Shadow techniques of the Nara clan form the basis of Shikamaru's combat style. The primary one is the Shadow Imitation technique, which he mastered even before entering the Academy. By connecting his shadow with the opponent's shadow, he forces the victim to mimic his movements, completely immobilizing her or restricting her freedom of action. To activate the technique, he needs to perform a certain sequence of hand signs, and the shadow itself can only act on flat surfaces. In battle, he uses it not only for capture but also for manipulating the opponent's position, forcing him to move to the desired location. During the Chunin exams, he demonstrated the ability to change the shape of the shadow to conduct it unnoticed under the cover of foreign objects. In the mission to return Sasuke, he applied the technique both to restrain opponents and to create traps.
