Chapter 208 turns Shikamaru's duel with Tayuya into a contest of pure misdirection, as the Nara strategist's feints, his thrown kunai, and his creeping shadow steadily steer his opponent into exactly the trap he had intended all along.
Summary
Robbed of command over her Doki, Tayuya banishes the summons so Shikamaru cannot turn them against her, unknowingly following the very script he laid out. Clearing away the Doki solves a problem he could not, but it also lets his shadow creep close and seize her. She breaks loose by triggering the second stage of her cursed seal and snares him in a genjutsu. Shikamaru hurls a kunai that misses on purpose, and when Tayuya retrieves it and closes in for the kill, his shadow catches her a second time. Freed from the illusion, he reveals the throw was bait to draw her within his shadow's reach once more.
Key Events
Tayuya dismisses the Doki, playing into Shikamaru's plan. His shadow captures her before she notices. She escapes by activating her level two cursed seal and casts a genjutsu over him. Shikamaru's deliberately errant kunai lures her closer, letting his shadow bind her again.
Notes
The chapter sits in Volume 23 within the Sasuke Recovery Mission arc and was released in Japan in 2004. Viz shortens the title to Fake-Out!! The exchange showcases Shikamaru's habit of winning through layered deception rather than force.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Shikamaru face in "The First Move was a Fake-Out!!"?
Shikamaru faces Tayuya in this chapter, using feints, a thrown kunai, and his shadow to steadily steer her into a trap.
Why does Tayuya dismiss her Doki during the fight?
Tayuya banishes her Doki so Shikamaru cannot turn the summons against her, unaware that this was exactly what he had planned all along.
How does Tayuya escape Shikamaru's shadow the first time?
Tayuya breaks free from Shikamaru's shadow by activating the second stage of her cursed seal and casting a genjutsu over him.
Why does Shikamaru throw a kunai that misses Tayuya?
Shikamaru throws the kunai as deliberate bait, missing on purpose so Tayuya would retrieve it and move within reach of his shadow again.
What arc and volume does this chapter belong to?
"The First Move was a Fake-Out!!" is Chapter 208, collected in Volume 23 during the Sasuke Recovery Mission arc and published in Japan in 2004; Viz shortens the title to "Fake-Out!!"
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- Created byMasashi Kishimoto
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