What missions were so important that they only could spare 5 genins

[GiantShuriken]

who just got out of bed to go after Sasuke? I guess they had bigger things going on that they had to use all their jounins, chuunins, and even shino on. They couldn't spare any to chase after one of the most talented uchihas of all time that, Orochimaru, one of the most dangerous known ninjas in the shinobi world, is trying to use the body of in order to fulfill his goal of destroying Konoha. Priorities, eh?

 

[iHawk]

I think it was mentioned that they were chosen by Shikamaru because they had the closest ties with Sasuke and the highest chances of talking him into coming back to the village; they were just too late and too few (only down to Naruto) when they reached him

 

[saaaaaadpanda]

It's not an issue of importance. They were all off on other missions to finance the rebuilding of Konoha after the invasion during the chunin exams.

 

[נıм]

1. Naruto searched Sasuke, most talented ? Itachi was most talented, Sasuke is emo.
2. They have to earn money, and they get money from the rich for example, catching a cat.
3. no interest in Orochimaru, no1 knows where he is, except Sasori.
4. Who will try to destroy Konoha, while Naruto is alive ?

 

[3MESSIAH]

plot plot plot

 

[Stark]

They couldn't send Jonins and Chunins because they didn't know if Orochimaru was going to attack again or not.

 

[ShikaFTG]

actually Shikamaru was a chunnin at the time