"Ah, what a pain. Why do I have to take part in this war?" Shikamaru rubbed his head as he walked toward the arena.
The arena matches had now been going on for three days.
The most intense battlefield over there still had not produced a winner.
Yet Shikamaru had no choice but to step into the arena.
After all, he had been sent by Konoha to secure a ranking.
Otherwise, with his personality, he would never have voluntarily entered this sort of competition.
But Konoha still needed money for its development.
Based on his strength, he should theoretically be able to make it into the top hundred.
Though he did not know why those people in Konoha had so much confidence in him, when even he himself had little confidence.
There were simply too many monsters in this universe now.
Even though he had learned some secret techniques his father had taught him, even surpassing his father in some respects—
He still did not consider himself particularly strong.
As he entered the arena and looked at his opponent's brawny build and abnormal height—
"Someone from Sea Star?"
"Kid, you still dared to fight after running into Lord Plati. I have to admire your courage."
The towering man spoke coldly.
Shikamaru merely raised his eyes. "Your strength is indeed decent. Just right for me to make use of."
"What did you say!?" Plati immediately flew into a rage and charged at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru's shadow turned into a circle beneath his feet.
"If I take you down quickly, it should make for a pretty good deterrent."
To hold the arena securely now, overwhelming strength was enough to make others wary.
A black substance began drifting up from the dark shadow beneath his feet, wrapping around Shikamaru like ribbons.
"This was a