‘They’re heading out the main gate.’ Katsu communicated as they sprinted through the mist. ‘I have a bad feeling about this.’ Miyuki 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.’ Katsu concluded. ‘Are they going to run passed the Neutral Grounds and into Execution Forest?’ Miyuki wondered as they sprinted, deep in thought and deeper into the mist.

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.’ Katsu analysed. ‘What should we do Miyuki?’ Ryuu thought, turning to face her. She shook her head, ‘I don’t know. I mean, we’re already on this island, right?’ she asked in slight worry. But before the brothers could respond, Katsu snapped his eyes open, “Guys, they’re nearing a supply merchant. Don’t they usually come to provide for the Village during winter?” Katsu 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...” Miyuki thought. “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. Miyuki pondered it over. “Come on, Miyuki. The Village needs our help.” Ryuu pleaded. “Okay. There’s no turning back now, right?” she asked firmly. “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. Miyuki smirked at his ridiculous enthusiasm, “Let’s go.” She instructed, 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 Scout 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 Scouting Orbs, ‘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’s 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...’ Katsu stated.

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 Red Hoods! Those Little Red Hoods are coming!” the bandit on the end pointed out as the scarlet became clear.

'Miyuki, Ryuu! 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?’ Miyuki 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.’ Miyuki reminded him as the gang all turned to grin expectantly at the oncoming duo.

“Well. Look who it is. It’s been a long time… Dollface.” The Red hooded duo halted at his words. “You know her, boss?” the Second-in-Command inquired. “Oh yeah. I’m positive it’s that little girl and that short brat from the Inn a few months back.” The leader replied. “I take it back Ryuu... Let’s do this.” Miyuki said in a new, cold determination, raising her senbon needles from her belt and placing them in between her fingers, armed and ready to fight. “Alright!’’ Ryuu said, holding up his right sword, feeling pumped.

Team 7 watched as the gang of bandits burst out into laughter, “What? You think a couple of needles and a sword is supposed to scare us from all the way over here, Dollface!? AHhahaha!’’ the leader burst out as they continued to laugh.

“Dollface?” Obito furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. They could barely make out the scarlet silhouettes from their position in the tree. “Maybe she’s pretty?” Rin suggested. “They must have met before to be engaging in the pleasantries of conversation.” Minato stated. The whole set up felt off, but he wanted to watch it further before making any rash moves in enemy territory. Kakashi remained silent as they continued to watch from the white-covered trees. As the gang of thugs continued to cackle, Miyuki and Ryuu waited for Katsu’s orbs to get in position to observe the soon to be fight. Miyuki smirked as she spotted the three glowing green orbs above the gang’s heads, ‘Ryuu, now!’ Miyuki ordered telepathically, and in the same motion, she threw her senbon needles harshly towards the leader. “AHahah- ah! Uh. Oomph!” the leader exclaimed as he went from laughing to stabbed in four key chakra points at his stomach and shoulder, causing him to fall hard in the snow.

“Haha-Huh?” the other seven gang members went when they saw him abruptly fall. “In front of you!” the merchant panicked as Ryuu had used his Acrobat Speed Technique to dash forward, “Peek-A-Boo.” Ryuu grinned. “Ah!” they panicked as he appeared with a slash of his sword, sending three of them back. Slashes cut through their clothes and skin. The other four nervously charged for him, “Cha!” Ryuu remained unphased and took them head ona as he unsheathed his second blade.

It didn’t end there. In fact, it was a mere distraction as Miyuki ran up towards them while performing hand signs. As quickly as Ryuu had barged into battle with the seven bandits, he leapt back. Exhaling water from her mouth, Miyuki dove in, slamming her hands into the snow, “Water Style: Water Wall!” Water gushed up to raise a circular wall around her and her brother, sending all the bandits flying back (even those on the ground already). They rolled across the ground violently until halting just in front of the bull and merchant’s feet.

“Whoa…” Rin gasped out in awe. “They’re amazing.” Minato realised aloud. They watched the battle unfold in the blink of an eye, not allowing for the enemy to counter in the slightest. “They’re better than Kakashi!” Obito squealed in excitement. “But they won’t be a match for me once I awaken my Sharingan though.” He added smugly. Kakashi huffed at Obito’s words before continuing to watch.

The eight thugs groaned on the cold ground, all drenched in water while the leader remained paralysed by the four senbon needles still in his stomach, arm, shoulder and neck. “Tch! Get these things out of me!” The leader barked out to the merchant, but the merchant paid no attention to him as he quivered in his seat on the bull. He stared in terror as purple sparks bounced off the hooded girl slowly striding towards them. Ryuu stayed back, watching in confidence, knowing the fight was already over. “Darn it. When I get out of this… I’ll destroy you! You and that inn!” the leader yelled out.

Miyuki halted only a few steps away from the gang’s drained bodies at hearing his threat, ‘Katsu did you get that?’ she asked, stunned under her hood. ‘Yeah. If we let them go, they’ll come after the Inn Keepers. Not like the Mizukage cares about small-time thugs of the lower castes. We should dispose of them.’ Katsu responded mentally. “Hey! We don’t kill! They're just doing what they have to do to survive! No one deserves to die.” Ryuu suddenly shouted out in worry to his sister. She looked over her shoulder at Ryuu’s concerned expression. ‘We’ve never killed anyone before… But if we don’t, they’ll only hurt more people.’ She told Ryuu telepathically. “Yeah, but…” Ryuu trailed off aloud.

‘We don’t have a choice here, Ryuu. It’s us or them. Them or Granny Fumiko and Old man Lee.’ She reminded him. Ryuu shook his head, “Do you even hear yourself!? There’s always a choice! If we show them mercy, that’s what they’ll give others too! We only have to kill for the sake of the clan and the Mizukage. Not now, not like this!” he argued. “Mercy’s for the weak.” Miyuki gasped at the leader’s words, feeling him standing right behind her. One of his goons had quietly freed him. She slowly turned her head in terror, only to meet the eyes of both goons readied with kunai, “Miyuki!” Ryuu shouted out in panic.

Just then, the sounds of flesh and bone being stabbed were heard, and everyone, even Minato’s team’s eyes widened at the sight. “K-Ka-Katsu!?” Miyuki gasped out in disbelief. “I-I’m sorry. I had to.” He replied as he stood behind the leader and his underling.

Katsu had used a Scouting Orb to peer into the thoughts of the leader and had seen his attack strategy. Wasting no time, his legs had instinctively run into the scene to prevent him from reaching Miyuki, and he had forced two of his metal daggers into the enemy’s backs.

The leader and bandit suddenly coughed out blood, right onto her scarlet hood. She flinched in horror watching as Katsu pulled out his daggers, and the two fell to their knees and onto their sides on the ground. “You b-brats… I’ll kill you all!’’ the leader grunted out, and in a moment of panic, Katsu leaned down and stabbed them in the chests. Blood spewed out onto his top, and he panted out as he heavily removed his small blades. “T-they’re… dead.” Miyuki stuttered in realisation. Ryuu was left speechless as he stood in the distance, gaping in horror at having watched his sister almost die. Only now he saw his brother murder in order to save her life.

“I’m getting out of here!” the merchant panicked and immediately whipped his bull to speed off with the wagon to the side, into the mist. “Brats!” Miyuki and Katsu whipped their heads up to see the other gang members standing with their weapons readied. Miyuki gasped, “Katsu, get back!” she demanded and instinctively grabbed the back of Katsu’s clothing, and yanked him back, “Wah!” he abruptly exclaimed as he was lifted off his feet and dragged back to hit the ground behind Miyuki’s feet.

“Haa!” The six men charged straight for them. Ryuu stood, too traumatized by what had unfolded to register his siblings where being attacked. But his sister didn’t back down.

Immediately after throwing Katsu to the ground, she charged in with readied chakra built up in her arms, forming purple sparks. She ran into the gang, dodging the first slash of a kunai, “Purple Lighting Stream!” she declared, centre stage to the mayhem. “GAAAAH!” the six men screamed in agony! Electrocuted. Unlike before however, the screams didn’t end quickly. "Haaaaa..." She kept charging her attack with more voltage. Team 7 went wide eyed as they watched the six men’s skin smoke and turn black.

Due to the six men all having been drenched in water, having their metal weapons out, and due to the close range of Miyuki’s sudden counterattack, her Purple Lightning Stream turned lethal. "!" She released the Ninjutsu with a final burst of chakra and the men’s corpses collapsed around her reeking of smoked flesh.

“Those men… They’re fried!” Obito exclaimed from the tree. Minato narrowed his eyes at the sight, “If that wagon has the intel, then those three must be the Mizukage’s Shinobi sent to eliminate any witnesses. We might have to take them on and get to that wagon to be sure.” Minato evaluated. Obito sprung up, “Finally, some action!” he exclaimed before abruptly leaping out the tree and running into the open area of the Neutral Grounds. “Wait! Obito!” Minato reprimanded. “He said might!” Rin called back, but it was too late. Obito was already beyond their reach. “Idiot.” Kakashi mumbled to himself. Minato got up, “Let’s go after, Obito. Prepare to fight.” Rin and Kakashi jumped up too and nodded, “Hai!”

And with that, Minato leapt off the tall trees, and his underlings quickly followed.