Chapter Text
As Naruto, Neji, and Tenten arrived at the gate, the sky was still dark, and the first rays of dawn had yet to pierce the horizon. The air was cool, and faint bird calls broke the silence. Naruto adjusted the straps of his gear, his eyes bright with determination, while Neji stood quietly, his posture rigid and composed. Tenten checked the kunai pouch on her hip, her movements quick and efficient.
The quiet of the morning was interrupted by a familiar voice. “Hey guys, ready to help?” Kiba called out with a wide grin as he approached, Akamaru trotting beside him, tail wagging. He gave Shikamaru a sidelong glance. “Right, Shikamaru? I’ve got a big role in this, yeah?”
Shikamaru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, as troublesome as it is, we need you and Akamaru to help track Sasuke.” He nodded at the dog, his tone as steady as ever. “You’re taking point.”
“Got it!” Kiba said, his grin widening. Akamaru barked in agreement.
“Okay,” Shikamaru continued, scanning the group. “I brought weapons. Everyone, grab what you need. Here’s the formation: Kiba, you’re first. I’ll follow. Naruto, you’re in the center, then Choji, Tenten, and Neji at the rear. We move fast and don’t stop. If we’re going to catch the group that took Sasuke, there’s no time to waste.” His tone was sharp, though the slight slouch in his shoulders hinted at his usual reluctance.
Naruto clenched his fists, his mind flashing to the countless hours of training with Guy-sensei. He felt ready. Neji gave a small nod, his pale eyes unreadable, while Tenten adjusted her grip on her scroll, determination shining in her gaze.
“Alright,” Shikamaru muttered, his hands in his pockets as he started forward. “Let’s get this over with.”
Kiba took the headband and crouched beside Akamaru, patting the dog gently behind the ears. “You got the scent, don’t you?” he asked, his voice confident. Akamaru’s ears perked up, and he barked sharply, his tail wagging in affirmation.
“Okay, follow me,” Kiba said, standing and taking the lead. He moved effortlessly, his strides quick and sure as Akamaru leaped onto his back, balancing comfortably. Behind him, the group fell into formation, their steps steady and purposeful.
The sun crept above the horizon, casting long shadows over the forest trails. The faint rustling of leaves and the occasional birdcall were the only sounds accompanying their movements. Kiba led them along winding paths, his sharp senses guiding the way, while the others followed in silence, each focused on their role in the mission.
As the hours passed, the trails grew narrower, marked by snapped branches and faint tracks in the dirt. The group’s pace remained relentless, their determination evident in their unwavering focus. It was clear Orochimaru had provided his team with maps of the most efficient routes, and the urgency to close the gap pressed heavily on everyone.
By mid-afternoon, Kiba glanced back, his nose twitching. Akamaru barked, and Kiba sniffed the air deeply. “The target’s caught up in a different fight,” he said, slowing slightly to address the team. “This could slow them down. If we push harder, we might catch up.”
Shikamaru nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Understood. Let’s move faster but don’t overdo it. Rushing in too soon could backfire. If we catch the fight near the end, we might find the group regrouping—vulnerable and unprepared.” He shifted his gaze to Neji. “Neji, keep an eye out for anything unusual.”
Neji gave a brief nod, his Byakugan flaring to life as the group quickened their pace. The forest seemed to grow denser, the air heavier with the scent of damp earth and something faintly metallic—perhaps blood or steel. The tension among the team was palpable as they pressed on, their shared purpose driving them forward.
The group quickened their pace, the tension palpable as they moved. Naruto felt a surge of excitement, his heart pounding in his chest. His fists clenched at his sides as he thought of Sasuke, frustration bubbling to the surface. “How could he be so stupid?” Naruto muttered under his breath. The idea of Sasuke willingly going to Orochimaru wasn’t just reckless—it was downright idiotic, and even Naruto could see that.
Keeping up with the swift movements of his teammates, Naruto’s senses sharpened. The faint sounds of battle seemed to echo in the distance, carried on the wind. His breath quickened, and he felt as if he could almost reach out and touch the fight ahead.
The group soon reached a dense forest, the shade of the trees casting long shadows over the trail. They had pushed themselves, moving faster than usual, and the signs of a recent fight were evident: broken branches littered the ground, scorch marks marred the trunks, and the air carried the faint metallic tang of blood.
As they approached a grove of trees, the sounds of battle faded into an eerie silence. Shikamaru raised a hand, signaling the group to halt. His sharp gaze scanned the area as he issued orders. “Everyone spread out. We move in slowly. Don’t let them slip past us, and stay ready for anything.”
Neji’s pale eyes narrowed, his Byakugan activating as he surveyed the surroundings. Tenten unslung her weapon scroll, her fingers brushing over its surface with practiced ease. Naruto cracked his knuckles, his eyes narrowing with determination. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath as they prepared to move forward.
“I’m going to use the shadows to my advantage,” Shikamaru murmured, his sharp eyes locked on the Sound Four gathered around a barrel. The dense canopy overhead cast deep shadows across the ground, perfect for his plan. He calculated the angles, noting that his jutsu could reach all four enemies at once.
“Shadow Possession Jutsu!” Shikamaru called out. His shadow slithered across the ground like a living thing, merging seamlessly with the tree shadows before striking the Sound Four. Their movements froze as they realized too late they’d been caught.
“Got them,” Shikamaru announced with a small, triumphant smile. The Sound Four exchanged surprised glances, unprepared for such a swift ambush after their grueling battle with two special jōnin.
Before Shikamaru could give the order to attack, Jirōbō, the group’s largest member, grunted and flexed. His immense strength disrupted the shadow’s hold, and the connection began to waver.
“Tenten, now!” Shikamaru shouted, releasing his jutsu as Tenten sprang into action. She leaped gracefully, unfurling two scrolls midair. “Rising Twin Dragons!” she cried, unleashing a dazzling barrage of weapons toward the Sound Four.
“Earth Release: Earthen Wall!” Jirōbō bellowed. The ground surged upward, forming a solid barrier. The weapons slammed into the wall with a loud clang, embedding deeply but failing to break through. Dust swirled as Jirōbō shattered the wall with a powerful punch, stepping forward to block the Leaf ninja.
His teammates retreated with the barrel, vanishing into the forest. Jirōbō stood his ground, sneering. “You weaklings won’t get past me,” he growled, slamming his fist into his palm. “I’ll drain every ounce of your chakra. All you can do is scream in pain before you die!”
“I got this,” Chōji said firmly, stepping forward. “Shikamaru, everyone—when I move, go. Catch up and win. Bring Sasuke back!”
Shikamaru sighed, his sharp gaze softening as he looked at his best friend. Chōji wasn’t usually one to take the lead, but this time, Shikamaru could see the determination blazing in his eyes.
Patting him on the back, Shikamaru met Choji’s gaze. “Don’t die. Win. We’ve got more clouds to watch, and you’ve got more chips to eat.”
Chōji smiled, his resolve unshaken. “You got it.”
A moment later, Chōji’s body expanded rapidly, his size nearly doubling as he shouted, “Human Bullet Tank!” The ground trembled under his weight as he spun into motion, barreling toward Jirōbō like a human wrecking ball.
“Move now!” Shikamaru ordered sharply, his eyes scanning the group to ensure no one hesitated.
Naruto froze momentarily, his eyes flicking back to Chōji. His fists clenched, but after a deep breath, he nodded and sprinted after the others. The group dashed ahead, leaving the rumble of Chōji’s clash with Jirōbō fading into the distance. Each of them knew they couldn’t falter—they had to catch up to the others.
As the group pushed forward, the echoes of Chōji’s battle faded into the background. Shikamaru’s jaw tightened; he wouldn’t let Chōji’s sacrifice be in vain.
The group skidded to a halt as another Sound ninja appeared, blocking their path. Around them, the trees shimmered with dense spiderwebs, intricately woven to form a near-impenetrable barrier. It was a deliberate trap, meant to slow them down and buy time for the others to escape.
Tenten’s sharp eyes scanned the intricate web patterns, while Neji’s Byakugan activated, veins bulging around his temples as he examined the trap.
“I’ve got this,” Tenten declared confidently, unfurling a scroll in one swift motion. “Time to show you what I’ve been working on.” She summoned a flurry of kunai, their edges glowing faintly with chakra. With precision and force, she hurled them, slicing cleanly through the webs and opening a path.
Neji’s head snapped toward a faint sound—an incoming arrow, glinting in the light. With a sharp movement, he deflected it with his palm, then seamlessly transitioned into a spin. “Eight Trigrams: Palms Revolving Heaven!” he called out, creating a shimmering dome of chakra that deflected the barrage of arrows raining down.
“This one’s mine,” Neji said, stepping forward. His tone was calm but firm. “If anyone stays, it’ll just make this fight harder. I’ll have to protect you as well as myself. Go. Now.”
“Are you sure? We can help!” Naruto protested, worry etched across his face.
“No, I don’t you all are needed to go after Sasuke, Tenten, protect Naruto from himself, and clear any traps along the way,” Neji declared firmly as he looked on, seeing another attack coming at him and dodging it easily. “This fight is mine, and I will handle it, got it, Naruto!”
“Fine,” Naruto relented, his voice firm but tinged with worry. “Stay safe, Neji. Use everything we’ve trained on, and don’t you dare lose. Don’t you dare die!” He turned to Tenten, his expression hardening. “Let’s go. We have to trust Neji can handle this.”
As she looked back, Tenten felt she should intervene—and complain about leaving Neji behind. Part of her wanted to stay by his side and fight this new threat. Yet she held back. Her gut told her this wasn’t her fight and that she would be needed more with Naruto. After all, she and Naruto had trained with Neji and both knew how strong he was.
The group pushed forward, finding the path again as Tenten cleared the last web. They entered a narrow passage when suddenly the ground gave way beneath them, and Akamaru barked in alarm. Kiba smirked over his shoulder, recalling his teammates ahead. “I guess this one’s my fight,” he called out, deliberately triggering the trap. He and Akamaru tumbled down the rocky embankment, ready to engage another member of the Sound Four.
“What the hell is going on?” Naruto muttered. Their team had shrunk from six to three. Three-on-one felt manageable, but this battle was far from what he’d hoped. Watching his friends sacrifice themselves—directly or indirectly—filled him with frustration. He wanted to help them, yet they kept throwing themselves in harm’s way.
Soon the remaining three emerged into a small clearing. The forest closed in around them, and they spotted the last Sound Four member handing the barrel to a long white-haired man. Shikamaru’s mind raced, considering their dwindling options.
“Naruto, Tenten—go after him. I’ll handle the girl. Don’t question this; it’s my turn,” Shikamaru declared firmly. He’d anticipated this moment: by taking on Tayuya himself, he would free Naruto and Tenten to pursue Kimimaro and the barrel.
Naruto’s eyes narrowed. This was the second time Shikamaru had volunteered for a solo diversion—last time nearly cost him his life against the Sound ninja, allowing Naruto to chase Gaara. Would he be as lucky now? Tenten placed a hand on his arm.
“We have to trust him, Naruto. If he can handle it, believe in your friend,” she said softly. She didn’t like the plan either, but she knew it was necessary—they had to move on to Sasuke.
“Fine!” Naruto grumbled. He turned back to Shikamaru. “Like we told the others—don’t you dare die.”
“Of course not,” Shikamaru replied, flashing a quick grin. “I haven’t found a way to a simple, grown-up life yet.” He formed a hand seal, and his shadow snaked forward as Naruto and Tenten broke into a run.
Tayuya’s attention flickered at their movement—just long enough for Shikamaru’s shadow to bind her wrists to the ground. With the sorceress momentarily stalled, Naruto and Tenten sped off after Kimimaro—and the barrel.