Continued from: Shaded Shuffle [Force Exit][url=http://www.ninpocho.com/viewtopic.php?p=213704#p213704 said:
The journey from Sunagakure to the gates of Soon's Haven had been an uneventful one. Trekking across the Desert Expanse at a leisurely pace ensured that he'd attract little to no attention to himself. The hours between departure and destination passed by slowly, and everything caught his notice. From the odd Siren Spider skittering beneath a rock, to distant herds of Armatunks to be avoided, Jin'ichi realized just how different the mainland was compared to where he grew up. About the only thing that seemed familiar to him since getting off the boat, had been the Sugar Reeds. The creatures back on the island were smaller, and didn't vary too much from what was shown on television from time to time. However; the further one got into Wind Country, and the closer they got to Sunagakure, the stranger it all became. The flightless Sandrunners were usually a foot taller than himself at least, and several feet on average. The Hykals and Dust Boars were nothing new though... Not out in the more rural areas of the island at least.
Now officially a part of the same organization his father had abandoned, he was well on his way towards vengeance. No one else would have taken him, not at his age. Jin'ichi was a grown man who understood the ways of the world, lacking in malleable naivety. He held no delusions about patriotism, divine duty, or nobility about his new status as Shinobi. Already hardened by the life he'd lived for twenty six years, he'd simply reached a point of no return and set his sights on a fleeting goal. At any moment he could receive word that his father had been apprehended or killed somewhere, and then where would his wrath be directed? It wouldn't have changed a thing in his life. He'd signed himself over to Sunagakure, and everything that came with that on the most intimate levels. Adopting their enemies and their allies, all in exchange for the knowledge necessary to defeat a man trained in those very same arts.
It was nobody's business why he wanted Meshita dead so badly, but he couldn't forget why himself. It was enough that he'd left home, and already ended a handful of lives out of necessity. Perhaps some of those lives didn't have to be taken, but most of those slain would have ended his life if he hadn't. Especially that kid... The one who's demonic energy still caused the hair on the back of his neck and forearms to stand on end. Even after death, that child's face haunted him and the consequences of ending the boy's life seemed to follow him to Sunagakure as well. Speaking on the matter to the Kazekage or anyone else didn't seem like a good idea. The events transpired before he'd ever met anyone from the village, and he wasn't about to put an end to his progress for some dead person that tried to murder him in the night. With all that still in mind, he couldn't help but think to himself "What happened to him? Why would he go off like that, and furthermore why'd he come after me!? Stupid brat.". Kicking a rock after his last mental word, he'd hear it smack into the titanic walls of Soon's Haven and hit the sand after. Evening had fallen, and he'd finally reached.
---
The mission was relatively simple, but tedious in all the wrong ways. Jin knew full well what they meant by "Infiltrate", but that wouldn't deter him from putting a spin on things. It would take weeks, perhaps even months of tiptoeing and lying to people. Becoming a part of some gang, earning the trust of other humans beings, and then stabbing them all in the back for a paycheck. While that's how most Shinobi and mercenaries got their business done, Jin'ichi wasn't most like anyone else. At least he didn't want to be. He'd come to Sunagakure to learn special techniques and enhance his strength by whatever means he could. Too old to learn things the traditional way, he understood and applied concepts in ways that were completely unconventional, but they worked. Even his perception of Chakra and how it was manipulated veered from the standard opus.Ever since he was a boy, Jin'ichi had sharper senses than those around him. It seemed to him that each ingredient in every food remained noticeable no matter how blended. Sounds that others ignored brought his attention towards changes in the environment others took for granted. On the days that hunger clenched his gut tight, he could smell the different foods in all directions with accuracy for each dish. His reflexes had always been a little sharper than those of his peers in the city, much more instinctual and fluid. Maybe he'd have taken offense if someone likened him to a dog, but little did he know how close it was to the truth. There was a sleeping bestial force inside his very blood, primal and unsanitary by civil standards of the modern generation. It had been these skills that kept him safe when he should have died from the beginning. The very same skills that would help him find his targets and do things his way.
Sunagakure had already made sure he had the client's location, which should have made things simpler. Wading through the evening crowds didn't stop him from reaching his destination any quicker either. Unlike what they've become accustomed to when dealing with Sunagakure, Jin'ichi made no effort to appear formal and businesslike. His entrance was no different than that of the average local, with the exception of simply looking unfamiliar. His capability was naturally questioned, that is, until he introduced himself as Takahashi Jin'ichi. It was funny the difference that names made in situations like these. All of a sudden there was this attitude, as if Sunagakure had finally sent them someone worth their coin. It was a joke considering that Jin'ichi wasn't in the slightest whom they thought he was. Even though he hadn't lied to them.
When he'd gotten enough information about the most problematic group for this merchant, he left with a simple nod. His black and red cloak flapped in the gentle breeze over his white kimono, the sound of his wooden sandals clicked against the earth. The tapping sounds from beneath his feet went unnoticed by the nightly patrons that littered the streets of Soon's Haven, but spelled trouble nonetheless. While a calm smirk remained plastered on his otherwise unchanging face, his mind had already undone the specifics of his orders. There was no way he'd spend any portion of his life, much less chunks of it, worming his way into someone's heart just to wrench it out for his own benefit. It didn't really matter to him whether or not they were criminals, since in all honesty who could say the merchants themselves were truly better?
A look of determination kept his eyes steeled and unwavering which each sauntering step. It made sense that he'd be sent out here, far away from the terrorist attacks and demonic entities. It wasn't just that he was too unskilled to be of any use on the battle front, but also being a relative of the acting Kazekage meant keeping him safe was a consideration. Little did they know just how much trouble a man like him could find himself in when he really wanted to stir things up. After walking for over half an hour through all the darkest alleyways and corners, he stood in front of a moderately large steel door. Just as he was about to knock he froze for a moment, and his ears twitched once or twice. Maybe he imagined the feeling. Deciding to be a bit more prepared, the hilt of his sheathed Ninjatō rapped at the metal door a few times. A "Speakeasy Grille" slid open, revealing a singular widened and bloodshot eye. "Whaddya' want!?"</COLOR><i></i> Shouted a voice from the inside, quite frantically too.
Clearing his throat and stepping back so he could be more easily seen, Jin'ichi responded bluntly. "I need to see your boss about some problems with a guy in the fishing markets." Simple enough, right? Well, the guy on the inside tried to close the grille shut only to find Jin's unsheathed Ninjatō wedged inside. There was a shrill scream, and blood traveled down the sharp underside of his weapon and over his fingers. The quick reaction had pierced the man's eye, and there was no need for him to see it with his own two eyes to be sure of what happened. "That's just rude. You don't even know whether or not your boss would like to speak with me, but you're already locking me out. Asshole." His words didn't go without response, because he could hear all sorts of commotion on the other side of that door. Quickly stepping backwards and yanking back on his Ninjatō, he was for the moment free. The same door flew open, knocking him back and over the small railing. The backwards roll could have easily put him on his back, but a shaky crouching position was better than that.
Pushing up from being down on his knee and palm, he'd reach his full height and threaten nobody by doing so. His weapon was already sheathed and unseen, giving hits towards his proficiency with the short blade. From inside the shady locale, a bright spot light hit his face, forcing him to throw his hands up to block the light.
Then there was the rock. Who the fuck was throwing rocks? Whoever it was, hit Jin right in the side of the head. It wasn't a big stone, but it was enough to put him off balance. His opponents would take advantage, getting in their jabs where they could and drawing blood of their own. It was odd, how even while being jumped on by so many people Jin appeared able to side-step or minimize the most damaging of blows. The men carried blades, and the deep gashes in Jin's shoulders and arms proved that they had every intention of using them. The battle lasted longer than one would have expected. For if you had any expectation, it would be that Jin's body would be laying in a pool of its own blood within minutes. Against the odds, he lasted perhaps a solid five minutes and maimed the opposition. Panting heavily he'd rush inside, leaving a trail of his own blood behind him, only to find an empty office. The boss had left.
Cursing beneath his breath, he'd wrap his wounds while searching through all that he could. It became apparent that two of the men he killed outside were lieutenants, and that essentially the boss' whole operation was ruined then and there. Even if the boss himself managed to escape, he hadn't his loyal right and left hands to do his bidding. At the very least, this would give Suna's clientele a moment of rest. At least, until that boss decided it was time to have his own vengeance. With that imminent future being neither nor there, Jin'ichi would shakily make his way back to the folks that hired him and inform them of his success. They were astounded at the speed, but when realizing that he simply barged in and started a massive brawl were understandably annoyed. <COLOR color="red">"Infiltrate just means get inside. Which, I did. Gather information, once the coast was clear...I did. At least this way, you won't be waiting months to see a decline in their activity. Furthermore, if and when you have any further problems just send it our way. It's not like the idiot knows who put the hit out on him."<i></i> Both shocked and appalled at how candid he was with them despite their status, there were a few more complaints but he wasn't paying anymore attention. He was covered in wounds that weren't going to heal for at least three weeks, and that's if he was able to get the right medical attention. All he cared about now, was getting out of this place.
WC: 2,199
[ Mission Complete | Topic Left ]