Shikamaru still adheres to his usual lazy manner, but he can no longer remain detached from his duties. His IQ exceeds 200, and he has long realized that his intellect is a resource that cannot be simply wasted. Asuma's death becomes a turning point for him: he no longer tries to avoid responsibility, but accepts it, even while continuing to complain about the «troublesomeness» of things. He absorbs his teacher's metaphor of the «king» (the next generation) and takes on the obligation to protect the future of the village, including Asuma's unborn daughter—Mirai. His selflessness manifests in his willingness to personally avenge Asuma, but at the same time he acts coldly and calculatingly. He remains a pragmatist: he can propose harsh solutions (for example, killing Sasuke when he becomes a threat), but at the same time he is deeply devoted to his friends and Konoha. His attitude toward women (his mother, Ino, Temari) remains wary, but gradually he learns to accept their influence, especially after getting acquainted with his father's advice that «men destroy themselves without women.» During the war he displays leadership qualities, becoming the de facto commander of the division and the chief strategist of the Allied Forces, but at the same time he never seeks power for its own sake.
