Sōsuke was exhausted, famished from his long trek back from the Fisherman's Port. He was unsettled after almost causing an incident with one of the workers there. The Genin would have to exercise more control over his emotions in the future. He had allowed his own personal feelings to obstruct his objective. If the situation had escalated, Sōsuke would have been reprimanded for his actions and the ties between the fishing town and Kumogakure no Sato would have suffered as a result. And thus, he managed to restrain himself from starting a fight and completed the mission within the time frame given. He needed a break from the repetitive nature of all the assignments he was given, hoping that things will be different from here on out. His thoughts began to wander as time went on.

"I wonder how long it will take before I reach the village..."

Sōsuke let out a sigh; his stomach growled in unison. The road back had been uneventful and he encountered only a few people along the way back. Some of them seemed apprehensive upon seeing him, although he wasn't sure why. Fujiwara was sure that the fish stench was no longer there on his clothing. He sniffed himself, making sure that the stench was indeed gone. Although he wasn't a superficial individual, he wanted to make sure that he was presentable to others. He had been taught to do so by his older brother who believed that men coming from the Shieikan dojo should not allow themselves to be looked down upon but aspire to be more than their fellow peers.

Eventually, Sōsuke saw the village gates coming up ahead and a wave of relief washed over his being. Soon he would be able to return home once again and see his brother. He noticed quite a few shinobi standing around near the gate. Some were familiar faces, the usual people manning the front and in charge of letting people in and out. The task given to them didn't suit their rank, but the job required men and women who would be able to fend off intruders. The other shinobi hanging around the plaza seemed to be either returning from a mission or just about to head off on one. It wasn't hard to tell which one which was considering the people that had just returned looked like walking zombies for the most part. He shared the same sentiments as these men, a hot shower and sleep would do wonders for him right about now.

But something caught the child's attention. There was a man that stood out like a sore thumb. He gave off the impression that he was not of the same ilk as the other people that inhabited the plaza. Most of his figure was hidden from sight due to his black cloak, but there was one singular feature that spoke volumes about his character. His porcelain mask carried a distinctive purple lightning pattern on the right side of the mask like a scar. The red line running across the mask resembled an eerie smile, making the Genin feel the need to be on guard just from looking at it. The sight of the mask reminded Sōsuke of the existence of a particular organization within the village.

"There's no doubt about it, he's part of the KYOBU."

KYOBU: the premier assassination and espionage unit that the village had to offer. It was the first time that the Genin had seen one in person. He had heard that once a shinobi had entered their ranks, their identities became classified to ensure their anonymity. Once the mask was on, their name became unimportant and their only goal was to serve the village. Most members remained hidden from the rest of society, operating in the darkness and keeping to themselves. Even those who protected the Raikage would conceal themselves from the eyes of the public. The ultimate sacrifice a shinobi could make for his or her village other than death. One that Sōsuke himself was unsure that he could take.

He was not afraid to kill those who opposed the village. Unlike others, he was willing to stain his hands in order to achieve what he wanted, but there was one reason why despite his qualifications that he could not bring himself to join. Giving up his civilian life meant that he would never see his older brother Kondo ever again. He was the reason why Sōsuke had become a shinobi so that he could protect him. If he were to become part of the KYOBU, he would never be able to live a normal life with Kondo ever again. While the unit consisted of some of the best Jōnin and Chūnin in the village, the life expectancy of their members was much shorter than their normal counterparts. The price one had to pay when you immerse yourself in the dark side of the shinobi world.

Fujiwara's attention shifted back from his thoughts to the KYOBU member that was about to clear himself out with the guards. Something compelled him to talk to the older shinobi. He couldn't discern what it was exactly, but Sōsuke's instincts had never failed him before. The younger male decided to press his luck and engage in a conversation with his senior. There was no harm in small talk. Although from the looks of his haggard posture, the man was on the brink of collapsing. Even if he couldn't read his facial expressions, the teenager could tell that the masked figure had been through hell and back judging from how he was standing.  

"You look like you've seen better days, here have some water." said the Genin from behind the shinobi's field of view, hoping that he would turn around to look at the person that was calling him out. He reached into his jacket and retrieved a water pouch he had acquired during his trip back from the port and offered it to the figure but not before drinking some of it himself.

The figure turned his head around just enough to see the teenager that had called him out. The man seemed to hesitant for a moment as to whether or not he should humor the Genin and accept his offer. But the hesitation disappeared when he noticed that the older shinobi was performing one-handed handseals. Fujiwara was no stranger to the sight of one-handed seals for he had been taught about them during his time in the Academy. It was a useful skill for him because his dominant hand was often holding his katana. The water in his container began to float out from his container, inching towards its recipient. The man lifted his mask up just a bit so he could consume the water that he had produced from the Genin's pouch. Once he was done drinking, the rest of the water fell back into its container indicating that the technique he had used was finished.

Takeshi Gouka wrote:

"Gyoko Mizu, Congeal Water. Not the most ideal jutsu for gathering up water, but useful for purifying 'suspect' water sources. Granted, I don't believe a genin such as yourself would have access to any particularly fatal poisons, much less ones you'd drink yourself first... But, don't take it personally. KYOBU are, amongst other things, paid to be paranoid."

The man spoke at last, describing his actions in detail to Sōsuke. Fujiwara didn't know what to expect from the older shinobi after hearing all the rumors about people in the KYOBU. He didn't find the man's actions to be strange at all, understanding the need to confirm that Fujiwara was not attempting to poison him. Sōsuke would have done the same if he were in the other man's position. But that was because he did not trust other people; he did not like the idea of leaving his life in the hands of strangers. That untrusting attitude of his led him to become a lone wolf, a trait that Fujiwara felt was also true about the man he was talking with at the moment.

NPC wrote:

"All clear. Welcome back to Kumo, Jestre."

"Jestre" was a name that was used in hushed tones. The man who owned this title could no longer be seen as just another shinobi. Even someone like Fujiwara who had just become a Genin knew the tales about the KYOBU member who bore a mask resembling that of a jester. The ground he walked on became corrupted earth and the flowers along the road withered in his presence. Death and destruction were his companions, following him wherever he went. With that kind of reputation, it was bound to be difficult for him to make new friends. Yet even knowing that, Sōsuke did not fear the killing machine. But then again, there were few things in the world that could put fear into his heart. A man who didn't outright kill him for offering water was not one of them.

Takeshi Gouka wrote:

"And try not to make sudden moves around KYOBU. It can end... Badly."

Jestre began to walk towards the village after he had receiving clearance. Fujiwara gave him a blank stare before chuckling at the advice the man had given him. The teenager chased after the man after showing his paperwork to the guardsman. The slow pace that the KYOBU member was walking at allowed the young shinobi to catch up to the man.

"So you're the infamous KYOBU member known as Jestre. I don't know what other people think of you but you don't strike me as someone who isn't fun to hang around. Perhaps a little rough around the edge, but what kind of shinobi would we be if we weren't all paid to be sociopathic assassins for hire." The young shinobi was about to ramble on, but he realized that he had forgot to introduce himself.

"The name is Fujiwara Sōsuke, you might be hearing that name more often from here on out. Perhaps we can even work together later on." said the teenager with a confident grin.

The KYOBU member took his time before responding to the young Genin. A calculative man who did not waste his breath with useless banter. Sōsuke was different from the older shinobi in some aspects. He relied on words and cunning to lull others to lower their guard. He lusted for battle, but sometimes he had more to gain from more passive approaches. Fujiwara was charismatic, a trait that the Jestre did not seem to possess. Although the Genin supposed intimidation worked just as well, if not better, for the man.

Takeshi Gouka wrote:

"What other people think of me is entirely irrelevant. I have a duty to do, and I will do it, regardless of who or what gets in my way."

"You remind me of someone I know." Little did Jestre know, Fujiwawa was referring to himself. He didn't care much about what other people thought of him. His apathetic outlook on life made it hard for him to care about anything, with the sole exception being Kondo. He had no reservations with cutting down someone who spoke ill of his older brother. A devotion that overpowered his commitment to protecting Kumogakure no Sato.

Takeshi Gouka wrote:

"On the subject of duty... Let's clear on thing up, Sōsuke. There is a vast world of difference between being a ninja and being a...A sociopath for hire. Our work is necessary, and should be done to the utmost of one's ability, professionally. A sociopath does it simply for the thrill of the kill, and if you truly, sincerely enjoy the kill... You will be little better than a rabid dog, and more than likely would find yourself put down as such."

"Hahaha, perhaps you are right." said the Genin with a half-smile on his face. He could sense the displeasure coming from the man's tone of voice. Perhaps Fujiwara was tempting fate a bit much with his former remark, but he wanted to see how the Jestre would react. The man was bound to his charge, having lost some qualities that made him "alive".

Takeshi Gouka wrote:

"As my mentor would have said, our duty isn't pretty, but better the man with regrets do it than the animal with none."

"Your mentor sounds like a wise person. Is he or she still around?" Fujiwara had forgotten that the shinobi that was walking beside was a Genin at one point as well. The infamous Jestre had to learn from someone as well. Sōsuke wondered if it was possible for him to also receive training from the KYOBU member's teacher as well. The person who helped shape the legend must possess formidable abilities as well.

The two continued to walk down the streets of Kumogakure no Sato. Sōsuke could tell that people were keeping their distance from the duo. The Genin had little doubt that it was because of the man who he was walking with. He wondered if the person behind the mask faced the same treatment when he was not wearing it. Those who wish to live must endure. Even if those we are protecting are not welcoming us with open arms. A person had to sacrifice a lot to pursue a future in their line of work. This fact was even more relevant when it came to those who chose to join the KYOBU.

Even in the shinobi world, there was a place that few dared to wander. It was not a place for everyone to reside in for it was too easy for one to lose themselves in the darkness. It changed people, the man known as Jestre must have been different before he decided to don the mask. But Fujiwara could not tell...how much of that man was still residing in there.

"Where are you heading to now?" Their walk came to a halt when the two heard a scream from the side. A man was holding a woman with a knife to her neck in front of a stand, unaware of the two shinobi that were walking in his direction.

"HELP ME!" yelled the woman, tears running down her face.

"Please don't hurt her!" yelled another man who emerged from the crowd that became to form. From the looks of it, the man was related to the woman in some manner for him to react like that.

"GET BACK! I'LL KILL HER IF YOU DON'T GET BACK!" yelled the criminal, inching his weapon ever closer to the woman's neck. A trickle of blood began to form from the nick. Fujiwara's finger twitched at the sight, his hand reached for his katana. His vision was still on Jestre, waiting for the man to make his move.