Chapter 30 Practical Training Course (3)Sasuke VS Nara Shikamaru
Nara Shikamaru felt a deep sense of helplessness, and in this moment, he could completely understand what Kiba Inuzuka had just experienced.
A real fight was already troublesome enough, but now his opponent was Sasuke. If this were just a casual spar, it wouldn't matter much but Sasuke's expression… it wasn't the look of someone facing a classmate. It was the look of someone staring at prey.
Nara Shikamaru and Sasuke stepped out from the crowd. Unlike Naruto's match with Kiba, this battle drew far more attention. Almost all eyes were on Sasuke, with only Naruto enthusiastically cheering from the side.
"Go for it!"
Naruto shouted loudly, and both Sasuke and Shikamaru subconsciously assumed the encouragement was directed at them.
Nara Shikamaru: Naruto… thanks…
Sasuke: Unnecessary. I don't need encouragement to win.
The two locked eyes, their bodies tensing, ready to move the instant Iruka gave the signal.
Meanwhile, Chika had already arrived nearby during Naruto's match and was secretly observing everything from a hidden corner.
"Hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~ Not bad~ Not bad at all~ Looks like my training wasn't wasted~"
Chika casually munched on sunflower seeds she had bought on the way, watching Naruto's performance with visible satisfaction.
Sasuke: …Sister… even if that's true… I was the one who taught Naruto the Shadow Clone Technique…
Back then, Sasuke still vividly remembered the nightmare of that night. Naruto, whose chakra control was disrupted by the Nine-Tails' seal, simply couldn't grasp the technique at first. Sasuke had spent hours trying to guide him, only to collapse at dawn in complete exhaustion.
Inside the training ground, Shikamaru stared at Sasuke and swallowed.
He had already made his decision. The moment the match began, he would go all out with his clan's secret technique.
"Battle… Begin!"
"Shadow Imitation Technique!"
Shikamaru immediately formed hand seals and activated his clan's signature ninjutsu.
Shadow Technique.
This was the hallmark ability of the Nara clan, not a kekkei genkai but a closely guarded secret technique passed down through generations. From it stemmed advanced variations like Shadow Strangle Technique and Shadow Sewing. Even without being a bloodline limit, its strategic value rivaled many.
As his jutsu activated, the shadow beneath Shikamaru's feet stretched unnaturally across the ground, slithering forward toward Sasuke's shadow. If the two connected, Sasuke's movements would be completely restrained.
Although Sasuke had never encountered this technique before, his instincts screamed danger.
His Sharingan now still at the single tomoe stage activated instantly, enhancing his perception and reaction speed.
Without hesitation, Sasuke moved.
Fast.
Faster than the shadow creeping toward him.
Cold sweat appeared on Shikamaru's forehead. This was the fundamental weakness of the Shadow Imitation Technique it required positioning, timing, and terrain. Against someone fast enough, it was easy to evade.
Of course, experienced Nara clan members would manipulate angles, terrain, and distractions to compensate…
But Shikamaru hadn't reached that level yet.
Sasuke's figure blurred forward, closing the distance in an instant.
Shikamaru canceled the jutsu and prepared to rely on basic taijutsu to stall
But before he could even properly react
Sasuke was already in front of him.
A kunai appeared in Sasuke's hand, stopping just short of Shikamaru's neck.
The outcome… was decided.
Shikamaru froze, then slowly exhaled.
If this had been a real battle, he would already be dead.
"…Troublesome…"
He sighed quietly. He had expected to lose, but the speed of defeat still left a bitter taste.
After winning, Sasuke didn't turn away immediately.
Instead, he raised his hand and formed the standard Reconciliation Seal.
"Your technique is interesting. If you improve it, maybe you'll be worth fighting again someday… though I'll still win."
It sounded arrogant but for Sasuke, this was already a rare form of acknowledgment.
Shikamaru paused, then let out a small chuckle before forming the seal as well.
"Yeah… maybe next time."
The match ended.
The remaining sparring sessions continued, but after witnessing Naruto and Sasuke's performances, the rest of the fights felt… noticeably less impressive.
Iruka, however, was not relaxed.
Watching those two fight had already made sweat form on his forehead.
"If something goes wrong… can I even stop them in time?"
He was only a Chunin not a particularly strong one either. Facing two students already approaching Genin-level combat ability was… stressful.
Fortunately, the class was nearing its end.
Though not everyone got two matches as originally planned, time had run out.
Still… there were about five minutes left.
Iruka scanned the class, thinking of how to fill the remaining time.
But before he could decide
Two hands shot up instantly.
"Me! Me! Iruka-sensei!"
"I'm not done yet. I want another match."
Naruto and Sasuke.
Iruka froze.
One of them was already enough trouble.
Both at once?
That was asking for disaster.
From the sidelines, Chika suddenly became fully alert, cracking sunflower seeds faster.
"Oh~ now this is interesting…"
In her memory, Naruto and Sasuke rarely fought seriously at this stage. She had assumed it was because they were too close