Kurugatovah here

[Texas]

Excitement, Adrenalin, and a sugar rush filled the young boy while he was traveling with one of his mentors A. With some previous training in a borderline random warehouse, Aki had established a report more or less with this incognito of a person. With a stealthy handed message, Akihiko was given a mission to meet his master of disguise outside of the village and actually on the border of lightning country. Of course, the child couldn't help but accept!

He made his way traveling wise with his hood over his head hiding his pink hair. Although he wasn't well known outside of the village, he couldn't take any chances. This was a great opportunity for the young boy to potentially show some of his moves if need be. With his stealthy training though and his ability, Aki was incredibly confident in not only performing this secret mission, but impressing his superiors as well.

The child found himself at the meeting spot. It was densely populated by trees which oversaw a small village that most travelers passed through to enter this area of Lightning Country. There was a little spa, small shops, and an inn. It borderline looked like a pleasant little getaway. There were reports of someone of note passing through here though, someone that was of great interest to Kumo. Unfortunately for Aki, the details were not in full.

When the pink haired loudmouth arrived at the location he plopped his butt down on a log and waited until his mentor would arrive.

[Trusted Grader]

Y had set up a mission for the young boy known as A, the light at the end of the dark tunnel.

The mission was rather simple, find Kyoukan, Kurugaya, the missing ninja and attempt to get them to come back home, if that doesn't work then dispose of the body. The Kyoukan had been a bit weary after Chiaki's escape and demise, they feared that someone would find a way to steal their secret techniques, even though from Hotaru's knowledge it was impossible.

A sigh rolled out before she cloaked up, she followed the young boy as he left the village and started heading towards their rendezvous. She knew that at his current level he would have no way of detecting her but due to his trainign he should be a bit more wary, for one could never know if a purpetrator was closely. Nevertheless, the spy kept a close pace to the boy until they almost reached their meeting point.

She pushed ahead then stopped at the top of a branch overlooking the log he had chosen to sit down on, Y would clear his voice the second his rear touched it. "I see that we have raised a lazy bum huh?" Ghost leapt down and landed in front of A. "I could've taken you out multiple times on this journey..."

Yoho made sure to move so that the noise wouldn't come from one spot, he used the wind to mask the noise created by his movement as he wanted to instill the black ops philosophy within the boys mind. Once he would spot him, the black ops agent would leap down and land in front of A.

The hard landing would kick up dust that not only covered their view for a second but allow Yoho to remove the invisibility cloak and reveal himself. "How am I to trust you with a super secret death defying mission in the future if little ol me can follow you from the gates without you noticing me?" Yoho chuckled then waited for Aki to fist bump him, once they connected he would become serious.

"Kyoukan, Kurugaya, also known as Aya is an A-Rank missing ninja from the Thether clan, reports indicate that she isn't overtly hostile, in fact it seems that she has travelled the world and helped people... " Yoho held a bingo book in front of him, he tossed it over to Aki before pulling up black ops file. "But that doesn't mean that she couldn't be dangerous. Reports indicate that she has crossed the border into Lightning Country as our defenses has picked up on someone strange, and one of our agents reported of someone matching her description back to me. I will take the lead while you, my little friend will act as back up."

Unless... Hotaru thought to herself. Unless we switch the roles, that way if Aya tries anything she will attempt to attack me first and not Aki, seeing as Aki will appear as the more dangerous threat. Hotaru couldn't trust that Aya hadn't been broken during her travels, reports indicate that she has a good heart, but even the nicest pet could snap back.

[Kabu]

What was she thinking, coming back here? That was the main thought running through Kurugaya's mind as she passed through familiar lands that she once called home. She had been led back home almost as if on instinct but now what? Her presence had surely been detected already and surely Kumo had dispatched a hunting squad. What was she going to do once they inevitably found her? Would she fight back and flee the country once more?

No... She let out a sigh as she shook her head. She had decided already that she was done with cowardice and running away. If it came down to a fight then so be it but perhaps the situation would be able to be resolved peacefully... Whatever happened next would be up to the village and whomever they had sent. She certainly wouldn't argue against being brought back. However... she wouldn't have any right to argue back if they wanted to just be done with it and kill her either.

It was a terrifying situation she found herself in but nonetheless she marched onwards, ready to meet her fate whatever it may be.

[Texas]

To Akihiko's surprise he was in fact followed! What's worse, he was caught with his pants down!!! Well not literally, he was caught sitting and waiting. The words reverberated throughout his body, if it wasn't an ally following him, he surely would have been caught or eliminated swiftly. Maybe the child had spent way too much time being a student and coddled. The trusting and easygoing mentality had to be thrown away, shredded, then burned. He was a ninja doing dangerous ninja missions. The time to act like a kid was over! Well, he could still act like a kid, the time of acting like a kid internally was over. Akihiko needed to take not just missions seriously, but his life seriously too. Nonchalant behavior could result in much more than a loss for himself, but a loss for the village as well. He was not just some ninja, he was a host, an asset to the great Lightning Empire as we know it.

Immediately upon hearing that, the child jumped up and slightly bend his knees. With a solute and a loud embrace, the child spoke to Y that appeared before him. "I apologize Sir! I will be better! Let me prove myself now!" Although somewhat goofy, Akihiko was being serious. He wanted to prove to not only himself, but his uppers, that with his abilities, the boy could be a one man squad.

The pink haired boy nodded in understanding. Although in practice his brain was still adolescent, he had enough experience with instructions to follow everything his comrade had been giving him. "Very well sir, if you lead I will follow from the shadows. Even you won't know where I am!" With that the boy weaved a couple of hand signs. Upon completing the hand signs the boy smiled at his comrade. "Let's do this!" He cheered as the boy dramatically snapped his finger. The second the sound finished, Akihiko seemingly disappeared from existence. Ready to follow Y anywhere that was lead.

Jutsu UsedShow

Limbo • Layer Shift
D-Rank Ninjutsu
Instead of focusing on creating an entrance from a distance or utilizing a specific feature of the Limbo Realm, Aki can shift from one layer to another per jutsu release. Utilizing a few hand signs or channeling chakra, Aki can engulf his body in Limbo Chakra end physically shift himself to the next coming layer. So if he is in the Present Realm, he can shift into the 1st Layer. If he is in the 1st Layer he can either shift back to the present realm or shift to the 2nd Layer. He cannot go from the Present Realm to the 2nd layer or visa versa.

[Trusted Grader]

Yoho the personality wasn't as strict as her true personality, Hotaru, who was rather disappointed but that was because she always made sure that no one could live up to her expectations until the very day they exceeded it, yet Yoho was proud of Aki, for he had come so far in a short time. "Hmph, I'll lead the way, you act as my back up for now."

Yoho knew that if he put on the invisible cloak then A wouldn't be able to track him, so instead he would have to use his bright persona instead, the cloak was folded up and placed above his rear pouch, where it belonged. He smiled and nodded as Akihiko snapped his finger. "Hopefully you can still hear me!" If not then Yoho would have to make sure to place the fuuinjutsu on Aki during their next training.

The super spy entered the village dressed as the lazy jounin and began to look for signs of Kurugaya, though he was certain that it wouldn't be so straight forward, from the looks on peoples faces he could tell that a large part of the citizens were extatic to see a Kumo ninja while the other parts seemed to want to avoid eye contact. "Be weary, some of these people might be part of some criminal organization." Yoho whispered as he chuckled, he wasn't exactly sure where Akihiko was but due to his clairvoyance he could still tell that he was around.

Yoho had made sure to lower its range as he didn't want to get a splitting headache right at the start of the mission, but it would make it far easier to find her if she entered Yoho's zone. Still, Yoho went around and asked different shopkeepers and inns if they had spotted anyone with her description and if they answered yes, how long ago and if she was still around town.

---

metaShow

50 meter range

Clairvoyance
S-Rank Tentaijutsu Discipline
Prerequisite: [Perception], Scopaesthesia, Audiothesia, Vibrothesia
The user has trained their body to react to even the most minute changes in the atmosphere. They are able to pick up changes in air pressure, the slightest of sounds, taste alterations to smells, see the most slight of movements, and vibrations from every movement. Everything within within 160m will appear within the users minds eye and giving them a description of the vicinity, able to track targets and even alert the user from surprise attacks.

[Kabu]

As she traveled it didn't take long for Kurugaya to stumble upon a small town. For a moment she hesitated, wondering if maybe she should just pass through, but she was getting tired of walking. She was also more than certain that she was already being tracked and honestly had no intention of fighting. During her years of wandering she had seen a good deal of strife and had come to realize the error of her ways. She had justified her actions as being for the village's sake but that wasn't it, was it? Deep down she knew, she had ran in an impulsive fit of anger and sadness at having lost her best friend.

"I was such a fool. Ayumu would be ashamed of me." she muttered under her breath, letting out a dry chuckle as she did. It was with that that she entered a tavern, having made up her mind.

She couldn't help but smile as she walked through the building, eyes turning towards her. This was perfect, she had confidence in her appearance which in itself was enough to cause a stir. More than that she was well aware of how unique her clan's features were and she was counting on word spreading. She had absolutely no intention of hiding as she ordered a drink and took a seat at a table, legs crossed.

...And now the waiting game began. She was aware to some degree that she was taking a large gamble with this maneuver but she had done her part. Now, how would things proceed from here?

[Texas]

Aki had been training with Hotaru and due to that, he had established a lot of special stealthy techs. The pink haired shinobi was running through town, avoiding the general population, but running in a way the would keep him silent from sound as well. The boy made sure to keep pace with his stealth compadre as he made it through the town.

The town itself was a very cute and quite town in general. Yes there were a decent amount of people, but when comparing it to what Aki is used to in Kumo, this was no comparison at the slightest. Excitedly, Aki was surveying the area trying to find someone who would resemble who they were looking for. Unfortunately for Aki, he wasn't as experienced. He was looking for an exact person that resembled all the info they knew. He didn't fully consider that this missing persons could have changed their appearance. In fact, it could be anywhere from a simple hair change... to a complete facial reconstruction! In truth, the child didn't know how he could find this person, but as long as he stuck with his fellow shinobi's lead, there wouldn't be an issue. Right?

Jutsu UsedShow

Hidden visually in the 1st Layer of the Limbo Realm

Asashin to Supa - Faster and Silenter
C-Rank Dicipline
A quieter version of Basic Silence. By honing his muscles in his legs, and adjusting his feet slightly, Aki can run in a silent manor without being heard unless the person seeking him out has a higher perception technique.

[Trusted Grader]

Her mind's eye picked up Aki as well, which got her to feel pride, she first felt satisfaction for her clairvoyance, it was able to hang with the Jinchiruki, and at the same time she could tell that the training was working as well, Let's just hope that you don't disappoint. Hotaru smirked, for she knew better than to question the power of the beast that dwelled within the boy, for even the spy carried an ego.

Hopefully C and E's intel doesn't disappoint me. The spy stopped outside the tavern, Yoho turned 90 degrees and stared right at the target, blinked then shivered. "Well that was a bit easier than expected." Yoho walked right up to Kuraguya, and smirked as he leaned forward to reveal a big smile. "[color= #7FA08C]Never thought a mission could be any easier, I was half expecting a road trip to a different country.[/color]" Hotaru wasn't sure if the tall woman had returned to set up an old contact or if she had come seeking forgiveness.

They do seem to have recent issues with keeping clan members within their compounds lately. Hotaru couldn't help but be reminded of her family member, the black ops wanted to shake her head, the thought alone made her ponder if she was even to be trusted. Trust is earned, so far she hasn't made a move, let's just hope that it stays that way. Hotaru shrunk her clairvoyance to the level of just reaching the two of them, encasing them in a 2 diameter box where everything would be picked up in her mind's eye, while the rest blurred.

[Kabu]

Luckily it seemed that she didn't have to wait long, Kurugaya resisting the urge to sigh in relief as she was approached by a boy, clearly the one she had been waiting for. If he had been even a moment later she might have been on her way out of the country. It was honestly enough to make her giggle at the situation and her own thoughts.

"Trust me, there was a part of me that wanted to turn tail and run. It's hard returning home after being gone for several years." Kurugaya nonchalantly, albeit honestly, responded to Yoho's remarks, taking a moment to sip on her drink as she observed her surroundings for any other guests. "Admittedly even just sitting here has me scared shitless but I'm done being a coward. I thought I was going on some grand crusade when I left but really I was just running away from my problems. I couldn't face the fact that my best friend was gone and just pushed the burden onto others." she added after a moment.

"I don't intend to beg for forgiveness, I know the world's not so easy. I do however want to return home and maybe someday earn my place... if the village will take me that is. If not... I'm willing to accept whatever it is that fate has in store."

[Texas]

Akihiko was silently following A's lead. The description matched the notes in the letter he was given of who they were looking for clearly. She was very much not hiding. Even A made a note that this was easier than expected, which mad Aki weary. In his training he was force fed the notion that nothing is as easy as it seemed. The child silently walked near Kurugaya and quietly took out a kunai with his right hand. He extended his arm and held it near the girl. If she was lying and made a move on A, Aki would be more than close enough and ready enough to strike.

The boy waited in the 1st layer of Limbo for A's command. Whenever he said the coast was clear, the boy would snap himself out of limbo and appear. Maybe just his sudden appearance would instill the notion that Kumo was not messing around! Regardless, the child waited for his leader's command.

[Trusted Grader]

Hotaru listened intently as she spoke, Yoho took notes, well mostly doodled as Kurugaya spoke, he couldn't help but feel like she felt sorry for herself and almost wanted her to suffer jail time for thinking that they would just accept her with open arms, but Hotaru had been instilled with the motto of Kumogakure and knew that if they went to the bottom of things and found a solution to their problems then Kurugaya could become reinstated and work for them once again.

A sigh was released as Yoho placed the tools back in his pouch and took a sip of Kurugaya's drink. "I see and I think that it's not fair for the rest of us who take our jobs seriously to just let you waltz in here as if nothing has happened. Where's your proof of loyalty, how would we know that you are not just bait?" Yoho gestured towards the crowd and then back at Kurugaya, he was leaning over the table, staring deeply into her eyes.

"Though I somehow believe you that you are here to turn yourself in for some reason." Yoho winked at her before he sat down again, he kicked up his feet and began to chuckle as he leaned back. "What are we ordering?" Not knowing that trouble was brewing in the background, murmurs and whispers were shared, it was unknown if they spoke about the missing-nin or the agent relaxing with his arms around his neck.

[Kabu]

"That's certainly the plan... Honestly a part of me had expected to be attacked and arrested on sight." Kurugaya simply spoke, a wry smile on her face. That may have been a lot easier as she could have just surrendered but she had no complaints about turning herself in on her own terms. That said she did kind of want to just get it over with but...

"Maybe we could get some sandwiches? I was walking for a while and could go for a light meal." Her travels and swirling emotions had left her feeling quite hungry. She hadn't expected to get a chance to stop and eat but she was truly happy for it.

"Also... maybe I'm just being paranoid after all my time as a missing nin but... I can't help but feel like we're being watched by someone doing their best to remain unseen." she spoke after placing her order with a passing waitress. She knew for sure that it wasn't a ghost or anything but in that case... What was it? Whoever they were or whatever it was, they were emitting a threatening aura... She just wasn't sure who it was aimed towards, if she truly wasn't imagining it that is.

[Texas]

Aki was at a crossroads. He wanted to be a good secret shinobi agent monster powerhouse god... but as a young lad, he also was battling internally with what was morally right for setting a line of trust between someone who was being nice and wishing for trust. Maybe if Aki could show compassion and kindness he could possibly start on the right foot and they could.. as a group.. get back to Kumo. He was a genin... and he was being given orders. So for now, Aki will go against what he thinks is right and be a "good soldier".

The boy would sit and wait in limbo to follow the group hidden from all eyes that could see. What would he sensei say. Maybe she would lift the burden and release him from being in Limbo? Or would she keep him hidden incase their target was lying. If anyone could decipher the situation it was the Black-Ops leader.

With patience and anxiousness combined into a cocktail of emotions, Aki waited with bated breath for his next command.

[Trusted Grader]

Her inner radar was going crazy, the hairs on her body was pointing in all directions as it seemed that they had been surrounded. The real question was whether they were after Kurugaya or perhaps the identity she was portraying? No, that wouldn't make any sense, how would they have figured out that they were on their way here... Unless... They had a leak within the organization? No, that couldn't be it, it had to be the Kyoukan, it was the only logical conclusion. Right? Who could have sold us out so fast? And if they did then why didn't they ambush us on the path? This doesn't make any sense. Hotaru grinned as she peered at the corner of her eyes without turning her head.

They had to have followed her from the borders and set up an ambush once she had gotten here, Hotaru and Aki just had the misfortune of making their entrance at the wrong time. "You feel it too don't you?" Hotaru didn't have to explain any further, but instead slowly rose to a standing position, she had kept the last part quiet but altered her voice once she stood up. "Alright young lady, you are coming with me." Right as the leaning officer finished his sentence, a large crowd would rise off of their chair. Grim, menacing looks took over their faces as they all stared down the agent.

"Friends of yours?" Yoho chuckled as he took a step closer to the Kyoukan, depending on her answer he would either place his hand on her back or lean his back against hers so that they could split the combat load. "Time to prove your worth soldier." Yoho would follow that up by unsheathing his hidden blade and grab it in a reverse grip. Tension grew within the small establishment as the first strike had yet to be pulled.

[Texas]

Why would bandits be in this town? Why were they staying still until this moment? As a child, Aki couldn't figure out why the situation was the way it was. However, it didn't matter. A has taught him to act quick and efficiently. That is exactly what he planned to do. The boy would silently run to the right of the crew in order to get into the street. Leaving enough room for if the couple would use ninjutsu, he would be out of the way. Aki would find a guy in the back and jump on his shoulders, all while whipping out his kunai and twirling it in his hands. Since he was silent and invisible, the man in the back was confused on why he got heavier.

With a look of shock, the man was about to yell to his comrades! Unfortunately for him, he felt a slightly sharp slit across his neck, very shallow though. It didn't explode in blood? Instead he heard a voice. Aki's Voice. A slight sound in between normal talking and a whisper. Aki simply muttered to the man, "I'll make this really easy for you. Convince your men to back off, or you die. This kunai aimed at your neck is a quick jab away from ending your life. So make your decision quick, if you move the wrong way or say the wrong thing, it's over."

Aki stood on this man's shoulders, threatening him, with a kunai held against his neck. All while being invisible. How would this man react? Would he tell his friends to back down? Or would he attempt to give up Aki's location causing his death in the process.

[Kabu]

Bandits, of course it was bandits. She had vaguely sensed that something was wrong but she had assumed that her... Was compatriots the right word considering her status? That it had simply been distrust that she was feeling, which she couldn't really have blamed them for. She hadn't thought for a second that it would be actively hostile intent but maybe that was where she had gone wrong. Her time on the road should have taught her to always trust her gut but oh well... There were always lessons to be learned it seemed.

"Trust me, I would remember having friends like these guys. Besides I don't think they like me very much." she spoke with a click of her tongue as she stood from her seat. Luckily for her all of the patrons and the workers were cowering in the back already. If this got violent they would at least have an easy escape, enabling for her to go wild.

Giggling she turned to face the bandits, a cold smile on her face as she looked towards them. "You know boys, I really would surrender if I were you. Just scamper on home eh?" she spoke, forming handseals as she did. With the completion of her seals lightning would surround her body. She otherwise wouldn't move quite yet, opting instead to wait and watch to see what their next move would be.

JutsuShow

*Raiton • Lightning Armament
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
After the correct hand seals are performed, the user coats themselves in a thick layer of lightning. This armour of lightning forms near instantly and requires [Control] Strength to break. During this time, the user's physical strikes apply the Raiton shocking effect.

[Trusted Grader]

Hotaru had already assessed the enemies and none of them seemed to have what it would take to take her down, although, truth be told, she had no idea if they had some sort of ace of up their sleeve. Speaking of, Aki's invisible behind slit a man's throat, causing the group to panic right as the criminal activated her jutsu, Hotaru was already zipping past two of the enemies, kicking the first and punching the other back into one of his allies. She was now standing 10 meters from the entrance, which was located east of her, she had moved five meters to the left of her previous position, Aki was standing in between Hotaru and Kurugaya.

3 to 4 men were surrounding the agents of Kumo, Aki had the best position while Hotaru was slowly working to make her way into a better one herself. The crew stopped for a second, seconds he would reveal that he was the biggest coward in the crew as he soiled his pants, his pleads created snot bubbles that caused his fellow thugs to first laugh, then wince which quickly turned to anger, that in turn caused them to continue their assault. "Nothing like stretching your legs, huh? Tsck... pesky sons of-" Yoho's smile twisted into a sinister grin as each word passed his mouth, that was until he was jumped by two at the same time.

Aki and Kurugaya would soon find themselves swarmed in the same fashion. Aki had to face 2 dudes wearing makeshift leather armor and carried 1 sword each, while the other two carried spears. The sword guys attempted to rescue the coward first, while the spear guys paced themselves to attack the invisible foe once their brothers created an opening. Kuruyaga would face two guys carrying flails and metal vets, while the other two carried daggers as their weapons of choice. The blade bros would flip tables to create cover while the flail dudes would attempt to strike at the armament.

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[Meta: You guys will have to create your own difficulty level, unless you really want me to... lol... Please don't...]