Shikamaru was shocked by how Sasuke Uchiha had suddenly defected from the village, while on the other hand, he hadn't yet fully processed the good news of his promotion to Chunin. However, he quickly pulled his thoughts together, glanced at his father, who was standing quietly nearby, and suddenly realized that this might be a way for the newly appointed Fifth Hokage to test their capabilities.
After all, within the Nara clan, starting from his father, they were renowned for their extraordinary battlefield leadership.
As part of the younger generation of the Nara clan, he had to shoulder this responsibility.
Chapter 234