"Akamaru! Let's go!"
"Fang Over Fang!"
Kiba yelled to Akamaru, launching their powerful Fang Over Fang technique. The two spinning forces merged in mid-air, creating an even more formidable attack that hurtled toward Tayuya.
"Damn it! Block them for me!" Tayuya shouted, directing her three summoned creatures to intercept the attack with the sound of her flute.
But against the destructive force of Fang Over Fang, even Tayuya's summoned beasts couldn't hold their ground. They were shredded by the spinning attack.
As Tayuya leaped away, she entered her second Cursed Seal state, immediately activating her genjutsu,
Demonic Flute: Illusionary Warriors Manipulating Melody.
Although she managed to trap Kiba momentarily, her lack of summoned creatures meant she had to close in for the kill. However, Kiba and Akamaru's sharp senses allowed them to react. Akamaru bit Kiba to break him out of the genjutsu, and together they unleashed another Fang Over Fang.
"Ahhh!" Tayuya screamed as the tree she was standing on was obliterated. She fell through the air, helpless against the next attack. Just as Kiba and Akamaru's Fang Over Fang was about to hit her, Shikamaru appeared, catching Tayuya around the waist and retreating to safety.
"You're… Shikamaru?" Tayuya looked at her unexpected savior in disbelief and began to struggle.
Thwack!
Shikamaru knocked her unconscious with a swift blow, and her body reverted from its Cursed Seal state. Her headband slipped off, revealing a surprisingly delicate and feminine face, one that looked almost peaceful in her unconscious state.
"Shikamaru…" Kiba panted, calling out as he collapsed onto the ground, exhausted. The two Fang Over Fang attacks had drained much of his chakra and stamina.
Thud!
Shikamaru tossed Tayuya's limp body beside Kiba without a second thought. "Kiba, keep an eye on this girl. I'll need her later. I'm heading to support Naruto and the others."
"Got it!" Kiba replied weakly, too drained to argue. He knew better than to question Shikamaru's methods, his reputation from the Chunin Exams still fresh in everyone's mind.
Shikamaru darted away, his focus now on catching up with Naruto's group.
⚔──────────────
"Leaf Hurricane!"
Rock Lee, in much better condition than during the original story thanks to avoiding severe injuries earlier, was holding his own against Kimimaro. Their battle echoed with the sound of fierce clashes, Lee's attacks quick and relentless, yet Kimimaro remained unfazed.
"Primary Lotus!"
Lee's speed increased as he launched Kimimaro into the air, wrapping him in bandages and slamming him down in a powerful strike.
Crash!
Lee stared in disbelief as Kimimaro stood up, unharmed and composed.
"You've wasted enough of my time." Kimimaro said calmly. "Now, I'll end this."
Dance of the Camellia.
Kimimaro's speed surged, and his attacks became more precise, leaving Lee struggling to keep up.
"Damn it! He's too fast!" Lee gritted his teeth.
"Eight Gates, Gate of Opening, Release!"
Lee shouted, opening four gates in rapid succession. His strength and speed increased dramatically as he forced Kimimaro onto the defensive.
"Is that so? I can do the same."
Kimimaro muttered, activating the Earth Cursed Seal and transitioning into the Dance of the Clematis.
⚔──────────────
Crash!
Lee was sent flying, his body finally giving out. "Is this the end...? Gai-sensei…"
Thud.
A wall of sand appeared before Lee, shielding him from Kimimaro's final blow. Gaara's calm voice followed.
"Lee, leave the rest to us."
Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro had arrived.
Before anyone could react, another voice rang out.
"Well, well, Temari, it's been a while!"
"Shikamaru?!" The group turned in surprise to see Shikamaru approach, casually greeting Temari. Her expression grew complex, memories of their last encounter, her stolen first kiss, flooding her mind.
"Gaara of the Desert. Nara Shikamaru." Kimimaro's tone shifted as he recognized two significant threats.
"Kimimaro." Shikamaru replied coolly. "So Orochimaru really isn't dead. Interesting…"
"You, how do you know about Orochimaru-sama?" Kimimaro asked, his expression momentarily slipping into shock.
"Let's just say I have my sources." Shikamaru smirked. "I'll leave this guy to you, Gaara. You can handle it, right?"
"Of course." Gaara stepped forward, ready to engage.
Shikamaru turned to Temari with a teasing smile. "Not going to say hi, Temari?"
"Shut up! I have nothing to say to you!" Temari snapped, though her cheeks betrayed her annoyance with a slight blush.
"Suit yourself." Shikamaru replied, turning back to watch Gaara and Kimimaro fight unfold. His Shadow Vision activated, recording every one of Kimimaro's techniques, the Dance of the Willow, the Dance of the Camellia, and more.
Kimimaro's final move, the Bracken Dance, forced the group to retreat into the air, Shikamaru sprouted shadowy wings to lift himself and Temari to safety.
"Shikamaru!" Temari exclaimed in surprise, wrapping her arms around him. She blushed again, this time hiding her face against his chest.
Shikamaru remained focused. "Kimimaro's shadow… I can't let it go to waste."
Spotting Kimimaro's figure amid the forest of bone, Shikamaru landed on a nearby branch, shadows extending from his feet.
"Shadow Imitation Technique."
"Shadow Extraction Technique."
Kimimaro's shadow was swiftly pulled from his body. His physical form, already near its limit, began to burn away under the sunlight, disintegrating into ash.
"Shadow extraction successful." Shikamaru muttered with a satisfied sigh. He turned to Temari, releasing her with a smirk. "Time to go."
With a quick farewell to Gaara and the others, Shikamaru darted off to rejoin Naruto, his mind already strategizing for the battles ahead.
"Let's hope I'm not too late."
⚔────────
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Extra Content Already Available:
The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
Naruto: I Am Nara Shikamaru – 30 advanced chapters!
One Piece: Summoner of the 3D Zone – 38 advanced chapters!
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