Light Of A Crystal

20. Sound and Sand Joint Invasion Operation

Outskirts of Konoha

As Naruto, Tenten, Neji, and Shikamaru ran towards the Ichibi they were intercepted by Kankuro with his puppet ready to launch missiles and weapons.

"If you are going to get Gaara, then you will have to deal with me first." Kankuro said as Naruto gritted his teeth.

Before he was about to say something, he suddenly saw an insect flying past him and settling on a familiar Green coat.

"Shino?" 

"I want you to stop Gaara. I will take care of him." Shino said as Naruto looked concerned.

"But, will you be okay?" Tenten asked.

"I will be alright. Go now!" Shino shouted as the ninjas started running once again. 

"Heh! They will still die. You know that?" Kankuro said as he pulled the strings of the puppet bringing it close to him. 

"Maybe you are correct." Shino replied. "But what matters is that they are trying to avoid the destruction unlike you and the Suna Ninjas." The insects began circling Shino's body as he lifted his left hand.

"You and I are going to be interesting rivals. I like it." Kankuro said as he charged towards Aburame with his puppet all ready to cut him down into pieces.

With Naruto

"Tch. I have a feeling that some ninjas are following us." Naruto muttered.

Shikamaru turned towards Neji. "Neji! Activate your byakugan and scout for the enemies." 

"There are at least 10 ninjas following us." Neji informed after deactivating the byakugan. "They will catch up with us unless one of us acts as a decoy." 

"Very well! I will be that  decoy." Shikamaru said as he slowed down a bit allowing him to be caught up by Tenten.

"Wait Shikamaru." Tenten yelled as both Naruto and Neji stopped as well. 

"Are you sure about it?" Naruto asked.

"Yes. I will try to give you enough time for defeating Gaara. Go!" Shikamaru said as the entourage looked at each other before Naruto smirked.

"We are counting on you, Shikamaru." Naruto said before chuckling "Never die before me or I will kill you." 

Shikamaru was taken aback at first. He smirked and turned around to face the direction from where the enemies were approaching while the to-be-team 7 moved on.

"Naruto" The blonde looked towards Neji. "What will you be doing to Gaara after we defeat him?"

Naruto just looked forward and said "I dunno. Maybe talk some sense into him?" 

Neji looked quizzically at Naruto but decided not to say anything to him.

"Neji. Do the Hyuugas have any long-range attacks?" Naruto suddenly said as Neji sighed.

"Unfortunately, we only have one short to medium-range attack called vacuum palm. Using this I can attack any targets between a range of 0 to 10 meters." Neji said as Naruto frowned.

"Very well, I suppose that will also do." Naruto said as the roars of Shukaku became louder and louder before suddenly Temari jumped down from above.

"You have to go over my dead body to get to Gaara." Temari said as she slammed the fan on the branch of the tree where she was standing.

"Tenten!" Naruto yelled as the kunoichi threw a few smoke grenades but Temari quickly used her fan to avoid the smoke.

"Did you forget that I am a wind user?" Temari deadpanned.