As a mid-range control ninja, Shikamaru was actually at a disadvantage against Tenten's long-range attacks. With Sasori's deliberate guidance added to the mix, the battle was completely one-sided. An endless barrage of ninja tools attacked indiscriminately, with steel wires attached to retrieve them. She manipulated the tools like a puppeteer, unleashing hundreds of attacks in an instant.
"Damn it, I can't even fight back."
Shikamaru had already been wounded by the ninja tools. Only his agility had kept him from falling in the first exchange.
Using the trees in the Duel Arena as cover, Shikamaru finally found a moment to catch his breath.
Watching from above, Sasori said, "This fight is over."
Anyo, who had forfeited his match, came over to Sasori and said, "Don't jump to conclusions. That guy has quite a brain for battle."
Sasori replied casually, "He was wounded just now. The outcome is decided."
Anyo immediately realized something and couldn't help asking, "You didn't go too far, did you?"
"It's fine. That poison gradually eats away at chakra. Unless he's a medical ninja, he won't realize he's been poisoned. He'll just think he's exhausted his chakra."
Anyo remarked, "You've really gone to a lot of trouble to help Tenten win."
After thinking things over behind a tree trunk, Shikamaru still found an opportunity to win: using the steel wires Tenten manipulated her ninja tools with. By extending his attack range along their extremely thin shadows, he finally caught a gap in Tenten's attacks and successfully restrained her with the Shadow Possession Jutsu.
Shikamaru walked into the center of the arena feeling relaxed, but when he sensed how little chakra remained in his body, he conceded with a wry smile, leaving the victorious Tenten looking thoroughly dissatisfied.
"Hey, did you do that on purpose? You're clearly the