Chapter 324 *spoilers*

[Denisa]

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/6210/014js1.jpg

So what did we learn from this chapter?

While we knew Shikamaru was the smartest person in Narutoverse, he is now morphing into Batman. He can read and counter jutsus just by studying someone? Why the hell isn't he a jounin already? If I were Tsunade, I'd have him sit next to me and make all the important decisions.

He is also a lot stronger post timeskip. His shadow technique saved Asuma's life.

Backup is 10 minutes away. Just in enough time to drive Kakuzu off and then Naruto will kill Kakuzu with his new completed rasengan.

Hidan keeps telling Kakuzu to stay out of this fight. When villains act stupid and cocky, they usually end up dead. Nice knowing you Hidan.

I still think Asuma is going to die. Shika's plan will work, but there will be a price to pay.

[Punnchy]

All Kazaku can think about is the money. Nice offer for him to step in though.

Interesting chapter, and it dosn't surprise me that Shikamaru figured something out. I have to wonder what he has up his sleave to deal with Hidan.

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

Shikamaru never ceases to amaze me. Staying calm enough to quickly analyze a situation when you're on a simple genin-level mission is one thing; but being able to calm down enough to quickly and accurately analyze a situation and figure out a solution when you're in the midst of a crisis (and your sensei is on the verge of getting killed) is remarkable, particularly for a 15-year-old with only three years of experience.

I agree with Denisa: Why the heck isn't this boy a jounin already? For that matter, why hasn't Tsunade decided to hire him as her Commander in Chief?

Things definitely aren't looking too good for Asuma. I would hate to see him die - especially now when he's just starting to get some serious screen time - but not all the heroes are going to come out of this battle alive, and the way things look right now, Asuma is headed toward the casuality list. Like Denisa said, Shikamaru's plan is going to be Hidan's downfall, but there will be a price to pay.

[Hara!]

Countdown to Asuma's death...

[abomination]

Shikamaru's probably content with just being a Chuunin. If he was given the prospect of becoming a Jounin or another higher up job of importance, he probably would decline. Shikamaru may be a genius, but he's also rather simple and humble.

Well, on to the chapter. Actually, it was quite interesting. We all knew Shika' was a genius before, but now that he's older, he's actually become smarter and he's more strategic and calculating than ever. I actually have to wonder who is smarter : Shikamaru, Kakashi, or any of the 3 Sannin.

Poor Asuma. It's always the cooler, more interesting side characters that get the short end of the stick. In Asuma's case, I think I'd rather have him become like Shino or Hinata and be a less used side character forever instead of him being killed off, but alas, that seems that cannot be. Sadly, I think we'll eventually be adding Asuma to the ranks of great characters like Maes Hughes, Ryouji Kaji ,and Nicholas D. Wolfwood. It had better be a great and noble significant death like his fathers, not some punk out death just to kill off an interesting character.

[MightyDustLoop]

They're going to manage to take care of Hidan without Asuma dying, only for Kakuzu to step in and take him out for the money. If Hidan is still alive, he'll probably get pissed at Kakuzu interfering, which will in turn lead to both the Akatsuki members going at it, getting distracted, and getting taken out because of it. Even if the turn of events wind up being that predictable, it sounds like its going to be a lot of fun.

The only thing separating Asuma from greatness when he dies is that, well, nobody cares.

[DarkNataku]

well i would hate to see asuma die. i want him to get hurt and be in recovery forever or close til the end of naruto. but it probably wont happen. if they do defeat hidan without asuma getting killed then kakuzu will most likely step in to collect the head of asuma and just as his about to make his move the help arrives.

[GDB]

I thought Kakashi mentioned early in Naruto's nature training that all Jounins had control over two natures, like Yamato has Earth and Water. Which reminds me... we know Kakashi has lightning as his primary, but what's his secondary? If I had to guess, I'd guess Earth.

[DarkNataku]

i think it would be water since all the water jutsus he had learn. ¿but not sure?

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

Shikamaru's probably content with just being a Chuunin. If he was given the prospect of becoming a Jounin or another higher up job of importance, he probably would decline. Shikamaru may be a genius, but he's also rather simple and humble.You have a point. Despite his intelligence, Shikamaru is a rather humble person, and I've always gotten the impression that rank never impressed him (or that he just didn't give a darn).

I thought Kakashi mentioned early in Naruto's nature training that all Jounins had control over two natures, like Yamato has Earth and Water. Which reminds me... we know Kakashi has lightning as his primary, but what's his secondary? If I had to guess, I'd guess Earth.No, I don't think Kakashi ever said that all jounin were affiliated with two elements. Affiliation with multiple elements is not a technique that one can learn; it's a trait with which one is born. So, since not every ninja is born affiliated with two elements, that means not every jounin is affiliated with two elements (since one can presume that it's not just those who are affiliated with two elements who become jounin).

[DarkNataku]

i think you can try an learn other natures but they will never be as strong as your birth nature.

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

i think you can try an learn other natures but they will never be as strong as your birth nature.
How do you learn to be affiliated with an element of nature? How do you learn to be affiliated with water, or fire, or earth? I think if you could learn to be affiliated with other elements, then every student at the Ninja Academy would be trained to be affiliated with all five elements.

[CyberNinja5]

I need to really catch up with the chapters and episodes. I stopped reading and watching the subs about 3 months ago.

[DarkNataku]

^lol need to stop working so late. i meant to say you can learn other elements but you'll get a boost in power when you use a jutsu that is the same element as you affinity.

[abomination]

I can't remember the exact conversation but yeah, I think you can learn another nature element, such as what Sasuke done, but to use and combine two elements at the same time to form another chakra element I think is something you have to be born with.

The Uchiha's had an affinity for fire, so most were fire element, but Sasuke learned the Chidori and was able to make his chakra nature both fire and lightning. Asuma is wind nature, but he could also be a fire element aswell, noted by his only use of a katon jutsu. I say that because of the way you use a katon jutsu : as noted by Sasuke and Itachi's father, to form a katon jutsu you bring chakra into your stomach and change it and breath it out as fire, or atleast something to that effect. That 'changing of the chakra' sounds alot like chakra nature manipulation.

That may be entirely wrong, but that was the impression that I was given.

[ffl]

Yes, it was mentioned that when a shinobi reaches Jounin, they can usually manipulate more than 1 element.

This chapter was nice. It's starting to flesh out my own initial thoughts, from the previous chapter, about the nature and basis of Hidan's jutsu.

Also, I don't think Naruto will be the 'backup' that's coming.:P It'll be one of the other 70+ ninja who were out looking for the Akatsuki duo.

[DarkNataku]

maybe kurenai might be the person/team that is coming and she will probably get there just as asuma dies. now that would be sad. but i wonder who is coming.

[wyrd]

I'm thinking Hidan's power to... "mutually multilate" is only effective as long as he's in that circle. Anyone having the same thought?

[MightyDustLoop]

Well, he called it a ritual, so that's a very reasonable assumption. But if that's the conclusion Shika came to, then hell, we could be ninjas too.

[Cow]

Shikamaru is a jounin.

[Denisa]

Shikamaru's a chuunin. Only Neji, Kankuro, and Temari made jounin during the time-skip. They were also the oldest so I guess that made sense. Gaara skipped right to kage.

But after seeing this chapter, Shika should have also been a jounin. He might not want to be a jounin, but Tsunade should give him no choice in the matter. On one hand, it’s nice to see someone in a shonen manga that’s not arrogant about their abilities or looking for glory. But on the other hand, Shika’s genius is a rare gift that be should be used to help as many people as possible.

I think Hidan loses the connection to his victim if he is out of the circle. Notice even when dodging Shika's shadowing sewing technique, he never left the circle. So the first task will be to get him out of the circle to save Asuma for the moment. The next will be to find the secret of his immorality. It seems tied to that ceremony. Blood looks like it plays some role in this.

I wonder if someone has to recreate Hidan’s ceremony and take their own life to remove his immortality?

[Atriede]

I read somewhere that a jounen should have good individual combat skills as well as an analytical mind and the ability to work as a team.Even though shikamaru is one of my favourite characters, from an impartial point of view, clearly he does not have all three requirements.

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

I read somewhere that a jounen should have good individual combat skills as well as an analytical mind and the ability to work as a team.Even though shikamaru is one of my favourite characters, from an impartial point of view, clearly he does not have all three requirements.
Actually, doesn't he? He has good individual combat skills - otherwise he wouldn't have made it to the chuunin rank. He has an analytical mind - his analytical skills are frightening. He might not like working with other people as much as he would prefer working by himself - or not working at all - but he is capable of working as part of a team; he has demonstrated that more than once, has he not?

[ffl]

Yeah, Shikamaru could be a jounin, as could Iruka. It's just that they choose to remain as Chuunin, and in Iruka's case, he chose to remain an instructor at the academy. Jounin is a higher rank, but that also means more responsibilities, and already enough of a pain dealing with what he's got to deal with as a Chuunin.:P In my opinion, it's his choice to remain at the Chuunin rank. The job doesn't get easier with the higher rank, it just gets harder, both in terms of responsibilities and in missions and enemies.

Mika is also correct that Shikamaru can handle himself one-on-one, since he wouldn't have gotten this far if he couldn't hold his own in a fight. He may not have been able to deliver the finishing blow in all of the fights we've seen him in, minus the preliminary chuunin exam, but he's certainly dominated in all of them when his moment came.

[Atriede]

Actually, doesn't he? He has good individual combat skills

whoa! Steady on now! Are you saying Shikimaru has good enough IDIVIDUAL combat skills to become a jounin. I think shikimaru is great in a team but in a one on one battle against another jounin , lets say neji :P , would he trully win. Why was it neji became a jounin, becuase he has the All required attributes.
WHy is shikimaru not a jounin, because;
(a) He did not have all the requirements to become a jounin.
(b) Whoever choses jounins was an idiot and overlooked shikimaru :P .
Take your pick, its as simple as ABC.

I will only accept ffl's theory of shikamaru refusing the responsibilities of a jounin, once I see evidence of him giving a jounin worthy performance, in a combat situation all by himself and without a team to help him.

Thats not to say Shika, might not become a jounin in the future.

[blackknight]

I was under the impression that Shikimaru already was a jounin. I thought that had been stated at the beginning of part 2. Don't mind me.

Decent chapter. I don't think Asuma will die just yet, because they're too close to the bounty place, thus Konoha would raze it to the ground should Asuma be killed and cashed in. Probably be hospitalized, but not killed.

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

I will only accept ffl's theory of shikamaru refusing the responsibilities of a jounin, once I see evidence of him giving a jounin worthy performance, in a combat situation all by himself and without a team to help him.
Err...what about the battle against Temari during the Chuunin Exam? Wasn't that a display of good individual combat skills? :huh: It was that battle that determined whether or not he would become a chuunin, and he obviously passed the test...and won the battle, I should point out.

[blackknight]

Err...what about the battle against Temari during the Chuunin Exam? Wasn't that a display of good individual combat skills? :huh: It was that battle that determined whether or not he would become a chuunin, and he obviously passed the test...and won the battle, I should point out.
He didn't win. He forfeit because he was almost out of chakra. He has promoted to chuunin because the judges were impressed with his complete knowledge of his abities, such as knowing when to press his advantage or withdraw.

[Denisa]

Well, Shikamaru is still just 15. He is actually one of the youngest of the former genin. It just seems like he has been a chuunin forever because of the damn filler. He is not a career guy in his mid-20's like Iruka who seems content in his position. If Shika makes jounin sometime in the next year according to Narutotime, then he won't be any different than Neji who probably made jounin around 16. To give that some reference, Kurenai didn't make jounin until her late 20's

We don't know the qualifications for jounin. Kakashi did let us in on the two element thing, but we don't exactly know what makes one a jounin the way we do a chuunin thanks to the exam. But if someone can hold their own and significantly contribute in a fight against a S-ranked criminal going all out with his equally powerful partner itching to get into the fight, then they probably more than qualify.

[Naster]

He didn't win. He forfeit because he was almost out of chakra. He has promoted to chuunin because the judges were impressed with his complete knowledge of his abities, such as knowing when to press his advantage or withdraw.

he fought evenly with someone who is currently a jounin. not only did he do that, he did it in a place that was disadvantagous to him at the time (the dome with 12 pm sunlight and no shadows.) the judges were impressed with his abilities as a tactician.. he was in complete control, given his circumstances, against a person who used only offensive abilities.

[Atriede]

The time gap between when Temari faces Shika to when she becomes Jounin is probably two and a half years. It is not likely that she was near jounin level when she was facing shikamaru, therefore shikamaru holding his ground against her is irellevent, and certainly not an indicator that he has jounin worthy combat skills.

A shinobi can defeat a stronger opponent through skill or cunning. Wether this alone gives him the right to become a Jounin is unclear, but unlikely.
Furthermore, though shikamaru's cunning in his fight against Temari was impressive, it should be remembered she was only a genin, with genin experience at the time, defeating a fellow genin by using intellect is good, but definitely not enough to justify him becoming a Jounin.
Therefore though Shikamaru shined in his fight against Temari, it is a bad example to use when trying to justify why he has All the requirements to becoming a Jounin.

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

Furthermore, though shikamaru's cunning in his fight against Temari was impressive, it should be remembered she was only a genin, with genin experience at the time, defeating a fellow genin by using intellect is good, but definitely not enough to justify him becoming a Jounin.
I think you're underestimating Temari. Yes, she was a genin, but "genin" doesn't necessarily equal "low-level." Remember, Temari is a year older than Shikamaru - which means she probably had at least a year's worth of experience over him - and on top of that, she's the daughter of the Fourth Kazekage. Don't forget, folks, we're talking about Gaara's older sister here.

IMO, the fact that Shikamaru is currently on what has to be an A-rank mission says enough of his skills, and how highly people think of him. The kid is a frickin' genius. Like I said before, if Tsunade were to assign him the post of Commander in Chief (given he didn't slack off), Konohagakure would be practically invincible when it comes to war strategy.

[Atriede]

IMO, the fact that Shikamaru is currently on what has to be an A-rank mission says enough of his skills, and how highly people think of him. The kid is a frickin' genius. Like I said before, if Tsunade were to assign him the post of Commander in Chief (given he didn't slack off), Konohagakure would be practically invincible when it comes to war strategy.

We have already been through all this, but just for you, I will explain one more time ^_^ .
Shikimaru is on an A rank mission, with a team of other jounins because he is a 'frickin genius' right. But being a jounin requires more than just being a 'frickin genius'.

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

Shikimaru is on an A rank mission, with a team of other jounins because he is a 'frickin genius' right. But being a jounin requires more than just being a 'frickin genius'.I guess I should have pointed this out: when I said Shikamaru was a "frickin' genius," I wasn't just referring to his intellect, although that's certainly a big part of it. Your post just made me think that, in some ways, Shikamaru sort of reminds me of Kakashi...albeit I haven't quite figured out how yet.

[ffl]

I should point out that Temari is 3 years older than Shikamaru. She was 15 when they went at in the Chuunin Exams. Also, being denoted as a genin really doesn't mean anything in regards to skill or power. Naruto is a genin, but he's definitely stronger than any of the other former genin, seeing as how he fought pretty evenly against Orochimaru with 4 tails. Sasuke is still a genin, but he dominated Team Kakashi when they met up with him again. Rank in Naruto is just that, a rank. It can be a general indicator of skill and power, but it's not always accurate.

Also, it was mentioned by Kankurou that if Temari had taken the exam earlier, she could've been a Chuunin already. Seeing how she could manipulate her wind element and use it so effectively, you can see that she was definitely beyond the normal and expected skills of a genin. Sasuke could be considered the same during the exam too, since he already had control of two different elements then. O_O Gaara just dominated with his 'Kekkai Genkai' ability of using Sand, by combining wind and earth, as well as his usual Shukaku abilities. He can be considered more advanced because of that.

Anyway, Temari was no slouch back during her match with Shikamaru in the exams, so it was quite an unexpected feat for Shikamaru to lock her down. As was mentioned then, if that had been a mission with a team, she would've been taken out, or just restrained, once Shikamaru had her bound.

Also, just a month or so after that, Shikamaru had to take on Tayuya in her Cursed Seal 2 form. A feat that would've been difficult for any shinobi. Regardless of the breadth of her abilities and strength, he was able to formulate a plan and use his resources that he had on-hand to defeat her. He just didn't take her immense strength from the seal into consideration before doing so, but even then, he was able to hold out for a while.

Shikamaru can definitely hold his own in a fight. He may not have a jutsu that can blow away an army of shinobi, but he would be able to do what he could in order to slow them down and incapacitate as many of them as he can. Besides that, he's fast and has a knack for escaping from danger.

[Cow]

Oh i thought during the time jump he became a Jounin, interesting he was probably just to lazy.

[max_powers]

I'm gonna have to agree that Shika's one-on-one skills are not jounin level. He works best in a team, much like Ino. His neck bind is a nice finisher move, but as we have seen, most ppl were able to hold it back with their power.

I think the best way to say if he's Jounin level is to compare him to the current jounins, and in that aspect, he is nowhere NEAR a jounin. His dependence on his shadow bind is too great. A jounin would need more variety.

But I will say this: having him in a team gives a huge boost in overall success rate. His shadow bind helps him to keep a clear head when fighting, since he doesn't have to worry about retaliation (at that very moment) while he's thinking. Besides, those shadows have many uses. In fact, I'm hoping he learns a genjutsu (unrelated to my other topic :P) similar to the first's which causes darkness all around the victim.

And on the topic of great tactitioners and sand ninja beaters, where's the love for Shino? He's pretty damn smart himself and has some above average taijutsu, not to mention handy little bugs. Now there's character development I want to see. As a matter of fact, in the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, I think Shika specifically mentions that he wanted Shino in the team, but he was off doing a mission with his father. Thats just Kishi's way of saying "Shino is damn good, but I ran out of opponents, so I had to leave him back." Maybe he's the backup? Or part of it. I would sure like that.

[likenewbie]

if you look back to chapter 247, you learn that shika was an examiner. i don't remember any chuunin examiners being around during the chuunin exams before. also, shika decided he would start trying for his friends sake in the hospital after sasuke left, so i doubt he is a true slacker anymore.

as for his skills, of course he is a genius, but in these 3 years everyone has learned some new tricks, as they have all said...but the manga has been acting like a giant filler since the time warp and not showing any of these new moves. i'm sure shika has more then 2 moves now, and i'm sure he did before, but the slacker he was didn't really want to exert himself(or kishi just didn't want to show what all he could do either). and as was said before, having shika in the group doing only 1 jutsu greatly increases the teams success chances.

i have no doubt he is a jounin, but i'm surprised shino wasn't mentioned on shika's jounin list, i'd have thought for sure he'd be a jounin before neji.

[abomination]

In my opinion, if anything, Shikamaru should probably be in ANBU rather than being a Chuunin. He's pretty much got all the requirements for it.

I will have to agree that Shikamaru works best when in a team. His one on one skills are good, but not as great as some of the other shinobi in his generation. And one of his major problems is his chakra reserve and it doesn't help that his shadow techniques use up a lot of chakra.

He also seems to be more at home in mid to long range combat rather than close combat ;he's a distance fighter. But what Shikamaru's best at isn't his jutsu, it's his intellect. He can calculate the situation in record time and utilize his surroundings and the shinobi in his team to their maximum effect and capacity. He's a precious commodity and would be a vital part of any team that he would be in.

Team Asuma is on an A-Rank mission against S-Class shinobi and Asuma is the only Jounin on this team. Chuunin only really do C and B ranked missions, so that not only speaks highly of Shikamaru, but that speaks highly of the abilities of the entire team as a whole. So far, of what we've seen, each member of this team and their individual abilities actually seems to mesh and blend well with the other members' abilities.

[Jinto117]

In my opinion, if anything, Shikamaru should probably be in ANBU rather than being a Chuunin. He's pretty much got all the requirements for it.

I will have to agree that Shikamaru works best when in a team. His one on one skills are good, but not as great as some of the other shinobi in his generation. And one of his major problems is his chakra reserve and it doesn't help that his shadow techniques use up a lot of chakra.


I agree with the fact the Shikamaru practically works flawlessly in a team, but let's not get ahead of ourselves with the ANBU thing. How could Shikamaru use his shadow binding techniques at night. He'd have to carry flash grenades or a flashlight or a candle with him. Besides it is my understanding that eligibility requirments for ANBU are high. And everyone who is a part or had been a part of the ANBU is somewhat psychologically distraught. From Itachi to Kakashi ANBU is like joining the navy seals.

I do however feel Shikamaru would make a fine ANBU agent someday. He just needs to wear a cole mining helmet at night for his techniques is all.

[DarkNataku]

^what about the moon or maybe some lamps that are in the area. but arent there others sections in anbu?

[Denisa]

Isn't darkness technically one big shadow? There was a thread on this at narutofan. I stink at science. But he has the moon and the ability to use artificial light at night.

I think the best way to say if he's Jounin level is to compare him to the current jounins, and in that aspect, he is nowhere NEAR a jounin. His dependence on his shadow bind is too great. A jounin would need more variety.
If that's the case then that eliminates Shino who only uses bugs. Kiba who uses his dog. Lee who can only use taijutsu. Tenten who only uses weapons, and a great deal of the other former genin from ever becoming jounin. It also makes you wonder how Temari(who only uses her fan) and Kankuro(a puppet master) became jounin. So being versatile and having variety doesn't make you a jounin. Even the Hyuugas generally keep to their clan techniques.

After this arc, we'll have a better understanding of where Shika ranks.

[abomination]

I agree with the fact the Shikamaru practically works flawlessly in a team, but let's not get ahead of ourselves with the ANBU thing. How could Shikamaru use his shadow binding techniques at night. He'd have to carry flash grenades or a flashlight or a candle with him. Besides it is my understanding that eligibility requirments for ANBU are high. And everyone who is a part or had been a part of the ANBU is somewhat psychologically distraught. From Itachi to Kakashi ANBU is like joining the navy seals.

ANBU just don't go on missions at night. They are under direct control of the Kage and typically sent on capture and/or assassination missions aswell as other high ranked missions at any given time. Only Chuunin are chosen and they then work thier way up to an ANBU Caption.

I think Shikamaru can use Kage Mane at night, or atleast under the moonlight. He used it against Tayuya and Sakon at nighttime ( well, just before dawn to be exact ) in the Sasuke Retrieval Arc. And on top of that, the forest was a rather dark and dim place.

Not everyone in ANBU has psychological issues. Konoha is filled with ANBU members, Kakashi and Itachi were the only two most highlighted of them in the series. And on that same note, couldn't you say most shinobi have issues aswell ? I mean, it kinda comes with the occupation, it's just that most appear to not dwell on the things they've seen or have had to do.

[DarkNataku]

yeah most of them know that it comes with being a ninja. maybe at first they didnt feel right with it but if they dont talk about it or keep playing back the things they done over and over then it wouldnt affect them that much. and shika would fit well in ANBU bc of his kage Mane can hold the target while the rest of the team either kills the person or ties the person. and i could see him as a captain, his got the smarts for it. and with the next two chapters we might see it.

[likenewbie]

I think Shikamaru can use Kage Mane at night, or atleast under the moonlight. He used it against Tayuya and Sakon at nighttime ( well, just before dawn to be exact ) in the Sasuke Retrieval Arc. And on top of that, the forest was a rather dark and dim place.

it was said during the sasuke retrieval arc that he can use kage mane at night if and only if the moon is out, and shika also said if the moon were to get covered in a cloud then his jutsu would stop. as well, he didn't use it at night time, they waited till morning before striking, not just before ;-) as his tactical skills were working during the chase, his kage mane wouldn't work at night, both him and naruto can't see in the dark, and only kiba's nose would be able to get around at night.

[max_powers]

If that's the case then that eliminates Shino who only uses bugs. Kiba who uses his dog. Lee who can only use taijutsu. Tenten who only uses weapons, and a great deal of the other former genin from ever becoming jounin. It also makes you wonder how Temari(who only uses her fan) and Kankuro(a puppet master) became jounin. So being versatile and having variety doesn't make you a jounin. Even the Hyuugas generally keep to their clan techniques.
On the contrary.

Shika does use bugs a lot, but he can do a lot with it. He can create clones that have a solid body and can overwhelm an attacker who tries to use taijutsu against it. He can use them to track people. He can use them to spy. He can use them to block "certain" air tubes. And of course, he can use them to drain the opponent's chakra.

Kiba and Akamaru can launch powerful team attacks. Akamaru is excellent at tracking. They can also confuse an opponent with Beast Mimicry.

Lee's taijutsu and speed is a HUGE category. His speed is like the ultimate defense, and his strength can overwhelm most opponents.

Temari's fan gives her immense offensive and defensive capabilities. Each gust pretty much nullifies the opponent's attack while doing damage simultaneously. Plus, she can summon.

Kankurou uses his puppets to confuse the enemy. Its almost equivalent to fighting 2 or 3 opponents. And they are also a deadly finisher move.

The Hyuuga's Byakugan is immense in both offense and defense. I'm not even gonna bother explaining it.

My point is that while they each have a specific style, they have variety within it. Whereas, Shika's shadows (so far) pretty much involve him trapping the opponent. Sure, it can choke now, but he still needs to trap the opponent b4 that can happen. He can't make a defense with his shadows, or confuse the enemy. If the enemy is fast enough, or simply has an exploding tag, Shika's shadows become useless. Thats my point. Its just not suited for mono-a-mono.

P.S. - I don't care about Tenten, and in my book, she'll never make jounin. Or at least in a logical world. Then again, in a logical world, Naruto would never be made Hokage. :P

[DarkNataku]

for tenten to become jounin she is going to have to get a lot better with weapons, a lot better. i was just wondering who in konoha is good with weapons.

[final flash]

I hope that the anime catches up to the manga, it needs to be released more daily instead of weekly

[Cow]

That wouldn't really be possible :P

The creators would have no time to think!

[final flash]

I hate it when people take the **** I say seriously