Chapter 397: Venom Shikamaru
"Flame Blade!"
"Wind Eagle Sword!"
Tentō and Shinki exchanged glances, then simultaneously unleashed their Armor Warriors' ultimate techniques at the golden figure standing atop the streetlamp.
"Demon-Sealing Slash!"
Demon-Sealing Slash of the Flame Blade: banishes evil, purges monsters, dissolves in flames, vanishes with the dawn!
"Piercing Wind Thrust!"
Piercing Wind Thrust of the Wind Eagle Sword: tames demons, subdues beasts, shatters with a gale, ends in an instant!
Due to the elemental synergy between the techniques, the Wood-element ultimate move from the Wind Eagle Armor boosted the power of the Fire-element Flame Dragon Armor's finisher.
"Heavenly Chains!"
Golden chains materialized around the golden figure, blocking the combined assault of the Wind Eagle Armor and Flame Dragon Armor.
"Pathetic mutts. You think that kind of attack can harm this king?"
The golden figure, still standing atop the streetlamp, sneered in disdain.
"Water Dust Spiral Break!"
The Black Rhino Armor drove its Meteor Spear into the ground. Water surged up from beneath, slamming into the golden streetlamp beneath the figure's feet, launching it into the air.
"Now! Raging Torrent Pierce!"
Raging Torrent Pierce of the Meteor Spear: crushes demons, calms storms, perishes in torrents, leaves the waters still as glass!
Seizing the moment when the golden figure lost footing, the Black Rhino Armor unleashed its ultimate technique.
The Heavenly Chains once again blocked in front of the golden figure's chest, and he ultimately landed safely on the ground.
Though uninjured, his expression twisted with fury.
The golden figure—who prided himself on never setting foot on the ground, always standing atop streetlamps—now found himself forced to touch the earth, which to him felt defiling.
"You damn mutts! Die!"
The Gate of Babylon unfolded fully around him, the frequency of weapon launches increasing dramatically.
The Susanoo protecting Sarada and Shikamaru was starting to blur and fade.
"Damn it! Sarada, prepare your Rinnegan technique—we're getting everyone out of here!"
With no other choice, Shikamaru opened the iron box he'd been carrying.
The Armor Warriors were the key to fighting Ether Beasts. They couldn't afford to lose the entire squad here!
The Venom symbiote instantly enveloped Shikamaru's body.
"Uncle Shikamaru!"
Sarada stared in shock as Shikamaru transformed into Venom.
"Don't worry, Sarada. I'm fine—actually, I feel better than ever. I'm filled with power."
"Shadow Binding Technique!"
Without forming any seals, black threads formed from shadows shot from Shikamaru's hands, wrapping tightly around the golden figure.
"You filthy mutt! How dare you touch my divine form!"
Ignoring him, Shikamaru looked at the others. "You all go first. I'll hold him off."
"We could finish him off now while we have the chance," Tentō said, clearly unwilling to retreat.
"Go! I can't hold him off for long!"
"The space-time portal is open!"
Sarada, hiding behind Shikamaru's massive Venom-covered body, shouted.
"Everyone, retreat—now!"
Shikamaru yelled.
"Don't even think of escaping, mutts!"
Letting them escape would be a humiliating stain on the golden figure's pride.
"Sarada, you go too!"
Shikamaru urged her.
"But Uncle Shikamaru, what about you?"
"I have to stay behind and buy you time."
"Uncle Shikamaru, get out of the way!" came Boruto's voice from the other side of the portal. "Sage Art: Wind Style—Rasenshuriken!"
A Rasenshuriken flew through the space-time portal, targeting the golden figure ensnared by Shikamaru's shadow.
"Sarada, let's go!"
"Right."
Once everyone had retreated, the space-time portal closed completely.
The terrifying energy from the Rasenshuriken eventually faded, revealing the golden figure still standing, unscathed, scowling in fury.
"You damn mutts… I'll never let you go!"
Hokage's Office.
"You're all okay?"
Boruto asked, looking over the group.
"Yeah," they all nodded. Though the battle had been intense, luckily, there were no casualties.
"How did you run into that guy?"
"He asked us if we knew someone named Cell… then things escalated quickly," Shikamaru replied.
"Uncle Shikamaru, what's with your appearance—?"
"Sorry, sorry." The black, sticky substance receded from Shikamaru's body, revealing his normal form. "We needed time to escape, so I had no choice but to fuse with Venom."
"How do you feel now?"
"Honestly? Great. I can feel a massive boost in power."
Shikamaru clenched his fist. His body, now strengthened by the Venom symbiote, had grown visibly more muscular—no longer a typical ninjutsu specialist, he now looked more like a taijutsu fighter.
"Still, just to be safe, you should have Granny Tsunade check you over."
"Mm."
Shikamaru nodded in agreement.
Konoha Hospital.
After Sakura had been sent to Hero Prison, Tsunade and Shizune were stationed at the hospital full time.
"How is he, Lady Tsunade?"
Shikamaru stepped off the examination equipment and asked.
"No issues. You're in perfect health," Tsunade replied, reviewing the report on Shikamaru's condition.
"Good. Thank you, Lady Tsunade."
Konoha Training Grounds.
"Boruto, I'm coming."
"Go ahead, Uncle Shikamaru."
With the checkup complete, it was time to test Shikamaru's new combat strength under Venom's enhancement.
Boruto, the Eighth Hokage and currently Konoha's strongest fighter, served as his opponent.
The black liquid surged over Shikamaru once again, forming a towering Venom nearly two meters tall. His bulky form loomed in front of Boruto.
Boruto instinctively stepped back.
Venom flicked his long tongue and bared his fangs.
"Shadow Binding Technique!"
Black shadow threads shot from Shikamaru's hand, binding Boruto tightly.
"I… can't break free…"
Even after entering Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Boruto was unable to escape the shadow threads restraining him.
Shikamaru yanked the shadows, sending Boruto flying, then slammed him into the ground.
"Uncle Shikamaru—"
"Hey, kid… your Uncle Shikamaru's not acting quite right," Kurama warned from inside Boruto.
"Yeah… I feel it too."
Boruto nodded, activating Super Saiyan Mode. With a surge of strength, he finally broke free of the shadows.
Shikamaru's arms morphed into battle axes as he charged at Boruto.
"Uncle Shikamaru, calm down!"
"I am calm!"
Venom's voice growled as the axes swung down.