Sound Ninja Kin Tsuchi

In the Chunin Preliminary Matches, he had engaged Sound Ninja Kin Tsuchi in an intense duel. Kin Tsuchi was skilled at controlling the wires attached to her bells, while he had cleverly used the wires' shadows on the ground to successfully unleash the Shadow Imitation Technique.

During the battle, he had skillfully used the Shadow Imitation Technique to bring Kin Tsuchi's movements completely under his control. What was more, he had cleverly exploited the difference in distance between them and the wall, ultimately defeating Kin Tsuchi.

In his match against Temari, Shikamaru had displayed his extraordinary intelligence even more clearly. At the start of the match, he had seemingly futilely tried one tactic after another in an effort to catch Temari, but all of it had actually been part of his carefully crafted strategy.

He had cleverly guided Temari to a particular spot, then used a hole in the ground to seize her tightly with his shadow from behind. Yet just as everyone thought Shikamaru was about to win the match, he had unexpectedly conceded in a hasty manner.

Shikamaru explained that although he had already devised two hundred different strategies for the match, his chakra had been depleted from overusing shadow techniques. Besides, he had not wanted to hurt a woman, which was another important reason he had given up.

Of course, being afraid of trouble was his main reason. Shikamaru felt that the match had already consumed far too much of his energy and time, and continuing would only leave him even more exhausted.

Although Shikamaru had lost the match, he had won at life. The intelligence and strategy he had displayed during the match had made people see him in a new light. At the same time, Sasuke's return had also brought an unexpected twist to the