Chapter 210: Kurenai Yuhi

"Mom, I think we don't need to trouble Kitazawa-sensei anymore, since I've already learned the Shadow Possession Jutsu."

Shikamaru Nara said cautiously.

"That won't do."

Yoshino Nara refused flatly, saying, "Besides the Shadow Possession Jutsu, our ninja clan has many other secret techniques for Itachi to learn."

She knew Shikamaru Nara very well.

If he gave up halfway now, it wouldn't be long before he returned to his old self.

"..."

Shikamaru Nara felt as if his world had gone black.

*No!

*I just crawled out of hell, and now Itachi want me to crawl back in?

"I think Kitazawa-sensei's fees are too high."

Shikamaru Nara said solemnly.

"Is that so?"

Yoshino Nara said with a smile, "I remember Kitazawa-sensei opened a shop; why don't Itachi go work there to earn money?"

"..."

Shikamaru Nara's face stiffened instantly.

He felt that his mother's smile at this moment was just like Kitazawa's—a devil's smile.

"Do Itachi think I don't know what Itachi're thinking?"

Yoshino Nara gave a light huff and said triumphantly, "Itachi were born from me, after all."

"Yes."

Shikamaru Nara sighed and said, "Mother is wise."

"Do Itachi really not want to continue training with Kitazawa-sensei?"

Yoshino Nara asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I... really don't want to."

Shikamaru Nara said hesitantly.

"Alright, I understand."

Seeing this, Yoshino Nara couldn't help but laugh.

If Shikamaru Nara truly didn't want to, he wouldn't have hesitated.

"No."

Shikamaru Nara felt a pang of panic and asked, "What do Itachi understand?"

"We'll wait until your father returns and see what he thinks before making a decision."

Yoshino Nara waved her hand.

"Fine."

Shikamaru Nara lay back down on the sofa.

But every time he closed his eyes, he thought of his water-walking and combat training.

"No!"

Shikamaru Nara opened his eyes and said, "I haven't even regained my honor in combat training yet; how can I just give up now?"

Noon arrived.

"I'm home."

Shikaku Nara walked into the living room and asked with surprise upon seeing Shikamaru Nara, "Are Itachi back so early today?"

"Kitazawa-sensei said my training is finished and I don't need to train anymore."

Shikamaru Nara replied.

"He learned the Shadow Possession Jutsu."

Yoshino Nara reminded him.

"Really?"

Shikaku Nara was surprised.

"Yes."

Shikamaru Nara glanced at Yoshino Nara, gave a light cough, and asked, "Dad, do Itachi think there's still a need to hire Kitazawa-sensei?"

"What? Are Itachi trying to slack off again?"

Shikaku Nara's intelligence was no less than Shikamaru Nara's, and he guessed the cause and effect immediately.

"..."

As soon as Shikamaru Nara heard that, he knew he was out of luck; the situation was settled.

*Forget it, I'll just consider it revenge in the combat training.

"After we finish eating, we'll go talk to Kitazawa."

Shikaku Nara smiled as he met Yoshino Nara's gaze.

Parents all think the same: they want their children to succeed.

They preferred the current Shikamaru Nara.

After all, the ninja world is so dangerous; having intelligence isn't enough—one must have sufficient strength to survive.

After lunch, Shikaku Nara took Shikamaru Nara to the Ninja Academy.

Kitazawa put away his bento box and was just about to take a nap when he suddenly remembered the Shadow Possession Jutsu he had just acquired.

He sat up and performed hand seals.

The next second, his shadow moved violently and, under his control, darted outward.

"This ninjutsu is quite interesting."

Kitazawa, feeling playful, controlled the shadow to scurry everywhere.

He didn't stop until he felt dizzy.

"The only drawback is the massive consumption; no wonder the Ino-Shika-Cho trio fights as a team."

Kitazawa said thoughtfully.

Of the three Ino-Shika-Cho clans, only the Akimichi clan's secret techniques are truly suitable for solo combat.

The Nara and Yamanaka clans both require teammates to exert their maximum effect.

Just then, a knock on the door sounded.

"Please come in."

Kitazawa looked up, feeling a bit puzzled.

"Kitazawa."

Shikaku Nara walked in.

"Kitazawa-sensei."

Shikamaru Nara greeted him listlessly.

*So they really came, huh?

What Kitazawa had told Shikamaru Nara earlier about training being over was intentional.

Because he wanted to trigger a new mission.

"We came here hoping Itachi would continue to serve as Shikamaru's tutor."

Shikaku Nara said straight to the point.

【Current Mission: Help Shikamaru Nara learn a second clan secret technique.】

【Mission Reward: Shadow Tentacles.】

【Do Itachi accept?】

Kitazawa couldn't help but smile as he looked at the three lines of text that had suddenly appeared.

As long as there's a new mission, it's easy to talk.

*A second clan secret technique?

*Does that mean Shikamaru Nara has already learned the Shadow Possession Jutsu?

*Is he hiding it to surprise me?

Kitazawa glanced at Shikamaru Nara.

He was still just a child; smart as he was, he was currently full of youthful arrogance and didn't understand the gap between them.

As for Shadow Tentacles, he remembered its effect was to turn shadows into physical tentacles, which were versatile and highly flexible.

"Since Shikaku-senpai has spoken, I will naturally comply."

Kitazawa said with a smile, "Itachi can rest assured leaving Shikamaru to me."

"That's good."

Shikaku Nara looked at Shikamaru Nara and said, "Shikamaru, Itachi must listen to your teacher, do Itachi understand?"

"Yes."