The Ghost Shinobi

Chapter 1

The midday sun hung high, casting long shadows across the forest trail. Team 7 trudged along the dirt path, Tazuna nervously clutching his travel bag. Despite the peaceful setting, Kakashi's senses were sharp, his single eye scanning the surroundings.

Naruto, as usual, was talking too loudly. "When are we gonna see some action? This mission is boring!"

Sasuke scoffed. "Typical. You'll probably mess up the second anything actually happens."

"Say that again, you jerk!" Naruto shot back.

Kakashi sighed, raising his hand. "Focus, you two. Something's off."

Sakura frowned, glancing around. "Off? It's just a normal path, right?"

Kakashi didn't answer. His gaze lingered on a puddle in the middle of the sunlit road.

A sudden splash broke the silence. Two rogue ninjas sprang from the puddle, their chains glinting in the sunlight. They lunged toward Kakashi, their coordinated attack seamless.

Naruto froze in panic as the chains wrapped around their target, slicing through the air. "Kakashi-sensei!"

The rogue ninjas smirked, yanking their chains to shred their victim. But instead of blood, a puff of smoke erupted. Kakashi's replacement log splintered to the ground.

"You shouldn't let your guard down," Kakashi's voice came from behind them.

Before the team could react further, a third figure dropped into the fray. Silent and precise, Hiroto appeared behind the closest rogue ninja. His hand landed on the man's back, glowing faintly.

"What—" The ninja's voice cut off as his chakra drained rapidly. In seconds, he crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The second ninja turned, his face pale. "You—you're not supposed to be here!"

Naruto blinked in confusion. "Who's that guy?!"

Kakashi tensed, his gaze narrowing on Hiroto. "Hiroto Saito... what are you doing here?"

The rogue ninja hesitated for only a moment before fleeing into the trees. Hiroto didn't chase. Instead, he turned slowly, his pink eyes locking onto Kakashi. "Finishing what I started."

The tension in the air thickened. Naruto took a step forward, pointing accusingly. "Hey, who do you think you are, showing up like that? We had it under control!"

Hiroto ignored him, his gaze shifting to Tazuna. "Keep moving. You'll attract more trouble if you stay here."

Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, stopping him. "Enough, Naruto. We'll talk later."

As Hiroto disappeared back into the forest, Sasuke clenched his fists. "Who was that?"

Kakashi didn't answer immediately. His visible eye lingered on the drained ninja's body before turning back to the team. "An S-rank shinobi. One we should be glad didn't see us as targets."

I spare you this my readers