[Hyūga Shigure]

"smugglers". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." ACCURSED NINJA WORLD As they rendezvous near the warehouse, Wahei started by reporting what he had found out. His report was well align with the pieces of intel Shigure was able to find out while eavesdropping the conversation by the ship and he nodded to Wahei. "Indeed, they discussed that with their potential distributor on that ship." he explained, going over the details he managed to gather up until that point, and once that was covered, Wahei continued, laying out his plan, and Shigure was more than willing to listen, as the Chuunin had been doing more shady missions than he did. When he laid out the plan, it sounded pretty solid, even though it was a bit off putting, considering the fact that the Wahei from before would not have operated that way. "It seems like he is going down a darker path. I can't blame him though... But at times, I do miss the old Wahei... But I guess there's no place for him in this accursed world we live in. Hence why I truly need to break out of this endless cycle... But for now... This will probably work out fine, and if we can bait them all and wipe them all in one fell sweep, that will be ideal." he thought to himself. "Very well, I agree. Let's do this. They are supposed to be meeting tomorrow night, according to the intel I gathered, so let's go to the inn, rest for today, and tomorrow night we get our plan started." he said with a firm nod. If Wahei offered no objection, Shigure would guide them to a rather discrete inn by the commercial district, where they could rest for the night, and lay low for the next day, until the sun was setting in the horizon. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." B-Rank Mission [16/20] Discuss the plan, then suggests going to an inn to rest until tomorrow [Wahei] [312 words]

[Wahei]

"cutting the lines". "Moral is too subverted to serve justice!" Kazuhira Tsukuru Wahei Sleepless night. The rendezvous was smooth since Shigure and Wahei seemed to be at the same page. With the plan duly settled, Wahei gave him a strong nod - Acknowledege - and made a gesture indicating him to lead the way. - "Wahei. Are you sure you wanna pull this through?" - "I told you already. I got this" - "You know we can feel what you're feeling. Since... you know..." - "What he is trying to say kid, is that this time is different. And we are all in the same boat here. Why don't you allow one of us to take the wheel and make it easier?" - "I've spent my life giving you guys the wheel when things got tough for me. This time, I want to do it myself. It's a matter of... respect" - "You've turned into a fine man, young boy. Shinsuke is right. Toshizo will be speechless when he met you. I mean, the real you." - "Or perhaps you should say, the real us". Arriving at the Inn, Wahei would head to the room and take the first shift. He would though climb to the roof of the place and stay there. If Shigure showed up, he would insist to take the whole night shift. - I got this. I got used to sleepless nights during my assingments. - that wasn't exactly truth, but also not a lie at all. Knowing that Shigure would be able to read his disturbance, not because of the byakugan, but because he knows him well enough, he would than add - I'm fine, though. It's just... the smell of the sea. Memories I can't simply wipe out from my head, you know? But seriously, I can handle it. I'm a doctor after all. Rest is a luxury thing! - he chuckled, even though it was far way the core of his disturbance. When the sun cracked, Wahei was already waiting for Shigure in the Inn's main wall, in front of the rooms door. He had a portion of food and tea. - Enjoy. I'll meet you downstairs for the check out. Okay? - he walked towards the balcony to pay for the night. Then he would head to a square and sit on a bank. He would take some pills too because of the lack of sleep, but stay sharp regarding the people around and their movementation. At the warehouse, as they expected, the whole crew - some from the boat where Shigure eavesdrop and some from the facility. - You did a pretty good job. Like a fly on the wall. - Below in the basement floor level, there were already civilians being force to work into the counterfeits and misdirected goods where they substances were hid in. This time, though, in the upper floor in a separated room for administration, there was someone sit in a chair and having a talk with the old captain from the other day. - There he is. - he said, assuming Shigure would also get positive in sight - And the old man is the captain from your boat, right? - it was pretty much rhethorical since it was pretty much obvious, but it was kind of a habit to get sure of a clear communication - This is a score for us. Big chains negotiations are not conducted by smaller minions. A representative is always sent to make the deal offical and pass credibility. They are probably desperate for suppliers since you guys beat the crap out of them making the sea routes a safety place for merchants, so I think it will be easy to get them at the negotiation table - sometimes it was hard to tell if he was only thinking out loud or trying to give a brief of his analysis to Shigure. - Did you check the ninjas around the big boss over there? - he was talking about the three guys who was standing still, protecting the bald man on the table who actually seemed a lot like a villain boss of one of those old novels. - The big guy is called Yugo. The smaller one at his side is his partner, Bakuryu. - Wahei passed his bingo book to Shigure so he could quickly read their profile. - They are from a criminal ninja association and sometimes they make a few protection jobs for the family. They are both chunin level but with their teamwork skills, let's call it a jonin level attempt. Fortunatelly, they are no match for the dynamic Leaf duo. - he cracked a smirk - Stay sharp, though. We should not undermine them in any form. - he advised, not that Shigure was one of the kind who underestimate an opponent, but better safe than sorry. With no further duo, it was time to break in, and they should do it by the front door. That was a role to Wahei, which also happened to add a smaller detail: - You should probably take a better disguise, though. Don't take it the wrong way but I can smell your kindness a mile way with all this... hero stereotype of yours. Try something that looks like... someone who have not feed on honey when as a kid - he teased him with a provocative smile. "From the very moment we're thrown into this world, we're fated to bring each other nothing but pain, suffering and misery. I was also blindly obsessed with a trivial and irrational need for vengeance. But I was left behind. Alone. Forgotten. Abandoned. Forsaken. But now, the fog has been truly lifted. One can never run from its ghosts. And that’s exactly all that I am. A lost memory. An undying shadow, in this world of light. From now on, I’ll have to live up to this semi-charmed kind of life. Regardless of this phantom pain. This is my fate. This is my Destiny. It’s not the light which will guide us through the darkness, but the darkness that shall guide us through the light. Never forget. Always remember." Ra-Ri-Ru-Re-Ro (らりるれろ). Teammates turnabout ! ! ! [17/20] - The rencounter of friends - [Hyūga Shigure ] [889 Words]

[Hyūga Shigure]

"smugglers". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." YUGO AND BAKURYU It must've been really hard for Wahei to be there. The last time he was being returned to the Leaf from his captivity, so it was only natural that being here caused him some distress. "I see... Well... As long as you are okay, my friend." he would say, deciding to respect his space, and leave him alone for now. A ton of different thoughts, frustrations, anger, and regret must've been flooding his mind. As the sun rose the next day, the two would meet for their meal, and kill some time before they were to return to the warehouse, shortly after the sunset. Once they arrived there, Shigure would point at the man he saw the other day, and confirm he was the captain of the boat. Indeed, they had a lot of evidence there, but they could get even more so they could essentially dismantle all their chain of supply and production. Then, he looked at the two shinobi Wahei had information on. "I see... Well, we can take them down. They don't seem to have a lot of chakra at their disposal, so I can shut down their network quickly. And with the Yuken, you can follow up and make quick work of them. But we ought to be careful. They do look strong." he said, examining the two with his Byakugan. Before they could proceed, however, Wahei told Shigure to disguise himself and the Hyuuga nodded. Waiving a couple hand seals, he would use the Transformation Technique to change his appearance to look like what's expected of a regular Sarutobi, with short brown hair and brown eyes, and a bulkier, meaner build. "Good enough?" he would ask with a smirk, and with Wahei's agreement, he would move in, stealthy, seeking to approach the enemies unnoticed. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." B-Rank Mission [18/20] Uses Transformation Technique to change appearance [Wahei] [306 words]

[Wahei]

"cutting the lines". "Moral is too subverted to serve justice!" Kazuhira Tsukuru Wahei Farewell, my friend. - Way better. - he smiled back and give Shigure a firm nod. As the duo started the sneak-in, the operatives of the facility would then conduct their jobs. In a quickly exchange of looks, Wahei would indicate the room with his head. The sooner they get there, it would be better, right? So they'd smoothly walk-in. Shigure, as usual, would lead the way and as the proper moment arrived, Wahei discretely enacted the seal tag he had planted on the ceiling the day before. He had studied the whole warehouse plant, so he not only knew the best COA they should take but also knew Shigure well enough to predict he would use route during their sneak-in. And all was going according to his plan. When the tag above of them exploded with a slightly tiny amount of chakra to pass undetected by the byakugan skills, Wahei had misdirected his sight towards the opposite side - meaning the meeting room - to serve as a distraction. Of course this would call everyone's attention, so with the boom and some falling pieces colliding on the ground, the duo would have no option but to dodge it towards the center of the warehouse's courtyard. As he was the one pulling the strings, he managed to make the first move - Wait! Watch out! - And so he pushed his friend's back, rolling towards the same direction to avoid any lethal damage, but positioned right behind of him. - WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!? - a man yelled as the operative started to gather around the place, shocked by their presence - INTRUDERS! SOUND THE ALARM! - the ninjas in the meeting room promptly assumed position, followed by their boss. Wahei promptly took the stance of the Yuken, waiving hand seals to energize his hands with the Ranshinshō [乱身衝, Body Pathway Derangement]. - We are not here for trouble! - he shouted promptly, positioning at Shigure's six to cover him - We just want to talk! - the man on the improvised upper floor shouted a loud laugh - So you Konoha Scums are back in my town to dismantle my business, eh? - the man seemed pretty confident - Bakuryu! Yugo! - the ninjas jumped meters ahead, facing the duo and getting at their fighting stance. - Kill those fagg... Eh? Kazumira-san? I barely recognized you. What the fuck? The man's eyes widened, as the ninjas arched their brows, cracking a malicious smirk. - Why do you took so long to show up, Fear? - that words would strike Shigure's heart as an arrow, but even worse than that, it would be the same familiar sensation of getting his soul ripped from his body again. Wahei stroke him from the back. Could it be true? Wahei ... Fear... or whoever he was now... had double-crossed the Leaf village? His body wouldn't move, no matter how hard he tried. His transformation were gone. All he could do is watch as Wahei walked towards the enemy ninjas. This seemed like a real nightmare. Could it be, though? No, it was way too painful to not be real. The eyes of the boss were taken by completely surprise and confusion, as Bakuryu, the smaller one, tried to explain what was happening: - Nice one, dude. For a moment I really thought you and him would try to defy us. - Nah. I just needed him to be focused on you guys so I could back stab him. He won't go anywhere soon. - Can someone please explain me what in the name of the fucking fucks is meaning of this? What the hell is he doing here? - Remember the contact we said we were waiting? Well... there he is. - Sorry for your ceiling, Kanezaka-sama. As courtesy of the Family, you will be compensated. - Wahei pushed his shirt up and, in the middle of his chest, the word Kanezoku (家族) was craved with a burned tooth-sharped knife, a symbol that only a legit member who have been accepted by the twin-brothers would have. That Family organization, Wahei had mentioned it and how he was double-crossing them. It seemed the very contrary, unfortunately. The compensation Wahei was talking was a scroll, which inside had some generous amount of money and a handwritten letter from the brothers, with instructions including that Wahei would attend the meeting as their representative. - I believe my friends here already explained to you most part of the plan. Well, my job was to get a leverage to suspend Konoha intervention in Port City. And there he is - The Heir of the Hyuga family himself. - Whooa! I knew his face was familiar! Can I kill him please? - No! Wait! Killing him is the same as to declare a war against Konoha. Are you nuts, boy? - With all due respect, sir. You're mistaken. - Excuse me? - It will send them a message. Not only to Hi no Kuni but the whole world. A proof of our power. But also, our willing to cooperate and keep things smooth and sweat, as long as everyone benefits from it. It's a 100% win-win. This one here is Jonin from their village, a very important one. Having him killed will send a very clear message, but returning his eyes is a proof of good faith. After all, it was the already fragilized Leaf who sent him there to snitch his nose at your business. And this is not the first or second time, though. Furthermore, I'll make sure to tell this story straight. All the plot and the facade has been provided. Even if the Hokage himself doesn't sign a truce treat, promising to keep this area a free trade zone for the goods and operatives, they will never get their precious white eyes back. The Hyuga clan will urge against that and it will probably start a war. Konoha would implode. - Oh. His eyes are really that valuable? That they are willing to forget about the own Heir? - They would have his body, though, for a proper funeral. Despite, I also happen to have concrete prove that this bad boy here was planning to back stab his own father, the leader of the clan. This will help us to sort things out properly. All his family is tearing down as we speak. Treason is not forgivable in any family, it seems. But at the end, he will die like a hero. - So, yes, I can put off a deal out of it, as long as I have his eyes returned to where it belongs. - Can I have at least one? - No, I need them both in one piece. I've literaly just said that - Oh... This is so unfair! Let me at least have the pleasure of killing him then - I need this to be as clear as possible, or the eyes will be damaged. I'm afraid you're not the most indicated person.  - Wait. The brothers said that you could try to pull some shit like this. In order to guarantee that you're not double-crossing us, he has to die right here, right now. No buts. As a proof of your good faith, y'know. - Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't intend to say that I'd delay his death or something. After all, I can't give him the chance to get loose and try some funny heroic move or something. Although, I don't have what I need to remove his eyes with me since I need to submit him into surgery and its a very delicate procedure. I will, indeed, kill him... 'right here, right now', putting it in your own words, of course. - and in that moment, Wahei started walked towards Shigure slowly, grabbing two senbons from his leg holster. - Wait a minute! Are you really going to murder your own comrade like this? In cold blood? As far as I know, he used to be your teammate, right? - Yes, you're right. But the only thing I do care is our brotherhood. It's the only true family I've ever had. So I don't care if I have to kill him. May that moment serve as an example what I would do for the family, and to anyone who dares to defy or betray us. Furthermore, I've always pretended to be his friend. So I could get advantage of the Hyuga's knowledge. Now they have trained me and made me stronger, I don't need any of them anymore. - Wow. This must be quite shocking for him. Poor one, lying on the ground as a roach, mumbling and shivering in pain. I almost feel sorry for him. At least, let him try to say his last words. A slightly courtesy is always welcome. Is a demonstration of respect. A habitual tradition in the family - Is this relevant for our situation? - I beggy-pretty-please!? - Well, whatever. So... - Wahei twisted Shigure with his own leg, turning his chest to the ceiling. All he could see now was Wahei with and the distant roof. His foot was taking part of his already to hard-to-breath air, and hearing noises of the people getting around while he struggled in hard pain in that very pitty situation. - any last words... boss? - his tone went provocative. His eyes were colder as Shigure has never seen before. Regardless of the words he'd choose, if he effectively find the strength to say them anyway, Wahei would simply smirk - You'd never change, would you? But this is the place your life ends. Send Yoru my regards. Game over, my friend. - and in cold blood, with a merciless tone, those senbons were threw at once, hitting Shigure's neck. His conscience faded seconds that lasted long after the impact. The image of Wahei in his memory and, right behind him, a very sad semblance of his uncle Natsuo. Yuugo walked towards his body, looking for vital signs. - He really made it. This guy is pretty dead. - Now I need to move, otherwise I won't be able to take his eyes out, and the deal would be off the table. If you'd excuse me. - Alright. You've did well, Fear. The brothers will know about your actions today. That's all for now. Dismissed. Dear Shigure, I trust this message will find you well. First of all, I'm sorry for the way I have used you. Although, being quite frank, I have no regrets. From the very moment we're thrown into this world, we're fated to bring each other nothing but pain, suffering and misery. I was also blindly obsessed with a trivial and irrational need for vengeance. But I was left behind. Alone. Forgotten. Abandoned. Forsaken. But now, the fog has been truly lifted. One can never run from its ghosts. And that’s exactly all that I am. A lost memory. An undying shadow, in this world of light. From now on, I’ll have to live up to this semi-charmed kind of life. Regardless of this phantom pain. This is my fate. This is my Destiny. It’s not the light which will guide us through the darkness, but the darkness that shall guide us through the light. Never forget. Always remember. I do indent do keep my promise though, and serve you as the right hand you need. Even though that also means, so I've learned, that I might not be the right hand you want or with for. The ugly truth is Wahei you knew has died in that prison cell, dreaming about the world the four of us could have built together. As much as I hate having to tell you this, once again, you've lost your whole team in such kind of event. But as you told me today, this is how cruel the shinobi world is. Ever since I got back, I've been someone driven by Fear, a role that I invented and we had to play in order to get things to this point. I needed to cross this darken path for the both of us. For the dream we've dreamed. So, when the day come, and you finally wear that bizarre hat and cape, remember that I'll be watching your steps from the shadows. And in it, I'll be able to really protect the big tree from its very root. So don't expect seeing me anytime soon. And next time we see each other, if this day is really ever yet to come, I'll be no longer the friend you used to know. So I'll give you the courtesy of this advice. There are a lot of things I need wanted have to tell you, but there's no room for them in this letter, neither it would be wise or recommendable. So look in the white eyes of serenity the answers you need, and you might find them. For now, I'd suggest you to forget about our past. I'm nothing but a memory. I have no name. I have no present or future. All that I am now, is a missing number. Farewell, my friend. For the last time, Kazuhira Wahei. Ra-Ri-Ru-Re-Ro (らりるれろ). Teammates turnabout ! ! ! [19/20] - The rencounter  farewell of friends - [Hyūga Shigure ] [No Words]

[Hyūga Shigure]

"smugglers". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." BETRAYAL AND GRIEF As they invaded the warehouse, Shigure was already ready to fight, but from his blind spot, Wahei hit him with the very familiar jutsu, making him grunt in pain as his body fell limp on the ground, unable to move. "W-what?!" he exclaimed in disbelief, his heart beating like a drum, as the impotence made him feel fear. He didn't understand what was going on, it made no sense. Wahei... He knew him, he trusted him, he would never betray him, or the village, right? As the conversation continued, Shigure couldn't really believe what he was hearing and the more they spoke, the more he felt the fear in his heart spreading out. He tried to move his body, but every time he did, a different part would move, it made no sense. He would need time to get rid of that, and even the Body Blow wouldn't work, for the chakra had already vanished from his body, leaving him only with the disorientation. Still, something was off about the whole thing. Wahei was selling him off, and his eyes for that matter, but he insisted on doing it himself, but why? Maybe there was still one ounce of respect for Shigure, even though he had chosen to betray him and end his life. "Just like this?!... I can't... I can't let it end like this... I have... I have so much I still need to do..." he thought to himself, feeling desperation crawling inside of his very core. "D-don't do this... W-wahei..." those were his last words before his consciousness faded away. When he woke up, hours later, he would find himself at the inn where they stayed the night before. He immediately activated his Byakugan, as instinct, and he felt immense relief when he confirmed he still had his eyes. With his doujutsu, he quickly scanned the area for Wahei, but the only thing he found was a message the man left behind. Grabbing it, Shigure would promptly read it. The message was cryptic to say the least, Shigure felt himself grieving for the loss of a friend, who while still alive, was almost like he was dead. Upon returning to the village, he was ready to file a failed mission report, only to be informed that a report had already been filled, and with the intel they gathered, which would allow them to tackle the organization in one fell sweep, the mission was deemed concluded. He sighed, in a mix of relief and sadness. After all, it felt like he had lost yet another friend to this cruel ninja world. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." B-Rank Mission [Completed] End post [Wahei] [434 words]