The Pursuit Begins

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

"You're really lucky!"

Looking at Rock Lee's battered arms, Jimo knew he had sneaked out to train again.

"On this earth, what could possibly defeat an unyielding will?"

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

"Please heal Rock Lee's wounds!"

A faint, multicolored glow surged out of the bracelet and flowed into Rock Lee's body.

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

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

"That's right. He accepted Orochimaru's invitation."

Tsunade's expression was grave, without the slightest hint of a crack.

"So, your first mission as a Chunin is to bring back Sasuke Uchiha!"

Shikamaru looked solemn.

"If we're only bringing Sasuke back, that shouldn't be too difficult... but..."

"From the information we have, Orochimaru's subordinates are with him, and they're no pushovers," Jimo said from the side.

"This isn't the first time something like this has happened. There have been similar cases before..."

Tsunade said.

"The village is still being rebuilt, so we can't spare any more people. The only ones we can send right now are the two of you!"

"Wait!" Shikamaru interrupted.

"If we're going on a mission, Jimo is much more suited to it than I am!"

"He's going along to make sure you have backup! This time, the rest of your team can only be chosen from the Genin," Tsunade explained.

In fact, after the battle between the Three Ninja, Tsunade had considered promoting Jimo to Jonin.

But the great war had only just ended, and Jimo had just been promoted to Chunin. Promoting him again to Jonin would have been against the rules, so she dropped the idea.

Besides, Jimo had told Tsunade about his suspicions regarding Konoha's Root Organization and Shimura Danzō. He didn't want to attract too much attention.

"I've got a perfect candidate for you!" Jimo said with a smile.

"What! Why is this happening?!"

Naruto stared at the two of them in shock.

Before long, Choji, Neji, and Kiba gathered at the entrance.

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

"Rock Lee, hurry back and get treated! You might be in for good news!"

No one noticed that Rock Lee was moving much more lightly than before.

"Maybe Lady Tsunade will be able to heal you soon! Then we can go on a mission together again!"

As Rock Lee slowly walked away, Shikamaru spoke.

"I'll lead this mission, and Jimo will be my deputy."

"You don't have to put me in charge. I'm completely clueless about commanding a battle," Jimo said with a smile.

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

"Jimo will be there to back us up, but who knows what kind of situation we'll encounter?" Shikamaru said. "So please follow the plan I lay out. Otherwise, someone could get hurt—or worse."

Kiba Inuzuka, who was skilled at tracking, would take the lead. Shikamaru would be in the second group, with Naruto, who was skilled in the Shadow Clone Technique, in the third. Choji would handle the main attack, while Neji Hyuga, with his Byakugan, would cover the rear.

"As for Jimo..." Shikamaru looked at him.

"Go ahead, Captain!"

"Use that flying technique of yours to get up high and scout the area. Keep an eye out for the enemy!"

"No problem!"

Just as everyone had finished checking their ninja tools and was about to leave, Sakura appeared in front of them.

"Can I come with you?"

They saw the corners of Sakura's eyes were red from crying, and for a moment no one knew how to refuse her.

"Even you can't talk Sasuke into coming back, and besides..." Shikamaru began, but she cut him off.

"You can team up with me!" Jimo agreed at once.

"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 how confident Jimo looked, Shikamaru didn't say anything more.

When they had first gathered, Naruto had said that Jimo could fight Orochimaru and come away unscathed... so his strength must already be far beyond a Chunin's. He also had those beans that were even more useful than Soldier Pills, so he was the perfect choice to handle their supplies.

On the roof of Konoha Hospital, Rock Lee watched the others leave, his heart heavy with sadness.

"Rock Lee, if you gave up being a ninja, you wouldn't have to risk your life... Why are you so determined?"

Tsunade leaned against the railing.

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

"But it could cost you your life..."

"Even if I die, it's still my dream!"

Tsunade looked toward Kage Rock, filled with emotion.

"Teacher... you really are an incredible ninja!"

On the way to catch up with the others, Jimo and Sakura had already gone ahead on the Flying Nimbus.

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

Sakura sat in Jimo's arms, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"What can I do? I have no idea why you girls all mature so early..." Jimo said with a sour look. He hadn't expected the Flying Nimbus to be so strict: aside from him, anyone else needed to have absolutely no impure thoughts to ride it.

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

"Thump!"

When the two landed, several lumps had appeared on Jimo's head.

"Shizune! What happened here?"

Jimo looked at Genma Shiranui and Namiashi Raidō, who were lying on the ground, and saw that the battlefield was a complete mess.

"It was Orochimaru's subordinates..." Genma Shiranui said.

Jimo and Sakura also told them that Sasuke had deserted.

"Then there's no doubt... Sasuke must be in that barrel!" Jimo said.

"What they're using can't even be called a ninja's methods anymore..." Genma Shiranui said, leaning against a tree.

When they heard that the pursuit squad had caught up, they tried to stop the others.

"I'm afraid it's too late... They must have already gone after them in another direction," Jimo said.

He hadn't expected the Sound Four to be so powerful. They'd managed to injure both Genma and Raidō this badly...

"Sakura..."

Jimo spoke quietly.

"I know... Given the situation, I have no choice but to fight too! Bringing me along would only hold you back!"

Tears slid from the corners of Sakura's eyes.

"Could you help Shizune get the wounded here back to the village? The fighting ahead is likely to get bloody..."

"Jimo! Bringing Sasuke back would be best, of course... but please make sure you protect Naruto and the others!" Sakura said softly. Seeing the two ninjas in such a terrible state had made her understand how dangerous this mission was.

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