Haurutsuki: Beautiful Snow

6. Hooded Heroes

'They're heading out the main gate.' Katsu communicated as they sprinted through the mist. 'I have a bad feeling about this.' She nervously thought. 'We've never been on this island before. Now we're heading out the main gate of the village? Are we sure we want to do this?' Ryuu asked in concern for his siblings. 'It's neutral territory. It makes no sense.' His brother concluded. They sprinted deeper into the mist, 'Are they going to run passed the Neutral Grounds and into Execution Forest?' Miyuki wondered, deep in thought.

Miyuki and Ryuu's faces were covered to a point of being shadowed over. Suddenly Katsu halted and closed his eyes to get a clearer sense of what his Scouting Orbs could see. The other two stopped and turned to wait for his response, 'Three more just leaped in to join their sprint. I recognise them as eight bandits we've faced before. It could be a trap.' He analysed. 'What should we do, Big Sister?' Ryuu thought, turning to face her. She shook her head, 'I don't know. I mean, we're already on this island, right?' She was slightly worried. But before her brothers could respond, Katsu snapped his eyes open, "Guys, they're nearing a supply merchant. Don't they usually come to provide the Village during winter?" He asked. "You're right! Old man Lee complained about the shipment of blankets for winter arriving late last month." Ryuu remembered.

"So, they're attacking the monthly supplies merchant..." She concluded. "We can't let them do that. The kids and elderly won't survive the end of winter!" Ryuu voiced in concern. "Captain?" Katsu inquired. She thought it over. "Come on, Miyuki. The Village needs our help. We're the Hooded Heroes..." Ryuu pleaded. "Okay. There's no turning back now, right?" she firmly inquired. "Right!" Her brothers nodded. "Alright then. Katsu, fall back into the shadows and watch our backs. Ryuu... Get ready for a fight." He instantly unsheathed his twin swords and twirled them in his hands before getting a tight grip on each handle, "Oh yeah! I thought you'd never ask." He confidently grinned. She smirked at his ridiculous enthusiasm, "Let's go." And with that, they burst forth while Katsu purposefully waited to gain some distance between them.

While the two charged out the open gates of the Hidden Mist Village and into the open, Katsu used two extra Scouting Orbs to trail behind their backs before he took a hard left at the gate. He began jumping on roof tops until he reached the Village walls.

He picked a spot where he could vaguely see the silhouettes of his two siblings run into the mist and perched on the wall with closed eyes to see the situation unfold with his ninjutsu, 'Signed on. I'm in position.' He communicated. 'Signed on. Within ten feet of the enemy.' Miyuki replied. 'Signed on. Slowing down our approach.' Ryuu added. 'There are eight armed bandits... They just... Talking to the merchant??' Katsu reported in disbelief. 'What? What do you mean, Big Brother?' Ryuu inquired. 'Just give me a sec. I'm going to try and bring my Scouting Orbs closer...'

In the distance, across the open snow-covered grounds, hidden in the trees in that same moment, was Team 7. Minato and the others stood perched on a branch closely observing as the eight shinobis halted a few feet from the wagon and began conversing with the merchant.

"Well done. Think, they'll show, Men?'' The tall leader smirked, holding his sword smugly. The other seven men snickered, and as the merchant raised his head, so did he. "Looks like we won't need to wait much longer boss." The merchant evilly grinned. "Hmm?" The leader asked curiously. The merchant gestured behind the group, as two silhouettes began to come into view, unaware of the orbs floating near the wagon. "It's the Hoods! They're coming!" The bandit on the end pointed out as the shadowy figures became clear.

'It's a trap! The merchant's in on it. Be careful!' Katsu warned in fear. 'Well in that case...' Ryuu grinned as he whipped out one of his blades. 'What do you say we have some fun, Sis?' He confidently inquired as they continued to stride over through the mist. 'Katsu, how many?' She inquired as the gang's silhouettes came into view. 'Eight plus the merchant. I don't sense anyone in the wagon.' Katsu reported back. 'Okay. Clever to lure us to the Neutral Grounds where officials won't interfere. They've outnumbered us this time too... Don't be hasty now, Ryuu. We don't know what they have planned.' She reminded him as the gang all turned to grin expectantly at the oncoming duo.