Shikamaru spoke with a grave expression. "Ino, Choji, escort Teacher Asuma back to Konoha immediately. We can't leave his body exposed out here any longer.
"I'll head to Mount Katsujo to find the Twilight Squad and deliver the intel."
Choji immediately refused without hesitation. "No. I should be the one delivering the intel. You two should get Teacher safely back to the village."
Everyone understood perfectly well that carrying out this mission meant they might encounter the Akatsuki Organization. If they were unlucky enough to run into them, their chances of survival would be practically nonexistent. It was a nine-in-ten chance of death.
"You must follow orders!" Shikamaru sternly rebuked Choji. "This critical intel has to reach the Twilight Squad before they clash with the Akatsuki Organization. Only then will Teacher's sacrifice have value."
"But..." Choji seemed to want to argue further, but Shikamaru forcibly cut him off as soon as he spoke.
"There's no room for discussion. I'm the new squad leader now, and this is an unquestionable order." Shikamaru spoke firmly. "Move out. I'll avenge Teacher."
Seeing this, Choji could only nod silently in agreement. Then, together with Ino, he protected Asuma's body as they raced toward Konoha.
Shikamaru watched their retreating figures and silently prayed. Then he turned and sprinted toward Mount Katsujo.
Just as he had said, he had to find the Twilight Squad before the Immortals Duo did.
So he planned to take a shortcut through the mountains to reach the Twilight Squad more quickly.
The three gradually went their separate ways in two directions. At the place where the Ino-Shika-Cho squad had just rested, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
That person was Hyuga Kei, with the owner of the Bounty Office following close beside him.
The Bounty Office owner wore a vacant