Naruto: I am Nara Shikamaru

When Shikamaru returned to his team with the collected Earth and Heaven Scrolls, both Ino and Choji looked at him with genuine respect. Ino thought to herself, even with three people working together, accomplishing this wasn't easy!

The next day, Shikamaru led Ino and Choji toward the central area. Along the way, they encountered a group of ninja from Kusagakure. Using his Shadow Imitation Technique, Shikamaru trapped them all alone, while Ino and Choji handled the rest easily, earning another Heaven Scroll.

"Wait up!" Shikamaru called out. "There's some movement ahead. I'll check it out, you two be careful and follow closely!"

With that, Shikamaru dashed ahead to a nearby tree. What he saw made him smirk: Rock Lee was fighting Tosu from the Sound Village. Sakura was kneeling nearby, and Naruto and Sasuke were both lying unconscious inside a hollow tree.

"Wow, it's just like in the original story!" Shikamaru chuckled to himself. Even though he wasn't the same Shikamaru from before, the events were strikingly similar.

Soon Ino and Choji crept up behind him.

"Ah! Sakura and Sasuke!" Ino exclaimed, forgetting all about Naruto.

"Keep your voice down!" Shikamaru quickly put a finger to his lips. Ino immediately covered her mouth, looking adorable and nervous as she glanced at him.

"Heh, didn't expect you to be pretty too, Ino." Shikamaru teased, then added, "Hey Ino, Sakura's your friend, right? Want to help? That thick-browed guy looks like he's about done for."

Ino blushed, surprised by the sudden compliment. The old Shikamaru wouldn't have said that. Shikamaru didn't realize it, but since letting go a bit, he'd become much more carefree.

"Alright, let's help Sakura!" Ino said, glancing at the short-haired girl with sympathy. They both drifted into memories.

"Okay! Listen up!" Shikamaru quickly laid out the strategy.

Just after Lee's defeat, Ino sprang into action.

"Mind Body Switch Technique!"

Bang! 

The technique hit its target, not Kin, as in the original, but Zaku, who had just used the Air Slash. Ino froze after the hit, while Shikamaru launched two kunai at Dosu and Kin.

Clang clang!

Kin and Dosu blocked the flying kunai.

"Who's there?" Dosu demanded, turning toward the direction of the kunai.

"Ninja Art: Meat Bomb Cart!" 

Choji's voice rang out as he rolled a giant meatball toward Zaku. Zaku immediately raised both hands to block Choji, but neither Kin nor Dosu noticed anything suspicious.

Only when Choji was about to collide did Kin and Dosu realize Zaku wasn't really gathering energy in his hands and gasped, "Zaku…"

"Mind Body Switch Technique – Release!"

At the same moment, Shikamaru appeared behind Kin and Dosu. Taking advantage of their distraction, he quickly formed hand signs.

"Ninja Art – Shadow Imitation Technique!"

Bang! 

Just as Zaku was regaining his senses, he was knocked away by Choji's Meat Bomb Cart, crashing unconscious under a giant tree. Blood spilled from his mouth, several ribs broken.

"Ah!"

Kin and Dosu struggled but found themselves unable to move, cold sweat breaking out across their faces. They had fallen victim to Shikamaru's Shadow Imitation Technique, a sneaky, silent jutsu perfect for surprise attacks. Though it only lasts five minutes, it's powerful enough to trap enemies before they can react. Against strong ninja, it could be broken in seconds, but not these two.

"Wow, Shikamaru, you're amazing!" Ino praised as she saw the plan quickly dismantle their enemies.

Meanwhile, Kin and Dosu were knocked out cold.

"Ino?" Sakura's voice brightened with relief. She took a deep breath, feeling truly saved and grateful.

"Hmph! Don't think I'm here to save you. My target's Sasuke." Ino replied coolly.

"What? Sasuke's mine, hmph!" Sakura snapped back, and the two immediately started bickering, much to Shikamaru's amusement.

"Lee, are you okay?" Shikamaru walked over to help Rock Lee up, a ninja he admired greatly.

"I'm fine!" Lee struggled to stand. "Thank you all for saving me and Sakura. I'm really touched… sniff." Seeing Lee get emotional and teary-eyed, Shikamaru couldn't help but be speechless. That was Lee's one annoying trait.

Just then, Shikamaru sensed a dark, ominous chakra rising. He looked toward Sasuke, black chakra swirling steadily. Is he finally waking up? Sasuke, marked with Orochimaru's cursed seal…

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