Chapter 81: The Operation of Teams 8 and 10
The forty-fifth day after Asuma Sarutobi's death.
On the day his body was buried, many of the older generation in Konoha felt deep sorrow.
A few years earlier, they had stood together at the funeral of the Third Hokage. At that time, none of them expected that they—old men who had already lived through countless wars—would outlive the Third Hokage's youngest son.
But grief among the village could not last forever.
For most people, the sadness faded after only a day.
The shinobi world was cruel. Death was something every ninja understood.
Even many civilians only heard that a jōnin had fallen in battle. They never realized that the man who died was actually the son of the Third Hokage.
Time could wash away the sorrow of the crowd.
But it could not ease the heart of one person.
Shikamaru Nara.
Instead, the guilt inside him only grew heavier.
He blamed himself for failing to save his teacher.
Just as he once blamed himself for failing to stop Sasuke Uchiha from leaving the village.
Night after night, he woke from nightmares.
Each time he awoke, two images appeared in his mind.
The moment Asuma died.
And the final words spoken by Ryuzen.
The future strategist of Konoha—the man who would one day guide the Seventh Hokage—finally reached a decision.
Every day he sat in meditation, hands forming thinking gestures.
For the first time in his life, he pushed his mind to its limit.
He was creating a plan for revenge.
Midnight
Inside the Yagyu residence.
It was past midnight.
Ryuzen suddenly opened his eyes.
The trace of sleep vanished instantly from his gaze.
Carefully, he released the girl sleeping in his arms.
Hinata stirred slightly but did not wake.
Silently, Ryuzen stepped out of bed and left the room barefoot.
A moment later, he appeared on the roof of the gym.
There, under the pale moonlight, stood Shikamaru.
Ryuzen spoke calmly.
"Have you made your decision?"
Shikamaru nodded.
"I have."
His voice was steady.
"I'm going to avenge Asuma."
Then he lowered his head slightly.
"Ryuzen… I need your help."
Ryuzen raised a hand and placed it firmly on Shikamaru's shoulder.
His answer needed no words.
"When do we leave?"
Shikamaru finally smiled for the first time since Asuma's death.
"Not yet."
"Let me explain the plan first."
Ryuzen shook his head.
"We'll discuss it on the road."
He glanced toward the direction of the Hokage Building.
"The Fifth Hokage won't approve this mission."
"So we'll move before dawn."
"Go inform Ino and Choji."
"I'll wake Hinata and gather Shino."
"We leave tonight."
Shikamaru nodded immediately.
"Understood."
In the next moment, he disappeared into the darkness.
Preparing to Leave
Ryuzen returned to the bedroom.
As he stepped inside, he found Hinata Hyuga already awake.
She leaned quietly against the bed, moonlight shining through the window beside her.
Ryuzen walked over and gently touched her hair.
Hinata rested against his chest.
"As soon as you left the bed, I woke up."
"Was that Shikamaru?"
Ryuzen nodded.
"Wash up."
"I'll prepare the equipment."
Hinata shook her head immediately.
"I'll pack your things."
Preparing his equipment had always been Hinata's responsibility.
She worried that Ryuzen might forget important items.
This was the one thing she refused to compromise on.
Ryuzen simply smiled and accepted.
After a quick wash, he put on a black kimono and fastened his sword to his waist.
A few minutes later, the two of them stepped outside.
The door was locked.
Then both figures vanished into the night.
The Departure
At 1:12 a.m., six figures gathered at the gates of Konoha.
They were the members of Team 8 and Team 10.
Ryuzen
Hinata
Shino Aburame
Shikamaru
Ino Yamanaka
Choji Akimichi
Before Shikamaru could speak, Ryuzen gave the first order.
"We head to the place where Asuma died."
"Shino will use his insects to search for their scent."
"Shikamaru, explain the battle plan while we move."
Shikamaru nodded.
"That's exactly what I was about to say."
The six shinobi immediately used Body Flicker Technique and passed through the barrier surrounding Konoha.
Of course, the barrier squad would soon notice their departure.
But none of them cared.
What they were doing violated the rules of the village.
They were pursuing the Akatsuki privately to avenge their teacher.
If they never returned, the village could not be blamed.
And if they did return victorious—
Even punishment or stalled promotions would not matter to Team 10.
The Fire Temple
After several hours of travel, dawn arrived.
At around seven in the morning, the two teams reached the Fire Temple.
Shikamaru led them to the battlefield where Asuma had died.
Shino released hundreds of small black insects.
They spread across the area, crawling through the wet ground and broken earth.
Searching.
Tracking.
But after a while, Shino shook his head.
"The rain washed everything away."
"My insects cannot find their scent."
No one seemed surprised.
This had only been a precaution.
Shikamaru had already prepared another plan.
He spoke calmly.
"One of them said we would meet again."
"They attacked the Fire Temple for the bounty on Chiriku, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja."
"So their next destination is obvious."
He looked toward the road leading out of the temple grounds.
"The nearest bounty exchange."
"That's where we'll find them."
The six shinobi prepared to move again.
This time—
Their destination was the trail leading directly toward the Akatsuki pair.
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