The Demonic Konoha

That question enraged the parents. However, before they could accuse him of calling them bad parents they were treated to a detailed lecture about consequences. Included in the lecture was the amount of money that Konoha lost due to the delay, which led to some canceled missions. In the end, all the civilians were thankful, albeit still sulky, that they were only told to give the gear back even if they didn't get any money back. It was far better than potentially being forced to help cover the cost of the lost mission funds.

Another reason the two Anbu were curious was because of Naruto. The blonde wasn't allowed a fighting chance. Therefore no one wanted to risk the decoy getting good equipment and trying to bolt. 

"They must've paid a lot of money for them. Hell of a gift for a taste test." Sakura commented, subtly trying to figure out if these ramen chefs were going to be a problem or not.

"Nope!" Naruto exclaimed proudly. "They were helping a family who lost their family member. Only his cracked goggles and signs of a brutal fight were found so he was considered dead. Ayame thought it was a waste to dump the gear and the family didn't want it so she repaired them! Cool, right?"

"Yeah." Both Anbu deadpanned. They were torn between smacking the blonde and laughing hysterically. After all, broken gear isn't easily fixed so in this case the ramen chefs actually did them a favor. All they did was pretty up some busted gear, which would only give a false sense of protection, and instantly the blonde had a stronger bond with the village.

"You thanked them, right?" Sakura said with the slightest tweak in her tone as if she was trying to hold back a laugh.

Naruto huffed, "Of course! … Where's Kakashi-sensei?" He asked while doing his best to contain his temper. Everything his teammates said so far felt so condescending. If it was just towards himself it'd be fine, but he knew they were silently laughing at Ayame and Teuchi too.

Sasuke scoffed, "He said something about getting a new book."

"Maybe I should remind him of the time," Sakura muttered and walked away leaving the two boys alone in an awkward silence. At least, it was an awkward silence for Naruto. 

"Don't drop the package, idiot," Sasuke muttered sharply.

"I won't. Of course, if you're worried just carry it yourself." Naruto suggested while wondering what sort of tactic the anbu was using by being nasty. Suddenly, Naruto realized something. Kakashi was going to get a book!

Yes, that's not a huge epiphany on its own. However, that meant there was a bookstore nearby. There are probably far more than perverted books in the store. Perhaps one could be useful. Now the two ramen chefs were clever. After all, they managed to cover up the disappearance of the man he'd been slowly eating. Thanks to the gossip they overheard from their ninja clients and a few realistic-looking painted cracks on the goggles they fooled the family of the man. It was quite easy. However, it'd still be weird for them to go and buy a psychology book. Maybe not too weird, but it wasn't worth it.

"You're also the dead last with poor chakra control so perhaps you helping in other areas is the kind thing to do. It's, at least, better than doing nothing." Sasuke said calmly, making Naruto actually feel guilty despite knowing that something was going on, which effectively pissed Naruto off once he realized it. However, the blonde managed to calm down enough by thinking about his nightly stroll, which has become a peaceful habit since he discovered his tiny form.

By the time Naruto decided on his plan Sakura returned and sighed, "I saw the line at the store and where Kakashi is in it. He will be there for a while so I told him that we'd set up camp and wait for him."

"I'm sure Naruto will be happy to help," Sasuke commented indifferently.

Both of the Anbu saw Naruto perk up. They smirked believing that Sasuke being nice for a moment was what changed the blonde's mood. However, Naruto was just eager to set everything up so he could possibly get everyone in their tents faster.

"Nice job. He's behaving. Just don't be too nice." Sakura whispered when she saw Naruto set up the tents.

Sasuke nodded, "Everything in moderation." He commented quietly, but not quietly enough for Naruto to miss it. Not that the Anbu believed that they were being listened to so they continued chatting until Kakashi arrived. "It's a good thing he's lazy and too heartbroken to really talk to the decoy." 

Sakura nodded, "Speaking of … Hey, sensei! Dinner is almost ready." She called out once Kakashi dropped down from the trees.

A giddy Kakashi looked up from his new book, "Perfect timing! I have a new love and some food."

For once Naruto and the Anbu were on the same page. They all rolled their eyes at Kakashi's declaration of love for his book. However, things quickly went back to normal and Naruto tried to not look too eager as he cooked. Of course, he couldn't resist going to bed a little early just to be ready.

As he heard Sakura and Sasuke get in their tents, which Naruto realized was odd for Anbu unless they were actually really good at acting, he shifted into his tiny moss form. There was no noticeable noise as he moved his vines to smoothly move his little body. After a second he was out of his sleeping bag and quickly left through the new smaller secret flap. 

If anyone found the flap they'd think it was a small rip. Only something the size of a small animal could get in or out. No one would suspect that a human with a tiny form was coming and going as he pleased. No doubt Naruto was very happy for that oversight in the security detail watching him. There was nothing to stop him from getting to the bookstore. 

Of course, in order to safely get out Naruto had to be careful. He still managed to drag his clothes along too by using his vines. Once he felt he was a safe distance away, which was basically right behind the bookstore, he shifted back and put his clothes back on.

"Maybe I should've just left my clothes behind." Naruto pondered just as he was about to put his goggles back on.

The blue warped eyes peeked into the windows of the clearing-closed store. In the end, he decided to shrink down once again. This time he left his clothes where they lay on the ground and used the vents. It was the safest method, but it set him on edge and probably always will. Just sneaking into a bookstore seemed to be a reminder of that vine monster that originally attacked him not that long ago.

No one was in the dark store to witness a hedgehog drop down from a vent. There was also no one to see said hedgehog shift into a naked Naruto. Thankfully, that meant Naruto could search the store without any problems and he found more than he thought he would. In the back of the store was a section of random ninja scrolls. 

"Even better," Naruto whispered as he read a couple of the scrolls. 

Just by chance, he found instructions on how to make a storage scroll. Naruto knew he couldn't risk carrying around a scroll. However, all that was needed was a surface to place the seal so he became human and used blood to put it on his arm. 

With what little chakra he still had control of he tested his new seal. A scroll he put against the seal disappeared inside. It was successful and a few other things were put in the seal before Naruto decided to shrink and leave. 

After retrieving his clothes he went to a spot closer to the campsite so he could dive back in the tent if needed. Of course, he couldn't be too close or the Anbu would hear the movement of paper. He also knew that meant he had to be in his mossy hedgehog form so he put his clothes in the new seal and pulled out a book and a scroll.

There in the middle of the woods near a pond was a tiny green hedgehog reading a psychology book. Every few moments a vine would turn a page, but other than that it was quiet. That was until Naruto understood what the Anbu were trying to do. 

Once the manipulative strategy was revealed Naruto felt pure rage. That was followed by a strange stretching sensation. Suddenly, Naruto quite literally had a new perspective. One from much higher up and in a different form. 

In a daze, Naruto looked straight down at the pond's surface. What he saw reflected back at him was a ghoulish creature. It looked like a horrifyingly warped human.

The skin was white with black marks exactly like a white birch tree. The fingers, hands, arms, feet, and legs were unnaturally long like a spider. There was an unnaturally skinny look to everything as the creature was borderline skeletal. However, the skull was the most horrifying despite not being unnaturally long. 

There were no lips to hide the razor-sharp teeth. The vines were now white in this form and sticking out of his otherwise hairless head. There were no eyes. Just black sockets. 

Naruto was too shocked and scared by his own reflection to wonder how he could see without eyes. In fact, he had no time to think at all. When felt his fear he was suddenly plunged into darkness and heard a strange crackling sound. At least, he knew he was back in his hedgehog form, but what the hell was this wooden thing he was trapped in?!

It took some blind searching and a nice breeze. However, he soon found an exit and used his vines to climb out. He didn't expect to fall from a tall height, but once he hit the ground he scurried away. 

The things he was reading were immediately put back in the seal and he hid his tiny body under a tree root. His original intention was to watch the thing he was trapped in from a safe distance. However, when he turned around to look he only saw the back of an ankle in ninja sandals. Naruto froze. Sakura and Sasuke were suddenly standing right in front of him!

Sakura stepped silently up to something and unknowingly away from Naruto, "That sound came from here. Was it this thing?" She pondered and stepped around the very tall ghoulish thing that Naruto saw in the reflection, which was really odd because wasn't that his form just a minute ago? Sure, he was scared since it was a startling appearance. However, it was still his form, right? Why is it over there?!

"I'll check it out," Sasuke said as he stepped over to the ghoulish thing and also farther from Naruto. "It seems to be hollow." He commented and Naruto wondered how he knew that. Unfortunately, as Sasuke went around the white birch creature it became clear. Sasuke had his Sharingan active.

Those red eyes were about to examine the ghoulish creature at the exact angle where Naruto could also be spotted!