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Hotarubi had been spending day in and day out outside of Takigakure no Sato in pursuit of new adventure, new troubles and frankly: to challenge him. He was very limited on his own travel as an academy student and would need to make best use of his weekends when he went un monitored. Of course, that had only been facilitated because Nageku was being lazy and doing some sculpting – the weakling had learnt how to make use of statues to have them do his bidding. Personally, it was not a gig that Hotarubi could get behind. He preferred the feeling of knuckle to face: of what he could potentially do with doton creations from afar, turning a battlefield into a tantalising trap of spears across a battlefield; to lock enemies in with him rather than the other way around. Still – it wasn’t that great a day. Aside from being outside of the main village, Hotarubi was heaving around heavy items, as it generally tended to be when you were able to lift more than what civilians could ever. A boring existence to do day in and day out, but one that he made do for the time being. Hotarubi had taken up his space somewhat near the edge of the village if only to take advantage of the scenery.

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He somewhat envied the shinobi that went to and from, the steady influx of people in and out, tradesman, shinobi, kunoichi, general families. People going out for more leisurely pursuits, one could only imagine the number of different reasons people could have. But, as he ‘worked out’ he watched the Shinobi. Takigakure headbands, or illustrations adorned to clothes, waiting for other people. He did not have a headband yet. Where would he wear one? The thought rolled around his mind. Every now and then he would pick up some words of a mission – he wondered if he should have been listening or not. Probably not. In a fashion, it was wildly inappropriate to be exercising just by the gate and so in front of other people. But, his confidence had the better of him in that regard. There was little shame for him in doing it, and if anything was an opportunity for him to build his name. Just so long as there weren’t… select individuals nearby. That would be disastrous. Taking a break and an opportunity for him to get some water, he inched ever closer to the gates. It beckoned him through, pandemonium and mayhem on his mind, not to cause trouble to the guards but just his mind ran wild with the ideas of a bygone Shinobi era.

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As he listened, there did appear to be some interesting reasons for people turning up to the gates; some interested in just seeing the land. A pink haired female haggard and wanting to get some supplies. A trio of shinobi discussing some details. Hotarubi paced back and forth, but his head had been not-so-obviously paying attention to a discussion, where it stopped. Hotarubi turned in his stride, only to find three Shinobi at his front. "Listening in, are we?” One of them stared down – despite his height. One blonde male, a blue haired female – another smaller, younger (and possibly similar to his own age?) blonde haired female. The Oborozuki clan sigil plainly displayed on her Yukata. Too formal. Hotarubi didn’t really do formal all that much, but he wasn’t averse to it. "Yeah. Just listening in on the juicy gos-" "That’s just too bad.” The young one spoke, a voice chock full of condescension. Hotarubi yawned at her, with a lack of interest. "Are you all usually so chirpy at this time?” Hotarubi quipped back, perhaps reacting to the instance playing out. "It’s impolite to eavesdrop.” Hotarubi was sharply admonished, and he only languidly rose his shoulders in response. "I’m going to become a Shinobi, I want to learn, it’s as simple as that.” While they seemed rather pleased in that response, the blonde male was not so buying it. "It’s easily what makes you come across as a spy, you know? Do ya get that?” They were trying to reason with him. Fair enough.