It was an very early morning in Konoha and a extremely lazy person was unusually quickly walking to the Hokage's office. As soon as he showed in the doors Shizune looked up at him and before he could say a word she announced ' Tsunade-sama is already waiting for you. Please step inside.'. The young man nodded and went inside of the office. Tsunade was sitting there, covered with paperwork, she looked, quite unpleased, up at him.
'You are late. Again.' She spoke coldly.
' I'm sorry Tsunade-sama. This morning hours are really not my time. What's the reason for fetching me so early?' He scratched his neck.
' I've got a very important mission for you and Naruto . As he is still sleeping and no power on earth is able to wake that sleepyhead up, so I will tell you the details and it will be your duty to tell him what it is about.'
'Uhg..How troublesome.' He sighted.
'So listen carefully. I want you two to bring an extremely dangerous S-rank ninja, who was caught by us, to his home village where he should be accused and convicted'
' An extremely dangerous S-rank ninja? Who is it? And where should I bring him to? Tsunade you're speaking in riddles, clarify it to me. ' He smiled at her lazily. He must have admitted, she caught his interest.
'So Shikamaru I know you won't be pleased but you're the only person who knows what to expect from him. He's from Yugakure.' She fell silent waiting for his reaction.
'Ynagakure?' He smiled widely. ' A dangerous S-rank ninja form a resort village? How dangerous can that be?' He started laughing when suddenly something came to his mind. His face paled. 'Don't tell me it's HIM.' His voice was confident interspersed with anger.
'Yes it is. I'm sorry for forcing you to see him again. I know it's hard for you, but we have no other way. You..' He interrupted her with a bored face.
'Yes, yes, save your breath for someone else. I understand. It's my duty anyway. I can handle that freak somehow or I will blow him up again. ' Hi smiled slightly. ' Now am I allowed to leave? My bed is calling really strong and I need some sleep before that dead long trip. So troublesome.' He yawned.
Tsunade looked at him a bit shocked. She didn't expect that from Shikamaru, or maybe not all of that. Asuma's death has truly changed the boy into a man.
'Sure you can, just turn up tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. at the main gate and don't forget to tell this also to Naruto. I will send someone with the journey plan this evening. Be ready for a long, irritating trip although.' She smiled at him.
' Yes hokage –sama. I'm already aware of that fact that my psyche will be damaged by that criminal. Well…I guess Naruto won't be too relaxing either. ' He sighted.' Anyway. Good bye then.'
He left the office and went outside. The fresh, cold air was blowing him into the face. He took a deep breath that got him sober from the rest of sleepiness. ' So we're going to meet again. Maybe this time I will be able to get rid of you , you immortal bastard. That's going to be a very interesting trip.' He thought to himself smiling.