Sasuke Recovery Team


 * Name: Team Shikamaru
 * Leader: Shikamaru Nara
 * Members: Choji Akimichi, Neji Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Naruto Uzumaki
 * Affiliation: Konohagakure
 * Status: Disbanded

The 8-Man Squad was formed after news of Sasuke Uchiha's departure with the Sound Ninja Four reached Konoha. Upon realizing that Sasuke was intent on joining Orochimaru, the Fifth Hokage selected Shikamaru, the newly promoted Chunin, to organize a squad of Genin in order to pursue Sasuke. Shikmaru chose Naruto, Choji, Kiba, and Neji for their various abilities, which when combined would make for an excellent tag team force.

Mission and Status

 * Sasuke Retrieval (arc)
 * Rank: Unknown, potential C-B Rank.

The squad pursued the Sound Ninja Four and Sasuke for some time, growing smaller as its members broke up into one-on-one fights with the Sound Ninja Four and then their fifth member, Kimimaro Kaguya. Choji and Neji both ended up near death after defeating their opponents, Jirobo and Kidomaru, single-handedly. Kiba and Akamaru were nearly killed by Sakon and Ukon, but were saved by the timely intervention of Kankuro. This situation was repeated with Shikmaru being saved by Temari from Tayuya, and Gaara stepping in to save a recently operated on Rock Lee from Kimimaro, after the weakened ninja had interfered with Kimimaro's attack on Naruto so as to allow Naruto to pursue Sasuke. All five Sound Ninja ended up dead, while Sasuke went on to join Orochimaru after a battle with Naruto. The members of the Sasuke Retrieval Squad, together with their allies, returned to Konoha and recovered.