บท 185: Chapter 4: Explorations
The Konoha Ninja looked at the giant walls and gate much larger than Konohagakure's own. As the ninja walked towards the entrance the gate began to slow open and by the time they reached the gate itself they had full entry. The rookie 12 and sensei's entered and looked around and saw no guards or visiter log.
"Where are the gate guards or log book?" Asked a confused Choji. As he spoke a villager walked by holding a sign and stopped to look at the Konoha group.
"Ahhh, You're from a ninja village aren't you?" Said the stranger, at his question the rookie 12 nodded and Kakashi asked
"Yes, we are ninja. We are from Konohagakure to exact. May I ask who you are?" Kakashi spoke in his cheerful but polite tone.
"Oh where are my manners? I'm Jiro Yoshida, I am the owner of the village's local bar The Devil's Bar or as other's call it The Devil's Sin." The man, now known as Jiro responded with a smile and slight bow. The Konoha ninja responded in kind each supplying their own names and rank with a slight bow. Jiro returned each bow before speaking.
"To answer your question, there is no log book or gate guards." Jiro stated simply as if this was a normal occurrence. The Konoha ninja were confused by this notion.
"Then how do you know who is entering and leaving or preventing spies? How do you know about oncoming attacks?" Asked Shikamaru with a curious tone and calculating gaze.
"Well, to us it doesn't matter if or entering or leaving, since if you commit a crime it is easily found out. As for spies or attacks it's simply not possible. What you wouldn't have noticed was as you stepped past the gate, was that there is actually a barrier seal there preventing anyone with negative intentions towards the village no entry and if they do get through, the Osorubeki clan will sense them and capture them." Jiro spoke calmly showing no signs of lying or worry that they will tell their village this information. Kakashi eye smiled.
"Thank you for informing us Jiro-san." He said politely.
"No problem Kakashi-san, we are quite used to having people travel through here especially during the festivals. Now if you'll excuse me I have to deliver this sign to one of the stalls." With that Jiro walked off without looking back. Kakashi looked back at his group.
"Now, since the locals seem friendly enough you may want to ask them about the Kōshoku no kage (Crimson shadow) and remember keep your guard up and eyes peeled." Kakashi stated seriously. "You may now go and explore, but try to stay in at least groups of two. We are in an unfamiliar area and I don't want anyone getting lost okay?" He returned his cheery attitude and eyes smile as soon as he received everyones nod. Kurenai then took over "We will all return back here in an hour and share any information. After fifteen minutes if anyone is missing we will search for them is that understood?" She asked with narrow red eyes. Everyone once again nodded and split into different groups to look around the village of Tsukigakure. The konoha ninja gazed around in awe as they took in the sights. A lot of the homes were medium size traditional one story homes, made out of wood and painted beautifully. The apartment buildings towered at least five stories high and were either round or rectangular. Parks and greenery surrounded sections of the areas. The streets were filled with dozens of people getting ready for the festival tomorrow or children were happily playing. But, the most interesting sight was were the paved main road led. The road led straight to the end of the village to stone steps, which headed up a mountain side. At the top was a traditional one story mansion surrounded by forest which could easily be seen from the other side of the village.
"TenTen, Neji, Gai-sensei, do you see that YOUTHFUL house and mountain? Whoever lives up there must be truly YOUTHFUL!" Yelled Rock Lee while pointing dramatically up the staircase. Gai was quickly dissolved into waterworks.
"You are right Lee! We must improve our FIRES OF YOUTH!" Gai shouted while crying. Onlookers sweat dropped and than started to ignore the strange men in green spandex. After all they've seen stranger. As Gai and Lee where being overly dramatic and yelling Neji and TenTen inched away from the odd duo.
Meanwhile….
"Wow theres so many stalls!" exclaimed an amazed Ino who was dashing through the streets. Shikamaru following behind lazily, with Choji beside him eating chips. Asuma trailed behind them both lighting a smoke.
"I have to admit this is a pretty amazing set-up." Stated Choji in-between munches. Something than caught Ino's eye.
"Ohh, what's that over there?" Questioned Ino as she hurried towards her interest, dragging Shikamaru and Choji with her. Asuma followed the trio.
"Troublesome." Muttered Shikamaru.
In the meantime…
"This place is awesome!" Shouted Kiba excitedly as they walked around the left side of the village.
"It is very different from Konoha festivals." Said Hinata quietly with a small smile.
"I think that the most logical course of action is to speak to the inhabitants." Stated Shino in monotone. Kurenai smiled in pride and Hinata nodded in agreement, Kiba just looked confused.
"What?" Confusion laced Kiba's voice. Hinata came to poor Kiba's rescue.
"Shino is saying we should ask the villagers questions." She explained in a gentle tone.
"Okay then, lets go talk to that guy over there." Kiba said impatiently as he ran off. Hinata and Shino looked at each other before following. Koreans eyes twinkled in amusement and she followed her old students.
Elsewhere….
"Oh Sasuke, isn't this place beautiful!" Gushed Sakura as they walked past a near-by park.
"Hn." Sasuke gave his inconsequential grunt. While Sai and Kakashi walked behind. Kakashi had his face buried in his orange book and Sai surveyed around him silently. Sakura squealed causing Kakashi, Sai and Sasuke to flinch. Internally of course. Since Sakura wasn't watching were she was going, she accidentally bumped into someone. So she quickly apologised.
"I'm sorry." She said at a regular sound level.
"Don't worry about it miss." A kind and happy voice replied. Sakura looked up and when she finally got a look at the person she bumped into, she was surprised. The man stood at roughly 5'3, he had blonde hair which if looked at closely had a layer of black underneath. He had warm amber eyes and had a black scarf around his neck. He wore an olive green traditional plain kimono, with an aqua jacket over top and he had regular black ninja sandals. Just as Sakura was about to open her mouth, she was interrupted by a voice calling out.
"Hurry up Kubinashi!"
Sakura turned to the owner of the voice and was just as surprised as earlier. The woman stood just one inch above the man dubbed 'Kubinashi'. She had long wavy brown hair tied up in a single pony tail with half of it covering her face. Sakura could also see she had light green eyes. The woman was wearing a white and pink dress kimono with flowers decorated the bottom. The kimono highlighted her voluptuous features, such as her large kimono also covered her feet. All in both were incredibly pretty. Kubinashi laughed warmly.
"I'm coming Kejōrō!" Kubinashi called back and just like that he left, along with the woman now known as 'Kejōrō'.
Later that day…
Everyone was once again gathered near the gate. After a few hours of exploring and questioning everyone was wanting to know what they'd discovered.
"I booked all of us in at a nearby hotel. We were rather lucky since everything is basically booked out." Stated Asuma. Everyone nodded in understanding.
"Okay, what did team Gai find out?" Asked Kakashi his orange book no where in sight.
"After asking around we discovered that the house on the mountain, the mountain and the forest surrounding it all belong to the Osorubeki (Grim) clan. In fact they technically own this entire village!" exclaimed TenTen, shocking everyone around her except Asuma, Kakashi, Gai and Kurenai.
"What?" Cried everyone in shock.
"According to a woman named Chizuru, who is the owner of a local bakery. Back before even the creation of Konoha. Tsukigakure was owned by a cruel warlord, who was bleeding this village dry. The warlord was very paranoid and had wanted the Osorubeki clan to assassinate some of the villagers and surrounding warlords. When the travelling Osorubeki had seen what he had done to the village, they killed him and took the deeds to the village and surrounding land. In order to keep it away from the warlord's son and surrounding enemies, the Osorubeki clan sold the deed to the village for 1 yen and settled down to create a home here and became their protection. Ever since then the Osorubeki clan has been considered the true and rightful owner of Tsukigakure." Explained Neji.
"Team Kurenai?" Asked Kakashi.
"We weren't able to find out much. However by talking to a man named Shigure, we managed to uncover that the Kōshoku no kage (Crimson shadow) arrived five and a half years ago alongside the current head of the Osorubeki clan." Informed Hinata gently.
"Team Asuma?" Questioned Kakashi.
"After talking to several stall and shop owners, we found out that this mission is probably more trouble than it's worth." Stated Shikamaru before elaborating. "As it turns out the Kōshoku no kage (Crimson shadow) is actually the Osorubeki (Grim) clan head's unofficial bodyguard. If the Kōshoku no kage isn't out of the village they're with the clan head. I also believe there is more than what everyone is telling us but, it's too troublesome to find out what." Finished Shikamaru with a yawn. Kakashi nodded.
"My team's information is also rather limited. We discovered that everyone was keeping rather tight lipped on the Kōshoku no kage. Nevertheless, we managed to find out that he is well loved and respected within the village and the Osorubeki clan itself. He is also apparently extremely close to the current clan head and if anything were to happen. Nothing would stop the clan head raging war." Stated Kakashi.
"So we know that the Kōshoku no kage (Crimson Shadow) is close to and the bodyguard of the current Osorubeki clan head. He is respected both within and outside of the Osorubeki clan to the point that war could be declared over him. Tsukigakure itself is owned by the Osorubeki clan and that the Kōshoku no kage (Crimson Shadow) showed up randomly five and a half years ago, accompanied by the current head of the Osorubeki clan." Established Asuma. Everyone nodded at the information and soaked it in.
"Alright, everyone I think that we should all follow Asuma to where we will be staying and get some sleep. We will continue this tomorrow, before enjoying the festival two days from now." Said Kakashi as they all traveled to the hotel.
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