Chapter Text
Before any of the ex-Arcobaleno were even aware, the masked figure was practically on top of them, knives that looked like old-fashioned kunai clenched in each fist.
Clang.
There was no way. They could only stare as Skull, their Lackey and cowardly Cloud, somehow outpaced them all and this ninja, a matching kunai balanced casually between his fingers blocking one of their assailant's while his free hand squeezed the wrist controlling the other until everyone heard a snap. Skull didn't let go. The assailant hardly flinched, masked face turning on Skull's helmet.
As if an unspoken signal passed between them, the unknown was released and leapt back to a respectful distance, eyes never moving from Skull, who matched the attacker's intensity stare for stare.
Reborn recovered his composure first.
"Lackey, what--"
Skull didn't even turn. "Shut up, Reborn. What is your business here?" Momentarily stunned at being so dismissed by his cowardly, spineless Cloud, Reborn almost missed the tone the kid directed at their attacker. He had been beating on Skull for decades and he'd never heard a sound even close to that kind of ruthless come from his Lackey.
The masked man didn't seem surprised, but he did answer.
"A-Rank contract for a civilian contractor in the Out World, alias Reborn. Accepted by the Rokudaime Hokage."
Skull's lips twitched in a sneer but he otherwise didn't react to this strange statement. "Since when does Konoha accept Out World contracts, let alone assassinations?"
The masked man was silent for a long breath, "You are not a missing nin."
Skull snorted. "Good guess, I was but I'm retired."
The masked man visibly processed that response and then to the ex-Arcobaleno's surprise, rapidly backpedaled another six feet and bowed. "Only three of such skill have reached retirement in the last fifty years and only one moved Out World. My apologies for any disrespect, Uchiha-sama."
Skull's eyes narrowed with intent the Arcobaleno had never seen before, then he scoffed.
"Go home, brat. Tell the Rokudaime if that dumb blonde can't do proper information gathering, he should stay out of my territory. Oh - "
A wave of what the ninja recognized as killing intent flooded the area and everyone but Skull dropped, choking on air suddenly too thick to breathe. He approached the masked brat and tipped up his chin.
"And you make sure Naruto-kun understands: Reborn is off limits. In fact, any associate of mine is off limits unless he wants to make another go at killing me once and for all."
Stepping back as if to leave it at that, Skull crossed his arms and sighed, "Actually, I'm too old for games. Tell him to send a more convincing liar to scout next time." Without a word, the ninja twitched and vanished.