Chapter 108 of Naruto resolves the Shikamaru versus Temari duel, revealing the elaborate trap he laid before he surprises the crowd by forfeiting the moment he had her caught.
Main Characters (3)
Summary
Standing safely past the reach of Shikamaru's shadow, Temari mulls over how to bring him down. Partway through her thinking, she notices that he has extended his range by a new means, a makeshift parachute fashioned from his shirt that grants his shadow the added surface area it lacked. She slips clear of the attack and sets to work devising a countermeasure of her own.
Key Events
Just as Temari prepares to spring her plan, she discovers she has already been ensnared. With her body forced to echo Shikamaru's every movement, he lays bare the trick: he had been herding her, step by step, toward the pit Naruto tore open during his own match, using it to hide his shadow. Realizing she was steered the entire way, Temari steels herself for the loss, only for Shikamaru to surrender instead, explaining that the strain of trapping her has drained him completely, just as Chōji had predicted.
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Notes
The chapter is number 108 of the series, gathered in volume 12 within the Chūnin Exams storyline, first printed in Japan in 2002. Viz Media released it under the alternate title A Plot Within a Plot…?!.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in Naruto chapter 108, "A Plot Leading to Victory…?!"?
Chapter 108 of Naruto resolves the Chunin Exams duel between Shikamaru and Temari. Shikamaru reveals he had been steering Temari toward the pit Naruto tore open earlier so he could hide his shadow, then forfeits the match the moment he traps her.
How does Shikamaru extend his shadow to reach Temari?
Shikamaru fashions a makeshift parachute out of his own shirt, which gives his shadow the added surface area it needs to stretch farther and threaten Temari from a distance.
Why does Shikamaru forfeit after trapping Temari?
After finally catching Temari in his shadow, Shikamaru surrenders the match anyway, explaining that the effort of ensnaring her has left him completely drained, exactly as Choji had predicted.
How was Temari lured into Shikamaru's trap?
Shikamaru had been herding Temari step by step toward the pit that Naruto tore open during his own match, using the hole to conceal his shadow until she was already caught without realizing it.
What arc and volume does chapter 108 of Naruto belong to?
Chapter 108, titled "A Plot Leading to Victory…?!" (released by Viz Media as "A Plot Within a Plot…?!"), is part of the Chunin Exams arc and is collected in volume 12.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on A Plot Leading to Victory…?!? The Naruto Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byMasashi Kishimoto
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and Toho.
- Game pages: official box art for the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
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