The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays filtering through the dense canopy of trees as Team 7 made their way down a narrow dirt path. The air was thick with humidity, and the sound of birds chirping created an almost peaceful atmosphere—almost.
Raven Kamizuki walked at the front of the group, her violet eyes scanning the forest with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Beside her trotted Yuumi, her nine-tailed fox companion, who looked every bit the innocent pet to the untrained eye.
But Raven knew better.
"You sense anything?" Raven asked telepathically, her mind connecting effortlessly with Yuumi's.
"Nothing yet," Yuumi replied lazily. "But I wouldn't be surprised if something stupid happens soon. It always does when you're around."
Raven smirked but said nothing aloud.
Naruto Uzumaki was practically buzzing with energy as he walked, his headband gleaming in the sunlight. He was eager, excited, and most importantly—ready for battle.
"I've got a new move in mind," Naruto announced to no one in particular. "It's gonna be even better than the Ramen Noodle Clone Technique! I'm thinking… maybe a Ramen Whip? Or a Spicy Miso Bomb!"
Sasuke Uchiha rolled his eyes, his usual brooding expression firmly in place. "You're an idiot."
Naruto grinned, unfazed. "Yeah? Well, we'll see who's the idiot when my ramen attacks save the world" Of course Naruto had no idea what kind of flag he just raised at this moment.
Sakura Haruno sighed, caught between amusement and exasperation. "Can you two stop arguing for five minutes?"
Raven chuckled, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Let them argue. It keeps things interesting."
As they rounded a bend in the path, the forest grew eerily quiet. The chirping of birds ceased, and even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Raven's eyes narrowed. Here we go.
Without warning, two figures burst from the shadows—the Demon Brothers, their chain weapons gleaming as they lunged straight for Kakashi Hatake.
The chains wrapped around Kakashi, and with a brutal twist, the brothers shredded him apart.
Or so it seemed.
In reality, Kakashi had used a substitution jutsu, leaving only a splintered log in his place.
Before anyone else could react, Naruto was already moving.
"Ramen Noodle Clone Technique!" he shouted, slamming his hands together in a quick seal.
Dozens of Ramen Clones erupted around him, the faint scent of miso broth filling the air as the clones charged at the Demon Brothers with fearless determination.
The brothers barely had time to react as Naruto's clones swarmed them, tangling their chains and throwing them off balance.
Raven watched with genuine amusement. Guess the kid's got guts after all.
Not to be outdone, Sasuke leapt into action, his Fire Jutsu burning with precise control as he targeted the weak points in the Demon Brothers' armor.
Meanwhile, Raven summoned a group of Pizza Clones, their forms shifting between perfect duplicates and grotesque pizza monsters.
One particularly hideous pizza monster lunged at Tazuna, its mozzarella limbs stretching as it let out a menacing, "Boo!"
Tazuna yelped, stumbling back in terror. His face went pale as he stared at the monstrous pizza creation.
As Naruto, Sasuke, and Raven dismantled the Demon Brothers with ease, Tazuna trembled, his eyes flicking between the battlefield and the pizza monster looming over him.
When the fight ended and the Demon Brothers lay defeated tied up with Ramen noodles, Raven turned to Kakashi, her grin sharp.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei," she said, nodding toward Tazuna. "You really think an attack like that belongs on a C-rank mission? I don't think so."
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed, suspicion creeping into his gaze.
Raven didn't wait for a response. She flicked her wrist, sending the pizza monster closer to Tazuna.
"You know something," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "So spill it. Or I let my friend here get a little… creative."
Tazuna's resolve crumbled like stale bread.
"Alright, alright!" he shouted, waving his hands frantically. "I lied, okay?! I didn't tell the whole truth!"
Tazuna took a shaky breath, his eyes darting nervously between the team members.
"I'm building a bridge in the Land of Waves," he began. "But a corrupt merchant named Gato wants to stop me. He hired mercenaries and rogue ninjas to take me out."
Kakashi's expression darkened. "You deceived the Hidden Leaf into thinking this was just an escort mission."
Tazuna nodded miserably. "I didn't have the money to hire higher-ranking shinobi. But if I don't finish that bridge, my people will suffer."
There was a moment of silence as the weight of his words settled over the group.
Naruto stepped forward, his face serious for once.
"Then we'll protect you," he said firmly. "No matter what."
Raven raised an eyebrow, impressed by his resolve. "Look at you, ramen boy. Getting all heroic."
Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Hey, someone's gotta do it."
As they prepared to continue the mission, Kakashi's mind raced.
This is more dangerous than I thought. What if something happens to Naruto? What if Sayuri finds out?
Raven, sensing his spiraling thoughts, couldn't resist one final jab.
"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei," she said sweetly. "I'm sure Naruto's mother will be very understanding when she hears about this."
Kakashi's eye twitched violently, his paranoia now at full throttle.
As the team moved forward, Raven felt Yuumi's familiar presence in her mind.
"Think they're ready for what's next?" Yuumi asked, her tone dripping with amusement.
"Ready or not," Raven replied, her grin widening, "it's going to be fun finding out."
As Team 7 continued their journey toward the Land of Waves, the mist grew thicker, curling around them like a living thing.
In the distance, a shadow moved—silent, deadly, and waiting.
The Demon of the Hidden Mist had arrived.
No one knew that as the Demon lurked, so did Raven's ambition. She sent a message through her Rinnegan, to the puppets stationed at her base of operations in Uzu no Sato (The Village Hidden in the Whirling Tides, aka the Land of Whirlpools). Soon, Mikoto would be making an appearance to play her part in Raven's plan.
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