The Great Geyser was one of the most famous landmarks in all of Kaminari no Kuni. As its name implies, the region was known for its geysers, the largest one being situated in the center and was able to produce streams of water hundreds of feet above the ground. People were able to siphon water from some of these active waterholes. This in turn led to the development of tourist attractions such as hot spring resorts in the area. It was a good place for people to come to unwind and take a short break from civilization. After trodding through several months of repetitive missions and asinine assignments, Sōsuke decided to take a well-deserved trip to the hot springs. Although he had planned to fund his vacation with his own savings, the Kyokkou clan was generous enough to cover his expenses for him. He would have been hesitant about accepting their offer but the amount that was given to him was nothing more than a drop of water in their sea of wealth.

His weekend trip to the hot springs was uneventful for the most part. After trekking and hiking up and down several winding paths, he had reached the forest that surrounded the resort he was heading to. The skies had turned dark, hinting that it was going to rain soon. A flash of lightning blinded his vision for a second and an ominous thunder followed after. It was a common sight to the Genin, having grown up in Kumogakure no Sato for a vast portion of his life. People who hailed from their nation tended to have a natural genetic disposition towards Raiton and Sōsuke was no exception. Most shinobi were capable of manipulating two different elements, in his case that happened to be Raiton and Suiton. The two went hand in hand with each other, but he was eager to see if he was capable of manipulating more elements later on. He remembered how the piece of paper he was holding began to wrinkle up before becoming wet from his exertion of chakra. Lightning created from the masses of water that hung above his head as he walked, it was a combination made in heaven. A drizzle began to form but he had anticipated this and was fortunate enough to have brought along an umbrella with him. Although it provided little protection if a bolt were to descend from the clouds and strike him where he stood. He looked down towards the ground in order to open his umbrella, catching two pairs of fresh footprints.

"I'm guessing these people also went to the hot spring as well." thought Fujiwara as he felt drops of rain falling on his face. He raised his umbrella and continued down the path, following the footsteps of the people before him. The tracks maintained its course on the normal route for a while, until it diverged and began to head in a different direction off the beaten path. Even so, the shinobi didn't think too much of it until he reached a fence. He raised a brow and saw that the footprints were present behind the blockade which meant that the travelers had chosen to enter the restricted area. He knew well enough that the fences were meant to block people from wandering too far from the path because active geysers were present in the forest. He would have to go and bring the tourists back before one of them got hurt.

With a small leap, the shinobi was able to scale the fence without even breaking a sweat. He marched on and made sure that he didn't lose the trail, maintaining a brisk pace so he could make it in time. The earth began to rumble beneath his feet, but the teenager knew that it wasn't because of thunder this time around. He looked out in the distance through the shroud of steam, finding two figures standing at the edge of several active geysers. One of them were wearing a hitai-ate which carried the symbol that belonged to Kirigakure no Sato. Fujiwara tried to make out the man's face, but most of it was hidden underneath bandages. The younger male, on the other hand, was not wearing a hitai-ate like his companion and donning more traditional clothing like Sōsuke. Even so, the Genin had a feeling that the child was a shinobi as well. He had half a mind to just leave them to their fate and let them navigate through the hot spring minefield. But then again, the two did not seem to be on a mission to Fujiwara when he considered the remoteness of their visit. He was a cold-hearted bastard, but the implications of finding dead men from Kirigakure no Sato in Kaminari no Kuni had the potential of starting a war between the two shinobi nations. So he decided to push aside the instincts that told him to abandon the two men and instead decided to help them out.

"Oi, you two! You might want to get back here if you're planning on going to the hot spring resort. I don't think you want to keep going forward if you value your life." he shouted, hoping that the two would hear his warning. The rain continued to pour down on his umbrella as he waited. The Genin wished that the rain would stop when he got to the resort, otherwise he would not be able to use the hot springs.

The older male seemed to have been fixated on the natural phenomenon, taking a good two seconds to react to the Genin's call. The child became defensive upon hearing his voice and held onto his companion's clothing. He mumbled a few words but due to Fujiwara's distance, he didn't hear what the child had said. The tall shinobi didn't even turn around before yelling back a response.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Ah, yeah I know! I just wanted to check out the geysers myself with my own eyes. I read so much about them in Kirigakure!”

The man turned to face him at last, Fujiwara could tell from the man's look that he was sizing the teenager up. He couldn't blame the shinobi for doing that because it was almost second-nature for them to discern strangers. People in their line of work liked to know what or who they were dealing with. Now that Sōsuke got a better look at the man, he realized that the other shinobi was not much older than him. Even if half of his face was obscured, the man's voice did not belong to someone who was an adult. And from his voice, the teenager could tell that there was no malice hidden beneath his words. If the man had wanted to, he would have attacked Fujiwara as soon as he heard the latter's voice. He watched as the two were walking back over to where the Genin was standing.

"I guess the two are done with sight-seeing for now."

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“This is actually my first time visiting these lands.“I was quite curious of the geysers that the stories held in the books. Kirikagure has limited information on the sight, Like I stated earlier, so I just took it to see it with my own eyes.”

It was rare for a shinobi hailing from Kirigakure no Sato to be this far from his homeland, but it was even more peculiar that the man was here because he wanted to "visit". Sōsuke made a mental note in the back of his mind to not let his guard down. The other shinobi didn't concern the Genin as much, but a two on one fight would not end well for the teenager. He was being overcautious again and just waited for the shinobi to talk to him once more after helping the younger one climb over the fence.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“I’m sorry if I was trespassing on the villages property, I did not mean such a thing.”

"It's fine, The Great Geyser area is open to people from other countries. If you managed to make it this far without trouble, I doubt I have to bring you in."

The older shinobi fixed his hair in the rain before talking to him.  

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Ah, I’m being rude. “I’m Kyuusaisha, Sasha for short.”

The name was not familiar to the young Genin but if he did then there would have been a problem. A slight pause after his introduction meant that he also wanted to know the name of the Genin.

"Nice to meet you, Sasha-san. The name is Fujiwara Sōsuke. And who might your friend be?" Sasha tilted his head just a bit to direct the shinobi's attention over to the youngest of the three men.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Ah, this is Yoi Senju. Just a little traveling buddy I was issued.”

His ears perked up a bit after hearing the child's surname. The Senju clan was a name that was known in all shinobi nations. It is one of the oldest existing clans and gained recognition for their prowess in battle. Most of these battles were waged against rival clans, one of them being the Uchiha clan. In more recent times, the clan has diluted its bloodline quite a bit with several members appearing here and there across the land. This was the first time that Sōsuke had met a living Senju, he was curious to see their abilities but he restrained his urge to fight.

"Now is not the time for that." The rain continued to pour down on the three, although the lightning and thunder had subsided for the time being.

"Senju...now that's a name you don't hear often. Perhaps we can talk more about this later."

"But now is not the time to chat. We should head over to the ryokan before the rain gets heavier. No doubt the two of you are tired from your travels." said the Genin before returning back to the path, watching the two that followed him. It took the group about an hour to reach their destination, the torrential summer rain died down just as the three got there. A golden plaque on the front of the inn showed the kanji for "Kissuisō". With a slight push he was able to open the front shōji door and there was an old woman waiting for them.

"Welcome to Kissuisō. My name is Shijima Sui, how may I be of assistance?"

"I was hoping that you could arrange for two rooms. One for myself and one for the two over there." said Sōsuke, pointing at Sasha and Yoi with his hand. The old woman peeked over his shoulder to see the other guests before responding back.

"I'm afraid that due to the summer season that we do not have enough rooms for your request. Do you mind sharing a room with your two friends?" said the owner of the ryokan.

"I don't mind, do you?" asked Fujiwara, looking at the two shinobi for their response. Although it was unwise for most people to share rooms with strangers, he was confident that he was able to defend himself if something were to happen.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Ah. I don’t mind. Yoi can deal with the decision. I’ll make sure he’s the first one out.”

After making their arrangements, the trio went to the front desk and each of them received a yukata and a towel. The interior design of the ryokan reminded Sōsuke of the Shieikan dojo that he grew up in. Quite a few people were rummaging up and down the halls; some of them were tourists while others were waitresses working for the inn. Arriving at their room, the three of them inspected their quarters to make sure nothing was out of place. It was spacious with a view that looked over the front lawn of the inn.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Wah. This is all sorts of fancy.”

Both Sasha and Yoi had taken a liking to their lodging, Fujiwara smiled when he caught the younger shinobi with a giant grin on his face. The Senju seemed eager to head for the hot springs, so the older shinobi helped the kid undress in a room located just a few doors down from their own. The walls and doors were paper thin which allowed him to hear what was happening in the adjacent rooms. After he had finished preparing the sleeping mattress, the Genin decided to head to the changing room as well. Just as he was about to open the door, Yoi bursted out from the room half naked and running towards the hot springs. He looked into the room to see Sasha staring at him.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Thank you. He needs it more than me.”

The older teenager began to undress before him, removing his haori along with his vest. It was a simple process for the Genin, as he undid his obi sash and removed most of his clothing with little effort. He didn't look at his companion until Sasha began to talk again.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“You, by chance, don’t know a place where I can get a few bandages, hm?”

"I'm not sure but it would make sense that the Kissuisō would have a couple of first-aid kits around. Perhaps you can ask them for bandages later." said Fujiwara as he turned around to see the scars littered across the man's upper torso. It spoke volumes about his character, each one a testament to his fortitude and will to live. It was impressive that Sasha was still able to move and walk around, Sōsuke whistled at him before wrapping the cloth around his waist and placing his clothing in an open square cabinet.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Some fights you just don’t come from unscathed.”

The man laughed after hearing his own statement while Fujiwara remained silent, waiting for the man to finish. He agreed with what the man said, but he had no physical scars to speak of. His scars existed in his character, tainted in darkness. These wounds were still raw and aching but his strong sense of purpose allowed him to endure the bloodlust and rage that brewed within him. As the dirtied bandages fell on the floor, a smell began to emanate from Sasha. The scent was familiar to Fujiwara; it was the smell of rotting flesh.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“If it bothers you, I will simply place them back before finding some more to replace them. It’s not a big deal to me on what you choose."

"You're one ugly son of a bitch." said Sōsuke before laughing at the shinobi as he covered over his open wound with a piece of cloth. The look on the teenager's face revealed that Sasha was not pleased with the current state of his wound. It would have been a good idea for him to check it out with a doctor before he got an infection. The best-case scenario was that Sasha would let his wound heal and have permanent scars across his face or loss half his face. It seemed like a no-brainer to the Genin, but there must have been some reason the teenager did not treat it.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“I guess when they say to follow orders, you better do it, huh?"

Orders. The ambiguous nature of his statement left the shinobi wondering if Sasha meant that he received the scars from accomplishing his mission or being punished for insubordination. The young shinobi knew that he would be tasked with more dangerous missions in the future. The risk will be higher and casualties were to be expected. But none of that, not even the scars that Sasha had shown him made him flinch. He was devoted to Kumogakure no Sato, nothing could change that fact except for one person. He became a shinobi to protect that person, serving as his right-hand man. His zealous attachment to the man had driven the young Fujiwara to push his limits, to surpass all others in order to fulfill his savior's dream.

"I take orders from no one else besides Kondo-san." The two of them arrived at the onsen. The bath itself was vast like a pool; Fujiwara scanned the area for Yoi and found him at the far edge of the area. Sasha and Sōsuke both sat down on a small stool first, washing themselves clean. It was important to rinse out excess dirt and grime from their skin to avoid contaminating the onsen. After the two were done, both of them eased into the onsen. The Genin was now naked and submerged in the water of the hot spring. He began to loosen up, letting himself sink lower and lower until most of his figure was underwater.

"Damn this feels better than the one at The Heavenly Onsen." said Sōsuke as he closed his eyes to rest. That was until a splash of hot water slapped him across the face. He opened his eyelids to see that it was Yoi that had committed the act of crime against him.  

"Oi, are you looking to start a fight?" said Fujiwara as he got up from the water, exposing his manhood to the two other shinobi next to him. The Senju continued to taunt him, but even with water to slow him down, the Genin was able to leap across the hot spring and wrestle down the younger shinobi. It took him a good minute to get the kid in a headlock and even then Yoi was still laughing from the fun he was having. It was at that moment that Sōsuke noticed that there were burn marks were present on the left side of the child's face.

"What the hell happened to the two of you?" mumbled the Genin as he released his hold on the child. Both of them were hiding secrets from him, but Sōsuke did not know what it was.

The child ran back over to his partner after Fujiwara stopped.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Like I said, you better follow the orders given. Long story short, torture isn’t the greatest thing to endure no matter if it’s physical or psychological.”

"No kidding." thought the young Genin as he sank back into his own corner of the onsen. His thoughts were resting on the words Sasha had told him. Refusing to follow orders had serious consequences for a shinobi, their punishment would be left in the hands of their superior. Some people were fortunate and received a scolding instead, but most people didn't get that luxury. Kumogakure no Sato carried some of the harshest punishments for insubordination. These draconian laws were carried over from the time of the Shodai Raikage and have remained unchanged even now. Fujiwara did not know about the laws of Kirigakure no Sato, but he knew enough that the two travelers had received their scars as punishment. But what about his own scars? He chuckled albeit there was bitterness to his laugh. The world was a cruel and unusual place.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“In-case you get confused, Mokuzai is also a name I go by. Yoi calls me it, you’re allowed to do the same Sōsuke-kun.”

Senju Yoi wrote:

“We’re brothers! I guess that’s what he’s meaning to say.”

Sōsuke noticed a twitch in Mokuzai's arm after letting the child speak his mind.

"Brothers? The two of them don't share the same surname, but it is possible that they're not blood-related." The Genin thought about it a little bit more, visualizing Sasha and the child. He tried to imagine Mokuzai without his facial wounds and an older Yoi without his burns. His gaze rested upon the two and realized that the two did look similar to each other. The two of them looked too similar as his mind began to assemble the final image. The younger child sank back into the water, hiding from his view. Fujiwara was just about to speak when Sasha interrupted him.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“So, tell me about yourself, Sōsuke-kun. How you grew up, what made you become a ninja, or what your goal as being a Shinobi of the cloud is? Any relatives, lovers, bosses?"

He wanted to talk, but the shinobi held his tongue for a brief second. Fujiwara had almost forgotten that he was not with friends with his village. But then again, he had no friends to speak of. He had Kondo, his older brother, but that was it. The teenager never wanted to open up to his brother about his problems because he feared that Kondo would think of him less for his weakness. He didn't want to show that he too was just another human being to the man, he wanted to be his confidant, someone Kondo could trust with his own private matters. But the relationship between the two was complicated; his brother viewed him more as a sibling than someone he could talk to about his feelings. The same went for Fujiwara as well, hiding behind his facade so that his brother would not be able to see his true character.

But the Genin needed to vent out these issues and never had someone to talk to before about it. Was Fujiwara being naive, talking about his life when he had just met the two. No one could blame the thirteen year old for seeking attention. So against his better judgment, the teenager began to talk about his past.

"So you want to know about me? Well there is not much to it. I was born into a samurai clan, but you could see that didn't work out as planned." said Sōsuke, while pointing at his forehead where his hitai-ate would have been.

"Both of my parents died, leaving behind me and my siblings. Times were hard, but even so we managed somehow. One day my older sister, Mitsu, left me in the care of the Shieikan school. She left me there and never came back. I haven't seen her since then, but I sometimes wonder where she is now. I wonder if she even remembers how I look like." he said while leaning back against the rocks and looking up at the night.

"But I suppose it was good that she did that. Otherwise I would have never met my older brother, Kondo." said the teenager with a grin on his face.

"It was there that I learned that life had some hope to it. Kondo treated me better than my real siblings ever did. I was grateful that he offered the world to someone like me. I just wish I could live a long and peaceful life with him. But he has aspirations too...he wants to bring peace back to our land. It's a grand goal if anyone else said that I would have laughed it off as a joke. But...Kondo possesses a charisma that would make men follow him to hell and back. I believe in my older brother and in order to support his cause, I became a shinobi."

He gave his speech a rest, letting it sink in. His loud stomach growled and protested, causing him to scratch his head in embarrassment.

"Guess I forgot how long it has been since I last ate. Let's go out and look around town for something to eat." Fujiwara got up once more and walked out of the onsen to take a short shower before getting dressed to go outside.

When the young shinobi had finished showering, his two other companions were nowhere to be seen. Fujiwara wondered if the two had gone off in search of sustenance as well. It took him no more than five minutes to get back in his normal attire, throwing the used cloth in a bin. He felt better after relaxing in the onsen, but the night was still young. Before he could satiate his hunger, Sōsuke had to find out where Mokuzai and Yoi had gone off to. He went back to their room, opening the door to see if there someone there. Yoi turned around to face the new arrival, remaining on guard until the child noticed that it was Fujiwara.

"Well well, what do we have here?" Sōsuke was surprised that the older shinobi had left Yoi on his own. Perhaps he trusted that the child was capable of handling it on his own if something were to happen. The two shared an obvious bond with each other, much like how Fujiwara shared a connection with Kondo. The Genin still did not know if the two were related to each other, but he had a feeling that he would learn more over the course of their night.

"You know where Mokuzai went?"

"He went off to get some bandages." The Genin had remembered that the older teenager had asked him about where to find bandages before. Guessing that Sasha had gone off to purchase a new roll, the young shinobi also decided to take a stroll outside.

"Alright then, let's go find him then." The child's orbs brightened up at the mention of food, jumping up from his spot and running over to Fujiwara. Just moments after leaving through the front doors of the resort, the two found Mokuzai coming back from his little trip. Fresh bandages covered over his scars once again but the smell was there albeit it was not as bad as before.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Sorry about the whole. Stench. Yeah."

"It's fine, so long as it's covered up, I don't most people will notice the stench for the most part." said the shinobi scratching his nose while talking. A glimmer of light from the man's pocket drew his attention to it. It was a hitai-ate, but from his angle, he couldn't make out of the symbol on it. His instincts screamed at him to take a closer look, but he didn't feel the need to push the issue. The forehead protector could have belonged to Yoi for all he knew, but that begged the question why the child was not wearing his hitai-ate if he were from Kirigakure no Sato as well. He had reasons to suspect that the two considering their actions and questionable scars, but he chose to remain silent until he can uncover their secret.

"Well then, now that we are all here. Let's go eat then." said Sōsuke as he led the pack through the crowded streets. Miniature food stands lined up one after another down the street, competing against each other for business. Other stands sold merchandises to unsuspecting tourists, making a profit from selling useless trinkets. The trio stopped after choosing to dine at a small ramen restaurant. Even if the two travellers came from distant lands, ramen was a common food available in all countries. Fujiwara wasn't sure if it could be considered comfort food, but he was sure that Mokuzai and Yoi would like a hot meal after travelling for so long. The aroma alone was making him crave even more than before.

The three of them sat down on small chairs facing a counter and the chef that stood behind it. The owner turned around to face his new customers.

"Welcome! What can I do you folks for?" said the man with a loud jubilant voice. Before Fujiwara could speak, the chef had placed three cups of tea on the table for them to drink.

"We'll have three Chāshū Ramen." The chef nodded and began to cook up their meal for them. As the man continued to work on their order, Fujiwara decided to talk to Mokuzai.

"So about what you said before...would you mind if I ask you the same? There must be some reason you two are out here so far from home if you're not here on orders." The man had started to derail their conversation after the shinobi had mentioned their scars. Even if Mokuzai were to lie and conceal his purpose in Kaminari no Kuni, there is truth behind all lies. He just had to pick together the parts and connect it with the bits and pieces he knew from before. A small grin formed as he was talking, but it did not reveal his intentions. Three bowls of ramen appeared in front of them. Dinner was now in session.

Fujiwara listened to Mokuzai with great focus, he was eager to hear more about the older shinobi's past. There was something alluring about it that captivated his attention much like how the smell of fresh broth made his stomach twist and churn. Sōsuke knew that he carried a hint of wanderlust inside, but he kept his desires locked up along with his rage and bloodlust. But sometimes, one of these aspects leaked out into his visible persona and others were able to see his hidden nature.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Well. I’m originally from The Hidden Waterfall Village. I grew up there with my father.”

Fujiwara did not expect to hear Mokuzai mention Takigakure no Sato as being the teenager's birthplace. He had presumed that the older shinobi had been burn in Kirigakure no Sato but it seems as though he was incorrect about that. The Genin had also not been burn in the village he resided in now. He hailed from a small town that no one ever heard about and he didn't want to remember it. It reminded him of the fact that his sister had left him and each time he thought about it, it was like getting hammered in the heart with a nail. Sōsuke clenched his fist under the counter before releasing his grip and waiting for the man to keep going.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

"My birth mother passed during delivery, so it was me and the old man for a while. It was such a small village, and it was constantly invaded for some reason. My father got tired of staying there and we moved to Mizu No Kuni, where I remained with him outside of the village.”

"Guess that makes the two of us." said Fujiwara with a sardonic smile. People die all the time, but it was during wartime that the bodies began to pile up like mountains. Without their parents to look after them, orphans often had no place to turn to for help. It was a dog eat dog world out there and if a person couldn't protect themselves, it wouldn't be surprising to end up dead in a ditch somewhere. Orphans made the best recruits in the Academy; it took little to mold a child into the perfect weapon for the village.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

"He entered me into the academy when I was younger, allowing me to graduate and work my way up in the ranks serving the Mizukage. It was a weird..Experience, to say the least. Didn’t expect a Yamanaka to lead such a place, ya know?”

"Someone sure has friends in high places." It must have been interesting for Mozukai to work with his superior. There was a hint of disapproval in the man's tone as he spoke about his time ascending the ladder. Fujiwara had never met the Raikage before, most people didn't get a chance to do so because of the so-called curse that had been placed on Kumogakure no Sato. It was said that the Shodai Raikage had angered the heaven with his actions, those who wielded the title of Raikage were destined to suffer a cruel fate and meet their end sooner than other men. He fancied the idea that there were omnipotent deities would even bother to lift a finger against mere mortals. It would be like stomping on an ant given the descriptions he had heard from monks.

But the more obvious reason for the curse of the Raikage would be that people in their line of work tend to not have long lifespans. He began to wonder how long he would last but a short slurp from Yoi brought his gaze back on the older brother.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“For the reason that we’re here? I personally wanted to see the geysers, and Yoi wanted to travel with me. We’ve been to Konohagakure No Sato, and the surrounding country. I’m actually on my way to a more minor country to drop this little guy off with someone to take care for him while I’m out.”

The two had travelled quite a bit before getting here. Sōsuke was jealous that the duo was able to roam around without repercussions. The young teenager would have to be a higher rank before being sent off to other countries. But for now, he was stuck in the village performing mediocre missions. Yoi looked at the older shinobi after hearing him being mentioned in the conversation. Fujiwara couldn't imagine how the kid would feel if Mokuzai just left him in the care of someone else. The parallel between Yoi and Fujiwara seemed a bit clearer now. He could see Mokuzai leaving the child behind similar to how his sister Mitsu had left him in the care of another. Sōsuke didn't want Yoi to be abandoned as well.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“It’s not safe for him to go around with me. He could become something that could be used against me, and I don’t want him put in that situation. I will end anyone who places their hands on him like that.”

Sōsuke consumed his meal in silence, knowing that he had no right to speak out against Mokuzai. There was a difference between Yoi's situation and his own. The young child that sat next to him was a potential target for others. Even if the older shinobi was stronger, he was not invincible. He cared about his partner, but knew that he had to choose the lesser of two evils. Even if Yoi hated him for leaving him behind, Mokuzai would kept the child safe from harm in the process.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Any more questions?”

"Where do you plan on heading to after you drop Yoi off?" said the Genin, finishing the rest of his ramen. He sat there thinking back on the man's responses. Mokuzai had been cooperative and open to sharing his past with Fujiwara, yet he couldn't help but feel that something was missing. What kind of danger was the man referring to that he couldn't keep travelling with Yoi? His tone sounded more personal when he was talking about his "brother". Sōsuke could feel that the man was searching for something...or someone.  

Placing his chopsticks on his bowl, Fujiwara patted his stomach to show that he was content. The other two shinobi were almost finished as well.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Kuma No Kuni. I have some information I need to get from a broker that the Mizukage has set for me to meet. If I carried Yoi there with me, they would use him to gain more information about the village.”

His wording made the Genin even more curious. It seemed inconvenient for Mokuzai to have to meet with a contact out in Kuma no Kuni. There was a high chance that his contact was an undercover agent, if one was present in small nation like Kuma, there was no doubt in Fujiwara's mind that there were multiple agents working in Kaminari no Kuni as well. It was important for the village to find out who these people were and eliminate them. In other cases, it was wise for them to keep them alive. Because of their exposed identities, it wasn't hard to lead them on the wrong track. What is worse than no intel? Wrong intel.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“I don’t want to get Yoi caught up in work. I’d turn against the own Kage if Yoi were to be brought into this to make me do dirtier work.”

"Your Mizukage sounds like a swell person to be around." From the flow of their conversation thus far, it sounded as though Mokuzai had a "tenuous" relationship with the Mizukage at best. Fujiwara looked at the Senju, wondering if he was aware of how important he was to Sasha. What if his village decided to use Kondo as a bargaining chip against him? The idea was outlandish considering his insignificance, but still there was a chance. He wasn't afraid to soil his hands and allow the darkness to take over once more. His one wish was that his older brother remained ignorant of the deeds that Sōsuke committed to protect him and the village. The teenager couldn't shake the feeling that Mokuzai held great resentment towards Kirigakure no Sato.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“I think that’s a reasonable reason without showing and explaining too much, right? It’s not like I’m abandoning him, I’m only leaving him there for a short time until I get done with the mission. After it’s complete, I’ll come back through to get him on the way to the village..”

There was coldness behind the man's words that made Fujiwara think otherwise about what Mokuzai said. It was the same kind of tone the Genin used when he was lying. Yoi didn't look all that pleased with being left alone for a while either, but he couldn't object to his partner's decisions. Mokuzai stated that he was on a mission, but never revealed whether it was for a private matter or one relating to business. Whatever the case was, there was bound to be complications given how the man had to leave the young Senju behind for a period of time.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Don’t think you have been out of the country yet, have you?”

Fujiwara shook his head when he heard Sasha's question.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Don’t take my word for it, but. Stay here. Don’t go out.”

"How ironic." This coming from the person who was travelling around more than most people did in a lifetime. It dawned upon him that he knew there would be a time where he had to leave his home. Missions that required him to work undercover over extended periods of time. Months of hiding, perhaps even years. The thought of sacrificing that much time of one's life would be frightening to most people. To wear a mask over oneself for that long, no doubt it would have lasting effects on one's psyche. When the facade end and where did the man start? In the end, the man might realize that he had become the illusion he had presented.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

““You’ll never want to return once you knew what freedom was. Even if it was a small amount that you’re exposed to. It’ll make you rethink your whole life agenda and goals. That is if you let it affect your decisions. This is a way that Nukenin are made at some points in history. They could just taste it with their tongues and suddenly—”

Mokuzai spoke about it as if he had personal experiences with the problem. Freedom, it was an ephemeral term to him. Revolutions were started to uphold the cause of "freedom", but once it was all said and done, nothing changed. There were still laws and rules that kept our darkest desires in check, mankind wasn't capable of handling freedom. Fujiwara was a cynical person, he didn't believe in man's inherent goodness. Mankind were animals as well, no different from the livestocks that we slaughtered besides knowing what our actions entailed for others. But even though he stood firm with his pessimistic beliefs, there was a part of him that cried out for freedom as well. It wanted to scream, but "it" had no mouth. No voice to speak of, and there it remained festering and rotting inside the child.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Cut all ties from their former life and take on a new persona.”

The Genin held unfathomable disdain for those that committed treason against their village. These men and women were poisoned to believe that "freedom" could be achieved from leaving. Forever hunted by the people they left behind, living in constant fear and waking up thinking that this was their last day on earth. He couldn't see the appeal to become a nukenin, tapping the counter so that chef knew that the three were done with their meal. Fujiwara placed enough tender on the table for their check and getting up off his chair.

"I'll be heading back first, I'll see you two later." said the child as he began to trek back to the ryokan.

The streets became less crowded as the night dragged on. The ambient noise started to quiet down after a while, but Fujiwara still heard people talking as he walked past their lodgings. He felt as though someone was watching him, but the deserted boulevard told him otherwise. It took the Genin about twenty minutes to walk back to the resort. The eerie silence didn't help Fujiwara's ever increasing suspicion that something was amiss. His hands tensed up when he arrived at his room, but with a quick jolt Sōsuke opened the door. Three men in cloaks stood at the center of the room, their faces hidden beneath porcelain mask.

"I must have the wrong room, sorry about that." He tried to turn around, but his limbs were no longer under his control. The teenager's fate now rested in the hands of the three masked figures. Even if Fujiwara was an idiot, he could tell who these men are.

"Guess you three are KYOBU members." It was hard for him to talk, forming even a single sentence was a difficult task.

"Fujiwara Sōsuke, we have suspicions to believe you are harboring enemies of the state."

"Let's say that was the case, why would those fugitives risk blowing their cover and not just kill me?"

"Because those two are attempting to keep a low-profile. One of them is a nukenin possessing the blood of the Senju clan." This was the last nail in the coffin for Sōsuke. A frown replaced the usual half-smile that the Genin had.  

"I understand. I have reason to believe that the younger one is also a Senju as well." The three KYOBU members gave a look at each other.

"Another one? How unusual."

"We have to apprehend these two and bring them in for questioning, Tora." Their leader, the one with the mask resembling a tiger, nodded showing his approval towards his teammate's suggestion.

"Fujiwara, you have two choices. One: you are brought to stand trial for your crimes against Kumogakure no Sato. Or two: you help us capture these two men." The Genin gave each of them a blank stare. He laughed like a madman and began to walk towards the three.

"I think I'll choose the latter." There was no doubt in his voice.

"You chose well, we shall be hiding in the meantime." The three of them disappeared upon the conclusion of their visit leaving Fujiwara alone in the room. He sat down on the floor and waited for the duo to return.

It was foolish of him to believe that the two were visitors from Kirigakure no Sato. He was foolish to reveal so much about his past when his companions lied to him. He knows now to never allow his feelings to cloud his judgment. He tried to suppress his natural instincts, but in doing so he had lowered his guard. Lowered it so much that he had been hoodwinked into believing their alibi.

He waited in silence for ten minutes before hearing two familiar voices. With each passing second, the voices got closer and closer. But the shinobi waited. He would not allow this element of surprise to go to waste. The three other shinobi from Kumogakure no Sato were waiting somewhere for him. A pair of silhouettes formed on the door, the two were just outside the room. His hands were going through accustomed motions. Motions that allowed him to perform his technique.

Kyuusaisha Mokuzai wrote:

“Sorry for the wait.”

"Gomenasai."

"Suiton: Mizuame Nabara!" Arching his torso backwards, his torso began to expand as his chakra began to mold and form the liquid. A stream of clear liquid was expelled from his mouth towards Mokuzai and Yoi. The enclosed space gave little room for his two targets to dodge and once the syrup made contact, their movements will be restricted.

One of the KYOBU members appeared from the room across from Fujiwara's and began to hurl shurikens at Mokuzai and Yoi. Even though the Genin did not coordinate his attack with the other shinobi, the KYOBU member was able to capitalize on his maneuver. As expected from those who were considered the best of the best in the village when it came to assassinations.

---

Chakra: 43/50 [7 CP Used]

Jutsu Used:

Sōsuke felt the floor trembling beneath his feet. A slab of earth erupted from the floor, ripping the tatami mats to pieces. The viscous liquid splattered against the wall, adhering to its form. The KYOBU member had also missed his mark despite appearing behind the nukenin and his companion. Fujiwara lost sight of his targets, but the sound of their footsteps confirmed that the two were still alive. As the protective barrier crumbled, Mokuzai and Yoi made a break for it. The Genin chuckled under his breath.

"That's right, there's no fun to it if you don't struggle." The shinobi ran after them. He jumped over the hole where the wall had been and gave chase down the corridor. The KYOBU member had reached the front entrance where two wooden rods were blocking his passage.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Just as Sōsuke turned the corner, an explosion rocked his vision and the man he had been following was on the ground unconscious. A smouldering heap of wood and flames where the barricade had been. The adolescent heard panicked screams from the other patrons, some people ran out from their rooms to see what the commotion was about.

"That bastard is using explosive tags. Idiot must have triggered it." The Genin didn't even bother to check to see if the KYOBU member was still alive. The teenager rushed through the front doors to see the two other KYBOU members facing off against Mokuzai. The young Senju, however, was nowhere to be seen.

"Hebi, scan the area for the child." said Tora with a calm and collected voice. The other shinobi nodded, raising one hand and using his sensor abilities in order to locate the child. Each squad in the KYOBU had a member who was able to sense chakra signatures, a skill that was invaluable for them.

"Target is on the move, underground. I shall pursue him." The one wearing the snake mask vanished into thin air. Fujiwara walked up next to Tora, with his katana drawn in one hand. The Genin had hoped that he would fight against Mokuzai alone, but he had no choice but to cooperate with his superior.

Kage Bunshin wrote:

“So the Kyobu finally come out and play!"

If Tora had emotions, the man made no sign of it when the teenager called him out. Sōsuke respected the man for being able to resist the urge to talk back. A cold methodical killing machine, this was the first time the Genin had met someone like him. Years of training hammered out the chances of eliciting an emotional responses from the masked men. Even then, it would be unwise to provoke a KYOBU member, for it could the last mistake a person could make.

Kage Bunshin wrote:

“I do say, explosives make things a lot more fun, don't you agree? Especially those with innocent lives at stake."

The KYOBU member responded to his taunt by drawing his ninjato from his sheath. Fujiwara felt the tension in the air thickening as the three of them released their killing intent.

Kage Bunshin wrote:

"To think that I told you the truth! Tsk, tsk!"

"To think you were foolish enough to do so." said the teenager forming seals with one hand. A useful trait for someone like him who used a weapon when fighting.

"Raiton: Jibashi!"^{(Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Murder)}

A surge of visible electric currents ran through the ground, aiming for Mokuzai. If the nukenin dodged, he would have to take into account the KYOBU member taking advantage of his opening. About hundred meters from the battle was Hebi, the sensor, tailing after Yoi. He landed in the middle of the street with his arm stretched out.

"You can't outrun me while moving underground. Surrender now, child."

Hebi remained unaware that the real Mokuzai was with Yoi. His sensor skills were not able to detect the older shinobi's formidable stealth capabilities. His muscle tightened up, an acquired reflex from the countless missions the man had been on. He prepared himself for a possible attack. Compared to his teammates, Hebi was even more cautious than the average KYOBU member. Even he was fighting against a child, the man didn't hold back because he knew his life was on the life.

---

Chakra: 38/50 [5 CP Used]

Jutsu Used:

---

Tora: 60/80 [Chakra]
Hebi: 50/80 [Chakra]
Ino: Incapacitated

A great flame raged on behind the combatants, but Sōsuke’s attention was focused on Mokuzai. Fujiwara knew that the nukenin was a Senju as well now. The teenager was not someone to be underestimated. If Sōsuke hesitated for even a split second, there will be more casualties. The two had to act fast in order to neutralize their target. The Genin watched as the blue streams of chakra converged on the target. Even if the jutsu was not capable of killing its victim, it packed enough power behind it to stun. The adolescent male noticed his opponent was making his move now.

Fujiwara was familiar with the technique that Mokuzai was using. It was the same one he had used against the Inuzuka. A torrential wave of water began to form behind the nukenin. Its shadow loomed over the two shinobi from Kumogakure no Sato. Sōsuke knew then that his opponent had no intentions of evading his technique. The bandaged teenager showed a wiliness to trade one for one against them. Tora, on the other hand, had a different plan on his mind.

“Prepare to jump.” mumbled the KYOBU member, showing no sign of fear in his voice. Fujiwara gave him a nod to confirm that he heard the man. He hoped that Tora knew what he was doing; otherwise the two of them would end up getting pummeled and electrocuted. The older shinobi went through his handseals at a blinding speed, unlike anything Sōsuke had ever seen before. At this point, the electric currents had made contact with the incoming wave of water. If Mokuzai had not dodged at this point, the electrified water would have shocked the nukenin.

“Doryuu Heki - Earth Style Wall!” The cloaked man spewed out a large amount of mud from his mouth.

“I can see why you don’t talk now; you talk to your mother with that mouth?” Mokuzai’s technique came crashing down, enveloping the street with its waves. The mud shook violently before shooting upwards and created a wall to block the incoming attack. The wall was around ten feet tall and stood strong against the water that crashed against it. The water came circling around but at that point, Fujiwara and Tora had leapt to the top of the structure where the waves could not reach. The two looked down upon their opponent and began to make their next moves.

“You’re going to have to do better than if you’re going to defeat us, Mokuzai-san.” The Genin gave a little chuckling; he had not expected his vacation to end like this. But the adolescent thanked the heavens for granting him what he desired. He longed for a battle to satiate his hunger.

Meanwhile, there was another battle that raged on. Hebi waited for the child to appear from his hiding spot. The man preferred more diplomatic approaches to these kinds of situations. Unlike his teammates, the shinobi was not as well-versed when it came to combat. But it should be noted that Hebi was still part of the KYOBU, which meant he was capable of handling matters on his own. The earth began to shuffle about ten meters from where the masked man was standing. The Senju appeared, crawling out from the ground. His stance indicated to the older man that the child did not plan to surrender.

Senju Yoi wrote:

“Then I’ll just face you head on.”

“Don’t make this hard on yourself." said Hebi as he got into a fighting stance as well. Yoi closed in on the man, but the KYOBU veteran held his ground. He waited for his chance to strike.

Senju Yoi wrote:

“All we were doin was passing through. We didn’t cause harm until you showed up.”

He didn’t care much for the Senju’s reasoning. It was their job to maintain peace and order; the two travelers were a potential risk if left alone. The duo had not been too careful about their movement. Someone had tipped them off about the nukenin’s location and a squad was sent in to deal with them. The snake didn’t question his orders; it was a simple mission that shouldn't have required too much effort. One of the man’s teammates had been incapacitated and another one was facing off against the more dangerous target. Hebi’s senses began to scream out at him as he felt a surge of chakra building in Yoi’s system. But that was not the only thing the man had sensed with his abilities.

He felt a faint presence from behind him; it was resonating from the ground below. A hand wielding a kunai jolted out from the earth, aiming for the man’s spinal cord.  From the corner of Hebi’s vision, he saw the Senju utilize his kekkai genkai, the Mokuton. Yoi’s arm became trees and shot towards the KYOBU member.

“Hari Jizou - Underworld Guardian Spikes!” The man’s hood became shredded as his hair grew out from its cover. It enveloped him and served to protect him from both attacks. The impact of the wood knocked him back a few feet or two, but the person who had attacked him was also within the range of Yoi’s jutsu. Hebi’s protective barrier was stronger than the child’s attack, coming out from the encounter without much to show for it.

---

Chakra: 38/50

Jutsu Used:

---

Tora: 48/80 [Chakra][12 Chakra Used]

Jutsu Used:

Hebi: 37/80 [Chakra][13 CP Used]

Jutsu Used:

Ino: Incapacitated

Just as Tora and Fujiwara were about to engage the nukenin, the teenager disappeared leaving nothing behind in his absence. The two of them had been fighting a Kage Bunshin all this time, the Genin cursed under his breath. Tora examined the area; he hoped to find possible leads on where Mokuzai had went.

“Damn it, where could he have gone?”

“The Senju must be with the child. We have to go and assist Hebi.” It made sense to Sōsuke that Sasha was still with Yoi. Even if Mokuzai had been lying to him, the Genin could tell that his opponent would never let harm befall his partner. Fujiwara and his new comrade both jumped off the wall and landed on a rooftop. The young shinobi along with Tora made haste, searching for the KYOBU member who had gone after Yoi.

---

Hebi’s hair returned back to its normal length after blocking the child’s trees. The man’s suspicions were confirmed: the child was also a Senju. The hidden assailant had revealed himself as Mokuzai. The shinobi took a moment to realize that the man that Tora had fought was a mere Kage Bunshin. He was outnumbered: two against one. The tables have now turned on the KYOBU member. Years of experience gave Hebi the knowledge to react accordingly to the situation. Mokuzai had been injured; a chance had presented itself before the hardened assassin.

Kage Bunshin wrote:

“If you don’t mind answering. What does it say about me in the bingo book? I don’t recall doing anything too hasty to gain access to such an honor."

The nukenin's sudden movement caused Hebi to take a step back. A kunai rested in his grip, its cold steel was well acquainted with its wielder. The older Senju asked him a question, but the operative held his tongue. Hebi knew better than to divulge classified information to someone outside of the KYOBU, let alone a nukenin. Their village had never been one to sit back, the vast network of contacts and spies helped them keep track of potential threats and other “tools” that could be used to increase their military prowess. The orders were to neutralize and bring the Senju back to Kumogakure no Sato. No questions were needed. Hebi didn’t care about what his superiors were planning; all the man needed to do was to capture Mokuzai.

Kage Bunshin wrote:

“You and I are kind of the same, you know. “The only difference is that you serve your kage, correct? Is that how these special op units work?"

The small talk would get him nowhere, although the injured shinobi had a look on his face. A look that told Hebi that Mokuzai didn’t plan on escaping. The teenager mentioned the child once more and offered to surrender in exchange for leaving the child alone. Hebi lowered his weapon and took a moment to make a decision. If he accepted the deal, his mission would be over if the man upheld his end of the bargain. But if Hebi decided to repel the offer, he had a chance to secure another Senju, it would be like killing two birds with one stone. The masked man sensed that Mokuzai still had a large amount of chakra left in his reserves.

Kage Bunshin wrote:

“If you are going to kill me, or capture me. Please spare the child. He only recently started to travel, and he has not done the things I have, he is purely innocent."

Hebi didn’t sense an ulterior motive when the nukenin spoke, but Mokuzai had been able to deceive others before. No child could be innocent after having half their face burned to a crisp; the younger Senju was damaged, just like his companion.

Kage Bunshin wrote:

“If you honestly promise me that nothing will happen to the child, I will get down on my knees and surrender to be captured. If you even touch the child in any way that causes him to feel pain, I will tear your eyes out of your skull, and skull fuck you. Seems appropriate, right?"

“Fine, I’ll accept your deal. Tell that kid to scram before I reconsider.” Most threats that Hebi heard were nothing more than boasts, but the assassin had a feeling that Mokuzai would exact his vengeance upon those who touched the child.

Kage Bunshin wrote:

“Have you ever stopped and asked why someone is rogue? Why you are ordered to hunt down these ninja? What if they are running from harm, black mail? Does that even cross your mind at all? The village itself could be horrible to them, and they could be fleeing to get a better life.”

“Orders are orders; I don’t care what you might be running from. When you decided to become a shinobi, you had forfeited those rights.” These brief conversations didn't help ease the tension but Hebi had other reasons for talking to the nukenin. He sensed that his captain and the Genin were about to arrive at their location. Once reinforcement arrived, Mokuzai had no chance of escaping from the three of them. But the younger Senju had ample time to escape during this small interval of time.

Kage Bunshin wrote:

““I didn’t mean to cause harm to anyone here. If I wanted to waste an entire area, I would have instead of spending time at some hot springs to relax. Would Uriko Nagase do the same? Probably..not but that’s not the point. Akira Tenshi, he would relax just the same way. We don’t cause harm unless provoked, which is exactly what you’re doing here, Kyobu.”

“You do not belong here, you might not realize it but you bring a lot of baggage with you when you decide to leave a village. We are not fond of having those kinds of people here in our nation because it attracts trouble.”

“Hebi, what are you doing?” The KYOBU member looked up to see his leader and a young teenager standing next to him.

“Nothing sir, just giving him a chance to surrender.”

“Didn’t know that the KYOBU took prisoners, I’d just kill them and bring their corpse back.” said Fujiwara with a frown on his face. A stern stare from Tora was enough to silence the teenager for the time being. It was now time for Mokuzai to decide his fate, his choice would determine how this will all end.

The incessant backtalk from the nukenin ended with a sudden chop from Tora. The unconscious Mokuzai fell to the floor with a thud. Fujiwara watched the scene unfold in silence. The young Senju wanted to fight back, but he held his tongue and fist. Yoi had no chance of defeating the two KYOBU members alone, all he could do was sit back and hold in his rage. Tora lifted the sleeping teenager from the ground, signaling to his teammate to watch over the child.

"Fujiwara, don't do this again." said the masked man before disappearing along with Sasha. Hebi grabbed onto the Senju and vanished into thin air as well. With everyone else gone, Sōsuke decided to go back to the inn. The exterior of the building had been damaged from the fight, but for the most part, it was superficial. The KYOBU member who had been left behind was also no longer there.

There were no words to describe the tumultuous events that had occurred that night. In a matter of hours, the Genin had met two strangers, almost branded a traitor, and fighting the two people he had been travelling with. His bottled-up emotions began to emerge when the teenager got back to his room. He laughed with a fierce maniacal look on his face. Despite all this, Fujiwara had found the entire experience to be "fun". This abnormal outburst of feelings, it was twisted and sick, almost as though he was suffering despite his laughter.

"This vacation had proven to be stress-relieving after all." An emotionless response that was directed to no one in particular. It rang hollow as though a dead man had spoken those words. Now the teenager had no idea what the KYOBU were going to do with Mokuzai and Yoi. Torture, experimentations, it all didn't matter to him now that he had cut off his connections with them. Sōsuke told himself that he couldn't care less about, but deep down inside...he felt bad. A voice that told him that he had made the wrong choice. But there was another voice as well. And it told him that he had not seen the last of the two.

[EXIT]