In a cave some distance from the Bounty Office, the Ino-Shika-Cho squad, having successfully escaped their enemies' pursuit, sat in a circle. The atmosphere around them was unusually heavy and oppressive, steeped in dead silence.
The three of them sat like statues, staring blankly at the flickering campfire before them as memories of the happy times they had shared with Asuma kept flashing through their minds.
Choji and Ino had long since cried themselves hoarse. Tears streamed down their faces like floodwaters bursting through a dam, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably from overwhelming grief.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru's eyes, which usually gleamed with intelligence, were now filled with endless confusion and bewilderment. Hot tears brimmed in his eyes.
But he clenched his teeth and desperately held back the sob that was about to escape.
Because he knew full well that, as the team's strategist, he had to remain absolutely calm and rational at all times.
Just moments ago, their beloved Teacher Asuma had fallen at the hands of the enemy. To ensure his students could escape safely, Asuma had resolutely chosen to stay behind and hold off the enemies. Even his body had not been spared, taken away by those two men.
Shikamaru gently wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes, his voice trembling slightly with rage. "Our first priority now is to recover Teacher Asuma's body. We absolutely cannot allow the enemy to desecrate his remains."
Choji and Ino exchanged a glance, each seeing the determination in the other's eyes.
"We have to avenge Teacher Asuma!" Choji clenched his fists.
"That's right. Even if it costs us our lives!" Ino said firmly.
Shikamaru took a deep breath and said calmly, "We need a plan. We can't rush blindly into revenge, or we'll only fall right into the enemy's