*Crack*

- ( Hokage's Office ) -

"At dawn today Sasuke Uchiha left Konoha." Tsunade's words surprised Shikamaru. "And, we could be sure that he's headed for the Sound Village."

"Eh!? How could something like that have happened!?" Shikamaru asked, very puzzled.

"Orochimaru had a lot to do with it, however, at this point that doesn't matter anymore. We need to act very quickly." Tsunade clasped her hands together under her chin. "Today you will be sent on your first mission as Chuunin."

Shikamaru became serious. "So, what I have to do is bring Sasuke back, right?"

"Yes. It must be completed at the earliest opportunity and it might be more dangerous than you think." Shikamaru was surprised, but Tsunade wasn't finished. "It's quite possible that Sasuke is being escorted by Orochimaru's subordinates."

Shikamaru frowned. "If I will have to face opponents, I am forcing to request a team consisting of Chuunin and Jounin."

"That may not be possible. Almost everyone is busy with their missions and there is a reserve staying in the Village in case of an attack." Tsunade sighed. 'At least, no Genin have been sent on such missions thanks to the former Root members.'

She looked at Shikamaru. "Recruit the Genin you consider capable. You have thirty minutes to leave the Village."

Shikamaru sighed. "May I ask something?"

"Of course."

"Is there any chance of Kuro joining the mission? I know he's been away for over two weeks due to a mission, however, I was wondering if it's possible for him to join us until we bring Sasuke back? I mean, if his current mission is close to ours, maybe we could meet up." Shikamaru rubbed his head.

Tsunade closed her eyes and remembered the talk she had with the elders.

.

.

.

-( Beginning of Flashback )-

"What's with this guy?" Tsunade took a quick glance at the document and looked at the elders.

Koharu looked at her. "Two weeks ago, he left the Village, leaving the training as a reason. We were waiting for you to arrive so you could make a decision."

"Eh?" Tsunade was a little surprised and looked at the document again, this time with more attention.

"Hm? It says here that one of his classmates in the Chuunin exams was Kabuto Yakushi." She looked up and looked at Koharu. "Is it possible that Orochimaru had something to do with his leaving?"

Koharu shook her head. "We received no reports of anything like that."

"Besides..." Homura spoke after her. "Sasuke Uchiha was the one who received the curse mark."

'So, when he said one of his marks failed, he was referring to this boy..." Tsunade looked at the document. "He probably managed to evade Orochimaru, but if that's the case, his ability is vastly superior to what's described on this piece of paper..."

"So? What shall we do?" Koharu interrupted her thoughts.

"Nothing." Tsunade looked at the two of them. "It's already too late for a recovery team, and we can't confirm whether he left for training or not, so why declare him a Rogue Ninja would be counterproductive. However, the moment we discover any illegal activity of his in the Land of Fire, he will be declared a Rogue Ninja and will have a place in the Bingo Book."

"Will he still be on a secret mission?" Homura asked.

Tsunade shook her head. "No, we'll say he's training with someone he met during the mission and has authorization from the Village."

-( End of Flashback )-

.

.

.

Sigh..." Tsunade sighed and looked at Shikamaru. "You may already have your suspicions, but Kuro Shizumatta is no longer on a secret mission. He is training outside the Village with someone he met during his mission and we don't know exactly when he might return. They are traveling around the different nations, so I don't think there is a chance that he will take part in this mission."

"What a drag..."

.

.

.

One of Kuro's shadow clones is in a ravine where the battle between Kiba and Akamaru against the brothers Sakon and Ukon took place.

Currently, wounded Kiba and Akamaru escaped down the river, leaving the brothers behind.

Although they are now separated; Sakon is wiping Akamaru's urine from his eyes and Ukon was just tricked by Kiba, who left his jacket behind a rock.

The Clone activated the breathing ability and moved.

*Splash* "Damn dog!" Sakon lifted his head out of the water and yelped in frustration.

"Just wait until–" *Crack* Sakon's neck snapped and his head was now looking back.

At the same time, the Clone appeared behind him, however, he quickly hid behind a rock and activated stealth again.

*Thud!* Sakon's body fell to the ground, attracting Ukon's attention.

"Uh?" Ukon looked back and saw his brother lying on the ground. "Sakon!? What's wrong!?" He quickly ran over to the body.

"W... What!?" he exclaimed in surprise when he saw the back of his brother's head where his face should be.

In his moment of shock, he felt someone grab his head and before he could think of anything, a brutal force forced his head to look back.

*Crack*

Kuro appeared again and still holding Ukon's head, he stored it in his inventory.

He quickly did the same with Sakon before disappearing.

.

.

.

/\/\/\

(Patr eon .com/Nutella_ There will be no advanced chapters. I did this for anyone who wants to donate.)