The darker animation style fits the "investigative" vibe perfectly. Episode Breakdown
Sai and a team of ANBU have gone missing there. (Dub) 492 : Shikamaru's Story: A Cloud Drifting...
It shows Shikamaru struggling with the "shadow" of being a leader. The darker animation style fits the "investigative" vibe
How are you liking the change in animation style for this specific arc? (Dub) 492 : Shikamaru's Story: A Cloud Drifting...
A mysterious leader named Gengo is causing shinobi to desert their villages.
from a lazy kid to the Hokage’s advisor
Kakashi tasks Shikamaru with investigating the Land of Silence.