|
"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Property: Capitalism 101." |
A quiet abode that was disturbing in its silence. A perceived wrongness that could shake a person to their core. Yet it didn't phase her. The one remaining trait from her childhood after tragedy and Root tore it asunder. The woman crept among the twigs and underbrush, her senses as sharp as ever as she perceived her surroundings with notable depth. Finding nothing of concern, she shut them off, returning her eyes to their typical olive green coloring. The missing-nin was not interested in incriminating herself or her lineage. She knew precisely what people thought of the Sharingan, particularly as individuals such as Madara, Sasuke, and Obito threatened to destroy the world at one time or another. To say the dōjutsu and those who bore were despised was a mere understatement. The only thing that saved them was the fact that their numbers were a fraction of what they used to be thanks in part to the massacre.
The woman shook her head to clear as the memories crashed against each other in her mind. Death, death and more death. Watching her parents murdered before her eyes. Then her siblings one after another. Part of Sorame wondered how she had managed to survive that night. Only to remember that she went from one beast to another: Root. Yet she had outlived all of her tormentors. The woman didn't know whether to feel elated or defeated. It's not like there was anyone waiting for her on the other side. Her family and clan lie several feet underground. Her lover was eliminated. Any other fragments of the once proud clan kept themselves with a persistence born of necessity. More than once she contemplated the merits of ending it all, doubting she would be missed by anyone. Only to be reminded of that scene when Sasuke returned. Even though it was years ago she felt like it was yesterday. Maybe he didn't receive quite a hero's welcome but it was nevertheless one of respect. After all he had been critical in their liberation from that deadly technique. If anything was to be gleaned from that affair it was that stories always held at least a kernel of truth. Regardless, Sorame couldn't help feeling abandoned as if he had turned back on the clan.
Sighing to steady herself, she could feel the wrongness of the people that she observed. There was a sense of corruption, otherworldliness that should not be there. With ease, Sorame faded into the trees. Having caught sight of another individual who appeared to be poking around with similar discretion. However, he kept winking in and out of existence, the smallest of distortions present in a swirl that her keen eyes picked up following their reactivation. "Kamui?" she thought, a childhood memory of seeing a man appear and disappear from Itachi's side. Before seeing the same thing in the Fourth World War. Regardless, her wariness grew as she shut down her dōjutsu for a second time. Now wasn't the time for conflict as she slowly made her way towards the individual, keeping out of sight for a bit.
"Now I'm no expert on religion and I've dealt with my fair share of outlandish deities and their bullshit but never have I seen a religion where one's chakra and body is given to a God during a prayer, seems more like a ceremony than a standard monk prayer, all I see is a mass of weird colored chakra, coming from this room. Some kind of barrier on the prevents my Eyes from seeing through, which means they got something to hide, tags to block dojutsu aren't especially in season". People go in the that room pray come out and suddenly that chakra is leaking from their body and merging with them". Takashi crouched taking mental notes of his investigation into this weird practice going on.
"This cult has grown exponentially since their unveiling to the world and even now they stand to grow further, its like a plague hit and everyone suddenly is getting religious and holy. Hmmm' It's still too early to make a decision I only received this job a day ago and given the "generous" amount offered I jumped on go the dossier file and got started, but clearly they don't know enough either.. so it's up to me to inv-" Takashi paused feeling the use of a jutsu activated a medium distance from himself, a chakra signal different from the one one he was watching.
Takashi was now a sage and while due to certain features was stuck in a indefinite version of Sage Mode even in it's resting Sage state he still benefited from the many gifts it offered one of which powerful sensory in range of their own body, combined with the visual prowess of the already incredible sharingan of his which was boosted by this resting Sage mode as it increased all abilities, the sensory powers alone Takashi didn't need to turn around to make it known someone else was here and he knew, he would issue one warning.
"If you are hiding like that then clearly you are not one of them and either you are as interested in this gathering of this rising mysterious cult or you're an enemy watching to see what my move might be so you can plan yours. So state your intentions here and I better like them". Takashi lowered his head enough to make sure he remained crouched behind the roof of the buildings just near the church to avoid being seen or spotted from their view point looking upward.
A sensor. Such was her luck as the individual ducked out of sight. All she could discern from the small window she had seen was someone distinctive and dangerous. There was no innocence to be found in such a sinister, brooding expression. She sighed, not interested in a fight at the moment. Nevertheless, her temperament was that of inbred caution when Sorame elected to reveal herself, donning the appearance of 24 year old female with light brown locks and eyes that shone like sapphires. She knew not to risk being herself in this equation. Her gaze was impassive as she studied the spot he was hiding behind, while keeping her posture open and welcoming.
Ducking under cover for the meantime, she returned to her previously camouflaged state. "I'm not here to engage in combat. That would be a waste of my time and yours. I'm simply here to observe and monitor just as you have. A perceived wrongness piqued my interest so I saw fit to find the source of this off-chakra. Nothing more, nothing less. If I wanted you dead that would have been accomplished hours ago." her tone remained matter-of-fact, not a drop of arrogance or hubris to be found.
Her observation returned to the cult below, studying the same changes that the young man had noted earlier when on his lonesome. Something to hide meant there was something fascinating inside. Whether she would destroy it or let it be was something that would be decided with further study, yet the chakra merging with the people seemed notably off. Something diabolical at work? Possibly, though she had seen her fair share of that in Root. It was something she did not want to revisit even after she became numb to the affair. "What are your intentions? Surely you are not here to simply watch for an eternity."
"Dead hours ago huh, don't you think that's so soon? I mean we hardly even know each other and you're already moving this fast, maybe we take things slow and get to know each other a bit you know dinner movies", Takashi grinned mocking her dead hours ago comment, he gained great joy from being respectfully disrespectful to people sometimes. it was a past time to lighten the good for too serious of people.. like this women whose opening attitude reminded him of his now accepted mother Eihei back in the day.
"Your are right in your assessment, far as my reason for being here, lets say I made a list checked it twice and found out some monks and this new religion weren't playing very nice in fact they were being very naughty and shady." Takashi mentioned offhand while taking out his mobile phone to snap a picture of what he believed to be one of their churches. Takashi didn't trust this woman enough to make mention of his client she in herself seemed rather shady and mentioning killing him didn't help.
"Seems we have a shared interest in this cults suddenly growth and appearance in the world in the wake of a few things, if your not an enemy then perhaps in that shared interest we can arrange a truce.. that is if your the type who can play nice with others.. or are you the hog it all I hate puppies, chocolate and sunshine so I work alone types of people". Takashi stored the phone back in his Kamui dimension rather than his sash, his constant choice of clothing made storing items in his clothes or pockets virtually impossible due to the lack of what he wore. Having forgone his usual Raider Attire for long distance recon.
Her voice remained deadpan, his attempts at humor falling flat with the woman. "It depends on whether the individual is competent. Inadequacy is sufficient for an abrupt dismissal. One there is no returning from." she continued. With ease she hopped from branch to branch until she was directly over the person in question. "A shared interest should be adequate for the time being. Provided you lose the loose temperament you're displaying. I have no time for wise-cracking and if that is all you plan on doing then you'd best find somewhere else to be."
Regardless, she stored away the given information for later, removing the idiosyncrasies he added for dramatic flair. A religion would explain the reverence on the individuals faces as they left, the hopefulness of those who entered. Though she believed cult was a more apt descriptor for what was happening here. Sorame failed to see the legitimacy of this enterprise beyond the corruption that was clearly taking place. The chakra almost appeared parasitic. Were these people masochists? She didn't know, only concerned with an efficient and total annihilation. Though a thorough documentation of what was occurring would take precedent. She wanted as complete of a picture as possible before beginning a systematic offensive. "The truce is done. Surely you have a plan for this."
"Alright so the straight lace type, that's fine and yes I actually happen to have a little information on this group nothing to make a decision on whats going on here, I've been in the village for a while now checking it out first before I made my move on checking them out. Ill share that information with you, however we gotta have something together to make that happen, trust I don feel comfy sharing information with strangers and pretty faces don't win awards for trust, so tell me a bit about you and ill do the same. Just remember you get what you give and I will give you exactly what you give to me, so before you think to shortchange me keep in mind that will be returned so try to avoid lying, You say you are not an enemy yet are cavalier to dole out death and murder first, you proved that already, it's clear you either are a current or former operative of something or someone, your little dead hours ago comment made that clear, to be honest". Takashi doled out details of his impression of her and she had a sot of darkness to her, an edge, secretive one, it was in the way she talked, short with words, quick to point she could have killed him ours ago.. she was either apart of an organization or formerly apart of one. This female honestly told Takashi a lot more with her presentation and actions than she did the words from her mouth, details someone else would miss, but when you live with a high ranked Root member, a grandfather who senses souls and a yamanaka mind with the visual prowess of the sharingan, you can read between lines that are crossed.
She snorted, deactivating her camouflage, revealing the "pretty face" he distrusted so. Her sapphire gaze bored holes into his figure. "It appears someone is mildly uncomfortable. Perhaps you are the lone wolf or cavalier figure. Telling someone that that you better like their intentions is no way to start a peaceable truce. Unless you are aiming for a quick escalation child. Nor could your expression be described as welcoming. Rather you seem to be plotting a thousand ways to murder someone." He was not the only one who could pick up on details. From his cheesy vernacular to his cheeky temperament, the lad appeared to be young, far younger than his hulking, rugged physique would suggest. Though she was no fool; edge was nothing but a number, that woman made such a thing clear. Sorame retained a poker face when he made the comment about her being apart of an organization. She remained mum on the issue, not interested in confirming or denying his suspicions. "If you are that apprehensive feel free to move on to an easier task, little wolf." She turned to the village as her sapphire gaze sharpened, her brown locks billowing in the wind. "Give what is taken. Take what is given."
"A child that has you figured right and yea I lone wolf it when its required I work with others when its required, depends on the tone of what needs to be done. Now we can go back and forth all day playing grab ass reading each other and trying to be smarter than one another or we can cut to the chase quit acting as shady as the cult we are watching and get some work done. id say ladies first but clearly chivalry would be mistaken as a front for trying to play since kindness is frowned upon to you secretive types. So my name is Takashi, TK for short, I am here because a profiled client of mine has a son who suddenly found religion and no sooner than when he found it, he went missing. So long story short I am here to find a rescue a wayward son looking for purpose and investigate this church to see whether or not this will be their last service or just another day at the alter". Takashi said breaking the ice since ice princess across from him wanted to play eye for an eye. he thought about being sarcastic and asking it was her turn and could she follow directions, but of his get what you give they would only go in circles.
"I'll cut the sarcasm out for the sake of not irritating one another but I am serious I do have some juicy details to share and for my plan to work ill need the same level of trust with details I just shared". Takashi extended his uncloaked right arm forward heavy with it's usual tattoo's and marking that covered and stained his face, back and legs. He removed his other arm from under his cloakc lifting it upward in case she was concerned of weapons. "I am unarmed and not plotting or planning anything against you". TK said putting his left arm back under his clock as the high collars and his own hair danced in the tickles of wind that breezed gently.
A wayward son looking for purpose; how amusing that the client's child and her had similar ambitions. Regardless, her poker face did not deviate. "How noble of you. I doubt you're doing this out of the kindness of your heart. A heavy fee for a high-stakes affair most likely." She pondered the information he imparted about himself, analyzing the details exhaustively. He only gave his first name, and a small nickname for the sake of legitimacy. "Rosa will do when referring to me, it's a common nickname of mine. As for the notion of trust, I trust you to not attempt anything that would endanger your life as you have money to make and cash to stash for a relaxing and unencumbered future. Either way, there is a cult that grows stronger by the second as we dally out here. The removal of sarcasm would be indubitably appreciated," Rosa noted.
She made it clear that this was all he was receiving from her for the time being, as she focused her attention solely on the cult itself. "Do you have a hypothesis on the origins of the chakra present? The one that appears to be functioning as a parasitic leech on the "faithful". Judging the potency is essential if we are to find the source and effectively deal with those who are guarding it. Whatever we're looking for lies in that church is what remains certain." Her blue gaze sharpened as yet another worshiper exited the location, possessing the same traces as the previous individuals, though hers appeared more pronounced and concentrated. "
"Whether I was getting paid or doing this from the kindness of my heart it's not like you would care either way so focus less on my morality and more on the task at hand. As I said I've been investigating the town for days and they are welcoming to most people but not those with dojutsu and they have a method of scanning using some weird chakra technology to scan for it, if your they pretty much throw you out and threaten to arrest you. Now whats interesting is that the people they are converting.. are all criminals, they are picked up from precincts and per avoiding arrest they must "pray to be absolved" which led me directly to this spot. I didn't get the name of the cult but I did catch the name of religion... Tsukiyomi being up to date on my lore I know exactly what that means. From what ive seen today the people cloaked have that weird chakra clinging to them growing, and the new comers who have gone in their chaka untouched from the source, when they come out their chakra is now merged with a small portion of that weird chakra like the others. And it spreads slowly over time I have no idea of it's origins but its not a usual chakra you see coming from people, ever.
Having only seen this chakra for today I am not sure what it does to people for long term exposures but I do know those with the largest infection rates their chakra flow has become irregular, like it's being controlled from outside, of course I can't just up and blow a whistle on this because these are criminals and no one would care. Naturally I wouldn't either but this boy is different see, he's no cut out to be a criminal from what I read. kid couldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight let alone be stupid enough to get arrested. Which makes me think some of these criminals aren't all exactly career criminals., but being the despised black sheep or any village no one would look or care.. and that is easy pickings for this church to collect, even more so to falsely portray attempted rehabilitation for them". Takashi went about divulging his information.
"Plan A is to hypnotize someone and implant a thought in there mind to commit a crime, but create a layered timed jutsu that would activate in under six hours once the chakra has grown i the system for long enough, this genjutsu will be activated as trigger word, which is the word Prayer, when his brothers come to collect him I quickly swap out the original for the clone of him I will create using both his original chakra signal as well as the infected signal which I will mask as Natural Energy and send him. The original comes to us and we get a close look at this chakra and investigate first hand whats going on, I can see memories with my sharingan so I shall use them to see what see saw in a video playback method then share with you as well. Just in case he can be tracked I have already taken that into account, I doubt these people while given freedom to live as they do normally till they are summoned are not under some form of surveillance". Takashi stated his plan and looked at "Rosa" to see if she had a better plan or was his gonna be fine. If you got some better in mind, speak now or forever hold your peace.
"Tsukiyomi or Tsukuyomi. Why relate it to the moon god though....something important is missing from the puzzle. Accepting criminals is a good way to grow your cult especially with the promise of rehabilitation. Most villages are all too happy to dispose of their worst given the first opportunity. As you said, no one will miss them which allows the collectors to do whatever they wish without the worry of immediate repercussions." she paused as she continued processing the additional information. Wasn't she a criminal who had similar thoughts of not being missed? Most likely. However, now was not the time for wistfulness. "Black sheep and scape goats sent to a cult all to eager to collect....the fact of the matter is why. It has to do with the infected chakra they all possess upon leaving. It's too consistent, particularly since it infects them at a rate that is equivalent to a parasite."
"Your plan is sufficient for our purposes. All that matters is the execution that follows. As well as picking out someone suitable for the task of playing "criminal". Either way, there's no time to waste." she noted, returning her gaze to her new "partner". She studied him again to see if anything had changed. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, Rosa began examining the parameter of the location. "No dōjutsu users...how cute. They know any of us who come knocking will likely cause a big stink before destroying their plans. Well-founded caution if surviving dōjutsu practitioners are any indication." she thought to herself. Rosa took a step, the wind-picking up as she began a slow walk through the woods, contemplating what would be the best course of action should people from the cult pursue their target. Swift elimination would likely cause a larger reaction as that many people weren't easily replaceable on such short notice. Not to mention the noise would attract further attention. "Hmm...what shall be done if he has company?" Rosa asked, turning back.
"Why risk recruiting people and bringing unwanted attention when you van get them handed to you on a silver platter no risk involved. They giving people to this cult strengthening them and not even aware, today a few tomorrow the village, and God forbid they are fanatics like the Jashin are known to be. The Naming of the moon is what makes me curious too originally I thought of the Uchiha clan genjutsu but it doesn't exactly fit here in this case. Far as company goes that's not we can't handle, besides I've already got the perfect place where all crimes start and end and the gossip of the village can be picked out of thin air". Takashi motioned for Rosa to follow him, he had yet to call her by her name since he wasn't quite sure if that was really her name or something she just said to appease him and get this moving either way i didn't matter he had what he needed to know on her and her name was the least of it
"Company will be of little consequence so if he is traveling with others it wont matter, if he travels along then our job will be easier, but first we gotta place the bait and to do that we need to hit the number one place shit always goes wrong and it all boils down to one substance.. Alcohol". Takashi grinned knowing exactly where to start, the local town tavern, shinobi got drunk there all the time and in doing so some one was bond to be an ass and pick a fight, and all he needed as a single glance.
"If the Jashin are the precedent and the reverence of those converted an indication, they most likely will be. Even if they're not it is better to prepared for the worst while hoping for the best." she stated as followed him. The moment he mentioned alcohol she connected the remaining dots. Suddenly, the form Rosa had chose didn't seem so appealing given it's perceived attractiveness, from the crystalline depths of her eyes to the gentle beckoning curves of her body couple with the muted golden brown hue of her locks. It would breed further trouble in a place that was already a powder keg. "I suppose it's inevitable. The only question is who is brave enough to be the fool." she thought as they closed in on the site. "Surely you don't plan to go like that. Even you must realize that your appearance is far too distinctive. You're memorable and that could compromise things later," she added, noting that from his rugged physique to the constant glower coupled with intimidating tattoos he would not be easily forgotten. "Unless you plan on enacting a massive memory wipe in such a chaotic place; relying on alcohol to cover for you isn't the best idea."
"I wasn't contrary to my looks i've been running missions like this for years, I was curious of your stake and concern in this mission to it's success and you passed, see when I asked for trust something came to mind, trust is earned not given. That of which you know quite well which is why you told me to call you Rosa instead of actually telling me my name is Rosa, Rosa is a front name if one you actually use at all. While I don't trust the name I do trust your ability in wanting to see this through, You secret types are all the same, I've enough run ins with secret organizations from Root and their little foundation all the way to the Undertake squads. The practices are different but the ploys are all the same.
You are right I am not going like this, nor would I plan too". Takashi's said sinister looks suddenly washed over with a glowing orange color that washed over his original darkened flesh tone, shifting and changing his features suddenly the tattoo's on his body were fading, his sharingan was turning into a green emerald eyes, his clothing shifting into shinobi ninja gear from the current land, a headband seemingly growing from his forehead, and suddenly the young man she witness from before had quickly turned into a shinobi from the land. Gone was his former appearance and original look that would stick out. The many joy's and wonders of the Sage Transformation that he benefited from never ceased to amaze im
"Now here is where I will need you, you play an important part in this so class participation gets bonus points, im sure you've heard this one thousand times so here one thousand and one. Despite your clandestine nature you are a very attractive woman, naturally men in fear of rejection would be hesitant to attempt to introduce themselves to avoid the grand denial, however alcohol is many things, liquid courage is one of them, using that to get past their inhibitions they will feel embolden to approach you. So that is where we will start. Men also do not like competition so while one man approaches you and talks to you, I need you to do what you probably do well anyway an ignore the guy as he attempts to flirt with you and get cozy. Meanwhile i'll be at the bar talking to another hapless inebriated man and convince him to step in and go talk to you, since you were giving him the eye and she deserves a real man to step forward such as yourself, that the man talking to you is bothering you and reading your body language he will see, add the liquor with his own interest in talking to you, and he will feel the need to step in and get on the guy for annoying you. They get into it and we have our altercation, It will only take but a glance so when I will give you the signal when I flip my glass upside down. Got it". Takashi in his new shapeshifted state looked at her his sharingan hidden behind the transformed emerald eyes of his current guise which was a natural eye form for him anyway... or would be if he ever deactivated his sharingan.
Rosa continued walking in silence. A slip of the tongue? Apparently so. That he had enjoyed the company of her former organization was hardly surprising. She knew there were more than a few operatives left, scattered across the world on missions that no longer needed completion, more than a few sharing the same sense of loss and confusion. "Apparently nicknames are going out of style," she responded, while watching his transformation with the smallest trace of interest. Rosa already knew where this was headed as soon as he began talking. "Liquid courage....of course. Ignoring people is generally a part of my constitution, especially when it comes to drunken, inept men." Bars were places she avoided on principal, finding the whole ordeal to be a pain if not completely irritating. Surely there were better ways to decompress than to become uproariously drunk, completely wasted, and then pick a fight. She sighed, her sapphire gaze displaying the same antipathy from earlier. "Fair enough. I cannot promise that I will not react if he tries something more than casual flirting." She knew that a wasted individual stuffed full of "liquid courage" may be prone to more than just sustained flirting. They may try to grab something and well....there are consequences to doing so. A lesson they would learn quickly if they ever attempted such stupidity. Which was bound to happen.
"It looks like we're here," she commented as the bar slowly came into view. Her low if non-existent expectations were fulfilled by its appearance and the sounds laughter and cursing that could be heard from even this distance. It was not going to be a pleasant affair; not that she expected this to be a picnic in any capacity. "What a drab, inhospitable place. Tell me this, why do men like these downtrodden locations? Nothing good ever happens here."
"You can do what you like just remember if you attack back you will be arrested alongside them and you know where that leads, id have to wind up implementing plan B and stepping in myself so try not to take it too far and so something drastic. To answer your question Alcohol is a depressant, makes it easy to drink and create a small paradox in which you can escape from problems, or make sense of the world around you, despite this new found peace many shinobi still feel like tools switched in and out of the lineup, think about it no retirement plans, its a short lifestyle and everyday you risk death or injury of which no return is likely. Even if you do the chances of a lifelong injury which can never be corrected. Think about it you live on borrowed time not promised and the lifespan all depends on the peace of others when war can break out over something as simple as ryo or land, Pieces of Earth and Paper". Takashi walking in front of her knew this because he was once drinking like this himself, although in success he felt empty, but not her concern. He reached for the door and held it open for her, the second he opened it behind the emerald pupils his sharinan darted the room scaling and scanning look for his targets. His mind already made up.
She noted his gentleman gesture but chose not to comment on it. Regarding his note about Alcohol and its uses she remained mum as well. Contemplating what could have happened if she went down this road. However, Rosa's attention returned to the task at hand as she entered, her gaze raking across all present as she walked through the establishment. Her attractiveness immediately drew eyes as she walked through the building, ignoring all present as her eyes became chips of ice. Murmurs followed her as she weaved her way, finding an open spot in a quiet corner. Her disinterest abundantly clear as compliments and wagers wafted through the tavern. She could easily hear certain people encouraging others to approach her. Watching already wasted individuals down their drinks for an increase in courage. Liquid spirit or whatever they have it. "Terrible."
Just as he imagined plenty of eyes were on her yet no one made an actual move to speak to her and address her as such, something he planned to fix. Strolling up to the bar there was 2-3 men who were filing their drinks and looking back at her talking among themselves. Takashi took this as his lead way to come right up to the bar stand and order 2 shots of sake himself. "Hey man,can you believe this shit I mean how they treat us shinobi just because we've got not Kekkei Genkai or special abilities tell you what im feeling festive celebrating so take one with me, dont worry its on me. Just not enough credits gets given to us low guys huh? always the big names getting the credit". Takashi raised his glass sliding the other to him,having read his eyes Takashi knew what emotion troubled him. jealously. Takashi knew exactly how to amplify the emotion centers of the mind with hypnotism. Thanks man and yea it's always us little guys getting stepped on we risk our life for a whimsical paycheck and a slap on the back for our village.It's disgraceful. The man returned looking Takashi in the eyes as he lifted and toasted his drink, the two drank, the eye contact was all Takashi needed. His sharingan hard at work entrapping his mind.
"Damn, this drink was stronger than you thought huh buddy?, but hey your still good right besides, you dont wanna look bad in front of that fine ass woman over there do you, she's been looking over here at you, but you seem nervous, so I guess ill keep her company then". Takashi's suggestive voice echoed in the man's mind as he looked over at Takashi who raised his eyebrows and slowly drank his glass before ordering another, the second the glass was refilled, The man snatched it out of his hand. "No!! ill talk to her, I've got this now watch me work". The man slowly stumbled, the liquor seemingly creeping up on him, when it was the hypnotism making him believe he was drunker than he was. His speech was slurred and so he went to approach the woman. Liquor on his breath and scoring between her legs after a hard day on his mind, he believed this was his night.
Now step one complete, now to work on the other guy. Takahi scooted up next to him taking the man's other glass and slid it up to the bartender, my friend over there the one talking to the lady said he's got me covered for his tab, his treat for helping him work up courage to approach the lady. Takashi said looking over the other guy before looking back to see how "Rosa faired if she gave him the look he would proceed with the next guy. her discomfort was almost worth a laugh, now who was uncomfortable he laughed silently in his thoughts.
Her gaze turned towards the man as he ambled towards her. Clearly out of his mind and insanely intoxicated, she was not amused. Her sapphire gaze became chillingly cold as the shinobi came closer, pointedly turning away. She could feel the man quail for a second at such a purposeful rejection, but he quickly gathered what ego he had left to begin talking to her. Not that she listened to a word he said. Rosa was contemplating the world at large, examining the decor of the shabby location, even finding time for an existential crisis or two. She reached the point where she even forgot the shinobi was talking to her, even plotting him out. There were far more important matters than the small-minded drivel of some rat who found it easier to drink his sorrows away. How childish considering whatever heinous things he had accomplished paled compared to everything she completed.
Rosa would be snatched away from her little oasis by the man latching onto her arm. "Hey! Are you even listening to me??!!" he spat, his breath reeking of alcohol. It was clear that he was not used to being ignored so readily and with such ease. "I'm sorry, were you talking? All I heard was someone slurring their words. Let. Me. Go. Now." she said, sliding into a role of the victim as if it were a second skin. When he squeezed harder, her eyes turned pleading, losing their iciness as he began to "exert" his will. "Please, just let me go, I apologize for not listening. Just stop, it hurts." Her gaze touched on each person in the room, including TK and his new "friend", serving as the signal for round two. The time had come for the knight in shining armor to make his appearance.
Like like clock Takashi read every second and movement and no sooner than when heir eyes met Takashi started working on the other man. Hearing her let me Go Takashi, slide the man his shot and ordered another. Damn shame how far men will go to get a woman, he's being a lil two hands on don't you think. The shinobi took his shot and properly thanks Takashi before drinking and looked at the man grabbing on his soft beautiful women. The second he turned back to Takashi their eyes were locked and Takashi was planting suggestions like it was a garden he was to harvest later.
"Between the two of us gentlemen I think we should teach him how to treat a lady, I mean grabbing on her like that when she said no.. it pisses you off doesn't it. That's someone mother or daughter over there maybe even sister. She came to have a good time not get harassed by drunk men when there are good capable men like yourself here". Takashi's placed his hand on his shoulder gently yet firmly, "I saw how she was looking at you before that creep showed up, you didn't see it yo had your back turned but I followed her eyes and uh yea man.. that's you, of course you could always lose out". Takashi's words began to swirl in the mind of the guy and and became gospel to his beating heart and racing mind , a new emotion swept over him disgust., He put his glass down angrily and made a bee-line for he male aggressor, the guy at the bar is right the lady said no NOW BACK THE FUCK OFF!! He quickly gripped him up the collar of his flak jacket and pushed the guy off her giving her room to move, this push immediately led to a scrap tables, glasses were flying as both men were trying to assert dominance over the other, winning over a woman who had no interest in either at all, yet from the intensity of the fight. this would not to be the case.
Soon all hell had broken loose. With the two men going at each other with a gusto, they were oblivious to their surroundings. As glasses were smashed and other parties had their times ruined, the brawl expanded, no longer solely the two men. Though they remained the epicenter as others began pitching in. No longer tied down, Rosa tested her arm, noting the grip he had earlier could likely leave a bruise. With a careful precision, she extracted herself from the madness as chairs and other objects became projectiles. The young woman took a seat at the bar next to TK, playing the part of a damsel in distress, having been shaken by the violence and brutality of what was occurring. "Why are they so harsh to each other? Surely we could all resolve this peacefully," she shuddered as the crack of bone echoed through the tavern. It appeared to be escalating even further as blood began to spill. Rosa predicted the authorities would arrive sooner rather than later as the fights appeared to be slowly spilling outside. A small side-eye was given to TK as she believed that was their cue to leave. Lest they be caught up in this mess for good.
Eventually the authorities came in and got involved in the madness that had spilled over , they quickly cleared up the mess with a hands on approach, leaving Takashi to look at the glass of liquor and simply push it away and turn his chair around to the woman. "You already know the answer to that question ma'am they are fighting for you, why do men fight for anything? I think you know the answer to that, you know it even better than I do". Takashi excused himself from sitting beside her to be a good Samaritan and hold the door for the officer as he cuffed both suspects who were resisting, in actuality Takashi on the way out made eye contact with the man whose shoulder he touched earlier, but a small glance that lasted on a second and Takashi rearranged the order of the genjutsu completely planting a seed in his mind, a word that when spoken would grow itself into the genjutsu trigger he laid to await in the recesses of his mind, the second it was activated.
Once the door closed behind him the officers thanks him as the door closed and the bar tried to pick up steam where it left off. "Now my lady, sorry you had to witness that, perhaps I should walk you home to prevent other incidents from ruining your night". Takashi opened the door once more this time for her, the signal that their mission and day here was done. Now for the part he would need to explain to her of what happened and what was to go from here.
"Just me? Surely that isn't the only reason," Rosa continued, playing the modesty card as she stood. Thanking the bar she began to walk out, before doing the same with TK opened the door for her. As soon as they were outside and away from the scene however, she shed the role like a second skin. "So now we wait?" her voice returning to the earlier deadpan state. The area had quieted once more as the location tried to recover the cheer from earlier. Regardless, the mood had sobered since the arrests were made. "Or do we play follow the leader until we reach the destination?" she added while noting the crispness of autumn. Part of her knew that a small mental rewrite had occurred in both men arrested though she wasn't sure about the depth of said rewrite beyond the installment of the trigger word delay. Either way, Rosa still found it amusing to see that dōjutsu in use. This child clearly had some Uchiha lineage if he managed to awaken the eye. Nevertheless, his appearance also felt vaguely familiar, though the hair color was off. For the time being she would keep such observations to herself while waiting for further explanation.
"Yup now we wait for the church to come collect and then hold their little prayer ceremony, which I have no idea the time table of how they hand over their criminals to the church I can't exactly say, but we will know and when we do then we make our move. In the meantime, ive been wandering exactly how does the name of this relgion translate to what occurs here and that strange chakra and I got to think making this chakra is influenced by the genjutsu itself. Those people are entranced when this chakra is in them and it reminds me of a jutsu I saw an ally use once their chakra gets in your body, but I can't say for sure yet". Takashi removed his disguise bringing his hand to his chin and resting. I've seen some strange cases but this one is the wildest I've seen so far.
Rosa continued pondering quietly as TK voiced his hypothesis aloud. "It definitely has to do with the astral body in some capacity. The question is how? There's most likely an object in there that is producing this off-kilter chakra, but how does it relate to the moon? Perhaps the object itself can answer our questions. Finding the origin of this chakra must take priority." Indeed they would have to wait as they continued to walk through the area. "So where shall we set up shop in the meantime?" Rosa asked as they resumed a leisurely stroll, Takashi back to his intimidating appearance.
"I wonder that myself, and I think you might be on to something there, we just need the hard evidence and proof. not to mention avoid being seen by villagers and dojutsu being seen, or letting the church find us. Ah yes the stealth lifestyle, I can never get enough. Well Best place to hide is in plain sight so we are gonna get a room and stake out there, we're gonna need a window view that lets us see the church, we need eyes on deck until we link up with the chosen one again. In case the trigger word isn't used I placed a little "insurance" on him to ensure we are notified the moment the chakra is added to him, once he does that we will have all the answers we seek, and maybe a clue as to what the fuck is happening here". Takashi crouched down letting his cloak gather on the ground beneath him, he had the cash to do it but he had no intention of buying a room at the nearby inn, instead he was going to "borrow" a room from someone else.
"I assume this room will be found through illegal means?" Rosa presumed, noting that stealth coupled with a temperament that lent itself to mischief no doubt meant snatching a room. Then again, taking a room through normal means would no doubt leave a trail that could be tracked. Alas, it would have to be done, not that her heart was capable of twisting with pity. In truth she felt nothing regarding the matter. "So where is this room that we'll be staying in?" Already moving on to what she would do with this extra time, her crystalline gaze muted with philosophical intrigue.
"Well as I said we want room with a view and looking on the correct side so we're going in and up". Takashi said looking into the window of the top floor. The sharingan could see through solid objects given not on the scale of the byakugan sure. but Sage Mode dramatically increases one's abilities and his sharingan was far stronger than that of a normal base stage tomoe three one. Our room is there we need to move.. quickly. Takashi held is hand out for her to grab on to him. Even for him, a man of his with and intelligence this was going smoothly.. to smoothly, something about this Tsukuyomi religion, this chakra, what he saw and what he felt. Something was wrong. "Alright lady grab my hand and lets head on up to our awaiting room, they cleaned it all nicely for us". Takashi awaited for her to quit looking at him, he needed less staring and more hand grabbing so they could get to moving. If we're gonna wait we gonna do it style the best way we know how
She could sense his impatience as they reached the destination. A temperament unbecoming even if this was an urgent matter. However, she agreed with his wariness. The fact that everything was going off without a hitch meant something could go very wrong soon. Rosa ceased her staring as she finally took him by the hand, allowing for them to move on to the next task. "Just because it looks clean from the outside doesn't mean they haven't left a few surprises," the woman commented as they went on their way to the space in question. Wrongness was the order of the day and she remained wary of the location they were to reside in. The last thing she needed was the foul moon chakra making an appearance.
The moment she finally grabbed his hand Takashi within second instantly transported them both from outside the window to the inside of the empty room, the smell of fresh linen greeting them as they stepped from his spinning distortion. "Not sure if you've ever been on a stake out since your kind like to sneak around a lot, but me I like to blend in, while in plain sight, its the best place to hide, the issue is burning of time till then. And since from where I can sense the guy he is still in the direction of the police lockup, he has yet to move. Which gives me ample time to ask you something very important, see my trust in you is still like a broken condom and while I know you have little reason to trust me that name Rosa you gave me gives me little reason to trust you or share with you what else i've done. I'll give you one more chance to come clean I wont threaten you at all but lying will reap consequences of its own bearing". Takashi sat calmly flipping his cloak from over his left arm. "I've kept you on a need to know basis as you have me but as of now, that game is over as we are going into the belly of the beast and if we are I need to know the person Im getting swallowed with won't attempt to ditch me to save themselves or worse, try something drastic to increase their chances of survival You remind me too much of a certain operative of an organization I am not particularly fond of and the more I observe you he more you seem to prove that point. I've respected your cynicism to not share with the rest of us but that time has run it's course and it's up. Takashi remained in his resting Sage Mode and while he was polite he was not friendly in his encouragement, he gave her one chance to she opted not to take it, this was her last chance. Now choose
He truly did not know who he was dealing with. Even if he suspected who she was and what group the woman had been apart of. "Consequences of its own bearing?" Rosa questioned. She smiled at his non-threatening threat. "Surely you realize that this isn't the best place to be having such conversations? You lack patience, desiring everything to be brought to you or to be taken in immediacy. Speaking of ill the place you reside in will bring nothing but trouble." She lightly tugged an earlobe as if to say, "you never know who might be listening" Regardless, Rosa resumed her thoughts, sitting cross-legged before resuming a mediative stance, "life is uncertainty, if you cannot embrace such uncertainty then you will never know the answer to your question. However, know this; I won't leave behind such a promising individual for them to exploit little fan. You have much soaring to do on the winds of change. This won't change that trajectory; of that much I am certain. Adamantly so. For even in times of peril there are certain truths that you can hold onto. Remember that." Even now she chose not to reveal the extent of her existence; establishing genuine human connection was something that proved difficult. Simultaneously, she recognized that there was time and place for these revelations; a part of her was convinced these weren't the right circumstances as a gut feeling continued to pervade her consciousness. No, this would have to be saved for later, not when things remained decidedly too easy for her tastes.
"In others words you will tell me when your good and damn ready. Look next time just say that and spare me the dissertation that follows". Takashi kind of figured a dead end was coming but it was killing time for the moment, the brick wall she was, naturally he was more patient than this, but with a childs life on the line as well as his money, done lost and slipped away to this unknown chakra meant more a risk of the child's life and dare he say his fortune and job reputation. "Looks here I get th- A twinge went off to Takashi as he immediately felt the chakra signal of his planted mole moving and moving toward them and headed to the direction of where he knew the cathedral to be. "Speaking of patience paying off our guy is moving.. both of them and you know where they are going don't you..... my target isn't among them but that chakra is definitely present among them, its strange though.. it's like a few of the members have gotten past the infection state as these one's seem to be of a more condensed union, their chakra isn't as agitated as the one's fresh from that ceremony.
I hate to sacrifice someone like this but we're gonna need him to get inside of that chakra if im going to get anything from this encounter. For now keep our eyes peeled they should be walking last to the trail any minute now". Takashi slide up to the window and closed the blinds quickly using the sharingan and Sage Mode combined to peer through them gently, his eyes doing all the work. Hmm I need to jot this down. Takashi used Kamui to call forth a laptop from th depths of is dimension, with a quickness he opened it and began finger punching at it's keyboard, on the screen was a case file number 137-Rogue Church??- name Tsukuyomi. he stated adding information and the location address of this area and church. Something he remembered about relgiion suddenly sprung to life. "Alright ms patience keep you eyes on them while I entire this information in right quick and look something up. Now that we aren't out in the open I can look this up and add some key details into what's happening here".
She sighed at this new development, opening one eye. "A dissertation a day keeps the doctor away," Rosa remarked dryly. "They're headed for the cathedral aren't they...so the chakra has successfully coalesced with the individual. That means the parasite is likely doing its job effectively...I don't like where this headed....," she paused before staring at the contraption in front of TK. Watching him type furiously as information appeared on the screen. A file came up as he began inputting information. It appeared to relate to what was happening outside. "A studious one." She responded before studying the group in question. They remained vigilant, focused on their ultimate destination. One could find their dedication admirable. Yet her face was stoic as she monitored them entering the location. "They are currently traversing the establishment," she noted aloud as they disappeared one after another into its gaping entrance.
"Exactly meaning that within moments they will be subjected to whatever it is on the other side of that door we can't see through, but I promise you this. Once they are done you and I will have a first hand look about what the hell is going on in there and around here in general. I've seen many operations most prefer to operate in stealth and silence which makes getting in easy,but for one to be so out in the open like this and practiced under a false banner, an effective one such as this. Well it complicates the objective time window, but honestly it's more of a challenge.. It's a slippery slope these things". Takashi's fingers steadily pecked away at the keyboard before finalyy stopping, he pressed a button on the side called sleep, shutting his laptop down and dragging it back into his dimension.
I know we don't have much to talk about but Let me ask you this.. what are your thoughts about religion? You know such as Jashinist, the one about the Sage and now clearly this one.
Rosa turned after the people had entered the location in question. "I have no use for such foolish constructs. Contemplation, reflection and thoughtful discussion are far more valuable. Praying to idiotic, persnickety, and fickle deities that replicate human behavior is an unsustainable way to live," she responded, her voice matter-of-fact. She saw no reason to believe in gods after losing her clan, her family, her lover, her way of life. No amount of hope and faith had prevented them from being taken form Rosa, so she would focus her energies on more tangible things. "What are your thoughts on the nature of religion?"
"I think Relgion is a well invented system of control, how else could you get better control a man's action besides giving him something to live by and then controlling is views of right and wrong. It's a over glorified system meant to keep people in line and control them by their beliefs while getting the best out of them doing so. So to sum it up not a fan. God's are ideas made from men so they are born from human qualities as you stated, if a God can be angered or saddened, then it has an emotion making it rash to commit actions in it's own interests. In that it sounds no different than a man". Takashi was talking directly about Yama unknown to he woman he refused to call Rosa. However it got his mind wondering about the shinigami himself he too was a concept personified and could too fall to corruption and greed just like Yama. Suddenly the immaterial became material and Takashi wondered about his future.
"They've made it to the church and well I can sense something strange going on, its really weird and I think this weird sensation is the start of that ceremony, meaning we are moments away from getting what we need".
Infidels, Heretics the whole 9[]
Rosa stared at him. Despite her poker face, she was mildly impressed by his thoughtful and complete answer. "So you aren't childish like most of your forebears. Good to know. At the end of the day, gods and goddesses are mere representations of men and women given far more power. Ultimately, they lack creativity as they are a mere reflection of what we want to be. Something to aspire to instead of idolizing with the same flaws only magnified." she responded.
The woman then lapsed into silence as she heard his announcement. "Fair enough. Whatever it is, I have a feeling it will hold answers to our questions. While creating new ones." She was silent once more as the presumed ceremony began, increasing the strange feeling several fold. It was disconcerting yet at the same time strangely comforting.