The Chase Begins

While everyone was still asleep, Jimo quietly made his way to Rock Lee's hospital bed.

"You're lucky!"

Jimo looked at Lee's battered arms, knowing he had snuck out to train again.

"In this world, what can defeat an unyielding will?"

The Seven Color Dragon Ball Bracelet on Jimo's wrist shimmered with light.

"Please, heal Lee's injuries!"

A faint, multicolored glow surged from the bracelet and merged into Lee's body.

The next morning, Shikamaru and Jimo were summoned to the Hokage's office.

"What! Sasuke... defected?" Shikamaru's eyes widened in shock.

"Yes, at Orochimaru's invitation."

Tsunade's face was grim, betraying no weakness.

"So, I'm now issuing your first mission as Chunin: retrieve Sasuke Uchiha!"

Shikamaru's expression turned serious.

"If it were just retrieving Sasuke, that wouldn't be too hard... but..."

"According to the intel we have, Orochimaru's subordinate is with him, and their strength is considerable," Jimo added.

"This isn't the first time; there have been precedents..."

Tsunade said.

"The village is still being rebuilt, and we can't spare more people. The only ones available right now are you two!"

"Wait!" Shikamaru interrupted.

"If it's a mission, Jimo is more suited to lead it than I am!"

"He's going along to cover your backs! Your available personnel can only be chosen from the Genin," Tsunade explained.

In truth, after the battle of the Three Ninja, Tsunade had considered promoting Jimo to Jonin.

But since the war had just ended and Jimo had only recently been promoted to Chunin, promoting him again to Jonin would break protocol, so she dropped it.

On the other hand, Jimo had also shared his suspicions with Tsunade about Konoha's Root Organization and Shimura Danzō, preferring not to draw too much attention.

"I've got a perfect candidate for you!" Jimo smiled.

"What! Why is this happening?!"

Naruto stared in shock at the two who had come to find him.

Soon enough, Choji, Neji, and Kiba Inuzuka gathered at the entrance.

Watching Rock Lee, who had come to see them off, Jimo smiled.

"Lee, go back and get treatment! Maybe there'll be good news!"

None of them noticed that Lee's movements were much lighter than before.

"Maybe Tsunade-sama will heal you soon! Then we can go on missions together again!"

As Lee slowly walked away into the distance, Shikamaru spoke up.

"For this mission, I'll take command, and Jimo will be vice-commander!"

"You don't have to mention me; I know nothing about commanding in battle," Jimo said with a smile.

"Enough, don't change the subject. Didn't you say we might run into unpredictable enemies?" Neji Hyuga said. "Then you should come up with a plan!"

"Even though Jimo has our backs, who knows what kind of situation we'll face!" Shikamaru said. "So please, everyone, stick to the plan I make! Otherwise, there could be casualties."

Thus, Kiba, skilled in tracking, took the vanguard; Shikamaru was the second echelon; Naruto, adept at the Shadow Clone Technique, was the third. Choji was assigned as the main attacker, and Neji, with his Byakugan, took the rear.

"As for Jimo..." Shikamaru turned to him.

"Speak freely, Captain!"

"Use that flying technique of yours to observe from high altitude and scout the enemy!"

"No problem!"

After checking their tools, just as they were about to leave, Sakura appeared before them.

"Can I come along?"

Seeing Sakura's reddened eyes from crying, no one knew how to refuse.

"Even you can't convince Sasuke, and besides..." Shikamaru started, but was cut off.

"You're with me!" Jimo agreed on the spot.

"Hey, hey! Don't make decisions on your own! This isn't a game of house," Shikamaru said.

"Relax! I know what I'm doing!"

Seeing Jimo's confident look, Shikamaru said nothing more.

When Naruto had first gathered everyone, he said that Jimo could actually trade blows with Orochimaru and still walk away unscathed... his strength must already far exceed Chunin level. And he also had those beans that were even more effective than Soldier Pills—logistics support was definitely his domain.

On the rooftop of Konoha Hospital, Rock Lee watched the others leave, a wave of sadness washing over him.

"Rock Lee, if you didn't insist on being a ninja, you wouldn't have to worry about your life... Why are you so stubborn about this?"

Tsunade leaned against the railing and said.

"Because I want to prove to everyone that I can become a great ninja!"

"But the price might be death..."

"Even if it is death, that's still my dream!"

Tsunade gazed at the Hokage Rock, a deep sigh escaping her heart.

"Teacher... you were truly a remarkable ninja!"

On the path of pursuit, Jimo and Sakura had already taken the lead, riding the Flying Nimbus to chase ahead.

"Do you really have to hold me like this?"

Sakura sat in Jimo's arms, her face full of shyness.

"What can I do... I don't know why, but are all you girls so precocious...?" Jimo said with a sour expression. He hadn't expected the Flying Nimbus to have such strict conditions—besides himself, no one else could sit on it without a single stray thought.

"But don't worry! I'm not interested in flat-chested girls..."

"Thump!"

By the time the two landed, Jimo had a few extra lumps on his head.

"Shizune-nee! What's this!"

Jimo asked, looking at Genma Shiranui and Namiashi Raidō lying on the ground. The entire battlefield was a complete mess.

"It was Orochimaru's men..."

Genma Shiranui said.

Jimo and Sakura also informed everyone about Sasuke's defection.

"Then that's right... that wooden barrel must be holding Sasuke!" Jimo said.

"The methods they're using aren't even ninja techniques anymore..." Genma Shiranui said, leaning against a tree.

When the pursuit squad heard this and rushed over, they tried to stop everyone.

"It's probably too late... they must have already chased off in another direction," Jimo said.

He hadn't expected the Sound Four to be so formidable, injuring both Genma and Raidō this badly...

"Sakura..."

Jimo said quietly.

"I know... with things like this, I'm afraid you have no choice but to join the fight! Taking me along would just be a burden!"

Tears slid down Sakura's cheeks.

"Can you help Shizune-nee carry the wounded back to the village? The next battle... is probably going to draw some blood."

"Jimo! It would be best if you could bring Sasuke back... but... please make sure to protect Naruto and the others!" Sakura said softly. Seeing the terrible state of the two ninjas, she already understood how dangerous this mission was.

"Don't worry! I'm really strong!"