face. He had no choice but to block, crossing both arms to absorb the impact. The force reverberated through his body, sending him skidding back a step.
Before he could recover, Naruto was on him again, fists flying toward Hiroshi's face and midsection in a flurry of powerful strikes. Hiroshi's hands moved in a blur, deflecting the blows, but Ayaka was relentless, swirling her staff through the air, aiming for his legs and torso.
They overwhelmed him, driving him back step by step. Each time Hiroshi threw one of them off, the other was right there, continuing the assault.
Naruto's punches came fast, unpredictable, while Ayaka's staff moved with deadly precision. They were pushing Hiroshi to his limit, forcing him to block, parry and dodge at every turn. Sweat dripped down in his brow as he realized that he was being backed into a corner. Yet, the grin never left his lips since the start of the fight.
"A dangerous team you two are," he muttered through gritted teeth. "Just the way I like it."
But Hiroshi wasn't done yet. As Ayaka swung in again with a wide sweep, Hiroshi parried with his elbow, knocking the staff upward and disrupting her rhythm. In one swift motion, he lunged forward, driving his knee into her side with brutal force. He followed it up with a kick that sent her rolling and bumping across the ground.
She managed to stop herself, letting out a gasp, the air knocked from her lungs from the blow that had landed. She tried to stand back up but she collapsed on one knee, breath ragged, momentarily taken out of the fight.
Naruto's eyes blazed with anger, but there was no time to check on her. Hiroshi had already turned his attention back to him.
The two locked eyes, both breathing hard, refusing to back down. The ground shifted beneath them as they circled, each calculating the next strike. Then in a blur of movement, they lunged at each other.
Naruto threw the first once, aiming for Hiroshi's face, but Hiroshi's hand shot up, deflecting the blow with the back of his wrist, countering with a sharp elbow toward Naruto's ribs. The blonde twisted his body, just dodging the strike, and retaliated with a spinning kick.
Hiroshi ducked under the kick, eyes never leaving Naruto. As soon as Naruto's foot touched the ground, Hiroshi launched himself forward, fists blurring as they aimed for Naruto's midsection, chest, and throat.
But Naruto was ready. His palms met Hiroshi's strikes with perfect timing, deflecting each one with a fluidity that matched Hiroshi's speed. He spun away, dodging a roundhouse kick aimed at his head, and immediately countered with a series of rapid punches.
Hiroshi blocked each strike with expert control, his forearms absorbing the force as he shifted his weight, turning defense into offense. Their movements were fast, almost two fast, each fighter weaving in and out of range.
Naruto threw a right hook—Hiroshi ducked. Hiroshi countered with a jab—Naruto dodged it, the punch grazing his cheek. Neither was gaining ground and neither was losing it. It was a fight of pure skill—taijutsu at its finest.
Naruto leapt forward, feinting a punch but snapping a quick knee toward Hiroshi's stomach. Hiroshi caught the move just in time, twisting to the side and launching a kick aimed at Naruto's head. Naruto however, was already moving, ducking low to sweep Hiroshi's legs.
Hiroshi stumbled, momentarily off-balance, but quickly recovered. They continued trading blows, fists and feet flying with a speed and intensity that blurred the line between attack and defense.
The two of them hurled jabs at each other simultaneously, their fists meeting their targets with a resounding impact. The force of the strikes sent them skidding backward across the ground, dust trailing behind them, until they came to a stop on opposite sides, now separated by the small distance they'd created.
Hiroshi's eyes narrowed as he circled Naruto, searching for an opening. His movements were calculated, but so was the grin that suddenly spread across his face. Without warning, Hiroshi lunged forward, throwing a feint—a quick jab that Naruto instinctively moved to block. In that split second, Hiroshi twisted his wrist and aimed a low kick at Naruto's legs, catching him off-guard.
Naruto gasped as his footing gave way. He stumbled, wide open. Hiroshi's smirk deepened. He cocked his fist back, ready to deliver a bone-crushing punch that would finish Naruto off.
But before Hiroshi's blow could land, a massive figure burst into the fray, throwing itself between Naruto and the incoming fist. Time seemed to slow for Naruto as his eyes widened, taking in the large body that now stood as his shield. His mind raced, processing the familiar shape.
"Yumi?" Naruto's voice was barely a whisper, laced with disbelief and shock.
Hiroshi's fist collided with Yumi's chest with a sickening crack and Yumi barely had time to brace as the force of the punch sent him flying backward, his body slamming into a nearby tree. The trunk shuddered from the impact, leaves raining down as Yumi's limp form crumpled to the ground.
Hitoshi clicked his tongue in irritation. "Damn brute," he muttered, frustrated that he'd forgotten Yumi was still in the fight. His focus had entirely been on Naruto.
Naruto's wide eyes locked onto Yumi's lifeless form. He had been too distracted by the sight until his focus shifted and out of nowhere, Hiroshi closed in again, preparing to strike.
'Shit,' was all the only word Naruto could think of to describe the situation he was in as the attack crept closer.
But as Hiroshi swung his fist with lethal intent, something went wrong. His punch missed completely, casting him to stumble awkwardly. His momentum carried him forward, and he fell face-first into the dirt losing his balance.
Naruto blinked, his confusion mounting. He scurried away until he was able to stand up as Hiroshi groaned, slowly pushing himself off the ground, shaking his head to clear it. "What just…?" Hiroshi muttered to himself, his pride wounded as much as his body. He blinked again, the reality of what had happened barely sinking in. 'The brat had been lucky,' he reasoned, his frustration growing.
Naruto, snapping out of his daze, launched into the attack again. They continued trading blows, fists and feet but luck wasn't on his side anymore. This time, Hiroshi was the one on the defensive, his movements sluggish, his strikes slow and uncoordinated. Naruto's blows began landing—sharp, precise punches to Hiroshi's midsection, chest, and legs. Every strike made Hiroshi stumble, unable to keep up. His attacks barely touched Naruto, each one weaker than the last.
Naruto fainted a kick towards Hiroshi's midsection, who took the bait, shifting his guard to protect his body. In that split second, Naruto spun, delivering a powerful kick to the side of Hiroshi's head. The impact sent Hiroshi flying, his body crashing against a tree with a dull thud. Blood trickled from a fresh wound on his forehead, running into his hair as he slumped to the ground, disoriented.
'What the hell is happening?' Hiroshi thought, his mind reeling as he was still on the ground. How was the brat winning? This shouldn't be happening. He had fought tougher opponents, faced overwhelming odds, and he'd always come out on top. But now, with every step, every punch, Naruto was gaining the upper hand. It flattered wrong—unnatural. He tried to shake the dizziness clouding his mind but it lingered, slowing his body, making him vulnerable.
'Has the kid gotten stronger?' No. He refused to believe it. 'Is it just exhaustion?' No… something was wrong. Hiroshi's vision blurred, his thoughts scrambled. He was losing, and he didn't understand why?
Naruto began walking towards him, and Hiroshi's heart raced as he scurried backward, trying to put distance between them. His eyes darted frantically, scanning his surroundings for any advantage that might turn the tide. Every breath felt heavier than the last as his mind raced through possibilities grasping for a solution in the chaos. Then his gaze landed on Ayaka, still gasping for air, her body limp on the ground.
A wicked idea flashed in his mind.
He darted toward her, grabbing her by the neck and yanking her to her feet. Ayaka let out a sharp gasp, her broken arm limp as she struggled to breath, while using her left to try and break free from Hiroshi's grip by hitting him, but every hit was futile.
Hiroshi pressed a kunai to her throat, his eyes flashing dangerously. "One more step, and she's dead," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Let me walk away, or you lose a teammate."
Hiroshi instantly regretted those words. Never in his life had he imagined himself uttering such a threat, especially to a kid he could defeat with one hand tied behind his back. But now, here he was—backed into a corner, the weight of fear pressing down on him. For the first time since his childhood, he was truly afraid. Afraid he might actually die.
But Naruto didn't stop. He kept walking, his eyes locked on Hiroshi. There was no fear, no hesitation. He was completely unfazed by Hiroshi's threat, and that unnerved him.
"I said stop!" Hiroshi barked, tightening his grip on Ayaka's neck. He gritted his teeth, trying to make it sound like he'd do it, that he'd slit her throat right there. But the closer Naruto got, the less certain Hiroshi felt.
Naruto pulled out his own kunai, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he advanced. Hiroshi's pulse quickened.
'Fine,' he thought, panic setting in. 'I'll do it.' He raised his kunai, prepared to drive it into Ayaka's neck. But just as the blade was about to sink into her skin, his arm froze mid-air.
Hiroshi's eyes widened in disbelief. His body wasn't responding.
"What…?" He tried to force his arm to move but it wouldn't budge. His limbs hung limp, as if an invisible force had seized control. His kunai hovered just inches from Ayaka's throat, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't push forward.
Naruto's smirk widened. Hiroshi's body suddenly stood upright, moving on its own. Despite his protests, he was being dragged toward the clearing where the moonlight shone down. His hand, still clutching the kunai, lifted toward his own neck, the blade pressing lightly against his Adam's apple.
His heart pounded in his chest as he looked toward Naruto, panic in his voice. "What the hell is happening?!" He demanded. "What did you do?"
Naruto simply pointed to himself, his eyes wide with feigned innocence. "Me? I didn't do anything," he said, his tone almost playful as he approached Hiroshi's limp body. With a casual flick of his wrist, he tilted Hiroshi's head back. "He did."
Hiroshi growled in frustration, his eyes narrowing at the figure stepping out.
"Kage Hoko no Jutsu(Shadow Control Jutsu) complete," Shikamaru muttered, his voice low but clear.
'The damn Nara…' Hiroshi realized. He had believed Yumi's betrayal had sealed the Nara's fate, that he had been taken out of the fight long ago. But now, the truth was glaringly obvious. Shikamaru had been hiding in plain sight, manipulating everything from the shadows.
"When," Hiroshi muttered through clenched teeth, trying to grasp how it had all gone so wrong.
"When what?" Shikamaru replied casually, raising an eyebrow as if genuinely confused. But his smirk gave him away. He was enjoying this.
Hiroshi's lips curled in anger, but his frustration faltered. The fight was over. "Don't play dumb," he growled. "When did you catch me in this?" His eyes flickered downward again, glaring at the dark line that stretched from his feet, tethering him to the Nara's shadows.
Shikamaru chuckled softly. "Ever since Yumi joined the fight," he began. "Well, not Yumi precisely—when I joined."
Hiroshi's brow furrowed, confused,but Shikamaru continued. "Didn't you find it strange? How Yumi's balance was off, his attacks slow and clumsy," Shikamaru's smirk widened as he gestured towards Yumi's unconscious form. "That wasn't Yumi at all. It was me the whole time. Man… taijutsu really isn't my thing."
Hiroshi's jaw clenched as the pieces began falling together.
"Yumi had been unconscious during the whole fight. It was my Kagemane no Jutsu(Shadow Possession Jutsu) that was controlling him. Every punch, every step, every move he made… was mine."
Hiroshi's stomach sank, the truth hitting harder than any physical blow. Shikamaru had been controlling Yumi the entire time. It all made sense now why Tsubasa-sama wanted them dead. These kids… if the four of them teamed up, even a regular jonin would struggle against them.
"When I had Yumi step in and take that hit for Naruto, that was me too. As soon as the punch connected, I released the jutsu on him. You were so focused on Naruto, you never noticed when I switched from him… to you."
Hiroshi's eyes widened. His mind raced through the events of the battle, replaying every sluggish movement, every misstep. It wasn't exhaustion—it had been Shikamaru's doing all along.
"The moment I used Kage Hoko no Jutsu(Shadow Control Jutsu) on you, your fate was sealed. Once your shadow and mine were connected, the pressure from the shadow started building, gradually increasing over time. The more you moved, the heavier your body felt, right? Like gravity was pulling you down?"
The lump of anger in Hiroshi's throat was slowly increasing. His limbs felt heavier than they had minutes ago, his movements slow and sluggish. And now he knew why.
Shikamaru's grin grew wider. "The weight was dragging you down, making you feel slower, more fatigued, until you couldn't keep up anymore. And if that wasn't enough…" Shikamaru's eyes gleamed. "... I had full control over your body. Like earlier, when I redirected your punch right before it hit Naruto."
Shikamaru raised his right hand, ending the explanation as his fingers curled around the kunai handle. Hiroshi mirrored the motion, his own kunai still dangerously close to his throat. The tip of the weapon rested against his Adam's apple, a thin line of blood forming where it pressed into his skin.
With a quick flick of his wrist, Shikamaru disarmed himself, the kunai falling from his grasp and turning to the handle. Hiroshi's eyes flickered with defiance, but he was immobile under Shikamaru's control.
"Any last words before you slip into unconsciousness?" Shikamaru asked calmly, his tone as cold as ever.
Hiroshi's lips curled into a twisted smirk followed by a low chuckle that grew louder, more deranged. "You think you've won huh? All of you little brats… if you think this is over, you're not ready for what's coming next!" His laughter erupted into a maniacal chuckle, echoing through the darkened clearing.
Shikamaru tilted his head slightly, as if considering the words. Then, in one fluid motion, he mimicked striking his own neck. Hiroshi's body followed suit, the handle of his kunai making contact with his throat. The blade pressed against his neck with enough force to render him unconscious, and in an instant, Hiroshi's body slumped to the ground.
Shikamaru exhaled, releasing the jutsu as Hiroshi's body went limp. He turned his attention to Naruto, who stood nearby, still catching his breath.
"You okay?" Shikamaru asked, his tone shifting to something more relaxed.
Naruto wiped his brow, glancing at his cuts and bruises. "Yeah… besides a few bumps." His gaze shifted to Ayaka, who was on the ground, clutching her broken arm and coughing. "But she's not," he added, already walking towards her.
As Naruto made his way to her, Shikamaru turned, disappearing into the nearby bushes. The sound of rustling and low grunting followed, leaves shaking as he fought through the underbrush. Moments later, he emerged, dragging Kenta's body behind him. Kenta, oblivious to the world around him, was snoring loudly, a large bubble of another inflating and deflating with every breath.
Naruto laughed, the tension in his body easing as he bent down to help Ayaka to her feet. Shikamaru, with an exasperated expression, gave Kenta a swift kick to the side. The snot bubble popped, and Kenta jolted awake.
"Huh?" Kenta's head turned frantically, eyes wide as he looked around, still on guard. His confusion melted when he realized it was just Shikamaru, Naruto, and Ayaka standing around him. His eyes narrowed slightly in annoyance. "Yo," he muttered, as if he'd rather be anywhere else.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Typical," He muttered under his breath.
Naruto helped Ayaka to her feet, concern etched across his face. "You okay?" He asked, while Shikamaru crossed his arms, watching her with the same question in his eyes.
Ayaka tried to sound confident, forcing a weak smile. "Yeah… I'm fine," she said, though her voice betrayed her, trembling slightly from the pain coursing through her broken arm.
Naruto and Shikamaru exchanged concerned glances. Kenta, rubbing his neck, winced as he felt the lingering pain from the chunk of wood that had hit him during the earlier fight with Yumi. "My neck still hurts but I'll live," he muttered, massaging the spot.
As the four regrouped, ready to assess the damage done and plan their next move, a slow, deliberate sound echoed through the darkness—the unmistakable rhythm of clapping.
Immediately, they were on high alert, each one bracing themselves, scanning the area for the source of the sound. The forest seemed to grow still, the only light coming from the soft glow of the moon above. Shadows stretched across the clearing, making it hard to pinpoint where the clapping was coming from.
"My, my… I didn't expect this," a voice called out, the clapping continuing to echo through the trees.
Kenta's fist tightened. "Who's there?"
The voice ignored the question, instead, continuing its mocking applause. "Quite an impressive display. You've certainly exceeded my expectations… but you're far from finished." There was a slight pause, and then the clapping stopped abruptly, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.
A figure finally emerged from the shadows, only enough for the faint moonlight to outline the silhouette. But one feature stood out—glowing yellow eyes that pierced through darkness.
Kenta, not willing to take any chances, reached into his pouch and retrieved a scroll, his hands tense as he kept his gaze locked on the figure. "Who are you?" He demanded, voice firm.
The figure remained silent, his glowing eyes fixated solely on Kenta, making the boy feel increasingly uneasy. There was something unnerving about the stare—it wasn't just cold, it felt like the figure was reading him, dissecting him with each passing second.
Kenta gritted his teeth, regaining his confidence. "I said who the hell are you? I won't ask again!"
But the figure ignored the question once again, his eyes now shifting between the four of them. Slowly, deliberately, he took one step forward, moving just enough into the light for his features ro become clearer. The moonlight grazed his face, casting sharp shadows across his sinister smirk.
Naruto's expression darkened, recognition flashing in his eyes. His voice came out low, almost a growl. "You."
Shikamaru felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise. This was the one behind it all—the boss. The mastermind behind the 100 bandits Naruto had fought, the leader of Yumi and Hiroshi.
The man smirked, voice clam yet laced with amusement. "Looks like I underestimated you four a lot. I was wondering what was taking Yumi and Hiroshi so long. Defeating them is no small feat."
Shikamaru's eyes sharpened as he studied the man. He recalled the report from Konoha's Torture and Interrogation Force after they captured the puppeteer. The name they had been chasing—the leader they heard whispers about, was Haruto Nakamura. But was this really him? Or was he another pawn?
The man's attention shifted to Shikamaru, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "So if I'm correct," He said, pointing directly at Shikamaru, "you're Shikamaru Nara, the strategist of this little team. The one who defeated both Yumi and Hiroshi just now. Am I right?"
Shikamaru didn't respond.
He then turned to Naruto, a more sinister gleam in his eyes. "And you… Naruto Uzumaki. The one who caught the attention of Orochimaru-sama." His tone dripped with malice. "It looks like I'll be finishing what he started."
Naruto clenched his fists, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're welcome to try."
The man scoffed, clearly unfazed, before turning his attention to Kenta and Ayaka. His eyes lingered on them for a moment, but he stopped, returning his gaze to Shikamaru. "I'm sure you're all wondering who I am, or maybe, you think you already know."
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed. "Haruto Nakamura. Does that ring a bell?"
The man chuckled, leaning lazily against a tree, the sly grin never leaving his face. "I am proud to say… that I am not Haruto Nakamura." His voice was almost playful now. "It seems the information you received was from one of my subordinates. Clever, really. But no. You were chasing the wrong man."
Shikamaru's mind worked quickly, placing the clues together. "So if you're not Nakamura, who are you?"
The man's smile widened. "My name?" He smiled dramatically, enjoying the tension he was building. "Let's just say I'm the one pulling the strings, the one who orchestrated everything you've faced so far."
Naruto unclenched his fists as he glared at the man. "What do you want?"
The man's eyes gleamed with amusement as he glanced over at the group before speaking. "As you already know, one thing I want is to finish you off, Naruto, in Orochimaru-sama's place. You've been causing him a lot of trouble lately."
"Hah, that snake freak's still whining about me?" Naruto sneered, the new nickname clearly irritating the man though he kept his composure. "Tell Orochimaru he should've stayed in his hole where he belongs."
"I'll forgive you for that. Orochimaru-sama is no snake freak. He's a one-in-a-million prodigy. A genius. You people just don't understand," the man scoffed, clicking his tongue. "That out for the way, there's one last thing I want… revenge."
Shikamaru raised a brow. "Revenge? On who?"
The man didn't respond immediately. Instead, he calmly removed the large scroll and placed it on the ground. The four instantly tensed, eyes trained on the scroll, preparing for whatever could be coming.
"You murdered my sister," the man finally spoke, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. "So it's only right that I'm the one to kill you."
The man began weaving hand seals and Naruto, Shikamaru and Ayaka braced themselves but Kenta acted first.
Kenta had already unsealed and drawn his saber. His feet left the ground as he launched himself into the air, descending rapidly toward the man, ready to strike.
But the man merely smirked.
Just before Kenta could reach him, the man stopped his hand seals abruptly. Kenta's eyes widened as he realized he had been lured in. The man's leg shot up in an instant, aiming for a powerful kick at Kenta's side. Kenta barely managed to shift his sword, but the force behind the kick was immense.
The impact reverberated through Kenta's body, sending him hurtling across the ground, rolling several times before he managed to stabilize himself.
Kenta growled in frustration, gripping his saber tightly as he rose to his feet. His side throbbed from the blow. "Damn it," he cursed under his breath, furious with himself. 'He tricked me… made me think he was summoning something , and I fell for it.' He spat on the ground, eyes blazing with anger.
The man lowered his leg, his smirk never fading. "Predictable. Did you really think I'd let you cut me down so easily?"
Shikamaru's mind raced, analyzing what he had just seen. 'He's calculating… baiting us into reacting, then exploiting our mistakes.' He glanced at Kenta, who was already preparing for another attack. 'We'll need to be more cautious.'
The man's smirk faltered slightly, but his eyes remained cold. "You'll pay for what you did… and you won't leave this place alive."
Naruto's fists tightened at his sides."Ready?" he muttered, his voice low, but firm. Ayaka nodded silently, her staff twirling in a blur beside her.
With a burst of speed, they moved in perfect sync, barely exchanging glances as they charged the man. Ayaka spun her staff low, sweeping her staff at the man's legs while naruto darted in from above, fists raised, aiming for his head.
The man didn't flinch.
With effortless precision, he sidestepped Ayaka's staff, his movements smooth. His hand shot up, parrying Naruto's punch with the back of his wrist, then twisting his body to avoid a follow-up strike. A flurry of fists and feet followed, Naruto's relentless taijutsu clashing against the man's defense.
But the man was always ahead, deflecting, redirecting, his body slipping through the gaps in Naruto's offense.
Naruto's fists came close—almost too close—grazing the man's jaw. For the first time, the man's expression turned serious. He retaliated, his elbow crashing against Naruto's ribs with a brutal, bone-rattling force. Naruto gasped, staggered, but before he could recover, the man's knee slammed into his gut.
"Guh!"
The impact sent Naruto flying back, but just as his body crashed against a tree, Kenta leaped into action. His saber gleamed under the moonlight as he charged the man with fierce precision.
Steel clashed against steel. Kenta's saber met the man's kunai in a quick, brutal exchange. The man was fast, almost too fast for Kenta to keep up. Their blades sparked with each clash, their strikes barely missing their marks. Kenta's grip tightened on his sword as he pushed forward, driving the man back with a surge of strength.
"You've been waiting for this, haven't you?" Kenta growled between labored breaths. Their weapons locked, the man's kunai pressing against Kenta's saber as their faces inched closer.
The man smirked, his eyes gleaming with dangerous light. "You could say that."
Kenta pushed harder, veins bulging in his arms as the saber edged closer to the man's throat. For a moment, victory seemed possible. But then—just as quickly as it had appeared—the man let go, stepping back. Kenta's momentum carried him forward, his balance lost.
Before Kenta could right himself, the man spun low, sweeping his leg out in a vicious kick that caught Kenta off guard.
The kick landed squarely on Kenta's head, and the world blurred as his body was flung sideways into a tree. His vision swam as he crumpled to the ground, sword slipping from his grasp.
"Kenta!" Ayaka yelled out.
She redirected her attention to the man and rushed in, her staff a blur as she moved, ignoring the pain in her broken arm. She spun on her heel,using her momentum to strike at the man's midsection, but the pain slowed her down. The man's hand snapped, catching the staff mid-swing.
"You're slower than I expected," he sneered, twisting her staff sharply, pulling her closer. His grip tightened around her broken arm. Pain shot through her and her knees buckled.
Her scream was sharp, raw, but she grit her teeth, refusing to fall.
"I'm enjoying this by the way," the man said coldly, his voice dripping with malice. "Beating Kenta down, and you? I've waited a long time for this. It's really enjoyable."
With a sharp twist, he shoved her back and followed through with a brutal kick to her stomach. Ayaka's body folded, her staff slipping from her hand as she crumpled, gasping for air.
Naruto's growl echoed from behind. He surged forward again, fists blazing as he launched himself at the man, his movements now fiercer, more desperate. But no matter how fast Naruto was, the man was faster.
Naruto's fist came at him, but the man parried with a swift, fluid motion, his knee rising to Naruto's gut yet again. This time though, Naruto grabbed the man's knee mid-strike, gritting his teeth as he pushed back.
Naruto's eyes met the man. "You think… that'll stop me?"
The man's smirk faltered, just for a moment. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, he twisted his body, spinning out of Naruto grasp, his leg snapping out to catch Naruto's knees with a sickening crack. Naruto staggered, clutching his side, but refusing to fall.
"You're persistent," the man said, his voice full of mockery. "I'll give you that."
Ayaka coughed, struggling to stand, her legs shaking beneath her. Kenta stirred against a tree, blinking blood out of his eyes as he reached for his saber.
But the man? He stood tall, unharmed, smirking at the three of them as if they were nothing more than entertainment. "You're all trying so hard," he mocked. "But in the end, it's pointless. I'm always two steps ahead."
Naruto's fists clenched tighter,his breath ragged. But he wasn't done yet.
Neither were they.
OoO
Too tired for a smartass remark.
Kaiokenika out!
Jutsu List
5.Kage Hoko no Jutsu(Shadow Control Jutsu!) is a Nara clan jutsu that allows Shikamaru to tether his opponents' shadow, gradually increasing its pressure over time. As the shadow's weight grows, it manipulates the opponent's body, making them feel heavier and more sluggish. Additionally, while using the jutsu, Shikamaru can control the opponent's movements, making it a versatile and strategic technique.
6.Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu (Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique), is a B-rank fire release technique that creates a stream of fire shaped like a dragon. The flames can travel along the ground, following the user's movements, and cause significant destruction in a wide area upon impact. This jutsu is known for its versatility and power in battle.