I suppose I'll just have to continue a bit into the *SPOILERS* for those who don't frequent the manga forum, and just say that the effect on Shikamaru if Chouji died would have been tremendous, he probably would have quit being a shinobi right then and there. I'm pretty sure that Konoha would/will need Shika in the future and Chouji's death would have been a serious blow, because more than likely, they'd lose Shika.




Though his death would have brought some seriousness to the series (because the other deaths really haven't), I understand why Kishimoto would do that. I don't entirely agree with him, but there are a LOT of genin who should be dead now, Konohamaru included (That is of course, unless he learns to summon Enma like the Third)