Before the [[Sasuke Retrieval Team]] departs, [[Shikamaru]] asserts his leadership and establishes a basic approach to how the mission will be carried out. Despite the frantic nature of the mission, the team can find no faults with his plan. [[Sakura]] stops them before they leave and pleads with [[Naruto]] to bring [[Sasuke]] home, believing that he is now the only person capable of getting through to him. Naruto vows to do so. As they set out, the [[Sound Four]] elsewhere inform Sasuke of a task given to them by [[Orochimaru]].