After a good day’s rest, Kiri was ready to embark on a new journey. Or so he thought. He had just finished packing whatever he had with him– especially since Junko did not want him to bring too many things in backpack such as rations and supplies, deeming it fit to train along the way and learn how to get them from scratch– when he remembered the conversation from the other day. When he was helping those men fight the forest fire, he had noticed that the flames seemed to have moved rather fast in some portions of the forest, while in others it was slow. True that the canopies being so tightly dense could have propagated the flames more, but there was also another thing that bothered his mind. While ashes and burnt wood were abundant after the disaster, there were some places that smelled of oil. That was highly disturbing especially if this incident was to be known to be man-made. And to that same line of thought, the man who led the fire-fighting brigade had approached him that previous night, asking him to join them in investigating the nature of this forest fire.
Looking at his things, Kiri was in a long thought. He wanted to help but he was also cautious. He can’t simply keep aiding them, or else his identity would be known. Not to mention that he was supposed to find some means to reach the inner towns and send a message back to Kumogakure. Still, he wasn’t the type to simply give up on others… even if he was a stranger to this land that used to be his land of birth.
Thus, putting his backpack aside, he would only carry his swords, wrapping them around the his belt and proceeded down the inn. As instructed, he met up with the men in the small diner of the inn, and it seemed like they were already in the process of giving out orders to those around. Kiri quickly made himself known and was glad that he was welcomed.
“Every able man, all the help we need, really, is welcome. I’m glad you could come, and I’m sorry to press you for this,” said the leader as they shook hands. “We’ve gathered some information from our pyrotechnicians. Fortunately, our town is notable for making all those extravagant fireworks during festivals that we know a thing of two about fire. And thankfully, all our materials are stored away from the fire’s origin. Though now, people are already inspecting the manufacturing site at the south, just to make sure it doesn’t blow up. Bu anyways, we’ve concluded that there were three main areas of where the fire started, a few bits of gunpowder was found, and sediment mixture with oil.”
“So, this was no ordinary forest fire?” asked Kiri.
“I’m afraid not. And while we cannot really tell who is behind it, since really, we can’t think of anyone or faction who would bother. We’re just a small village in the backwoods,” said the man, sighing for a moment before continuing. “However, we believe they will try once more after last night’s failure”
That said, they agreed that it was best to further scout the area in the forest for any unusual activity. Those involved were given a signal flare to alarm the others if something came up. It would be troublesome if they’re too late to stop anything and it would be cost them dearly if they all lose their homes and loved ones. Kiri, though technically a stranger, would agree to help them with all he’s got. Thus, taking the western area to be his designated responsibility, the young shinobi would make sure to observe his surroundings with utmost care. He would not let anything out of his sight.
The wake of the fire was still fresh. Some burnt wood still smelled like freshly burnt coal, and most of the forest creatures have left the burnt areas. He watched as a large expanse was open to the sky, the canopies long gone and burnt down to the ground. But amidst the destruction, he would see that there would be rebirth as a few plants survived and would be there for the future. He continued down the trail, using his shadows to aid him in sensing the area for anything moving. Once he locked down on a chakra presence, he analysed it by sensing before he formulated a plan to track it down. Soon enough, after passing through the thick trees, coming into the denser part o the forest once more, a few ways past the burnt areas, he would come to stop and stay perched on the branch, hidden in the shadows. Eyes looked on as he saw three individuals in dark garbs gathering together and conversing. It was rather suspicious that they were trying to keep their voices low and one was keeping a lookout, glancing here and there. But from the safety of his shadows, Kiri could stealthily creep in much closer to overhear their talks about infiltrating the fireworks factory and set things into motion.
No doubt that they were involved in the forest fire, and while Kiri wasn’t sure how many else were there, it was necessary to stop them at all cost. Thus, he quickly sent forth his chakra-infused shadows, swirling across the trees and latching onto the bodies of the three in no time. One of them seemed to have some strong chakra and tried to put up a fight, but Kiri would soon step out from his hiding place in the shadows amongst the trees, demonic eyes staring straight down at them. He was letting out a bit of the beast’s aura, making them fear him, as he spoke, “If you don’t want to die, I suggest you don’t struggle.”
It would be a long stare-down contest as the three simply refused in the beginning, but as the shadows that latched at them strengthened their hold, they would soon give in. And at that, Kiri would bring them back to the town for further interrogation.
WC: 1,022
Looking at his things, Kiri was in a long thought. He wanted to help but he was also cautious. He can’t simply keep aiding them, or else his identity would be known. Not to mention that he was supposed to find some means to reach the inner towns and send a message back to Kumogakure. Still, he wasn’t the type to simply give up on others… even if he was a stranger to this land that used to be his land of birth.
Thus, putting his backpack aside, he would only carry his swords, wrapping them around the his belt and proceeded down the inn. As instructed, he met up with the men in the small diner of the inn, and it seemed like they were already in the process of giving out orders to those around. Kiri quickly made himself known and was glad that he was welcomed.
“Every able man, all the help we need, really, is welcome. I’m glad you could come, and I’m sorry to press you for this,” said the leader as they shook hands. “We’ve gathered some information from our pyrotechnicians. Fortunately, our town is notable for making all those extravagant fireworks during festivals that we know a thing of two about fire. And thankfully, all our materials are stored away from the fire’s origin. Though now, people are already inspecting the manufacturing site at the south, just to make sure it doesn’t blow up. Bu anyways, we’ve concluded that there were three main areas of where the fire started, a few bits of gunpowder was found, and sediment mixture with oil.”
“So, this was no ordinary forest fire?” asked Kiri.
“I’m afraid not. And while we cannot really tell who is behind it, since really, we can’t think of anyone or faction who would bother. We’re just a small village in the backwoods,” said the man, sighing for a moment before continuing. “However, we believe they will try once more after last night’s failure”
That said, they agreed that it was best to further scout the area in the forest for any unusual activity. Those involved were given a signal flare to alarm the others if something came up. It would be troublesome if they’re too late to stop anything and it would be cost them dearly if they all lose their homes and loved ones. Kiri, though technically a stranger, would agree to help them with all he’s got. Thus, taking the western area to be his designated responsibility, the young shinobi would make sure to observe his surroundings with utmost care. He would not let anything out of his sight.
The wake of the fire was still fresh. Some burnt wood still smelled like freshly burnt coal, and most of the forest creatures have left the burnt areas. He watched as a large expanse was open to the sky, the canopies long gone and burnt down to the ground. But amidst the destruction, he would see that there would be rebirth as a few plants survived and would be there for the future. He continued down the trail, using his shadows to aid him in sensing the area for anything moving. Once he locked down on a chakra presence, he analysed it by sensing before he formulated a plan to track it down. Soon enough, after passing through the thick trees, coming into the denser part o the forest once more, a few ways past the burnt areas, he would come to stop and stay perched on the branch, hidden in the shadows. Eyes looked on as he saw three individuals in dark garbs gathering together and conversing. It was rather suspicious that they were trying to keep their voices low and one was keeping a lookout, glancing here and there. But from the safety of his shadows, Kiri could stealthily creep in much closer to overhear their talks about infiltrating the fireworks factory and set things into motion.
No doubt that they were involved in the forest fire, and while Kiri wasn’t sure how many else were there, it was necessary to stop them at all cost. Thus, he quickly sent forth his chakra-infused shadows, swirling across the trees and latching onto the bodies of the three in no time. One of them seemed to have some strong chakra and tried to put up a fight, but Kiri would soon step out from his hiding place in the shadows amongst the trees, demonic eyes staring straight down at them. He was letting out a bit of the beast’s aura, making them fear him, as he spoke, “If you don’t want to die, I suggest you don’t struggle.”
It would be a long stare-down contest as the three simply refused in the beginning, but as the shadows that latched at them strengthened their hold, they would soon give in. And at that, Kiri would bring them back to the town for further interrogation.
WC: 1,022