[Shikamaru's mouth tightens in a firm line, not even wanting to entertain that thought.]

It has something to do with his fucked up religion. [And let's face it, only works if you're immortal. Shikamaru rubs his face.] Besides ingesting the blood of his target, he also needs to draw a symbol into the ground with his own blood and stand in it. That's why it's best to have someone like me fight him.