It wasn't often that Onamuji was able to go a week without sticking his nose into some danger. There was always a mission, some investigation, or a mystery that called his name. The auburn-haired sage of many forms was a man of insatiable curiosity. He believed that knowledge and experience were the purest power in the world. Strength was strength, but without the wisdom and knowledge to use it appropriately, it was nothing of note. Chakra was a driving natural force, but without knowledge of seals and a trained mind, it was good for nothing. And there were so many secrets out in the world that there was always some secret or myth that he was obligated to seek out.
It was a rare occurrence, however, that the village council itself would be the one to prod Muji into seeking an artifact. An ancient Sunan scroll had been unearthed from a tomb, and it was rumored to hold the secrets of a small number of powerful jutsu. Unfortunately for Sunagakure, however, a gang of tomb raiders were the ones to make the discovery and take off with the scroll. Too far from any other point of supply, it was a given that the thieves would find their way to Sunagakure's slums to conduct their business - whether the translation of its secrets or the blind sale of them.
Naturally, the village wanted Muji to ensure that neither happened.
Though he was a bit behind the raiders, it wasn't hard to narrow his search. They had been roaming the slums, trying to drum up interest between prospective buyers...trying to raise the price, so to speak. Loose lips provide tips, after all. The sage tracked their whereabouts for quite a while, eventually narrowing their movement down to a single point of origin - a small shack, unassuming and easily overlooked. A quick scan of the structure showed two men outside the door, one inside at a desk, and one patrolling outside. All but the man inside were armed.
"How long do we have to stand here?" one of the doormen asked.
"Not long. The guy inside is almost done translating the scroll. Boss says it'll be worth more when we know exactly what it's for, and that guy speaks the language, so..." giving a shrug, the man added, "Sit tight and think of the paycheck."
So...they were the smarter sort of grave robbers. The ones who liked to know what they were selling before they sold it. Muji gave a sigh. He didn't like playing the executioner, but they were dangerously close to unlocking secrets that would be sold to one of the countless shady groups in the region.
In an instant, the sage leapt into action, merging with the shadows he connected with to float across the ground and rise near the two doormen. One instinctively stabbed at him, but the amethyst-eyed Rikudo Sennin saw it coming and was quick enough to knock the blade from the man's grasp. A swift punch sent the other guard back a few feet. Lifting an arm-mounted crossbow, the man took aim and fired at Muji. The bolt sailed through the air, piercing what appeared to be Muji's body until it dispersed into thick black wisps of shadow and smoke. On the other side of the cloud was the guard's comrade, shot in the neck and falling to the ground. The roaming guard heard the commotion and came running, but it was too late to help his remaining ally. Muji had pierced the man with his Chakra Disruption Blade.
The newcomer flexed his muscles a bit and came charging, but met with a sharp kick of Muji's boot, dropping him to the ground. He took a moment to get up again, breathing heavily.
"Run while you can," Muji offered coldly, "I am beyond your ability to handle."
The injured guard scrambled and ran, taking off after only a few stolen glances back at the sage. With the scene clear, Muji quietly opened the door to the shanty and watched a moment as the bespectacled man pored over the ancient text.
"What is this word?" he grumbled angrily, "Is it-..."
And before he could finish, a black blade slid through his back. The Rikudo Sennin had played his part, executing the criminal before he could finish his translation. The secrets of Wind Country would remain secret for a little longer.
[WC: 722]
It was a rare occurrence, however, that the village council itself would be the one to prod Muji into seeking an artifact. An ancient Sunan scroll had been unearthed from a tomb, and it was rumored to hold the secrets of a small number of powerful jutsu. Unfortunately for Sunagakure, however, a gang of tomb raiders were the ones to make the discovery and take off with the scroll. Too far from any other point of supply, it was a given that the thieves would find their way to Sunagakure's slums to conduct their business - whether the translation of its secrets or the blind sale of them.
Naturally, the village wanted Muji to ensure that neither happened.
Though he was a bit behind the raiders, it wasn't hard to narrow his search. They had been roaming the slums, trying to drum up interest between prospective buyers...trying to raise the price, so to speak. Loose lips provide tips, after all. The sage tracked their whereabouts for quite a while, eventually narrowing their movement down to a single point of origin - a small shack, unassuming and easily overlooked. A quick scan of the structure showed two men outside the door, one inside at a desk, and one patrolling outside. All but the man inside were armed.
"How long do we have to stand here?" one of the doormen asked.
"Not long. The guy inside is almost done translating the scroll. Boss says it'll be worth more when we know exactly what it's for, and that guy speaks the language, so..." giving a shrug, the man added, "Sit tight and think of the paycheck."
So...they were the smarter sort of grave robbers. The ones who liked to know what they were selling before they sold it. Muji gave a sigh. He didn't like playing the executioner, but they were dangerously close to unlocking secrets that would be sold to one of the countless shady groups in the region.
In an instant, the sage leapt into action, merging with the shadows he connected with to float across the ground and rise near the two doormen. One instinctively stabbed at him, but the amethyst-eyed Rikudo Sennin saw it coming and was quick enough to knock the blade from the man's grasp. A swift punch sent the other guard back a few feet. Lifting an arm-mounted crossbow, the man took aim and fired at Muji. The bolt sailed through the air, piercing what appeared to be Muji's body until it dispersed into thick black wisps of shadow and smoke. On the other side of the cloud was the guard's comrade, shot in the neck and falling to the ground. The roaming guard heard the commotion and came running, but it was too late to help his remaining ally. Muji had pierced the man with his Chakra Disruption Blade.
The newcomer flexed his muscles a bit and came charging, but met with a sharp kick of Muji's boot, dropping him to the ground. He took a moment to get up again, breathing heavily.
"Run while you can," Muji offered coldly, "I am beyond your ability to handle."
The injured guard scrambled and ran, taking off after only a few stolen glances back at the sage. With the scene clear, Muji quietly opened the door to the shanty and watched a moment as the bespectacled man pored over the ancient text.
"What is this word?" he grumbled angrily, "Is it-..."
And before he could finish, a black blade slid through his back. The Rikudo Sennin had played his part, executing the criminal before he could finish his translation. The secrets of Wind Country would remain secret for a little longer.
[WC: 722]