Deep in the mist, Shikamaru leaned against a tree trunk with a blade of grass between his lips, his fingers tapping rapidly against his palm. His gaze swept over the Sunagakure and Cloud Village teams fighting ahead, and a calculating smile curled his lips.
"Choji, see that Sunagakure ninja on the left? He's used Wind Release three times already. He's burned through a lot of chakra, and his scoreboard is showing at his waist." Shikamaru kept his voice low. "Ino, use the Mind Body Switch Technique to disrupt his teammate in a moment. Choji, use Human Bullet Tank to charge in when you get an opening. Don't actually fight—just grab the scoreboard and run."
Choji nodded, quietly took some potato chips from his backpack, and stuffed two mouthfuls into his mouth. Chakra circulated rapidly through his body, which swelled slightly. "Don't worry. I can control the direction of my Human Bullet Tank precisely now. I definitely won't hit the wrong person."
Ino smoothed her hair, gathering chakra at her fingertips. "No problem. That female Cloud Village ninja has all her attention on the Sunagakure captain. I can easily disrupt her."
With their roles clearly assigned, Shikamaru watched the battle. When the Sunagakure ninja unleashed Wind Release again, he suddenly raised his hand. "Now!"
Ino instantly activated the Mind Body Switch Technique, her mental energy becoming an invisible thread that wound toward the female Cloud Village ninja. The woman faltered, her eyes turning unfocused. The Sunagakure captain seized the opening and slashed at her with his sword, failing to notice Choji rolling toward him like a ball. Choji slammed into the Sunagakure ninja's waist with a thud, snatching the scoreboard hanging there as he hit.
"Got it!" Choji grinned and hurried back behind the tree, clutching the scoreboard. The Sunagakure ninja