:( i'm going to assume this has been abandoned *sigh* how troublesome

Interesting story so far, Nice to have a Shikamaru POV for once! Keep at it., the story is just starting to get good.

Love the Code-in-Ichaicha idea. Cool story. :)

First couple chapter's was bit boring (to much of inner thought's) but now the story is great. And the part whit Hidan's head was the best.

I'm not normally a huge fan of first person, but you're handling the use of perspective quite well. The rich and well organized narrative is the cement that holds it all together, and gives the insights and casual commentary the needed context. I'm glad I checked this fic out. It is well worth taking note of.

that was a good read.

your protrayals of kankuro and shikamaru are awesome, well-done, and true to canon. I love the depth with which you've parsed them. That said, I've always seen Kankuro as one who likes to surprise his opponents (verbal and otherwise) rather than manipulate them. (that's madara's shtick.) that's just my opinion though. The only other fault with your character protrayal is that you don't play the characters for humor nearly as often as you could. (for example, izumo and Kotetsu could very well have been the comic relief if you had played your cards differently.)

Shikamaru's "hidan" technique is awesome and creative, if a little unbelievable. Sasuke's answer to it was worthy of the manga.

yeah, that pretty much all I have to say for now. I'll be following you!

~strangebloke

great writing. all Shikamaru's thoughts on Sasuke... interesting to read.

“To you, because you inherit the ideals of the Senju, I am death.”

I wanted to get to chapter 14 before I reviewed, but this like is just too bloody awesome.

Also, summoning Hidan as a strategy is very plausible and very awesome.

It's almost too much awesome for one chapter. O

I must say I really enjoyed the first-person aspect of this story. It really allows the reader into the thought processes that characterize Shikamaru. Some moments were quite funny, some were filled with suspense. The plotline is very involved and I like how you brought the whole political situation into it, makes it all feel more real somehow, or maybe that's just me _ All in all, a very good story so far. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

~Nokito

Does this mean you're stepping away from the authors note you made in chapter 11?

Anyway interesting developments and unexpected which is good. Given the nature of the other group mutual withdraw did seem like an unlikely outcome. Shikamaru's ghostly encounter was interesting although I'm more of the mind that it was caused by the stress of the situation and his injuries.

I've been following this story for a bit and must say I have been extremely spoiled by the level of your work. After browsing around the site and reading some run of the mill fanfics then discovering this was like a breath of fresh air. When I read the latest manga chapter I remembered this fanfic, and it made me all the more excited for your next update. Amazingly enough it was here and I couldn't stop myself from reviewing. It was just too good. How you note small details like Karin’s constant adjustment of her glasses and Kankuro rubbing his jaws, it paints a very vivid picture. Ever since chapter one there’s always been this sober or more solemn feel about this fanfic. Especially in this chapter, it was more noticeable. It was like icing on an already satisfying cake. To be honest, I’m looking forward to your next update about as much as I’m anticipating the next Naruto chapter. This is an excellent fic with a nice balance of original flavor as well as the traditional Naruto feel.

No, Shika...

I love this fic, and I can't help but keep coming back for more! Keep it up!

Usually I don't enjoy fight scenes, but the way you write them is absolutely wonderful. I love how Shikamaru thought through each move and since you kindly left it off on a cliffhanger, I'm gonna be wondering what will happen for the next couple days.

For the record I'm hooked so you no longer need to use cliffhangers to keep me around. As for the fight scene I must say I quite enjoyed it. It felt like a Shikamaru fight scene with him calmly keeping track of everything.

Wow - I seriously did not see that coming.

Brilliant - absolutely brilliant.

If you're worried about making his motivation clear, I thought this line summed it up perfectly: "Your death will come as a shock, and he'll hate me for it, but in doing so, I will be his friend, because he'll still be able to believe."

In the end, Shikamaru is going to be a better friend to Naruto than Sasuke ever was and Naruto will hate him for it.

Abso-f*cking-lutely brilliant.