Naruto: The Crimson Error

21

Chapter 21: Chunin Exam Chaos and Invasion Shenanigans

The gentle rays of morning sunlight crept through the window, slowly illuminating the small, cluttered room of one very sleepy redhead. Suddenly, a loud, obnoxious blaring noise shattered the peaceful silence, causing the small figure bundled under the covers to stir.

"Five more minutes, Mom," Sora mumbled, his voice muffled by the pillow he'd pulled over his head in a futile attempt to block out the noise. For a blissful moment, he drifted back towards unconsciousness before reality came crashing down on him like a bucket of ice water.

Sora bolted upright, his vibrant red hair sticking up in every direction as if he'd been struck by lightning. "Wait a second," he muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, "I don't have a mom. I'm an orphan!"

A twinge of sadness gripped his heart, threatening to dampen his spirits. But Sora, being the plucky six-year-old he was, quickly shook it off. Today was far too important to waste time feeling sorry for himself. After all, it was the day of the Chunin Exam finals!

"Right!" Sora exclaimed, leaping out of bed with newfound enthusiasm. "Time to show everyone what I'm made of!"

He rushed through his morning routine with all the grace of a caffeinated squirrel, nearly choking on his toothbrush in his haste. As he threw on his clothes, he couldn't help but grin at his reflection in the mirror. Sure, he might be small for his age, but what he lacked in stature, he more than made up for in determination and skill.

"Alright, Sora," he said to himself, striking a heroic pose. "Today's the day you become a legend!"

With a spring in his step, Sora bounded out of his apartment, ready to face whatever challenges the exam might throw his way. However, his confident stride came to an abrupt halt just a few steps from his front door.

"Oh, crud," he muttered, his face falling faster than a lead balloon. "I have no idea where the exam is being held."

For a moment, Sora stood frozen, his mind racing through possible solutions. Then, a lightbulb went off in his head. "I've got it!" he exclaimed, his hands flying through a series of hand signs. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

In a puff of smoke, five identical Soras appeared, each sporting the same determined grin as the original.

"Alright, team," Sora addressed his clones, pacing back and forth like a tiny general. "We've got a mission. Spread out and find the location of the Chunin Exam finals. We've got exactly..." He glanced at a nearby clock and blanched. "Twenty-eight minutes! Move out!"

The clones saluted and took off in different directions, leaving the original Sora to pace nervously. As the minutes ticked by, he could feel sweat beading on his forehead. What if they couldn't find the location in time? What if he missed his match? What if-

His spiralling thoughts were interrupted by a sudden influx of memories as his clones were dispelled one by one. Relief washed over him as he processed the information they'd gathered.

"Got it!" he exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air. Without wasting another second, he took off towards the exam venue, his feet barely touching the ground as he raced through the streets of Konoha.

Sora skidded to a halt in front of the imposing arena just two minutes before his appointed time. Panting heavily, he quickly activated the seals for his disguise. In a shimmer of chakra, the small redhead vanished, replaced by a stoic-looking boy with spiky green hair.

"Akira" straightened his shoulders and marched into the venue, his face a mask of calm indifference that belied the excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. As he made his way to the competitors' area, he found himself face to face with a familiar figure – Hanabi, or rather, her disguised form known as Yumi.