Naruto paced back and forth in his small inn room, frustration boiling inside him. The stolen scrolls of his manga haunted his thoughts like a bad dream. Gaara's story was a hit, but now, someone was trying to sabotage everything.
"Calm down, Naruto," Jiraiya said from his seat by the window, chewing on a rice cracker. "Storming around won't solve anything."
Naruto glared at him. "I can't just sit here, Pervy Sage! Those scrolls are out there, and who knows what those jerks plan to do with them?"
Jiraiya smirked. "Good. That energy is what we'll need to track them down. But remember, patience is key. I've got a lead."
Naruto stopped mid-pace. "A lead?!"
Jiraiya held up a piece of parchment. "I sent word to some of my contacts. There's been talk of suspicious activity near an old warehouse outside the village."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Jiraiya stood, grabbing his gear. "Just remember—no charging in without thinking. We need a plan."
Scouting the Warehouse
Under the cover of darkness, Naruto and Jiraiya crept toward the warehouse. Hidden in the shadows, Naruto activated Trace Memory again. The skill revealed faint echoes of the masked figures entering the building, carrying bundles that looked suspiciously like his stolen scrolls.
"They're here," Naruto whispered, his fists clenching.
Jiraiya nodded. "Good. Let's see what we're dealing with."
The pair circled the warehouse, peeking through gaps in the wooden walls. Inside, the masked intruders were gathered around a table, examining the scrolls. One of them, seemingly the leader, barked orders.
Naruto strained to hear. "They're talking about… altering the story? What the heck does that mean?"
Jiraiya frowned. "Sounds like they want to rewrite your work. If they spread false versions, it could ruin everything."
Naruto's anger flared. "Oh, they're not getting away with that!"
Naruto's Break-In
Ignoring Jiraiya's protests, Naruto sneaked through an open window. His Silent Shadow skill made his movements undetectable, even to trained ninja. He crept toward the table, heart pounding as he reached for the scrolls.
"Gotcha," he muttered, tucking the scrolls into his bag.
But as he turned to leave, his foot brushed against a stack of empty crates.
CRASH!
The sound echoed through the warehouse.
"Who's there?!" the leader shouted, his hand flying to his weapon pouch.
Naruto froze. "Uh… delivery guy?"
The intruders weren't buying it. Kunai flew through the air, forcing Naruto to dive behind a stack of crates.
Jiraiya Joins the Fray
The door burst open, and Jiraiya stormed in with a smirk. "What did I tell you about patience, Naruto?"
Naruto peeked out from behind the crates. "Not the time for lectures, Pervy Sage!"
Jiraiya unleashed a barrage of techniques, forcing the intruders to scatter. Naruto took the opportunity to use his Hero's Narrative skill, creating an illusion of a massive toad crashing through the warehouse.
The intruders hesitated, unsure whether the toad was real.
"Now's our chance!" Naruto yelled, launching a Rasengan at one of the masked figures. The force sent them flying into a stack of barrels.
The leader growled, ripping off his mask to reveal a scarred face. "You're meddling with forces you don't understand, Uzumaki!"
Naruto grinned. "Forces? Buddy, I'm just a guy trying to tell a story!"
The Final Showdown
The leader charged at Naruto, wielding a pair of kunai. Naruto dodged effortlessly, activating his Plot Twist skill. Suddenly, the floor beneath the leader became slick with an illusionary ink spill.
The leader slipped, landing flat on his back. Naruto pounced, pinning him down.
"Who sent you?!" Naruto demanded.
The leader spat. "You think your little stories can change the world? You're a fool!"
Naruto leaned in closer. "Maybe. But at least I'm trying to make it better. Now talk!"
Before the leader could reply, a smoke bomb detonated, filling the room with thick, choking clouds. When the smoke cleared, the intruders were gone.
Securing the Scrolls
Naruto and Jiraiya returned to the inn with the recovered scrolls.
"Not bad, kid," Jiraiya said, patting Naruto on the back. "You handled yourself well, even if you did rush in like an idiot."
Naruto grinned. "Yeah, well, I couldn't let them mess with my work. Gaara's story is too important."
Jiraiya nodded. "Just remember—this won't be the last time someone tries to interfere. You're playing a dangerous game, but you've got me to back you up."
Naruto held the scrolls close, determination burning in his eyes. "Let them come. I'll protect my manga no matter what."