There's various examples like during the KinGin siblings fight and the Allies' struggle against the Jubi. I think the standards for strategically helpful might be a bit different for Naruto and Sasuke, especially the latter. Most of the former's contributions have come in the way of protection and healing whenever the war effort was hitting a snag. Sasuke's strategical assistance has mostly been limited to how long he can occupy the attention of Madara/the Jubi/whatever enemy that happens to emerge (his skill-set is of the upfront offensive variety) . Shikamaru's assistance usually came in the form of basic ingenuity (as in the case of the Alliance learning the Doton abilities of Iwagakure to hinder a Bijudama), communication, and the formulation of key strategies to stop/defeat enemies. Naruto and Sasuke use their chakra to provide for others. Shikamaru, while obviously not having the same enormous reserves of power that they do, uses the abilities that he and his teammates have as best they can in creative methods to succeed. He's obviously not done as much as Naruto and Sasuke, but then you could say the same for almost everyone else.
What else has Shikamaru done during the alliance fight against Juubi other than letting the alliance project a doton wall(which didn't work by the way)? Can you give me any plans he made that has succeeded and gave "enormous value" as you said?
I give him that he has "assisted" in defeating Asuma (which barely counts as "Shikamaru's strategic genius contributing to the alliance" because it wasn't really a strategic fight) , and the Kin Gin brothers (which the strategic plan was actually made by Shikaku).
What else? Please give me examples because as of now, I don't know what strategies he made that has provided more value to the alliance than Sakura who has:
-Prevented the alliance hero's death (without him there is no way to win the war)
-Healed the whole shinobi alliance (which Sai said that no other medics could do in the front line)
-Gave intel to the shinobi alliance regarding Zetsu's abilities and traits
Edited by ramenanmitsu, 13 June 2014 - 05:58 AM.