Ino stood up, still holding the hand seal for the Mind Body Switch Technique.
"All right, Ino, you can stop. I told you, there's no point in us Genin trying to subdue him by force. What a pain."
Shikamaru said helplessly.
"Shikamaru, keep asking questions. I'll stay right here..."
"Little girl, do you not understand plain English? You don't really think your Mind Body Switch can intimidate me, do you?"
As he spoke, Shirozumi walked toward Ino.
"Y-you stay back!"
Ino kept her hands in position, looking a little flustered.
Behind Shirozumi, who was ignoring him, Shikamaru had started to sweat.
He was debating whether to use Shadow Possession Jutsu.
The man had his back to him, seemingly leaving himself wide open. But given the pressure he exuded and the confidence he displayed, if Shikamaru tried it and it failed, he'd only antagonize him. That would make resolving the situation even more difficult.
After weighing his options, Shikamaru decided against it.
He couldn't, and didn't need to, attack.
Besides, by his estimate, Ino was nearing the limit of what she could handle. If the man came any closer, she would definitely use the Mind Body Switch Technique.
This was the perfect chance to gauge his strength...
"Mind Body Switch Technique!"
Just as Shikamaru had predicted, Ino couldn't hold back when Shirozumi kept approaching, and used the Mind Body Switch Technique.
The enhanced mental energy gathered at her fingertips carried her spiritual consciousness as it shot toward Shirozumi and invaded his mind.
The Mind Body Switch Technique was a strategic secret technique, but its effectiveness in direct combat was poor.
Its lengthy preparation and hand seals, along with the need for its "projected mental energy" to hit the target, meant that any shinobi with even a little experience and skill could