Chapter 230: Approaching Exam

As Shikamaru studied the sibling pair, Gaara crept closer, but neither Sakura nor Sasuke showed up, which meant that this time Naruto would have to deal with all the problems alone. Gaara didn't even seem to want to intervene, he looked like a hawk from a height of prey - his eyes were filled with icy anger and resentment.

Kankurō in turn lifted Konohamaru even higher and grinned evilly.

“I can’t stand little ones, especially those arrogant ones. I just want to break them...

Naruto's eyes trembled, Konohamaru's friends were also scared, the boy himself did not even try to fight. Kankuro swung his fist!

Shikamaru sighed in disappointment and immediately took a step, instantly being near Kankurō and Temari. At the same moment, there was a distinct pop, and then a furious cracking of bones.

— Ahhh! - none of those present even understood what happened, how Shikamaru appeared, caught Kankuro's fist and broke his forearm like a twig. Of course, there was no question of any fight, Kankuro grabbed his hand, fell and began to scream. Temari jumped aside, fear reflected in her eyes! Even the expression on the face of Gaara, who had disappeared, changed, he immediately felt an unprecedented danger and did not dare to act.

Shikamaru stood calmly and held Konohamaru by the scruff of the neck. Slowly lowering it, the boy said:

“You should learn Jutsu, kid, you’re the grandson of the Hokage, otherwise everyone will bully you like that.”

Kankurō gritted his teeth in pain, but eventually pulled himself together and growled with a tremor in his voice:

“Wh-who are you?”

Shikamaru, Leaf's genin. Glancing briefly at the nearest tree and then at Temari, the boy smirked.

“Not so bad, Kazekage children are worth something.

Gaara frowned and immediately appeared near Shikamaru, continuing to pierce him with a cold look. Temari blushed slightly and relaxed. For the first time she saw such a man in her life: handsome, strong and very dangerous. Shikamaru looked at Naruto and nodded.

"Here," with a surprised shout, Konohamaru started flying towards his friend.

Shikamaru smiled and narrowed his eyes, he felt Gaara's desire well, and being surrounded on three sides by this trio, he understood that they could well attack. Only Temari did not emit a clear battle intent - she seemed to be the most reasonable and well understood with whom it is better not to start a fight. Kankuro turned out to be completely different, even using one hand, he was able to expose his doll, that's just ...

"Enough," Gaara said coldly, stopping his brother, "Don't embarrass us Kankuro."

Gaara, I...

- Shut up. - the guy coldly looked at his brother: - Just another word, and I will finish you.

Kankuro's forehead was sweating from fear. Even Temari tensed - the two were clearly afraid of their little brother. Although, for Shikamaru, it all looked even funny. He knew well that Kankurō's hand would be healed quickly, and as far as Gaara's threat, he didn't even take that brat into account. Unable to restrain his caudate is not a very serious opponent.

Gaara shifted abruptly and ended up next to his siblings.

- Not to notice the actions of the enemy and lose his arm - a pitiful sight. Saying this, his piercing gaze turned to Shikamaru.

"Your skills aren't bad, I remember you... Shikamaru."

After a light chuckle, the guy watched the cutie Temari out of the corner of his eye, and then turned around and walked towards Naruto.

Gaara frowned, but said nothing. The kunoichi smiled in embarrassment and lowered her glittering eyes.

The jinchūriki continued to glare at the boy's back. For the first time he felt such danger - it irritated and angered him at the same time, but, he knew well, now was not the time to fight. Moreover, Shikamaru's aura alone made the enemy think ten times before acting, Gaara was also concerned with this.

Shikamaru ignored this jinchūriki and stood by Naruto's side for a long time. Gaara could only grit his teeth and snort in displeasure as he turned around. Throwing an angry glance at his brother, the guy began to leave:

“The mere presence of him sent my chakra into a frenzy… What a man… Damn! He is strong"

Meanwhile, deep inside Gaara's body, Shukaku's frown grew more and more, not only did he sense the chakra of the filthy Nine-Tails, he also sensed Isobu's chakra. Two relatives, side by side, this is no accident! Unfortunately, he couldn't get past the seal to contact his brother, but Isobu definitely wanted to, he could actually hear his eerie, calling whisper. However, this is not surprising, lately Shikamaru did not interfere with the Three-Tails at all, so he could even overcome the seal and easily communicate with his relatives. Unfortunately, they were not so lucky - the Nine-Tails was too limited, and Shukaku, although not so much, was still enough to not be able to answer his brother

As the sand trio left, Shikamaru spoke to Naruto.

“Keep it up, I couldn’t spot the chakra threads, eh… I told you, watch your surroundings and don’t rush headlong into battle.”

"Uh... Well, it just so happened," Naruto scratched his head chuckling, "Haha, where are you from?"

I wanted to meet someone, but I met you...

Naruto laughed and nodded.

"So maybe we can work out together?"

Konohamaru and his friends immediately began to actively rumble.

- Let's practice!

- Let's!

"Not today." Shaking his head, Shikamaru immediately moved to the fence and calmly said:

"Chūnin Exams in a week, better train Naruto." Sasuke certainly doesn't suffer from nonsense. Good luck.

Evaporated, Shikamaru headed towards the eighth team.

Naruto frowned and said in confusion.

- Exam for whom: Chuu... Chuu...

- Chūnin! Konohamaru chuckled, "Chūnin Exams!"

“Um, what is this exam?”

- Well...

Konohamaru began to enlighten Naruto about the situation.

*

Shikamaru finally made it to the 8th team's training ground. As it turned out, having fun with a genjutsu master and testing your skills would not be possible - Kurenai had already left, and only Hinata remained here, who stubbornly continued to train the Soft Fist.

“Hah, well, that’s even better, I still wanted to show her a couple more tricks…”

Jumping off the branch, Shikamaru decided to spend the day with cutie Hinata.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen was in full swing giving orders to the Jonin and the commanders of the Genin teams. The current Chūnin Exams were not that easy and it was always worth staying on the defensive and preparing. Besides, the Hokage had been having a nasty premonition lately. Although having Shikamaru in the village made things easier, the old man still had a lot to worry about. Not so long ago, they had major problems with Sand, so it’s impossible to say that they have full control of the situation ...