Sasuke's Retrieval Begins

A/N: For a Double Release next Monday, 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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Inside the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was tense as Shikamaru and Ino stood before Tsunade.

"Sasuke left the village?" Shikamaru asked, his voice flat with disbelief. "Everyone's just getting up and out of the village. What's going on?"

Tsunade sighed deeply, rubbing her temples with one hand. "Goro and Sasuke's situations are different. For Goro, although it wasn't justified, he had a strong reason for leaving. Sasuke, on the other hand..." She trailed off, clearly troubled by Sasuke's abrupt departure.

Ino, her face pale with concern, asked, "Does Sakura know about this?"

Tsunade nodded. "Yes, she knows."

Ino's thoughts flashed to Sakura's devastated expression. "Poor girl... she's probably feeling the same way I did when Goro left." Ino bit her lip, sympathizing with her friend's pain.

Tsunade continued, her tone turning serious again. "Like I said, this mission will be dangerous. We don't have any other Chunin or Jonin available. Most are either on missions or carrying out duties within the village. Shikamaru, you'll need to gather the Genin you deem most fit for the job. I also recommend one Genin in particular. Naruto."

Shikamaru's expression didn't change, but he nodded in agreement. "Naruto, huh? He's the first one that came to mind for me as well."

Ino, still concerned, quickly asked, "Can we bring Goro along?"

Tsunade shook her head. "No, he has to be watched."

Shikamaru frowned slightly, chiming in, "If we had him with us, there's no way we wouldn't get Sasuke back."

Tsunade let out another sigh, her frustration evident. "I know, but I can't allow it. There's evidence connecting Goro to Orochimaru, and we can't take any chances, especially considering that this mission involves those associated with Orochimaru."

Ino's irritation bubbled to the surface as she snapped, "You don't seriously believe Goro is working with those guys, do you?"

Tsunade met Ino's eyes calmly, though her own uncertainty showed. "I don't want to believe it, Ino. My master, the Third Hokage, had a great deal of faith in Goro. But even Kakashi and Guy agreed that his actions were suspicious."

Shikamaru stayed silent, but his thoughts mirrored the growing doubts. "Oh man, Goro... What did you even do?" he thought.

Ino bit back another response, her frustration barely contained, but she knew better than to argue further. She nodded, attempting to keep her emotions in check.

"Alright," Shikamaru said with finality, heading toward the door. "Understood."

But Ino, unable to hold back any longer, burst out, "He's innocent! He wouldn't do something like that! Back in the Land of Waves, he saved my life. Goro isn't that type of person!"

Shikamaru's face tightened as he remembered Choji's words during one of their joint training sessions: "G-Goro… It felt like he was going to kill Kiba..." The memory made Shikamaru uneasy. I really hope he isn't working with a scumbag like Orochimaru... he thought.

Tsunade smiled faintly, though her concern remained. "Your faith in him makes me want to believe it too. After some time, we'll stop being suspicious, but for now, we have to take precautions. Compared to what we usually do with rogue ninja, this is a light punishment."

Shikamaru nodded in understanding. "Come on, let's go, Ino," he said, motioning for her to follow. Ino, reluctant but resigned, trailed behind him as they left the room.

Tsunade watched them leave, her expression softening as she thought to herself, "Goro... You're lucky you have comrades willing to risk their credibility for you. Ino isn't the only one—Asuma also swore you wouldn't do something like this." She leaned back in her chair, contemplating whether she should send the boy on the mission or not.

Outside the office, Ino caught up to Goro, who was standing at his post, guarding the gates. Shikamaru had gone ahead, leaving the two alone. Ino wasted no time, immediately filling Goro in on the mission details.

"So, she really said I can't participate?" Goro asked, his tone neutral, though a hint of frustration flickered beneath the surface.

"Yeah..." Ino said softly. "I tried to tell her you're innocent, but she said it was just to be safe."

Goro looked down at the ground, his frustration building. "Even now, they still suspect me…" he thought. I can't blame them, but.."

Snapping back to reality, Goro looked at Ino. "Okay, thanks, Ino," he said, his voice disappointed.

'System, if I disobey her orders and go regardless, what do you think the consequences would be?'

[Unable to say.]

'...'

Ino's expression was sad, disappointment clear in her eyes as she nodded. She had tried her best to defend him, but it hadn't been enough.

"Maybe I could've tried harder to convince her, she would've let him come with us.. I have to go back. Maybe if I speak to her again, she will change her mind." Ino thought, he mind going through the possible ways of getting Goro to partake in the mission.

In an attempt to reassure her, Goro reached out and gently placed his hand on her head. "Don't worry about it," he said with a faint smile.

Ino's expression softened as she managed a small smile in return. "Thank you.." she said. Goro removed his hand, and without another word, Ino turned to leave, running down the street as she headed off to join Shikamaru.

…..

Pain's rinnegan glowed, as he directed his gaze toward Zetsu. His voice cut through the silence. "What did you find, Zetsu?"

Zetsu, shook his head and replied, "He has no intention of working with us. He claims his actions will be independent of any influences. In other words, he doesn't care if he gets in our way."

Pain's expression remained impassive. Assessing Zetsu's response for a moment, he continued, "So be it. Kisame, Itachi, pay him a visit. If he still refuses to comply after you have shown him the strength of our group, we'll have to forcibly remove him from power."

Kisame grinned, his sharp teeth coming into full display. "That won't be a problem. Samehada has been hungry lately."

Pain's gaze shifted toward Kisame, his voice sharpening as he warned, "We don't want to draw attention to ourselves, Kisame. If it gets out that our group killed the leader of the Hidden Waterfall, it'll only make things harder for us. Demonstrate your strength first and overpower him. Leave him with a warning. If he doesn't comply after that… we'll kill him."

Itachi, as always, remained silent, his Sharingan gleaming as he stared directly at Pain.

Pain was the first to fade away, his projection being the first to vanish from the cave. Kisame and Itachi followed shortly after, their projections disappearing in a blur of chakra, leaving the space empty as the rest of the Akatsuki also vanished, one by one.

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Reminder: For a Double Release next Monday, 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!