Chapter 188: A Year Later

Next, Shikamaru checked, of course, Senju's mutation. It turned out to be quite interesting. Now Shikamaru could directly merge with wood, or even turn into a tree himself. To some extent, Hashirama's genes made it possible to create something similar, create woody structures from cells or divide clones from DNA, but it directly fuses with wood - this has never happened before, or he simply hasn’t heard of it. An interesting ability, in certain situations it can also come in handy.

Thanks to Jugo, the Sage's powers were no longer a problem for him either. The need for clones and long-term accumulation of natural energy has disappeared completely. The chance will turn into a monster or a stone, also now completely evaporated. As a result, Shikamaru was one step away to learn Sage Transformation.

All these are terrible abilities, not to mention the fact that Shikamaru now also owned a Bijuu, who reluctantly, but still allowed a person to draw out his chakra. Isobu did not rage, Shikamaru didn’t bother him again either. So far, there has been no talk of allied cooperation. The beast gradually got used to its position. Surprisingly, it looks like it differs markedly from its nine-tailed brother. Shikamaru was just sure that Kurama would not have thrown a weak scandal, full of anger and hatred, and Isobu seemed too lazy to spend energy on such nonsense. He sprawled in the shade under a tree and dozed for days on a flight, a turtle's life in all its glory, he rarely even swam. This turtle in the Nara clan would love it ...

So, Shikamaru finally came to the point when it was time to start the next stage in his too fast and impressive development. He had already begun to fear that God himself would appear in this world and begin to restrict him. All this is strange, he was definitely happy with the situation, but this growth was still too shocking. It is very likely that right now, fighting against the Kage will not be a completely disastrous idea. Their combat experience and honed skills will easily cover his various terrible abilities. If you develop them, then becoming a demigod is no longer something impossible.

Realizing this, Shikamaru thought more and more about waiting a little and pumping up his base before pulling ahead like a madman. He had about a year in reserve, it was possible to fix everything, and after that it will start to strengthen. Immediate plans could have been postponed. There was definitely enough strength, Orochimaru's attack for the current Shikamaru is no longer a problem at all.

“Hmm, I think we can still do something ... For example, unite the Hyuuga and Uzumaki. Only, I will do it a little later, just before leaving. If I am already that strong, I might consider eliminating Danz and seizing power. It's time for the old man to rest. If things turned out like this, I could allow Akatsuki to grow while at the same time strengthening myself as an absolute power in this world. Then you can face Kaguya ... - With a devilish grin, Shikamaru closed his eyes and decided to think it over. Since there was power, he wanted to use it properly, and he could have fun until the problem arrived. You don't even need to catch the Bijuu, except on special occasions like Kurami in Minato. The rest can be left for the future. After all, if not, Kaguya might not be an interesting opponent at all. Probably, then, Isobu should be divided as well.

With these thoughts, Shikamaru again plunged into a long meditation. Following this, his long training began, he studied various techniques, increased control and prepared the technique of reincarnation. He wanted to have power over life, or at least some control.

And so time passed, the year passed in the blink of an eye ... Finally, the time has come for the rise of a new generation.

*

At a depth of several kilometers, in a lonely lake near the Land of Fire, Shikamaru opened his eyelids and his eyes instantly illuminated the darkness of the sea depths. The moment has come to step out into the light, it was time to meet old friends!

At the same time, in the village of the Hidden Leaf.

Having dealt with one noisy team of genin, Hiruzen returned to his office and calmly sat down on a chair, lit a cigarette, and exhaled the smoke in a drawn-out manner.

- Finally, this tradition is so tiresome, oh ... This seventh team ... Poor Kakashi. Well, I think he can handle it.

Leaning back in his chair, the old man blew out a ring of smoke and grinned.

- If my student was normal, he would have already got into the team of Ino-Shika-Cho, but now ... I had to temporarily choose a new one for them and break the tradition. Although, as for me, with the abilities of these two, they are not long before the Chūnins. Yeah ... - looking at the blue skies and snow-white clouds, the old man sighed:

- Where are you, Shikamaru ... If you don't show up for the exam, you'll have to look for you, eh ...

At the same time, just outside the gates of the village, the usual scene for the new genin team at number seven took place. Naruto, as always, annoyed Sasuke, and he, as usual, was led to provocations. Sakura didn't seem to notice these two and kept asking Kakashi about his past as Jonin. The man only had to tell the most "ordinary" stories, so as not to injure the psyche of this curious girl once again. A drunken old man trudged behind the company, continuing to finish his bottle of liquor. Tazuna still continued to be annoyed by this strange company of a noisy kid, a disgruntled type and a chatty girl. Just think, children were sent to such a thing, but what is the choice ... The old man was just trying to write down his displeasure and not pay attention to it.

Some time passed. Halfway through, Naruto fell silent and Sasuke reacted as well. At the same moment, two masked shinobi flew out of the bushes, a steel chain flashed in the air, but at the same second a party of kunai burst out from both sides. Sasuke and Naruto acted as if according to a worked out scheme, covering each other's backs, repelling the attack! Sakura didn't even know what was going on as the two had already gotten involved in the fight.

After repelling the attack, Naruto's eyes flickered slightly as he fought against a real enemy for the first time! All this was completely different from his ideas. Then it was time for Kakashi to act. The fight ended immediately. Experienced Jonin was ruthless in business!

And so, Team Seven moved further along the path to the Land of Waves. Even Naruto spoke unusually little. The real mission with real enemies in the face of the shinobi is not at all what they have been doing over the past weeks.

In the meantime, preparations for the Chūnin Exam began, from both the Hidden Sand and Konoha directions. In the distance, hiding in the shadows, the cunning serpent was also preparing his plan ...