Assemble

As the early morning sun ascends over the horizon and illuminates the village hidden in the leaves, Izumo and Kotetsu are on their way to the gates of konoha and stumble upon Sakura lying unconscious on a bench.

Kotetsu gently shook Sakura awake and expressed concern for her health, "Wake up, Sakura. You don't want to catch a cold sleeping out here."

Izumo questioned whether Sakura had spent the entire night sleeping there, to which Kotetsu replied that they couldn't leave her alone like that. Just as they were discussing this, Sakura suddenly jolted awake and yelled, "SASUKE!" The two ninja turned their attention to her and asked if she was okay and why she was sleeping outside.

Kotetsu inquired about Sakura's well-being and why she was outside instead of at home. However, Sakura seemed preoccupied with stopping someone from leaving the village, which prompted the two ninja to ask who it was.

Sakura looked worried as she said, "We need to stop him before he leaves the village." Kotetsu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Stop who?"

"Sasuke," Sakura replied. Izumo inquired if she meant the Uchiha kid, but before he could get an answer, Kotetsu interrupted and asked, "What do you mean by 'before he leaves the village'?"

Sakura's saddened expression revealed that he desires to join Orochimaru, causing the two jonin to feel alarmed. They double-checked the information and exchanged glances before confirming it.

"Thank you for informing us. Please go home and rest. We will report this to the Hokage," Kotetsu said with a reassuring smile for the concerned Sakura, who then got up to leave. Izumo comforted her by saying that they would locate him and bring him back before using Shunshin to head to the Hokage's office.

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As the morning sun cast its rays on the Nara residence, Shikaku was having breakfast at the table while his son, Shikamaru, let out a tired yawn and listened to his wife's scolding. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, prompting Yoshino to go and check who it was.

"Dad," Shikamaru whispered, "why did you ever choose to marry such a strict woman?"

Shikaku took a moment to think before answering, "Well, your mom also has her moments of happiness and cheerfulness, maybe that's why."

"That's all?" Shikamaru replied, clearly not satisfied with the response.

Just then, Yoshino returned to the room and informed them that messengers from the fifth had come to speak with Shikamaru.

"What could the fifth want with me?" Shikamaru wondered as he got up and put on his chunin vest.

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Shikamaru stood before Tsunade's desk in the Hokage office while she delivered the news with a solemn expression, "Sasuke has left the village, and it's highly probable that he's en route to the Sound Village."

Shikamaru's concern was evident, and he questioned, "What made him leave?"

Tsunade leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk and interlacing her fingers as she raised them to her face. "Orochimaru influenced him to go," she replied solemnly.

Shikamaru raised his arms in a non-threatening gesture and exclaimed, "Hold on a second! Why would Sasuke allow himself to be swayed by someone as dangerous as Orochimaru?"

"That's not relevant at the moment. We're running out of time," Tsunade responded. "For now, Shikamaru, I'll assign you your first mission immediately."

Shikamaru realized, "So you're asking me to track Sasuke and bring him back?" He considered, "As long as we avoid encountering the enemy, it shouldn't pose much difficulty."

"Indeed, that's correct. But it's imperative that we complete this mission swiftly and, more importantly, there's a significant chance of facing obstacles," Tsunade replied.

"What do you mean?" Shikamaru inquired, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"This isn't the first instance of such an occurrence... In addition, it's highly likely that Orochimaru's subordinates will be guiding Sasuke," Tsunade explained.

Shikamaru pondered, 'This is troublesome... Why him of all people? I used to admire him so much during class, no matter what he did.'

"I request that for this mission, the team be composed solely of chunin and jonin," Shikamaru said to Lady Tsunade.

"I'm afraid that's not possible," Tsunade responded.

"Why not?" Shikamaru asked, feeling genuinely perplexed.

"You should be aware that Asuma, Kakashi, Gai, and even your father, along with most of the senior ninja, except for the critical ones who remain here, are currently on missions outside the village," Tsunade explained.

As Shikamaru faced the door with his back towards the Hokage who was seated, he made a statement, "It's going to be challenging, but I have to take action because I know the person. I cannot ignore it."

Tsunade's lips curved into a slight smile as she suggested, "I have two individuals in mind whom I would like to suggest to you."

-Uzumaki Residence-

Menma inquired, "Am I one of those individuals?" while he and Shikamaru strolled towards Naruto's residence.

"Yes." Shikamaru responded.

Upon entering his brother's apartment, Menma mused to himself, 'So Sasuke has gone ahead and done it? He did it a lot later than he was originally supposed to.'

Menma softly nudged Naruto, saying, "Hey bro, wake up." The blonde gradually opened his eyes and sat up, rubbing them in a drowsy fashion.

"Why are you here so early in the morning?" Naruto inquired.

Menma and Shikamaru provided a brief explanation to Naruto about the situation.

Naruto's loud exclamation, "Whaaaat! You're joking!" made Shikamaru cover his ears to protect them from the noise.

Naruto cursed Sasuke in his mind, thinking, 'That bastard!'

Menma interrupted Naruto's thoughts, instructing him to change his clothes. Naruto quickly ran off to do so.

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At the entrance of Konoha, Shikamaru, Menma, Neji, Kiba, and Choji stood alongside Naruto. "Let's go!" Naruto exclaimed, throwing a punch into the air.

Shikamaru, the team leader, interjected, "Hey Naruto, you know I happen to be the squad leader? Not that it's big deal or anything..."

"You sure you can handle it? You're not so trustworthy..." Naruto said looking at the lazy Nara with a scrutinizing gaze.

Kiba turns to face Naruto and questions him, "Do you think you would do better? But I agree, taking orders from Shikamaru doesn't sit well with me."

"Since Shikamaru is already a chunin, we should follow his lead. The fact that he has been recognized as a leader by the village's High Council means he is qualified for the role," Choji interjected, with Menma nodding in agreement.

Neji added to the discussion by stating, "Based on the information we've received, it appears that there are potential enemies and ambushes. Can you provide us with the basic strategies and plans?"

"Since this is a rescue mission, we're the pursuers. Which means its easier for our enemies to get the first strike on us." Shikamaru answered, taking charge of the situation.

"We need to be cautious and move strategically. Kiba and Choji, you take the front and keep an eye out for any traps or ambushes. Neji, you take the rear and cover our backs. Menma, you and I will be in the middle, ready to attack if needed. And Naruto, I need you to use your clones to scout ahead and gather information."

"Any questions?" No one presented any.

As Menma gazed at Shikamaru, he marveled at how remarkable it was that he had devised the ideal formation despite the group being composed of such an unorganized assortment of individuals.

"Well, if you've got nothing to say, I guess I'll finish up with the most important thing." Shikamaru says, everyone's attention focused on his form.

Shikamaru surprised the group with his statement, "Sasuke is not a close friend of mine and he's not significant either." However, he added, "But we must remember that he is one of us, a fellow shinobi from the Hidden Leaf. As our comrade, we are obligated to risk our lives for him. This is the code of the Leaf, and even I cannot ignore it. I am responsible for all of your lives." Shikamaru concluded, and before anyone could speak, Kiba teased him, "Looks like you truly earned that chunin title."

Neji announced that they would depart once they had finished inspecting their equipment, and instructed everyone to take out their pouches containing their ninja tools. While they sorted through their gear, Sakura and Temari were seen approaching the group.

Shikamaru's eyes, which were typically lazy, fell on Sakura as he stated bluntly, "I heard the story from the Hokage. Sorry, but we can't take you on this mission. After all, you couldn't even convince Sasuke, right?"

Shikamaru declared, "It looks like we'll have to make him understand by force. Sakura, your job is finished," causing tears to well up in Sakura's eyes.

Naruto expressed surprise, asking, "Wait, Sakura, you've already met with Sasuke!?" The group fell silent, waiting for Sakura's response.

Sakura answered with a shaky voice and tears streaming down her face. "Naruto, I beg you, please... Please bring Sasuke back!"

Naruto clenched his first slightly and responded with a big, bright smile, reassuring her, "Don't worry, Sakura. I promise I'll definitely bring him back!"

Temari, Menma's spouse, came over and offered him words of support, along with a kiss on the cheek, which Menma reciprocated. After bidding each other farewell, the team departed on their journey.

Naruto exclaims, "Okay, lets go!"

With a nod from everyone, they set off towards their mission, following Shikamaru's plan.