In every story, just when the protagonist is about to escort the princess back home, some villain always shows up to block their path.
Like right now.
"Dear Princess, you've finally decided to return!" Rōga Nadare, clad in Snow Country's distinctive chakra armor, flashed a sinister grin at Kazahana Koyuki.
He completely ignored Hikari and the Ino-Shika-Chō trio standing nearby.
"Who are you?" Koyuki's expression was cold, her eyes burning with stubborn defiance as she stared at Nadare.
"We are shinobi of the Snow Country. You may call me Rōga Nadare. These two are Kakuyoku Fubuki and Fuyukuma Mizore. We've come to escort you back, Princess."
"Heh heh..." Fuyukuma Mizore let out a laugh that any man would recognize as lecherous.
"Disgusting. I've returned to reclaim what is mine. I won't let the Land of Snow remain your tool any longer!" Koyuki declared, her words dripping with regal authority.
"Interesting. Just as the boss said, you really are a stubborn one, Princess." Nadare cracked his knuckles, impatience creeping into his tone.
"So, will you come with us willingly, or shall we have to... persuade you?"
His meaning was clear—no matter what choice Koyuki made, her fate was already decided.
"Hik—"
Before Koyuki could finish, Hikari stepped forward.
"Enough pointless chatter. You extras shouldn't hog the spotlight for too long, or the audience will complain about filler."
"You bastard—!" Nadare glared at Hikari. Just because he was a tech-based shinobi didn't mean he didn't understand terms like "extras" and "protagonists".
"Shikamaru, Ino, Chōji—one each. Be careful of their armor; it's got some tricks." With that, Hikari waved his hand and settled in to watch.
"Go!"
At Hikari's signal, Shikamaru—who had been itching for a fight—rushed forward, with Ino and Chōji following close behind.
"You're dead!" Rōga Nadare snarled, forming hand seals.
"Ice Release: Ice Prison Technique!"
The icy ground beneath them surged upward at Shikamaru's feet.
'Ice Release, huh?'
Shikamaru formed his own seals.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
A clone appeared beside him, and the two immediately split off, flanking Nadare from both sides.
"Not bad."
"Ice Release: Twin Ice Wolves!"
Two frozen wolves materialized, each lunging at one of the Shikamarus.
"Figures."
Shikamaru smirked, having already deciphered the nature of his opponent's techniques.
"Ice Release is the exclusive kekkei genkai of the Yuki Clan from Kirigakure. For a second, I was actually impressed. But looking closely, your techniques just manipulate the existing ice—like how we use Earth Release on solid ground. Since it's not true Ice Release, I've got nothing to worry about."
"You little brat—die!" Exposed, Rōga Nadare's face twisted in fury. With another clap, the ice wolves swelled in size.
For an enemy like this, Shikamaru only shook his head before speaking.
"Chōji—Super Multi-Size Technique!"
"On it!"
Chōji, who had been holding off Fuyukuma Mizore, immediately formed the necessary seals.
"Ninja Art: Super Multi-Size Technique!"
In an instant, Chōji showed everyone what it meant to transform into a living giant.
From a slightly chubby kid just over five feet tall, he became a towering colossus.
With terrifying precision, his massive hand snatched up Fuyukuma Mizore and squeezed.
*Crunch!*
The armor shattered, and with it, most of Mizore's bones.
"Impossible!"
Seeing his comrade defeated in an instant, Rōga Nadare's shock quickly gave way to panic.
"Ice Release: Ice Dragon Bullet!"
The technique only further confirmed Shikamaru's theory.
Unfazed, Shikamaru drew a kunai and charged.
"Ice Release: Frozen World!"
When ordinary techniques failed, Rōga Nadare resorted to his ultimate move.
A wave of freezing air erupted from the ground, jagged ice spikes racing toward Shikamaru.
Unlike before, this was a true area-of-effect attack.
"Ninja Art: Shadow Imitation Technique—success!"
As the frost crept up his legs, Shikamaru let out a relieved sigh.
Even if it wasn't true Ice Release, the sheer cold was still a problem.
"Someone help! Her mental defenses are too strong—I can't get through!"
Ino's desperate cry came from the side, but Shikamaru maintained control, forcing Nadare to raise his weapon and stab toward his own vital points.
"Human Bullet Tank!"
Just as Ino was being overwhelmed by Kakuyoku Fubuki, a massive spinning boulder of flesh crashed down, saving her.
*Crack!*
Rōga Nadare's weapon pierced his own armor, triggering a chain reaction. Electricity sparked, and smoke billowed from the ruined machinery.
"No! My chakra armor! You can't do this!"
Seeing his damaged chakra armor, Nadare was more distraught than if he had been injured himself.
For a brief moment, Shikamaru actually felt a twinge of sympathy.
*BOOM!*
An explosion rocked the battlefield.
By the time Shikamaru reacted, Rōga Nadare had detonated his armor. The shockwave broke Shikamaru's Shadow Imitation, throwing him off balance.
Thankfully, the enemy didn't press the attack, allowing Shikamaru to catch his breath, though his face flushed with embarrassment.
Look at Chōji—using his Expansion Jutsu, he instantly crushed his opponent and even helped Ino defeat hers.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru had only restrained his enemy, failing to secure victory, and let him escape due to a moment of carelessness.
This was nothing short of a disgrace.
"Amazing! With these three defeated, we can finally confront Kazahana Dotō!" Koyuki's excitement was palpable.
"Thank you, shinobi-samas!" Sandayū bowed obsequiously, already envisioning his future as the queen's most trusted advisor.
Ignoring them, Hikari approached Shikamaru and pressed a kunai into his palm.
"...Hikari-senpai?" Shikamaru stared blankly.
Surely he wasn't being ordered to commit seppuku over one mistake?
"What're you thinking?"
Hikari smacked the back of his head. Even if Shikamaru weren't the future head of the Nara Clan, Hikari wouldn't execute a fellow Konoha shinobi for something like this.
"Your mission isn't over yet. Finish the job."
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