However, the drawback was obvious: the Chakra consumption was too high. Unlike Kano, who had the system to help reduce Chakra consumption, Shikamaru was only using a simplified version of the Shadow Deer Technique, and even then, the drain was immense.
Just as Shikamaru's Chakra was about to run out and Kano was preparing to step in, a gust of violent wind blew in, sending Tayuya flying.
"Who is it!"
"Ninja of the Sand, an ally of Konoha."
Tayuya roared unwillingly, and the newcomer was none other than Temari from the Hidden Sand Village.
"I heard we had reconciled with the traitorous Sand Ninjas, but I didn't expect the change in attitude to be so swift."
Shikamaru hadn't expected Temari to come to his rescue; he had thought his sister would suddenly appear.
"Attacking Konoha back then wasn't our intention, just an order—just like being here now."
Shikamaru breathed a sigh of relief. This must be the help the fifth hokage requested; things should be stable now.
"By the way, has your brain gone soft?" Temari couldn't help but mock him seeing his pathetic state. "Are you going to give up again? Let me help you this time."
Kano watched from above, thinking her future sister-in-law really held a grudge. She still hadn't forgotten being toyed with by her brother during the Chunin Exams.
"Sorry, I can't give up. A man can't let a woman protect him."
"Still going on about men and women, what an annoying guy."
Kano nodded vigorously in the shadows, completely agreeing with her sister-in-law. That stinky Shikamaru was always 'a man should do this' and 'a woman should do that'.
"Look at the state you're in, stop acting tough. Just stay behind me and tell me what the deal is with the enemy."
Shikamaru explained Tayuya's abilities, and Temari pondered for a moment.
"Should be no problem. I have an advantage against her. It's a pity my fan isn't in my hand, otherwise, I could finish her in an instant."
At that moment, Shikamaru suddenly remembered the scroll Kano had given him before they left, which contained a mysterious three-star fan.
"Did you even calculate this situation, you brat?"
Shikamaru muttered under his breath.
"Here, I have a fan."
Temari took the scroll and summoned the three-star fan from within. She was extremely shocked.
"Why is my three-star fan with you? Wasn't it taken by the konoha songstress?"
"The konoha songstress you're talking about is my sister. She gave this fan to me before this mission and told me to hand it to you. Clearly, she guessed you would come to my aid."
Temari instantly gained a new understanding of the konoha songstress. Such absurd wisdom—she must never be made an enemy.
Taking the fan, Temari bit her finger and smeared blood across the fan's surface.
"Summoning Jutsu: Sea Foam Dance!"
A violent wind carrying countless Kamatari slashes instantly cut down the forest ahead. This massive AOE skill was exactly the kind of ability a logger would dream of.
Shikamaru couldn't help but marvel; this fan was ridiculous, amplifying Wind Release Ninjutsu to such an extent.
"By the way, if your Ninjutsu is so strong with a fan, why didn't you just make a new one?"
"Do you think my fan is cheap? Making one costs a lot of money. Besides, our Hidden Sand Village paid out a lot in reparations, so the village funds are really low right now. The money went to Kankuro first to repair his puppets. I can still use Wind Release without a fan, but without his puppets, he's basically useless. "
"By the way, your sister was the one who smashed his puppets too."
Seeing the battle end, Kano stepped out, collected Tayuya's shadow, and approached Shikamaru.
But Temari immediately raised her hand to attack.
"Who are you?"
Damn, you actually dare to hit me. Just wait until my brother marries you, I'll definitely give you a hard time. Hmph!
"I'm not an enemy. I'm here to treat him. I also brought him some food; he hasn't rested or eaten for a day and a night." After a brief explanation, she turned to Shikamaru and said, "I've already saved the first two, so don't worry. Once I've healed your wounds, I'll go support the next person."
Although Shikamaru found the girl in the red cloud robe suspicious, she looked strangely familiar... "I remember now! You're the girl who appeared at my house before!"
"Recognized?"
Since it was someone he had met once, he didn't refuse the food she offered and started eating immediately.
"Hey, watch out for poison!"
Temari gave a well-intentioned warning, as she didn't trust such a suspicious character. Unfortunately, Shikamaru didn't listen and finished the food anyway.
"Thanks for the rice balls, they were delicious."
"You're welcome. Are you injured anywhere? I can heal you."
"No need, no need, I'm not hurt."
He actually had a few minor injuries that would heal on their own. But he was embarrassed to trouble her further, and he had a premonition that being treated by her might be... uncomfortable.
"Since you're fine, I'll be going now."
"Wait, can you tell me your name?"
"There's no need to know my name, I'm just—" Just as she was about to hide her identity, Kano suddenly remembered the system task. "My name is Kashi."
"Kashi? Okay, I'll remember it."
"Then goodbye. Could you point me in the direction Naruto went? I'm going to support him next."
Shikamaru thought for a moment and pointed in a direction. Kano then left following that path.
Leaving behind the bickering brother and sister-in-law.
[Task Completion Reward: Two bags of garbage.]
[One bag of garbage: Upon opening, you can obtain a damaged version of something you previously lost. Damaged items are only possessed and cannot be used normally; they have no effect.]
What kind of thing is this? It really is just garbage!
Kano curiously opened one bag of garbage to see what was inside.
It was originally bulging and had some weight to it; she thought it might contain some old clothes.
But when she opened it, it was empty, instantly turning into an empty plastic bag.
Wait? Did the air inside count as well?
While Kano was suspecting that garbage could also be a dud, the system prompt appeared.
[Obtained: Shadow Imitation Technique (Damaged Version)]
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