Dark Clouds

Shikamaru, Soku, and Roh arrive at the Land of Silence. They try to disguise themselves to get to the checkpoint but find it is heavily guarded and Soku's desire to persevere causes their first plan to collapse. They head to Sai's last location, which is an inn and Shikamaru tries to get information by playing shogi with a villager. Soku is dismayed that shinobi are viewed as disposable pawns for citizens. She lets out her frustration as she talks to a busboy Komori and considers defecting Konoha, which strains her from Shikamaru and Roh. She goes to the checkpoint to prove her worthiness and sees that Komori is a member of Gengo's unit, as he wanted to see Soku's ability himself. Shikamaru and Roh try to stop her but she seemingly kills them. Once past the checkpoint, Soku knocks out Komori and meets with Shikamaru and Roh, who had been out under a fake death trance, to guide them inside Gengo's fort, Tobari.