No New Mission

John is back at the hospital visiting Kakashi. when the door to the room is opened and in walks Sakura, Naruto, and Sai. Kakashi and John notice that Naruto and Sai are bruised and wonders if the two got into a fight. Naruto attempts to tell Kakashi that they met Sasuke, but Kakashi tells them that he already knows as Yamato had debriefed him. Naruto and Sakura remark that Sasuke has gotten exceedingly strong, the latter even believing that he may be undertaking drug enhancement under Kabuto's supervision in order to accelerate his growth.

"then you simply have to get stronger, especially you Naruto" Kakashi states to the team, to whom he has devised a new training strategy. When Naruto inquiries about the strategy, "you, me and John will be creating a brand new, unique ninjutsu technique more powerful than the Rasengan and Chidori that only you two would be able to use". Before they can get into the specifics, Asuma and the rest of Team 10 enter the room.

Asuma wishes to speak to Kakashi in private while telling Teams 7 and 10 to enjoy a barbecue lunch on his behalf. Shikamaru and Chōji also notice and remember Sai, but Sai introduces himself to them and explains the reasoning behind his attack, which was to test Naruto since they were going to be teammates. Shikamaru privately tells Naruto that Tsunade had informed him about his encounter with Sasuke, and now that the Chūnin Exams were over, he would be free to tag along the next time. He does, however, remark that Naruto has missed the exams due to his mission and therefore is still a genin.

Shikamaru excuses himself from the restaurant in order to help the Nara clan with some medicinal task, although his true motive is to join Asuma and Kakashi's conversation regarding the Akatsuki. and John excuses himself as well. only to do the same as Shikamaru. once everyone else is gone Asuma talks "word of the Aku takes activities has increased outside of the village, and due to their hunt for tailed beasts, it would only be a matter of time before they reached Konoha"

"will Naruto would be able to defend himself, seeing as Gaara, who is a Kage, lost" Shikamaru wonders. "Naruto will get strong enough in time" Kakashi states. John stands up from the chair he was sitting on. as he stands up a piece of paper falls out of pocket picking it up John and reads what it said.

I will be making my move soon and when I do I will send you a message. needing your help making a team to hunt down Itachi

-Sasuke.

"what is that," Shikamaru asks. "nothing just a list of things Tenten wants me to get. and I forgot about so I better go before I forget again" John said heading towards the door. when John is about to be out the door Kakashi says "will begin training tomorrow" John sticks his hand up and waves goodbye