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NARUTO COLUMNS
09/22/2024
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Shikamaru's Birthday on 9/22! Looking Back on Konoha's Strategist, Who Is Always Ten Steps Ahead and Supports His Comrades from the Shadows!
A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the man whose brilliant mind and ingenious tactics led to him becoming the main advisor to the Seventh Hokage: Shikamaru Nara!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the man whose brilliant mind and ingenious tactics led to him becoming the main advisor to the Seventh Hokage: Shikamaru Nara!
■Shikamaru Nara
・Birthday: September 22nd (Virgo)
・Favorite Food: Mackerel simmered in miso, vinegared kelp
The 200+ IQ Ninja
Shikamaru is the only son of the prestigious Nara clan's head family in the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
With fellow Ninja Academy graduates of storied lineage Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka, he challenges the Chunin Exams as part of the "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio.
With fellow Ninja Academy graduates of storied lineage Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka, he challenges the Chunin Exams as part of the "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio.
In his match against Sand ninja Temari, he uses the Nara clan's secret ninjutsu, the Shadow Possession Technique, but she quickly figures out the jutsu's limitations.
Shikamaru is characterized by his extreme laziness.
It's to the extent that he even finds it too much effort to lift his pencil in class.
In the Ninja Academy, his marks were only a step above Naruto's famously poor grades.
It's to the extent that he even finds it too much effort to lift his pencil in class.
In the Ninja Academy, his marks were only a step above Naruto's famously poor grades.
However, this is not for lack of ability: his intellect has been cultivated via shogi and go, and far surpasses that of his teacher, Asuma Sarutobi.
With his sheer genius and calm decisiveness, he is able to plot a path to victory.
Always seeing a few steps ahead, he cleverly uses his own jacket, kunai, the hole Naruto dug in the previous match, and time itself to his advantage as he presses Temari into a corner!
With his sheer genius and calm decisiveness, he is able to plot a path to victory.
Always seeing a few steps ahead, he cleverly uses his own jacket, kunai, the hole Naruto dug in the previous match, and time itself to his advantage as he presses Temari into a corner!
Alas, a hair's breadth from victory, his chakra runs too low and he surrenders the fight.
Despite this, he is the only participant in the exams to be promoted to Chunin.
Despite this, he is the only participant in the exams to be promoted to Chunin.
A Promise Writ in Tears
The newly-promoted Shikamaru is issued his first mission.
He must find his former classmate, Sasuke Uchiha, who has left the village in the company of the Sound Four, and return him to the Leaf.
On Shikamaru's orders, a team consisting of himself, Naruto Uzumaki, Choji Akimichi, Kiba Inuzuka, and Neji Hyuga is assembled.
He must find his former classmate, Sasuke Uchiha, who has left the village in the company of the Sound Four, and return him to the Leaf.
On Shikamaru's orders, a team consisting of himself, Naruto Uzumaki, Choji Akimichi, Kiba Inuzuka, and Neji Hyuga is assembled.
"IT'S NOT THAT SASUKE IS MY BEST FRIEND...
I DON'T EVEN LIKE HIM, REALLY.
BUT LIKE US, SASUKE IS A SHINOBI OF KONOHAGAKURE.
HE IS OUR COMRADE!
THEREFORE I WILL STAKE MY LIFE TO RESCUE HIM.
THAT'S THE KONOHA WAY.
BEYOND THAT...
EVEN I CAN'T COMPLAIN...
...WHEN ALL YOUR LIVES HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED TO ME."
Shikamaru's words as a ninja of Konoha show the resolve of a captain determined to lead his team safely to victory.
Bearing the hopes of those who cannot go with them, the team sets out after Sasuke.
In the midst of their pursuit, Team Shikamaru finds their way repeatedly barred by members of the Sound Four.
Though both Choji and Neji are incapacitated fighting them, Shikamaru and the others press on.
And then...
Bearing the hopes of those who cannot go with them, the team sets out after Sasuke.
In the midst of their pursuit, Team Shikamaru finds their way repeatedly barred by members of the Sound Four.
Though both Choji and Neji are incapacitated fighting them, Shikamaru and the others press on.
And then...
"ALL I CAN DO FOR MY COMRADES...
...IS BELIEVE IN THEM...
LISTEN UP...
...I DON'T THINK THEY'RE SACRIFICES.
I DON'T THINK THEY'RE DEAD...
DON'T UNDERESTIMATE MY TEAM."
Entrusting each of his allies with their own battlefields, Shikamaru faces off against the Sound ninja Tayuya.
Facing her flute-based techniques, the musically disinclined Shikamaru seems like he will be at a disadvantage, but he is able to discern the exact methods she uses to control her puppets by memorizing the patterns her fingers make when she plays, and bind her puppets with his Shadow Possession.
Then, he uses the puppets as a fake-out to bind the Sound ninja herself!
Facing her flute-based techniques, the musically disinclined Shikamaru seems like he will be at a disadvantage, but he is able to discern the exact methods she uses to control her puppets by memorizing the patterns her fingers make when she plays, and bind her puppets with his Shadow Possession.
Then, he uses the puppets as a fake-out to bind the Sound ninja herself!
This magnificent ploy gives him the upper hand in the battle.
However, his opponent is strong enough to defeat even Jonin-level ninja.
Tayuya activates the second state of her curse mark, and Shikamaru's Shadow Possession cannot keep up with her enhanced genjutsu and physical strength.
However, his opponent is strong enough to defeat even Jonin-level ninja.
Tayuya activates the second state of her curse mark, and Shikamaru's Shadow Possession cannot keep up with her enhanced genjutsu and physical strength.
With his chakra nearly depleted, it seems as though Shikamaru is in checkmate.
Yet at this critical junction, he is rescued by none other than his former adversary, Temari.
Alas, Naruto is unable to retrieve Sasuke and the mission is a failure.
On top of that, Choji and Neji are both critically injured and their lives hang in the balance.
Having had his friends wounded and been unable to complete his objective regardless, Shikamaru feels overwhelmed by his own inadequacy.
Yet at this critical junction, he is rescued by none other than his former adversary, Temari.
Alas, Naruto is unable to retrieve Sasuke and the mission is a failure.
On top of that, Choji and Neji are both critically injured and their lives hang in the balance.
Having had his friends wounded and been unable to complete his objective regardless, Shikamaru feels overwhelmed by his own inadequacy.
It seems as though he may abandon the life of a shinobi until the words of his father, Shikaku Nara, strike to the heart of the issue.
For the sake of those who fought with him up until now, and those who will stand alongside him in the future, Shikamaru makes a ninja's vow through his tears.
The Will of Fire That Dwells Within
About three years after that promise—
Shikamaru carries out missions as a Chunin, while honing his skill for unconventional tactics that makes him akin to a knight on a chessboard.
Shikamaru carries out missions as a Chunin, while honing his skill for unconventional tactics that makes him akin to a knight on a chessboard.
In the midst of that, the Akatsuki once more threatens Konoha, so by order of Tsunade he joins a team with Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane under the leadership of Asuma Sarutobi.
They track down the Akatsuki members Hidan and Kakuzu who have infiltrated the Land of Fire.
Taking note of Hidan's actions and words, Shikamaru quickly analyzes the man's curse ritual, which makes use of his opponent's blood and his own immortality.
By using the Shadow Possession Technique Shikamaru is able to pull Hidan out of the "ritual diagram" and save Asuma.
Taking note of Hidan's actions and words, Shikamaru quickly analyzes the man's curse ritual, which makes use of his opponent's blood and his own immortality.
By using the Shadow Possession Technique Shikamaru is able to pull Hidan out of the "ritual diagram" and save Asuma.
However, while everyone is distracted by Kakuzu, Hidan takes his chance.
Choji and Ino arrive with reinforcements, but they are too late to save their teacher.
Choji and Ino arrive with reinforcements, but they are too late to save their teacher.
Asuma fulfills his final duty as a ninja, and as his students watch over him he dies in Shikamaru's arms.
It was Asuma who discovered Shikamaru's hidden talent for tactics, and guided him along his path.
The way he lived his life lights a fire in Shikamaru's heart, and Team Ten decides to pursue a rematch with Hidan and Kakuzu.
The way he lived his life lights a fire in Shikamaru's heart, and Team Ten decides to pursue a rematch with Hidan and Kakuzu.
"WE DON'T INTEND TO RUN AWAY...
...AND KEEP ON LIVING WITHOUT FULFILLING OUR DUTY...
WE AREN'T GOING TO LIVE WITHOUT MEANING!"
Wreathed in the smoke of Asuma's favorite cigarettes, Team Ten and Kakashi depart in pursuit of his killers.
Utilizing the nature of his own jutsu and the chakra blades he inherited from Asuma, Shikamaru is able to split up and immobilize Hidan and Kakuzu using techniques such as Shadow Possession Shuriken.
Shikamaru takes it upon himself to face off against Hidan once more!
Shikamaru takes it upon himself to face off against Hidan once more!
Shikamaru's calculated and many-layered strategy keeps Hidan on the back foot.
He takes advantage of the properties of Hidan's curse ritual, and uses blood covertly collected from Kakuzu to turn the curse back on the Akatsuki duo.
He takes advantage of the properties of Hidan's curse ritual, and uses blood covertly collected from Kakuzu to turn the curse back on the Akatsuki duo.
Hidan rants about the punishment of the Church of Jashin, but Shikamaru calmly states his own beliefs before burying Hidan alive beneath a forest maintained by the Nara clan.
"ME, I BELIEVE IN THE WILL OF FIRE."
Having inherited Asuma's Will of Fire, Shikamaru successfully avenges his teacher's death.
Thanks to the cooperation of Naruto and other members of Team Seven, Kakuzu is also defeated.
Asuma's beliefs as a shinobi are passed on to Shikamaru, who has always strived to emulate him.
And thus it becomes Shikamaru's turn to pass the Will of Fire down to children yet to be born.
Thanks to the cooperation of Naruto and other members of Team Seven, Kakuzu is also defeated.
Asuma's beliefs as a shinobi are passed on to Shikamaru, who has always strived to emulate him.
And thus it becomes Shikamaru's turn to pass the Will of Fire down to children yet to be born.
The "Shadow" That Supports the Leaf
With a declaration by a masked man, the Fourth Great Ninja War erupts.
Shikamaru joins Ino and Choji on the battlefield as part of the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Shikamaru joins Ino and Choji on the battlefield as part of the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Not long after the beginning of the conflict, the three members of Team Ten face off against Asuma, who has been revived with the Reanimation Jutsu.
Choji cannot muster up the will to fight him, but after Ino's admonishment, he takes strength from what has been entrusted to him and steps forward.
Choji cannot muster up the will to fight him, but after Ino's admonishment, he takes strength from what has been entrusted to him and steps forward.
The three of them muster up the resolve to bury their teacher, and defeat him in a display of perfect coordination.
"I HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO SAY TO YOU THREE.
YOUR INO-SHIKA-CHO FORMATION IS COMPLETE!"
During the fighting, the Ten Tails is revived.
It attacks headquarters with a Biju Bomb, and Shikamaru's father Shikaku is killed.
With his final communication, he passes one last strategy and the reins of the Allied Shinobi Forces to his son.
It attacks headquarters with a Biju Bomb, and Shikamaru's father Shikaku is killed.
With his final communication, he passes one last strategy and the reins of the Allied Shinobi Forces to his son.
Shikamaru continues to support the Allied Shinobi Forces from the shadows, and has a big impact on the course of the battle.
However, the fighting is fierce, and he is wounded by an attack from the Divine Tree and left near death.
What saves him is Naruto's strong will to not let his friend be killed.
What saves him is Naruto's strong will to not let his friend be killed.
Shikamaru had watched as Naruto endured great hardships ever since their academy days, and stood beside him as a comrade.
Naruto's compassion for his allies greatly influenced Shikamaru's shinobi way, and may have even been a source of support for Shikamaru himself.
Naruto is full of grand dreams, and Shikamaru will stand alongside him to create a better future for all shinobi!
Naruto's compassion for his allies greatly influenced Shikamaru's shinobi way, and may have even been a source of support for Shikamaru himself.
Naruto is full of grand dreams, and Shikamaru will stand alongside him to create a better future for all shinobi!
"SORRY, PA, I CAN'T BE WITH YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE YET.
BECAUSE THERE'S NO ONE MORE QUALIFIED TO BE NARUTO'S ADVISOR!"
He resolves to support Naruto once he becomes Hokage by serving as his strategist!
With Naruto and Sasuke's victory over Zetsu and Kaguya Otsutsuki, the Fourth Great Ninja War draws to a close.
Years later, in recognition of that achievement, Naruto is appointed as the Seventh Hokage.
With the Will of Fire inherited from his predecessors burning in his heart, Shikamaru faces towards the future with his friends as he takes up the position of advisor to the Seventh Hokage!
With Naruto and Sasuke's victory over Zetsu and Kaguya Otsutsuki, the Fourth Great Ninja War draws to a close.
Years later, in recognition of that achievement, Naruto is appointed as the Seventh Hokage.
With the Will of Fire inherited from his predecessors burning in his heart, Shikamaru faces towards the future with his friends as he takes up the position of advisor to the Seventh Hokage!
That's all for Shikamaru's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the brilliant strategies of Shikamaru Nara!
Article and Composition: Ayano Kobayashi (Caramel mama)
