"What, how could this have happened?" Ayaka shouted in surprise.
"We don't know, mama," Yuki said helplessly, "We heard a scream and suddenly those men from before were threatening to destroy their farm."
"When Isamu tried to defend his sister the bandits attacked and he went into a state of unconsciousness." At this Ayaka turned grave and glanced at the two girls in front of her.
"I know it is strange to ask this of two young girls, but either way you are trained in at least basic defense," she stated seriously, "It is against everything I believe in, but can you please find Keiko's brother and bring him back."
No doubt the girls were shocked; still it was there duty even if they weren't fully fledged shinobi. Manami was trained differently than her counterpart Kushina. As a child the Uzushio clan was trained to perfect any tiajustu and useful ninjustu such as making drinking water and building fast fires. Concealment was taught at an even earlier age as toddlers for hide-and-seek. It was proven that Uzushio Manami was in fact a skilled konoichi before her time. Kushina was trained as an observer type, but always for the attack and in the open. Hiding was not something she was taught thoroughly in, only just how to not be scene but heard. Even so Kushina was strong and persevered no matter the challenge.
"I'm not sure about Manami-san, but there is no way I'm going to let some jerks take an innocent villager!" Kushina stated.
"Of course I'm not going to let you go alone, Kushina-san," Manami stated with force, "Not only are you putting yourself in danger, but you're also underestimating our foe."
Manami turned back to the elder Haruno.
"What do these bandits usually do when attacking a villager?" she asked.
Ayaka thought for a moment, and gave an unusual answer.
"Actually they don't really attack at all," she said with confusion, "Usually they just hit a certain point on someone's neck and run off, but the people here are too cowardice to do anything."
"Mm, maybe the people aren't the only ones who are cowards." Manami mumbled to herself.
"How do you mean, Manami-san?" asked Yuki for the first time.
"I think she means that if the bandits don't attack, that means they want profit," Kushina thought out loud, "If they threaten fist then run off, they aren't organized or professional."
"Yes, and if we can find a way to scare them out of their hiding place, we could avoid an unwinnable fight against swords and shuriken." Ayaka's husband mused.
"How would we do that, the girls look like they haven't learned any genjustu or any extreme justus to scare them off." Ayaka puzzled over this.
"We don't need genjustu," said Kushina evilly, "just some red paste, some pitch forks, and some fake bodies." She turned to Manami.
"Don't tell me…"She said shaking her head at the ever famous prankster, "We'll use clones in substitution for one of their men."
"Yep, level one justu!" Kushina shouted out, proud of her sudden idea.
Everyone agreed and formulated a plan out of what meager, yet useful, skills they had. Yuki was to try and create a distraction by asking the very nice people to return her friend while her father was taking out some guards. The unconscious bandits were to be imitated through clones and transformation. Ayaka was to lead the prisoners back to the town, and the two Uzumaki clan members were to scare the criminals out of town by pretending to go crazy with cuts, screaming, and an unknown force.
After it was night fall, everyone moved to have things set up. Yuki was walking up to the camp with a very sad face and a small bag of money. Kushina was leaping into the trees to set up small traps to lure other bandits to make the ghost of the forest a real thing. Manami was preparing some fake blood and took the rakes from the farm to cover them. Some information was given that the enemy uses canvas tents. That would be perfect to fake a massacre. Ayaka mapped out some diagrams for making the red paste burst on impact like it would if someone was sliced. The plan was almost flawless except for one thing. What would the thieves do to Yuki?
If she were to be rejected that would be part of the plan and if they take her hostage it would be an easy thing to get her out, but if they truly attack the cover would be blown. Manami assured the group that that wouldn't happen because she had another plan as well.
Yuki arrived at the camp shortly, and took a deep breath.
"Hey!" she shouted. A man keeping watched looked over to where the little girl was standing.
"What are you doing here, girl?" he asked with annoyance. It was strange to see a girl in the middle of the forest at the untimely hour of ten o'clock at night.
"I want my friends back!" she cried out with tears in her eyes.
"No can do kiddo," he said with a chuckle, "The leader says we have to have a profit to do that."
"I have money," she stated desperately, "Here—"she put her hand with the small bag in her hands"—take it."
The thief let out a hoarse laugh.
"You're going to need way more than that little girl." Again he laughed with a stupid grin on his face.
Yuki caused quite a ruckus and most men in the camp looked at her with pity and stupidity. It was time to move, and Yuki's father took out two guards closest to the forest with little noise. Kushina finished her trap in the direction some goons would be lured to check out the screams. Manami made perfect clones out with the appearance of the bandits. They set up near the captain's tent to spray the fake blood. Screams were heard along with the sickening sight of blood everywhere. There were knives and pitch forks that littered the area.
"Don't just stand there you idiots, go see who's attacking!" the leader yelled. Three unlucky souls traveled right into the trap and sprung up into the trees. As their screams were heard, the bandits grew restless and didn't make a move. Manami, disguised as a thief, started to fake paranoia.
"It's the ghost," She shouted, "The ghost of the forest has come to punish us!" She ran into the forest where another trap was laid just for her and she was seen being taken up by what appeared to be vines and let out a blood curtailing scream. Fake blood splattered everywhere and the all the men ran away with confusion and fear.
"Stop, you fools," the captain commanded, "Stop, stop, wait… wait for me!"
The captain ran the fastest away from the village and the dreaded haunted forest. Manami had smiled hanging in the tree after every one was gone. In a release of justu, she made her way down the tree and smiled triumphantly. The others laughed with her and made their way toward the caged where the prisoners were held. Kushina joined them shortly after taking the three unconscious bandits down from the trees. Albeit not gently.
Ayaka released everyone from the cells and they thanked them with utmost gratitude.
"That was amazing," said Isamu, Keiko's brother, "I can't believe how real it all looked."
"Well, I am known for my pranks." Kushina said smugly.
"Kushina-san, you couldn't have done anything without my acting skills." Yuki stated with a smile.
"Remember you couldn't have done anything without my ability to knock out a few goons, or Ayaka's help with the fake blood sprayers." Her father stated.
"Yes, but let's not forget our brilliant prankster, actress, and abilities possessor, Manami!" Ayaka introduced.
Manami was blushing with embarrassment. The girl was the humblest anyone could find. The task was finished and the children ran to the small town while the rest of the adults were freed.
'The girl… Manami… she is more skilled than we had ever imagined my lord.' A spy said from Rock Country.
'I've heard…'
'When should we take the Uzumaki brats?' A woman of sick intent harshly asked.
'Patience my followers, we will abduct them all in due time.'
