"Try it then!"
Kidomaru was about to attack, but Sakon stopped him.
"Don't mess around. This is outside Konoha. If we mess up the mission, neither Lord Orochimaru nor Lord Kimimaro will spare you."
"Don't worry, we won't mess up. I can take care of this guy in ten seconds!"
Kidomaru didn't want to stop there.
He swung his six arms and charged towards Neji.
"This guy is still so playful. If Lord Kimimaro gets angry later, no one will help him."
Tayuya complained.
Facing the oncoming Kidomaru, Neji didn't even move.
Just as Kidomaru's fist was about to hit him, a hand blocked it.
At the same time, a cold voice sounded.
"What are you trying to do?"
Hearing this voice, Kidomaru's fighting spirit instantly vanished, replaced by fear.
It wasn't Neji who caught his fist, but Kimimaro, who suddenly appeared.
"Lord Kimimaro!"
Sakon, Jirobo, and Tayuya quickly greeted him respectfully.
Kidomaru was already covered in cold sweat.
"Lord Kimimaro..."
"Are you even willing to risk your own life for fun?"
"I'm sorry! Lord Kimimaro!"
Kidomaru quickly knelt down, trembling.
The fear Kimimaro instilled in their hearts was no less than Orochimaru's.
Or even more so.
Because Orochimaru wouldn't beat them, but Kimimaro would.
"After returning to Otogakure, go to the punishment room yourself. The sentence is two days."
"Yes! Lord Kimimaro..."
Kidomaru regretted it deeply.
Spending two days in the punishment room was worse than being beaten up.
But he didn't dare to object, otherwise, Kimimaro's methods would make him regret it even more.
"Stay here for an hour."
"Yes! Lord Kimimaro."
Everyone dispersed and entered a state of alert.
"Did Sasuke agree to go?"
Neji asked.
"He didn't say it explicitly, but from the looks of it, he was tempted. He desires the power of revenge even more than you. So I never doubted his choice."
Hearing Kimimaro's answer, Neji didn't say anything more.
An hour passed quickly.
Sasuke, carrying his few belongings, arrived at the Konoha gate.
"Stop! It's so late, where are you going!"
Anbu suddenly appeared, blocking Sasuke who was about to step out of the village gate.
But before he could speak, the Anbu fell down.
Kimimaro then appeared in front of Sasuke.
"It seems you've made your choice."
"Take me to Orochimaru."
"Okay. But before that, we need to find a quiet place and do something first."
"Hmm?"
Sasuke frowned.
The next day.
Sakura, who had fainted on a park bench, was discovered by Anbu and brought to the Hokage's office.
"Fifth Hokage! Something terrible happened! Sasuke... Sasuke was taken away by people from Otogakure!"
Sakura cried her eyes out, recounting the events of last night between sobs.
In short, she was worried about Sasuke and went to see him, only to discover that he was planning to defect from Konoha.
The final outcome was self-evident.
Tsunade crossed her arms, pondered for a moment, and then made a decision.
"Immediately send someone to request aid from Sunagakure. Also, have the newly promoted Chunin, Nara Shikamaru, come here."
"Yes!"
Konoha's current combat strength was severely lacking.
Even Shizune, who had just returned to the village with Tsunade, was sent out on a mission.
Now, the only available combat power was the newly promoted Chunin, Shikamaru, and of course, a group of Genin.
Soon, Shikamaru, carrying Tsunade's orders, went to gather his teammates.
The pursuit team was quickly formed.
Captain: Nara Shikamaru.
Genin members: Uzumaki Naruto, Akimichi Choji, Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba, Rock Lee.
Tenten and Sakura originally wanted to go too, but Tsunade only gave five spots, so naturally, they couldn't go together.
"Please, Naruto! You must bring Sasuke back, this is my lifelong request!"
Sakura said to Naruto with tears in her eyes.
"Lee, if you have a chance when you see the Sound ninja, ask them about Neji's whereabouts. I believe Neji must still be alive."
Tenten said to Lee.
The pursuit team set off!
In the Hokage's office.
Tsunade watched the departing pursuit team with a solemn expression.
"You must all come back alive."
The pursuit began!
"The enemies we're facing this time are ninja from Otogakure. Everyone has already witnessed their strength during the Chunin Exams.
The Sound ninja sent to retrieve Sasuke won't be weak. So, we need to be prepared. This mission won't be easy."
Shikamaru's expression was extremely serious.
He knew this was a difficult mission.
The number and strength of the enemies were unknown, while his own team consisted of Genin.
Even if they were outstanding and had Chunin-level skills, they were probably no match for the Sound ninja who came this time.
"I hope the opponents this time aren't too strong."
Shikamaru thought to himself.
"Shikamaru, don't worry. We will definitely bring Sasuke back!"
Compared to Shikamaru's worries, Naruto was obviously much more optimistic.
Or rather, he forced himself to be optimistic.
The pursuit began.
At this time, in the Konoha Hokage Tower.
Kakashi, who had just completed his mission, returned.
"What? Sasuke defected?"
Kakashi was shocked.
He originally thought his persuasion yesterday was effective, but he didn't expect Sasuke to still make this choice.
"He left last night, it has been twelve hours since then. Three hours ago, I had Shikamaru lead a Genin team to pursue him, and also asked Sunagakure to send reinforcements.
But the enemies sent by Otogakure this time are unknown, and I'm afraid these people aren't enough. Kakashi, you go too. Otherwise, I'm afraid Naruto and the others won't last long."
"Yes!"
Kakashi immediately set off.
On the road.
Kimimaro and his group were resting.
To be precise, the Sound Four were resting.
Not long ago, Sasuke took the Mind Awakening Pill.
It was a pill that could help Sasuke quickly enter the second state of the Cursed Seal, but after taking it, it needed to be used in conjunction with a certain barrier technique.
Otherwise, he would die.
And the purpose of the Sound Four coming here was this.
After a series of procedures, several hours had passed.
The Sound Four were exhausted and rested for a while.
"It's about time to set off."
Kimimaro stood up and suddenly looked behind him.
"It seems we can't leave for now, an acquaintance has arrived."
Hearing this, Neji's expression tightened.
He activated his Byakugan!
Sure enough, he also saw a familiar figure.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Shikamaru and the others landed one after another.
"What bad luck, we encountered a sensory type. Our plan for a surprise attack ended before it even began."
Shikamaru's expression was slightly helpless.
They had a direct confrontation.
This was the worst-case scenario he had anticipated.
(End of Chapter)