Shadow Imitation Technique - a common ninjutsu of the Nara clan. The user extends their own shadow across a surface and merges it with the target's shadow, after which the target loses the ability to move independently and merely repeats the user's movements. If the user moves forward, the target moves forward; if the user raises a hand, the target repeats it. The only thing left to the target is the ability to speak.
The shadow can be stretched, but its length is limited by the area of the shadow. Inside other shadows, one's own shadow moves freely, which increases the range. Light bombs allow momentarily lengthening the shadow or the target's shadow. In complete darkness the technique does not work, because the user has no shadow.
Holding the target requires a large amount of chakra, so maintaining the connection for long is difficult. An experienced user like Shikamaru Nara can hold a target for about five minutes. If the target is strong enough or the user is weakened, it can break free from control. In such cases, members of the Nara clan switch to other techniques.
The technique was originally created for catching deer for their antlers, and later came to be used in battle. The old name - Shadow Binding - only limited the target's movements, while Imitation added the repetition of actions. The technique can also be used to save allies: to make them freeze so as not to trigger traps and so on.
