Chapter 40: Sparring
Shikamaru had already expected a similar question. The Hokage knew enough to understand his abilities. Shikamaru's secret was impossible to hide, so the Hokage was one of those who needed to know about him. As much as he wanted to, but in some matters, he had to reveal some of his secrets. The choice was pretty simple, either Danz's side or the Hokage. Hiding certain information can lead to unpleasant consequences ... For Shikamaru, it was still easier, with his secrets he could choose, though not particularly reliable, but more or less stable side. Hiruzen was the best fit for this.
But, the Hokage knew about the guy's abilities for another reason, it just so happened that Shikamaru showed him his abilities ...
Two months ago. Hokage residence.
When the sun was already going down, Hiruzen, as usual, continued to sit for papers and work. After losing his wife, he began to spend much more time at work than in the past. Of course, sometimes, when the old man had free time, he tried to spend it with his grandson, and if possible, visit Naruto at least once a month.
Just when Hiruzen was about to take another report, there was a knock on his door. He raised his tired gaze and calmly said:
- Come in ...
A masked man entered the office and quickly said:
- Hokage-sama, here for you ... In general, the child named himself Shikamaru Nara.
The Hokage's eyebrow arched and he asked in surprise:
- Shikamaru? Shikaku's son?
At the ninja's brief nod, the Hokage scratched his beard in surprise and waved his hand.
- Then let him come ...
- Mm ... - nodding, the man closed the door and left. After about a couple of seconds, there was another knock on the door, and then a short guy entered the office.
When Shikamaru entered, his gaze quickly swept across the office, and after a second stopped at Hiruzen's surprised gaze:
"Hmm, was it just me, or did he check the surroundings? What a curious young man ... "- smiling slightly, the Hokage asked:
- What brings you to me boy? Shikaku sent you?
- No. Actually, I wanted to talk about something ...
- Yes? And what is it about? - Hiruzen looked at the guy with interest and waited. The look of this child surprised the old man a little, but remembering Shikaku as a child, he calmed down a bit. Still, geniuses sometimes grow up early ...
Shikamaru, on the other hand, made some conclusions:
"Not bad, so this is what the village chief's office looks like, interesting ... The old man doesn't even seem dangerous, and you can't say that he is an experienced shinobi. Although a sly and calm look is quite remarkable ... "
When Hiruzen asked the question, Shikamaru smiled slightly and replied:
"You've already heard about my special powers?"
- Are you talking about Shikotsumyaku?
- Yes.
At a nod from Shikamaru, Hiruzen quickly replied:
- I heard. I think when you become a ninja it will be good for the village. This ability is truly terrifying. Of course, I also hope that Shikaku has already told you to show it as little as possible. Still, rare things often cause envy, and sadly, in our village too ... - Hiruzen sighed.
Shikamaru nodded.
- I understand, but I'm here to show you something else ...
- More? - Hiruzen's face changed sharply and seriously asked: - Have you got something else?
- Yes, but I would like to show it to you during our sparring. Do you mind?
When Shikamaru asked this question, Hiruzen laughed.
"Haha boy, are you challenging the Hokage?"
- Well, not fatal ... I really wonder how strong you are at taijutsu.
- Oh, so this is a taijutsu duel? Hmm, well, with your abilities, it makes sense ... '' Having slightly scratched his beard, Hiruzen stood up abruptly and, laughing, said:
- I haven't kneaded bones for a long time, I haven't fought with boys like you since the days of the academy, when I was an instructor. But sparring with that kind of talent would be fun. Yes, and useful for you ... Let's go ... - waving his hand, Hiruzen quickly walked to the door and left. Shikamaru kept up ...
It didn't take long for the two to reach the training ground. On the way, Hiruzen managed to ask Shikamaru about his family, training and even plans for the future. Many of the old man's themes, one way or another, related to Shikamaru's worldview, and maybe unconsciously, but the Hokage wanted to reveal some of the guy's character traits. He wanted to make sure he had the Will of Fire in him, even if he was still a child.
When they did arrive, Shikamaru finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had planned this sparring of course, but this Hokage turned out to be quite talkative. Moreover, Shikamaru had to be careful with this old man and carefully think over his answers. So when they finally arrived, the guy was happy ...
Stopping ten paces from Shikamaru, Hiruzen put down his hat and threw off his white cape, remaining only in the red Hokage uniform. After that, he stood up and asked:
- Ready?
Shikamaru nodded curtly and immediately attacked ...
"Hoo, not bad ..." Dodging Shikamaru's leg with a slight movement, Hiruzen continued to dodge the rest of the attacks.
* Vshuh * * Vshuh *
The foliage rose into the air, and the Hokage continued to dodge all of Shikamaru's attacks. But at some point, he began to accelerate, which noticeably surprised the old man ...
"Hmm, he's not easy ..." - Although Hiruzen could continue to dodge, he decided to finally look at the guy in action.
* Bach *
The first block marked the beginning of serious sparring. At the same instant, several bones crawled out of Shikamaru's body. Hiruzen frowned slightly and began to attack himself. Shikamaru, in turn, simply decided to block the blow with a hand covered with sharp spikes.
Hiruzen smiled slightly and instantly disappeared, finding himself at the same second behind the guy's back.
* Bach *
The kick landed directly on the right shoulder, from which Shikamaru flew a couple of meters and finally stabilized. Hiruzen looked at his leg and smiled a little:
"Not a bad reaction ..." The old man's leg was bleeding a little and at the same moment a sharp bone slowly disappeared under the skin on Shikamaru's right shoulder.
Noticing the Hokage's condition, Shikamaru only sighed.
"As I thought, my bones are not that dangerous to you.
Hiruzen stood up again and smiled:
- Heh, although I am an old man, I have not forgotten how to use chakra yet. I've only seen the owner of a Shikotsumyaku a couple of times in my life, and only my teacher fought one of them. But of course he wasn't using taijutsu. Going against the owner of this Genome with bare hands is just suicide. But there is one way to minimize injury ...
Before he could finish, Shikamaru chuckled.
- Chakra control.
- Exactly, - starkey nodded. - If you distribute chakra correctly, then it is quite possible to protect body parts. But just as important are instincts and skills. Of course, it still depends on your physical energy ... Well, and also, the fact is that you are still a child. Your bone only left a scratch on me, but if you were an experienced Jonin, I'm afraid it would be hard for me. I probably wouldn't have won in taijutsu. Using regular taijutsu against Shikotsumyaku is a big mistake. '' With a slight wave of his hand, Hiruzen chuckled.
- Okay, we still have time to discuss our fight ... We are not finished, you said that you will show me something, maybe you will already start?
Shikamaru's lips parted in a satisfied grin, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
- Then let's get started ...
Hiruzen smiled and waited for Shikamaru's next step. He slowly began to unbind his hands, which made the old man smile a little, he knew very well what was hidden under these bandages:
"I decided to take them off, let's see what you show me now ..."
Under the bandages were several small weights with fuin seals attached to them. After dropping a few pounds off his hands and then off his feet, Shikamaru immediately felt noticeably lighter. The weights were small, but even a few kilograms were enough for his body, so having freed himself from them, he noticeably added in maneuverability. But, this was not the main thing that he wanted to accomplish, very soon even the Hokage will be shocked ...