Chapter 252: Training with a student

The Celestial Titanic Body found in the Uzumaki archives was amenable to change. Bijuu chakra, as well as senjutsu chakra, according to Shikamaru's calculations, are quite suitable for the tempering method. But in his case, the body was much stronger than usual, which means that more chakra is needed and its quality must match. Sun Mode would have worked too, but even he himself was wary of its searing power. In fact, even with his current strength, Shikamaru could only endure the Mode for more than an hour. The load and subsequent rollback from the technique is not an easy task - it is impossible to constantly use it for hardening. This is another reason why he worked on his own amplification technique. After all, if the body is terribly powerful, the Sun Mode will show itself in the best possible way. Simply put, Shikamaru did not intend to create something like the Eight Gates, he wanted to permanently develop the body by tempering, which was the celestial Titanic Body method. Only in his case, he was going to do it with every cell and turn himself into an indestructible being. Also, this is the way to completely break the shackles of the bloodline. If everything worked out, Shikamaru was more than sure that he could get as many bloodlines as he wanted, and therefore Genomes. A body capable of taking all of this would probably not be inferior to even the amazing Ōtsutsuki body!

There is clearly not much to do here in the next month. But, he was in no hurry, knowing full well that so far everything is under control. Three more years, problems in general, are not expected. Therefore, it will be possible to work on your own body.

After a couple of days of training, Shikamaru suddenly opened his eyes and pulled the crystal ball out of the ring, immediately peering into it. Instantly, an image of Naruto appeared on the muddy surface, and next to him was someone else...

"Jiraiya," smirking, the man put the ball back. Just a couple of seconds ago, for the next few kilometers, he felt a rather strong burst of jinchuuriki chakra. There could only be one explanation for this - one of the three Sannin decided to take on the training of young Naruto. In Shikamaru's mind, the Hermit was a rather controversial person. First of all, his relationship with Naruto is rather strange. Being almost a member of the Minato family, Jiraiya ignored his son for half of his life, and this certainly did not do him credit. Although Shikamaru wasn't judging, he didn't care about such things at all. If Naruto gets stronger, so be it. Sasuke had long surpassed this boy and was now practicing with Kakashi to the fullest. Just yesterday, the Uchiha came to show off his Chidori to his teacher.

"Hmm, I guess he wasn't happy about my reaction," the man chuckled and shrugged, just like he did yesterday at Sasuke's boast.

"Well, he'll be back in a couple of days. He started to sulk at me so often, wretched student…” Closing his eyes, Shikamaru pushed aside all thoughts and continued his training. Even if he had a desire to fight Jiraiya, he decided to leave it for a possible future. There will still be time to fight the Kage, and then someone else worthy.

*

Time passed, in the blink of an eye another whole month passed and the third stage of the exam came as quickly as this time flew by. Today, many ordinary residents, as well as Konoha Shinobi, have gathered at the Stadium. It was in this place that the third stage of the exam was being prepared. Seven candidates have already arrived, including the current Kazekage and several Hidden Sand shinobi as guards. Representatives from other villages also came. Daimyo of the Land of Fire took his place, as did the heads of many of Konoha's clans.

The long-awaited event will begin very soon...

The day before the exam, last night in the adamantine fortress.

Shikamaru calmly took Sasuke's blows and easily parried each one. The young Uchiha was already breathing heavily from such intense training, and noticeable perspiration was flying from his half-naked body. But he continued to furiously deliver dozens of punches, often coming to his feet. Sasuke's scarlet eyes were constantly flashing and moving from side to side. Three tomoe allowed him to perform much better in taijutsu than before, and now even Haku could not fight the boy on equal terms. For the past week, Shikamaru has been training the student on his own, preparing his foundation. He mastered Chidori very quickly, which is why...

“Now,” Sensei ordered calmly. In the next moment, Sasuke reacted and blue sparks immediately flew through his body, and then he began to strike at his opponent at amazing speed. The tatami was blown to the sides, and strong chakra shook the air. The rattle of lightning elements deafeningly filled the entire hall!

Shikamaru continued to keep up with Sasuke, but with noticeable surprise, he blocked many of his attacks.

Suddenly, the Uchiha suddenly froze, and then suddenly fell down, grimacing in pain. His fists were bleeding non-stop.

“Ha… Ha… Sensei, if it goes like this…”

“Nothing,” Shikamaru understood what he was leading to and nodded, throwing on his shirt:

- Went. If you use up all your strength now, it will not be very good.

- Wash up and go, I'll go first.

The man was about to leave when he suddenly heard:

“Um, do you want to take a shower?”

— What are you talking about? Shikamaru turned and looked at his student in bewilderment.

I didn't sweat...

"Ah... I didn't mean to say that... I mean..." Sasuke lowered his head in embarrassment.

“We didn’t spend any more time together like that time… I-I mean, we didn’t talk again and… So I thought…”

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He could hear the heartbeat, the pulse well, he could tell a lot just from Sasuke's expression and even his smell. That is why he frowned. He did not understand at all why the hell his student, being a male from the Uchiha clan, behaves in this way!

“Damn Haku, what is he teaching him?! It's horrible! What should I do now?!" Shikamaru mentally swore, and Sasuke seemed to feel all this, biting his lip and not knowing what to do now.

“Shit… Why did I say that! Who pulled me by the tongue ... "

But the man sighed and nodded.

- Okay, let's go to the hot spring. You can call Haku. Shikamaru waved his hand and left.

Left alone, Sasuke swallowed nervously.

“And why am I so nervous? Damn..." With a long sigh, the boy decided to quickly find Haku. In his presence, it became much easier to carry on a conversation ...

That's how it all came to that day...

A couple of hours later, at the hot springs of Konoha.

The hot steam slowly rose towards the sky, slowly dissipating through the air. Somebody's sonorous chuckles were heard nearby, they belonged to the girls in a nearby source. Whereas Shikamaru, Haku and Sasuke were only the three of them. For a couple of minutes, some invisible awkwardness reigned in this place. Yuki dropped into the water up to his neck and only his dark checker was barely visible in the gleaming water. The guy sat not far from Shikamaru and looked suspiciously at him, then at the nervous Sasuke.

The calmest of all, being invited by his own student, closed his eyes and leaned his elbows on the stone parapet, enjoying the warm water. It was as if this strange atmosphere did not touch him ...