But just as the shadow snapped taut, Kimimaro took a step forward.
Shikamaru's pupils abruptly contracted, and he froze.
The Shadow Imitation Technique had failed!
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a fierce gust swept toward him, and Shikamaru jerked his head up.
A white bone blade, loose white robes, and white hair all flared through the air.
Kimimaro was already in front of him, moving unbelievably fast.
The bone blade slashed toward him. Shikamaru leaned his head back, dodging the strike.
At the same time, his right hand swept across his waist.
Whoosh!
He hurled a kunai straight at Kimimaro, who was mere inches away.
Kimimaro's eyes flickered, and he swung his bone blade, striking the kunai.
Clang!
Sparks flew, and the kunai was knocked away.
But Shikamaru used that brief opening to leap backward, escaping Kimimaro's attack range.
His hand-to-hand combat puts incredible pressure on me!
Even more than that guy named Jugo!
Shikamaru thought, his expression turning utterly grave in an instant.
If I'm going to fight him, I have to keep my distance.
What a drag. I'll really have to use my head for this fight!
Otherwise, I'll lose miserably!
While he was thinking, Kimimaro moved before him like a graceful dancer, yet every ethereal movement carried a cold intent to kill.
Whoosh!
The bone blade skimmed past his head, sending strands of hair drifting down. Shikamaru broke into a cold sweat.
Had that slash been an inch lower, it would have taken the top of his skull off.
His legs moved rapidly as he retreated, putting distance between them again. A fine sheen of sweat visibly formed on his forehead.
That was close!
The very next second, Kimimaro charged at him again.
He held the bone blade in one hand, his robes fluttering. Every swing looked like a dance,