Unbreakable Bonds 《Book 2》

Chapter 30

-3rd Person-

The air inside Tsunade's office is thick with tension. Even Shikamaru, with his typically indifferent expression, can sense it. He stands alongside his teammates, Ino and Choji, their eyes all focused on the Fifth Hokage seated behind her desk. The curtains are drawn, casting a dim light in the room, making it feel more like a war council than a routine mission briefing. Tsunade's gaze is sharper than usual, her fingers tapping lightly against the wood of her desk in a rhythmic, almost anxious pattern.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," she begins, her voice low and serious.

Shikamaru crosses his arms lazily, pretending not to notice the tightness in her jaw, but his mind is already working overtime. This isn't the tone Tsunade usually takes for simple missions. There's something heavy, something ominous lingering in the way she holds herself. He glances at Ino and Choji from the corner of his eye. Ino's brows are furrowed, her lips pursed in concern, while Choji shifts uncomfortably, his usually cheerful demeanor replaced by unease.

"Is this about another border patrol mission?" Shikamaru asks, his voice casual, masking the spike of worry coursing through him. Tsunade rarely called them in personally for these kinds of tasks.

The Hokage's eyes flick to him, sharp and assessing, before she shakes her head. "No, this isn't just a patrol. It's an investigation. One that I'm assigning specifically to Team 10 for a reason."

That piques Shikamaru's interest. He tilts his head slightly, his gaze narrowing. "Go on."

Tsunade sighs, running a hand through her blonde hair, and for a moment, she looks tired. "Several of our shinobi have gone missing along the eastern border near the Fire Country's border with the Land of Hot Water. We've lost contact with them over the past week, and none have returned."

"Wait, missing?" Ino's voice rises slightly, her eyes widening. "As in, completely vanished?"

"Yes." Tsunade's expression darkens. "No traces. No bodies. It's like they just disappeared."

Shikamaru's mind begins to race, sifting through possibilities. If it were a routine border skirmish or an enemy shinobi attack, there would be evidence. A struggle. Signs of combat. But for a group of trained shinobi to vanish without a trace? It's not something that happens easily. Something—or someone—formidable must be involved.

"And you want us to find out what's going on?" Choji asks hesitantly, a frown creasing his usually friendly face.

Tsunade nods. "Exactly. But I want to make one thing clear: this mission is highly sensitive. I'm trusting you three to handle this quietly and discreetly. We don't know what we're dealing with yet, but I have my suspicions." Her gaze flickers briefly to the open file on her desk. Shikamaru can't make out the details, but he catches a glimpse of a familiar black cloak embroidered with red clouds.

The Akatsuki.

A chill runs down his spine. If they're involved... this could be catastrophic. Shikamaru straightens, dropping his casual posture as a heavy seriousness settles over him. The Akatsuki aren't like other enemies. They're powerful, elusive, and incredibly dangerous. The idea that they might be targeting their forces is enough to make even him nervous.

"You think it's them, don't you?" Shikamaru asks softly, his eyes locking onto Tsunade's.

Tsunade doesn't answer directly, but the tightening of her jaw and the flicker of unease in her eyes is all the confirmation he needs. His stomach twists uncomfortably.

"Shikamaru, Ino, Choji," she says quietly, her gaze shifting between them. "I'm not going to sugarcoat this. If the Akatsuki are involved, this mission could be extremely dangerous. I chose you three because I believe you can handle it—but you must prioritize your safety above all else. If things get too risky, you are to pull back immediately and report to me. Understood?"