A Secret Deal

Hikoda stood in a small, abandoned, old farm just outside the bustling city of Otogakure.

He should be here by now... Hikoda thought, checking his watch. He then heard the whoosh of a cloak, and felt a strong hand clench around his throat, and a kunai knife press against his cheek. "What thrives where everyone falls into the hands of death?" the stranger said.

"The true mind can weather all the lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. The true soul thrives where all falls into the hands of death." Hikoda replied.

The robed man stepped back, sheathed his knife, and pulled his hood back. Green eyes stared back at Hikoda, and the Sarugakure ninja examined the tanned skin and spiked brown hair of his ally.

"Hello, Ace. Did you bring the stuff?" Hikoda said. "Because if you didn't, I won't give you my money..." He reached into his kimono and pulled out a wad of money. Ace, imitating his partner, reached into his cloak and pulled out a large wooden box with a lock on it, and then Ace pulled of a necklace that had a key on it. Just as they were about to make the trade, a giant skeleton's hand made of brown energy slammed into the ground in between the two ninjas.

A middle-aged woman, with shoulder-length spiky iron grey hair and Sharingan eyes walked from a bush, followed by several Otogakure ANBU. Hikoda flicked up a hand seal, and several wooden branches shot from the ground and knocked out the ANBU.

"Fine, I'll deal with you two crooks myself." The woman, Keno Uchiha, said.