While Naruto and Sasuke were talking in the hospital room, Tsunade, who had heard about Naruto's strange injury in the village, came to ask for details — only to overhear part of their conversation.
"Bang!"
Furious, Tsunade slammed her fist against the hospital door!
With a single strike, the solid wooden door shattered into pieces!
The nearby medical-nin: (⊙o⊙)
Medical-nin: "Hokage-sama, please calm down!"
Shizune, standing beside Tsunade, gave an awkward smile.
"Exactly… and also, since you broke the door, this counts as personal damage. You'll have to cover the repair costs yourself, Tsunade-sama."
"We don't have time to worry about that right now!"
Tsunade's brows furrowed sharply, and flames seemed to dance in her eyes.
"Orochimaru has gone too far this time! How dare he snatch someone away right under my nose! (눈益눈)"
"Shinju!"
Tsunade called out.
Shinju nodded. "Yeah."
"You did well on your last mission in the Land of Tea. Now, I'm assigning you your second task."
"Immediately gather three capable ninja of your choice — no matter the cost, bring Sasuke back!"
"Got it."
Shinju nodded firmly.
This mission suited him perfectly. Even if the Hokage hadn't ordered it, he would've gone after Sasuke on his own.
As for teammates, Shinju prioritized people who were smart, familiar, and strong.
Among the ninja currently in the village, the sharpest mind belonged to Shikamaru.
As for the other two, he had already decided.
Kiba, who could track with his ninja hounds, and Hyūga Neji, who seemed extremely reliable.
Without wasting any time, once the mission was assigned, Shinju quickly started gathering the team…
But before he could leave the hospital room, Naruto called out to him.
"What is it?"
Shinju thought Naruto was worried about his strength, so he thumped his chest and reassured him:
"Don't worry. Sasuke's my comrade, after all. I'll bring him back."
Naruto shook his head.
"That's not what I meant… I'm saying, be careful around Sasuke."
...
Several dozen km outside Konohagakure.
The Sound Four were using Body Flicker to speed up their travel, rushing straight toward Otogakure.
Among them, the largest of the four, Jirōbō, carried a massive coffin strapped to his back.
Sasuke was inside that coffin.
"Last night, when I stopped him from killing that boy… looks like Sasuke's still way too soft," Tayuya said, annoyed.
"Going from a Konoha ninja to a missing-nin… that kind of mental shift takes time," Jirōbō replied.
Last night, under the Sound Four's provocation, Sasuke had fought fiercely against Naruto.
But against five attackers, Naruto stood no chance and collapsed from exhaustion.
Just as the Sound Four were about to finish him off, Sasuke stopped them.
His reason was simple — he didn't want things to escalate, especially since Naruto carried the Nine-Tails.
Tayuya, however, had been furious about it ever since.
"Shut up, fatass!"
Tayuya cursed.
"He's just Orochimaru-sama's next vessel — what mental shift does he need?!"
"You two, knock it off," Sakon muttered, already getting a headache. "We need to move faster. Orochimaru-sama needs that body."
...
Meanwhile, in Otogakure — Orochimaru's research base.
Because of his body's rejection, Orochimaru was suffering unbearable pain.
"When… will those four be back?!"
Drenched in sweat, Orochimaru's voice was weak as he asked.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and replied,
"I'm not sure. If all goes well, they should return in a day or two. But… there's also the possibility they could be intercepted by Konoha's ninja."
"Still, Orochimaru-sama, there's no need to worry."
"Kimimaro, upon learning of your urgent need for a new body, forced himself to go as well despite his illness."
"With him there, unless they run into Shinju, they'll definitely bring back your new vessel."
"Kimimaro… how much longer can that child last?" Orochimaru asked softly.
"He's already at his limit," Kabuto sighed, his voice carrying genuine regret for Kimimaro.
...
At the gates of Konohagakure.
Shinju, Shikamaru, Neji, and Kiba stood in a row.
Shinju, acting as the team leader, began briefing them on the mission strategy.
"Kiba and Akamaru have the sharpest sense of smell — you two will lead the way."
"I'll take the second position. I have the Flying Thunder God Technique, so I'm highly mobile and can reach anyone in trouble quickly."
"Third and fourth will be Shikamaru and Neji. Shikamaru's a brilliant tactician and can stall enemies with the Nara clan's Shadow Possession Jutsu if needed. Neji, with your absolute defense — Palm Rotation — you'll hold the rear."
Once Shinju laid out the formation, Shikamaru wore his usual "what a drag" expression.
"These Oto-nin are seriously stubborn. Their invasion plan failed last time, so why are they still obsessed with Konoha? ┐(´-｀)┌"
Kiba hugged Akamaru and said, "This'll be my first mission working with you, Shinju."
"Honestly though, with your strength, you probably don't even need the three of us for this, right?"
Shinju shook his head slightly.
"Ninja work always comes down to teamwork. No matter how strong I am, I can't find Sasuke alone…"
Just then, Akamaru barked twice from Kiba's head.
"Woof! Woof!"
Being from the Inuzuka clan, Kiba could easily understand his companion.
"So you've already picked up Sasuke's scent, along with four others? North, right?" Kiba asked.
When Akamaru nodded, Kiba took off immediately.
"Follow me! Akamaru's already locked onto Sasuke's position!"
In an instant, the four ninja disappeared into the trees.
Shinju thought relying solely on running would be too slow.
Forming a summoning seal, he called forth Gamabunta from Mount Myōboku.
When Gamabunta appeared, Shinju spoke directly: "Gamabunta, I'm on a mission. I need your help."
Gamabunta nodded. "Hop on."
Perched atop Gamabunta's massive head, Shikamaru, Neji, and Kiba all looked terrified.
Riding horses or carriages was one thing… but a gigantic toad?
This was next-level cool.
What amazed them even more was the fact that Shinju had summoned such a powerful-looking toad… just for faster travel.
Truly, insane.
Gamabunta crouched, then leapt.
"Whoooosh—"
"Boom!"
Every landing sent tremors through the forest.
Every jump carried them hundreds of meters forward!
With such incredible speed, it didn't take long for Akamaru to bark out the signal — "target's close."
Shinju released the summoning, sending Gamabunta back to Mount Myōboku.
As the four dropped from high above, Shinju used Water Release to create a swirling vortex below, cushioning their fall.
Landing safely, the group looked ahead — and saw the Sound Four standing before them.
The Sound Four stiffened when they realized the one leading Konoha's pursuit team… was Shinju.
Their legs trembled uncontrollably.
They remembered his overwhelming display of power during the Chūnin Exams.
Against Shinju… the four of them stood no chance.