[Cha 1 Location] Kagetsuchi Village (Central)

[Oni Archives]

::Kagetsuchi::

"Kagetsuchi. When I first arrived here - I was awe-struck. The village was beautiful, and so busy - life teeming just about everywhere that you looked. Industry and technology in development the likes of which I'd never seen before. I was so excited. I was so optimistic, I was so . . . naive. At first glance you see the bright red walls, the beautiful lanterns high in the sky and shingled teeth of the buildings - jutting up as if to gnaw the Naraka moon itself and think that this village is a place someone can make something of themself. . . but these teeth are sprung from blood soaked gums - an epitaph to the slave labor used to nourish those very same teeth. Between the hustle and bustle of the village there is crime of all kinds - vice as far as the eyes can see. Murder Monks prowl the streets at night looking for their next victim. Drugs and contraband of other natures change hands in every unlit corner that passes the inactive traces of the mind and the syndicate? An organization by the name of KAISEI run the criminal underworld of Naraka from here with an iron fist. A place to make something of yourself. Hmph, maybe. But it didn't take long for me to realize that this place? It was more likely a place to unmake you just as quick. Kaisei's mark - a starfish, brands deaddrop locations for the syndicate and tend to be the only way to get in contact. The central district is a healthy balance of entertainment. Casinos, hotels, pubs, massage parlours - the works. This village is like a spider - wraping you comfortably in a sheet...you don't even realize when it starts draining you. Lucky Tiger, the biggest casino in the entire village. and Kaisei HQ, though no one would just tell you that. He can see it all from up there on his high horse...Genichiro Of Seven Winds. If this village was built on bloodsoaked soil then it all drains out and into his hands. I'll have to somehow convinve him...if I'm to keep moving on" [sub]- Tatsumi Sakurai, some years ago.[/sub]​

 

[Oni Archives]

"I -....could I have been seeing things?"
[sub]((Immersive Theme - Listen While Reading: "Genichiro's Dance"))[/sub]

"No...there's definitely something off about that bird."

=Ko spoke his thoughts a'loud as he breached through the gate into the central area of Kagetsuchi - and as it comes with the territory he almost immediately bumped straight into someone, nearly knocking them completely over, the boy was deceptively sturdy framed. The shadow from the bird cast all the way across the crowd of the district and the bird seemed to soar high above them all - leading over to the rooftop of the tallest casino here in the village and then suddenly ending, never trailing out behind it and away or anything of the sort rather than simply ceasing any movement there, indicating that it must have stopped there at the top of the casino. Ko stood there watching as it did, his eyes narrowed down at the rooftop as he adjusted his posture to a more lax condition and looked about. His eyes had been skyward as he came into the district so he had missed it before, there was nothing but a wave of people as far as the eye could see. Some of them were in decorative kimono and celebratory robes - evidently paying homage to Kazumasa's sacrifice and clan Sakurai - while others were simply taking theatrical means to make their appearance out to the casinos. Ko took a moment to take it all in, having been taken off guard the moment he realized just how many people were out here - the inevitable creeping feeling that someone has to have their eyes on you with so many people around was hard to shake, rubbing the side of his neck in a reflexive boyish bashfulness that came with as he cleared his throat and commented back at the gate - seeing Sakuya peel from between the gate with her hood fixated upon her head he called back at the rest:

"Well - come on then, we dont want to keep our esteemed host waiting."

=The look in his eye was one that was average, but odd in a way - it spoke all that it needed to. For Kasami she would more then likely know that there was something off about the way that Ko was looking, but not know precisely what it was, however she knew him and would know to just trust the process and it would come to her shortly after. For Kirinji however - he would more then likely pick up on it. Having been a shinobi for a longer period and having more higher level missions under his belt he would understand the kind of look one gives when they're telling you to "play along with the plan" or the kind of look that says: "Just roll with it.". Ko was giving this kind of look for the fact that he knew that now he was in public eye and for that matter in ear shot of the crowd around - he couldnt just blatantly explain himself for risk of compromising their mission and intent - because for all intents and purpose make no mistake, they were here surviving and trying to get something done, but it was clear to Ko at this point that this was certainly a mission - and they had been drafted to Naraka's military in this case. He sought to escort them in - not bothering to transform into an accessory to be worn or anything of the sort, no. He knew that in this kind of scenario when it comes to infiltrating what could potentially be seen as an enemy base - the first rule was Know your exits in case of need to escape quick and in a hurry. Going into an enemy area that they had never seen before and would get no obvious layout from the exterior it lead him to the next bullet point in the essentials to infiltration: Fan out. True - that the transformation jutsu idea would be viable and perhaps a good idea for Kasami, she would do much better and her chances at defending herself would be much stronger if paired with Kirinji directly - as well as his chances of escape and support as well. But Ko was at the same level if not stronger then Kirinji due to his training and meditation on his sharingan done back at Kiyoshi's as well as The Mask Of Shuzaku. Clinging close to each other would make their defense strong yes - but they needed information in this dataless environment. It would serve them better if another person that could handle themselves alone - was separate and free to flow around the area to scout, find exits, and potential advantages. "The Poison works best when its free to circulate." he knocked at his forehead with the bottom of his palm a bit - that phrase was stuck in his mind for a certain reason and there was even a particular voice behind it...one he didnt recognize - memories where none should exist he'd thought. Maybe just repressed ANBU experiences. Regardless it was his intention to do as Sakuya said. He'd act as the benefactor of a bride offering to this Genichiro, offering Kirinji as the trojan horse in to gain an audience. While they do such - he'll flow around the casino and see what he can learn, what exits he can find, and be on stand by to support and facilitate for a quick escape if need be. Either way - the point of the matter would be that they would not be getting caught off guard this time, he intended to be ready.=​

 

[Oni Archives]

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— Transition from Kagetsuchi East ——> Kagetsuchi Central —

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He’d nod his head “okay” towards Kasami after she mentioned that she’ll transform when they become closer. As he did the darkness that briefly passed over them prompting him to immediately look up towards the sky making out what appeared to be a bird. Kirinji watched Ko shoot through the gate and Sakuya follow calmly after, Kirinji did the same but not before glancing at Kasami and then at the drunk men who were nudging each other as they stared at him. He paid them no mind and followed behind Sakuya, but understood very well the type of people they’d be seeing here.

The area was beautiful and full of people—a bustling environment full of life. Overwhelming even. And in order to avoid running into someone he stopped when he had gone through the gate to track the bird that caused a shadow over the people until he couldn’t anymore. It appeared to have landed on the top of the casino or so he thought. He glanced over at Ko to see where he was and at the same time he did Sakuya had called them forward. Kirinji saw the look in his eyes, knew it very well actually, and in response turned slightly toward the opposite way and nodded subtly, for the reason no curious person becomes too nosey or draws connection between them. He’d turn towards Kasami and subtly gesture with his head “come on” as he made his way toward Sakuya.

Infiltration is a nerve racking experience. With so many factors outside of you or your team's control, you could possibly not plan for everything. It’s even worse when you don’t have much information about the area or person you’re infiltrating either. You don’t know what they look like, you don’t know their abilities, and you don’t know if your disguise will work. A young shinobi would be overwhelmed with this nerve racking feeling, but an experienced shinobi understands that the feeling can be controlled and it is what keeps them alert. The experienced shinobi understands the importance of adaptation and that's what they’ll all do. They’ll need to be like water, formless, but capable of shaping into anything.

Kirinji walked over towards Sakuya and would follow her wherever she led them. He didn’t talk, he didn’t ask questions, but his head was on a constant swivel. You could tell that Kirinji was comfortable in his transformation and that he had everything down in detail. From the look all the way to the intangibles such as body movement, walking, and fluidity. It was almost like he had done this before.

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[Oni Archives]

=As they started to approach the building Ko followed suit behind Sakuya. She moved through the crowd effortlessly, it was apparent that she had been doing this for a long time - the differences in place of living were quite apparent at this point, her weaving in between and through without so much as a touch and where there was a bump there wasnt so much as even an acknowledgement - not between herself or the person involved. However, on the other hand you had Ko - who was from Konohagakure, and as densly populated as it was - it was nothing like this in comparison. He stepped between people and lead along but there was a out of character carefulness to him, maybe a paranoia; it was easy to be assassinated or sneak attacked in such a dense crowd without so much as anyone knowing - and it made him worry for both himself and his team - especially Kasami. . . Kasami - the transformation. He thought about it for a moment and realized that they were in the thick of it now - caught off guard by the sheer number of people that were here, if they did it now then there would be exposure for sure..they'd have to time it better. Think...think...think...these were the words going through Ko's head as they proceeded and got ever closer to the front gate of the casino. It struck him. When they got to the gate the door man greeted them with a smile and bow as Sakuya passed him and stepped through seamlessly - there was a curtain there just behind the gate obscuring vision inside and it was there that Sakuya turned and waited for them. Then Ko clapped his hands together as they approached and spoke to them about their visit to get Kirinji wedded - never referriung to him by a name or anything of the sort - leaving it ambiguous as he did not know what to call him here on the spot anyway - but it mattered not. He referred to them about the matter and how important it is that she looks at her best - telling them to freshen her up at the bathroom when they got inside. He didnt say it in any certain way at all - for all intents and purpose it was like he was serious and just talking, even Sakuya raised her brow and then looked back at Kirinji and Kasami a bit before realizing. Then - finally they would emerge through the curtain, a bright blinding light striking them - forcing their eyes to adjust for just a moment as they entered.=

[[Transition from: Kagetsuchi Central ----> ???]]

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[Oni Archives]

Kasami hadn’t much bothered with the overcast that had fallen upon them at the gate. All too lost in a daze of fear and could be’s, but she swiftly remembered the mantra repeated in the sanctum of her inner thoughts. She had to be strong. If not for herself, then for her team. A team of continuously dwindling numbers. What was the reason that it would shrink as soon as it grew? She met Sentou and Eiji in the forest, and gained Jinsei as a guide. In came Ko, and out went Jinsei. In came Ikki, and Sentou disappeared. They met Kirinji in the following village, and at Kiyoshi’s manor Ikki vanished. Eiji vanished. It seemed like all this world did was take, and she started to question what it could give.

But... it didn’t matter what it could give. Not truly- not to her. She hadn’t born an ambition to stay and to protect out of gratification and prizes. It was a desire to see life thrive. A people humble and united. Unlike the waking world, unlike the nations. In the light they would break bread together with fake smiles, and be broken in shadows. That was not a world worth fighting for, and maybe even giving her life. The Burning Dawn openly opposed order. They had strength and didn’t need to hide, and for that she was actually appreciative. Now they just needed to push forward, in smaller numbers than before, but they could still do this. She had faith in Kirinji. He had the option to leave, but he’s here taking risks with her. To the casino of uncertainty.

One of the best things about being a small person was ease of movement between tight spaces. There were few places in the day to day grind in which a small person could not squeeze, and it helped them a lot in cases of... unsavory context. Yet even with being as small as she was, as agile and coordinated with her feet- this place was too crowded. It took a lot of apologies and being somewhat forceful to break through the hard heads that didn’t care to move for her, but she managed to keep up with her comrades by only a few paces behind to the casino’s gate. It was a spectacular building, gaining her admiration on their approach. Silently she grouped up with them to enter, nodding quietly as Ko mentioned the restroom. The reason was obvious, even if there was no verbal tell that he meant something by it when it was said. It was a quiet and secluded place, and would likely be her only place to transform now that they had made it indoors.

[Transitioning to —————> Lucky Tiger Casino]​