As Shikamaru's voice fell, Jirobo's shadow visibly began to retract, merging with Shikamaru's own. Jirobo fully transformed into his Second Cursed Seal state, a monstrous and fearsome appearance.
"Hahaha... What kind of jutsu is that... hahaha!" Despite noticing his shadow was gone, Jirobo felt no immediate discomfort and burst into laughter, believing nothing was amiss.
"Is that so?" Shikamaru smirked ominously and abruptly released the Shadow Trap, exposing Jirobo to direct sunlight.
"What... what's happening?!" Jirobo's laughter died instantly as he realized his body was slowly burning under the sun. Though he felt no pain, the sight of his form disintegrating into ashes filled him with terror.
"Despair, won't you? Haha." Shikamaru remarked coldly. "Let me enlighten you: this is my new ability. Once I strip someone of their shadow, they cannot survive under sunlight. The sun will purify them."
What Shikamaru didn't disclose was the secondary effect of his ability: by stripping shadows, he gained access to his victim's abilities and an increase in his shadow-based power reserves. However, the technique was mentally taHoshi, so he only used it when absolutely necessary.
As Shikamaru finished speaking, Jirobo's body completely disintegrated under the sunlight, leaving nothing behind except a shadow containing Jirobo's Second Cursed Seal power.
⚔──────────────
Turning to Choji, who was still stunned, Shikamaru asked, "Choji, are you alright?"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine." Choji replied weakly. "You should go help Naruto and the others!"
"Understood. Be careful, Choji." Shikamaru said before vanishing into the trees with a few swift movements.
Left alone, Choji murmured to himself, "Shikamaru... you've become so strong..."
⚔──────────────
Shikamaru rushed toward Naruto and the others, arriving just as Neji's Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation was shattered. Before he could intervene, Neji executed a new technique, effortlessly diverting Kidomaru's spider web shuriken.
"What kind of move is that?" Kidomaru muttered from his hiding spot, puzzled and frustrated. His nearly assured victory had been thwarted.
"That's Tai Chi." Shikamaru's voice echoed from behind him.
"Shadow Technique: Shadow Stripping!"
Kidomaru turned, wide-eyed, as Shikamaru's shadow tore his own from him. Before he could retaliate, Shikamaru kicked him out of his hiding place.
⚔──────────────
Hearing a commotion, Neji saw Kidomaru's body plummet toward him. Without hesitation, he activated his Gentle Fist stance.
"Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms!"
Neji's strikes landed with rapid precision, sending Kidomaru flying back. His body landed in sunlight, igniting instantly. Neji watched in shock as Kidomaru's form disintegrated into ash.
"Impressive, Neji." Shikamaru remarked, stepping into view. "Even without my help, you'd have handled him."
"Shikamaru?! What are you doing here?" Neji exclaimed, recognizing him. Shikamaru's reputation had grown immensely in Konoha.
"I can't be here?" Shikamaru jokes. "Choji's injured but safe. I told him to head to the hospital. Want to come with me to back up Naruto and the others?"
"I refuse to abandon my mission." Neji stated firmly.
"Fair enough. Keep up, then."
⚔──────────────
As they traveled, Neji broke the silence. "Shikamaru, how did you become so strong?"
"Strong, huh? If I told you it was mostly luck, would you believe me?" Shikamaru replied, chuckling. Though he knew luck played a role, his strength was the result of relentless effort.
After a moment, Shikamaru turned to Neji. "If I offered you power, would you take it?"
"What kind of power? What's the catch?" Neji asked cautiously.
"Kidomaru's abilities. No catch. I just want to test something."
Neji hesitated, but the memory of Kidomaru's unique techniques intrigued him. "Alright. I want to grow stronger."
"Good choice." Shikamaru said, halting. "Relax your body."
Activating his Shadow Eye, Shikamaru formed seals rapidly. His voice was calm but commanding: "Shadow Technique: Shadow Bestowal."
A tendril of shadow emerged from Shikamaru's feet, entering Neji.
"ARGH!" Neji cried out as his body transformed. He bore an uncanny resemblance to Kidomaru's Second Cursed Seal state, though his face remained distinctly his own.
"Spider Sticky Gold!" Neji called out instinctively, producing a sticky substance in his hands. He looked at Shikamaru in astonishment. "Thank you, Shikamaru. I swear to repay this debt."
Shikamaru smiled faintly. "Just focus on mastering your new abilities. Walking around like that will terrify people."
Despite Shikamaru's reservations about Kidomaru's power being a fit for Neji, he decided it would suffice for now. If a better option arose, he could always grant Neji a new ability later.
⚔──────────────
Shikamaru's thoughts turned to the remaining Sound Four. "Sakon, Ukon, and Kimimaro... your shadows are mine."
However, as he and Neji arrived at the next scene, they discovered Shino locked in battle with Sakon and Ukon. Before Shikamaru could intervene, Shino's insects overwhelmed Sakon. Ukon, who had tried to infiltrate Shino's body, met the same fate, consumed from the inside by Shino's swarm.
Shikamaru sighed in disappointment. "Impressive, Shino, but I was hoping to strip their shadows." He knew that once someone was dead, their shadow could no longer be taken.
With the Sound Four reduced to two, Tayuya and Kimimaro, Shikamaru sped ahead. He couldn't afford any more losses, especially if Kiba was facing Tayuya alone.
⚔────
A/N: You can read up to Chapter 68 (30+ chapters ahead of the current one) on my Patreon: patreon.com/vynthor