thru the 6, m

[norifumi]

“So this is the mission, huh.”

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}MISSION NAME: Spy from the Sky!
MISSION RANK: B
MISSION DESCRIPTION: There seems to be a midst of trouble brewing within the clouds of Kumogakure. Someone has been entering in one of the Raikage's Temple's without permission. It has been discovered that someone is stealing information on certain shinobi, attempting to sell said information to another village and that they continuously return at night to grab more documents, one can say that it is possible that this treacherous being is planning to desert the village after acquiring the amount of info. needed. You have one night to retrieve the documents that have been stolen from the Raikage's temple come morning, if the enemy hasn't been dealt with or detained, then consequences will be enforced to those who take this mission and fail.
NOTE: The enemy should be of Chunin or Jounin status, this mission should not be an easy breeze.
MISSION REWARD: 75 EXP & 5,000 RYO
MISSION LEVEL: Low-Medium

The young chūnin commented sheepishly reading over the assignment over a coffee and cigarette. It was like the morning paper to him and on his table were two other scrolls, one a compiled list of guards on the night of the break followed by a short list of suspects. The other scroll was simply a brief list of possible documents that had been stolen, nothing too specific. Smoke billowing through lips as he looked out the window, the RaiKage’s temple in view.

“Looks like a long day.”

[norifumi]

After reading through the documents provided to him, Norifumi concluded on three strong suspects and an additional five. Out of the eight, two were jōnin, four chūnin and two genin. While he could rule out the genin on a basis of skill and lack of experience necessary to pull off a heist, it was better safe than sorry. Better to start from the bottom and work your way out. Luckily for him, the genin lived within close distance of each other, but that only increased the danger of seeking them out.

They lived on the outskirts of the shinobi district that is to say, they lived in a subsidized housing complex in the poorer section of the village. Genin, Nishi, Haruki was first on the list, he lived in 3H of the apartment and as would be Norifumi’s luck, the genin was free today. Given the nature of his visit, he chose to be a bit more polite and mark his entrance through the door. After three knocks and a momentary pause the door opened.

He was an older shinobi, much older than Norifumi, and at once they were both aware of this fact. “Can I help you?” Haruki asked after a moment not hiding his discomfort. “Coffee, would be great if you have. A small cup, what I have to ask won’t take long.” It was a long moment before Haruki accepted the fact and allowed him inside. “Got nothing to offer you, unfortunately.” A clear lie, but given the state of the apartment receiving a drink would have been the real insult.

“Nishi, Haruki. Yamoto, Issei, and Satō, Ayame are apart of Team 12 lead by Hondo, Koichi. Five years under Sensei Koichi, and in the past two years your entries of the chūnin exams have been unsuccessful.” His eyes wandered, examining the apartment in detail, only to antagonize Haruki who replied with a fierce glare, “And.” “Have you noticed an--” “IF THIS IS ABOUT THAT, YOU CAN JUST LEAVE NOW.” “After such lost,” Norifumi continued in a gentle tone, meeting the man’s burning gaze.

“It is understandable to take time off. But I am not here for that, rather to express. If the trauma is too much to recover from, and you find yourself no longer capable of moving forward. A fresh start is often advised and encouraged, but I think it's important to carry that weight as you travel. And you will one day come to a place where dropping that weight will bring good to you, and those around you. For your time, thank you.”

[norifumi]

His next destination was 7B, Yamoto, Issei. But to his surprise on the steps leading up, he was greeted by a fair skinned, blond hair kunoichi. “So you’re investigating the documents too.” “Should I say, Satō, Ayame speaking?” Her eyes were golden brown and hardened. “You have the eyes of a mother.” The stirring of his own emotions do not reflect on his countenance and bring no reaction from her. “He’s lost a lot.” She blinks, no change in her expression nor tone. “He’s strong, loyal and has a family. A bond he won’t sever, something you’ll never understand.”

Hondo, Koichi, huh? He certainly had the loyalty of his squad.

Satō Ayame was a bit different from the rubbish he had just met, she was a chūnin who had earned her rank in a different cell. Only to return to Koichi’s cell after his unfortunate and tragic lost. It was plausible to assume that the genin rubbish he met with earlier had skill well beyond his rank. Regardless, Norifumi couldn’t help but feel so very underwhelmed by the whole thing. It was very theatrical.

Lighting a cigarette he made his way to his next suspects. Shinobi who were a cut above the rest.

[norifumi]

As the day progressed well noon, Norifumi found himself shadowing ANBU. This particular task was exhilarating and while the hairs on his body stood on end, his breathing remained minute. His presence had been up until a point unnoticed. The Shinobi he shadowing were a cell of four, three chūnin and jōnin. Currently trekking through

The sun was rising high into the sky as the day carried on. Well past noon but still not midday, Norifumi found himself shadowing ANBU. Currently trekking through the mountain forestry of Kaminari no Kuni, the task was exhilarating. His hairs stood on end, his breathing minute, though his presence was expertly masked and he remained undetected, he suspected not everything was as it seemed. The shinobi he was shadowing was a cell of four, three chūnin and one jōnin. Each one a veteran whose experience numbered his by at least a decade.

Their shadows shifted suddenly, a sharp right turn! After a pause, he promptly mirrored the movements. They’d enter a thicket, the only source of lighting was fading coming from his back. He pursued nonetheless, as his sight became less and less reliable he turned to his other senses. Hearing. The thicker the forest went, the quiet it got and while a ninja could try nothing could mute the sounds of their feet shifting from branch to branch.

Smell. The fragrance of the forest was everywhere, but as he followed behind them (unknowingly realizing the steady closing gap) he could both feel and smell the forest anew as if a breeze had just passed. It got to the point where the thicket of trees had grown so dense that pushing through was a challenge. At least it would have been if not for a path that though new, still offered strong resistance.

And once he pushed through this thicket he was momentarily blinded by the sun’s light and falling! The back of his collar was grabbed by a strong hand, allowing him enough time to regain his footing. “I can see the name Phantom speaks not just of your appearance. But should there not be a good reason to why you’re following us, you will die here.”

Adjusting to the light, he saw the fate that had awaited him had he not been grabbed. The thicket followed the mountain’s precipice leading to a straight drop into jagged rocks welcoming an impaling doom. That would have been his face, and a gentle nudge reminded him, it still was. The voice that spoke was gruff and though he did not recognize it, he could only assume it belonged to the jōnin.

“I’m here to make an inquiry about Hondo, Koichi.”

[norifumi]

The hand tightened, knuckles pressed into the back of his neck and the moments dragged on. Would he be given le ol’ push? It appeared not as the atmosphere begin to lighten, the grip never ceasing. He breathed a relaxing sigh, and made a slow movement to his pocket. It was allowed, all the while he could feel the intensity of their following eyes as he pulled out his pack and lighter. “I’m interested in a little story, about the events that took place two years ago. If you could loosen your a grip a little, that’d be great.”

“You followed us, to learn about a story that’s public knowledge?” The voice came from his right -- male and clearly annoyed. “We’re going to kill you.” Following those words he felt a strong build of chakra. “No.” This voice came from the left and he recognized it instantly as Gōtō, Izumi. A well known and decorated shinobi of Kumogakure, Izumi was held in high esteem throughout the village and was attributed to the success of bringing up many splendid shinobi. Including Koichi to no one’s surprise, but he was an old man.

His voice was gruff and carried a seldom tone. It was something that Norifumi could respect, aspired to reach the older he got. “Following the disaster Koichi took a short leave and returned promptly to active duty. Putting aside his genin squad, he took on an assignment of which ended in failure costing the lives of five jōnin. After that he was naturally suspended. It was only in the last three months that he was cleared and returned to active duty.”

The ever present build of chakra to his right was cause for concern but, what needed to be said, had to be said. “It is possible that he blames the village for the course of events and may be planning to sell and escape with village secrets.” “Easy for someone who was rejected by their own mother, someone who never had a family, to think the worse of a man who has lost that.” The build of chakra at his right dispersed and the grip at his back loosened.

“Koichi’s retirement was three months from then, in preparation he moved his family to the town. Two months later the rockslide occurred, whole family crushed. Everything gone. What would he retire to? Of course his only course of action was to carry on. The village is all he has now, he won’t betray that.”

And what of you, Gōtō, Izumi?

A blinding flash of light, and the cell was gone, leaving Norifumi standing on the branch overlooking the cliff. He took a long pull of his cigarette and exhaled..

[norifumi]

Such thinking the chūnin found to be flawed. Ones family, the village, the things they dedicate themselves to are always important. But they’re not everything, just connected. Norifumi sighed, and after a short while entered the forestry. It didn’t take long for him to pick up their trail, though it was considerable more difficult now that they were aware of him. Where their tracks took a left, in the direction of the village, his took a right.

There was something he wanted to see. The town of Koichi’s family was a short ways from the village, and well within his time constraints. It was two years since the unfortunate event but if there were any signs of foul play, he trusted himself to find a piece.

Someone was following him. The presence was familiar but not linked to anyone he knew personally. Outside of the forestry, the mountains were significantly easier for a person to be tracked. He thought of setting an ambush, but that became unnecessary as the person’s presence became known. They were getting sloppy or perhaps, emotional? As his destination became clearer, he could feel a murderous intent. Was his pursuer a chūnin from Izumi’s cell?

No.

Norifumi stood over a cliff overlooking the remains of the town. There was nothing there but stone and rock with a few clearings serving as graves. A misty gray lightly covered the town, like dust, and closer inspection showed remains of burned incense. Behind him!

“Satō, Ayame. I believe you’re here to pay your respects?”

She doesn’t say a word and approaches quietly. The murderous intent he feels in her movements, but he’s at ease -- she isn’t here to kill him. By his side now, Norifumi gives her a quick once over. Her hands are clutching a ward of incense as if they were kunai. The thought of ramming them into his remaining eye is probably running through her head right now. After a moment she lets out a sigh. “Leave. This is no place for you.” “I’ve got a lighter, and extra fluid. Let me help.”

“You’re lucky Sensei Gōtō let you live.” Following her words she leaps down and Norifumi follows, an unpleasant expression graces his face briefly. There’s no particular order, they stay at the bottom and go down lighting incense, a moment of silent and some words. The experience isn’t unusual or new to him, but Ayame’s acted as if this was his first time.

[norifumi]

Nearing evening by the time their done and Norifumi hasn’t learned anything. It’s a bit frustrating, but he maintains his silence they’re just about done. A whole town reduced to jaunting stone and rock, the only remembrance of life are the plumes of smoke billowing from incense. For this day, this night, the spirits can rest. “You had a lot to say back then, and nothing now.” “You’re looking to run a man into the ground, so close to the anniversary. I’m not sure why Sensei Gōtō let you live, perhaps its because he pitied you.”

Her murderous intent is rising, fists formed. Burning brown eyes stared into his. “I can see how someone who never had a family, can so easily look to ruin another’s.” She spat and made her way up the mountain swiftly. Norifumi could only follow with a sigh, there was something about her emotions that didn’t check out. And with evening so close, he needed to head back to the village soon, or he’d put his mission in jeopardy.

Following up and past the town, Ayame went to the highest point of the mountain, where the rockslide originated from. At the top were wooden crosses marking graves. Four in total. Ayame bowed, and approached the tallest one. Koichi’s wife? The crosses were organized in a circle, unusual for civilian but a sort of custom for shinobi. If one were to liken it to an image, then it would be one of a memorial stone. That’s how it came off to Norifumi.

After she paid her respects, he spoke, “Koichi’s wife?” “Yes. She retired before Koichi and set up their home below. The children’s graves were near the top.” Inspecting the vicinity, Norifumi could notice signs of battles, years old and barely there. Outside of the four graves, there were signs of multiple shallow graves. “I’ll hazard a guess, but Izumi sent you to take me here.” Her silent is all he needs. “It certainly does make sense, considering the men I followed today.”

“You’re wrong. Two years ago there was an incident similar to this where valuable information was stolen. It revealed the location of this town, a place where ex shinobi retire outside of the village. This is what happened because a person like you, failed in your mission. Sensei Gōtō wants to avoid another event like this.”

She was here when it happened. Rather me, it’s herself she’s afraid of.

[norifumi]

Norifumi’s movements were swift as he traversed the mountainous terrain of Kaminari no Kuni. Evening was well underway and only a few hours remained before the dead of night encompassed everything. Though he had all night to complete his mission, there was only a small window for which him to act successfully. Thankfully Ayame parted with him more than her insecurities and with that he could bridge the gaps but something was nagging at him.

Information. The gist of the story was clear, the culprits was too. Even with what he knew, he just had to scratch this itch before he could move comfortable. This took him to the one place that had everything he’d want to know, The Web. Kumogakure’s very own hostess bar and one-stop hub into the seedy shinobi underworld.

Norifumi was fortunate and arrived at the village with hours to spare and now at the Web he sought out the madam. Madam Goo Gilia at his usual booth. Cushion seats with his coffee, sake and an assortment of Kumogakure sweets. Ahh, this is exactly what he needed after a long day -- but sadly, now was not the time for indulging. Instead, he stuck to a simple cigarette for this meeting.

“You’re not very good. They’re speaking of how the Phantom shadowed Gōtō-sama and ANBU. Such talks could lead to your end if there’s any truth behind it.”

“Tell me about a mission that occurred two years ago resulting in a rockslide.” “If you’re not going to indulge in the small talk, then at least have a drink.” “It makes me sad that shinobi speak so casually of taking another’s life, when they share the same village. Same home.” Her brows rise and he takes a long pull. “I only need to know who was there.” “You know, I have no problem charging you for what you already know.” “What about the five jōnin who died under Koichi’s lead?”

Madam Goo Gilia drinks from the sake cup. Her blond eyes showing muted interest upon a smiling countenance. “Why mr. sleuth, are you looking for a cheat sheet? Certainly I believe you’d be more thorough.” Another long pull, what was she getting at? What had he overlooked. “It’s said his incompetence led to their deaths, though there was a small investigation. Nothing conclusive was found, and it was chalked up to an operational failure, but.” He paused his eyes lit as if he’d received an epiphany. “The mission itself was successful.”

“Because?” She cooed. “Individual talent?” His words were met with a short laugh by the madam. Far off base. “There, there. You only know what they tell you after all.” Filling the cup she offers it to him, Norifumi accepts. Hadn’t much choice. It’s gone in a single gulp as she explains. “Officially the mission was carried out by a single six-man cell, unofficially, it was a joint mission. Two cells, one lead by Hondo the other by --” “Gōtō!”

[norifumi]

Steadily the chūnin sped through the village, taxed for time as the night grew ever darker. He could feel a sense of anticipation rising in him as his mission was soon reaching its climax. There were a few pieces still missing, and while he was no closer in finding the documents with what he gained he knew just the people who would lead him to them. But first he had to reach the point in time. The point was dotted with trees around the circumstance, he entered and hide himself in the trees from the northern point.

A single person was present, Gōtō, Izumi and around him there was nothing but an unmarked grave. Looking around Norifumi could sense he was -- they were alone. Had he been early? Perfect for him. Easing into his position and blending into the trees, it was his intention to remain perfectly hidden and watch an unfolding of events but. Izumi’s eyes fell upon his position and at once he knew from the start, his presence was known.

“Are you perhaps waiting for Koichi?” Norifumi spoke after leaving his position and standing within five meters of Izumi. Casually lighting a cigarette, he noted how empty handed Izumi was. “How did you find out about this place?” “Ayame told me a story of an empty grave. Koichi’s grave. Isn’t it a bit cruel to light incense for the living?” There’s no response for Izumi, his eyes a burning cold fire. Unfortunately Norifumi felt his task was to now monologue, after all that is how these things work out, right?

“But, why don’t you tell me a story. What happened that caused the rock slide? It wasn’t natural, was it.” This struck a nerve in Izumi’s hardened face, but it wasn’t enough to get him to talk. Just a little more. “Maybe it wasn’t saving face for Koichi that your name was taken off the report. Maybe it was your repeating incompetence that killed those jōnin, that Koichi lost his family and a whole town was killed that day.” Their locked gaze was broken, and Norifumi could see inside the man.

He was hurt. Hurting.

So it was him.

[norifumi]

Before him was a cold veteran of Kumogakure’s shinobi forces, words alone would not break this man. Beneath his clothes was the body of a man who had gone through many interrogations and his silence, his steadfast nature was known far and wide throughout Kumogakure and even the other Hidden Villages. But to Norifumi this didn’t strike accord with the man he saw. Though his eyes remained a sharp narrow gaze, he could see all the hurt the man held. But for what reason brung cause to his recent transgressions?

There was much that Norifumi lacked to sufficiently pull the trigger and bring this mission to a close. But no matter, Izumi held all the answers, it was only a matter of time. “I know about the mission led by you and Koichi, I understand why the jōnin deaths were placed on Koichi and your name was amended from all documents pertaining.” Izumi looked on, a tremor slowly coursing through him. “It wasn’t Koichi that made the mistake, it was you. You’re a veteran, a seasoned and skilled shinobi who had great talent, but talent in crippling age is naught. So Koichi took the fall, he could recover from it. But you, there is no remedy for old age.”

“The village announced your retirement is the upcoming week. Were you planning on a clean getaway? Erase your village records and those who follow you, and start again somewhere else?”

There was the motive, but Norifumi didn’t feel successful at all. He felt, danger. His position was all wrong and he knew it, the truth meant nothing. What good is truth if you’re dead, a fact he had completely overlooked. Izumi wasn’t alone in this, and perhaps that didn’t even matter considering rank. But Norifumi was. Soon people would come, he knew who. Chūnin ranked ninja and above, what would he do then?

“Of all the documents stolen, I wonder why Koichi’s wasn’t taken? You even went to the trouble of taking his wife’s record.”

At that moment Izumi’s eyes went wide and they were joined by three presences. Two were hidden, but the presence of the third openly visible, Koichi, deterred Izumi from the fact. Thee three formed a triangle as they stood apart from each other, one hidden at his back and the other at Izumi’s. Koichi broke the silence.

“Is it true?”

[norifumi]

“Are these people going to follow you?”

It surprised Norifumi to see what Koichi held, documents. Shinobi records. They were new? He couldn’t be sure until he verified with contents with his own eyes, but for now, he’d become a spectator to unfolding events.

“There are names of ANBU here, shinobi we’ve personally brought up. You’d betray them by dragging them into something so foolish. Into betraying their village, the home?” Rage laced his words and Izumi slowly blinked turning to face the grave. Going through a quick sequence of seals, he rose the coffin to the surface. Izumi pulled the documents from the open coffin and dusted it off. “You don’t understand, they’re all the same. These Hidden Villages and their Kage. There was a time when we worked under the Daimyo and not a Shadow.”

“All that matters for a ninja is their mission. Personal matters, emotions and ambition should never mark a ninja. There was a time when one could take pride as a shinobi, knowing that their life was measured and defined by the mission. Success or failure.” He dropped the documents on the ground and formed a single seal, Norifumi was too late to spot the tag before he burst into flames.

Wided eyed and lost, he didn’t understand it at all. Gōtō’s names were in those files, along with Koichi’s wife, and Koichi’s team twelve. Had everything he said been merely a ruse?

[norifumi]

Tossing the documents to the side, Koichi ran forward kunai in hand. Norifumi traced the documents location as he distanced himself away from the ensuing clash but there was no fight. Two kunais locked and a shadow appeared behind Izumi. A sliver of light streaked in the moonlight as Izumi was pierced through the back into his chest. Blood splashed Koichi’s conflicted face before he even realized what had happened.

The assailant wasted no time in moving to his next objective, the documents. Norifumi moved into action following the man but he was faster, and reached the documents first. A volley of shuriken and kunai met his approaching hand before he could grasp it and he retreated in a flush of seals. Short and quick and finished with great speed from which he producing a rising whirling current.

In the moonlight the documents fluttered through the sky, Ayame revealing herself from produced another quick volley of shuriken. Norifumi watched the assailant's movement his intention was focused sorely on the floating documents -- memorizing them. The volley was thrown off course by the current and as it died the creator made his escape. Ayame followed a short while but Norifumi stayed behind, focusing on Koichi and the dying Izumi.

One set of the documents were destroyed, the other lie haphazardly on the ground, all in all his mission was successful? He just how to figure out who he was going to blame for this. Gōtō seemed the likely candidate but would it do the village good to drag the man? As the thought passed his mind Ayame turned to him.

“What are you going to do?”

[norifumi]

In the end, Norifumi and everyone agreed that the death of Izumi was enough for the village. Koichi would be pinned the culprit and the remaining documents returned to the village. His sentence would be severe but he wouldn’t receive death. As for the assailant, Norifumi figured it was Yamoto, Issei. His suspicions was confirmed later when he went back to Hikaru’s apartment only to find the man dead. That’s when certain pieces clicked to him.

It hadn’t been Gōtō, actually. There were four ANBU on duty who encountered the culprit, one of which was Ayame. She had recognized the movements of the thief but withheld the information. That’s what placed her at Yamoto’s home, on the stairs and how she knew of the investigation. Rather than a collaboration between Gōtō and Yamoto, he had been used to steal documents which Issei planned to sell?

At the very least Koichi’s confession explained how he was tied into everything. But what Norifumi couldn’t understand was why burn the records? After looking through the documents, it turned out that only three records had been burned, Hikaru’s, Yamoto’s and Koichi’s wife. He said that a shinobi’s life was measured in their mission, success or failure, perhaps he wanted to erase the wife’s failure? Ease Koichi’s pain?

It was neither here nor there.

[Comatose]

NORIFUMI + 120