The alarm bell never rings.
Sasuke's departure is silent — discovered only by chance.
At sunrise, Sakura runs into the Hokage's office, shaking.
Sakura (crying):
"S-Sasuke… he's gone! He left the village!"
Tsunade sighs heavily.
This moment… she feared it since the exams.
Tsunade:
"Get Shikamaru. Now."
---
Later — Mission Briefing Room
Shikamaru arrives first, still yawning.
Shikamaru:
"Troublesome… I knew something like this would happen."
Then come the chosen ninja:
Naruto Uzumaki — furious and determined
Kaelen — tense, wind chakra flaring subtly around him
Kiba & Akamaru — eager for a chase
Choji — surprisingly serious
Neji — calm, focused
Tsunade's gaze sweeps across all of them.
Tsunade:
"Sasuke Uchiha has abandoned the Leaf. He's being taken by Orochimaru's elite— the Sound Four.
Your mission is to retrieve him alive.
Failure is not an option."
Naruto slams his fist into his palm.
Naruto:
"We'll bring him back! I swear it!"
Kaelen exhales slowly, eyes sharp.
I won't let Sasuke throw his life away… not like this.
And if Orochimaru is involved… this is bigger than just jealousy.
Shikamaru steps forward, tying on his new Chunin vest.
Shikamaru:
"As of today, I'm your captain.
Our plan is simple:
Track the Sound Four.
Engage only when necessary.
And never… fall behind."
He looks at Kaelen.
Shikamaru:
"Kaelen. You're our fastest. You'll be our forward scout."
Kaelen nods.
This is my chance… to prove myself.
Shikamaru continues:
Naruto: front-line fighter
Neji: Byakugan reconnaissance
Kiba/Akamaru: tracking and interception
Choji: heavy offense
Kaelen: speed, blades, wind-style support
Shikamaru takes a deep breath.
Shikamaru:
"Move out!"
---
Scene 6 — The Squad Departs
They sprint through the village gates, leaping into the trees.
Wind whips across Kaelen's face.
Naruto swings beside him.
"We'll save him."
Kaelen answers quietly:
We have to.
The forest grows darker the deeper they go.
The hunt for Sasuke begins.
---