Akio made his way towards the Oak District alongside his teammates, scratching the spot on his back that one of Kiriyomi's bugs had bitten. Spending so much time in the woods had given the young Senju an abundance of experience with bug bites, but something about this one felt... odd... and his body reacted to it in a unique way, causing the immense amount of natural energy that he'd spent all sunrise building up well and almost repel the strange chakra that the kikai had infused. Nevertheless, he forced himself to ignore it as he focused on his surroundings, noting the usual hustle and bustle of one of Konohagakure's busiest areas. It was surprisingly busy, especially for it being so early in the day, with citizens of Leaf starting their businesses, running errands, and doing their daily activities, but perhaps some had made their way into the district to see the goings on of the day's larger-than-normal exam as well.
As the three arrived, Sennin Nao had already been waiting for them. Well, one of his clones had been at least. Nao's Clone explained that the test had already begun and the real Nao already hidden amongst the coming-and-going crowd of people within the district. Accepting the note as he was given it, Akio opened it and read the secret note quickly before it burst into flame and disintegrated before it hit the ground. Looking towards Nao's clone, the boy replied, "Clues huh?! We're on it! Tell Nao we're coming for him!" Akio said with a bright and resolute smile, his determination invigorated by the challenge that lay before them. With the abundant reservoir of natural energy flowing through him, the teenage Senju's determination was almost visibly glowing off of him in a slight golden aura.
Akio's newest acquaintance and team member, Jinzo, had quickly pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil as he started to make astute observations and ask Akio questions. It was true that he probably knew Sennin Nao better than any here, but the truth was that he'd barely scratched the surface of what the Medical Leader of Leaf was capable of. "I think, in a lot of ways, Nao-sennin is like me... Or at least like I want to be. He has a close relationship with his contracts, uses clone jutsus and ninjutsu, and is the best healer in Leaf. And that's all not to mention how fast and strong he is physically. Nao's a top notch shinobi and we gotta be ready for all that and more!" Akio said, his enthusiasm overflowing. Even from the clone that had been standing before them, Akio could feel the similarities between the holy-aligned natural energy that flowed through him within the residues of Nao's own chakra. They were more alike than even the young Senju realized. "But even more than all that, Nao-sennin is the most kindhearted and caring shinobi I've ever met. He cares about us, a lot, even if his demeanor is cool and calm and collected. And he cares about the people here. So we can expect him to try to outsmart us and keep the bell away in ways that not only keep us safe, but also that keep the people here safe too." He nodded, feeling confident in his response.. However, unlike the golden energy that flowed from him and Nao, there was a different one in the air. Something dark and unnerving, and it was coming from Kiriyomi. Once again his body reacted, like the spot on his back had on the way over, his natural energy welling and almost steeling itself on the edge that faced his Aburame friend. But that wasn't the only thing... There was another source of that energy. Akio couldn't pinpoint where it was, but it was there, flavored differently but still present. "Ibis..." Akio said aloud, remembering the odd feeling that he had gotten in the two encounters he'd had with Nao's Yokai companion. Back then it was just a slight sense of unnerving energy, but now that he was an Archsage and carried so much holy-aligned natural energy within him, the difference felt much more clear.
Akio turned from examining the street and looked back and forth between his two companions, making sure to let them see the determined look in his bright green eyes. "Alright guys. We're gonna follow the plan, but I need us to keep these three things in mind! First and foremost, look at all the people around us. They are priority number one. If we pass this mission, but injure somebody innocent in the process, what right do we have to call ourselves shinobi?! Second, we gotta stick together. Even against Nao-sennin's clones we won't stand a chance without teamwork. And thirdly, it's not just Nao and his clones we gotta find... I think his friend Ibis is here. He wears a yellow hoodie and his eyes glow yellow too, he's a youkai. So we gotta keep an eye out for him! He likes playin' tricks and laughs a lot, so if you hear any weird cackling or sense any strange energy, ya gotta let me and your teammate know! Oh, and one more thing... We gotta keep an eye out for boxes that look out of place. Nao's clone said he left clues and we need to find 'em!" Akio said, feeling confident about the plan that the three had concocted. Pausing for a moment, he looked at both of them and donned a genuine confident smile. "You guys ready? I believe in both of you. We're gonna do this! Together~" With that, Akio formed hand seals that created a crystalline eye that flew up into the sky to get a bird's eye view of the district as well as calling three clones to his side, identical in all ways apart from the fact that they were made of dust.
[Akio used Crystal Eye]
[Akio used Dust Clone - Special Action - 3 Clones]