Outmatched by phantoms that ignore walls and distance, Shikamaru turns a losing duel with Tayuya into a chess problem. By decoding exactly what her flute commands, he sets a trap that lets his shadow snare the summoned monsters.
Summary
Tayuya's Doki conjure ghostly figures that chase Shikamaru through solid objects and far past their usual reach, every motion dictated by the tune she plays. Forced onto the back foot, the young strategist pulls back to think rather than trade blows.
Key Events
Shikamaru shifts his aim toward Tayuya herself, since she is the one steering the creatures. She answers by ringing herself with the Doki, using them as living armor that lashes back at whatever threatens her. When he finally shows himself, she masses the phantoms together for a coordinated assault. By then he has mapped how each finger position on her Demonic Flute translates into a specific command, so he can anticipate the strike and lock the Doki down with his shadow.
Notes
Collected in volume 23 during the Sasuke Recovery Mission, the chapter appears in English from Viz under the title Deadlocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What technique does Tayuya use against Shikamaru in this chapter?
Tayuya commands ghostly Doki that chase Shikamaru through solid objects and beyond their normal reach, with every movement dictated by the tune she plays on her flute.
How does Shikamaru change his strategy during the fight?
Realizing he cannot outlast the Doki in a straight fight, Shikamaru pulls back to think and then shifts his aim toward Tayuya herself, since she is the one steering the creatures.
How does Tayuya defend herself once Shikamaru targets her directly?
Tayuya rings herself with the Doki, using them as living armor that lashes out at anything that threatens her, and masses them together for a coordinated assault once Shikamaru reveals himself.
How does Shikamaru finally defeat the Doki?
Shikamaru maps how each finger position on Tayuya's Demonic Flute corresponds to a specific command, letting him anticipate her next strike and lock the Doki down with his shadow.
What is the Viz English title of this chapter?
Viz released this chapter in English under the title "Deadlocked," and it is collected in volume 23 during the Sasuke Recovery Mission arc.
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- Created byMasashi Kishimoto
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
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