"Stop! Don't! Ino!"
After a sneak attack sent Shikamaru flying, he clutched the book protectively to his chest and begged Ino for mercy.
"Shikamaru, I never thought you'd be this kind of person! You're usually so serious!
"Forgetting to save me was one thing, but now you're sitting here reading this kind of dirty book.
"After the exams today, I'm telling your dad!"
Ino clenched her teeth and punched her fist into her palm, forcing down her anger.
She knew the Chunin Ninja Exams were still going on. She couldn't beat Shikamaru so badly that he was unable to fight.
"Ow! Ino, you've got it all wrong. Actually, just now..."
Holding his swollen cheek, Shikamaru got up from the ground and briefly explained what he and Shirozumi had talked about.
"What? You're trying to stop beautiful girls from falling in love with you? Shikamaru, I never knew you were this conceited!
"If Sasuke or that Rain Ninja from earlier said something like that, fine, but what makes you think you qualify?"
Ino was speechless halfway through.
"It's not about whether I qualify. It's like if a Sand Ninja suddenly stabbed me with a kunai during the exam. It's unlikely, but it's not impossible. I need to prevent that kind of unlikely thing from happening."
"I don't get it."
"..."
Shikamaru was helpless. Sometimes, being so much smarter than your peers wasn't a good thing.
"Based on what you just told me, he was talking with you the whole time and never acted strangely?"
Ino asked seriously.
"That's right. Why? Oh, right, Ino. Your Mind Body Switch Technique failed just now. You weren't hurt, were you?"
"..."
Ino was speechless again.
He'd only just remembered to ask if she was hurt? And this guy was worried that girls might suddenly fall