Naruto: Threads of Crimson

The soft glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the large windows of the Hokage's office, casting long shadows across the room. The familiar scent of incense filled the space, its calming presence a stark contrast to the turmoil of the ongoing war between the Land of Fire and every other nation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin as he regarded Reika with the thoughtful, almost calculating look that he was so well known for. The wisdom in his eyes never wavered, even as the war weighed heavily on his shoulders. He seemed to be quietly assessing her, the room enveloped in a peaceful silence.

"You've been spending quite a bit of time with those two Uchiha boys," Hiruzen said, his calm voice breaking the stillness. "What are your thoughts on them?" he asked, raising his head slightly from behind his hands.

Reika allowed a small smile to cross her lips. It was the kind of smile that carried with it a mix of pride, admiration, and a hint of disbelief. The progress Shiro and Shisui had shown was unlike anything she had seen before.

"Honestly, Lord Hokage, they're... prodigies," she began, the words sounding almost too simple for what they truly were. "Together, they're already functioning at a high Chunin level. It's flabbergasting, really. They anticipate each other's moves as if they've been fighting side by side for years."

Hiruzen's warm chuckle rumbled through the room. "That's the Uchiha clan for you," he said knowingly, his eyes flickering with a bit of nostalgia. "Their blood runs deep with talent. Sometimes... too much so." His voice trailed off, a frown on his features as he thought of his old friend, Kagami Uchiha—gone for over a decade, leaving behind a legacy that no one had quite filled.

Hiruzen's sharp, penetrating gaze returned to Reika, as if he was seeing straight through her. "Do you believe they're ready to handle a mission like this?" His voice was calm.

Reika blinked, her brows knitting together as she caught the scroll Hiruzen tossed her way. She unfurled it and quickly scanned its contents. The mission itself seemed straightforward enough—a supply run to a distant outpost on the front lines—but the implications of it were much heavier.

The path they would take was known to be dangerous, especially with tensions high and rogue elements lurking. Her face tightened for a brief moment before it smoothed into the calm resolve that had become second nature to her.

"They're ready, Lord Hokage," Reika said, her voice steady with conviction. "They've proven themselves in training. They can keep up with my clone, which, as I've said, has been fighting at a high chunin level. Not only that, but they've managed to land hits and coordinate their attacks fluidly. If they can manage that, I have no doubt they can handle this supply run."

Hiruzen studied her for a few moments longer, but after a beat, he nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Very well," he said slowly. "If all goes smoothly and you conplete the mission without a hitch, I will see to it that they receive a promotion to that level."

Reika gave a small, respectful bow. "Thank you, Lord Hokage," she said quietly. The importance of the mission had suddenly grown, but so had her confidence in her team. She knew Shisui and Shiro were capable, perhaps even more than they realized.

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The soft rush of the pond's water filled the air as Reika approached the Uchiha compound. The peaceful sound of water splashing and birds chirping overhead created a sense of tranquility.

But at the edge of the pond, Shisui and I sat with our feet dipped into the cool water, relishing a rare moment of peace after a week of grueling training. The breeze was gentle, carrying the earthy scent of the trees and the faint fragrance of damp grass. It was the kind of day where everything felt just right, and for a brief moment, the worries of the world seemed far away.

I leaned back, letting out a contented laugh at one of Shisui's absurd stories about his failed attempt to use the Body Flicker Technique to sneak an extra snack from the kitchen. "Seriously, Shisui, one of these days, you're going to run out of chakra mid-snack heist," I teased, shaking my head as I lazily popped a piece of dango into my mouth.

"Hey, it's all part of my training," Shisui retorted with a grin, pushing himself up on his hands. "Besides, you're just jealous 'cause I'm way faster than you now."

"Jealous?" I scoffed, flicking a bit of water at him. "Puh-lease. You're just a show-off. Besides, I can still drop you with a genjutsu before you even realize what hit you."

Shisui smirked, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Uh-huh, that's what you said during our last spar. Who won that one again? Oh, right, me." In a blur of movement, he flicked the last dango ball out of my hand, caught it mid-air, and popped it into his mouth with a smug grin.

I rolled my eyes and flopped back onto the grass, staring up at the sky. Fluffy white clouds drifted lazily across the bright blue expanse, and for a moment, everything felt so... easy. "You're insufferable," I muttered, though I couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips.

The warmth of the sun and the calming rhythm of the pond lulled me into a relaxed state, and I closed my eyes, letting the world melt away. But the moment of peace didn't last long. A shadow suddenly blocked the sun, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Reika standing over us, her expression serious.

I sat up immediately, the easygoing vibe vanishing in an instant. Shisui's playful smirk disappeared as he glanced at me, and we both turned our attention to Reika. We knew that look. It meant we were about to be sent to do something.

"You two," Reika began, her voice steady and firm, "We have a new mission. It's a supply run to the border of the war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Stone."

My heart skipped a beat, and I glanced at Shisui. His brow furrowed slightly, and I could see his mind working through the implications. A supply run meant we were carrying something vital, and it also meant the risk of enemy encounters. This wasn't a simple mission—it was critical.

Reika's tone deepened. "The supplies we're delivering are essential. If they don't reach the front lines on time, our forces could be left exposed."

The weight of her words hung in the air, heavy and unavoidable. There was no room for mistakes. "Understood," I said, my voice firm as I stood. Shisui was already on his feet, his usual lightheartedness replaced by a focused intensity. This was no game.

"We'll get ready," I added, already thinking through the preparations.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"We'll be back soon," I promised, my voice steady, though recently, I've learned that nothing was ever certain in a war like this. My mom, a veteran of the last war, made sure I understood what I was headed into while watching me get ready. She never let her worry show too much before a mission, always giving me the space to carry myself with dignity, despite the unspoken fears lingering in her eyes.

As I prepared to leave, I caught a glimpse of my father standing by the doorway. He had just returned from his own mission, and though I saw very little of him now because of the war, his presence was comforting nonetheless.

My mother stood beside him, her hands folded tightly in front of her, a familiar look of quiet concern etched across her face. I gave them both a smile 'Hopefully seeing me a little upbeat will cheer my mom up.'

Jumping onto the roof of our home, I began flickering along the tops of buildings, avoiding the foot traffic of Konoha's busy streets. The village bustled below me, but I focused on the rooftops and the flickers of sunlight glinting off tiles as I sped toward the gates. Once I landed near the entrance, I saw Shisui already standing there, waiting with his usual relaxed posture. We exchanged a quick nod, both of us aware of the seriousness of the mission ahead.

At the village gate, Reika stood with her arms crossed, her eyes scanning the horizon beyond Konoha's walls. The subtle tension in her stance told me that she was already in mission mode, assessing every detail of what was to come.

She pulled out a map, unrolling it carefully. "The path ahead is dangerous," she began, her tone serious but calm as she pointed to various points on the map. "We'll start with the familiar terrain—the forests we've trained in. But once we pass that, we'll hit rugged landscapes. That's where things will get tricky. It's where we're most likely to run into enemy scouts from Iwagakure."

I glanced at Shisui, who was listening intently, his usual carefree attitude replaced by quiet concentration. Reika continued, pulling out a storage scroll and showing it to us. "This is what we're delivering. It's critical, and it needs to reach the front lines without delay. Stealth and speed are our best chances to get there quickly."

Shisui nodded, his calm demeanor returning as he asked, "And if we encounter enemy forces?"

Reika's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression hardening. "We fight, but only if we must. Our objective is the delivery, not engaging in battles. We're in a warzone now, and every move we make matters. Trust your instincts. You've both shown me in the past few months that you're capable. Now, I need you to be sharper than ever."

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The weight of the mission hung over us as we set off from Konoha, but my steps were steady, my movements deliberate. The towering trees of the Land of Fire passed by, their thick canopies rustling in the breeze. The forest felt alive, like it was holding its breath, watching us. The familiar path gave me a sense of focus, though the tension in the air was unmistakable.

'Stay sharp,' I thought, adjusting the strap of my pack. Reika led the way, her presence as steady as ever. Her eyes darted constantly, scanning for anything out of place. 'She's experienced. If something's there, she'll spot it first.' That thought gave me some reassurance, but I still kept my guard up.

Behind her, Shisui and I followed closely, our Sharingan active. The crimson glow sharpened the forest around me, turning every leaf and shadow into clear detail. A bird took off from a branch above, and my gaze instinctively followed it. 'Nothing. Just nature,' I thought, my heartbeat steady. 'Still, no room for mistakes. Keep watching.'

As we neared the border, my mind shifted to the task ahead. 'This mission is critical. Whatever we're carrying, it's worth protecting at all costs.' I ran through our plan mentally, revisiting the techniques I'd trained in the past months. 'Genjutsu. Fire jutsu. Coordination with Shisui. We'll be able to take anyone on if we work together.'

Reika raised her hand suddenly, signaling us to halt and scatter. We stopped immediately and scattered into the trees. 'What's she seen? It's quiet, but evidently there's someone out there.' I scanned the forest floor, every muscle primed.

Then I saw them. Four Iwa ninjas emerged from the ground, their gear marking them as Hidden Stone shinobi. A frown emerged on my face. 'We're not alone. They're looking for something—or someone.' I glanced across the clearing to Shisui, who met my eyes with his usual calm. 'We've got this,' his look said.

The Iwa ninjas stopped abruptly, shifting into defensive stances. My pulse quickenedfor a second but I forced myself to focus. 'They've sensed us. No avoiding it now.' My eyes flicked to Reika, who gave a small nod. That was all I needed.

My hands moved quickly, forming the seals I had been practicing a lot recently. 'Genjutsu: Double Cross,' I thought, channeling my chakra. The jutsu was a complex one, a layered illusion designed to confuse and disorient the enemy. 'Focus on the technique. No mistakes.' The chakra surged, and I felt the jutsu take hold.

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(A/N: They're going on a new mission, and you're about to see what kind of stuff I plan on doing with genjutsu. Sorry for the delay in this chapter, I was studying for my exams at uni and wasn't able to write for a couple of days. Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far!)