Naruto: The Crimson Error

15

Chapter 15: The Return of the Prankster Prodigy

The streets of Konoha bustled with activity as the warm afternoon sun cast long shadows across the village. Civilians and shinobi alike went about their daily routines, unaware that a certain mischievous prodigy had finally resurfaced after a mysterious three-month absence.

Sora strolled casually down the main street, a stick of half-eaten dango dangling from his fingers. The six-year-old boy's spiky red hair seemed even more unruly than usual. Despite this, his visible eye sparkled with mischief, and a satisfied grin played across his face.

As he walked, Sora couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of the past three months. He had left a simple note in his academy classroom: "Tummy ache for the next three months. Don't find me!" It was perhaps the most ridiculous excuse in the history of the ninja world, but it had worked beautifully.

Sora's mind wandered to the chaos he had inadvertently caused...

---

Flashback: One week after Sora's disappearance

Iruka Umino stood before the Hokage, his face a mix of concern and frustration. "Lord Hokage, it's been a week since Sora left that... that absurd note! We can't just ignore this!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, a bemused expression on his weathered face. "Now, now, Iruka. I'm sure the boy is fine. He's quite resourceful, after all."

"But sir," Iruka protested, "what kind of example does this set for the other students? We can't have them thinking they can just skip class for months at a time!"

The Hokage chuckled. "I doubt any of the other students would dare try such a thing. Very well, I'll assign a team of ANBU to locate him."

---

Present Day

Sora's reminiscing was interrupted when he spotted a familiar figure up ahead. Hanabi Hyuga walked with the poise and grace expected of her clan, her long dark hair swaying gently with each step. A mischievous glint appeared in Sora's eye as an idea formed.

Suppressing his chakra to near-undetectable levels, Sora crept up behind the young Hyuga. He leaned in close, his mouth right next to her ear, and whispered, "Boo!"

Hanabi's reaction was instantaneous. Her Byakugan activated in a flash, veins bulging around her eyes as she spun on her heel, palm thrust forward in the opening move of the Gentle Fist style. A pulse of chakra surged from her hand, ready to strike her would-be assailant.

At the last possible second, Hanabi's eyes widened in recognition. She halted her attack mere inches from Sora's grinning face, the chakra dissipating harmlessly into the air.

"Sora!" she exclaimed, her usually composed voice rising an octave. "Where have you been? And what happened to your left eye?, Why's there a scar?"

Sora shrugged nonchalantly, taking another bite of his dango. "Oh, you know, just a little extended vacation. As for the eye, it's nothing really. Just a training accident."

Hanabi's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "A training accident? For three months? Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused?"

"Trouble? Me?" Sora placed a hand over his heart in mock offence. "I left a perfectly good explanation. It's not my fault if people can't respect a man's need for an extended bathroom break."

Hanabi rolled her eyes, but Sora could see the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible. Do you know the ANBU has been searching for you this entire time? They thought you might have been kidnapped!"