Fortune's Shadow

[Dual]

Every morning began the same.
After wrestling with numbers all night, he woke up to the click-clack of an abacus. Mercenary work could be so monotonous.

“You’re up?” Bando called down from the attic when the noise refused to stop.

A floor below, Hanna was scrabbling on hands and knees in a sea of paper.

“Yes, budgeting,” the dark-haired girl said, sliding the scales back and forth. “We’re still short 1,100 ryo on expenses, which is actually an improvement from last month. Oh, and maybe, if you apologize real nicely to the daimyo’s nephew, he’ll give us an extra month to replace his shallop.”

Bando rolled his eyes. He was used to dealing with disagreeable clients from his days as a starving artist, but at least then the work never followed him home. Now they lived above their business and counted themselves fortunate to have a roof at all. Land was a luxury in a Whirlpool Country port.

Oh well. He was useless to the world on an empty stomach. He hovered over the stovetop while Hanna rolled her sleeping mat out of the way and made room for the breakfast table. It was like spinning plates, living on top of each other like this. Such cramped arrangements could strain even family ties. Though, if he was being honest, he thought of Hanna more as a secretary than a little sister.

As he sat to eat, she slid contracts over to him. Without looking, he stamped his print, leaving a bleeding black mark, and listened while she brought him up to speed on recent events.

“There are rumors of activity on the border. Oh, a traitor in the Leaf killed Awai, Fanho—did you hear about the—?”

He nodded along, thumbing through the rest in between bites. Most were defense bids, some intel queries, but nothing ever really saw a no.

“Also, the Buta brothers still haven’t returned with the shipment they were guarding. Do you think they might have run off with it?”

Damn them. Bando pinched his furrowed brow. Double-damn me. Hanna would be too polite to mention it, but hiring them had been his decision. He’d made the choice to trust them, knowing their reputation, because they came cheap—and when facing eviction, getting in the black was more important than anything else. That meant an afternoon spent tracking them down. At least he wouldn’t have to hear her lecture about cutting corners again.

“I have a feeling today will be quite a busy day, though.” she added, sensing his mood.

“Oh?”

“We had an inquiry,” she said with a yawn. “A man left a message at the post saying he found something we might find interesting. Some kind of mushroom thingy?”

He froze mid-chew. “The Black Albus?”

The girl gave an I-don’t-know shrug. “Maybe. Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

Sometimes the gods dropped a gift in your lap. Bando swallowed. If it truly was the Albus, then their luck might have changed. The powers locked inside of it were virtually limitless… Priceless. But the sea wasn’t the only fishy scent in the air.

"We’ll need to make a good first impression. Put on something fancy, the pink kimono, he won’t notice the stain. Bring him through the front when he arrives, and leave him with the expensive wine until I call for you. We don’t want to look broke.”

She clapped her hands. “A party? Oh, what fun!”

After she left to find their man, Bando raised the shutters, pushed aside Hanna’s curtain of hand-drawn wanted posters, and let the dawn light shoot through. Even from their squat shophouse, tucked in the maze of market stalls, he could see white sails in the harbor divvying up the golden morning sun.

It was quiet out, but that was to be expected. Only those with a purpose came here—a specific, often silent, clientele. They shuffled by in cloaks and cowls, fearing the world’s judgment, and he always met them with a friendly smile.

Business was open, and rent was due.

[AFungalNetwork]

The door creaked open, and for a moment, the morning light framed the silhouette of a man. Tetsuo stepped inside, his movements deliberate, confident—not the exaggerated bravado of a thug, but the quiet assurance of someone who had survived too much to fear anything in this room. His presence carried weight, like the silent promise of a coming storm.

Standing at 6'2" and weighing 220 pounds, he was an imposing figure. His long black hair was tied up in a traditional samurai topknot, the only concession to his past life. A faded Caged Bird Seal scar marred his forehead. His eyes, the signature pale white of the Hyuuga clan, glowed with an intense, almost predatory gaze—like a wolf observing its prey. His face, weathered by years of battle, bore faint scars around his eyes and a rugged goatee that added to his hardened look.

His clothing was an intentional statement: old, tattered Hyuuga robes, showing the world that though he had abandoned their ways, he was still very much a Hyuuga. Over that, a heavy cloak hung loosely, worn from years of travel. Strapped to his back was a nodachi wrapped in bandages, and a light pauldron adorned his shoulder, emblazoned with the Hyuuga emblem. A Konohagakure headband—still completely intact—hung from his neck.

He let the silence settle. Let them feel him. His gaze flicked to Hanna first, a polite nod acknowledging her presence before dismissing it just as quickly. She wasn’t who he came for. His eyes—cold, sharp, assessing—settled on Bando. Still, he said nothing. Not yet.

His gaze ran over the room with a calculating precision, taking in the expensive wine, the careful arrangement, the attempt at wealth that didn’t quite hide the cracks beneath. The game had already begun. Bando wasn’t a fool. He was trying to impress, but Tetsuo wasn’t here to be impressed. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice smooth but carrying an edge.

“You know why I’m here.”

He reached into his cloak, his movements measured and controlled, pulling out a small bundle wrapped in cloth. He set it on the table between them with a slow, precise motion. Unhurried, deliberate. The kind of action that spoke of years of honing one's every step into something calculated and purposeful.

He let the cloth fall away, revealing the mushroom. Its black, spiraling form seemed almost unnatural, like something that didn’t belong in this world. The Black Albus. Tetsuo’s gaze locked onto Bando’s.

“Let’s talk.”

[Dual]

A wine stopper’s pop! welcomed Tetsuo inside. “Hi!” Hanna said, deflating as she felt the intensity in his eyes. Bando, for his part, played the gracious host. “Ah, the mushroom hunter, we’ve been expecting you,” he said, but he wasn’t looking at Tetsuo. His eyes were staring at black gold, lips curled in a slow, oily grin. “Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Bando, and this is my associate, Hanna. Come, we have business to discuss, my friend.”

Bando took stock of the man he would be doing business with. Tetsuo was clearly not a man concerned with appearances. Dressed like he’d just walked out of a warzone, the pale-eyed stranger cut an imposing figure. His every move made the old wood of the tiny abode groan. But looks could be deceiving. His sweet-faced comrade was proof of that– easy to overlook, easy to underestimate.

Once they were seated with the truffle between them, Hanna returned with a glass in each hand and filled them. “We do have tea if you prefer,” Bando added, raising his drink in an invitation to cheers– and to distract from the faded bloodstains flecking the girl’s sleeves. “But I understand if you wish to leap straight to negotiations, I’m a busy man as well.“ He dismissed Hanna with a wave. She seemed to struggle on where to place herself in the tight room but eventually tucked herself into a corner until only the fringe of her bob remained in sight.

“Shall we start with how you came into possession of this?” he said, reclining to give them both much needed breathing room. “One doesn’t just stumble upon it by accident, and if they did, they’d be dead before they could sell it.“ He kept his immediate suspicions in check. Few knew of its existence and that exclusivity drove up the price. It was a good-sized specimen too. Did he even realize its worth? A fortune. Perhaps even more than those pale, watchful eyes of his.

[AFungalNetwork]

Tetsuo took his seat and polite accepted the class. He toasted with the man, ignoring the faint but lingering smell of blood coming from the kimono. He had become quite familiar with the smell over his years; it wasn't something he could miss. He thanked the woman as she made her way over to the corner. He listened to Bamba's words and when asked how he had gotten the mushroom; he simply opened his robe and revealed the large scar on his stomach from where he had been gored.

I had some help finding it. But it wasn't the truffle I was after but the beast that guarded it. The truffle itself was a gift from... let's call her a friend.he smirked at his own words, imagining how Hanayo might react to being called his friend. Money is worthless to me. As I suspect you already figured out, given my attire. So, what can you offer me? he leaned back as he sipped from his glass. It wasn't his drink of choice but he wouldn't say no to free alcohol.

[Dual]

Money? Worthless? This man is not of this world. Bando savored a long sip from his glass. Worth every coin, in his opinion. Bando was so used to entertaining lecherous fools, that it was refreshing to meet someone who saw through the dross. Could it be a haggler's strategy, perhaps? To trick him into showing his hand? If so…

Hanna enjoyed the mystery. She thought hard, her tongue slipping out the side of her mouth as she turned the puzzle over in her mind. It was a constant effort to keep her on task. Meanwhile, Bando’s fingers crept toward the Albus, the way a desperate gambler edges toward the center pot. For so long it had existed in his mind solely as a launching point. Always a means to an end. He wondered what the Hyuuga saw in the fungi.

The sight of his scar made Bando raise an eyebrow. He recalled rumors of the Black Albus having a peculiar effect on fauna. Beasts fed on it acquired an enormous chakra pool, which tended to induce gigantism. The theory was hard to dismiss now that Tetsuo had brought his body forward as evidence. If he had survived a battle with a juiced monster, he was already more valuable than the Buto brothers—stronger, cheaper, and, best of all, discreet.

“Well, she must be a good friend indeed, pointing you in our direction. You’ve done well delivering this to us.” Whoever this mystery woman was, she had delivered them a boon. He did not want to waste the gift. Though, convincing him to their side would be a bit more complex than flashing a few gold pieces. “For a man who wears his scars so—ah—proudly, I know money could only buy you comfort, luxury, safety. But I believe what you are after is something a bit more 'honorable'? Yes, the chance to prove something. The chance to show the world your worth. Leave your mark on it. Tell me, am I getting close here?”

[AFungalNetwork]

Tetsuo’s gaze stayed locked on Bando, unreadable yet unwavering. He let the man talk, let him try to wrap his words in silk, but he saw through it. Always circling, always probing, like a man trying to see how close he could get to the fire without burning. Finally, Tetsuo exhaled, slow and measured. “You’re stalling.” His voice was calm, but there was weight behind it, a subtle shift in the air. “Say what you really want from me—before I start making my own assumptions about you.”

He let the silence settle between them. He wasn’t a man who spoke just to fill space. Bando had already realized that gold and comfort weren’t what Tetsuo was here for. He saw the careful way the man measured his words, the way his fingers edged toward the Albus, like a gambler deciding whether to bet or fold. Smart enough to know this wasn’t just a simple transaction. That was good.

"You’re right about one thing—I don’t care about wealth, and I have no use for luxury. The world doesn’t need to know my name, but the right people do.” His fingers tapped once against the table before going still. “What I want is power—but not the kind you think. What I want is influence. A favor. A connection that matters.” His eyes darkened, a faint smirk touching the corner of his lips.
"I don’t waste my time. If I’m giving this up, it’s because I expect something just as valuable in return.” His eyes flicked back to Bando, steady and cold. “So tell me—what exactly do you have to offer?”

[Dual]

“I fear there may be a misunderstanding,” Bando said as set his glass down. Hanna took it as a sign to pour another, leaving it half empty. No sense in running through their best stock too fast. Her grip on the bottle tightened and the man gave her a careful nod without meeting her wide, yellow eyes. It was good she noticed the danger, but she was too jittery. “Your friend must have left a few details out of your agreement but make no mistake the Albus is ours. It was trusted in your hands to deliver it to us. We’re just negotiating your finder’s fee,” he said, then whispered a word in his assistant's ear. He didn’t like to get heavy-handed, but the art of dealmaking required it. He needed to remind their guest that they weren’t pushovers either.

Hanna retrieved a scroll and presented it to Tetsuo. Its elaborate seal was cracked and crumpled, as it had been discarded in a fit of rage.

“Here, this. It is a letter from the nephew of Whirlpool Country’s Daimyo.” Bando remembered the contents exactly and recited it for the Hyuuga. “Some men of your skill don’t bother with letters. I don’t mean offense—just making sure you don’t miss any details. See, he hosts a tournament every so often, a very exclusive event, only invites his close friends, renowned dojos and their ‘champions’. They get drunk, watch some bloody fights, it’s a good time, right, Hanna?“ Ever since he fell out of good graces with the lordling Bando assumed his invitation had been a mistake, either that or a set up. But now he saw the truth. “You ask what we have to offer? It's called opportunity. You want influence, connections, favor with the right people, all of that will be under his roof and we’re your ticket in.”

[AFungalNetwork]

“Your friend must have left a few details out of your agreement but make no mistake the Albus is ours. It was trusted in your hands to deliver it to us. We’re just negotiating your finder’s fee,”

Tetsuo smirked at this remark. Bando was finally starting to bite back. Tetsuo had been worried he was all bark. The woman beside them was tense, it was subtle and she was hiding it well but Tetsuo could tell. He had been in situations like this before. She wasn't the only one tense— the entire atmosphere of the room lingered with tension threatening to snap at any moment.

"See, he hosts a tournament every so often, a very exclusive event, only invites his close friends, renowned dojos and their ‘champions’. They get drunk, watch some bloody fights, it’s a good time, right, Hanna?"

A tournament you say? This was the first thing to fully catch Tetsuo's interest. A chance to fight worthy opponents, word of the tournament might even make it back to the Hyuuga clan, if he was lucky. This would also be a good chance for him to scout for promising fighters to join his organization.

He leaned back in his chair, finished his drink, and looked intently at Bando.

Go on...

[Dual]

“Hanna, what have I told you? A guest should never see the bottom of their glass," he chided, as she scurried to retrieve a new bottle bearing an old label. “Good? It’s from a shipment held up in Ariake Bay during the fall of Sunagakure. The last of its kind. Now that the Rock has taken ownership, it’s like a bit of soul has been lost.”

Hanna vented a new bottle of plum scented wine. Bando tasted another sip of dry sweetness and sighed. “Ahh, it’s called the Whirlpool Martial Arts Invitational, but most refer to it as ‘the Drowning Circle’. It tends to drag even the elite out of their depth. The rules are simple: eight combatants, one-on-one, single elimination. No chakra permitted, strictly flesh and steel.” He wouldn't be up against scarecrows, that was certain. Bando had seen what the average tourney goer was capable of. There was a reason he refused to enter.

“We can sponsor your entry, provide training if necessary. Then, you join the tournament, fight, win. In the meantime, we’ll introduce you to the right crowd and lend some credibility to your name. Does this sound like a fair trade?” Bando stirred his glass, smiling down at the light-dark ripples and seeing riches. The tourney pot was, needless to say, tremendous. Having all those deep pockets to pull from meant these events tended to be quite extravagant affairs. It was an addicting lifestyle. And despite his denial, if Tetsuo fought for them, Bando knew he would see it too.

[AFungalNetwork]

Tetsuo sat and sipped from his freshly poured drink. The man had a point. This was the first time Tetsuo had tried some from before the fall of Suna, it was undoubtably better.

One on one, simple elimination. No chakra. This was getting more exciting by the minute. This would be a true test of his strength.

So, you'll sponsor me. I'll fight and win. I get what I want, you get the mushroom and a considerable amount of winnings from betting on me. Am I right?he smirked as he took another sip, savoring the taste. He was naturally suspicious but he could hardly hold in his excitement. If this was held often that means there would be strong opponents. Worthy opponents.

Perhaps news of this tournament could make its way to Konoha. Maybe the Hyuuga get a message that Tetsuo is alive, well, and still surpassing them. this thought broke his cold demeanor. It wasn't a smirk on his face but a full blown smile.

Well then, what are we waiting for? Take your mushroom and let's be on our way. he stood up and turned to face Hanna.

Thank you for your hospitality Hanna. The drinks were excellent. Vinegar is the most effective way to remove bloodstains. turning back to Bando his expression was serious again but with an underlying excitement that he couldn't hide.

Lead the way boss.

[Dual]

“Good man!” Bando said with a laugh, as if he were sharing in on some unspoken joke. The Hyuuga’s grin proved infectious—if misread. Even Hanna’s lip twitched holding the bottle like a bludgeon. Look at that grin. Never doubt me again. He’d been able to chip away at the pale-eyed iceberg. Though whether it was his charm or the wine working on him, Bando was unclear. Ah, it wouldn’t be the first time he’d thrown in with a sociopath. This would be the first free of charge.

Hanna brought another round for a deal struck. She bowed shyly, doing a distractingly poor job of tucking her sleeve away. My secret weapon. The man rolled his eyes. If I didn’t have a heart, you’d be on the streets. Bando stepped up to steal the attention away before she wilted. “Hanna, you have the booth. I’ll be escorting our new friend to the cove for some impromptu training.” He knew he could trust her with the truffle for security and study. What she lacked in business savvy, she more than made up for it in other ways.

“Have the paperwork ready for our return.” Bando needed the chance to see what their new friend was capable of. And give him a taste of what to expect in the Drowning Circle. If he survived the encounter and met the mercenary’s standards, it would mark the start of a very profitable new chapter in both of their lives.

'Boss'. Bando patted the taller man’s shoulder as he led him towards the exit. Yes, he liked the sound of that.

[AFungalNetwork]

Tetsuo eagerly followed Bando. He was new to the area, so he really didn't have any clue where they might be going. The streets twisted unpredictably, alleys branching off like veins, unfamiliar signs and graffiti marking the walls in cryptic tags. He didn’t ask questions. Bando moved with a purpose, and that was enough for now.

He was wary of his surroundings, not out of fear—just caution. Years of close calls had taught him that paranoia was just survival by another name. Every shadow held potential, every passerby a possible threat. He wasn't sure if he had been followed or not, but the thought clung to the edges of his mind like smoke. He checked his six every few steps, eyes scanning windows and rooftops.

Either way, he wasn't going to fall prey to an ambush. Not again. Never again. The memory of the last time still haunted him. He hadn’t slept right since. The echo of betrayal fresh in his mind as if it had happened yesterday. That lesson had come hard, and he had no intention of repeating it.

He followed silently. There was no need to ask where they were going. It didn’t matter. What mattered was the next move, the next turn, the next decision. Trust was a luxury, but for now, he gave Bando the benefit of the doubt. For now.