Coughing

Naruto ran toward the Inuzuka Clan compound to find Kiba, only to run into him heading toward the nearby training ground.

"Hey, Kiba!" Naruto shouted, vaulting over the fence and landing beside the dog-handling ninja.

"Oh, hey, Naruto. Say, where's that gorgeous woman you were with a few days ago?" Kiba grinned, a slightly lecherous look on his face.

"Kiba, now's not the time. I need you on a mission. That bastard Sasuke left the village, and we think he went to find Orochimaru." Naruto spoke urgently, deliberately ignoring Kiba's lecherous interest in his girlfriend.

"He did what? I knew he was a bastard, but deserting the village is unforgivable!" Kiba's voice rose sharply. "Where are we meeting?"

"The North Gate, in an hour. I'll go home and pack first. See you there." With that, Naruto sprinted toward his apartment.

Back at his apartment, Naruto rushed inside, quickly packed everything he would need for a week, and sealed it in a scroll. As soon as he stepped outside, he nearly collided with Yugito.

"Ah, sorry, Yugi-chan. I can't spend today with you. I have a mission, a really important one." Seeing his girlfriend, Naruto hurried to explain.

"Really? What a disappointment. What kind of mission is so important that you'd cancel the time off you promised me?" Yugito asked, slipping her arm through Naruto's as they walked toward the North Gate together.

On the way, Naruto told her everything about Sasuke's defection and his mission to bring the Uchiha renegade back.

"So the village sent two newly promoted Chunin and three Genin to deal with at least four ninja whose abilities are unknown?" Yugito asked with a frown as they reached the North Gate and saw Shikamaru, Kiba, Neji, and Choji already waiting.

"Pretty much, but don't worry. We'll be fine. I haven't become Hokage yet, so there's no way I'm dying," Naruto said confidently.

"All right, Naruto's here. We can leave. Kiba, you're up front, tracking. I'll follow behind you and give you instructions as soon as I spot anything. Naruto, you're in the middle. Your speed and reflexes are the best, so you can get wherever we need support fastest. Choji, stay behind Naruto. You're our main combat force, responsible for covering the scouts. Neji, bring up the rear. Use your Byakugan to watch our surroundings and guard against ambushes." Shikamaru quickly laid out their formation, and the five set off toward the outskirts of the village.

Just as the team was about to leave the village, a sobbing Sakura stopped them, desperately pleading with Naruto and the others to bring Sasuke back. All five thought at once, Isn't that our mission in the first place?

"Naruto-kun, wait!" Yugito suddenly shouted, hurrying after the team as they were about to depart.

The other Genin's expressions were exactly as expected: Shikamaru looked utterly bored, Choji was busy eating Potato Chips, and Neji remained expressionless. Only Kiba wore a lecherous smirk.

"Uh, sorry, everyone. I got a little distracted." Naruto scratched his head with a sheepish smile.

"A little distracted? You were practically chewing each other's faces off," Kiba teased, making both blondes blush again.

"Um, Yugi-chan, I really have to go. I'll be back soon." Naruto reluctantly released his arms from around her.

"You have to come back safely... because I love you." She gave him another quick kiss.

"I love you too, Yugi-chan," Naruto whispered in her ear. Then he slowly returned to his position in the formation, turned, and set off.

Naruto-kun, please stay safe. I've only just found you. You can't leave me behind. The female ninja with slit pupils watched the boy she loved walk away, silently praying.

That night

After leaving the village, the five had run nonstop until they finally stopped for a short rest.

"We should be catching up soon. Their scent is getting stronger. Including Sasuke, there are five of them. Let's rest here for a bit. At the pace we've been keeping, we'll definitely catch them before they leave the Land of Fire," Kiba reported to the others.

"True, but we still don't know how strong our opponents are. This mission is extremely dangerous. I suggest we keep moving and ambush them under cover of darkness," Neji said calmly.

"Good idea, but we can't exhaust ourselves, or we won't be able to fight tomorrow. Let's push on for a few more hours, then make camp and rest. That'll get us closer and give us a chance to scout them out and assess their strength," Shikamaru said. The others nodded, and after a brief rest, they set off again. Only several hours later did they make camp for the night.

The next day

"I can see the Otogakure team, but I don't see Sasuke... wait, he's there. He's inside a coffin, and his appearance has changed. His hair is longer, and his body is covered in strange markings." Neji's words shocked everyone present.