Konoha's headquarters was a barely patched-up ruin, a haphazard assembly of beams and stretched canvas replacing walls pulverized by war. Naruto, sitting at a wobbly desk, rubbed his temples, the raider reports spread out before him. Kael. That name looped in his mind like a kunai stuck in his skull. A rogue Uchiha, a monster who had sworn to reduce Konoha to ashes. And now, that bastard was sending messages, challenges, as if he were toying with them.
A sharp knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. "Come in," he growled, his voice hoarse from fatigue.
The door opened to reveal Kaida, still as provocative as ever, her striped headband crooked and a smirk on her lips. But she wasn't alone. Behind her, a woman stepped in, and Naruto felt his breath catch. Tall, with silver hair cut into a bob, icy blue eyes, she wore a form-fitting Kiri outfit, revealing just enough to catch the eye without overdoing it. A slender blade hung at her hip, and her aura radiated danger.
"Hokage-sama," the newcomer said, her voice soft but measured, like a stream ready to drown. "Reina, sent by the Mizukage. I was told you needed allies."
Naruto stood, wary. Kiri never sent anyone without an ulterior motive. "And why is the Mizukage interested in Konoha now? We've managed fine without you so far."
Reina tilted her head, a faint smile on her lips. "Because Kael isn't just threatening you, Uzumaki. He wants all the villages on their knees."
Kaida chuckled, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "Great, a diplomat. We were lacking in chit-chat around here. Got anything else to offer, princess?"
Reina slowly turned her gaze to Kaida, her icy eyes sharp. "More than you, judging by your striped headband. A deserter, right?"
The air crackled with tension. Naruto felt a headache coming on. "Enough, both of you. Reina, you're here to help or to cause trouble?"
Reina stepped closer, her hips swaying just enough to catch his attention. She placed a hand on the desk, leaning slightly, her scent—sea salt and something darker—filling the space. "I'm here to help, Hokage. But I don't work for free."
Naruto gritted his teeth, his gaze sliding involuntarily over the curve of her neck. Damn, she was playing with him. Kaida, still leaning against the wall, let out a low growl. "You serious, siren? You think he'll fall for your little charm act?"
"Enough!" Naruto barked, pounding the desk. The wood creaked. "We don't have time for your nonsense. Kaida, Reina, you're working together. Period. We'll test your skills. Training field, now."
---
The training field was a patch of mud and rocks, the remnants of what had once been a proud arena. Naruto, arms crossed, watched Kaida and Reina face each other, their gazes loaded with challenge. The other Konoha ninjas formed a loose circle, curious to see what the Kiri kunoichi was capable of.
"No rules," Naruto announced, voice sharp. "Show me what you've got. But if either of you goes too far, I step in."
Kaida smirked, drawing a kunai. "Too far? Don't worry, Hokage, I'll just redraw her face."
Reina didn't answer, but a stream of water rose from the ground, swirling around her like a liquid serpent. "We'll see who ends up on the ground, deserter."
The fight erupted like an explosion. Kaida charged, her cursed seal activating in a black flash, her movements inhumanly fast. She launched a flurry of kunai aimed at Reina's throat, but the water around the Kiri kunoichi solidified into a shield, deflecting the attack. Reina countered, summoning water blades that slashed the ground, forcing Kaida to leap back.
"Not bad, princess," Kaida spat, wiping a cut on her cheek. The seal pulsed stronger, black lines creeping up to her neck. She dove again, her fist charged with raw energy, but Reina moved fluidly like a shadow, countering with a Suiton: Water Dragon. The liquid dragon struck Kaida, sending her flying into a rock with a crack.
Naruto frowned, ready to intervene, but Kaida rose, a wild grin on her lips. "You're dead." She fully activated her seal, her body enveloped in a black aura. In a split second, she was on Reina, pinning her to the ground, her kunai inches from her throat.
Reina didn't flinch. A cold smile stretched her lips, and a wave of water exploded beneath Kaida, pushing her back. Both kunoichi rose, gasping, their clothes torn, their eyes burning with hatred.
"Stop!" Naruto shouted, stepping in. A Rasengan spun in his hand, enough to push them back. "If you want to kill each other, do it on a mission, not here."
Kaida spat on the ground, her seal calming slowly. "She started it."
Reina wiped a drop of blood from her lip, her smile still in place. "And I'll finish it, deserter."
Naruto shot them a glare, but his attention was drawn to Reina, who approached him, her body brushing against his as if by accident. "You've got guts, Hokage," she murmured, low enough for Kaida not to hear. "I like men who can stand their ground."
Naruto felt his pulse quicken, his body responding despite himself. Damn, she was good. Too good. Kaida, a few meters away, watched them, fists clenched, eyes sparking. The jealousy in her gaze was as sharp as a kunai.
Before the tension could escalate, a shout pierced the air. A panting Konoha ninja burst onto the field. "Hokage-sama! Surprise attack to the east! The raiders… they're more numerous than we thought!"
Naruto cursed under his breath. "Kaida, Reina, with me. We handle this now."
Kaida shot Reina a deadly glance, who responded with a provocative smile. "After you, Hokage," she said, voice dripping with implication.
Naruto clenched his teeth, feeling the weight of their gazes on him. These two were going to drive him insane. But for now, he had enemies to crush. Kael was waiting in the shadows, and Konoha would not fall. Not under his watch.