kumogakure noire.

[Estilo]

Old World Runaway [7]

---

The small village was called Ikebukuro. It resided on the southern coast of Kaminari no Kuni, only a few miles away from a secluded beach at the edge of the pine forests. It was a beautiful village, and quite picturesque, but for some reason, it was not just another tourist locale. Ikebukuro was just clandestine enough, just tucked away far enough into the lush wilderness of Kaminari no Kuni, that foreign travelers were a seldom sight.

I'd investigate this village further, posing as a traveler from Hi no Kuni, just to make sure it was okay. If Xlala would be living here from now on- as a florist named Hana Hattori- I wanted to make sure it had a lot to offer her. That the people were nice, and trustworthy. That the conditions were good, and the opportunities ripe. And, so far, Ikebukuro appeared to be the right choice. The weather was nice, and the town itself exuberant.

Although I was certain Xlala would build a wonderful life here, I was still saddened by the fact that she had to leave. My mind went back to that meeting with the Jounin-Commander. How he had told me, with complete certainty, that I would not be allowed to see her again. Not if I wanted to keep her safe from the clutches of the Collector. And I wouldn't risk it.

If there was any chance for Xlala to start a new life here, to learn new things... to meet someone new... I wanted her to take it. Because, above all, I wanted her to be safe and happy. She deserved a second-chance at life. She didn't deserve to be hunted down and sold to the highest bidder. I would do anything to ensure that she had her chance. So, satisfied with the conditions of this rather clandestine little village, I took my leave.

[Estilo]

Old World Runaway [8]

---

All the conditions were met, all of the precautions taken. Xlala was ready to be integrated into her new life. Her new life as the florist Hana Hattori. And as I gazed into this dark blue eyes, brimming with admiration and a lovelorn mien, I couldn't help but reach up tentatively with a single hand-- brushing away a strand of dyed dark brown hair. They had changed a lot of her appearance, but her eyes remained the same. At least, for now.

She grabbed my hand firmly, as if holding on to me was all that kept her from sinking down into the ground. Then, she stood up on her toes, locking lips with me once more. I had explained what the Jounin-Commander had mentioned, and I supposed we were still wrapping our minds around it. It... it had been so sudden, that we suddenly couldn't imagine a life with us apart. But it was all real, and it would have to happen. For her safety.

After our lips parted, she would whisper: those three magical words that spawned a sensation of warmth within my hearth. My eyes slightly widened, my countenance effectively stunned for a moment. And when our hands departed from one another, and my gaze stared into her eyes as she backed away, I suddenly felt compelled to bring her back. To risk it.

She meant so much to me... she made me so happy... and I was just letting her go. But I convinced myself that it was better this way. That, this way, she had a chance at achieving true happiness. A life... a family... a kind of safety that I could probably never ensure she had. If keeping her away meant keeping her safe, I would need to handle the pain of such a sacrifice.

L O V E L O R N F I N

[Estilo]

Chapter Thirty-One

All Hallow's Eve

Name: All Hallow's Eve Ball
Rank: B
Description: Don your costume, agents. We're crashing a party. A playboy millionaire within Kumogakure no Sato is hosting a rather luxurious, and creepy, ball within his prestigious estate. Nearly all of our village's elders, military officials, company owners, and esteemed folk will be there- and they'll all be wearing Halloween costumes. While everyone is enjoying themselves, however, we need you to sneak in (or use the fake invitations we've provided you with) and covertly investigate the man's manor. We believe him to be the famous masked vigilante that has been terrorizing the streets of Kumogakure no Sato for months now. We need you to find evidence of this- an underground hideout, a piece of equipment, a secret armament, anything- and bring this intel back to us. But be careful. This masked vigilante is an exceptionally trained Taijutsu Primary. The last thing we need is for him to find you out!
Reward: 300 experience, 5,000 ryo
Minimum Shinobi: 1
Mission Status: Interminable

The night was blisteringly cold, the moon high above the stars and the clouds, casting a pale white glow over the territory of the land-dwellers below. And in most of Kumogakure no Sato, the world was quiet as people slept. Should one travel far enough uptown to see it, however, one would find a beacon of light and sound in the darkness of the neighborhood. Uptown Kumogakure no Sato was home to the Eskrima Manor, and the Eskrima Manor was hosting its yearly hallow's eve ball tonight.

A chorus of soothing sound echoed throughout the neighborhood surrounding the large estate, carriages from all directions flocking to the front entrance of the expensive manor, then dropping off the rich and wealthy that had been invited to the ball. They wore suits, and dresses, made of the finest foreign cloths. Dignitaries, generals, businessmen and women, all attended the occasion with pride. Elated smiles adorned their faces.

I had opted for using the expensive invitation that had been given to me by the Raikage tower-- instead of using my abilities as a sleuth to sneak inside. I supposed, when I thought about it, I just needed a break from all the breaking-and-entering that came with my profession. That, and the accessories that came with the invitation were rather appealing. A horse-drawn carriage, a bucket of fine wines, a new suit. It was all marvelous.

When my carriage stopped at the rather large front entrance of the Eskrima Manor, I waited for the driver to get the door. And when he did, his frail old hands pulling it open for me, I stepped out-- the epitome of strength and elegance. My masquerade mask fit perfectly for the occasion, and I had left behind my usual long coat for something a bit more... regal. Flared cuffs, flared lapels, and a flared collar. I looked like a finely-dressed pirate.

[Estilo]

All Hallow's Eve [2]

---

The melodies played by the live orchestra in the ballroom were haunting and beautiful. The scenery illuminated brightly by lit, diamond-laden, chandeliers. The finely-dressed people in the old establishment, nearly all of them wearing masquerade masks of their own, talked and danced and laughed and drank the night away. At the center, couples swayed to the tune of the music. Waltzing softly, as if caught within an eternal dream.

Having gained entry into this prestigious event, I made sure to keep my ruse perfect and believable. I was attending this event under... special circumstances. I needed to look and act the part of the wealthy dignitary, although I didn't like it. Rumors persisted that Amon Eskrima, the heir to the Eskrima fortune- and the young playboy who hosted this party- was quite adept at noticing ruses. I couldn't see him now, but he was out there.

My assignment had been clear from the get-go, and I had already successfully completed phase one of the aforementioned mission. Infiltrating the event, and gaining access to the main floor. Phase two was going to be a bit riskier, and I really needed to pay attention if I hoped to carry on with it. The main room was connected to a plethora of other rooms via a network of hallways. Deciding which one I should take was hard enough.

There was also a flight of stairs at the far back of the ballroom, which clearly led to the second story of the Eskrima Manor-- and an entirely new plethora of hallways. But, should Amon Eskrima truly be lurking about, I did not want to risk him catching me in the act. That is, snooping around in areas where I was not supposed to be snooping around. It was tedious.

[Estilo]

All Hallow's Eve [3]

---

I snatched a glass of fine wine from one of the waiters that passed by, taking a casual sip as emerald green eyes shifted towards the hallways at the back of the ballroom. There was so much people here, each of them so wealthy and arrogant, that I abhorred the thought of having to maneuver through the crowd to get to the other side. Taking yet another sip of my wine- this one longer, and far more potent- I formulated a plan on action in my mind.

As I made my way towards the hallways afar, casually following my intended path with a carefree and unfettered gait, I kept my eyes peeled for the host of tonight's event. With everyone wearing masquerade masks, however, one would think that such a task was impossible-- unless introduced to the figurehead personally. But Amon Eskrima was anything but normal. People said he was immediately recognizable at first glance.

Which was vaguely ironic... considering the reasons why the government of Kumogakure no Sato wanted him to be investigated. If their suspicions were true, then Amon Eskrima was none other than the masked vigilante known as the "Hood". I was sent on this special assignment to discover whether their suspicions were warranted or not. A vigilante hiding in plain sight.

A couple who had waltzed just a bit too far from the main group accidentally bumped into me, the man of the duo snarling at me with narrowed eyes. "Watch where you're walking, you fool!" I laughed to myself, just moving on without a response. At any other time, I would have expressed a verbal disagreement-- and probably even go as far as taking his woman from him. But he definitely wasn't worth blowing my cover here.

[Estilo]

All Hallow's Eve [4]

---

The edges of the massive ballroom floor were adorned with long tables, expertly crafted wooden chairs that bore the insignia of the Eskrima clan, and a wave of aromas that came from the nearby kitchen. Waiters came and went with plates of exquisite food, serving the people who were seated on the tables, attending to their every need. Just beyond this section, a lounge preceded the entryway to the large number of hallways in the manor.

Here, those who needed a break from the dancing, from the eating-- or from their wives or husbands-- sat down on comfortable couches and chairs, smoking thin cigarettes with their legs crossed elegantly as they sat. They did not bother to even throw me a mere glance as I approached, casually fidgeting with the flared cuffs of my long coat. Where to go now...

I stopped at the center of the lounge, casting calm glances at the options I had before me. I honestly did not know where to go, but I was already imagining a plethora of excuses-- should I be caught snooping around before I came to obtaining any real evidence. There was so much to explore here... a single night would not seem to suffice. But I had to try.

So I chose the hallway to the furthest left, and moved on in strides-- not particularly hurried, but brimming with purpose. Luckily for me, the ground beneath the soles of my boots was now carpeted, rather than composed of marble or any other hard surface that would cause my heels to make noise. With my mind racing with fresh, new possibilities-- as to what I would find, how I would find it, and what I was looking for in the first place.

[Estilo]

All Hallow's Eve [5]

---

I searched feverishly, peeking through doors, through cabinets and large drawers. It had become common practice by the time I had reached my third hallway, but I could not complain. No one had found me out yet, and the guards patrolling the Eskrima Manor seemed to be preoccupied elsewhere. For a moment, I imagined that angry little husband who had bumped into me earlier, and him throwing a tantrum at the center of the festivity.

I nearly released an audible chuckle, but it kept to myself with a smooth smile. For all I knew, that was exactly what was happening. As I continued to walk down the hallway, turning to the doors on each side of me one-by-one, I took notice of something just a tad unusual. A grandfather clock, between two large cabinets. But it was not working. No ticking at all.

The pendulum itself was completely still, behind a glass casing that was not exactly locked-- rather, it was capable of being pulled open like a door. I found it strange because, with a wealth like his (and a plethora of servants to take notice of it), would Amon Eskrima not have asked for a new grandfather clock? Or, at the very least, have this one repaired immediately?

There was also the possibility that it had only just recently malfunctioned. But what were the chances of that? I needed to investigate this curious case further. To assure myself that there was nothing to find here, and continue on with my search should that truly be the case. But, for now, I'd inspect it with careful hands. Did this "malfunctioning" clock withhold secrets?

[Estilo]

All Hallow's Eve [6]

---

I started by running my hands gently against its sides, feeling around for anything unusual, then promptly moving on to the rest of its frame and surface. And, all the while, I shifted my gaze to and fro-- from one end of the hallway, to another. If someone were to catch me in the act right now, especially one of Amon Eskrima's servants, my cover would be blown.

But for now, I would keep my cool and continue on with the effort at hand, knowing that worrying about the matter any further would only delay my progress even further. I dropped down to a crouch, promptly opening the glass case that barred me from inspecting the grandfather clock's pendulum. With the case opened, I ran my hand down the pendulum's length.

It was light, or at the very least, lighter than I thought a pendulum would be. Intrigued with the weight, and almost certain now that something was wrong, I pulled down on the grandfather clock's apparently defunct mechanism-- and a single 'click' emerged. Like a door had been unlocked, or a gear turned. Then, the nearby cabinet began to soundlessly rattle.

I watched with astonished eyes as it slid backwards into darkness, then shifted to the side to disappear completely from view. For a moment, there was nothing but the blackness of what seemed to be a tunnel ahead-- this was a secret passage! Then, without warning, a single light flickered to life meters ahead-- followed by another, and then another, and so on.

[Estilo]

All Hallow's Eve [7]

---

I followed the dark path, now dimly lit, into the darkness afar-- and the cabinet I had opened via the grandfather clock's mechanism slid to a close behind me. As I continued through this mysterious passageway, the intermittent lights that provided me with illumination managed to show me the descent of stairs up ahead. This was it, the proof I needed to uncover Amon Eskrima's secret identity. I could feel it in the stale, still air.

As I descended the stairs before me, which had clearly taken upon a spiral, I began to hear the sound of gushing water echoing upwards in my direction. I could smell it, too. The fragrance of wet rock, and grass, and fresh water. And as I continued downwards, the sound of the waterfall only grew with intensity. By the time I was nearing the end, I saw a faint blue glow.

I had reached the bottom, and entered the reformed cave that was clearly the Hood's secret hideout. As I tentatively moved on, crossing a stone passageway that was bordered by eternal darkness on both sides, I saw what appeared to be the Hood's various costumes. All of them shredded cloaks, with a mask that resembled an infuriated ox bearing face paint.

There was an armory station to one side of the cave as well, and a station that contained a computer screen, keyboard, and several camera feeds. It was all state-of-the-art, and the scientific side of me could not help but to admire what he had done with the place. Just as I was beginning to wonder whether I should really turn Amon Eskrima's secret identity in, I heard a sound. Someone else was in here with me, tapping a stick against stone.

[Estilo]

All Hallow's Eve [8]

---

Amon Eskrima-- also known as the "Hood"-- was as arrogant as the rich folk he attended to, that much was certain. And as he came out the darkness, still wearing his expensive suit, he would look at me with a smug smile-- tapping a baton distractedly against the side of the cave wall. Every tap he issued created a small, barely noticeable, spark of blue electricity.

We did not need to say anything. He knew who I was-- it was clear that he did-- and he knew where I had come from. All that remained for him to do was stop me, before I could manage to escape. And I, now dead set on returning to the mission compound safely, looked for an opening-- somewhere, anywhere. Then I noticed it. The waterfall nearby.

He rushed at me when he had noticed the shift of my eyes, ready to strike me down with his electrified baton. But by now, I had already begun issuing a mere three hand seals. The distance he had covered during the time was astounding-- but not enough. He froze mid-sprint, and I kicked his jaw.

This action had given me sufficient time to make a run for it, releasing the hand seal (and the paralysis technique under which I had put him in), before sprinting towards the backside of the waterfall. I did not know how steep the fall would be-- to whatever source of water resided below-- but there was nowhere else to go. So, deciding that I would take a leap of faith and dive, I jumped through the crystalline water and made my daring escape!

G A M E O V E R

[Estilo]

Chapter Thirty-Two

Masked Vigilante

Name: Masked Vigilante
Rank: B
Description: The vigilante you helped us discover had disappeared since the night of that festivity, and left the entirety of his company in the hands of his very capable butler. But now he's back, with a vengeance. He's been taking down criminals left and right, and leaving a trail of destruction in his path. In order to dismantle an entire mafia organization, he exploded a factory. During a bout with an infamous mercenary, he forced his opponent to summon a creature massive enough to level a small neighborhood. Hunt down, and capture this imbecile! Shouldn't be that hard. Just follow the trail of unconscious thugs, and keep your eyes on the shadows if you don't want to end up that way.
Reward: 300 experience, 5,000 ryo
Minimum Shinobi: 1
Mission Status: Interminable
Requirements: 'All Hallow's Eve Ball'. Must have roleplayed a brief fight with the "vigilante" at some point within the aforementioned mission.

The alleyway was littered with the unconscious forms of several of the gang's most prominent fighters. A majority of them were larger in size than Amon Eskrima, and had been reduced to nothing more than a mass of muscle and whimpering mass on the asphalt. His rampage through this sector of the neighborhood had ended hard and nasty for them all.

But what intrigued me more, as I continued to follow all the clues-- or rather, disaster zones-- that the "Hood" had left behind, were the little defunct gadgets he had left in his wake. Gadgets I had never seen before, inventions that were truly marvels of their time. I had not seen technology like this since long ago, during my past visit to Amegakure no Sato.

At the sight-- and closer inspection-- of these little inventions of his, I had no doubt that they backed the wealth that came flowing to his company every years. Despite his supposed disregard for the laws and safety of Kumogakure no Sato, I was certain his deceased parents would have been proud of his exploits with the company. Or rather, I thought they would.

Having read the report on Amon Eskrima's file, I knew that he had witnessed the death of his parents at an early age. They had been mugged, and killed, after an outing to a play. Psychologists who evaluated him, claimed that Amon Eskrima was emotionally distraught-- but that he had grown out of it. His crime-fighting spree said otherwise, however.

[Estilo]

Masked Vigilante [2]

---

As I followed the trail of clues and fallen bodies, I began to see the large warehouse ahead in view-- or at the very least, what was left of it. What had once been a three-story tall structure was now destroyed-- somewhere between squashed, and blown apart from the inside. Whatever had happened to it, as the accounts of what did varied, it was nothing but a pile of rubble now. The skirmish here had been substantially devastating.

Up ahead, the shinobi of Kumogakure no Sato were still rummaging through the destruction, gathering clues, and shreds of evidence they could use against the masked vigilante known as the "Hood". The officials in the Raikage tower were dead set on having this supposed "criminal" arrested, and did not like his methods of operation at all. But I found it all amusing.

Sure, I was participating heavily in the hunt for Amon Eskrima-- ever since he had disappeared after that night at the All Hallow's Eve Ball-- but that did not mean I failed to respect him. Despite his outwardly arrogant mien, he was a talented warrior, and got things done. The mob bosses he had taken out at this site-- or at least, the mob bosses I presumed he'd taken out here-- laid proof to that. He was kind of sloppy and dangerous about it, but good.

His justice, I supposed, was filled with an anger and resolve that had spawned after he had witnessed his parent's untimely death. Though I did not see completely eye-to-eye with the officials at the Raikage tower, I understood that he was becoming a little more destructive every night that followed. Was he desperate? Angrier than usual? I had no idea what it was.

[Estilo]

Masked Vigilante [3]

---

They were going to need time to rummage through the rest of the destruction at the warehouse site, so I decided I would go elsewhere-- where I was truly needed. The neighborhoods of Kumogakure no Sato had a tendency of being dangerous during the night, especially in territories "controlled' by ruling mobs, who thought they could evade, and persuade, and bribe their way out of anything. They also liked to be violent.

It just so happened, during my early years as a sleuth in this village, that I knew the exact location of the "Hood's" possible next hit. Or, at the very least, the territory that this target controlled-- the eastern docks in Kumogakure no Sato. If there was any chance of the "Hood" making an appearance here, I was going to take it. The less destruction I could enable, the better. So I found a good vantage point, and settled in to wait.

I was on the rooftop of a three-story establishment that sold fishing supplies during the daytime, overlooking the docks down below, and keeping my resolute gaze on anything and anyone I saw down there. This locale was known for being a popular smuggling site. The "Hood", surely, had already found this out. And if he wanted to cripple their income, this was it.

So I waited, exhibiting a patience that had always come naturally to me, and hoping that my hunch did not go to waste. People came and went, darkly garbed henchmen who picked up and delivered packages and cargo to the small boats that came and went. Technically, I could go down there and arrest them all immediately. But they were bait meant for the "Hood".

[Estilo]

Masked Vigilante [4]

---

I failed to notice him at first, the silence of his arrival proving to be quite concealed, especially when he masked his visage in the shadows that drowned the scenery in all directions. Even when he issued the blow that had knocked his first victim out, I had failed to hear what sound I reasoned should have emerged, only spotting the sight when I noticed the thug's fallen legs being dragged backwards into the darkness of a nearby shadow.

My eyes widened, and I kept them locked on the cloaked vigilante as he proceeded through the shadows. I lost him, more than a couple times, and struggled to see his darkly clad form through the darkness of it all. But eventually, I would spot that horned mask of his once more, sneaking up behind one thug or another, knocking them out with chops, jabs, and headlocks. He was an expert at this silent knockout technique of his.

When all the thugs outside of the boats had been taken care of, their unconscious forms hidden in the shadows where the "Hood" had placed them, I would bear witness to his form entering a small boat. The lights in the cabin were on, there were more thugs inside, and it was clear the vigilante was headed for them. So, reasoning that the "Hood" would leave after he was finished, I made my way off the rooftop and onto the street.

I would wait in the darkness of the entryway to the docks, gazing at the boat which he had entered. The light seemed to flicker off and on in the cabin, but it was only after a moment that I realized these were just shadows moving about-- a ruckus. He was knocking them out. And, after a moment, he calmly exited the boat. He made his way towards me in a relaxed stride.

[Estilo]

Masked Vigilante [5]

---

The boat exploded, burning away all the incapacitated bodies that had been knock unconscious within it only moments ago, and illuminating the previously dark dock with a bright orange hue. And, throughout it all, the "Hood" kept his cool and composure as he continued to walk away from the destruction-- stopping only when he took notice of me. I stood in his way, and he immediately recognized me. I had, after all, crashed his latest party.

He did not say a word, nor make a single movement after that, and I did the same. The fire behind him made his visage a dark silhouette, the large hood draped over his head nearly concealing the ox-mask he wore entirely. The entire situation had become a sudden and tension-filled stand-off, and a plethora of schemes, thoughts, and plans-of-action ran through my mind.

Then, in an instant, my hands went into motion-- forming a sequence of expertly executed hand seals in preparation for my first technique. And, at that very instant, the "Hood" side-stepped into the shadows just as fast. I was sure he was going in for a one-hit knockout, and that the only shadows that surrounded me were to my right and left side. So predictable.

By the time his roundhouse kick came flying in, ready to powerfully strike the side of my head, I had already issued the technique I had in mind. A spherical-shaped orb of lightning chakra spawned suddenly, with me at its epicenter, and was cast outwards at a considerable distance. Needless to say, the speed and range in which it was cast was guaranteed to hit the vigilante.