As soon as Kakashi finished speaking, Ichiraku Ramen fell so quiet that every bubble in the soup pot could be heard.
Naruto still clutched his chopsticks, his mouth hanging wide open, oblivious to the noodle dangling from his chin.
"Red Cloud Cloaks? People from the Akatsuki? They're back?"
Naruto shot to his feet, his stool scraping harshly across the floor.
He wiped the broth off his face, his eyes blazing with the fierce light of someone coming face-to-face with an old enemy.
"Great! They've got the nerve to cause trouble on our turf again! Kakashi-sensei, let's go beat them into the ground!"
Sen Senju remained seated without even lifting his eyelids and reached for the vinegar bottle on the table.
He poured half the bottle into his freshly served ramen, then leisurely stirred it.
"Kakashi-sensei, you really need to work on how you deliver news."
"A border outpost got wiped out? That's the ANBU and Border Defense Force's problem. Why are you here drafting people first thing in the morning?"
"I just finished mixing my noodles. Can't you let me eat something hot before bringing me bad news?"
Kakashi sighed helplessly. He knew this little menace's temper. Right now, Sen truly didn't feel like moving.
He pulled out a stool and sat down, lowering his voice until he was almost speaking directly into Sen Senju's ear.
"Sen, this really can't wait."
"The report says one of them wears a mask, and the other carries a huge red scythe."
"The one with the scythe is a lunatic. He attacks everyone he sees and performs some kind of sacrificial ritual."
"And their route is strange. They seem to be deliberately avoiding our main forces and heading straight for two targets."
Sen Senju lifted a bundle of noodles with his chopsticks, blew on