Chapter 5

"Huh?"

"That kid Koshino... he might actually be onto something."

At first, they thought Koshino's talent was purely in training, and that he'd struggle in actual combat.

So when Shikaku offered to spar with him, Chōza's first assumption was that Koshino was going to lose miserably. After all, knowing Shikaku well, Chōza could already guess—this wasn't just "guidance." It was a reality check, meant to keep Koshino from getting arrogant over a little progress.

But the moment Koshino glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, Chōza suddenly realized—

This kid isn't simple.

Forget about raw strength—just his composure, the way he stayed calm and collected, was already beyond that of an ordinary genin.

Strategy.

It might seem insignificant, but in a ninja battle, it was essential.

Think back to the Chunin Exams arc in the original story.

Uzumaki Naruto had the power of the Nine-Tails, Uchiha Sasuke had Chidori—both of them left their peers far behind in raw ability.

But who actually became a chunin?

It was Nara Shikamaru.

His power wasn't overwhelming, but he knew how to use what he had. That kind of tactical thinking is a core requirement for a genin to become a chunin.

And now, as they observed Koshino, Shikaku and Chōza—who had planned to knock him down a peg—were instead raising their expectations.

Little did they know—

The surprises Koshino had in store were just beginning.

"Uncle Shikaku, be careful!"

With a sudden shout, Koshino officially launched his attack.

Hearing his voice, Shikaku's eyes narrowed slightly—his focus sharpening.

Because he clearly saw Koshino's subtle movement—his hand reaching for his ninja tool pouch!

"Shuriken!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

In a swift, fluid motion, Koshino grabbed three shuriken and hurled them straight at Shikaku.

Maybe he hadn't trained much in shurikenjutsu yet, but even so—

Shikaku was a standing target.

If Koshino missed from this distance, his last three months of training might as well have been a joke.

As the three shuriken cut through the air in a direct, linear path, Shikaku simply smiled and extended a hand.

"Your aim is decent... but your throw has no curve, and your speed is way too slow."

With a casual swipe, he batted all three shuriken out of the air—without even moving his feet.

A clear display of the sheer gap in their abilities.

But—

Koshino had already expected this.

If Shikaku couldn't dodge three measly shuriken, he wouldn't be worthy of the Ino-Shika-Chō name, let alone the title of jonin.

So the moment the shuriken clattered to the ground—

Koshino exploded forward, chakra bursting from his feet, launching himself straight at Shikaku.

That burst of speed finally made Shikaku—and even Chōza, watching from the side—slightly widen their eyes.

But relying on just chakra bursts wasn't enough to defeat Shikaku.

Especially when Koshino's physical strength wasn't great to begin with.

Even though he had mastered tree climbing and water walking, and his chakra control was exceptional, the moment he rushed forward and threw a punch at Shikaku's face—

Shikaku merely raised a hand, effortlessly catching Koshino's fist.

Then, in a single motion—

He grabbed Koshino's wrist and swung him toward the ground.

From his perspective, there was no way Koshino could avoid being slammed down with a heavy thud.

But then—

Just as Koshino was about to hit the ground—

He suddenly twisted his body in midair, his leg snapping out in a spinning kick aimed straight at Shikaku's head!

"Oh?"

"Your taijutsu's actually decent."

"But—"

"Still not enough."

Shikaku's eyes flashed, his grin widening slightly.

He released Koshino's wrist, calmly raising a hand to block.

"Thunk!"

Koshino's kick landed solidly on Shikaku's arm, but—

It felt like kicking a steel plate.

A sharp numbness shot up his leg.

And in that brief moment of weakness, Shikaku repeated his earlier move—grabbing Koshino's ankle, about to slam him into the ground once again.

But this time—

Even Shikaku himself was surprised.

Koshino had already predicted his attack.

The moment Shikaku's fingers touched his ankle, a surge of blue chakra flared from Koshino's foot—

At the same time as his kick landed, he used the momentum to drop into a stable crouch on the ground!

"Not bad!"

"Koshino, I really underestimated you!"

Seeing Koshino's refined taijutsu and precise chakra control, Shikaku finally discarded his casual attitude.

He needed to take this more seriously—otherwise, he might be the one getting taught a lesson.

Just as his smile faded and his expression turned focused—

Koshino's hands flashed into a seal.

Shikaku's pupils narrowed slightly.

"That's... Shadow Imitation Jutsu!"

"Not good!"

The moment Koshino's fingers formed the seal, Shikaku had a sudden realization—

Every move up until now...

It was all part of Koshino's plan.

As that thought crossed his mind—

A dark shadow stretched from Koshino's feet, rapidly extending toward Shikaku's!

"Shadow Imitation Jutsu!"

"Bzzzt!"

"Bzzzt!"

Because Koshino had dropped into a crouch, the distance between them was just right—

Perfect for the Shadow Imitation Jutsu's maximum range.

Before Shikaku had even fully registered the danger, the shadow was just half a centimeter away from connecting with his.

And then—

"Boom!"

A sudden burst of chakra exploded beneath Shikaku's feet—

With a single leap, he dodged Koshino's shadow at the last second!

"You cheated, Uncle Shikaku!"

"...Uh."

Shikaku hadn't set any official rules for this spar, but—

A jonin using chakra to dodge a four-year-old's technique?

Koshino's words felt like a slap across the face.

For the first time, Shikaku looked a little embarrassed, awkwardly scratching his nose.

But just as he was about to explain himself—maybe smooth things over in front of Chōza—

Suddenly!

He caught a sly grin spreading across Koshino's face.

His heart tightened—

And in the corner of his eye—

He spotted Chōza's shadow moving strangely.

Koshino's second Shadow Imitation Jutsu!

"You little brat—you almost got me!"

Shikaku laughed and scolded him, but inside—

He was shocked.

Koshino's talent for training was already outstanding.

But combined with his sharp mind?

That was exactly what the Nara Clan needed in their future leader.

Sure, he had embarrassed himself by using chakra twice in front of Chōza—

But if it meant securing the future of the Nara Clan, then who cares about pride?

Still—

Shikaku narrowly dodged Koshino's second attempt and shook his head with a smile, ready to give him some words of encouragement.

But then—

Just as both Shikaku and Chōza thought Koshino had done well but ultimately lost the spar—

Koshino's lips curved into a radiant smile.

And in that moment—

Both jonin froze in shock.

"Uncle Shikaku—"

"You lost."

"Shadow Imitation Jutsu—success!"

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