Sasuke Retrieval Mission (6)

A/N: Double Release (2/2). For another Double Release, let's hit 500 powerstones by Sunday. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! Goal: 500 Powerstones!

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As they soared through the air atop the water phoenix, Goro stood at the very front, balanced on its head like a statue, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Behind him, Rock Lee and Shikamaru sat together on the phoenix's main body. The wind whipped around them, making conversation difficult.

Rock Lee, not used to flying, had his eyes squeezed shut and his face pale, trying to keep his nausea at bay. Meanwhile, Shikamaru, his hair tousled by the breeze, took a deep breath and called out over the roar of the wind.

"Goro, I've been meaning to ask you something!" he shouted.

Goro turned his head slightly, looking back at Shikamaru. "Yeah? What is it?" he yelled back.

Shikamaru hesitated, choosing his words carefully before he spoke again. "That day, at the Joint Training... You remember when you tagged in for me, don't you?"

Goro turned around fully, then sat cross-legged, facing Shikamaru. "Yeah, I do." He raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

'Why is he bringing up a training session from so long ago?'

Shikamaru looked down, gathering his thoughts, then met Goro's gaze again. "Choji said… you were going to kill Kiba if he didn't step in."

Goro's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Oh, that's what this is about...' He could feel Shikamaru's gaze on him, waiting for an answer.

"That's somewhat true," Goro replied simply.

Shikamaru's eyes widened in shock, visibly taken aback by the blunt confirmation. "I thought he'd say it was a misunderstanding, but to admit it…" Shikamaru thought.

Goro continued, "I got carried away. I was on edge after the mission in the Land of Waves. It was my first time killing, and I did it four times in one mission." He paused, letting Shikamaru process his words. "That being said, Choji didn't stop me—I stopped myself. I was going to stop regardless of what Choji said," he explained.

Shikamaru felt his heart clench. "Four...?" He remembered that mission clearly—the tension, the fear, and the bloodshed. "I didn't do much on that mission, and here I am suspecting the person who contributed the most. I never even considered asking how he was doing... I just always assumed he was alright... I failed as a teammate and a friend."

Biting his lip, Shikamaru's expression darkened with guilt and regret. "I'm sorry..." he muttered, looking down at his lap.

Goro shrugged nonchalantly, waving it off. "Don't worry about it. It's not like they were friends I lost. They were enemies. I'd kill to protect my comrades anytime," he replied.

"No, not that," Shikamaru interrupted, shaking his head. "I'm sorry for being a bad friend. If I'm being honest, I suspected you. I thought there was a possibility you were working for Orochimaru." He took a deep breath and continued, "I didn't even stand up for you as best I could when we were in the office. Only Ino did her best."

Goro raised his hand, cutting Shikamaru off. "Shikamaru, though I'm surprised my own teammate would suspect me, I'm not completely shocked." He paused, glancing away. "The way Kakashi-sensei looked at me... He distrusts me too, but I have a countermeasure. Something that will force those around me to begin trusting me again. You remember Danzo Shimura, right?"

Shikamaru nodded slowly, his brows furrowing in confusion. "The man who moves in the shadows?"

"Yes. He's the one who framed me," Goro said, his voice darkening. "And for that, he will be dealt with. I'll expose him to the Leaf." Fury twisted Goro's expression, veins bulging on his forehead. "I swear it. I'll take that bastard down."

"This is probably the bloodlust Choji felt that day… Creepy," Shikamaru thought, his body instinctively tensing as he felt Goro's intensity.

Goro took a deep breath, forcing his anger back down. He stood up, turning his back to Shikamaru and walking back to the head of the phoenix.

The rest of the journey passed in silence, the tension hanging thick in the air. Shikamaru glanced over at Rock Lee occasionally, who was still battling with nausea and vomiting over the side of the phoenix every few minutes. He sighed quietly. "This group is really something else."

After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at the gates of the Leaf Village. The phoenix slowly descended, its watery form shimmering in the sunlight as it touched down softly.

"I think we've made it back even before Kakashi-sensei," Shikamaru noted, carefully lifting Rock Lee onto his back before jumping off the phoenix.

"We definitely did. My phoenix travels faster than any shinobi physically can," Goro replied confidently, following them off the creature.

As they dismounted, the water phoenix began to lose its form, turning into a massive puddle. Shikamaru adjusted Rock Lee on his back, then looked at Goro with a thoughtful expression. "Hey, Goro…"

Goro turned his head, raising an eyebrow.

"Thanks," Shikamaru said simply, his voice sincere.

Goro paused, then shrugged. "Don't mention it. We're teammates, right?"

Shikamaru nodded, a small smile forming on his lips as they made their way back into the village.

Goro, Shikamaru, and Rock Lee—who was still draped over Shikamaru's shoulder—headed straight for the Hokage Mansion.

Upon reaching the office door, Shikamaru raised a fist and knocked firmly.

"Enter!" Tsunade's voice called out sharply from inside.

The three of them stepped into the room. As soon as they were inside, Shikamaru carefully lowered Rock Lee to the ground and began massaging his aching shoulder. Tsunade, seeing Lee's pale face and shaky condition, immediately stood up and rushed over, kneeling beside him. Her hands glowed green with medical chakra as she began examining.

"What happened to him?" Tsunade asked, her voice stern but laced with worry.

"Flying through the air made him sick," Shikamaru explained, scratching his head sheepishly.

Tsunade blinked in confusion. "Flying?"

"Goro has a jutsu that creates a water phoenix," Shikamaru clarified, gesturing toward Goro with a nod of his head.

Tsunade's gaze shifted to Goro, a look of intrigue and surprise crossing her face. "This boy... he's really something else," she thought, impressed by the ingenuity and scale of his abilities.

Having finished healing Rock Lee, Tsunade stood up and returned to her seat, her face softening slightly. "And Naruto? Where is he?" she asked, her concern evident.

"He's fine," Shikamaru reassured. "Kakashi-sensei is bringing him back."

Tsunade exhaled deeply, a mix of relief and exhaustion visible on her face. She glanced at the three boys before her and said, "I'm glad to hear that you're all safe. This mission was a lot tougher than I would've imagined... Those Sound ninja managed to defeat two Jonin. I got the report from Shizune..." Her voice trailed off, reflecting on how close this mission came to being a complete disaster.

Rock Lee, his energy fully restored by Tsunade's healing, leaped to his feet, giving her a thumbs-up. "It's all alright!" he announced with enthusiasm, a wide smile on his face.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, still somewhat confused by Lee's limitless energy despite his earlier condition. "This kid is a piece of work. Sensei, you've raised some fine shinobi," she thought.

Shikamaru let out a weary sigh, but a grin tugged at his lips, his relief mirroring Lee's positive attitude.

"They're overly positive for a failed mission…" Tsunade thought.

"You did it?" Tsunade asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "You brought back Sasuke?"

"Yeah, we managed to do it," Goro said, his grin matching Shikamaru's.

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Reminder: For another Double Release, let's hit 500 powerstones by Sunday. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! Goal: 500 Powerstones!