Facing Hikari's good intentions, Shikamaru only wanted to cry out loud.
As a shinobi with decent awareness, he knew perfectly well that Hikari simply wanted to give him a beating.
Life was just too hard.
"Gentle Fist: Thirty-Two Palms!"
Hinata launched her attack.
As a member of the Hyūga Main House, Hinata's talent was excellent, but because of her personality she could never bring out her true potential.
In short, she was timid. Even with strength, she couldn't display it.
"Too weak!"
If Neji's Sixty-Four Palms had transcended the level expected of his age and genuinely impressed Hikari, then Hinata's strikes were completely ordinary—nothing noteworthy at all.
How could an unremarkable attack make Hikari take her seriously?
"From now on, stop training with Kurenai. Come train with Ino instead."
Kurenai was a good teacher, but because of her own specialties, she didn't know much about taijutsu and couldn't properly guide Hinata's training.
To prevent Hinata's talent from going to waste, Hikari decided to take matters into his own hands.
The shinobi world had already changed. If Hikari continued doing things the old way, he might one day find himself surrounded and attacked by the Akatsuki.
He needed to cultivate his own allies.
Sasuke counted as one. Naruto counted as one. Among the rest, Neji was half, Lee was half, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio combined counted as one, and if Hinata brought out her potential, she could count as one too.
Hearing Hikari's words, Hinata froze mid-attack, only to be stopped by Hikari reaching out and tossing her aside.
Shino adjusted his sunglasses as he looked at Hikari, then launched his insects.
"I already understand the capabilities of the Aburame clan. You don't need to attack."
Hikari waved his hand and flames appeared out of nowhere, burning all the kikaichū beetles Shino had released.
"My abilities don't really connect with insects. As a member of the Aburame clan, Shino, what you need is to focus on your family's secret techniques, and maybe research ways to strengthen your insects."
Hearing Hikari call him by name, Shino blinked, slightly surprised. For someone used to being ignored, hearing Hikari call his name was shocking indeed.
Shino silently nodded and stepped back, giving the field to Shikamaru.
Now standing alone in front of Hikari, Shikamaru felt alarm bells ringing in his head.
A terrible premonition washed over him.
He could feel his misery was about to begin.
Thinking this, Shikamaru tried to salvage the situation.
"Hikari-senpai, I'm going to attack now!"
"Shadow Imitation Technique!"
Black shadows spread from beneath Shikamaru's feet toward Hikari, successfully catching Hikari's shadow.
'No way it connected this easily... Am I dreaming?!'
But when he tried to force Hikari's movements, Shikamaru froze.
It felt like trying to move a mountain. Not only was he incapable of making Hikari move even a little, he couldn't even retract his own shadow now.
Was he really just an ant trying to shake a tree?
"Whoops, I tripped!"
Hikari suddenly threw himself forward. Shikamaru followed stiffly, slamming face-first into the ground.
The difference was that Shikamaru truly crashed into the dirt, while Hikari stopped gracefully in midair, suspended ten centimeters above the ground as if supported by invisible hands.
"Wow, Shikamaru, you're amazing!"
Hikari stood upright effortlessly, and Shikamaru was forced to follow, his face bitter.
As the user of the Shadow Imitation Technique, he was now being controlled by his target. It was humiliating.
He was disgracing the entire Nara clan.
"Shikamaru, I'm your senpai. Go easy on me!"
*Thud!*
"Shikamaru, you're too strong! Have mercy!"
*Thud!*
"I surrender! I give up! I was wrong!"
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
The gathered rookies silently stepped back.
One glance at Shikamaru's miserable expression was enough to understand—Shikamaru wasn't controlling Hikari. Hikari was playing him like a puppet.
Hikari's clothes were spotless, complexion unchanged—no sign of injury at all.
Shikamaru, meanwhile, had been slammed around until he was dizzy and covered in dirt.
Even Naruto, who wasn't the quickest thinker, could tell Shikamaru was being toyed with.
"Alright. I've decided—Shikamaru will be the captain among you from now on. A shinobi who can manipulate my actions with shadow? Truly impressive."
Having had his fun, Hikari cheerfully made his announcement.
Flat on the ground, Shikamaru stared blankly at the sky. He felt his life had lost meaning.
Let this filthy world just end already.
"Hikari-senpai, didn't you say I was the squad leader before?" Ino puffed her cheeks unhappily.
Even though the title of "squad leader" was just for show and Shikamaru usually made all decisions, having her empty title taken away still hurt.
She needed to reclaim it!
Hikari said, "Ino, in Team 10, yes, you're the squad leader. But in this combined group, Shikamaru is the leader. In Team 10 you can command Shikamaru, and in this large group he can command you. So it doesn't conflict."
Ino: 'Somehow I feel like you're totally tricking me... and I have proof.'
"Your progress is quite good. I've been watching."
"Naruto and Sasuke, from now on you'll train with Team 10 under me. Any problems with that?"
"No problem at all!" Naruto shouted excitedly. "You're not gonna suddenly disappear again, right, Hikari-senpai?!"
Hikari shook his head. "Relax. I'll be staying in Konoha for a long while—and during that time, you'll *wish* I left."
Hearing this, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio—who had already survived Hikari's training—paled instantly. Looking at the excited Naruto, they silently held a three-second moment of mourning for him.
"You want to train me? Then can I ask how you plan to do it?" Sasuke didn't agree directly but instead asked about Hikari's intentions.
Hmm...
Hikari thought for a moment. "You and Naruto have different talents, so your training will be completely different too. It will be harsh, but it will also bring huge growth. The only question is... are you prepared to suffer?"
"I'm ready!" Naruto answered instantly, as always.
Sasuke hesitated, then nodded as well.
He wasn't afraid of hardship—he was afraid Hikari would trick him.
"Alright, I need to report to Hokage. Anything else before I go?" Hikari asked politely, a true democratic senpai.
Shikamaru instantly hid behind Chōji. He absolutely refused to endure more suffering he didn't deserve.
"Hikari-senpai, what about me?" Kiba raised Akamaru curiously.
Since Hinata was taken in, he figured he should be fine too.
Hikari blinked. "Do I look like a dog person to you?"
Kiba hurriedly clarified, "Senpai, I'm not giving you Akamaru! I'm asking if you'll train me too!"
"Hmm... I don't really like dog meat either." Hikari immediately declined Kiba's heartfelt offer.
Akamaru, hearing that, instantly peed in fear.
The spray splattered all over Kiba's head.
Within seconds, everyone within five meters cleared out, leaving only Kiba and Akamaru standing alone.