Shikamaru Nara vs. Ino Yamanaka

Shikamaru Nara vs. Ino Yamanaka is a battle that takes place in Season One during the Season One Chunin Selection Exams. It is a battle between Hidden Leaf Chunin Shikamaru Nara and Hidden Leaf Genin Ino Yamanaka.

Prelude
Following the conclusion of the Second Exam, the remaining participants must take part in a Preliminary to determine who will proceed to the Third Exam. In the third match, fellow members of Team Asuma Shikamaru Nara and Ino Yamanaka are paired against each other. The two are initially stunned and speechless at this revelation, but after encouragement from their Sensei, they eventually enter the arena. As Genma Shiranui prepares to start the match, the two embrace each other tightly, assuring one another that the fight will not get in the way of them being a team.

Battle
The fight begins, and Ino throws shuriken at Shikamaru. Shikamaru evades these while putting distance between them and activates the Shadow Possession Jutsu. Ino responds by throwing a kunai at Shikamaru, who blocks it with a knife of his own, giving Ino time to avoid his Jutsu. Ino uses the Clone Jutsu and rushes Shikamaru, who uses his Shadow Possession on all of them. Ino avoids the technique and attacks with shuriken, but Shikamaru avoids these while she lands on a balcony. She throws a fire-kunai at Shikamaru, who is caught off-guard and forced to flee. Ino uses Transportation Jutsu to get to him quickly, attacking him and knocking him to the ground. However, with her being at point-blank range, Shikamaru manages to ensnare her with the Shadow Possession Jutsu. Shikamaru pulls out a kunai, and while she mimics him, she is unable to grab a weapon.

Shikamaru forces them to stand face-to-face, and he apologizes to her. She tells him that it is okay, nd he pulls her around and hits her in the back of the head with the butt of his knife. Ino is knocked unconscious, and Shikamaru catches her before she hits the floor.

Aftermath
Shikamaru lays her on the floor as she is met by a team of medics. Shikamaru is declared the winner of the fight. Shikamaru watches in remorse as Ino is carried off before returning to the balcony.