4 Shikamaru Moments That Convinced Naruto Fans He’s the Hokage We Needed

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In the realm of the popular series “Naruto,” Shikamaru Nara is a skilled ninja character who resides. He contributes significantly to the vibrancy and functionality of the Hidden Leaf Village, acting as a ninja sanctuary. Despite his reputation for laziness, which is sometimes playfully exaggerated, he’s actually a reliable and intelligent individual. His keen intellect, coupled with his loyalty, makes him an exceptional ally. This is why he was appointed as the temporary Eighth Hokage when Naruto went missing at the beginning of “Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.” It’s likely that if given this role earlier for any reason, he would have excelled in it.

From where I stand, it’s evident that Shikamaru, in his wisdom, chose not to seek the role of Hokage. Even as a young lad, one could sense that this wasn’t his destiny. Yet, his apparent laziness is only one aspect; there’s more to him than meets the eye. He finds satisfaction in assisting Naruto, and it’s heartening to witness this path for him. As I reflect on the journey, it becomes apparent how those moments have shaped Shikamaru into a strong contender for future leadership and potential Hokage.

4) The Chunin Exams Revealed Shikamaru’s Incredible Strategist Side

In the world of Naruto, the Chunin Exams stood out as a significant turning point that still resonates today. It may seem hard to believe given how far back it happened, but the decisions and actions made during those events had far-reaching impacts. For instance, the exams provided an opportunity for Shikamaru’s strategic mind and intellectual prowess to shine brightly – traits that ultimately led him to pass.

To recap, the Chunin Exam consisted of multiple rounds: a written test, a survival ordeal in the Deadly Forest, an initial combat phase, and the ultimate fights. Shikamaru managed to surmount the earlier hurdles, advancing to the final confrontations. Although he and his team encountered some hardships (which I’ll delve into later), overcoming such challenges was precisely what the test aimed for.

Initially, it was planned that Shikamaru would fight against Dosu Kinuta, but unfortunately, Dosu died before the battle could take place. As a result, Shikamaru faced Temari instead. This confrontation was intense; Temari displayed incredible strength, speed, and deadly precision. Of particular note is when Shikamaru uses his Shadow Possession Jutsu to capture Temari, causing the fight to reach an impasse since neither could secure victory at this point. Eventually, Shikamaru chose to concede the battle.

One could assume that Shikamaru’s actions would prevent him from passing the Chunin Exam, but it turns out that he was the only one to pass this year. This shows that they were seeking qualities beyond battle readiness. Shikamaru’s strategic forfeit demonstrated his ability to recognize when to seize an opportunity and when to retreat, a vital trait for any shinobi or leader.

3) Joined Team 7 Against the Sound Ninja

During the Forest of Death’s second round of the Chunin Exam, things took a turn for the worst for Team 7 (consisting of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura). To add insult to injury, they found themselves under attack by a rule-disregarding team – the Sound Ninja – who were acting on Orochimaru’s orders. This was particularly difficult since they had already been weakened from their previous encounter with Orochimaru, making their situation even more challenging.

Instead of turning away, Shikamaru’s group chose to intervene despite it not being their conflict and being unaware of the risks involved. Ino swiftly positioned herself in front of Sakura with no second thoughts, and Shikamaru quickly summoned Choji alongside her for support. For Shikamaru, it was imperative that none of his teammates ventured into battle without backup, hence, they all had to participate.

2) Stepping Up as Chief Strategist During the Fourth Shinobi War

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the epic climax of Naruto: Shippuden – the Fourth Shinobi War! This war brought together characters we love and loathe in an unforgettable showdown, with stakes that seemed almost too grand for words. Well, perhaps it wasn’t entirely unexpected; after all, we were talking about a shonen series, where power levels tend to escalate skyward!

In the Fourth Shinobi War, everyone gave their utmost effort, and this included Shikamaru. He was instrumental during the intelligence gathering stage when all were under pressure to decipher what was happening. Shikamaru’s Shadow Possession Technique proved crucial as it enabled his allies to strategize effectively against the Ten-Tails – a detail that should never be dismissed.

In a similar vein, Shikamaru found himself assuming a more prominent leadership position, choosing instead to guide from behind rather than at the forefront. This transition was particularly tough for him, given that during one of the climactic battles, Shikamaru learned that HQ was under attack. Regrettably, there wasn’t enough time to protect HQ, leaving them no choice but to continue fighting head-on.

However, it’s important to note that there was a twist: Shikamaru’s father was within the attacked building. Despite being embroiled in war, Shikamaru showed immense resilience, continuing his efforts even when he thought his father had perished. He suppressed his grief and chose not to dwell on the tragedy, instead focusing on the war mission at hand. While many heroes might have faltered under less pressure, Shikamaru’s determination deserves our utmost recognition.

1) Avenging Asuma’s Death

In a subtle yet impressive fashion, Asuma proved himself to be an exceptional teacher, though his greatness often went unnoticed by fans until it was too late. Tragically, Asuma met his end in full view of his students, including Shikamaru. Despite the loss, Shikamaru remained determined and gathered Team 10 to seek retribution. Together, they pursued Hidan and Kakuzu, a fight that left an indelible mark, even compared to future battles.

Using his Shadow Possession Jutsu, Shikamaru lured Hidan into the forest, thereby separating the pair momentarily. This strategic maneuver ultimately proved decisive in their victory. Soon after, Shikamaru orchestrated a deception that led Hidan to attack Kakazu. With Kakazu momentarily incapacitated due to blood stolen by Kakashi earlier, Shikamaru seized the opportunity to permanently imprison Hidan.

It seems clear that the villain isn’t actually dead, but we have no doubt he’ll be regretting his choices, buried as he is beneath the sand. Spending eternity in such a place doesn’t sound like anyone’s idea of fun, and it’s safe to say Hidan won’t be unearthing himself any time soon. To top it all off, Shikamaru used Asama’s lighter to deliver the fatal blow against Hidan – a fittingly poetic twist of fate. We can’t help but think that this is a form of justice, and that moment has certainly left an indelible mark on our memories. This, we believe, is what true revenge looks like.

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2025-09-05 04:41