Naruto: The Crimson Error

22

Chapter 22: Chaos Unleashed

The arena was in chaos. Smoke billowed from various points throughout Konoha, and the sounds of battle echoed across the village. Sora, no longer disguised as Akira, darted through the pandemonium, his red hair a vibrant streak against the dusty air. His mind raced, processing the rapid turn of events that had transformed a simple exam into a full-scale invasion.

As he dashed towards where he had last seen Kakashi and Guy, Sora couldn't help but reflect on the absurdity of his situation. Here he was, a six-year-old academy student, in the midst of a war zone. If someone had told him a few months ago that he'd be participating in the Chunin exams and now facing an invasion, he would have laughed it off as a bad joke. Yet, here he was, his small frame weaving through panicked civilians and clashing shinobi.

Suddenly, a group of Sound ninjas appeared in his path, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent as they spotted the young boy.

"Well, well," one of them sneered, "looks like we've found ourselves an easy target."

Sora's eyes narrowed. "Easy target? I think you might be mistaking me for someone else," he retorted, his hands already forming seals.

The Sound ninja laughed, clearly underestimating the diminutive redhead before them. Their laughter, however, was cut short as Sora's voice rang out clearly through the chaos.

'Water Style: Heavenly Weeping!' He internally shouted.

In an instant, a barrage of water senbon erupted from Sora's mouth, hurtling towards the enemy ninja with deadly precision. The Sound ninja's eyes widened in shock, their bodies barely beginning to react before the water needles found their marks.

With pinpoint accuracy, Sora targeted vital points on their bodies. One by one, the enemy ninjas fell, their limbs going numb as the senbon disrupted their chakra flow and struck pressure points. In a matter of seconds, what had seemed like an easy ambush for the Sound ninja turned into a humiliating defeat at the hands of a child.

As the last of the Sound ninja slumped to the ground, immobilized but alive, Sora couldn't help but smirk. "And that," he said to the groaning heap of ninja, "is why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover... or a ninja by his height."

With the path now clear, Sora resumed his dash towards Kakashi and Guy's location. As he ran, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. All those hours spent studying anatomy and practising his aim had paid off. It was one thing to hit a stationary target, but quite another to take down multiple moving opponents in the heat of battle.

As he neared his destination, Sora could see Kakashi and Guy engaged in fierce combat with a group of enemy ninjas. Their movements were a blur, a testament to their skill and experience. Kakashi's Sharingan whirled as he effortlessly countered attacks from multiple opponents, while Guy's taijutsu was a sight to behold, his powerful kicks and punches sending enemy ninja flying.

Sora arrived just in time to see Kakashi finish off the last of their immediate opponents with a well-placed Chidori. As the lightning faded from his hand, Kakashi turned to see Sora approaching.

"Ah, Sora," Kakashi said, his visible eye crinkling in what might have been a smile. "Good work with the barrier. I assume the ANBU Commander made it through?"

Sora nodded, a bit out of breath from his run. "Yes, sensei. The Commander and an ANBU Captain made it through just before the barrier closed again."

"Excellent!" Guy exclaimed, flashing his signature thumbs-up. "Your youthful spirit has shone brightly today, young Sora!"

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Indeed. You've done well, Sora. But the battle is far from over." His expression turned serious as he surveyed the chaos around them. "I have a new task for you. We need you to help evacuate civilians and assist any Konoha ninja who might be overwhelmed."