44 Chapter 44 : Caught Orochimaru

Orochimaru was trapped this time, he could run away but there wasn't much chakra on him to run. Every time he shed his skin, he wasted a lot of chakra. 

In the last 10 minutes alone, he had to shed his skin for 7 times. And now he was facing 5 top genin of Konoha. Even a Kage-level shinobi would be afraid. 

Orochimaru was about to move but he found that he couldn't. His eyes widened. Looking around he finally felt it. His shadow. He snapped his hateful gaze towards Shikamaru but seeing the boy still standing there with a calm smile on his face, he deflated. 

'It's not the Nara Boy ?'

"Shikamaru, why are you being so troublesome," Came a deep resounding voice from behind Orochimaru. He didn't even sense this person. 

This was none other than Shikaku Nara. Shikamaru's clone not only asked for help from the jonins but also his father. 

Why wouldn't he, Shikaku is also a Jonin-level shinobi and more than that, he is his father, if there is one person he always expects to help him then it's his parents. 

Unlike Shikamaru, Shikaku was able to hold back Orochimaru, making him aware of just how far behind he was to the really strong shinobi. He remembers seeing in Boruto, Shikamaru holding back the majority of Kages. That was his potential. It's possible for him to achieve that. Just need to work hard.

"Sasuke, go and find others. Make sure that they are safe. Alone they can be attacked by other teams," Shikamaru said and didn't wait for an obvious retort from the Uchiha and walked towards Orochimaru. 

This was time to check out whether he could take care of Orochimaru right here or not. There is no way to kill him, he is sure about that. But there is a way to seal him. 

"Shikamaru what are you doing ?" Seeing Shikamaru approaching Ororchimaru, the first one to speak was Shikaku.

"We at best can hold him back temporarily. There is no way of killing him, believe me, I tried. I have a way to take care of him. If you allow me," Shikamaru said with a serious face. 

Though others didn't know about how cockroach-like Orochimaru's survivability was on one thing they agreed. It's really hard to kill Orochimaru and almost impossible to capture him. 

Other shinobi might not understand but everyone here present was high-level Jonin and one was even a clan head. 

"Are you sure Shikamaru ?" His father asked. Others didn't speak either. Currently, Shikaku wasn't just Shikamaru's father or a clan head, but he was also Hokage's advisor and strategist. 

He currently is the highest power-holding person at the site. 

"I'm not sure whether this will work or not but it's worth a try. If it works then I can assure you that Uncle Orochi here will never run away. If it doesn't then you can take him," Shikamaru said as a devilish smile appeared on his face. 

Pondering something, he finally nodded and gave Shikamaru a green sign.

.

.

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After taking care of Orochimaru, Shikamaru was beaten. Less than 10% chakra was left and he was yet to take care of Kabuto. 

He wasn't all at expecting that his small trick to capture Orochimaru would really work. Usually, he would have been required to explain everything to Hokage but he can't leave the forest without completing the current exam. 

As he slowly tracks down his team, he finds his mind throbbing in pain. All this time, due to using so much chakra and pushing his brain to its absolute limit, now he was feeling very tired.

To state it clearly, both Ino and Choji were not happy. Shikamaru left them alone to fight Orochimaru. 

"I told you, this was necessary to stop Orochimaru. I needed time to bring back help and also plan a trap for Orochimaru. 

Without both of you and others, I could never have pulled this plan. Thanks to you all for holding Orochimaru back so that we were able to capture him." Shikamaru kept on coaxing his angry teammates. While Choji forgot the issue as soon as Shikamaru was offering free food. 

Ino being the troublesome blonde she was, stayed angry with Shikamaru.

"You don't get to say that, what if we had died back then," 

"I wouldn't let that happen," Shikamaru replied back with a drag look on his face, but he made sure not to make it obvious to Ino.

"But what if you were late, what if Orochimaru went directly for the kill," Ino said with a little terrified look on her face.

Shikamaru after some bickering with Ino finally realizes that it was not that Ino was angry at him but rather she was afraid. Yeah, while making the plan he didn't think much about her emotional condition. This was the first time she faced this kind of danger directly.

Seeing the girl trying to show a brave face and trying to mask her fear with anger. Shikamaru quiten down.

"What you don't want to say any more. Shikamaru tell me what would you have done if your plan didn't work?" Ino shouted again. Choji looked at both Shikamaru and Ino with hesitation. Not sure what to say to break the quarrel between them.

Ino didn't stop and Shikamaru kept him quiet until he finally found Ino quieted down. Then Shikamaru finally moved.

Getting a little closer to the blond girl with a smile on his face. He said with full determination and resolve.

"There is no fulproof plan Ino. Let alone me, no one can claim that their plan will work for sure. I only suggested that plan because I believe in both you and Choji to be able to handle the situation." Shikamaru was calm and there soft in his voice. 

Seeing this Ino who wanted to again retort didn't say anything. She just didn't have anything to say.

"Yes, there is always a possibility that my plan won't go as planned. I am not strong enough to save everyone and there is absolutely a possibility that my teammate might die. But ..." Shikamaru invaded Ino's personal space with a small determined smile on his face.

Slowly putting his one hand on Ino's head, and daring to push his head only slightly more closer to Ino's face. He said.

"But I promise that you won't be the first one to die, Ino. As long as I am here, I promise that I will always protect my teammates, both you and Choji. 

I will give my damnest to not let anyone us of die, but if even that is not enough, then I promise that I will not let you die alone.

I will accompany you." Shikamaru gives his best reassuring face. He didn't lie, he could but he didn't. He said the truth as it was. 

And apparently, that was enough for the tough face Ino was maintaining to break and finally the tears to flow. 

xxx

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