Welcome back to the Smoke and Mirrors AU.

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Hattori and Yuta, also now known as Fox and Dog, had raced back towards their clan compound over the next two days. During that time, they had only been distracted once by a group of bandits that their paths had crossed with.

Saving them netted a few hundred Ryo from the merchant convoy that had been attacked. The rest of the journey was unremarkable.

It was several hours after midnight, marking the end of the second day, that Hattori and Yuta finally came across the Tawa River.

“Yuta, you will stay at the inner shore. I’ll move into the Compound, grabbing Yuki and Mei. Keep your Dojutsu activated. If you see anyone coming, retreat back to me.”

With that, the two hopped in the small wooden boat they had left ashore the last time they had crossed the river to reach Yamatari.

It was nearly half an hour of silence later that their boat finally reached the other side. Hattori glanced at Yuta. The boy’s mask covered any expression his face might’ve had. He nodded to the boy before racing past the beach and stretch of plains, before finally entering the forest that hid his compound.

Just a few minutes later, he reached the edge of his compound. His entire clan was already assembled, with Asahiro at the front, his Dojutsu activated. Everyone visibly tensed when they saw him emerge from the treeline.

For a moment, Hattori was confused, before realizing. Ah. They don’t recognize me because of the mask and armour. With that thought in mind, he moved his mask off his face for a few seconds, letting them get a look.

They relaxed after, and enjoyed a small conversation before moving onto the real business of why he was back here.

“I’ve come back for a few reasons. Firstly,” Hattori unsealed all three scrolls. Ten sets of armour, masks, and Chokuto blades were laid out on the ground. “This is our clan uniform when out on missions rated higher than D-Rank. On those missions, we will not reveal our names. We will go by the name of whatever animal mask you choose.”

Hattori pointed to his mask. “I will be going by Fox, or…” Hattori thought for a second. “Or Captain.” He put his mask back on before smiling. Hehe, he sounded pretty cool.

Stolen story; please report.

The others had strange looks, but all of them donned their uniform except Sukuna and Miwa. They were too young for their armour and mask to fit. They did grab their Chokuto excitedly, though.

“Next, Yuki and Mei.” Yuki had donned the Cat mask. Mei had donned the Rabbit mask. “Cat and Rabbit. You’re joining me and Yuta, Dog, on… our…” Hattori turned around, noticing something weird.

His Bochigan saw Yuta’s aura intermingling with another. Then they separated and– “Shit. Cat, Rabbit, follow me.”

Yuki and Mei exchanged weird looks, but followed. Their Clan Leader is quite odd. What’s the purpose of masks and animal names? Was he a furry?

Nonetheless, the followed Hattori as he raced through the trees. It was around half a minute before they broke through the edge of the forest, and began moving through the small border of plains.

Yuta, with his back to them, was facing against Yuugito. The Uchiha was standing on water, with his arms crossed menacingly. Hattori’s steps faltered for a second at that. How could someone stand on water?

“Dog!”

Yuta did not turn, but based on his body language, had still heard them. He was breathing harder than normal, but still not exhausted. As soon as the three masked Yanmaru joined Yuta’s side, Yuugito spoke.

“So, Yuta Yanmaru and his Clan members I presume? A lot of good those masks do, especially after I watched you leave the city.” His voice was mirthful, like he was stifling a laugh.

Hattori felt his mind go blank for a second. Huh?

“How were you watching us?” Hattori was certain the man hadn’t been in the city. Everyone’s aura, as far as he had seen with his Bochigan, was unique. Yuugito’s aura had definitely not been in Yamatari!

“Ah.. Yes, those strange Dojutsu of yours. I don’t know what you see through them yet, but I assure you, it won’t be long until I have my hands on a couple.” He had a weird, perverted smile. Hattori wanted to tell this freak to keep his hands off his precious eyes…

Before he could say anything, he watched Yuugito’s aura slightly shift. The Bochigan saw an Aura’s uniqueness by a metaphysical pressure. Yuugito had somehow… lightened the pressure, causing his aura to flicker strangely.

Hattori went through his memories. He… he had seen this strange, suppressed aura! He had thought it was weird, but then again, maybe it was just something inborn. No! It had been Yuugito!

“How did you do that?” Yuta asked before Hattori could even finish sorting his thoughts.

“What? Suppressing my Chakra?” It was Yuugito’s turn to have a strange look on his face. “Kami, these backwater clans… It doesn’t matter. I’m going to kill you all and pluck out those eyes of yours. You see, the Uchiha have… a monopoly of sorts on Dojutsu in the land of fire. We do not allow Clans to appear with new ones.”

At that, Yuugito immediately launched his attack, blazing forward with a Wakizashi blade in hand. Hattori’s eyes widened, jumping back. He was in the center of the four Yanmaru.

Yuki, and Mei jumped to the man’s sides in an attempt to overwhelm him. Yuta had dashed forward. Hattori’s lips twitched. He had been the only one to retreat, yet he was the strongest.

With that in mind, he also dashed forward, meeting Yuta’s charge.

In an instant, Yuugito’s blade began dancing in tandem with Yuta.

Hattori leapt to the Uchiha’s back, finishing the encirclement. A low kick was sent to the back of his knees to knock him down.

Hattori’s kick met a log, as smoke filled his vision.

Shit!