Naruto, Shikamaru, Kiba and Akamaru continued their journey through deep forests and rivers. The security tightened the group as Choji and Neji were left behind to finish off their opponents. Now the team was reduced to four. As the three ninjas sprang from tree to tree, Kiba said, “Now what the plan, Shikamaru?”

For the first time during the mission, Shikamaru was racking his brain to think of something. The he shrugged and said confidently, “I will think of a plan when we get there.”

Naruto was looking doubtful. “Shikamaru”, he said nervously, “Isn’t that a bit to rash!”

Shikamaru thought about it then admitted, “Yes it is a bit rash, but it is also important to know what kind of enemies we’re facing. I made the mistakes of forming a plan without thinking about ambushes that can be laid by the enemy.”

Then Kiba turned to him. “So do you think the enemy will lay anymore surprises for us?”

“Well”, Shikamaru said thoughtfully, “I believe you’ll get your answers in 5 seconds.”

And lo and behold, a swarm of kunai knives went straight at them. Naruto hit himself on a tree while dodging, Akamaru saved Kiba from getting hit and Shikamaru did a somersault dodging all the missiles. All of them landed safely, Naruto was an exception.

“Just as I predicted.” said Shikamaru with a grim smile, and then shouted, “I know you’re there hiding, come out and face us!”

Obeying the command, a female figure stepped out of the bushes. She wore black-colour spectacles. Her eyes were red and her red hair was short but unkempt. She looked harmless but then she demanded in a harsh voice, “Who dares to trespass my Lord Sasuke’s land? You will regret it!”

Shikamaru quickly said, “Wait! We didn’t come here to fight! We’re here to negotiate!”

The woman just snorted. “My Lord Sasuke said that some ninjas from Konoha will come here! Don’t you bullshit me!”

Shikamaru just shrugged. “Well, it was worth the try.” Then he continued, “Who’re you and how you found we’re here?”

The female said in a loud voice, “I’m Karin! Member of the Snake and Lord Sasuke’s favourite! And,” she proudly said, “I could sense you for I have the skill to sense chakra from three idiots and a mutt!”
  
“Wow!” whispered Shikamaru to Naruto and Kiba, “She’s good!”

Akamaru growled as Kiba said, “I thought Sakura was Sasuke’s favourite!”

Karin narrowed her eyes when she heard that remark. “That bitch has no right to be my darling Sasuke favourite!”

“Don’t you called my wife a bitch!” snarled Naruto.

“I mean looked at her,” continued Karin enjoying in taunting Naruto, “She so flabby and her breast isn’t big! Only an idiot will have that slut as his wife!”

Naruto would have charged at Karin if Shikamaru didn’t pull him by the back of his shirt. “Naruto,” he said, “calm down! We need to distract her so you and Kiba could continue!”

Kiba was looking at Shikamaru strangely. Even Naruto quickly calmed down and looked at Shikamaru. “Aren’t you coming?”

Shikamaru let himself smiled grimly, “You two go ahead without me, and I’ll deal with her. Don’t worry,” he said before Naruto could interrupt, “I’m lucky when fighting with women.”

Naruto looked at Kiba, who just shrugged, and then he turned back to Shikamaru, a smile on his face. “Thanks Shikamaru!”

Shikamaru only said, “Just hurry up!”

Naruto, Kiba and Akamaru continued, leaving Shikamaru and Karin facing each other.

“Well,” Karin said with a sneer, “I’ll play with you for 30 minutes then I will kill you and go after the rest!”

*

“We made it!” said Kiba.

Naruto, Kiba and Akamaru were standing in front of the entrance of Sasuke’s hideout.

“Naruto”, Kiba began, “Me and Akamaru will lead the way while you guard the rear.”

Naruto nodded in agreement. But before anyone of them could move, a figure appeared in front of them. The figure was a male with white hair tied in a pigtail and he wore glasses. He grinned when he saw Naruto and Kiba.

“Ah Naruto”, he said mockingly, “It been a long time.”

“Kabuto!” cried Naruto, “What the hell are you doing here?”

Kiba was more confused, “I thought Kabuto was on our side!”

Naruto shook his head. “Kabuto was a spy for Orochimaru. He was just pretending to be one of us during the Chunin Examination.”

Kiba gasped, “The traitor!”

Kabuto laughed out. “Naruto! You’ve made a mistake; I’m no longer working for late Lord Orochimaru! Now my loyalty is in Lord Sasuke!”   

“This is trouble,” muttered Kiba, “Naruto, you go without us!”

“But”, Naruto began, “I fought him before! I could probably…”

“Just shut up and go save your wife!” ordered Kiba, “Me and Akamaru can handle this!”

Akamaru let out a bark.

Naruto looked at them and then said, “Ok, I’m gone!”

As Naruto entered the entrance, Kabuto barred his way. “You’re not going anywhere!” Kabuto said with a sneer.  

Before Kabuto could do anything, he was hit by a swirling tornado.

“WOLF-FANG-OVER-FANG!” cried Kiba.

Although he was hit, Kabuto managed to recover from Kiba’s attack. Then he smirked at Kiba and Akamaru.

“I believe that two against one isn’t fair”, Kabuto said, “I think I call some friends.”

Using a forbidden Ninjutsu, the ground gave a tremor. As the earth ripped apart, it revealed an abundance of zombies, who were dead ninjas.

*

“That was too close!” thought Shikamaru.

Shikamaru managed to dodge an attack from Karin.

“I can’t use the Shadow Possession Technique because she can sense were I’m.” he thought grimly, “So…”

*

“Uh-oh!” said Kiba while Akamaru whined at the horde of un-dead ninjas. “These freaks must be high-level Shinobi! This could be…”

*

At the same time but in different places, Shikamaru and Kiba said, “Troublesome!”