Chapter 1-27
"Tradition dictates that the swords change owners either through inheritance or conquest." He stated neutrally and I kept quiet, sensing the 'but' hanging in the air.
"During these times, however, traditions don't mean much." He said and unpacked a small scroll from his pouch.
"I will keep the swords in my custody, " He carried on while unhurriedly placing the weapons on the storage seal. "Raiga's defection is only a rumor currently and I intend to keep it that way for the time being. I will pose as him and let me be seen at random in or near the village."
Swords sealed in short order Ao stood and helped me up, probably to get things moving as soon as possible and to get back to more important work. "I will bring you to our headquarters, where you will receive proper training. Depending on your performance you may be presented with the chance to wield these swords and become a part of a new order." Here he held up the scroll for emphasis and his voice gained the hint of a far-away note, that was layered with pure conviction.
The trip was long, almost two days despite the brisk pace and the use of soldier pills and I got the distinct feeling while we were heading southeast, that our destination seemed to be on the very edges of the country.
The notion was only enforced when temperatures were steadily rising, and the vegetation was becoming increasingly sparse. Bare rock and sandy earth were dotted with patches of dry grass and thorny bushes while pine and wild olive trees as far as the eye could see lined the hilly countryside.
The sound of cicadas, the unmistakable smell of the sea nearby, and the warmth of the sun on my skin…following Ao on autopilot I felt my gaze wander and my body relax, the strain of the journey seemingly melting out of me in this pleasant heat.
The sight, that greeted me when we suddenly crested a nondescript hill took my breath away.
Picturesque but steep cliffs surrounded a bay in the shape of a half-moon, which gave the impression of the most beautiful natural harbor possible, which in turn was open to the turquoise blue sea that stretched to the horizon, the sun glittering on gentle waves wherever you looked.
Almost running headfirst into the broad back of Ao as he suddenly came to a stop in front of me was an unsurprisingly effective way to viciously rip me out of sudden retirement fantasies, involving me, a small cottage, and a comfy sunbed.
"Wait here." He said, ignoring by stumbling stop, and continued onwards to the rocky cliffside without so much of a backward glance.
"Hai." I answered respectfully, thankfully not forgetting he was quite a few steps up on this rebel ladder compared to me.
Basking in this glorious atmosphere I nonetheless kept my focus on the shrinking figure of Ao, who I noted was heading directly for the edge of the cliff…and over...
'Huh…'
My sensing seamlessly taking over for my sight I managed to follow the figure down the cliffside. Almost reaching the sea I sensed him tapping a spot on a small rock outcropping with a chakra-covered fingertip.
Raising my eyebrow in surprise, I closed my eyes in concentration and focused more closely, which revealed the tiniest of seals with an absolutely minuscule amount of chakra stored.
Focus steady I watched as Ao's chakra leaped instantly from his fingertip into the seal and then raced further in a straight line down until it reached the sea and the waves, where it spread out in a half-circle for, what I reckoned to be, four feet.
What exactly happened I couldn't tell with just my sensing, but Ao apparently was satisfied because he followed his chakra down and through whatever opening was revealed, as he suddenly stood on the ceiling of what had to be a cave…and then he was gone.
'WHAT?'
I stood straight; any pleasant feeling was instantly blown away. You don't just drop from MY senses.
Pulling back my senses from the pinpoint location I spread them out, hopeful to get a fucking hint of what the hell I possibly missed when I daydreamed my way to this spot.
Nothing…and…nothing.
I took a deep breath and relaxed. The headquarters of a rebel organization and I couldn't sense it…no big deal. Nope, just keep calm and carry on.
'Let's just get back into character. I am Sanzo Yukimura, twelve years old…'
Having relocated a few feet into the shadow of a nearby crocked-looking pine tree to escape the burning sun a while ago, roughly after going through my back story for the fourth time, my mind began to wander… and boy did it wander.
Dreams of a small stone cottage in these hills were regularly interrupted by just as enjoyable fantasies involving Hana or Kurenai-sensei at the beach.
'Almost three months gone again.' I sighed forlornly and leaned back against the rough bark.
They have a bit less than a year, I thought absently. My two little students should be preparing for their Genin-exams by now, which they were no doubt going to ace given the progress they made with me and their own determination, and then...they would be out here, swimming with the bigger fish.
Pings on my radar pushed me out of dreamland and back into the here and now. Remaining in the pleasant shade of the tree I let my gaze swivel to the cliff and lo and behold three little figures emerged back from behind the rocky ledge.
Confident to be firmly back in character I stepped away from the tree and 'at attention', ready to greet Ao and his two companions with the necessary respect and deference, although one of them seemed to be a child.
I ignored the kid, however, in favor of Ao's second companion. Something was tingling in the back of my mind,... that chakra…
Watching the three figures come closer at a relaxed pace I was finally able to make out details, one of which was the dark bandana of the man, that was giving me these familiar vibes.
'Where did I…'
'Oh Shit!'
Instantly I forced my thoughts to an entirely different topic, something mundane, drinking tea with Kurenai, something relaxing, lazing around with Hana after a full meal, just desperate to get back into a somewhat relaxed state.
Breathing and chakra exercise might be more effective, but way to obvious. No, I just…I just had to get to the level where I could pass of my nervousness as the result of being the new kid or something similar reasonable.
Visibly swallowing as the three Kiri shinobi came to a stop in front of me, I remained silent and waited for Ao to do the introductions. All the while I felt the wide-eyed gaze of the man with the bandana on me.
The kid with glasses gave me a hesitant but friendly wave, which I took as a good sign. Frankly, at that moment it was the best sign in the world, and I gave a nervous wave in return, using everything to bleed out some of my tension.
"The files didn't mention you were a sensor." Ao began in a tone that at least sounded neutral to my ears but nonetheless made me stare at him dumbly. 'Files?'
Thankfully I had use for my 'perplexed' expression.
"You aren't?" I asked, using my genuine surprise at the mention of files, to flavor my return question with the necessary hint of earnestness.
"I mean, yeah, I thought that's normal given our tendency to fight without sight." I said and shrugged my shoulders, playing the lack of proper shinobi education in the village straight before I continued. "Dad didn't make much of a deal when he trained me."
"I see." Ao turned to his still starring, and still quiet partner and paused.
"Unmo?"
"He looks like…" The man began in disbelief before he shook his head and furrowed his brow in discomfort. The kid observed the whole show with unfiltered curiosity but remained quiet. Ao meanwhile, apparently not quite following his partner's thoughts, turned his questioning gaze back onto me…before his uncovered eye suddenly widened in recognition.
"Unmo, take Chōjūrō to the training area." He clapped the still stunned man on the shoulder and absently motioned with a nod towards a hill. "Sanzo and I will follow shortly."
'Oh man, let's hope Itachi's mindfucks don't have an expiration date.' I thought as my gaze followed the retreating figure.