For a while, neither of them moved. One was intensely wary, while the other looked utterly laid-back, even yawning repeatedly.
"What's going on? Why aren't they fighting?"
Unable to make sense of it, Karin asked curiously.
"The Nara Clan boy... Shikamaru, wasn't it? He's probably realized how wary his opponent is of him, so he's deliberately acting like this to reinforce her mental defenses."
Kakashi explained from beside her.
"But what good does that do? She's still going to attack, isn't she?"
Even after hearing Kakashi's explanation, Karin only half understood.
"Perhaps..."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes as he looked at Asuma nearby, who stood with his arms folded, leisurely smoking.
Is Asuma playing along with his student?
Just as Kakashi suspected, Temari, a ninja who also liked to analyze tactics, began to hesitate when she saw Shikamaru's behavior.
Then she feigned a casual glance at his teammates and instructor in the spectator area.
They were chatting and laughing, completely relaxed, looking thoroughly satisfied with Shikamaru's performance and confident in him.
What's going on?
Temari tightened her grip on the Three-Star Fan, her intention to strike first and test him weakening further.
If the enemy doesn't move, neither do I... That's probably still what she's thinking.
Shikamaru touched his earring, guessing at her state of mind.
But this standoff will only last another ten or twenty seconds at most. After that, she'll act anyway...
As though confirming Shikamaru's prediction, after learning nothing from her observations, Temari finally opened her enormous fan, revealing all three stars on its surface.
"Three Stars!"
Even Temari's probing attack was a powerful move. Swinging the Three-Star Fan, she unleashed formidable Wind Release ninjutsu!
A Gale sprang into existence, its fierce winds sweeping straight toward Shikamaru!
"Let's see how you counter this... What?"
After unleashing her ninjutsu,