Gamer, fixing the fates of fictional characters

The following day arrived without incident. The three teams, after a full cycle of scouting, reconvened at the designated meeting point. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant sound of rushing water from the nearby river. The sun had barely climbed past the horizon when Kaitou stood before them, hands in his pockets, waiting for the brief reports. 

Shouma was the first to speak. "Nothing significant on our end. We checked the terrain, potential hiding spots, and any signs of passage. If they have a base nearby, it's well-hidden." 

Raiga crossed his arms, frowning. "Same for us. We covered as much ground as possible, but nothing. No camps, no patrols, no disturbances that would suggest a larger force is stationed nearby." 

A shared silence hung between the teams. Some exchanged glances, frustrated that they had come up empty-handed. 

Then Kaitou casually stretched his arms. "I managed to cover the entire central zone and part of the outer perimeters." 

Heads snapped in his direction. 

Raiga's brow furrowed. "You what?" 

Shouma, normally reserved, narrowed his eyes. "That should've taken at least two or three teams to cover properly. How?" 

Kaitou shrugged. "Seals, Clones and Speed." 

The simple answer did little to ease their disbelief. Fuyuki scoffed. "That's not an explanation." 

Ignoring their stares, Kaitou continued. "Point is, I didn't find any solid leads either. But there are still a few blind spots we haven't touched. Those are our best bet." 

A collective sigh passed through the group, followed by a few muttered complaints. 

"Fine," Raiga finally relented. "Let's get this over with." 

With the plan set, they dispersed once more, each team heading toward their assigned sector. 

--- 

The forest was eerily silent as Raiga's group moved through the thick underbrush. The canopy overhead filtered the sunlight into scattered beams, creating a dim, shifting atmosphere. Isamu's senses were sharp, his nose twitching as he scouted ahead with his Ninken. 

"We're close to one of the unchecked areas," Fuyuki noted, his fingers resting lightly on the hilt of his weapon. 

"Stay alert," Raiga ordered. "If we run into anything, don't hesitate—" 

A rustle in the distance. 

Raiga halted mid-sentence, his body tensing. The others froze, their hands inching toward their weapons. 

Then, figures emerged from the foliage. 

Five- no seven shinobi, clad in dark, muted colors that bore no clear allegiance. Their eyes locked onto Raiga's team instantly. No words were exchanged, no hesitations - just a moment of tense realization before one of the enemy shinobi lunged forward, blade gleaming. 

"Hostiles!" Raiga barked, raising his arms to block the first strike. Metal clashed against his gauntlets, sparks flying from the impact. 

The forest erupted into chaos. 

Isamu and his Ninken moved as one, darting between enemies with swift, coordinated attacks. Fuyuki engaged in rapid, precise exchanges, his blade dancing in the dim light. Ryouji kept to the outskirts, firing projectiles and Ninjutsu to keep their foes at bay. 

But it quickly became clear - the enemy had the numbers. More figures emerged from the trees, each one adding to the overwhelming pressure. 

Raiga grit his teeth, his muscles already burning from the relentless assault. 'We need reinforcements'. 

With a sharp movement, he reached for the seal tucked in his pouch. His fingers pressed against the jagged markings, channeling chakra into it. 

A pulse. 

The seal flared to life, sending out a signal. 

---

Far away, Kaitou felt it. His eyes snapped open, senses immediately locking onto the direction. 

'Fuck!

Without hesitation, he sprinted toward them, the forest blurring around him as he pushed his speed to the limit. 

---

Raiga and his comrades, quickly realized, that with how the enemy was attacking, they shouldn't stay where they were.

Repelling, and throwing back the enemy, that was engaged with him, Raiga shouted his orders, "Quick! I activated the seal, Reinforcements are on the way. We have to move in their direction. Ryouji, make an opening, I'll be the rearguard, Fuyuki you take the front, when the opening is made."

Ryouji, understanding the situation acted as soon as he saw a small opening, he knew he hat to use this chance.

"Fire Style: Fire release Stream"

Finishing the Hand seals, Ryouji took a deep breath, and then exhaled huge amounts of flames out of his mouth, right to where he saw the opening.

The enemy Shinobi not expecting such a huge attack, were momentarily stunned, causing multiple of them to fall prey to the sea of flames. Only the ones who were far enough from the point of impact were left with just some burns.

Seeing the much needed breakthrough, Fuyuki didn't hesitate and rushed forward, he was following so close behind the attack, that he was still feeling the massive heat and was sweating heavily, regardless, he seized the opportunity to cut down some other opponents that were closing in already.

Isamu, after fighting off his current adversary also began following his comrade.

Seeing them start running, Raiga clenched his jaw and turned to follow, ensuring he was the last to retreat. As he ran, his hands flickered through a quick series of seals. The metal covering his arms and torso shifted, reinforcing his back while leaving his legs lighter. If they wanted to cut him down, they'd have to get through his defense first. 

The enemy shinobi recovered quickly, realizing their prey was trying to escape. Several of them lunged forward in pursuit, weapons flashing under the dim forest light. 

Raiga pushed himself harder, feeling the strain in his legs. He had to keep up. Just a little further, and they would regroup- 

Pain. 

A sharp sting shot through his right heel, followed by the sickening sensation of losing control. His foot twisted beneath him, and the ground rushed up to meet him. He barely had time to brace before he hit the dirt hard, the breath knocked from his lungs. 

The others heard the impact and turned back, their eyes widening in horror. 

Raiga lay sprawled on the forest floor, his leg refusing to move. A kunai jutted from his heel, the source of his sudden fall. 

More than half a dozen enemy shinobi were already closing in, their weapons poised to finish him off. 

Fuyuki took a step forward, his entire body screaming to move, but his mind already knew the truth. 

They were too far. 

Ryouji's hands tightened into fists, frustration clear on his face. 

Isamu cursed under his breath, eyes darting between Raiga and the closing enemies. 

"Raiga!" Fuyuki shouted, desperation creeping into his voice. 

Raiga gritted his teeth, forcing himself onto one knee despite the searing pain. He met their gazes, his expression hard and unwavering. 

"Go!" he bellowed. "Now!" 

None of them wanted to listen. None of them wanted to leave him behind. 

But there was no time. 

The enemy shinobi were upon him. One raised a sword, ready to bring it down in a lethal arc. Others prepared kunai, poised to end him right there. 

Raiga exhaled, bracing for impact. 

And then-

A blur. 

Something, no – someone - crashed into the battlefield, moving too fast for the eye to track. 

A surge of chakra flooded the area, pressure heavy and suffocating. The released chakra felt utterly chaotic, and especially the people closest to him could feel it, their chakras were running rampart.

The first enemy's blade never met its mark. Instead, he felt weird. His body refused to listen to him, and he soon realized why, as his upper body slowly slipped from his lower body, falling to the ground with a thud. The others barely had time to react before a wave of raw power exploded outward, repelling them in an instant. 

Dust and leaves filled the air. 

As the debris settled, a lone figure stood protectively over Raiga, his presence radiating unwavering control. 

Kaitou. 

Expression unreadable, only his eyes revealed anything, as they were glowing bright red.