The three of them responded in unison and walked out of the Hokage's office.
Shikamaru walked at the end, glancing back at the inner door, convinced that he understood the
Hokage's intentions.
"Let's go!" Shikamaru gave an order, and the three of them quickly galloped towards the target location.
Along the way, Shikamaru looked back from time to time to observe Ino's condition.
The girl looked calm, but her slightly nervous expression still exposed the fluctuations in her heart.
"Ino, do you remember those paintings that Sai painted?" Shikamaru asked tentatively.
"I remember," Ino's face flushed slightly, "he can always paint flowers vividly, even more beautiful than the real thing."
"That time he said he wanted to paint a portrait of you when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, but the task was delayed." Shikamaru deliberately brought up the past.
"Yes..." Ino replied in a low voice, his eyes wandering.
Choji walked at the end, silently listening to the conversation between the two, and peeking at the changes in Ino's expression from time to time.
"It's almost here," Shikamaru pointed to a dense forest ahead, "According to the plan,
Sai should be there."
"Be vigilant," Shikamaru reminded in a low voice, "This forest has a complex terrain and is easy to get lost. "
The three of them slowed down and carefully searched for traces around them. Suddenly, Ino found a piece of fabric on the ground.
"This is a fragment of Anbu's uniform," she picked it up and examined it, "It should have been left by Sai's team." "
"Very good," Shikamaru nodded, "Follow this clue and continue to move forward. Choji, you are responsible for rear guard."
After passing through a bamboo forest, they saw traces of battle. Broken branches and sunken ground show that fierce conflicts have broken out here.
"There is blood here," Ino squatted down to check, "but the amount is not much, it should only be slightly injured."
Shikamaru frowned and analyzed the scene: "Judging from these traces, the enemy is
evacuating from the northeast. Sai is likely tracking them."
"Then let's act separately?" Ding Ji suggested.
"No," Shikamaru decisively refused, "We are a group, we must maintain the formation.
Ino, you can sense the breath of life nearby."
Ino closed his eyes and concentrated, and quickly opened his eyes wide: "There are two life forms moving in the northeast direction, one of them has a very weak breath, as if seriously injured."
"It seems that they have been found," Shikamaru smiled confidently, "I just don't know who was injured..."
What he didn't say was that whether Sai or Rebel was injured, it would create better opportunities for the next "rescue".
The three of them followed the clues and soon came to a valley. Ino sensed it again an
d pointed to the left: "The life signal is there, very weak."
"Let's go," Shikamaru led the team forward cautiously. Through a thicket of thorns, they found Sai resting under a large tree, his dark uniform badly damaged.
"Sai!" Ino was the first to run over.
"It's you... men," Sai raised his head weakly, with obvious abrasions on his face, "Just in
time, the traitor ran south..."
"Don't talk yet," Ino immediately performed medical ninjutsu, "Let me see the injury."
"It's just some skin trauma," Sai tried to stand up, but his center of gravity was obviously unstable, "The pursuit is important..."
"Let me take care of the wound," Ino insisted, "Shikamaru, you're right, right? "
Shikamaru pretended to think for a moment: "Indeed, if you lose combat effectiveness, it will affect the efficiency of pursuit. Ino, you heal his injuries first."
"Understood!" Ino replied excitedly, and then focused on treating Sai.
Shikamaru and Choji exchanged a knowing look, silently guarding the side and creating opportunities for them to be alone.
"There is an enemy attack!" Shikamaru suddenly warned, "In the southeast, about eight ninjas are approaching!"
"I'll deal with them," Choji quickly transformed, "You retreat first!"
In a burst of smoke, several "traitor ninjas" surrounded from all sides. Shikamaru and
Choji immediately met the battle, and shouted loudly: "Sai, take Ino first!"
"Follow me," Ino pulled Sai to evacuate quickly. The two stumbled into a nearby cave, l
eaning against the damp rock wall to catch their breath.
"I'm sorry," Sai said panting, "I've dragged you into danger too."
"It's okay," Ino said softly, looking at his handsome face by the faint light of fire, "I'll help you take a look at the wound."
"But outside..."
"Don't worry, Shikamaru and Choji are both very strong ninjas," Ino interrupted him, carefully helping him take off his torn clothes, "I only care about your injuries now."
"You're always so attentive," Sai said softly, letting Ino clean up his wounds.
"Do you remember the last time you promised to give me a portrait?" Ino recalled while applying the ointment, "I never finished it since."
"Well, I remember," Sai smiled, "I can continue drawing after this mission is over."
"Talking counts?" Ino looked up at him, and the moonlight shone into the cave, plating his side face with a layer of silver.