Choji's Resolve

Due to their unfamiliarity with the Sound Ninja Four, Shikamaru's first assault was quickly detected by the resting group.

Just as Shikamaru used the Shadow Imitation Technique to restrain them, Jirobo forcibly broke free through sheer brute strength. He then trapped them inside the Earth Prison Dome.

"Perfect, I'll absorb your chakra to recover!"

Inside the barrier, the group realized that not only could they not easily break it from within, but it was also steadily draining their chakra.

Kiba Inuzuka used the Fang Over Fang technique, repeatedly drilling into the walls.

But he found that both the walls and the ground automatically repaired themselves, and at an astonishing speed.

Naruto tried to use the Rasengan to bore through the earthen wall, only to discover that this high-density chakra technique was useless inside a barrier that absorbed chakra.

"I want to speak with your leader! You can take Sasuke! Can you let us out?"

Shikamaru made idle chatter with Jirobo while scanning the dome formed by the earthen walls.

Amid Naruto and Kiba's arguing, Choji silently tore open a bag of chips and began eating them in large mouthfuls.

"What time do you think this is! And you're still eating!"

Naruto complained.

"He's always like this when he gets angry..."

Neji was about to point it out, but Shikamaru stopped him with a look.

"Internal strife? You're a pretty lousy squad leader, aren't you!"

Jirobo taunted Shikamaru without restraint.

"Choji!"

Shikamaru called out.

"Expansion Jutsu!"

Choji's body instantly swelled up.

Just as Naruto was stunned, the Meat Tank crashed into the wall that hadn't fully repaired itself yet.

Jirobo suddenly felt something was wrong with the barrier's reaction, only to see the group charging out from the other side.

"Not bad, you actually broke through my barrier..."

"Everyone... don't act rashly..." Neji said calmly.

"Though we have the numbers advantage, our chakra is nearly depleted!"

"That's right, if we drag this out any longer, Sasuke will probably leave the Fire Country's borders! Without a diplomatic leader, we Konoha Ninja aren't allowed to enter another nation's territory without cause!"

Shikamaru added.

"Neji, since Jimo is nowhere to be found, you'll be the vice-captain. Take Kiba and Choji and keep chasing! Leave this guy to me and Naruto!"

Jirobo saw the hand seal Shikamaru was forming and sneered.

"You think that little trick of yours will work on me again? And you call yourself a captain? Do you really think splitting up gives you a chance?"

Jirobo laughed without restraint.

"With a moron like you for a captain, you deserve to die here today!"

"Before you idiots suffer enough from following that treacherous fool's orders, I'll just end your misery!"

"Say that again if you dare!"

Choji slowly stood up, killing intent blazing in his eyes.

"Leave him... to me!"

Choji pulled out a pouch of Soldier Pills and handed it to Shikamaru.

"Replenish your chakra quickly and go after Sasuke! Otherwise, once they cross the border, we'll really be a bunch of idiots following a moron captain!"

"You!" Shikamaru caught a glimpse of what was inside Choji's bag before he pulled out the Soldier Pills.

The Akimichi Clan's secret medicine...

"Make sure you catch up..."

"Got it!"

After the others left, Choji took out a blue pill and swallowed it. A surge of overwhelming chakra erupted, giving him strength that even surpassed Jirobo's.

Choji threw a punch, sending Jirobo flying. But before he could feel relief, a sharp pain wracked his body.

"Crap, I just took the Pill of Refinement, and the side effects are already this severe?"

In the forest, the group continued their pursuit, but they were still worried about Choji's safety.

"Woof!"

"Yeah... I think so too..." Kiba Inuzuka said to Akamaru in his arms.

"What's he saying?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Akamaru says that guy's aura is very dangerous... Animals have a keen sense for these things..."

"Yeah, we don't have enough intel on the enemy. Leaving Choji alone to hold the rear is really pushing it." Neji rarely spoke up too.

"But that's what battle is. This mission was never a game... it's about risking your life, shedding blood, and making sacrifices!"

Shikamaru said gravely. He understood the purpose of those three pills better than anyone.

"Splitting up to fight is the worst option, but if we don't use one-on-one engagements to stall the enemy, we'll never catch up to Sasuke! Choji staying behind alone is his way of telling us that he thinks we're all stronger than him. He believes that by leaving himself behind, our chances of completing the mission go up!"

Boom! A massive explosion rang out from behind them...

"Choji..."

Shikamaru's face twisted into an ugly expression. A jutsu of that scale was definitely not something Choji could pull off.

"Don't worry!"

Naruto, who had been wearing his anxiety on his sleeve until now, actually looked a bit relieved.

"Don't you guys forget! There's still someone in our squad who can clean up the mess!"

"You mean!"

"A jutsu on that level could only be Jimo's doing!" Naruto said with a grin.

"Whew! Just made it!"

Jimo was carrying an unconscious Choji in his arms, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Jimo... hurry... go catch up with the others!"

Choji struggled to get up, but the side effects of the pill were too severe. Every movement felt like thousands of needles stabbing into his body.

"Leave everything to me. Just rest for now! You did great!"

Jimo smiled gently.

"That moment you risked your life for your comrades... you were absolutely awesome!"

Looking at Choji, who was exhausted to the point of collapse, Jimo let out a sigh of relief.

"Good thing I got here in time. You almost swallowed that Red Curry Pill..."

Jimo pulled out a Senzu Bean and fed it to Choji. Under the healing effect of the bean, Choji's breathing immediately steadied.

"Just rest well. I'll handle the rest from here!"

With that, Jimo took out a Signal Flare, pulled the cord, and a red orb slowly rose into the sky. Then, he snapped Jirobo's arms and legs and bound him tightly with steel cables. To be safe, he had specifically asked the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, for a drug that disrupts chakra.

After forcing the drug down Jirobo's throat, Jimo split off a Shadow Clone before confidently heading off to catch up with Naruto and the others.

"Anko squad leader... this..."

The Konoha Anbu who arrived stared in shock at Choji, now breathing steadily, and Jirobo, tied up like a dead dog.

"Brutal... even more brutal than Ibiki from the Interrogation Squad..."

Anko sighed helplessly at the familiar sight. She ordered someone to take Choji and that thing back to Konoha, then said, "The rest of you, follow me! Keep chasing!"

"Don't let anything happen, you little pervert..."