Robust Images [Infiltration and Assassination Mission]

[Michi]

There were many uses for shinobi. Some were best regarded as cold-blooded killers while others are over-priced dog catchers and laborers. And then there were times when they were neither, or perhaps it did not matter what their capacities, successes or failures were. The fate of the conscripted was to find and seek employment for their services and their skills be it to the Diamyo or to a patrician. Today was no different. A mission went up on the board early this morning, an elderly man sitting behind the worn desk unsure of where it came from. It read the following: Requested: an able-bodied team of shinobis to infiltrate and assassinate a dangerous visitor traveling through Sunagakure. For parties interested, please meet me at Mao's Place at 11:30 pm, a private booth has been reserved under the name Aburabuta.

Mao's Place was a nightclub located in The Desert Crown. A sanitary place, however, is no less seedy. It was an exclusive club, the kind only the most wealthy men and women in Sunagakure frequent. Music, lights, good drinks, well better than what could be found in other clubs. The club was also a den for illegal activity although for the most part officials looked the other way, white-collar crime just seemed to lack the bloody-knuckle appeal street crime possessed. Insider trading, accounting and spreadsheet 'errors' were the most dire crimes this club ever had to deal with, weapons and questionable substances (be it recreational or otherwise) were to be left at the door. For the most part, those who came here complied, although there has been a rare incident otherwise security was more than 'capable' of disarming the problem.

11:29

A well-dressed bespectacled man quietly sat down in a booth at the back of the club. He seemed to have no interest in the bright lights, the music or the people gyrating to the rhythm. He laid the white napkin on his lap and ordered a bottle of wine, an expensive bottle of red. He seemed uninterested in small talk as he handed the waiter a folded bill wordlessly and waved him off, not even allowing the waiter to uncork and pour him a drink but the waiter left the corkscrew behind. Buried to its neck in the cork, with ease and a sudden *pop* the bottle was opened. The man sniffed the cork, taking in the fruity bouquet before he poured himself a glass of the burgundy liquid. His pinched fingers rubbed together over the open mouth of the bottle, an indistinguishably small amount of white powder released from between his finger pads into the bottle.

"Mister Aburabuta, is everything all right?"

A waitress asked, right on schedule.

"There is something different about you today, do you need something."

The man glanced in her direction but did not reply verbally, simply shaking his head 'no.' His eyes never leaving his own glass, he slid the bottle to the center of the table and partook his first sip. Someone should be here shortly.

 

[Keiji]

He hadn't been in Sunagakure long, his latest clues hadn't given any results. He lacked a certain thing, a thing like an edge perhaps the lowlife could only bring.
Walking past the booths of missions, he had been wondering in partaking in, as he was now so long from his homeland, and the only way his people could earn money these days was either teaching.. Or killing..
The latter being his personal favorite. One note stuck out to him. and he leaned across the table, eyeing it overhead of an elderly man looking at it confused. Shiro's tall posture leaned across him like a raven lurking over it's prey in silence, and as the man finally noticed the shadow lurking behind him, and looked up, all he saw was a happy glee on a calm looking individual, the white hair glancing in the light emanating from the carmot nearby.

"Mind if I look at that?" Shiro would ask the elderly gentleman as he snapped it from between his fingers. Then turning swiftly and read it in silence for a few seconds, then turning back around and handing it back to the man. "Thank you" He said smiling at him brilliantly.
This was an opportunity, not only to get some funds for his people, but also to meet up with some of the wretched scum of the village, perhaps he could lure out some information on the ongoings behind the white and brown curtains this village is so famous for.

~-............................................-~​

He wore his classic white kimono with his armor pieces, ready for anything to come his way, he had his precious sword at his side, and his insignia ring rested upon his knuckle. It was fairly difficult to find this "Mao's Den" The individuals he questioned about seemed scared almost terrified of the location itself, seemed like it wasn't so much of a secret location or what kind of dealings went on in there. This made Shiro terrifyingly excited about meeting this individual at Mao's Place. He walked nonchalantly at the doors and looked curiously around at the entrance expecting there to be trouble. But alas there was none to be seen.

He calmly walked in resting his hands at his side not grabbing for anything and walked in silently hoping the lights would render his white clothes a little gray color. He pulled over his hoodie and continued in towards the bar, and waited for the bartender to attend him, Shiro's eyes in the meantime questioned every balled head and every mustache he could possibly see, expecting everyone in the rooms to have at least some dirty secrets he could potentially exploit. "I'm looking for Aburabuta" He would ask the bartender casually.

[Thread entered]

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Entrance music

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. so sounded the footsteps of doom. Kazuki had seen a mission that had raised his interest in Sunagakure's mission board. Infiltration and Assassination was quite on his alley. And because his passion had been enthralled by it, the Overlord of the Senju Clan was well on his way for the meeting place. He was a new arrival in Sand, well on his way to become a permanent asset for the village's government. A close and secure ally of House Toraono and gift exchanger with the current Kazekage. Or its Steward. The time to start earning his and his clan's keep was at hand. Each step that made him closer to Mao's place, sounded like the apocalypse was coming. Shadows wavered near him as if they had gained a life of his own. The Silvery Haired Man's own shadow always flickered around, like it had sentience. A chilly sensation was also brought by the White Wolf's presence. The feeling one could relate to Death. The Dread Lord was not a safe company, yet he rarely threatened anyone, not without cause at least. His mere presence inspired awe and fear in lesser men.

Such aura of fear was partly inspired by his extreme paleness and lean figure. His hair was kept short and had the coloration of Silver. His eyes, however, were a pair of lump of coal, seemingly capable off piercing one's soul and read one's hidden secrets. What people did not know, and those that did were not alive to tell the tale, was that Reaper's eyes had the uncanny ability to change black into red when he was very angry or powered up to the max. It was then that anyone facing him should start running away or risk dying. Today was no such day. The former ANBU Sennin's eyes were normal black and he was calm like a still lake. Kazuki was dressed with his usual black and gray robe with silvery trimmings and an open colar, along with a large, red, flowing toga drapped around his body and across his chest. Black combat boots and black pants finished his attire. On his chest the Senju symbol was tattooed in what appeared to be crimson red if people were distant from him . A red barked tree stabbed by a black sword. The tree had silver leaves and drops of crimson red blood were dropping from a wound.

A few moments later, the White Wolf found and entered the so called Mao's Place. He glanced around searching for Aburabuta. Considering he was not aware of how the man or woman looked like, his search was pointless. Reaching the balcony, behind of which stood the bartender, the Dread Lord was about to question her, when another individual did so first. Looking at the stranger, the Silvery Haired Man saw a white clad individual. His opposite per say. "So am I." he calmly announced. The look on the former ANBU Sennin's face was nothing but ordinary. A edge on his eyes, however, apparently pointed out that he was calculating the odds of forcing the bartender to join his personal collection.

[Topic Entered]

 

[Michi]

[col]OC: Sorry for the delay, work was a bear. I can normally find 30 min on a break to make posts but sadly that was relegated to site work. =(

IC:
The music was loud, the floor vibrated in concert with the bass of the blaring bass. But the floor and the glass had an extra rattle, a curious oddity considering the song's rhythm was the same as it always had. The man slid his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he gazed across the discotheque. Scantly clad women dancing dangerously close to men they hoped would be rich husbands, ironically several of the men were trying to find a pretty heiress. Something you would only tell by looking at the seams of their clothes or the underarms, sometimes the thighs. The early signs of wear, of fraying, of loose broken threads. A fact most would fail to recognize. He was not seeking the silly drama between supplicants, he was more interesting in the cause of this infernal rattling.

That was when he saw him, the booming steps of a man as out of place as a bastard at a family reunion. Most of the coupled parted when they saw, or in some cases perhaps felt. The man folded his hands on the table, resting his head on his fingertips as he studied the stranger he could only assume was here to see him. There were only three reasons someone comes here:

1. To find a rich man/woman.
2. To spend the evening among people trying to meet a rich man or woman.
3. To demonstrate to the world, yourself or your peers that you have monetary value.

Rich men do no look, nor do they move like him. He was of the first kind: here to find a rich man. Simply put, one does not need to seek a rich man to fulfill romantic interests alone. The was the latter-most, ensuring that there was a demonstration of a class disparity was important for the role he was about to play. The man who publicly claimed himself to be Aburabuta seeking a team for an assassination. A rather public display, a meeting nearly as public and within the confines and manners of the gregarious heir a meeting at an exclusive club. The kind where most wold be turned away if their butler did not make a six figure salary. He was not alone, there was an anemic presence that was also ill-suited for this particular habitat. His guess proved to be right, the bartender quietly nodded as she gestured them both to follow. She carefully made her way to the back of the club, Shiro and Kazuki's presence were certainly not left unnoticed but there was intent in this.

"Salutations," the well-dressed gentleman announced as he stood upright in obeisance to received them both. With a graceful genuflection he added "please take a seat, and a glass of wine if you will. We have much to discuss." His wrist rotated in a circular motion with his words as he gestured to the booth reserved for their meeting. "I assume neither of you have met an Aburabuta before," he inquired with a genteel smile across thin lips. Wordlessly he slid a tan folder between the men once they took their seats and if they did not then once they chose where they wanted to stand. The file would be thin, perhaps there was not much to say or perhaps there was not much he wanted to make known of this situation.

"As previously advertised, I am looking to assassinate a dangerous woman," 'Aburabuta' announced with a somber voice. The woman in the picture did not appear dangerous, at least in the physical sense but rarely was physical threat a problem in a wealthy person's world especially considering the protections shinobi could afford them. He did not shoo away the bartender yet, he motioned for her to stay a moment longer while he waited for their response. The bartender seemed nervous, not that most could blame her considering the ominous aura that seemed to emanate from one of the men, the mention of 'assassinations' that she was now peripherally a party to and of course this alien albino. A bead of sweat formed on her brow but she complied without a word, never a word.|[legend="The File"]

Guchi Sheena the Indebter​

Bloodline/Core Ability: Quick Learner
Age: 19

Physical Description: While beautiful, she is not known for her trademark magenta tresses or lavender eyes. She prefers more masculine high formal military clothing and does not take to any form of traditional female wear. From brass button to woolen jackets and crisp white gloves, she appears more ready to lead an army than a bank. While she is only five feet in height, her only feminine feature being the heels she wears on her otherwise combat-ready leather footwear adds about three inches to her height.

Mental Description: Profit is her goal, while she is capable of waiting for long-term return she is a careful investor and takes great pride in knowing what is a good deal. Her preoccupation with profit while living an above-average but not anywhere near the life her wealth could afford her is perplexing. She is often euphoric about brokering deals, but has known to spiral into a state of angst and fury when arrangements are not made in her favor. While she is able to afford whatever those losses might have been, her strong reaction does not match the rest of her character. She is not known to be greedy, a penny-pincher or one who tries to give to those less fortunate in society. Her ultimate ambition is unknown but with her continued rise in power and wealth has made many of the other Merchant Lords uneasy.

History: Sheena is the youngest of the Soon Merchant Council, and for her age one of the more accomplished of the Soon Merchants. Sheena since an early age has been known to have people indebted to her, and has always made a good return on her loans. Mystery surrounds her origins as there is a great number of inconsistencies in their accounts. It is rumored that Sheena once came from an impoverished house but during her early years she inherited a great wealth as she was the last living relative of a wealthy clan who has all but vanished into the ages. There is an another rumor that Sheena instead of inheriting wealth manipulated a foreign bank into giving her a lead position and thus she acquired the wealth of others and invested it into several ventures which all made tremendous returns. Instead of merely using such riches to simply better herself, she has instead used such riches to invest in others who in return have made a profit in which Sheena has quite a stake in. Those who have failed to make good on their returns to Sheena have been completely ruined and are rarely heard from again.[/legend][/col]

 

[Senju Kazuki]

As unlikely as that could be, both men were seeking for the same individual. And the bartender, soon to be a non bartender, knew where this Aburabuta was. Kazuki followed the woman toward a private booth where a fine dressed gentleman waited them. There was something odd about this entire spectacle. Why would such a well dressed men and with such gentle manners want an assassination? Something was odd, and the Overlord of the Senju Clan was bent of figuring it out. He was no stranger to assassinations, or plain killing, no sir, but the years of blindly following orders were long gone. The Silvery Haired Man was no longer so compliant. He was still a good soldier in his heart, but questioning motives was part of his repertoire now. He gazed the so called Aburabuta from top to bottom with his black, cold lifeless eyes, while the guy invited them to seat and enjoy a glass of wine. Perhaps the albino would be interested in such pleasantries, but the White Wolf was there to work. No wine would touch those pale lips while under a job, in fact, the former ANBU Sennin had no desire to ingest alcoholic beverages. He had never been one to and he was not going to start becoming one now.

Standing he remained while reading the contents of a tan folder presented by their contractor. Guchi Sheena was the name of their mark. Lavender eyes and lavender hair and a pretty face. This kind of beauty would soon be tarnished as she became face to face with Reaper, unless Aburabuta's answers were less than satisfying. "Why?" the Dread Lord questioned. Just a simple question and a single word, but it would seem that Kazuki had fired a canon. He momentarily shifted his gaze from the man to the clearly nervous bartender. If she was fearful before, now that the Overlord's focus was on her, she should be terrified. Unbeknown to all, at least, those with non ninja training, the shadow of the White Wolf had been spreading toward the woman. If she were to look below, she would see nothing but a shadow, something completely normal and harmless, most of the time, but in reality, she was now trapped inside the Silvery Haired Man's shadowy trap. She could not move and she could not get free. Her fate was sealed.


[MFT - 396]

 

[Michi]

'Aburabuta Hirotomi'​

"Will that be all sir? She asked after a moment pause. She was feeling restless standing here, she had not worked here for very long but she had been working at this establishment long enough to know when it was time to do something else. Her lower lip trembled as she said those words, the heel of her right foot already slightly lifted so that upon his release she would move away quickly. As quickly as possible.

Why? Was a simple question with a less than simple answer. There was always the 'truth' and then there was the actual 'truth' but the validity of either would really be a query for the beholder. 'Aburabuta' laced his fingers together and rested them on the take. "Hmm... yes. You see, in life there are only a few certainties. That death will eventually meet you, that 'love' is a romanticized notion and that to be successful someone else must not as the world itself attempts to maintain a state of homeostasis."<i></i> His hand gestured toward the envelope. "Good bankers like good tea can only be appreciated when they are in hot water. She had ruined more lives than she has helped, and if you are familiar with the papers you would also know that I was recently victimized by the Soons Merchant Lords. I leveled an accusation against them that they were involved in the Cabal attack that has devastated your wonderful community. The funding and arms had to come from somewhere."<i></i> 'Aburabuta's' thin lips curled into what could be construed as a smile.

He was a confident man, even here outside his element. The bass that seemed to vibrate deep within him, the ruckus of these commoner's wearing their finest assuming that it would place them among the elite. "This woman is dangerous, but I do not fear repercussions from the Merchant Lords, their power does not extend to Sunagakure beyond fiscal ties. But it might... soon if they can afford the army necessary to take Sunagakure. Sunagakure is the only thing that stands between Soons being limited to a single merchant town and being the leading force of this great nation. My ambition here is nothing more than that of a concerned citizen with the funds necessary to ensure a proper balance of power."<i></i>

The bartender meanwhile, had not been given her leave. He gaze of the Senju seemed to pierce into her soul. Paycheck be damned, she started to try to back away but she could not. It was as if she was tethered in place. "Sir...?"<i></i> Her voice trailed off as she tried to move her arm, turn her body. "Sir, please!"<i></i> She shouted, drawing attention to herself as she struggled against unseen bonds. Her eyes widened in terror. She did not know who or what was holding onto her, only that she was left stationary at the table side.

This is usually when they begged.

"Sir, please. I won't say anything. I promise. Just-- let... me... go... please."<i></i> Her voice, desperate, her eyes water-lined. Despite the fact that she could not move, you could see her physical struggle. The tendons in her neck straining, her fingers contorted ever so slightly in an unnatural position. "I am good with secrets, I won't tell a soul and the sooner you release me... the further I will go. I won't listen. I won't remember."<i></i> She plead. It was then that she looked down, into the void. She screamed a terrible and shrill cry. What she said made no sense, tears streamed down her face as her entire body convulsed against the shadows.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Kazuki calmly listened to this Aburabuta's explanation to why the woman had to be taken down. A good justification as any other he supposed. There was a certain logic behind the man's words, but logic did not equated to truth. If he was lying, the Overlord would find out and he would pay with his life. Whoever he was, no matter how important he could be to Suna's future, no one betrayed the White Wolf and lived for long. But the former ANBU Sennin's focus was also on the female bartender and her apparent struggle. "I will seek her out and kill her if this benefits Sunagakure as you claim. But if I found out that you were less than truthful to me, when I return, and I will return, you will learn what vengeance really is. You can run from me but you cannot hide. Wherever there is a shadow, my presence is felt and I can find you. The rules are simple." the Dread Lord declared. Threats aside, they were to do business and he could not leave before extracting any and all necessary information about his target. "Where can I find her? Soon's haven? I'm certain you would not be sending trained assassin's on a wild goose chase." he spoke. It seemed logical that Aburabata would know where she was. If, by some random chance, he did not, then the Silvery Haired Man would have to extract that information from some other source. Forcibly, if needed.

The time to end the bartender's life had come up. She was a liability and she had to go. Reaper lunged forward as if he was going to stab her, though no weapon was on his hands. To the untrained eye, it would seem that the Overlord was supernaturally fast, however, he was just moving at the normal pace of a trained shinobi. The closer he got to the woman, the stronger the chilling and death sensation that exuded from his body. In his right hand,a blob of shadows had congregated and was elongating to take the shape of a sword. Once he was in contact range with the bartender, Kazuki's right hand was firmly gripping a black bladed sword with seven gemstones embedded on the black leathered hilt. With a swift movement, he pierced the girl's heart as easily as a hot knife did with butter. "I believe in you." he muttered, almost softly, almost tenderly. As soon as the blade had contact with heart, the woman would begin to feel as if her life was being drawn out. Not because of potential hemorrhages, but because the White Wolf was sucking her soul out. The body would wither and turn gray and seemingly crumble once his deed was done.

Now that one less threat was on this world, it was time to leave and hunt a woman down. A black, shadowy blob of big dimensions emerged from the ground, near Kazuki and facing Aburabuta. As it grew, it also gained a humanoid shape.

Spoiler

"I'm leaving him as a bodyguard. Believe in me, he can be quite brutal." the former ANBU Sennin noted. Suffice say that this creature was also there to keep tabs on Aburabuta.

 

[Michi]

'Aburabuta Hirotomi'​

A Requiem

"I will seek her out and kill her if this benefits Sunagakure as you claim. But if I found out that you were less than truthful to me, when I return, and I will return, you will learn what vengeance really is. You can run from me but you cannot hide. Wherever there is a shadow, my presence is felt and I can find you. The rules are simple."

"Then we have a deal but make sure that you remember that I can call myself, it is Aburabuta Hirotomi."</B><i></i> 'Hirotomi' replied with a smirk. He clasped his hands together and rested them on the table as he awaited these 'rules.' His dull grey eyes assessing the man he commissioned in what would prove to be a dangerous game. This was the kind of thing that he found exciting, the cerebral aspect of the sport.

"Where can I find her? Soon's haven? I'm certain you would not be sending trained assassin's on a wild goose chase."

"That would be a waste of money. I am a man of resources, yes"<i></i> he announced emphatically as he opened his hands and exposed his palms. "But I would not be where I am if I threw this kind of money for... how you say... the lawls."<i></i> His brow raised, in a quizzical manner, failing initially to answer his question. There were reasons, reasons beyond the verbalized benevolent ones, reasons he would not discover until it was too late. "You can find her in Soons Haven. She is a banker, but like any owner you will see them rarely."<i></i> He explained, his tone condescending as if he was explaining this to a child. "I would seek her in the place we are always the least prepared but always feel the most secure. Her home." <i></i>

Meanwhile, the woman who only served a peripheral interest for Hirotomi was begging for her life. Nameless and really just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was shivering and sobbing. Her jade eyes red from tears. "I do not know who any of you are!"<i></i> She insisted, frozen in place, her heart drumming. No words were necessary, she knew that her life was about to end. The music and the crowd did not seem to notice, or rather they did not seem to care. There were a few rubber-neckers here and there most certainly, but nobody was going to intervene. They would not dare, she would not be the first person to die screaming here and she was not going to be the last. Her breath came out in a fog as he came upon her. Into her ear she heard him whisper:

"I believe in you."

She looked him in the eye as his blade invaded her, cut into her heart. She became ghastly pale but blood never escaped her body. Her face contorted into a terrible visage of bitter terror, the vasculature appeared almost inky black, like tributaries just beneath her skin that also became dim and grey. The light faded from her eyes as a failing scream tried to escape parted lips. She could not move, she could not run. She died standing. Cracks started to form in her body.

Ashes to ashes.... dust to dust...​

Her form fell to the ground, in pieces. As her hand, her face, her hair... hit the ground, it exploded in a cloud of the dust, darkening the air. Some of the patrons started coughing, but almost anyone that was close enough to see what had happened started to leave the immediate vicinity. 'Aburabuta' let out a disgruntled sigh after she died. "I needed her to refresh my drink," he commented through his teeth. He took a sip from his glass before allowing it to clatter on the table.

"I'm leaving him as a bodyguard. Believe in me, he can be quite brutal."

"So can I..."<i></i> he commented ominously as he eyed his new 'bodyguard.' <B>"No matter," he added as he looked at his new companion. "Just make sure that people know you were hired by me," he added. It seemed he had his own rule, an odd one really considering. Usually assassins are hired for the expressed purpose of giving the person that actually wanted them dead an alibi. He seemed to have no interest in such things, in fact his name seemed to be the one thing he wanted everyone to know. "I am sure I can put this... cat-man to work."

OC: Wolverine is awesome and now mine.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Kazuki was now wondering why was this Aburabuta so bent on having his name known as Reaper conducted this assassination. It was not normal. Normally, when an assassination was requested, the involved parties were tasked on doing the deed and leaving no trace that could lead to whoever had requested such evil action. This guy was exactly the opposite. He wanted his name to be associated with it. That was quite odd and the Overlord would have to figure out why. It was clear that the man had an ulterior motive to it all. The Silvery Haired Man could just question him out, right now, and force answers out of his mouth. But he was a patient man. The truth would come out, sooner or later, and until then, the former ANBU Sennin would bid his time. He would kill the girl, but if the name Hirotomi was going to be linked to the assassination, that was a different matter. "She will die, you can count on that." the Dread Lord confidently declared. None had ever escaped his clutches, no one will start doing it now. He was man on the path of vengeance and his might was great. "I'm certain you will..." the Silvery Haired Man noted as he turned away to leave the club. A smirk formed on his face.

Little did Aburabuta know that this wolverine creature was there to kill him. Soon's haven it was.

OC
No stealing.

 

[Michi]

'Aburabuta Hirotomi'​

"That is good to hear," 'Aburabuta' replied folding his hands. "I expect this to be an easy task for a man... as skilled as yourself."<i></i> 'Aburabuta' seemed quite pleased with the outcome of this meeting. He waved a server in their direction but none would come, not that he could blame them one could suppose but were they truly more scared of this commissioned killer than they were of him? He let out a disgruntled sound as he waved him off. "I will be waiting for you in this restaurant three days from now at ten PM."<i></i> He placed a large sum of cash on the table, a prepayment for serves to be rendered. Surely this assassin knows the routine. The rest upon proof of his success. A success he hoped to read about long before the 72 hours were up. "Good day,"<i></i> he nodded politely as he slid out of the booth and waited for his 'guardian.'

[Attempting to Leave Topic with Wolverine]​

<i></i>

When ready we will go to Soons...

 

[Senju Kazuki]

"It will be." Kazuki replied as he picked up the cash and left the room. As he left the club, the air got easier to breath, the ambient temperature slowly increased to its normal temperature and a certain ease reached everyone's hearts as if death had left the building. They were not safe still, the Overlord's creature was there, at least while Aburabuta stayed there. Even so, a lingering presence of the White Wolf would remain there for a while. After all he had killed someone inside the club and deaths always left a permanent scar where they happened.


[Topic left]