Shikamaru Nara, Chunin of Konoha leads a small band of ninja to capture and execute a rogue Konoha shinobi. A miscalculation on Shikamaru's part not only allows the suspect to escape, but forces him to search for the man in the strangest place he's ever been. Excited at the rare opportunity, one of the locals stresses her duty as "Everypony's friend," determined to make the ninja feel welcomed. All Shikamaru cares about however is completing his mission and returning home.

The story is set in between the Hidan & Kakuzu arc and the Itachi Pursuit arc.