Title: on a life-long mission
Challenge: Alpha - Aburame Shino - Understanding (9_ninjas)
Notes: He knows what made a proper ninja and what does not. For example, he knows exactly how the chûnin exams would have been without Orochimaru's attack. This is because Shino sees many things, and understands even more.

( Nara Shikamaru would not have been the only Leaf-nin promoted, or even the only rookie promoted. )

Title: why’d it have to be the slacker?
Challenge: Prompt 087 - Genius (100_situations)
Word Count: 555
Notes: It's the basic Shikamaru spoiler. Fleshes out on the revelation of Chapter 107.

( trying to mess with Shikamaru’s head leads to the discovery of a hidden genius )