"The Sand Emperor? Kakashi, have you heard of it? It's holding its own against Shukaku, the One-Tail..." Guy muttered in astonishment as he observed the fierce battle unfolding. He glanced at Kakashi, who stood beside him. They had already retreated a safe distance, half a mile away, avoiding the devastating fallout of the clash between the two beasts.
"Gaara…" Temari's worried gaze darted between Shukaku, locked in an intense struggle with the Sand Emperor, and Shikamaru, who hovered silently in mid-air. "Shikamaru… why aren't you doing anything?" she called out, her voice trembling.
Shikamaru watched the stalemate unfold below him. He knew the battle could drag on endlessly unless he intervened. Time wasn't a luxury he could afford. A sigh escaped his lips. "Guess I have no choice but to step in." he murmured.
"Shadow Ninjutsu, Multi Shadow Shuriken Clone Technique!"
With a swift motion, Shikamaru launched a barrage of shadow-enhanced shurikens toward the battling titans. Their sharp eyes immediately detected the incoming projectiles.
"Ha! Sand Emperor, you're finished now!" Shukaku roared with laughter, mistaking Shikamaru's attack as an act of assistance.
The Sand Emperor's expression darkened. "Shukaku, fight me one-on-one if you dare! No cheating!" it bellowed.
"Sand Style, Sand Shuriken Barrage!"
The Sand Emperor quickly swept up a mass of sand, shaping it into shurikens to intercept Shikamaru's incoming projectiles.
"Hmph! Don't forget about me!" Shukaku smirked wickedly. "Sand Style, Sand Shuriken Barrage!"
The battlefield exploded with the clash of shurikens. Shikamaru's shadow-enhanced shurikens scattered across the ground around the beasts.
"Shadow Ninjutsu, Multi Shadow Shuriken Binding Technique!"
The fallen shurikens morphed into tendrils of shadow, lunging toward Shukaku and the Sand Emperor.
"Ha! It seems that kid isn't on your side after all, Shukaku." the Sand Emperor mocked as it saw its opponent ensnared by shadows.
"You brat! What are you doing?!" Shukaku roared, its voice laced with anger and confusion. The beast thrashed violently, its movements futile against the unrelenting shadows. Its eyes burned with rage as it glared at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru smirked. "I had hoped you'd take each other out, but I'm running out of time. Shukaku, you're no longer of any use to me."
Ignoring Shukaku's furious roars, Shikamaru clasped his hands together, forming seals. "Shadow Ninjutsu, Multi Shadow Clone Technique!"
Pop! Pop! Pop!
In an instant, two thousand clones appeared, encircling the two beasts. The combined voices of Shikamaru's clones echoed ominously. "Shadow Ninjutsu, Two Thousand Shadow Ensnarement!"
Darkness consumed the battlefield as the clones' shadows bound the creatures. From a distance, Guy gulped nervously. "If I were caught in that, I wouldn't stand a chance." he muttered, beads of sweat trickling down his face.
"Argh! What are you trying to do, you brat?!" Shukaku bellowed.
"Let me go, you little punk!" the Sand Emperor growled in defiance.
Ignoring their protests, Shikamaru extended his shadow toward the two beasts. The tension in his hands was palpable. "Kakashi! Guy! I need your help to hold them down!" he shouted.
"On it!" Guy yelled, charging forward with unbridled enthusiasm. Kakashi's Sharingan gleamed as he tried and failed to mimic Shikamaru's unique technique. Nonetheless, he leapt into action.
"What's the plan, Shikamaru?" Guy asked as he reached him.
"Hit them with everything you've got. Don't let them struggle free!" Shikamaru ordered, his focus unwavering.
"But what about Gaara?!" Temari protested, panic etched across her face.
"Temari, I promise Gaara will be fine!" Shikamaru assured her firmly before resuming his technique.
Temari hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "I'll help with the Sand Emperor!" she declared, darting off.
"Lightning Style, Chidori!"
"Eight Gates Release, Sixth Gate: Gate of View, Open!"
Kakashi and Guy unleashed their full strength, each targeting a different beast. Their combined assaults pushed Shikamaru's technique forward, forcing Shukaku and the Sand Emperor into submission.
As Shukaku's shadow was stripped away, it let out an agonized roar. "What have you done to me, brat?!"
Shikamaru's eyes glinted. "Without your shadow, you'll fade in sunlight. Return to Gaara, or you'll disappear forever."
Shukaku cursed vehemently before retreating into Gaara's body. The boy fell from the sky, unconscious. Temari rushed to catch him, her eyes flickering with gratitude as they met Shikamaru's.
Meanwhile, the Sand Emperor, battered but unyielding, finally broke. "Stop! I surrender!" it cried.
"Oh?" Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean to form a contract?"
"Yes! I'll be your summon, just spare me!" the Sand Emperor pleaded.
Shikamaru hesitated, then shook his head. "I already have a summoning beast." He prepared to finish it off when Temari stepped between them.
"Shikamaru, please!" she pleaded. "Let Gaara have it as his summon!"
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Finally, he smirked. "Alright, but on one condition." He leaned close to Temari's ear and whispered, "My condition… is you."
Temari froze, her face flushing red. After a moment, she whispered, "I… I accept."
Shikamaru grinned victoriously. "Kakashi, wake Gaara up."
⚔────────
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The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
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One Piece: Summoner of the 3D Zone – 38 advanced chapters!
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