Sasuke Recovery Team

When Sasuke Uchiha defects from Konoha in the midst of drop in manpower from the failed invasion of Konoha, Tsunade tasks Shikamaru his first mission of assembling a team of Genin to track down and retrieve Sasuke. Shikamaru had requested a team of Chūnin and Jōnin instead, but was denied due to them being busy with other matters. The team exists solely during the Sasuke Retrieval arc, and receives backup from Rock Lee and the Sand Siblings at different points.

The formation for pursuing Sasuke and his escorts, the Sound Four, was designed by Shikamaru to be able to react to an enemy attack as quickly as possible. The members were lined with this order:
 * 1) Kiba and Akamaru, who would lead the group, track Sasuke's scent and check out the enemies' scent to evade booby traps as they have the most familiarity with the Land of Fire's terrain. Kiba had to be looking straight ahead.
 * 2) Shikamaru, who would be able to give orders quickly based on how any situation encountered by Kiba unfolded. Shikamaru had to look ahead too.
 * 3) Naruto, who has quick reactions and the Shadow Clone Technique to aid the front or the rear in an emergency. Naruto had to be watching left.
 * 4) Chōji, being the bulkiest in the group, would be the final blow after a surprise attack. Chōji had to be watching right.
 * 5) Neji, who would take care of the rear thanks to the Byakugan. Neji would be watching the back and taking care of any blind spots in the formation.

Find and Return Sasuke

 * Rank: A-rank
 * Type: Rescue
 * Status: Failed

The squad pursued the Sound Four and Sasuke for some time, growing smaller as its members broke up into one-on-one fights with the Sound Four and then their fifth member, Kimimaro. Chōji and Neji both ended up near death after defeating their opponents, Jirōbō and Kidōmaru. Kiba and Akamaru were nearly killed by Sakon and Ukon, but were saved by the timely intervention of Kankurō. This situation was repeated with Shikamaru being saved by Temari from Tayuya. Naruto engaged Kimimaro in battle for a while but was not a match for him. Rock Lee saved him in order for him to continue pursuing Sasuke. Gaara, in turn, saved Rock Lee, and both were then saved by Kimimaro's succumbing to disease. When Naruto faced off with Sasuke the battle ended in Sasuke's favor, but he chose not kill Naruto. In the end, the mission was a failure, as Sasuke successfully joined up with Orochimaru.

Trivia

 * The Sasuke Retrieval Squad had their own Splash Page in the manga, in chapter 188.