Scene 1 — Orders Beneath a Heavy Sky
The rain had not yet fallen, but the sky over Konoha was heavy—gray clouds pressing down like an unspoken warning.
Kaelen stood on the rooftops overlooking the village, wooden sword resting against his shoulder. The wind tugged at his cloak, carrying with it distant voices, footsteps, life.
So this is where canon turns darker…
His jaw tightened slightly.
Ever since the Gaara mission, something had shifted. Akatsuki was no longer a rumor whispered between jonin—it was a reality stalking the world. And now, the Leaf was moving.
A presence landed behind him.
"Kaelen."
He turned calmly. Tsunade stood there, arms crossed, eyes sharp beneath her loose blonde hair. Shizune lingered a step behind, clutching a scroll.
"You called for me, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade studied him for a long moment. "You've grown stronger. Too fast for comfort."
Figures she'd notice.
"There's an operation underway," she continued. "Naruto Uzumaki is being assigned to a reconnaissance mission involving Orochimaru."
Kaelen's eyes narrowed.
"Orochimaru…"
That name carried weight—fear, ambition, obsession.
"He's moving again," Tsunade said. "Using a spy within the Sound Village. The objective is information. Nothing more."
She stepped closer. "You are not the main force."
Kaelen understood immediately.
"I'm support."
"Exactly." Tsunade tossed the scroll to Shizune, who handed it to him. "You'll move independently. Shadow presence. If things go wrong, you extract—not engage Orochimaru."
Easier said than done.
Kaelen bowed slightly. "Understood."
As he straightened, Tsunade's voice softened just a fraction. "You're still a genin on paper, Kaelen. Don't forget that."
On paper…
Scene 2 — The Team Assembles
The meeting point lay just beyond the village gates.
Naruto was already there—bright orange jacket, arms crossed, bouncing slightly on his heels.
"So this is the squad?" Naruto grinned. "Man, we're gonna find Orochimaru and—"
"—gather information," Yamato cut in calmly.
Sakura stood beside Naruto, focused but tense. Sai lingered near the edge, expression unreadable.
Kaelen approached quietly.
Naruto noticed first. "Oh! Kaelen! You're coming too?"
"Not officially," Kaelen replied. "Think of me as… insurance."
Naruto laughed. "Heh! As long as you don't steal my fight!"
Kaelen smirked faintly. You'll get your moment. Trust me.
Sai tilted his head. "You are… an anomaly. Your chakra pattern is inconsistent."
Kaelen met his gaze. "And you smile too much for someone who doesn't mean it."
A brief silence.
Yamato cleared his throat. "Enough. We move now."
Scene 3 — Forest of Unease
The forest swallowed them whole.
Branches creaked. Leaves whispered. Every shadow felt heavier than it should.
Kaelen moved separately, leaping through the canopy with practiced silence.
This forest feels wrong…
Not dangerous yet—but expectant.
Suddenly—
A pressure slammed into his senses.
His breath caught.
This… is Orochimaru's chakra.
Cold. Slithering. Like something crawling under his skin.
Far ahead, Naruto staggered.
Kaelen's eyes widened. "Naruto—!"
A monstrous roar shook the forest.
Red chakra exploded outward as Naruto's body twisted, tails forming from pure hatred.
"One tail…" Kaelen whispered.
Yamato reacted instantly, wood surging from the ground to restrain him.
Kaelen clenched his fists.
This is why I'm not the lead.
The ground cracked as Naruto roared again—four tails beginning to form.
Kaelen felt it then—the temptation.
I could stop this… if I use Sage Mode.
Ten seconds.
But if I interfere here… I break his path.
He forced himself to stay still.
Naruto needed to survive this.
Not be saved from it.
Scene 4 — Tenchi Bridge
The bridge stood quiet. Too quiet.
Mist rolled across the water below as figures emerged.
Kabuto.
And then—
Sasuke.
Kaelen froze.
So this is it… the moment everything fractures.
Naruto lunged forward, shouting his name.
Sasuke's eyes were cold. Detached.
Their clash echoed through the bridge—ideals against ambition.
Kaelen watched, heart heavy.
Different paths… same hunger for strength.
Sasuke noticed him.
For a split second, their eyes met.
And Kaelen felt it.
A challenge.
A promise.
Then Sasuke vanished—retreating with Orochimaru.
Mission failed.
But lives intact.
Scene 5 — Aftermath
Night fell as the team regrouped.
Naruto stared at the water below the bridge, fists shaking.
"I couldn't bring him back…"
Kaelen stepped beside him.
"You didn't fail," he said quietly. "You survived. That matters."
Naruto looked up. "You really think so?"
Kaelen nodded. Because one day… you'll succeed.
Above them, unseen—
A pair of red eyes watched from afar.
Akatsuki had taken notice.