Walking through the streets, I couldn't shake the unease that had settled in my chest since the Chūnin Exam. It had been months, but the aftermath of the fiasco with the Hidden Leaf Village still weighed on my mind. Orochimaru, the death of the Kazekage, our father and Gaara's defeat at the hands of Naruto after losing control.

"I need a distraction." The idea of a warm bowl of ramen sounded like a simple but much-needed escape from the chaos. I headed towards the small eatery I frequented.