"The contestants for the fourth match are: Shikamaru Nara versus Kisame Hoshigaki!"
"Will the contestants for the next match please take the stage!"
Hayate's voice came through the speakers. Only then did Shikamaru Nara slowly rise from the sofa in the waiting room. After spacing out for two seconds, he raised a hand to the back of his neck, twisted it to loosen up, then looked up at the sky. With both hands clasped behind his head, he slowly made his way through the passage toward the arena.
Kisame Hoshigaki, Shikamaru's opponent, had already been waiting by the entrance to the passage before Sasuke and Samui's match had even ended, eager to start—and finish—this battle.
He had already arrived in the arena.
Hayate sighed helplessly and called into the microphone again.
"Contestant Shikamaru Nara, don't oversleep. It's your turn."
"Please take the stage quickly."
Only after he spoke did Shikamaru's swaying figure emerge from the passage.
Shikamaru first looked up at the surrounding stands.
Whoa... there are so many people... I have to fight with all these people watching?
What a pain... I really want to go home and sleep. According to the rules, can't I just surrender?
But the next moment, his gaze landed on the family seating in the front rows.
Why is Mom here?
Yoshino Nara was enthusiastically waving both hands at Shikamaru.
Though the crowd around her was extremely noisy, he could still make out the movement of his mother's lips.
She wore a gentle, smiling expression as she called out.
"I know you understand what I mean."
"If you dare surrender, you're dead when you get home."
Shikamaru felt his heart skip a beat. His entire mood crashed at once, and he became even more listless. As if he had accepted his fate, he lowered