Sell Your Soul to Me

This mission involved six members of Konoha's young ninja group. Besides Naruto and Shikamaru, three were injured, and another was nearly out of chakra. By protocol, the mission should have been aborted.

Although rescuing Uchiha Sasuke was critical, the lives of these six young ninjas were equally important. They were the future of Konoha, the best and brightest buds praised by the Third Hokage.

Logically and emotionally, the mission should have ended.

"Drag Shikamaru back, whether he agrees or not," Naruto said while on the move. "The enemy still has two people left, and Sasuke's strength is terrifying."

"There's no way I can beat him. If we keep pursuing, we'll all die here."

The group fell silent. Choji, carrying the injured Kiba on his back, was the first to agree.

"I think Naruto makes sense."

After some thought, Lee gave up on thinking. "Me too."

Kiba and Neji, both gravely injured, had no say. With a vote of 3-0, the decision passed. If Shikamaru objected, it would still be 5-1.

"There's movement ahead," Kiba said weakly.

Neji, with a gaping wound in his chest, activated his Byakugan again, scanning the direction Kiba indicated. His vision swept through the forest and locked onto a spot in the northeast woods.

"That's near the Konoha border," Neji remarked. "Any further, and it's the forests of the Land of Fire. Once someone enters there, they'll be impossible to track."

The Konoha Forest bordered a long, open plain that led to the sea in the west, with the Valley of the End nearby.

"I'll go check it out," Naruto said after a pause. "You all..."

Before finishing his sentence, Neji felt himself airborne again, much like a schoolbag tossed on a Friday afternoon.

With a thud, a somewhat recovered Lee caught him steadily.

Naruto left with flair amidst Neji's indignant curses, his figure disappearing into the forest.

Elsewhere, Shikamaru was relentlessly pressured by Tayuya in her Cursed Seal Level 2 state. Just as he saw a chance to turn the tide, Sasuke suddenly burst forth, launching a Fire Release attack straight at him.

With no choice, Shikamaru retreated further into the woods. Sasuke ran off without looking back, leaving Tayuya furious. As she prepared to finish Shikamaru off, a piercing sword light split the air.

With a thud, the Kusanagi Sword embedded itself into a tree.

Tayuya was startled, initially mistaking the sword for Orochimaru's. Then, Naruto made a dramatic entrance, landing between Shikamaru and Tayuya.

"Shikamaru, stand down."

Dead leaves were blown into the air as Naruto faced Tayuya with an intense gaze, his back to Shikamaru.

"Choji and the others are injured. There's no point in continuing."

"Damn it! We were so close!" Shikamaru said, gritting his teeth. "How are Choji and the others?"

"They're behind me. I got here first."

As the two conversed, ignoring Tayuya, she finally snapped.

"Hey! You two idiots! Stop ignoring me!"

"Huh?" Shikamaru glanced past Naruto at Tayuya, growing tense. "Naruto, come back! That woman's dangerous!"

"Got it," Naruto replied nonchalantly, glaring at Tayuya.

"Tch." Tayuya, visibly annoyed, rolled her eyes.

Raising her flute, she shouted, "You bastards! I'll kill both of you right here!"

Shikamaru's pupils dilated in fear as memories of Tayuya's terrifying genjutsu resurfaced. He yelled, "Naruto, get back! Watch out for her flute!"

"Okay," Naruto replied, his body unmoving. "Shikamaru, you should leave first."

Naruto then tossed something toward Tayuya—a slow-moving, white, rod-like object. She instinctively caught it.

It was a white bone, smooth and jade-like.

One glance was enough for Tayuya to lose her arrogance. Recognizing it as Kimimaro's bone, she panicked. After a brief hesitation, she bolted.

Shikamaru blinked in surprise. "What did you throw at her?"

"Nothing important," Naruto replied, unwilling to explain. "Wait here for the others. Retreat as soon as they arrive. You know I can handle myself."

With that, Naruto gave chase.

"Hey!" Shikamaru called after him, nearly out of chakra and too drained to argue. "Naruto, come back! Don't go alone!"

"I'm bringing Sasuke back!" Naruto's voice echoed through the forest.

Naruto didn't bother tracking Sasuke and instead pursued Tayuya relentlessly.

"Are you insane? Why chase me instead of Sasuke?" she yelled.

"To kill you!" Naruto retorted.

"Trash!"

Tayuya leapt away, clearly annoyed.

"Then stop running!"

Naruto hurled the Kusanagi Sword, slicing through several trees and blocking Tayuya's path.

Enraged, she finally stopped and faced Naruto.

Standing twenty meters apart, the two squared off. In her Cursed Seal Level 2 state, Tayuya's appearance had drastically changed. Her dark red hair, black skin, demonic horns, and dark eyes exuded menace.

"I'll kill you here, bastard!" she shouted, raising her flute.

"Sasuke's already escaped. Of the Sound Four, I've killed the other three," Naruto said, his voice low and hypnotic. "Orochimaru doesn't need you anymore, Tayuya."

"Impossible!" she stammered, her voice trembling. "My loyalty to Lord Orochimaru..."

"Name your price," Naruto interrupted, his tone turning icy. "Sell me your soul."

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