[RP Location] Takatane Village

[Oni Archives]

He glanced over at the gift from the corner of his eyes thinking to himself how thoughtful the gesture was and how it made her eyes sparkle. It was a beautiful haori which seemed to be designed from the finest fabric and as she put it on he saw the symbol on the back. The Oni symbol — he’d seen it multiple times throughout his life span. Here and there, but never understood what it truly symbolized. Many wanted to become Oni, but do they know what exactly becoming an Oni means? Does Kasami? Does he? These were the thoughts that kept his mind occupied as he finished reading the scroll and rolled it up, putting it away. As he was finally putting the scroll, something in his brain sparked a thought — almost like a lightbulb had turned on.

”The Monk came from the hot springs...”

He thought back to a time he was introduced to a hot spring in Naraka. This was ages ago and during a time he was desperate in finding a cure to a disease he had endured through combat. Izanagi had found him and decided to take him to Naraka, more specifically, a body of water known as the Nirvana Fountainhead Spring Waters. It was the reason his physical attributes had all been exponentially increased and more importantly, it was the reason he had been cured. ”Could it be the same?” He thought to himself, his eyebrows furrowed as his facial expression clearly displaying a man in thought. He had only been exposed to the Spring Waters momentarily, but this monk — came from it? Was that even possible? And if it, what power —

”Here, this too.”

His mind snapped back to reality as he glanced over at her while walking. He took it from her gently while listening to her explain what it was. Medical supplies, good idea, these will come in handy. He put them in another pocket and could feel it becoming crowded in his pants realizing he definitely needed to buy a traveling bag of some sorts, but he only had one voucher left. For the time being, he'd make due. As she asked him what else they needed, he hummed to himself. Looking at her and then looking up at the sky. It was a moment before he spoke again, but by the time he had he could already see Kiyoshi and Ko speaking, but not hear them.

”I only have one left, but I think we need a map. Unless one of you knows exactly where we are going. You think Kiyoshi has one?”

He looked over at Kasami asking her, hoping she’d ask Kiyoshi once they had gotten closer.

 

[Oni Archives]

A long sigh exited from Eiji's mouth as he looked back after the other two team members were out of sight, "Will this really be ok...?" He really wondered, something felt unnatural about the whole situation from his follower, the faceless doll to Kirinji and Kasami's acceptance of the situation. He felt like the odd one out, even if they said they were scared, they also seemed eager and ready. Why? What made them sure they could do anything? What made them sure any of what they were told was real? He did not know, all Eiji knew was that he would be safer near them. Knew was a strong word actually it was more of hope and prayer.

As Eiji came close to Kiyoshi's manor, he would notice that Kiyoshi was leaving the manor. He would attempt to catch up to Kiyoshi though, in his head Eiji's mistrust of others was still getting the best of him. He couldn't tell who to trust or who was actually someone who would care about him. So far only Kasami showed even minor concern for him, at least that he could see through his own clouded vision, however; that didn't matter at the current moment. Eiji would run behind Kiyoshi, "Kiyoshi, wait up for me please..." He yelled a bit at the top of his lungs as he was a bit away from Kiyoshi in a different direction. He'd hope Kiyoshi would wait up for him so he could discuss everything with him and wrap his head further around things.

If things went right Eiji would walk with Kiyoshi and talk with him as he headed towards the gate. Hopefully Eiji would come to understand better and see how he could be useful to the mission or even if he would be able to become strong enough to help through some form of training, he would also hope to gather what he needed from Kiyoshi including the jump jack, maybe he could gather more from Kiyoshi if he got lucky as he only had one ticket.​

 

[Oni Archives]

“One voucher.... hm.” Her tone was thoughtful- distant. She was looking ahead of them with her arms folded over her chest, her footsteps slowing until she came to a stop entirely. “How many shops did you go to?” Her body turned as she looked at him and then she moved to face toward the market again, listening to his answer. “I don’t think we should leave yet. We could be missing something important. Something we don’t even know we need. I don’t think we should get a map just yet. Hold out til we go to see if there’s anything else.” Her eyes scanned the shops in range and fell on the tools shop. “Feel free to head to the gate if you’d like to. I can catch up with you all, but I’m going to at least look in there.” She motioned with her thumb toward her intended destination and then smiled. Nothing else was said as she turned on her heels and walked off.

She wasn’t entirely sure about missions or what to take, and she was always open to suggestions from anyone, but she didn’t really know if buying a map was necessary. If they had a path to follow, they’d likely be alright. If one of them got lose they had the jacks to get back to each other too. And if one of them lost their jack... well, they were an idiot. As she walked over to the shop she looked around at everything else, biting the inside of her cheek in thought. So many options and so little means of getting them, it was kind of bothersome. It made her anxious. What if they didn’t have something that’d have helped them, and they failed because of it. Or what if-

Stop it, are you so insecure that you’d think your success depends on a tool?

Her own voice breaking through her thoughts made her pause outside the shop. She stared at the door for a moment and thought about what her subconscious had given her. No, she wasn’t insecure. She told Kiyoshi she would protect Naraka with her life. And if that meant she died, then she died. She’d already accepted that fate. She couldn’t back out now. It was decided, from the moment those words left her lips. From the moment she put on this haori, as she now ran her fingers along the inside of the sleeve’s cuff of her other arm. The symbol- she would wear it proudly. Because she is proud.

Her smile beamed and without any further hesitations she walked into the shop, waving politely at the owner when they noticed her. ”Good morning!” She was cheerful and bright with her greeting, feeling her compassion that Eiji had trampled all over return. Ko’s gift reminded her of what truly mattered. These people mattered, this world. Not some boy who wanted to tuck tail. It was his choice if he did, and it shouldn’t matter. Continuing on to browse the shop, she curiously and intently looked at everything it had to offer.​

 

[Oni Archives]

Kirinji listened to her thoughtful humming as he looked over towards her while they continued to walk. When she stopped, he stopped as well and he turned his body towards her waiting to see what she had in mind. ”Hm. I only stopped at one to be honest,” he motioned by raising his left hand toward the direction they came from. Making a face as he pictured the shop keeper smiling. She spoke again and Kirinji nodded his head in agreement, she was thoughtful — analytical in a way. Always trying to plan what could potentially happen and what they may need. And caring as well. Or else she wouldn't have gotten the tools for the team.

”Yeah, you’re right.” His eyes followed where her eyes went and then to the other side of them, scanning where to go next. When she spoke again he’d nod his head yes at her with his eyes closed and motion in a way similar to her, but instead with his right index finger towards the opposite way. ”That’s fine. You take the tool shop and I’ll go see what the apothecaries have.” He’d begin to turn his body towards them before he stopped and looked back with a Oh! look, his eyebrows raising up ”Don’t spend all your vouchers in case I use mine. Wouldn’t want that happening, huh?” He chuckled lightly with a smile as he then officially tuned his body completely and began slowly walking toward the apothecary.

From afar, his eyes already began to scan what they had to make out what they had before he even reached there. He couldn’t really tell what exactly they had, but chuckled at the realization that for a split second he had forgotten that he wasn’t in the normal realm of what shinobi are accustomed to. He’d have to have an open mind towards everything here. He’d have to become a sponge, absorbing knowledge everywhere he could. As he walked up to him, he’d smiled widely almost to the point where his eyes would close ”Morning!”

 

[Oni Archives]

[[Addressing first: Kasami]]

=The moment that she came into the shop...she was met with a plethora of different stimuli that would assault the senses. The smell of fresh cut wood, saw dust very evident in the air, fresh cut steel - you could smell whetstone moisture in the air as well as what to the trained nose would seem to be a quenching vessel as well, you could still hear the sound of a saw going in the back of the shop - the buzzing whir of its blade cutting through the sound of the shopkeep screaming in her fa- SHOPKEEP SCREAMING IN HER FACE!? "NO - OH GOD NO PLEASE DONT TAKE ANOTHER STEP!" The moment that she was shouted this it would start to register...when she came in to the shop did she hear....a click? Looking down she would see him laying there at her feet, but on his back looking up at her with the most bewildered expression upon his face:

"Oh this is bad...this is real bad. You really shouldnt have come in at this time oh goodness me...oh dear....just...don't move your foot okay.....not even an inch. Theres no telling how big the explosion could be."

=Explosion!? What exactly had she walked into? The keep lay there on the floor looking up at her until slowly his head turned with a seeming creek and robotic twitch as he looked at her foot which was now in her face...and he blinked - seeming to access something: "Yep....detonation pin is certainly triggered...no doubt about it. The landmine could go off any moment you even so much as shift your weight." He laid there and seemed to be looking it over while laying absolutely still on the floor; his black robes flowing all over the ground oddly enough settled upon his person revealing an almost feminine figure as his grabs settle on his frame. Then - he would look up to her and smile in a completely contrasting carefree manner: "Well I guess I just have to disarm it. Stay still and pray I dont turn us both into a fine strawberry paste hahahaha you do pray right? If not should visit the Sanzou. Good people. Praying people. I wonder if they have insurance. You do...have insur- don't answer that hahahahahahah-aw. So - what can I do for you today?" with that being said he took what seemed to be a very thin and very fine chisel and hammer, and much contrary to the level of carefulness that he told her to have - he wedged it under her foot at the detonating pin and started hammering away at it like a workoholic goldsmith in action. All the while he did such he hummed and whistled along: "If you're here for tools. We have plenty. Whetstone, alloy wire, blasting gel - ironically enough, you've caught me in the middle of testing one of our newest additions. Pressure grenades. Just one step on the pin and the moment the pressure pin is released? It pops and off goes the charge hahahaha - Its experimental and I hear its highly dangerous hahahahhaa but I mean, you cant trust everything you hear right? I mean people say I laugh a lot when Im either lying or in extreme danger. Hahahahaha - how ridiculous hahahahaha, I dont laugh when I lie, nor do I laug- hehe...hehehe...laugh when Im in danger - NOR FOR THAT MATTER, do I lie - WHEN I'm in dange - BAHAHAHAHAHA whew...ridiculous right? Oh but anyway. Ummm lockpicks are a new addition as well. A locksmithing box. Oh - and Ji Xing's bottomless box of wonders. Theres really no wonder about it honestly, old folk tale. Nothing is in the box at all and its not bottomless...just has a sealing mechanism inside of it that displaced items lodged within in a space/time recall loop. Neat though I tell you that. And its made from the finest saurian leather as well. Fashionable! Uhhhh...are you left or right footed by the way?" he went on and on and on, eccentric...energetic....down right insane. Starting to chip and chisle and wedge constantly as he went on and seemed to be turning and twisting his head all around looking at the different angles he could approach it all from. One thing that was for certain about this....in the midst of everything going on...his customer service skills were amazing.=

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[[Addressing: Kirinji]]

=During the moment that Kirinji came up and spoke to the apothecary he would turn around and the moment that his face was in frame he would be met with a sinister expression of longing and terror. There was practically drool on his lips as he turned around and faced his good friend Kirinji Uchiha and as he said hello the shopkeep would greet him back in kind with an almost sickly sweet excitement in his voice - glazed with a honeyed sound both delicious as it was terrifying like the succulent sweet smell of charred human flesh on the grill: "Ꮻꮋꮋ Ꮖ ꮶꭼꮃ ꭹꮻꮜ ꮯꮻꮜꮮꭰꭲ ꮪꭲꭺꭹ ꭺꮃꭺꭹ...have I found a special place in your heart of hearts?" As he said this he would arch his back and lean down on the counter between them.....COUNTER BETWEEN THEM!? Had he gone into a building?! Looking around at the walls before the- WALLS BEFORE THEM!? What was this? He hadn't stepped inside of a building at all, yet here they were...walls around them...a counter before them...and the shopkeep leaning there on the counter with a smirk upon his lips.

He chuckled and spit...dripped from his glossy lip...it was then that even he seemed to notice it and jolted up to wipe his mouth on his sleeve, pulling up a stalk of barby vines that looked like a stalk of grapes if they were all matte green - and very hairy. He gave the plant and almost betrayed look and threw them across the room: "Damnit no wonder I can't feel my tongue. I'm drooling in front of customers here - so unbecoming. Anyway - welcome my friend! What can I do to-today? For you? Yes! For you today! Certainly not to you! Hahaha, hahahahaha. We've got the finest - Garlic, paprika, sage, slap your daimyo seasoning - or, if cooking isn't your thing.

"Then we can skip the pleasantries and games and get straight to the nitty gritty.
I'm not talking minor issues here....I'm talking mass terrorism, acts of absolute horror against your enemy.
You haven't seen anything like this during the Uchiha , Senju wars. Nor during the clan massacres.
Kirinji Uchiha I'm talking absolute devestation - the type of thing that wins wars at the price of you ever getting to look yourself in the mirror the same.
"I'm talking, Pure...trepidation. Some call it the "Frightblight" a leaf that you can grind into a fine powder...if inhaled...horrible things happen - some say that it induces a permanent genjutsu that makes the victim live in a world composed of nothing but their greatest fears. Some say that it isn't a genjutsu. But the spores have a horrifying effect on the mind - causing mass nasal bleeding and infection after exposed to the blood, its rumored that the disease will transport the victim's mind to a ruinous hellscape while the body writhes in chaos. Its quite a treat Kirinji...some say that this plant was used in the extermination of the famous Fujimori clan." = the moment that he said such he would slam a sack of something on the counter - never taking his eye off Kirinji as he did, the way that he said his name every time..he used it so much...it was like he was trying to pressure him into doing something...terrible. How would his team ever see him if he was to unleash such a thing upon someone? How would his team see him if he didnt take every advantage available to them? Kirinji....Kirinji...his voice pounded at the gates of his mind like an uninvited houseguess...it beat with the rhythm of his heart . . . the way he said his name was almost tormenting...he knew that he shouldnt have known it, they never exchanged names before...but he not only called him by name...and clan, once but multiple times - no way a mistake...he wanted him to know that he knew somehow..it was at this moment that the lights around in the shop were evidently dimmer then they were before he walked in...even questioning if he had done that as well in the first place. Suddenly...that sack...this plant - it was more then that...bigger then that...this decision had become so much more then a simple shopping trip, like looking at the "are you sure" before purchasing a nuke.The shopkeep stared at Kirinji's face - a wide smile upon his lips, dripping with - not drool this time, but raw...uninhibited....protracted excitement. For a moment his hand reached out...just over the part of Kirinji's chest where his heart would be and his dainty painted nails danced and trembled just over the spot: "Oh...there...I can feel it..."

..."Its singing to me..."

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[[Addressing: Eiji]]

=There he was...falling behind again - Eiji, the Sarutobi clan prodigy - non prodigy. Here he was asking the fastest man in narakara to effectively, slow down. Wait - the fastest man in Naraka....how was it that he was still back here? Was he taking his good time? He had already told them where he would meet them at and implied that he would be on his way once they were done...so when Eiji came up why was it that he was still back here? As Eiji called out the man turned and looked over his shoulder back at him. His towering seven foot, four frame hulking ab-....SEVEN FOOT FOUR!?

The moment that Eiji called out - Kiyoshi turned to face him...and mid way through his turn it seemed a shadow loomed overhead and covered Kiyoshi and as it passed...this being emerged. Striking straight towards Eiji it closed the gap at Hachimon level speeds - hoisting its torso sized arms up around Eiji and lifting him up off the ground the bird-billed like creature screamed at him, gutteral choked gargles of words spat at Eiji in the grasp as it simply started to scream in frustration a couple of times before stopping and speaking in a deep, refined, and unsettlingly calm and human tone:

"Squandering is a sin of unforgivable proportions. Use what has been given to you. You are in control. A squanderer has no place here."

=This being said the creature screamed again. BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM, his steps - heavy, leaden with horror and overwhelming power within...in kind and symbolism with the way he would inspire the young boy's heart to pound, it would feel like his steps were the personification of the boy's ever pounding heart, the tasty little treat that perhaps this creature wanted to have its go at. Where was he taking him!? Where was he carrying Eiji off to? It ran and ran and ran when suddenly its foot came from under him...and so did the ground they stood upon - falling instantly down a deep hole in the ground into vast ever consuming darkness with the force of a drop like being on a rollar coaster - the ground closed up behind the both of them...and they were gone....consumed by everlasting darkness....until the moment would come that Eiji would finally open his eyes....of course looking at the back of your eye lids would do you no good and give no lights - his eyes would have been shut completely closed damn near welded that way as well and before he knew it he would be at the gate standing beside Kiyoshi and Ko...who by this point would simply be standing there staring at him and the puppet that by this point simply stood next to him. Standing there at the gate Ko and Kiyoshi both looked at one another and then back at Eiji, Ko being the only one that would bother to say as Kiyoshi struck him upon the back with a strong pat as if to tell him to be nice: "Guy...what the hell are you doing? Anyone ever stop and tell you you're kind of weird? - !? What? Im just saying man, can't tell me you didnt think so too." "Yeah. Says the kid with the literal over night growth spurt." The two went back and forth there at the gate while Ko folded his arms and huffed and Kiyoshi chuckled with a smirk, adjusting the joint he had afixed to his lips.=​

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[Oni Archives]

She has heard the click as soon as she came in, abruptly interrupting her good morning in addition to the shouting she was met with. Even if she was without the two, the feeling of stepping on something beneath her barely covered feet would have made her pause. She was thankful for the shopkeeper though, shouting or not, because if he hadn’t been there she wouldn’t have had any idea what she’d stepped on and would have moved her foot. Bewildered looked upon him, surprised more than fearful, as he explained the situation and also- blamed her?! Her expression remained neutral, but she really could have laughed at the audacity. His shop was open, and here he was laying on the ground directly in front of the door testing an explosive, and he says that she shouldn’t have come in at that moment? Who in their right mind would test this right in front of their door when they’re open? Or at all even. She’d find out that he was indeed not in his right mind though.

The laughter echoed in her ears. There was so much of it, it just started to stick in her head after the first few times. It was so loud to her that she barely even caught him asking her what he could do for her. She’d nearly even forgot that she’d come into a shop, to be met with a scenario such as this of all places. She remained still as he had instructed and just watched him. Her expression was half mortified, half curious, wholly uncomfortable. Not because of him or even the situation, but the combination of the both of them together was a lot. He could see it clearly on her face. It wasn’t one or the other, but his casual and even giggly demeanor while disarming an actual bomb beneath her feet that could kill them both or at the very least take off a few limbs- it was weird. Even to her. Another tally to the mental scoreboard for absolutely wild encounters she’s had since coming to Naraka. Granted- a handful of those tallies were from Eiji.

Experimental landmine aside, this shopkeep certainly made for entertaining conversation, and his laughter became a little infectious. It wore off on her, causing her to smile. It’d be incredibly unfortunate that she’d die before she was able to take care of Naraka’s problems, or try to at least, but she’d be damned if she was kept from enjoying the time that she did have. No matter how little or short that it was. Besides- it wasn’t in her to be rude, even if she was put into this ridiculous situation by someone’s... well, she wouldn’t call it foolishness. There was methods to madness sometimes. Perhaps she just couldn’t or wouldn’t understand. Or maybe he was just actually insane. Who knew.

She hadn’t even been able to get a word in, but he finally stopped and asked a question. Albeit it was a question that threw her way the hell off, but it gave her time to speak. Kasami laughed nervously, raising a brow at the man, though she remained lighthearted. ”Eheh- both. I would prefer to keep it that way.” Now that she had time to speak, she’d take the opportunity to ask questions she had. ”How big is this... box of wonders, and what comes in a locksmithing kit?” She was hoping Kirinji would be finished before she was and he’d be able to come and give her an opinion on if they even needed anything. There was something that made her curious though, and tempted. It wasn’t the box of wonders or the blasting gel, nor the kits and kaboodles. It was the thing beneath her foot. Perfected, it could be a really nice trap. ”How long do you think finishing these pressure grenades would take? A few days? Weeks?”​

 

[Oni Archives]

You know that strange feeling you get when you blank out and everything goes dark? One minute you’re driving somewhere and the next minute you’re at the location, wondering what happened between point A and point B? That’s what this whole situation felt like. It was the combination of the voice and the appearance of the man which stopped him in his tracks mid-walk, leaning on the back leg almost as if he was about to turn right back the way he came from. And then he didn’t know what happened in between and he was already at the counter with walls all around them. His mouth slightly open and his eyebrows furrowed, staring in confusion.

And disgust as well. He was drooling all over the counter! Now, Kirinji couldn’t even put his hands on the counter and lean forward. But screw it he thought. Kirinji immediately arched his back and leaned on the counter as well, looking the man right in his eyes trying to ignore the drool and spit leaking from his mouth.

”Our second date,” Kirinji sighed, but not one of those sighs where one was tired or fed up. Instead one of those loving, deep sighs when one is infatuated with the other. Love in his eyes. ”You forgot to tell me your name on the first one.” Kirinji smiled at the shopkeeper, thinking to himself if the shopkeeper wanted to play games he’ll play them as well! Kirinji even lightly booped the man on the nose. He was never shy and often a goofball himself, but it had to be drawn out of him.

When the shopkeeper looked at the plant with an unfathomably disgusting, betrayed glance he’d stand back up and watch the shopkeeper temporarily rage and throw the plant across the shop. Crash! as he watched the plant connect with the wall and fall to the ground. Then back at the man who was listing off cooking ingredients, who’d receive the most disgusting look ever seen by the shopkeeper. One that represented the following words had he spoken: Cooking?!?! he’d look down at his palms then back at the man, palms slightly angled open toward the masked man, Do these hands look like they cook?!”

He listened to the man explain what he had, Frostblight was what he called it. He began to look away. It seemed interesting, but — Wait… Kirinji thought to himself, Did he just call him by my name? His eyes narrowed onto the man, trying to understand and guess who this man was. In an odd way, he felt familiar, but he just couldn’t put his finger on it. Hmmm. He hummed to himself in thought, not about the item, but at the man.

It was at that point the man reached out toward Kirinji’s chest, more precisely where his heart should be. He’d feel something, but it wouldn’t be what he was looking for. Instead, he’d feel nothing. An absence. A void. Nothing to signal to the man that this person was alive and normal. Something Kirinji would quickly aim to gloss over as humanly possible.

”Fujimori huh? Who are they? I thought there were only a few clans from Naraka. Ya’know — Oda and Narukagami. Hey, what do you know about Onsen?"

He was talking fast. Bombarding him with questions, but at the same time hoping he had answers.

 

[Oni Archives]

As Eiji saw Kiyoshi suddenly something abnormal struck him once more. At this point Eiji had gotten used to this and finally said, "Fuck it, I'm gonna die soon. These hallucinations might as well be my life flashing before my eyes, rather than fear it, I'll wait for death." He thought to himself as the bird was squawking at him and raging in his face. Eiji finally reached a point in Naraka where he truly felt like live or die he could give two fucks less if he grew stronger, but he felt the latter would occur first as he thought this was his brain dying completely.

As the large beast like abbarition carried Eiji off into what seemed to be pure darkness he seemed to get a smirk on his face for the first time in a while, "Hello old friend, I haven't felt your embrace in decades" He said to the darkness as he let out a manical laugh. The darkness was something Eiji was oh to familiar with, it was basically part of him. It was his negativity maxed out, his fears, his irrationality, his anger and his sadness. He could die there and it would only be normal to him, that's what was funny to him. The darkness was something like a place of comfort or norm for him, he did not have to deal with the world outside and feeling other things. His fears here would only be what was within him not new ones gained from being in Naraka or being around others.

After a moment in the darkness his eyes opened to see himself standing before Ko and Kiyoshi. Eiji somewhat dazed looked around for a moment as he somewhat ignored Ko's questioning of him. He saw the mysterious puppet beside him once more looking at it with a fearful yet inquisitive look, *Are you what's messing with me? Why are you always around me? Whether I carry you or not? How did I make you? What are you? Answer me!* Eiji screamed internally to himself towards the puppet. Irritation mounting as this thing seemed to have more control in this world known as Naraka than he himself did. He had no clue why this thing was always near him and he still wanted to know how he himself crafted such a detailed yet unfinished work. He had to many questions and he felt they would never be answered. His team was useless to him in this venture as even Kiyoshi didn't seem to find anything out of the ordinary. He sighed and looked back at Kiyoshi for a moment, "...I..I..I'm staying.... Can I get a jump jack please... I only have one voucher..." His voice trembled a bit in fear and disillusion with the whole situation as he had no clue whether anything could help him and he sure as hell still didn't think he could stand among giants like a girl using Hashirama's famed wood release or two Uchiha one of which used unusual and almost mystical technique. He'd rather just stay in the shadows trying not to die or be a hinderance gaining whatever small amount of strength he could.​

 

[Oni Archives]

((Addressing; Eiji))

=He was sporatic, manic...and overall just plain weird - Kiyoshi knew it. His eyes were fixated upon him the moment that they got to him...in truth - he had noticed many things wrong with this picture, he wasn't a fool. Of course the one that had a factory planted in the middle of a village full of nothing but puppets for the soul purpose of observing and collecting data would be familiar with their craftsmanship and the way they generally looked. But nothing would come of raising any red flags so soon....he'd need to see it play out. But that didnt change the actions and reactions that Eiji was showing and just how weird they were. The Uzumaki male with his hands in his jacket watched and the moment that he snapped out of it and asked for a jump jack he would raise an eye brow and his right hand - shaking it side to side in a "dont worry about it" gesture, and hand him a pair: "On the house buddy. Consider it a courtesy. He's right - you've been acting extremely odd lately. Tell you what, save your voucher - I know talk of a medicine man in the next village - says he's got a cure all for whatever ails you. Use the voucher you would have spent with me and go see a doctor bud...eesh." =The thought about a doctor made him stumble on his words a second, tasting the reluctance and regret on his lips as the words left his mouth - stinging with the sensation of worry thinking about the fact that any other time - he'd advise him to Tatsumi. But he was missing right now. That being said he went right on back to conversing with Ko, who for a while there still was scrutinizing Eiji with a curiously raised brow before fully focusing in on Kiyoshi in the convo..but it was all blurred out for a moment, like trying to listen to your abusive drunk step dad explain to the cops why you have so many bruises from behind the custody room glass. An invisible wall of cognitive disillusion - twice as thick and completely transparent. It was like listening from underwater as a snickering sound came from the opposite direction: "Heh - maybe im always around because its really me being the one - carrying you. Ya shamble around feeling sorry for yourself enough. Maybe I'm the one that made you too huh? Ever think about that? hehehehe."



=When he would turn to the source of the high pitch, near instantly mischievious voice he would find nothing but the puppet there...with a gigantic smile upon its head...of course...he was the only one that could see the ear to ear grin that was on the automaton, but it was there none the less and speaking to him. "Heh....lets discuss the terms of our...bonding - shall we?"

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((addressing: Kirinji))

=The shop keep made an almost astonished gasp when he mentioned not giving a name almost as if he was a dainty school girl that had gone on a prom date and not even bothered to give her date the last dance. He booped the keep on the nose and it was like a static had crossed his hair - visibly so as he tilted his head and did a motion that (if you could see his eyes past the hair), would be assumed to be batting eye lashes. He then would raise one of his slender fingers and boop him on the nose back: " No names exchanged - a second date, like a thief in the night I come to steal your heart. Not giving a name? How rude of me - its almost like I came into your heart and started reading scrolls that werent paid for or something." **His enunciation on that particular part dripped with sarcasm.** Who are they? What are they? Dead. Most clans in Naraka are but they were one of very particular reputation. An Oni clan of hunting shinobi - they were one of the first clans in Naraka to take root and power - known far and wide for their combat tactics, hunting culture, and rage of the dragon blood line trait. They were exterminated quite some time ago. Rumor has it that only one survived. Some say a man. Some say a woman. Depends on where you hear it, it may be a woman with the gift of storm release or a male bounty hunter with the anomally of particle style. Difficult to confirm here say. But theres plenty of clans in Naraka. Oda, Narukagami - those are just the strongest ones, and most powerful - ones that got a seat at the alliance table. Even the people here in this village are Oni of particular clans. The ones you hear of - are simply the ones that hold the seats of power in Naraka. And uhhh Onsen? Heh - hot spring? Our third date? Naughty boy you want to bathe with me already? Hm...you do look tense - maybe you'll let me get those broad shoulders for you? Heh - Naraka is home of many springs. I wouldnt know what to tell yo- heeeeey. Waaaait a minute. Are you going to buy something?" = The shopkeep had gotten caught up in talking, wrapped in the story that he was telling from his own curisoity about the things that he had learned about the Oni clans he had gotten lost in expressing it and realized that the Uchiha was asking him questions far apart from the answers his shop should be giving him. He pouted his slightly glossed lips and slapped the counter a few times with a flat palm and a "hurry up and buy" sternness to his lips that stil managed to be playful - like a girlfriend scolding a distracted mate. The shop keep stood there watching Kirinji waiting to see what he had to say about the frostblight.=

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((Addressing Kasami))

=He was hard at work, twisting and turning, knocking and twitching the mine under her feet in all different kinds of directions - all of which concerning that you should even do such to a landmine and none of which actually seemed to yield any results to being rid of it. For a moment he had even spiraled around and stood a bit in front of her - bent over with his butt in the air straight towards her and his hands under her feet like he was almost trying top just pry it up in frustration and for a moment if you listened closely you would swear he muttered: [sup]"Now right foot on yellow? No no no wrong party game. Ugh."[/sup] and with that he was back at it. Now twisting around to lay on his back almost like a mechanic he wrapped his arm around her foot and started working the mine with a wedge from the other side, while with wrench in opposite hand he pointed to the counter she never got to reach and a box seemed to fall from the ceiling directly on the counter with a loud bang and....maybe broken glass?...yeah - sounded like broken glass. The box was about the size of a briefcase in width, and twenty-four inches in height. "Ehhhh yeah - about that big. And as far as the locksmithing kitt - it comes with a total of six lockpicks. A lockpick repair set, and a lock molding set as well - so you can furnish keys from the locks you're pic- smothing. Yes....smiting. Breaking and entering is illegal. AndGotMeLockedUpForlikeaweekbeforeIbrokeout.
=he continued on working on the mine until finally the question left her mouth about when the mines would be ready or rather - perfected was the term she used. His expression was confused...and for a moment he stopped - and raised his hair up from his face revealing a bewildered expression of a confused, feminine man with bright green eyes looking back up at her:

"Oh - you misunderstand. I said that I was testing the mines - that is true. But the mine itself is fine. Very effective - whew you should see the blood mist hahahaha - its the disarming mechanism that I needed to work on. . . If I ever added one. . . ya know, now that I think of it. Its a land mine - why would I add an intentional disarming mechanism. If I had to use it then it should be allowed to explode huh?. . . oh boy I should write this stuff down." **he popped up to his feet standing before her scratching his head with the wrench in the other hand. He then gested at her with the wrench and a chuckle upon his lips:** "Well in any case. I sell these in sets of eight - so one voucher gets you eight mines. Quite a punch i'd say. I mean. are ya...you're not interested in them are ya? Ironic - I mean what with you here standing on one being the guinea pig for it I thought you'd certainly *ahem* be against the "boom boom" if ya know what I mean ahhaha, but I wouldnt have a problem selling it to ya." =How someone could blatantly acknowledge someone standing on a landmine...yet simultaneously seem to absolutely forget and be nonchalant about the fact that they were standing on a landmine...no one would ever be able to understand - and at this point in their interaction it was a wonder if he even did. Perhaps the thrill of the sale grasped his mind more then anything and he had forgotten about the....context - in play with the landmine in question in the first place.=​

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[Oni Archives]

The man was a peculiar one and Kirinji was sure that he’d never met anyone close to this level of energy, yet for some odd reason he felt as if he had known the man for a really long time. The way Kirinji played the man did the same, even got a boop back on the nose that made Kirinji laugh, nodding his head no as he pushed himself up off the counter and back into a standing position, crossing his arms over his chest. It was without a doubt that the man knew a lot of information and as he explained some bits of the Oni history, Kirinji was humming to himself in thought.

”Hmmmmm. Bounty hunters, huh.”

He whispered to himself as the shopkeep spoke about the history of the Fujimori Clan. So there are more than just the two clans he knew about, Oda and Narukagami. Those are just the more well known clans in Naraka. While the man spoke he thought to himself about what other clans there are that have been exterminated and that are alive. His thought was abrupt though as the man began speaking about the Onsen, but cut himself off asking if he was going to buy something. Once again he hummed to himself in thought, rubbing the bottom of his chin.

”Hmmm.”

What he was thinking about was not about whether or not he should buy Frightblight, but was rather in thought about the man before him. Kirinji was looking at him with his head tilted slightly to the right. The humming thought became louder, almost obnoxious, and a less experienced salesman would definitely become impatient by a customer taking a long time to make a decision. He rubbed his chin the whole time and the top of his chest inside his jacket. It was only after a moment that Kirinji spoke, but it wasn’t about frightblight.

”You know — you’re an odd man.” he chuckled as he spoke in a genuinely sincere tone. ”It’s clear that you know a lot, so why do you speak of rumors when you have the wisdom from your years?”

Kirinji asked the man, his tone sincere but it was clear that he was curious about the man. Again he hadn’t given his name, rather just dodged the question. So the question about who this man was still echoed through his mind.

There would be a pause and Kirinji would stare at the man waiting for a response. Regardless of what it was, or if he even responded, Kirinji would smile and nod his head up and down after the pause and he’d reach into his front pocket and take out a voucher.

”I’ll take it.”

If the shopkeeper reached out Kirinji would hand him to voucher and exchange with him taking the frightblight. If he had not he’d simply put it on the desk and take the pouch. If there was no more conversation, Kirinji would smile and begin walking toward the door he entered from and back to the spot Kasami had left him. As he left, he waved back at the shopkeeper and spoke one last time.

”Thanks gambling buddy, see ya next time.”

 

[Oni Archives]

This man was all over the place, quite literally in the sense as well. He went from laying to standing to putting his uncomfortably feminine curves right in her face, to laying back down again and wrapping himself around her ankle. She had no doubt he’d do a cartwheel or a backflip if he thought it’d help the situation, maybe even both. Thankfully he gave up on the prying method that most definitely would have set off the landmine, mumbling about a party game, and went for the more direct approach. Her gaze settled on him as he laid there holding onto her leg, and for a moment she couldn’t help but trail his body. It was weird to wonder who he was now, of all times, after looking him over physically. Don’t ask her, she wouldn’t be able to explain it. In fact she was so zoned in on him that the case they’d talked about hitting the counter startled her, but she caught herself before she made any sudden movements that could trigger the mine.

The broken glass made her cringe, and she peeked over at the counter. It was definitely too big to just carry around all the time, which was a shame. The lockpicking kit so far sounded the most practical, though they didn’t have much of a use for it that she could think- A soft giggle bubbled up from within her chest as she heard his quick fired remark about being locked up. ”My, my. Locked up and broken out, huh? If I ever get in a pinch like that I’ll have to ask myself “what would the tool man do?””

His eyes were striking, but even as taken back by the sheer vibrancy of them as she was, her casual smile remained. She listened to his rantings and made eye contact with him. ”Well, I would consider it, but eight is too many to carry unfortunately, and I don’t want to use my last available voucher on something that would only burden us. We have to go speak to Iz- ... someone, and then we have a long mission ahead of us.” She frowned slightly, and then looked at the leg his was still wrapped around. ”I’m sorry to have wasted your time. I promise when I come back to stay that I will buy something. Maybe even that lock-picking kit, get into some trouble of my own. Have to make your own fun sometimes, you know?” She smiled and then cleared her throat, nodding toward her leg. ”Not that I want to rush something so delicate, but are you almost done by any chance? My team is waiting for me.”​

 

[Oni Archives]

As Eiji spoke to Kiyoshi the man responded to him somewhat in kind but he could feel it, something he always felt from others or at least this was in his mind. The thing he felt from Kiyoshi and even moreso from Ko, the thing he constantly felt back in Konohagakure and the regular shinobi world from everyone who saw him, it was judgement. The judgement even his father gave him, though from Kiyoshi it was less severe, far less or at least that was what he thought. He listened to Kiyoshi's words and felt a sudden tone of concern or at least in his mind it was when he was told to see a doctor.

Eiji sighed a bit after taking the jump jack and looking away from Ko as things became weird once more, he could hear something, but what was he hearing? It wasn't Ko's annoying voice in the background, no it was almost like it was in his head. He could hear a voice speaking to him, this disturbing high pitched voice was unnatural, unusual, and just straight up weird to him. He looked at the puppet that seemed to be talking to him, "Heh - maybe im always around because its really me being the one - carrying you. Ya shamble around feeling sorry for yourself enough. Maybe I'm the one that made you too huh? Ever think about that? hehehehe." The giant grin on the face of the puppet disturbed Eiji twice as much as this thing continued to talk stating, "Heh....lets discuss the terms of our...bonding - shall we?"

Eiji blinked for a moment thinking to himself, *Bonding? Carrying me? How could this freaky thing be the reason for my lack of confidence? It isn't just because I'm completely outclasses not just by the weird people in this realm but my teammates too?* Eiji's mind began to race as he looked at the puppet before retorting back with a confused and irritated voice, "Bonding? What do you mean? What are you? Why do I feel like you've been chasing me since I got here? Give me answers... NOW!" Eiji's tone of voice was far too serious and he seemed even more annoyed towards himself but the puppet as well. Eiji had no clue what to think about this entire situation or where it was going. He wanted... no he needed information and to know more. Eiji hated not knowing, he hated being unprepared, this was his first time going on a mission not trying to be prepare for even the smallest thing he could plan for. He waited for the puppet to respond to him and give him the answers he wanted.​

 

[Oni Archives]

[sub]((Addressing Kirinji))[/sub]

=As the uchiha before him stopped and contemplated the salesman stood theret with his dainty and very well manicured hands webbed inside of one another. He seemed to be so excited waiting for his response as to whether or not he was going to buy - he did oh so love it when a purchase was made, the gift of enterprise and all that jazz, but then the words that left his lips were not the ones he was looking for - no, not a proclamation of the impending exchange of monetary funds no no no, it wasn't that. Instead - he retorted about the general weirdness of the man and the fact that he knew - no presumed, he had to be presuming - he did not know the man personally; but presumed that he knew so much...a presumption regardless of its truth or lack there of and with this his expression slowly washed - like a wolf among sheep, knowing his cover was blown and that now...

Well now he'd have to feast upon only one of the flock and let the rest escape...

"Kirinji Uchiha - now now tell me my friend, my buddy - my pal my GAMBLING BUDDY. **Coughed giggles of a demented origin exsanguinated from his lips after speaking so gruffly and darkly enunciated on the term of gambling buddy** "Why would I ever do such a thing as that? If it were I - that held the key to so many questions you needed answered why on Thesis' green earth would I hold such a thing from you?"

=In the moment that he said this, Kirinji had bequethed unto him his answer about the frightblight and for a flash of a moment the merchant seemed to be darkly appeased at this. His voice had . . . taken a very certain tone - gaunt and authoritative and yet snakeishly charming in the same guise - having chuckled and pushed his hair back a bit from his bright green eyes as he looked upon Kirinji with a glint in those brigjht green eyes for just a moment before he had begun talking. When he handed over the voucher - the hand of merchant would overextend ever slightly, and only once his hand was about a centimeter away from the voucher - underhanding the area of Kirinji's wrist and grasping forward to snap closed around his hand - only to pull him closer to him. His lips were ever close, and his other hand - cascaded the back of his hair...as close as a mischievous school girl teasing a crush with sweet nothings to the ear...but what he said - was of a more cryptic nature:

"Unless of course. Information - be just as hot a commodity as Frightblight, clothing, supplies or any other consumer item. Tell me Kirinji Uchiha - what is information worth to you? What is....the price of my name? I do so love a good wager - gambling heh...its a vice of mine - what can I say? How about it? My name - for...we'll say that parasite that resides within you...heh...Vantablack~" **he said the name in a whisper - and for a brief moment had one not been focused...was it....the same tone and turn of voice as Kirinji himself...it was almost like hearing a recording of himself through his throat - but one that it was evident needed more practice....but was eerily close** "At times....and in the right places a name can be more powerful then any weapon in hand....and sometimes it can be twice as upsetting. Tell me - what is it to you? Oh - do think quickly, I dont think the Senju girl has long, and giblets can be hard to clean up. Ooh - you knew she was Senju no? What a coincidence. "

=Speaking of course towards the connection between Senju and Uchiha, it was no doubt at this point. this man most certainly did know far more then it was that he was giving away at this point...he even knew about the events that had transpired up to the point that they had made it here - and he hadn't even been around...had he? There was no way. After saying this and whispering he backed off after taking the voucher but not before he potted the sack of frightblight in Kirinji's hand - firmly almost symbolically before he stood back. What did he mean? Did he really give the man a wager this big on something seemingly as trivial as a name? He was curious...and he had thoughts - feelings about the matter that he may know this man from somewhere before? But was that it? Really such a proclivity for gambling that he would offer such an absurd wager? Certainly he didnt think that the man would actually take it? This was silly - just a gamble for the sake of giving a gamble and seeing if he would actually go through with it. And what did he mean about Kasami? The merchant stood back behind the counter in silence - and as he did his hair started to reshift and slowly fall back down in his face till finally it was back the same way that it was before, concealing his expression save for the entertained smirk upon his lips. Had Kirinji turned around he would see nothing but an odd crimson Kanji on the wall - no door...though it was where the door should be but had he remembered prior to this....he had not stepped through a door...not really - he just approached an apothecary and was here...but he was more then welcome to try and approach the seal as if it was a door...it felt like it..welcoming - and you could swear you could feel a breeze...a familiar seal...

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[sub]((Addressing Kasami))[/sub]

=The same kanji seal that was on the door of the toolshop that Kasami was in. What was his plans for her? Why did he address her to Kirinji as if she was a bargaining chip to get him going - did he really intend to blow her up? Worse? Or maybe it was just a ploy to get in the Uchiha's head - maybe even to just...gauge him as a person. Suddenly there under her foot there was a *click* followed by a loud scream, girlish scream at that...then silence...."Huh..Im not dead....well thats great - THE DISARM WORKED! Ha wonderful. Thank you assistant!" Assistant...was that really a position very many were lining up to put in an application for at the moment? He popped back up to his feet and then looked at her with an almost deathly serious expression upon his eyes, pulling the curtain of silver hair from his face before such as his bright green eyes focused upon her: "Well...I appreciate your assistance you have given me. You've proven a theory of mine. Data is always so valuable. Here. Take this - its a miniature version of the locksmithing kit. You cant mold new keys with it - but it does come with five lockpicks. Consider it a gift - for helping me with the mine research. Oh...and I do hope your mission to go speak with Iz-Someone goes well. Best of luck to you and your team." =He spoke in a manner of questionable conjecture...her team - he knew about this as well but did she mention them? Perhaps she had...and he seemed rather...unmoved by the moment that she attempted to catch herself as far as who she was in process of going to see...it was apparent that he wasn't thrown off the hint of that at all - but even in hearing the first syllable did he know? Or was he just being coy towards the fact that the girl was so blatantly hiding something? After such he did not bother with theatrics...infact the man seemed to be...quiet average in a uniquely odd manner for what they had seen of him so far. He bent over - very flexibly it should be added, never moving his feet from directly next to each other as he reached well enough to touch past his toes - plucked the mine from its place on the floor and stood upright, turning on his heels to go back behind the counter. From there he seemed to continue on working, fronting items on the display and replacing tools back in their rightful spot under the counter with a pleasant and silent smile upon his face. He paid no mind to Kasami - just like anyone would with a customer that had conducted their business, allowing her to look about uninhibited if she so please or as she desires - turn and exit the shop as she were. It had been a moment and they probably should not leave -

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[sub]((Addressing Eiji))[/sub]

=Eiji - alone. Of course he was with this odd construction that allegedly was created by his own hands. As he stood there thinking in reference to it and everything going on the puppet sat there smiling still looking towards him and then the moment came that Eiji was going to revert from his thoughts to verbally address the puppet. In this moment he was interrupted:
"Bah - no you fool. Shh shhh, hush. I can hear your uncertainty just fine without you opening your mouth - what do you want everyone around you to see you talking to your puppet? Your imaginary friend? And you wonder why they think you're weird. Ah - and for your information, I am not the reason for your lack of confidence - that is a construct of your own creation as well and existed well before me - credit where credit is due cupcake. You aren't outclassed...you're just outthought - pathetic, having the capacity to be just as deadly a weapon as either of them and you just dull the blade across stones of self-loathing and disfigured confidence every time. I'm here to help you snap out of it...help sharpen that blade - whether you like it or not...you and I, have a lot of fun ahead of us hehehe. ♫I'm not the one who's so far away - when ya feel the snake bite, enter your veeeeins~♫ The puppet started to sing - voice going from high pitch to very deep, low and sing-songy as it sung a small tune...perhaps iterating towards it's origin of creation...a snakebite. He was the venom...not just of the snake but the venom of Eiji as well...personified - well...not fully personified...not yet. He sat there singing about and for a split moment from it's blank alabaster head there seemed to open a slit where an eye emerged....of course only Eiji could see this festering growth shaking and rattling observing Kiyoshi and then Ko so intensely before receding back to nothing on the blank canvas. The smile remained. And soon the voice came back out. "Well...we're going to need to discuss a name...first things first."​

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[Oni Archives]

Kirinji could feel the aura shift around the man, his expression fading away as he began to speak again. His tone was unlike before, there was more sarcasm and playfulness as if Kirinji was a guitar and the shopkeeper was strumming him however he pleased, and to whatever tune he enjoyed. Kirinji only chuckled and rolled his eyes as he spoke about the frightblight, thinking the shopkeeper could keep this up all day, which prompted him to reach into his right pocket and bring out the voucher, but much to his surprise the shopkeeper gripped his wrist and pulled him forward.

At first he was shocked, gritting his teeth as his body became tense at the suspicion of a fight about to break out. His eyebrows furrowed as the man spoke cryptically, one of his eyes hand behind his head while the other gripped his wrist. He didn’t react, but rather remained calm and only listened. Kirinji’s suspicion was right. The shopkeeper knew a lot more than he was letting on. Even knew about Vantablack, something that made his right cheek twitch. He had only used it once and around a handful of people, but the shopkeeper knew of it. Not only that, but he also knew of Senju girl, Kasami. He was sure the shopkeeper was gauging for a reaction, but he’d find one. Was this the lack of compassion or was it confidence that the girl could handle herself? Come to think of it — the man had only offered him offensive items. Had he known about where they were headed? Who they were going to meet? Many questions.

The shopkeeper eventually let go of his arm and exchanged the voucher for the sack of Frightblight. Kirinji exchanged it over to his other hand and put it in his pocket while he looked over toward the door, well lack of a door actually, and instead found a familiar seal. Ahh, I see. He had felt something off in the beginning, never actually stepping through a door rather just arriving at the counter. Preassumbly a space-time seal. As he looked back, the aura surrounding Kirinji changed as well, he had gone from playful to serious, and now was back to playful. You could tell by his facial expression and body language, becoming loose and smiling again.

”C’mon I thought we were closer than that, gambling buddy.” He scoffed as he enunciated on the term gambling buddy just as the man had. ”But it’s clear everything is a business transaction.” He hummed to himself in thought, glancing at his left arm as he laughed ”You want Vantablack huh? Hmmmm. I’ll counter you — four questions. You answer four questions I have for you, you can have it.”

He stared at him in the same fashion the shopkeeper stared at Kirinji, curious to see if he would take such a wager. Was he willing to answer questions, no matter what they may be, for Vantablack? While he smiled at the shopkeeper waiting for his answer, his mind thought about Kasami for a brief second. He hoped she was okay, he hadn’t reacted when the shopkeeper had brought it up as he was confident in his teammate — Wait, teammate? He thought to himself, Hm. I guess fighting this war together would make them teammates, including the odd ball. Regardless, confident or not, he’d be lying if he wasn’t worried in even the slightest. The worry was just easy to hide.

 

[Oni Archives]

Kasami cringed as she heard the click and looked as if she was prepared to explode as well, shutting her eyes and covering her face- but she just heard the Shopkeeper scream and then exclaim how he wasn’t dead. She peeked from between her fingers first, a sigh of relief and deflation of her chest following. They weren’t dead, they didn’t blow up. Her hands moved to her chest to calm to rampaging beating of her heart as she came down from the adrenaline just a simple click had jumpstarted. One hand outstretched to receive the small kit and a thankful smile was given in return. The smile was sincere and remained on her face, but caution clouded her eyes when he started to be coy. She stood there frozen for a moment watching him as he walked away and went back to the counter. She hadn’t even moved from taking the small kit, just standing there like a statue with her hand in front of her.

Her jaw set, eyes narrowing for a moment. He knew then, he had to. She’d heard that tone of voice before. She hummed in thought for a moment before looking at him behind the counter. Maybe he could answer some questions for her then, if he knew. She was airing on the side of caution due to not knowing enough about those working against them, but he seemed friendly. And well, maybe she was stupid for it- but she felt like she could trust him. He hadn’t done anything to make her feel otherwise, as odd as he was.

Kasami slid the kit into her pouch inside the haori, smiling apologetically as she cleared her throat. ”I’m sorry to interrupt, I didn’t thank you though. For the freebie. But I also wanted to ask you for a small lesson maybe?” She put the palms of her hands against the edge of the counter in front of her. ”I’ve never lockpicked before and... I wanted to know your thoughts. On Izanagi.” It was a gamble, but maybe he’d know. She was quick to add though- ”I’ve heard his name a lot since I’ve gotten here, and I don’t know what he’s like. I committed my life to this. It just feels right to know... you know? ... My name is Kasami, by the way.”​

 

[Oni Archives]

As Eiji seemed to be stuck within his own world staring at the puppet that if one could see within his inner mind they would see the puppet staring back at him. Eiji would sigh a bit as the puppet seemed to berate him for trying to talk back to him. The thing seemed to be able to read his mind or rather read his subconscious that is. He stared back at the puppet who continued to berate him, "Out thought?! really, I'm out thought by someone with the powers of the former God of Shinobi and one of the Uchiha. Sure, why not. I'm out thought by people possessing powers which are told by Hiruzen Sarutobi as the strongest abilities in the world? Maybe, I am just an idiot... You sound like my father you imperious piece of scrap. If you think I'm out thought then show me how I could match these demons I'm surrounded by... I can only assume you have knowledge or are one of them." He said in his head as he mentally rubbed the snake bite on his neck glaring at the puppet with immense irritation and disdain.

Before the puppet could respond, "A name for what? And what did you mean by a bond? Explain to me, you are hiding to much for me to just go along with you... Talk!" He said within his mind once more almost yelling out in his head towards the puppet, Eiji's irritation, depression and disdain for the words the putting was spewing towards him. He was probably more irritated than depressed with the words the puppet had to say towards him​

 

[Oni Archives]

((addressing: Kirinji))

=The moment that the man started to say that he'll counter offer him, the merchant started to let out a chuckle. His chuckle was low and meagre at first but then it started to grow into a full on laugh till it was a fit of hilarity and somewhat demented...not in the way that one would think or theatrical types try to go for all the time, no. It was demented in the manner that just by looking at him...the stature, the way his lips curled, the way his hand flushed over his silver hair and pale features...he actually found the notion genuinely funny. He pushed his hair not back - but in fact forward and messed it back and forth a bit so that it was in front of his face as usual - and readjusted the top hat back upon his head; apparent at this point that this was his persona he put on and not at all the actuality of who he was. He then adjusted the brim of the hat as a bright green glare left from under his hair towards the man as he retorted:

"Now now - information is valuable. My information - perhaps the most valuable you could ever have. You've got to know the worth of your product and mine is the best - bar none....Heh...and it is a buyer's market after all. You're counter will be met with one of my own. Vantablack - in exchange for a single question answered; this time anyway. Trust me, you'll be seeing me much much more - I can't let my gambling buddy be left off on his own now could I? But at whatever turn you see me, it'll be some price - for a single question answered - with....one exception." **He raised his finger at that moment and pointed to Kirinji, more so gesting at pockets or wherever he may be holding items as he elaborated** "No questions answered in regard to the man in that scroll....Thesis....I'd hate to hm...upset the author."

=The way that he said that last bit was more grim then his demeanor before. You could tell that in regards to the author that he speak of he took his particular disposition in his regard to be very...important. As he said this he hopped up on the counter and chuckled - waiting to see if the Uchiha would take his gambit, how would he feel about the offer or the value of information that he had spoken of...perhaps he was simply...selling him on the product - or perhaps its value was every bit of merit that he spoke of. So many questions - and what of the validity of the information. He said that he had information, that it was the most valuable the man would come across, but he never said if he would always give the info - just that he would answer a question, but every lie - still held some inkling of truth even if he did lie at all, but the possibility of that was slim. It was always better to put the food plain as day on the table, and watch the starved question its existence.=

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((Addressing Kasami))

=He was studiously working behind the counter, he had honestly expected the girl to go on about her way post-haste and make her way back to her squad, but she had not. Curious he was and curious so is she - that was a quality that he respected for more reasons then one. As he stood there pulling out a great few items, mainly tools, whet stones, various tapes and gear lubricants and a few maps he looked up at her as she inquired about lessons and more so with a raised brow when she inquired about Izanagi. He smirked a bit at such and beckoned her with a single hand to look down at his own hand - which by this point seemingly from no where he had pulled a small kit of his own. But then he would point with one finger as if to say one moment, and answer the question that she had imposed:

"Izanagi heh. You conscribed yourself to this place and havent met or known anything about the leader of it...and whats more you dont know anything at all. That name is quite a fabled one even in the waking world of man. How interesting - gives me questions about you in itself. But I digress. There are two sides of Izanagi - to answer your question as potently as possible. He is like night and day. Life and death, yin and yang. The Izanagi most know in the waking world is one side...the side that he has always shown and the only side that he has for the people there. Ruthless, cunning, strategic and manipulative in all manners of speaking. There is never - and I do mean never an occurence or outcome of anything that transpires that he did not set in motion nor intend to happen in the first place. Typically you would think someone like that depended on manipulation in order to survive. But thats not the case here - the man could wipe out any of the great nations, I dare say all of the great nations alone if he wanted to and I would wager none would be capable of standing to oppose him. At least not alone. But that is the folly of man is it not? Vanity - they'd never put aside their differences in time to defeat him anyway. This side of Izanagi, mistake not. If you have this side of Izanagi pitted against you. Then it is only a matter of time for you, and every spared second is simply the spider spinning its fly. Then there is the side you get here, in Naraka. Which I would wager *he chuckled robustly, maybe more then seemed natural. There was evidently some form of personal humor here*, is more so the true side of Izanagi then anything. He's kind. Compassionate. Theres not a thing that he wont do for the people of Naraka in any manner and method that he could and I mean that to every ounce of the word; if he was able to drag an entire continent from the waking world - sacrifice it and use it for shelter of the homeless here in Naraka - it would happen before the next winter hit. Honestly its like looking at a completely different person. *he raised an odd chrome ball bearing in hand and examined it - rather, seemed to examine through it and all the way to the back of his mind* "in more ways then one. As you may or may not know there is a power struggle here in Naraka. Izanagi carved his way to his seat of power by showing Naraka what the other side previously mentioned can do. He has retained it by showing him what the side opposite of that can heal. But the Burning Dawn - want none of that. They see weakness in it. And as such, they force shinobi to choose. So as before said - I'll sum it up this way. This side of Izanagi? If you have it on your side, I wouldnt worry too much. You'll be alright...but even the strongest of heros cant save everyone all the time. You can ask Hashirama that - distant cousin of yours after all." =It was certain at that point that he could very easily and surely identify her as a Senju, however unknown as it may be that he meant she could ask him simply as a bout of sarcasm or seriousness through some means the message as still quite clear - and regardless of it he would then gest to the kit and then place a lock on the counter - the very same lock as on any door however free from the knob. He then looked to her with a light smile: "Well then, shall we begin?"

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"Listen."

=The word was said just at the moment that Eiji was going on to the puppet to talk. The puppets tone was serious and for a moment - even threatening, able to tell that its tone was quite diar towards the subject to the point that as Eiji was rubbing the snakebite he would find for a second it would hurt sharply - like a bad flu shot. The point where he was bitten was heavy, sore - like there was something thick packing it up there. The puppet continued:

"Listen - you bumbling fool. No one is hiding anything from you. Stop asking so many questions and start answering them yourself. Bond. Think about that word. Slow down and think about whats going on with you. You can see me smiling, hear me, the works...but what about carrot top and street urchin there? Obviously theres a connection here that only you and I have. You could have answered that question on your own. And a name for me silly, duh. Hm....actually - I think you already did. Imperious. I like that...I like that a lot. Heh. To put a long story short...Im what happened when that snake bit you. I mean yeah - carrot cake over there unsealed all the immediately harmful stuff from you, but all that was were things to keep you still, docile, and keep you waiting till I started to come up and about. Honestly, if he hadn't unsealed it I probably would have taken longer to go to work when you went to sleep and start building my avatar heh...will have to thank him for that Yes yes yes...what I am, is not one of these Pfft - "monsters" you speak so theatrically of. I. Am part. Of you~ For all intents and purpose *the puppets face molded and shaped in a manner that only Eiji was seeing and became his own face, a twisted and vivid reflection* I'm the truest parts of you in completion. So if making you stronger makes us stronger - heh then yeah. I'll show you how to match them. In fact. I'll show you how to exceed them."​

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[Oni Archives]

She listened quietly, setting her small kit down on the counter. Her focus was entirely on him, watching his hair where his eyes would be and sometimes even watching his lips move. As he spoke of Izanagi, she realized she made the right decision. She may not have known what he was like, but she knew that what he was doing resulted in as little casualties as possible. She couldn’t say the same for the New Burning Dawn, unleashing such devastation upon an unsuspecting village. All those men, women and children that were slaughtered, the sounds of screaming infants as they were pulled from their parents arms. The sounds of the families having to just watch helplessly. These were things that she would never get out of her mind. Every night she closed her eyes she would think of these people. Mourning for them and the things they were forced to witness and endure. Mourning for herself, her own peace of mind buried beneath the bodies of innocent lives. This Mask Salesman, he needed to be stopped that much was clear, but did there have to be casualties of that magnitude along the way.

She thought of Tatsumi for a moment, and then the train diverged. Mikaboshi- and Tengu. They clearly knew each other, but in what way she couldn’t piece together. It made her wonder though, where they went when that bright light struck her. It had to have hit the others there as well, but she didn’t see them in what she could very easily refer to as Heaven. Did Tatsumi die? Was he transported like she was? Was Mikaboshi?

The idea of that man still alive and being on the opposing side of their cause made her skin crawl. The shopkeeper, as observant as he was, would see the goosebumps sweep up her body from her wrists to her chest and stop, and the very slightest of shivers hidden behind a readjustment of position. Like clockwork, as soon as she thought of him, her eye started to bug out. At this point she was highly convinced that it was just subconscious, reaching up to rub it aggressively with an apologetic glance to the shopkeeper. Whenever she thought about that man, it started to itch. It had to be the discomfort of thinking of him, causing it to feel foreign in her body knowing that it was his. Kiyoshi could say it was hers until he was green in the face, but after meeting him? ... Yeah, there was a fat chance of her ever feeling like that.

With the heel of her hand pressed against her eye socket a moment longer, she smiled at the shopkeep when he finished and asked if she was ready. She nodded, intent on focusing on the lesson, but she’d chat him up while they did so. She’d already introduced herself, and decided a formal one wasn’t necessary because he already pegged her, curiously, as a Senju. She started to ramble about her ambitions. To protect Naraka and stop the New Burning Dawn from destroying anything else. How she wanted to stay after they were finished, and that even if Izanagi was a hard ass there like he was in the waking world- his cause was the right one in her mind to fight for. How she felt death was an inevitability, but that didn’t mean that innocent lives needed to be sacrificed senselessly before their time.

Before long, they were done, and she laughed slightly awkwardly at how much she’d talked his ear off. ”Wow, I’m sorry. I haven’t really spoken to anyone in a week. I guess my filter was rusty.” She packed her kit up and smiled at him. ”Thank you for the lesson, and the talk. Sincerest apologies about that... From the sound of it, you’ve known Izanagi for a long time, and well at that. To know who he was in the waking world and who he is for his people. You know his goals and the purpose of the things he does- that everything he does is for a reason. Just who are you anyway? ... *there was a long pause* You don’t just know about Izanagi. I think you know more than you’ve said. It even sounded like you’d already known we were going to see him.”

It was a reach, but maybe he could tell her more. If he rejected her question, she’d simply bow in respect and smile. ”Of course, it isn’t my right to pry on your privacy. I do have one more question, and then I’m out of your hair.” Her expression turned more serious, and after a brief pause again, she continued. ”Do you think we can win?”​

 

[Oni Archives]

He smiled as the shopkeeper responded with a counter offer of his own, something he’d nod his head to in agreement. While it was unfortunate that the shopkeeper wouldn’t answer any questions regarding Bladed Thesis he did answer something important. Back at the other shop the shopkeeper explained it as a wives tale — that it was something the Sanzou manifested as a hero or representation to make their ways more entertaining. By not wanting to answer any questions about Thesis, he answered that it wasn’t just a tale.

Kirinji stared at his bandaged arm and closed his eyes, sighing loudly. He was thinking to himself what questions to ask the shopkeeper while also preparing himself for how much the extraction of Vantablack was going to hurt, but it was well worth it. He rubbed his chin as he hummed to himself in thought, his eyes still closed as he was envisioning the question to ask. More so the right question to ask. Should he ask him his name? That information would be vital. Maybe about the war? No, he could just ask Kiyoshi more about that. And if they reach Izanagi he could ask him as well. So what was the right question to ask?

It didn’t take long for the light bulb to go off in his head. As he was retracing all that happened in his mental palace, the lightbulb occured when he thought of Eiji and Kasami, mostly Kasami. It was clear that the shopkeeper had some method of recon to supply himself with information. He knew that he wasn’t traveling alone and that there was a girl with more, more so knew that she was even a Senju. He opened his eyes abruptly and his hands positioned as if he was holding up the number one as he was pausing for something, but this time he spoke it was much more serious.

”It’s obvious that you have some way you’re ... collecting ... information. You knew about the parasite and you knew that the girl I’m traveling with is a Senju. So you probably already know where we are headed and can hypothesize possibilities of what’s even after that so … hm …” humming to himself in thought once again, looking off into the sky thinking about how to word the question. ”“What will we see in the next village?”

It was clear there was some worry in his tone. This was uncharted territory for him and not only was it unknown, but it was also dangerous. The regular shinobi realm is far … weaker … compared to the shinobi of Naraka. He’d patiently wait for the shopkeeper to answer the question and listen quietly to what information he provided him — taking everything with a grain of salt. There was a possibility the shopkeeper could just lie, but from the judge of character he didn’t think he would. He seemed like a man of his word. But then again you never know.

 

[Oni Archives]

As the puppet began to talk back to Eiji, his mind began rushing faster and faster. An irritating sensation, the need to think harder than normal but lately it's been something necessary. In the normal world, a simple equation to set up a sealing array, an ice trap, or even a basic shuriken jutsu could easily handle most foes but now forget the obstacles he's faced. Even the people he's been forced to be surrounded with have overwhelmingly outclassed him. It was something new unnatural to him. As he continued thinking about what the puppet was saying he would retort back, "You stupid piece of Imperious metallic junk, you can say it all you want but it's easy enough for you to say I'm outthought but explain to me how? So far I've fought a demonic beast which seems to be out of folklore. Something that I thought was a legend they made up to make the tailed beast seem more innocent, I've seen my powerful teammate who could create a flame so hot that it would erase moisture who disappeared magically, his flame could easily melt my ice. My other two teammates, hell just the girl could easily counter me, so far I've seen her use Lord Hashirama's infallible wood style, the Nara clan's shadow techniques, and she has some magical dojutsu I've never fucking heard of. Kirinji is seeking an existence my father use to tell me was the peak of Konoha, someone I thought was a fucking legend Izanagi. They say that person was stronger than all the Gods of Shinobi combined. And let's not forget the two strongest freaks I've seen so far Ikki and Ko... Their powers seem to outshine all those mentioned before. Yet I'm outthought with only my god damn ice release and a few shinobi weaponry left? Tell me how? How would I fight any of them, how can I protect myself in a world where my ice is easily broken and any strategy I come up with has so far been unable to even stall them. Yet I'm outthought, please do explain this to me you Imperious dreary cacophonous puppet junk?!"

He questioned the puppet with an intense glare and loud screaming, though every word of this was within said within his mindscape similar to when Naruto talks to Kurama. Eiji was irritated he believed the word was. No annoyed? No, maybe that wasn't it either. These things called emotions irritated Eiji yes that would be the easiest way for him to say it but no the thing that he believed he felt now was dissatisfaction. Yes, he felt dissatisfied with the entire universe right now? He had been herald as a genius and only ever needed to use his basic skills against almost every foe and this world he needed to do something new... Something tedious that he hadn't done in almost a decade or more, he would have to not only train but he would need to refine himself, refine his skills further. No... no level of training, no level of thought or practice could give him the advantage he needed with what he had now. A kunai couldn't pierce that thing, ice could only harm these people if 100% off guard even then it wouldn't be fatal. No, he needed to gain new abilities. What he had wasn't good enough it was that simple to him. The wood release had built an entire village within a day so he heard, stopped the tailed beast single-handedly, etc. The Sharingan was said to be able to manipulate not only the minds of people but the beast as well. These powers he had seen in the last couple of days, outshined all of the modern shinobi worlds people he had ever come across even some kage. He couldn't simply fight them with his normal tactics, he needed a new plan of action and that plan was to acquire new abilities, ones not native to himself now.

He looked back at the puppet still waiting for it to tell him, how it would make him stronger, his mind was already great but power, well even the greatest minds would take the devil's hand for greatest power possible so no one could oppose them. Or if their minds were greatest enough, they would corrupt the devil and turn him to an even worse monster through becoming him. Eiji felt he was one of these intellects, not to far from fictional characters in comic books the legendary super villains that kids rave about these days in Konohagakure but before anything he would have to see what this devil claiming to be him had to offer.​