Naruto: The Crimson Error

(Bonus Chapter for 75 Powerstones, We are still not in the Top 40, The Competition seems hard I guess, Still Let's not give up, So Vote)

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!"

Sora's grin widened. "Oh really? Do tell me more about these ANBU adventures. I'm sure it was very exciting for them."

Hanabi sighed but began recounting the increasingly desperate attempts to locate the missing prodigy...

---

Flashback: Various points during Sora's absence

ANBU Cat crouched on a rooftop, scanning the streets below. "Any sign of the target?" she whispered into her radio.

"Negative," came the reply from ANBU Bear. "But I found another one of those infernal traps. I'm covered in red paint... again."

Cat suppressed a sigh. This was the fifth time this week that one of her team had fallen victim to a prank trap. Somehow, the six-year-old they were searching for had managed to booby-trap half the village without anyone noticing.

"Roger that. Proceed with caution. Remember, this is the same kid who once filled the ANBU locker room with instant ramen cups. We can't underestimate him."

As if on cue, a series of explosions echoed across the village, followed by shouts of surprise and dismay. Cat looked up to see a cloud of multicoloured smoke rising from the direction of the Hokage Tower.

"What the-" she began, only to be cut off by the crackle of her radio.

"All units, be advised," came the weary voice of their commander. "The Hokage's office has been... glitter-bombed. I repeat, glitter-bombed. How did he even... never mind. Just... keep searching."

Cat couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for their elusive target. The kid was good, she had to give him that.

---

Present Day

Sora was doubled over with laughter by the time Hanabi finished recounting the ANBU's misadventures. "Oh man, I wish I could have seen their faces! The glitter bomb was a stroke of genius, if I do say so myself."

Hanabi raised an eyebrow. "So you admit to setting all those traps?"

"Me? Never," Sora said with an exaggerated wink. "I was on sick leave, remember? Must have been some other handsome, brilliant prankster."

Before Hanabi could retort, Sora's expression turned slightly more serious. "By the way, has anything interesting happened while I was gone? Any messages for me?"

Hanabi thought for a moment. "Now that you mention it, Kakashi-sensei was looking for you about three weeks ago. He seemed... amused about something."

Sora's eyes widened slightly. "Kakashi, huh? I wonder what he wants... probably payback for that little prank during the graduation day for Konoha Nine."

"You mean when you impersonated him and tricked his entire team?" Hanabi smirked. "I still can't believe you got away with that."

Sora grinned. "What can I say? I'm just that good. Anyway, I should probably go find him before he decides to get creative with his revenge. Catch you later for a spar?"

Hanabi nodded. "You're on. And this time, I won't fall for your tricks."

With a cheeky salute, Sora disappeared in a swirl of leaves, leaving Hanabi shaking her head in amusement.

---

Sora reappeared near Training Ground 7, where he suspected he'd find Team 7 and their perpetually tardy sensei. As he approached, he could hear the sounds of training exercises and Naruto's enthusiastic shouts.

Creeping closer, Sora observed the team running through some advanced teamwork drills. Naruto's shadow clones were working in tandem with Sasuke's fireballs, while Sakura coordinated their movements from a tactical position.

'They've improved,' Sora thought, impressed despite himself. 'This might actually be fun.'

Just as he was about to make his presence known, a lazy drawl came from behind him. "You know, it's not polite to spy on other people's training sessions."

Sora managed not to jump, but it was a close thing. He turned to see Kakashi leaning against a tree, his visible eye curved in what might have been a smile.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sora greeted with a cheeky grin. "Long time no see! I heard you were looking for me?"

Kakashi's eye traveled to the scar on Sora's face. "Interesting new look you've got there. Trying to copy me?"

Sora waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, this old thing? Just a souvenir from my little training trip. You should see the other guy."

Before Kakashi could respond, a shout rang out from the training field. "Sora!" Naruto came bounding over, his face split in a wide grin. "Where have you been? And what happened to your eye?"

As Sasuke and Sakura joined them, Sora found himself surrounded by curious genin. He put on his best mysterious smile. "Oh, you know, a little of this, a little of that. Nothing too exciting."

Sasuke scoffed. "You disappear for three months and come back with a scar like that? Spill it, pipsqueak."

Sora's eye twitched at the 'pipsqueak' comment, but he maintained his composure. "If you must know, I was on a top-secret training mission. Very hush-hush. Can't reveal the details, you understand."

Sakura looked sceptical. "A top-secret mission? For a six-year-old academy student?"

"Hey, age is just a number!" Sora protested. "Besides, I'm clearly the most qualified person for any mission involving high-level mischief and mayhem."

Kakashi cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "As entertaining as this reunion is, I actually had a reason for wanting to find you, Sora."

The genin turned to their sensei expectantly. Kakashi's eye crinkled in what might have been a mischievous smile. "I think it's time we had a little progress check for Team 7. And who better to help us than our resident prodigy?"

Sora's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh? And what did you have in mind, Kakashi-sensei?"