Operation Find Yokozuna Jr.

[Axcel]

Akuseru erupted into a fit of laughter when the lid of a trashcan nailed Aneun. Having to wipe his eyes of any tears that followed, the genin slowly regained his composure. Aneun's attempt at retrieving the plant was sadly unsuccessful. It wasn't a total waste, as the fear stricken Uchiha had returned with some information. Although he didn't specify, he clearly knew where the plant was. Even Jack grew pale a few moments later, yet Akuseru had yet to make any connections.

"Tch, what is wrong with you two?! If you know where it is then lets go get it!" Not taking the time to look at his timid teammates, Akuseru's focus was entirely on the Hokage complex. They needed a plan! The problem was the plant was with what they made out to be a living nightmare. What they needed was a distraction that would draw the attention of everyone on the floor that they needed to be on.

Forming a handseal, a plume of smoke enveloped Akuseru. As the wind blew away the smoke, none other than their Hokage would be revealed. "I'll get their attention, so you two go get that plant!" Akuseru spoke, but it was the Hokage's voice that came out. Not wanting to waste this opportunity where he appeared as their merciless leader, Akuseru feigned a punch towards both of his teammates in order to get a reaction out of them before running away.

Akuseru took to the streets just outside of the open window. The two would need to find another exit point once inside, because soon all the inhabitants of that floor would be gathered around the window. The 'Hokage' stood still for a moment and it wasn't long before civilian eyes fell upon him. Unsure of whether to dote their leader with affection or slink away in fear, they watched him as if they were deer in the headlights. Suddenly, his face contorted before erupting into a maniacal laugh only familiar to those who have spent a good deal of time within the Hokage complex. It was the Hokage's signature laugh reserved for situations that could only be compared to not being able to stop watching a train wreck.

Soon those who could hear him would see him—and then Aneun and Jack would be able to rescue Yokozuna Jr.

[Anmida]

With Jack's help, Aneun rose to his feet still in a half-daze. As he slowly regained composure, a sudden surge of emotions began to well up inside him. For reasons unknown, the mere thought of the sprout brought forth a multitude of emotions such as hate, fear, disgust, sadness, joy, and most importantly anger. Knowing not why he felt this way, he knew that he was missing some important factor of the situation. And it was an oh so obvious factor too once one thought about it. Aneun however, would not realize it until forcefully jogging his memory caused him to see the window sill that Yokozuna Jr. sat upon in his mind, and then it hit him. He knew he'd seen that room before and he did as it belonged to Youka, his much disliked older sister.

While his original statement of a she-devil referred to the Jounin whom assaulted him earlier, he could not comprehend that he would meet with a true she-devil in the form of his sister. Subconsciously his body wanted to run causing him to take a step back before reason regained control. Knowing full well his fate should the three be unable to retrieve the plant, he mustered his courage.

"Shit. I know where the plant is. We might end up dead on this one boys." He spoke nervously before stepping into the complex through the window. Although haste would normally guide his actions, he instead began to tiptoe as quietly and quickly as possible to avoid alerting the Jounin whom he angered earlier. Never mind Youka, if the Jounin caught wind of Aneun, he was a dead man for sure.

Step by step, he moved further down the hall and almost in the clear when a door opening caught his attention. Almost immediately, he felt figurative lasers drill into the back of his skull as he broke out into a cold sweat. Turning to look behind him, he spotted the female Jounin from earlier standing at the entrance to the changing rooms; her once attractive face looked more akin to the devil as one could see her veins bulge and throb. "Aha-ha-ha-ha. H-hi there." He said nervously. "Aneeeuuun~ What did I say was gonna happen if you tried anything again?" She replied while cracking her knuckles violently. And without warning, she leapt toward him in a mad rage. "WHAT DID I SAY HUUUUUUUHH?!"

Realizing the impending doom, his hands rose to loosely cup their respective cheek; fingers dancing frantically. At the same time, Aneun's face turned bleak as true fear took over. He let loose a scream unfitting of his looks or even sex. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Without hesitation, he ran with all his might while summoning the critters he created before. The lot of them dove straight at the Jounin to distract her while he darted down the hall and around the corner. "You've grown!" Aneun would yell as he ran away from the Jounin. A comment that only fueled her rage, but one he could not help but make. Forgetting the reason he was there in the first place, the fate of Team Akuseru lay in the hands of Jack. The last defender of hope.

[Hecatus]

With Anuen confirming Jack’s suspicious, what little light within his eyes slowly began to fade, resulting in a dark, battle hardened and empty stare. In all his years as a shinobi, the young man had faced off against a god, participated in one of the bloodiest wars Konoha had seen to date and was solely responsible for numerous counts of grand scaled arson during times of both peace and conflict. All of it paled in comparison however to the madness that was about to ensue.

Understanding the risks his comrades had taken, he’d make his approach separately while the pair enacted their own methods. Having entered through the front door, past a disguised Akuseru, he’d wait patiently on the second floor. It was here that he bided his time for just the right moment. Shortly thereafter, the attention of the administration office was caught by the commotion outside which lured them from their posts. After all, if their glorious leader demanded attention, who were they to question it?

[x]

Using this precise timing, the shinobi cautiously slinked forth behind the counter. Quickly flipping through the record books, he’d pan to the page containing the information he sought while mumbling quietly to himself. “Etsuko... Etsuko… ah! Etsuko, Youka – room 421.” Armed with this new intel for the hunt, the lad carefully replaced the books he had shifted, leaving little sign of his presence. His next course of action led him directly to the administration office’s back room. As expected from the performance put on by Akuseru, it too was abandoned. Wasting not a single moment, the Chuunin ran down the line of tiny cubbies in order to find a box with a matching number. Footsteps grinding to a halt just as he had run past it, he’d double back before quickly prying it open. As for what lie inside… a single key resided, one of the few spares that existed for the sole purpose of aiding any tenants foolish enough to lock themselves out.

Pocketing the key without a hint of remorse, Jack resealed the cubby before vanishing from the office. This time he had headed up to the fourth floor via the emergency fire escape stairs. Luckily enough, rarely anyone used them due to the convenience of elevators and the innate laziness of humans as a whole. Placing an ear cautiously against the door, he’d listen for any signs of movement. Rewarded for his diligence, the dark haired fellow heard the sound of frantic footsteps created by Anuen and his pursuer making their second lap around the floor. Sorry bud. You’re on your own for this one.

Waiting patiently for the sounds to die down, only then did he peer from out the small glass window built into the door. With the coast clear, Jack took his first step into enemy territory. His destination? Room 421 – also known as hell on earth.

---

Having somehow miraculously made his way to 421, the shinobi again placed his ear against the door. Listening carefully to the sounds emanating from within the room, one thing was clear. Someone was home and most likely showering. Heart bottoming out, a drop of sweat trickled down his brow as he’d steel his resolve before reaching for his dishonestly acquired key. There was no turning back now. Either death or glory waited on the other side of the threshold. As for which it was, only time could tell.

Throwing hesitation out the window, he’d promptly insert the key into the lock, turning it softly before silently swinging the door open. To his surprise, the room seemed rather normal – exactly opposite of the brimstone, hellfire and altar of virgin sacrifices he had anticipated. Of note, the room consisted of crème colored walls (one of which was completely lined with bookcases), purple comforters, and an overabundance of pillows as well as cat toys scattered randomly about. Gulping rather nervously, he’d once again confirm the occupied condition of the owner. From the looks of it, a tune of some sort was echoing from deeper within the confines of the apartment.

Not one to let opportunity slip through his fingers, the shinobi immediately began a discreet search of the premise. Pausing once or twice to assess things, he’d finally spot what appeared to be Yokozuna Jr. resting casually atop a bedroom nightstand. It was this very moment that Jack had reached  peak of happiness, one he had previously been unfamiliar with. The feeling was short lived however as the squeaking sound of a shower knob turning filtered into the room. Accompanying it was an eerie silence resulting from the ceasing flow of water. Oh shit, ohshit, o-shit, O-SHIT!

Left with little choice, our daring and soon to be deceased hero quickly dove into the nearest door after securing the potted plant. From the looks of it, he had found his way into a walk-in-closet. It was at this moment that Jack had to make the most important decision of his life – one more important than skipping guard duty to watch the premier release of The Notebook in theaters.

Where would he hide?

In cases such as these, instinct served a powerful driving force. Reaching frantically into a fairly sized, solid and half-filled laundry hamper, he’d withdraw a mass of clothing before cramming himself and the sprout inside with the used goods placed on top. Heart racing with every passing second, he’d remain motionless and silent. Perhaps it was time to pray to Yokozuna Jr. If there was a god in this world, it sure as hell was the closest thing to it.

[Axcel]

"AHAHAHAHA!"

The Hokage impersonator continued his charade, doing his best maniacal laugh impersonation. Though he was certainly able to draw a crowd, his ability to hold their attention was not up to part. Of course they would grow suspicious with him laughing over nothing. It wasn't long before a group of shinobi began approaching Akuseru. Erm. . . They don't look very subjugated. Convinced that the jig was up, Akuseru slowly ceased his maniacal laughter.

"Ahem. . . Carry on." From laughing like a mad man to speaking in a cool, calm tone in seconds, the crowd that had gathered was left baffled. Akuseru then took off, breaking line of sight with the shinobi pursuing him before once again enveloping himself in a plume of smoke as he disabled his transformation technique. Having drawn the necessary attention and clearing a path for Jack and Aneun, he left the successful rescue of Yokozuna Jr. in their hands. Once he lost sight of those looking for him, Akuseru circled around and arrived a spot where he could scout out Aneun and Jack leaving the complex.

Hopefully the Hokage didn't get too upset over the rumors that would spread after today.

[Comatose]

INTERMISSION

---

Young Jack could never be privy to the greater plans of the Hokage and therefore wouldn't know that in reality, this was not the room of Youka. In fact, the plan to use this room as a decoy had worked perfectly. In reality, as per the logic of a married couple, Youka lived with Asato within the Hokage suite which was just off the Hokage Office. What was within the shower was not Youka, but a paper double - that is a paper clone disguised to look like Youka, only lacking in any definition. Although the silhouette looked like it could perhaps be Youka, up close it was nothing more than cheaply crafted origami. It let down it's soggy bands of paper that made up it's hair as it strolled out of the bathroom, discarding it's towel and showing all of it's assets - two perfectly crafted pyramid-shaped cones adorned it's torso, it most obviously lacking any genitalia.

"Oh, something just feels odd in here, I hope there isn't anyone around." It spoke, with a voice as raspy as a chain smoker.

With a sudden 'poof' the 'Yokozuna Jr.' which Jack had found turned into nothing more than origami as well, a note dangling from one of it's large petals.

I know you lost it.

Meanwhile, Calypso slept happily upon Asato's desk with the plant; Yokozuna Jr. bathing in the sunlight that crept through the bay-sized windows within the office.

[Anmida]

"Run. Run. Run. Run. Run." He repeated in his mind as if it were a mantra. For what felt like forever, Aneun ran back and forth and here and there trying to evade his pursuer. But slowly he could feel her presence wane on his fortitude. Like daggers, he could feel her hate dig deeper into his back as she drew closer. He knew this could not last forever; desperate measures were needed. Turning a final corner, he could see a window within the distance and his only means of escape.

Busting through the glass, the lad had nowhere to go but down, or so the Jounin thought. Formation of a hand seal afforded Aneun a platform of ink beneath his feet allowing him to essentially run on air. The woman whom chased him would hesitate to follow the Genin as falling from the 4th floor of the complex would surely hurt. And she assumed he had no means of preventing his downfall. How wrong she was as she watched him run across the sky and almost out of sight. Furious at the thought of him getting away, the Jounin believed she could utilize the foot shaped platforms Aneun used to make his escape. How wrong she was. Leaping from the window, her foot simply passed through the ink causing it to stick while she fell toward the ground. While it would hurt, she would not die; just like her anger. "AAAAAAAANNNEEEUUUUUNN!" She yelled furiously as she descended.

Aneun breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the Jounin descend toward the ground and the subsequent impact. "I thought I was a goner. . . hmm?"

Something had caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Upon closer inspection, he could see Akuseru hiding in plain sight. Deciding the best option was to rendezvous with his ally, he began a descent toward the building Akuseru stood beside. Once within range, he deactivated his technique and made a final leap onto the edge of the roof and then down onto the street several feet behind his companion. "Y-yo. . . w-woman . . . d-devil . . . a-air. . . e-escape. . . l-life. . . phew!" He said practically out of breath from all the running he'd done. "D-did Jac--" Upon mention of Jack, a sudden realization hit him as he remembered seeing Jack, not too long ago attempting to enter a room on the 4th floor. It wasn't weird his ally was trying to get into a room but he wondered why some random room on the 4th floor when Aneun knew that Youka's room was on the 5th. He'd visited the place several times before although always left angry due to the constant bickering between himself and his sister.

And then absolute fear struck. He knew his allies had no idea where his sister stayed and so would logically need to find a record of her residency. And if such documents led Jack to a room on the 4th floor, then it meant they'd been doctored. There was only a few people with the authority to do such a thing -- Asato and Youka among those.

"SHIT! Akuseru, follow me quickly. I think we're fucked."

Not wanting to believe his theory but needing to confirm his suspicions, Aneun quickly made his way across the street and onto a nearby rooftop. Returning to the very window they had gathered around earlier, he made his way directly to the door he'd seen Jack fidget with earlier. Grabbing hold of the door knob, he would take a deep breath to calm his nerves before forcing the door open. It was in that moment he laid eyes upon the faux woman that his suspicions were confirmed and the severity of the situation hit a high point. "J-Jack! We're busted!" Whether the humanoid paper reacted to him or not, it did not matter. He could already feel it; the three of them were dead men -- they just didn't know it yet.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}{Time to flee.}Baishitsu (Medium) - Miniscule

[Hecatus]

This can’t be happening. This single thought echoed quietly within the confines of Jack’s mind as he’d squint into the enveloping darkness to make out the message in his hands. Having finally discerned its true meaning, a relived sigh sounded from within the closet as he slowly drudged himself up from the laundry hamper. Though seemingly a strange response to something so terrible, upon further consideration of the shinobi’s character, it would make sense for him to react as such.

Jack was never well suited for espionage, stealth and skulking in the shadows. When considering his repertoire, it’d only make sense that an undercover operation such as this would end poorly. This ever looming sense of impending failure resulted in a massive amount of stress upon the lad, leaving him thoroughly exhausted yet relived once the gig was up.

It appeared as though his companions had caught on as well. Both of them entering the room with a sense of panic, he’d leave the closet with a dejected look while outstretching a single hand containing the false Yokozuna with an attached note dangling from the leaf. “Yeah… I know.” Looking back at the faux woman standing before the trio, he’d sigh again before addressing it. “So? When do we go to meet him?...”

The question was primarily rhetorical. Given the nature of most clone jutsu, it wouldn’t surprise Jack if Asato was turning around a nearby corner.  That said, judging from the sound of his voice, it appeared as though the Chuunin had come to accept his fate rather well.

[Axcel]

Akuseru wasn't sure what had Aneun so concerned. The Uchiha was not usually one to react in such a way, so his tense tone of voice was nothing something that Akuseru would take lightly. A simple nod was all he would give in response before following his teammate up to the complex's window. Remaining outside the complex, Akuseru followed Aneun until they arrived at their destination.

What he saw was enough of an explanation for him. They had been caught red handed, with Yokozuna Jr. nowhere in sight and the Hokage's creation being more than enough to cause the trio to throw in the towel.

"Shit. . . We had a good run."

[Anmida]

With their massive fumble out in the open, Aneun stood patiently for that moment where Asato would reveal himself and behead them for their actions, but nothing. Aside from their own voices and the dripping of a leaking faucet, there was utter silence.

"Uuuh. We're still alive right? Where's the death we expected coming?" Perplexed by the situation, he took a deep breath to calm himself. And then looked over toward the faux woman wondering why it just stood there after its initial actions. "Perhaps. . . He thought to himself as he carefully walked toward the paper creation. Nervously, he extended his right hand and slowly inched forward to poke it. As flesh met paper, the faux human crumbled into many pieces of paper and proving what Aneun suspected. "I was right. Looks like its some automated defense. Which means. . . we have a chance. We just have to find the real sprout and retrieve it. And then when questioned, we'll feign ignorance to the end. Done and done." It wasn't a fool proof plan but the only one left for them. It was that or end up dead.

Bringing hand to face in a face palm-like manner, his mind contemplated on where the sprout would be. He sighed. "Now where could Yokozuna Jr. be? Any ideas?" It could have been anywhere the Hokage thought to leave it. And they were running out of time.

[Hecatus]

With the dissipation of the clone, Yokozuna scattered into nothing as well. Oddly enough, the situation didn’t appear to be over yet. With Anuen’s remark being surprisingly accurate, Jack’s shoulders sagged heavily upon realization that their shenanigans were to continue. “I have no idea where that thing is man. You’re the one that said you found it. Instead I found pyramid peaks over there and you found the twin peaks.”

Pausing for a moment, he’d remember the drawn mice from before. “Any chance of you doing that scouty thing again? Or did you get your fill from the big ole bouncy sister already?” Having little within his own arsenal of use, Jack suggested a repetition of their prior attempts. His primary concern however was that playing the same trick twice might backfire. That said, an additional search was sorely needed. The other alternative consisted of trio simply checking the most obvious, least favorable place within the complex – the dreaded fifth floor.

[Axcel]

With the hunt for Yokozuna Jr. now resumed, Team Akuseru were appearing increasingly desperate. They had no clue where to look for that damn god plant. Even Akuseru, who was the one that insisted on bringing it back to Konoha and keeping it as his own was considering burning the damn thing when he found it. Stir fried vegetables was starting to sound like a good idea.

"M-maybe it is on his desk. . ." Akuseru spoke with a stutter. He was of course referring to none other than the Hokage. If the cat truly belonged to Youka, then the thought of the plant being brought to the Hokage's office a reasonable conclusion. Akuseru turned on his heel and made his way towards the office.

Getting in shouldn't be too much of an issue with Jack, king of bullshit, to speak on their behalf. It was only an issue of whether or not the Hokage was currently in his office. . .

[Anmida]

Perhaps for the first time since this fiasco started, Akuseru had given them a plausible path to take. It did make sense for the sprout to reside within the Hokage's office due to Calypso belonging to Youka and her husband. There also existed the evidence of the faux plant which could have only been crafted by Asato. He was the only paper user Aneun knew of.

"That sounds like a good idea."

Following Akuseru out of the room, the lot of them would head toward the stairs and ascend to the 5th floor where the Kage's office resided. Before freely waltzing up there, he made sure to check if anyone was near the office; namely a secretary. Only another occasion where he met with the Hokage, the man had disguised himself as a secretary and caught the Chuunin unawares. Once confirming the coast was clear, he would slowly make his way toward the Hokage's office.

With his very first step, a small surge of chakra to his eyes brought forth the Sharingan he'd used not too long ago. Not wanting to take any chances, he utilized his enhanced vision to scout for traps or other surprises. Much to his surprise, nothing of the sort existed or at least, he could not see them if they were there. He could only assume it was because nobody was foolish enough to sneak into Asato's office without his knowing. But Team Akuseru were not nobodies. Kings among the foolish, the lot of them headed straight for the demons den.

Arriving at the door to the office, he stood for a moment to collect his thoughts and what might ensue if the Hokage was in his office and they just barged in. Not foolish enough to just bust through the doors, Aneun gently knocked on the heavy double doors. "Special delivery for big boss. Please come sign for it." Would there be an answer?

[Hecatus]

Impressed by Akuseru’s apparently semi-existent brain, Jack agreed rather reluctantly at the prospect of barging into Asato’s office. It was their best option however given the lack of any real alternatives and the obviousness of the choice. Of all the places their Hokage could hide the sprout, what would be safer than deep within his own lair?

Proceeding behind their daring scout, the dark haired man tried to blend in as well as possible. In other words, he’d appear as nervous as can be given his final destination and the implication of arriving on such a floor to begin with. It was the perfect disguise – 100% natural!

Oddly enough, the secretary was nowhere to be seen. That said, with the trio arriving at their final hurdle Jack would put to use what little he had to offer. Kneeling down onto the floor, a single ear pressed firmly against the ground in an attempt to listen for signs of movement. If there was one thing the shinobi had confidence in, it’d be his perception.

Having heard only the sweet, sweet sound of silence, he’d nod at his comrades before standing back upright. Inhaling rather slowly, he’d nod with affirmation of his own resolve before looking towards the pair. Were they ready?

[Axcel]

When Aneun knocked, Akuseru only waited a few moments for pushing doors open and stepping inside. Empty? It was almost too good to be true. Yet when opportunity presents itself, you had better be ready to seize it. Akuseru's eyes fell upon Calypso who slept without a care in the world besides Yokozuna Jr. That stupid cat had been the cause of this giant headache of a day! The genin would ensure it didn't simply wake up and run away with the plant.

"Woof! WOOF WOOF!" Akuseru began barking like a mad man with a voice that was indiscernible from that of a dog. Calypso's eyes shot open before it scurried away. Not wanting to waste this chance, Akuseru grabbed the plant and began high tailing it out of the Hokage Complex.

"Back to headquarters!" Akuseru shouted as he ran past his teammates, obviously referring to his apartment. He never turned back to check if his team was behind him or not. All the boy wanted to do was bring the plant back home and forget this day ever happened.

[Anmida]

The next few moments after Aneun knocked upon the door happened so suddenly that he would not even remember what happened. Upon seeing the plant, he instinctively activated his Sharingan to complete the task handed to him by the Hokage. Seeing nothing wrong with the plant, the moments afterward were as if it were a movie, the scene, or rather his mind blacked out. And suddenly he found himself where the entire fiasco had begun, Akuseru's apartment. The retrieval of Yokozuna Jr. or his allies verbal assault on Calypso, or even the trip back had become nothing but a blur. Perhaps it was due to a massive wave of relief overwhelming him as he lay eyes on that damn sprout, or perhaps his mind simply wanted to erase a bad memory, either way he had forever changed.

Back in Akuseru's apartment, the lad sat in the exact same spot he sat before on the couch. With a new plate in one hand and doughnut in the other, he stared at the spot the three had first realized the sprout was missing. With a look similar to if one had seen a ghost, he stared absentmindedly. All the while he ate his doughnut albeit very strangely. As if he were run by an automated system, he took a bite of the treat at exact 15 second intervals. Even his chewing made it seem like he was being run by a computerized system; his chewing occurring at exact one second intervals.

They had just went through hell, but in the end they retrieved Yokozuna Jr and avoided execution at the hands of their leader. Although at what cost? Only time would tell.