Chapter 45 : Centre Tower

Shikamaru's short direct words left Ino totally flustered. A Sizable blush was on her face at the close proximity of Shikamaru and his affectionate move way he toch her head.

"Damn it, that Lazy Ass Shikamaru. Why are you blushing like that," Ino shook her head trying to shake out and control her blush. 

Shikamaru on the other hand didn't care at all. They just wanted to calm Ino and look cool while doing so. It worked and now he has to decide what to do after this. 

He entered the forest with few objectives in his mind. like Saving, Karin and Sasuke. Which he has already accomplished. He even was able to capture Orochimaru to his utter surprise. If he has to say, he already has changed much of the plot. 

If he is not wrong then it's even safe to say that the majority of the plot is changed by just protecting Sasuke here and capturing Orochimaru. The entire Sasuke defection storyline ends here. Now there is only one storyline which brings any significant effect in future. 

And that would be the Akatsuki storyline and them hunting the Jinchuriki's. Now only one objection is there left for him to achieve. He has to find and kill Kabuto. There are only three people who know the Edo Tensei technique. 

Orochimaru, Kabuto and just one more side character shown in the anime who Shikamaru can't remember. Overall as long as he takes down Kabuto, he can completely be assured that at least there won't be zombies coming after him at the last battle. 

"Hmm Shikamaru," Choji at this time intervened and pointed at blushing Ino.

"I think you overdid it there," 

Shikamaru couldn't even see Ino's blushing face before he hid it. But knowing that she even bothered to hide it, meant he really did overdo it there.

"Rest, we will be moving towards the central tower soon. We better get there by tomorrow." Shikamaru planned to go after Kabuto and to do that he needs to recover his chakra as soon as possible.

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The next morning Shikamaru woke up with a refreshed face, thanks to having teammates, all of them at least were able to sleep for 5 hours. 

"Ino, Choji. Are both of you done? We better get going," Shikamaru looked at his teammates with a smile on his face. Especially Ino as the girl was still huffing and acting like she was mad.

"Yeah, we are done. How come you are looking so cheerful all of a sudden," Ino asked with narrowed eyes. It was like daggers digging in his organs.

"Great, then we should be going, and you ask why I am suddenly so happy, well we are getting out of this troublesome forest alive, what there is to not to be happy? " Shikamaru wanted to tease Ino more but he might be ready to get punched by her, she is Sakura's friend after all, so he didn't do that.

Now he had two ways to do this, reach the centre tower as soon as possible and then replace himself with a clone, and come back for Kabuto. This way he can make sure that his team is safe. And no one steals their scroll midway.

Another thing he can do is go after Kabuto right now and leave a Clone with his team. This one will be much faster but relatively dangerous in some sense. 

After pondering over his choices he finally decided to first guide his team to the centre tower. After all, he has both the scroll right now. Giving them to his team right now can make them a target. He rather not do that.

"Alright then, let's get going. I can't wait to get a good shower and something good to eat," Shikamaru said, purposefully saying these words. He hardly cares about Shower or Food right now. What he needs is a good nap. But these words from him immediately struck a chord with his teammates. 

And it worked, they showed the kind of energy which might put both Lee and Guy to shame.

But unlike what he expected, they didn't move. Rather they look at him with a strange shine in their eyes. A chilly feeling spread through his body. 

Shikamaru had no idea what they were thinking about but he knew that it would be troublesome.

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"Yay, we got here so fast," Ino cheered with her hands up. Choji was happy too. Maybe the only person who wasn't happy was Shikamaru who once again was feeling the chakra exhaustion. 

His team pretty much blackmailed him to use his spirits to bring them there. In simple words, they wanted to fly. 

Shikamaru had no other way but to call out NUE with extra chakra put into him to make him bigger. Big enough that all three of them can ride him.

"Yeah yeah, hooray. Now get on with it already," Shikamaru rolled his eyes and from his shadow took out two scrolls.

"Here, open them both together and put them on top of each other," Shikamaru said while handing over the scroll to Ino. 

Grudgingly she took it and did exactly what Shika said.

Before the ninja magic happens, Shikamaru replaces himself with his clone. He still needs to go after Kabuto.

xxx

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