036 -- [Voice]

[endgames]

((Backdated to February 4th))

[It's been a long time since Shikamaru's failed a mission. All right. Failure might be too strong a word for this one. He can actually laugh at that. This isn't like when he was twelve. It's a personal embarrassment, not something that's going to keep him up at night, sick to his stomach.

A failure is a failure though, and that makes it a pain in the ass. He'd apologized to the MSF personnel profusely, and requested to be put on a different mission to make up for the screw-up. They'd looked nonplussed about the whole thing and stuck him back in Luceti, but eh. Shikamaru decides to keep his journal close to him anyways, in case they take him up on that. It's for this reason he doesn't go out to do any of the things he probably should. He passes the time by flipping through the journal instead, and thinking over the last mission.]

[Voice]

When I first came to this village, I remember going out. Left or right, it seemed anywhere I looked someone was using that so-called "filial magic". ...Haaa. [He scratches his head, and there's a smirk in his voice.] That's an exaggeration, but you get it. That was years ago, though. It seemed like it was becoming less common until that incident last year, when everyone got possessed.

Anyone learning anything from those guys now? Seems like the kind of thing that would spark interest, especially with one extra spirit hanging around.

Comments

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi watches, impressed at Shikamaru's skill and the ease at which he performed the jutsu. He practically heard the wheels turning in Shikamaru's head just moments before he formed the seals with his hands, figuring out the exact calculations. He's only maybe a little surprised that Shikamaru's a fire type. Certainly hadn't expected that. He always thought Shikamaru was maybe more earth or water. Maybe lightning.

But then, he supposes it's not entirely surprising. ]

Have you learned any other Katon jutsus?

[ While the technique he used is certainly very effective, it has a drawback of requiring flint and takes more time to set up, in contrast with faster, more destructive attacks like Katon Goukyakkyu no Jutsu or Katon Housenka no Jutsu that only require careful chakra molding. ]

[endgames]

[He wipes some soot from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, turning his head (opposite direction of Kakashi) to spit before responding.]

No. That was the only one I was confident I could replicate from memory.

[Fire is not his elemental affinity, actually.]

[ura_no_ura]

If you'd like, I'd be happy to train you in more Katon jutsu. [ A beat. ] After all, a skilled jounin should be able to have a wide range of jutsu in his arsenal.

[ Though he's not sure if Shikamaru would really need it, especially with his kekkei genkai. Either way, Katon jutsus are good offensive strategies. ]

[endgames]

[*Hiden jutsu]

As to the offer, Shikamaru blinks. He decides just to answer honestly.]

I never thought about it before.

[ura_no_ura]

Well, if you'd like to learn more, let me know, hmm?

[ It's up to Shikamaru how he'd like to approach this, after all. ]

[endgames]

...I'll think about it.

[It's a promise, for sure. There's something far-off in his tone - he's turning over the opportunity even now - before he shunts it off to the back of his head and grounds himself.]

If you can come up with anything else that'd suit me. I'm not much for close combat like the rest of you.

[ura_no_ura]

Hmmm....Katon Goukyakku no Jutsu can be performed at just about any range, but tends to be more effective at mid-range.

[endgames]

Can't you just teach me something like how to burn through metal bars?

[Okay that's more like the Mizukage's style with those lava jutsus he's heard about, a bloodline limit which goes without saying is out of his reach. But something subtle, yet useful, is the sentiment.]

[ura_no_ura]

Unfortunately, the only technique I have that will allow you to do something quite like that is Raikiri.

[ And that's not something he'll ever teach anyone again. ]

[endgames]

Pass.

[He's good at reading the mood - he knows it was never on the table. But the quick-fire drawl helps take out some of the tension.]

I dunno then. But I'll think it over, as I promised.

[ura_no_ura]

Mm.

[ A nod as Kakashi glances over Shikamaru, idly wondering why the younger man is a touch reluctant to learn a new technique, especially if it's at his disposal. If it were Naruto or Sasuke, they would absolutely jump at the chance. But Shikamaru's never been quite as aggressive as either of the two; his kekkei genkai, Kagemane no Jutsu, is a kind of jutsu that predominately subdues and traps enemies, a more strategic technique than most elemental jutsu. ]

Well, if you want to work on any other types of elemental jutsu sometime, just let me know. [ A beat. ] Though, if Fuuton ends up being an element you develop, you may have to ask Yondaime or Naruto instead.

[endgames]

Heh. [Here he puts his hands up.] Trust me when I say I don't see that happening. I tried to learn from Kipinn here once, and even with Temari coaching I crashed and burned.

[He didn't know the Yondaime was suited for that, though. That's interesting.]

[ura_no_ura]

Not all of us are suited for wind.

[ Kakashi gives Shikamaru a once-over. ]

Though, if I did have to pick an element for you, I would've always thought you to be more of an earth-type.