Mountains behind Konoha
Sako took sealed items out of a storage scroll.
Storage sealing was a simple technique used to trap shuriken, kunai… even stones or water.
This time, she brought out two bows and two quivers.
She handed one of the bows to Naruto.
He examined it carefully.
After seeing her brother's performance during the Chūnin Exams, Sako was filled with excitement and wanted to show off her own skills.
As an elite member of the Uchiha clan, it was only natural to train a noob like Naruto, right?
"You know how to use it?"
Sako adjusted her bow and looked at Naruto.
Two months ago… she had hunted wild boars with her brother, mastering not just the bow but also teamwork and wilderness survival.
To her, Naruto, raised in comfort, was like a greenhouse flower. Uzumaki Naruto could survive in the city, but in the wild, she was the expert.
"..."
Naruto fumbled with the bow clumsily, making Sakolaugh.
"Uzumaki Naruto, watch closely…"
With a fluid motion, Sako drew her bow and fired. The arrow lodged itself into a tree in the distance.
Thanks to her Uchiha blood, her technique was artistic—impossible to imitate for other clans.
"Now, practice a bit."
Sako showed him how to shoot, planning to take him deeper into the forest to hunt a wild boar.
With her brother's victory, it would be the perfect gift.
---
Beside the Hokage building, Konoha
The Document Warehouse
Nara Shikaku watched the ANBU evacuate the bodies of the guards.
The street was sealed off.
With the daimyō present today, this humiliation had to be hidden at all costs.
Shikaku's priority was to stabilize the situation, then minimize the impact.
"Shikaku-sama…"
A man with a scarred face and a green forehead protector approached.
He wasn't much older than Yūgao.
Young as he was, he was already head of Konoha's Interrogation Department.
Once captured, he had endured inhuman torture to protect the village's secrets.
Now, he held the village's trust.
"Ibiki."
Shikaku called him by name.
Morino Ibiki nodded as he saw the ANBU.
As the head interrogator, he also held authority over certain ANBU units.
After all, intelligence extraction and covert missions went hand in hand.
The enemies had stolen sensitive documents and were now fleeing.
Whatever Kiri's intentions were, the damage had to be repaired.
His mission: retrieve those documents with the ANBU.
"One of them is Hoshigaki Jūzō… He covered their escape…"
Shikaku's voice was grave.
Jūzō, a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, had deserted during the Third War, but had reappeared today.
And according to Yagura's official records, it really was him.
"He's extremely dangerous. Kakashi will go with you."
ANBU Team 6 was the elite squad.
Kakashi was the captain, with members like Tenzo of the Wood Release.
"Understood."
Ibiki knew this mission would be perilous.
No matter why Jūzō had returned, if they captured him or his allies, they would learn everything.
No one resists my interrogations.
"Follow me!"
A Hyūga from the branch family used his Byakugan to track Jūzō.
As long as they didn't get too far ahead, they could catch up.
---
Deep in the Konoha Mountains
"Shhh~, Uzumaki Naruto, look… A lone wild boar. If we catch it, it'll give us enough protein for days. But be careful, they're dangerous. Let's move in quietly… Not a sound…"
Crouched low with her bow in hand, Sakocrept toward the boar.
Naruto, amused, thought her Bear Grylls impression was hilarious.
Fwoosh!
Sako's arrow pierced the boar's spine.
"Got it! It's struggling… Quick, let's finish it!"
But Naruto remained still.
The boar, crying out in pain, fled at full speed.
In this world, even animals had chakra.
Smart enough, the boar realized it was better to run.
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
Sakofrowned in displeasure.
"Why didn't you do anything?! Now it's going to alert the others…"
Naruto, looking innocent, replied:
"But… pigs are too cute to eat…"
Sako: "..."
Kyūbi: "..."
Stunned, Sako took a moment to react.
"You… have something wrong in your head?"
Just as she was about to go on, a thick mist suddenly enveloped the forest.
In less than five seconds, visibility dropped to two meters.
"Kid… be careful!"
Kyūbi, suddenly alert, recognized the Hidden Mist Jutsu.
Naruto assessed the situation.
D-rank technique, used by all Kiri ninjas.
From the Mizukage to genin.
Basic function: blind the enemy.
"What's happening?" Sasuko, still thinking it was normal fog, looked worried.
"It's the Mist Jutsu…"
Naruto stepped in front of her and explained the technique.
"So… Kiri ninjas are targeting us."
Sako: "What…?"
"Don't worry, I'm strong."
Sako: "Huh…?"
Suddenly, Naruto seemed cool.
But…
The more serious he got, the more worried she felt.
Because…
"Uzumaki Naruto, I know you, you're…"
She pointed at her head, implying he was an idiot.
"…But this is serious…"
You need to see a doctor.
Naruto: "Huh?"
"I mean… delusions are an illness. It's called hysteria… Or maybe, given your age, it's just adolescent syndrome…"
She gently placed her hand on his arm.
"A conditioned reflex, like Pavlov's dogs…"
Even though Pavlov doesn't exist here, the principle holds.
"Trying to seize the moment to shine, playing a role… But…"
It's awkward.
So awkward.
Embarrassingly awkward!!!
"It'll be fine~."
Sako told him to breathe.
No problem, we'll get through this.
"It's just a little mist—"
She didn't have time to finish.
Naruto suddenly pushed her to the ground.
"What are you—?!"
Shink! Shink!
Two kunai flew through where they had been standing.
One lodged into a bush.
The other kicked up tufts of grass.
Underneath Naruto, Sako finally showed a shocked expression.