Suspicious behavior

Starts some curiosity.

Sure to be trouble,

Scary implications

Soon to be realized.

-

Shisui and Naruto made their way through the bustling crowd. They were nearing the stadium, and Naruto seemed to be growing more and more anxious by the foot.

"Dude, what the hell is going on?" Naruto hid himself behind Shisui as they shuffled forward, "You're freaking me out. Does this have to do with the concrete-"

"SHHH," Naruto kicked Shisui's calf, causing the Uchiha to grunt in pain, "Don't say it so loud!"

"You're the one drawing attention to yourself!" Naruto was covered head to toe, absolutely no skin showing, in all black, "You look like you brought a bomb or something."

"It's not suspicious-ttebayo! You're suspicious!" Naruto kicked Shisui again, "I need to be completely anonymous. If they even SUSPECT that it's me, I won't be able to get in," Shisui led them over to a bench near the entrance to the stadium.

"What did you even do? And why won't you tell me? This would be so much easier," he sat down and started to rub his calf.

"I just can't tell you."

"Ya'know, you being so adamant about not telling me just makes me want to find out more," Naruto kicked Shisui again, "Would you knock that off?! Seriously, at least pick a different spot!" Naruto responded by kicking him in the shin instead, "Bitch!"

"Shisui-kun, don't say such mean things," Naruto twiddled his fingers and looked down.

"You are in no position to be messing with me, according to this at least," he held up a slip of paper. It read: "The Concrete Demon, AKA, The Concrete Helicopter - Wanted alive - Bounty: 10 million Ryo - Wanted for: Heinous acts which cannot be named."

Naruto crumpled the paper up and threw it as far as he could, "What did you even do?"

Shisui asked, astounded, "That's like, 1/4 of my bounty."

"Keep bragging about it," Naruto waved his hands around in exasperation. He sat down next to Shisui and sighed, "In time, you will know the tragic extent of my failings."

"Whatever," Shisui sat back and crossed his arms, "When do you think this Jeremy guy'll show up?"

Naruto scoffed, "I hope never," he shook his head as he sat down, "Probably one of the worst people I've met."

"Well I bet Hinata humbled him a bit."

"Doubtful," Naruto shook his head, "He was a real bully. He deserved what he got."

"I mean he seemed pretty snotty from what I saw of him yesterday. He was kinda rude to Shikamaru. What did he do to deserve THAT level of humiliation?"

"He was... he was vicious-ttebayo," Naruto shook his head again, "Some of the stuff he would say- I remember specifically towards Hinata of all people- made me sick."

"Yeesh. Even when she's scary, it's really hard to be mean to that girl," Shisui leaned forward, "It's funny how you can talk about bad stuff Jeremy did, but not about what you did," Naruto kicked at Shisui's calf, but the latter dodged, "Oh! You've lost it, Uzumaki."

"Excuse me," they were interrupted by another voice from nearby. Naruto and Shisui turned their heads to face the speaker.

"Huh," Naruto murmured under his breath, "Didn't sound like Jeremy."

"I was supposed to meet some ninja here. Would you happen to be," he looked at his hand, "Shi-swoo?"

"Yup," Shisui stuck a hand up, "Jeremy?" Jeremy nodded as Shisui and Naruto stood up, "Well, we're all here, let's get going," Shisui started to walk, stopping only when he realized neither of his accomplices budged. He turned to face the two, "Uhhhhh-"

"Why aren't you making fun of me yet-ttebayo?!" Naruto got in Jeremy's face.

"Who are you?" Jeremy walked around the disguised Naruto. He continued to walk as Naruto stared in awed silence.

'He didn't... even call me a peasant or anything.'

'He didn't scoff or spit on you either.'

'No rude remarks of any kind... Remarkable..." Kurama scribbled something in a notebook in the dream space. He closed the book, and the cover read, "The Jeremy Files: Volume 6."

'Definitely a different... aura,' Naruto pondered. Kurama marked it down.

Shisui kicked Naruto in the shin, waking the blonde, "Payback, dumbass. Oh, and Hurry up," Shisui stuffed his hands in his pockets and began to walk away, "The yakisoba here is world famous. I wanna get in before it sells out."

"Keep your pants on," Naruto started to follow Shisui, "Not like it's going anywhere."

Shisui laugher, "That's rich. Reaal rich."

"Eh?"

"You could have been gone from the village for an hour, and no matter what, the first thing you do is sprint to Ichiraku."

"I don't see your point."

"Yeah, no, that makes sense," Shisui shook his head, "It's not like the ramen's going anywhere either," Naruto gawked at Shisui, "You we're saying earlier about-" Shisui sighed, "Nevermind. Whatever."

"You're weird, Shisui."

"Yeah and you're dull as," he stammered, fumbling to muster a comeback, "...rock."

"I'm dull as rock?"

"You said it yourself," Naruto kicked at Shisui, "Just knock that off already! You look like a child."

"I know, right?" Naruto kicked again, "It's a lot of fun-ttebayo!" He slung another kick. And another, and another, all the way to the entrance.

-

"I just feel like," Jeremy waved his hands in front of him as he searched for an explanation, "I'm wearing like, this mask, you know?"

"That's cool, man," the service worker Jeremy was talking to handed a bento to a customer, "I'll ask you again, because I'm bound by contract to do so: would you like to join our rewards program?"

"It's like... the mask... comes off when I'm alone- like when I vomited yesterday- but it always comes back on naturally."

The employee shook his head, "I get paid less than most children. I'm not a therapy-ninja."

"Right, sorry," Jeremy shuffled uncomfortably, "Would you like me to pay you? In exposure?"

"Just actual money would be nice."

-

"YOU'RE SOLD OUT!?" Shisui shouted.

"Yes, sir, I'm very sorry."

"You're sure?"

The employee shrugged "Yes."

"Grr," Shisui clenched and unclenched his fist, "Then I'll just get two curry buns and," he looked to Naruto, "Want anything?"

Naruto eyed the menu. He was thirsty, but they only had one drink, "What's 'Ninja Gatorade'?"

"Dessert for sports," he paused, "Its got electrolytes: the stuff that plants crave."

"I'll just take the biggest size of that and some yakitori."

"What flavor of ninja Gatorade do you want? We have red, blue, yellow, and Moon River Rock Rolling Blast."

"Red? I guess?"

"That'll be 4765."

"Sorry?" Shisui raised his eyebrows in shock, "Whatnow?"

"Shisui, the food's always expensive. Did you not look at the price?" Naruto asked as he pointed to the menu, "Talk about dull."

"Whatever. You want me to pay?"

"Can you guys hurry up?" The worker serving them asked anxiously.

"Sorry," Naruto muttered,"Here," he handed Shisui enough to cover his portion, "Why're you so nervous about it, worker-guy?"

"Look, just don't worry about it," he grabbed the money from Shisui, "You're order will be ready in 15 minutes. Have a spectacular day!" He added with a smile.

"Thanks," Shisui and Naruto replied. As they walked off, the smile on the workers face immediately dissolved.

"That was... fishy," Shisui noted as they walked towards Jeremy. As they neared their other colleague, they overheard the conversation between Jeremy and a janitor.

"Please, you should take this! You get paid less than-"

"Shhhh- you can't say that out loud!"

"Jeremy, why are you harassing this man?" Naruto asked as he leaned on a nearby napkin cart.

"I was just trying to-"

"I would appreciate if you left me alone," the employee moved away as he swept, "Oh, great: a ninja. You usually keep out of others' business," he muttered sarcastically.

Naruto squinted and started towards the man, "Hey, what's a matter with-" Shisui grabbed his shoulder.

"If you're going to try to get answer about what's going on from him, it won't happen."

"But I-"

"Jeremy," Shisui turned his attention from Naruto, "What were you talking to him about?"

"I was just trying to give-"

Naruto interrupted Jeremy "Why can't I just talk to the guy?"

"Naruto. Shut. Up," Shisui turned to Naruto, "Something's going on. You know that. We need to keep it low key. Don't go around shouting about how we're investigating a conspiracy," he brought his hands up to his lips, "And you of all people should be trying to keep a low-profile."

"Right... yeah," Naruto conceded.

"I was just trying to give that," Jeremy stopped for a moment, "That's Naruto?" He pointed to the black-clad person. Shisui nodded. "Oh uh, hey," Naruto gave a lazy wave. "Anyway, I was just trying to give that," Jeremy searched for a non-offensive word for peasant, "hardworking, blue collar civilian money."

Naruto laughed out loud. Shisui stepped on Naruto's foot, closing his mouth. Like a garbage can. "Why were you doing that?"

Jeremy shifted in place. He pointed to an information kiosk, "I was talking to that guy, and he said that they make less than most children."

"That's absurd! Crazy-ttebayo!"

"Not necessarily. You're technically still a child Naruto. How much did you make last month?" Naruto rubbed the back of his head. He didn't answer, but the message was clear.

As the group looked at the worker Jeremy mentioned, he gave a a cutthroat gesture, and nodded to his right with his head. They followed the nod, and noticed a broad man wearing a classic black and white suit, " Howdy, gentleman. Need'ny help?" He crossed his arms behind his back and gave a closed eye grin.

Jeremy raised a finger, "How much do you-"

Shisui interrupted, "Charge for takoyaki on the other side of the building?" Jeremy recoiled in shock. Shisui glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.

Before beginning to speak, Jeremy had given a quick glance back to the info clerk. Shisui picked up on that.

"Oh," the imposing man spoke, "I'm afraid I don't have the answer. That's something one of our convenient information kiosks might be able to help you with," he pointed to the one behind them.

"Thanks," Shisui poked the other two in their sides, "We'll go check it out," he added with a smile as he grabbed Jeremy and Naruto and started towards the info kiosk.

"What's going on? Why are you being so... weird?" Jeremy asked.

"If something fishy's going on," Shisui glanced back at the big guy, "Then we wouldn't want to announce that we're trying to investigate that to someone like that."

"What, big scary guys?" Naruto asked.

"Just the people that could be in on it," Shisui looked side to side, "So that could be anyone, got it? Don't trust anyone but us," the other two nodded as they approached the info kiosk.

"Hello, how may I make your day absolutely fantastic," the employee said in bland monotone.

"Howdy! Me and my associates here are looking for some jobs," Shisui leaned on the counter, "What's the hourly wage at this fine, seemingly worker-friendly establishment?"

"I am bound by contract to not disclose information about my employer," the man said, rather too quickly. He cleared his throat, "Any questions about possible employment must be directed to a manager. Is there any thing else you need?"

Shisui pursed his lips and tapped the counter as he analyzed the stand, "Jeremy, could you hand me one of those menus?"

Jeremy scoffed, "Me? Manual labour?" He pinched himself and shook his head, "Yeah, here... sorry."

Shisui held a gaze on him for a moment. He shook his head and turned around, "Let's do a hypothetical-"

"Leisure activities or games if any kind are prohibited during working hours."

Shisui grit his teeth, "Okaaay... I have a question," he unfolded the menu, "If I were to be given one hour's worth of your hourly salary, what would be the most expensive thing I could purchase on this menu?"

"Any discussion regarding my wage is strictly prohibited via clause 15-6-7 of my contract. Is there-"

"Open your mouth."

"Sorry?"

"Open your mouth," Shisui repeated, "Show me your tongue."

"An employee's mouth can only be opened to talk or breath during the work day. Anything more is forbidden via clause twel-"

"Thanks. That'll be all."

"Have a wonderful day," the employee said in his normal, albeit now slightly more worried voice, "But you seriously need to be careful."

"Thanks for the warning," Naruto responded, "And you as well," the employee nodded. He watched as the other three walked off.

"What... happened there?" Jeremy asked as he followed behind the other two.

"Fishy. That's for sure," Naruto replied. He was also slightly confused about the previous events.

"Naruto, what did you just say? Jeremy asked you what happened."

"Uhhh-"

"You said fishy?" Shisui tilted his head, "Fishy happened?" Naruto kicked at Shisui, "ENOUGH with that."

"Um... So what did- ahem- what happened?"

"Right. Sorry. The tongue thing?" Jeremy nodded, "Da-" Shisui coughed, interrupting himself, "A former head of a highly secret organization used to use seals to keep people from mouthing off about him," they stopped near where Shisui and Naruto ordered food, "The seal would be placed on the tongue. That's why I asked him to open his mouth."

"And you think he has this-"

"Order for Shisui?" The employee called out, "I've got an order here for Shisui."

Shisui stuck a hand up as he walked to the counter, "Yeah, right here," he grabbed two bentos and a large souvenir soda cup, "Thanks."

"Hope I could be HELPful. Nothing makes ME feel better than that," Shisui gave a slow nod as he turned to walk back to the group.

"Ooh, is that mine?" Naruto asked.

Shisui handed him his box, "I think something is seriously up, you guys," Shisui was about to open his container, when Naruto whined in disgust.

"Yuck, rice," he grabbed a handful, "here, Shisui, hold onto this," he tossed it at him. Shisui slugged him hard in the arm.

"Can't you read the room, dumbass?" Naruto looked at him dumbfounded, "I'm being serious here. Something is seriously going on in this place, so now's not the time to be messing around like that."

"Alright, alright, I get it, Dattebayo. Sorry," there was a long pause, "Sooo... are you going to clean it up?"

Shisui teleported begins him. He grabbed Naruto's head, and toppled him over, "Yeah, I'll clean it up: using your face as a mop!"

A new voice gave a cough from their right. They looked at the new person. It was as if a string pulled their heads up together, "Excuse me. Sir? The top," Shisui pointed to himself, "Yes, you. I'm afraid I must ask you to leave."

"What?! But-"

"Use of jutsu of any kind is prohibited in the stadium," Shisui opened his mouth to protest, "The use of jutsu opens up the possibility of a terrorist attack, as well as cheating from the players. Please, allow me to escort you peacefully to the exit."

Shisui snarled, "Can I clean this up first?"

"I assure you there are plenty of cleaning staff on hand," one of the janitors rushed in to the rice mess, "Please, follow me, sir."

Shisui walked off in front of the man. He grabbed onto Shisui's arm, to which, Shisui replied, "I can walk myself," the man let go, "You know, you could really do with putting up a sign or something. You know, 'no jutsu allowed' or something."

"Okay, sir. Thank you for the suggestion."

Naruto stood up and joined Jeremy in a shocked staring contest with Shisui's back, "So... what now?" Jeremy asked.

Naruto took a long swig from his drink without breaking his stare, "I guess we just watch the game. Maybe I'll figure out if something's actually going on here."

Jeremy tilted his head and looked at Naruto, "You still don't know if something fishy is going on?" Naruto recoiled a bit in offense, "The workers are being criminally underpaid, silenced, and-"

"Well, I'm sure I'll stumble across a solution eventually," he took another pull from his straw, "But I'm really looking forward to this game. So without further ado-"

Jeremy tuned him out. He would have to solve this on his own. Naruto 1.) definitely would not listen to anything Jeremy had to say (and to be honest, for good reason) and 2.) was too dull to see it himself. This would be... this would be Jeremy's redemption! At least for a little bit of his assholery. Jeremy's redemption-ish!

-

Shisui slumped down onto a curb nearby. He put his elbow on his knee, and his chin in his palm, "Damn. Hope I'm not banned for the series," he sighed, "Oh well. Might as well eat," he opened up his bento. He grabbed one of his curry buns, and took a bite, 'Hm. Kareban. That could be my nickname. Like Hinata is kehiban because she likes cinnamon buns,' he took another bite, 'I like curry buns so-"

Shisui noticed something strange in the box. He reached down to pick it up when-

"Why you looking so glum, dummy?" He heard someone ask. He looked up from his meal and noticed two familiar figures.

"That's pretty harsh, but he's got a point. You look pretty bummed, Shisui," Haku added.

"Thanks," Shisui muttered, "What are you guys here."

"I'm a big downpour fan," Zabuza shrugged, "Came to see the game."

"And I'm here to support him," Haku added.

"Do you..." Shisui twiddled his fingers, "Think you could sneak me in?"

"Of course!" Zabuza beamed, "It'll cost you though!"

"What am I paying?"

"Give me your other curry bun."

Shisui contemplated for a moment. He looked at the bun, then back at Zabuza, then at the bun, then at the stadium. He looked at the bun one last time. It seemed to speak to him.

"Do the right thing, Brother."

"All right. Fine," he handed it to Zabuza. He took a mental note of the conversation with the bun.

"Halfsies?" Haku asked.

"I'll give you a fourth," Zabuza tore a piece off.

"Two-thirds," Haku negotiated.

"What? You went up?"

"Nine twelfths, take it or leave it."

"What? How do I even- ? I'll leave it," Zabuza pulled the bun back tentatively.

"Nice, then I get all of it."

"Wait. Two thirds."

"Deal," Haku beamed. Zabuza tore a piece and threw it in his mouth. He handed the bigger piece to Haku. She chomped away blissfully.

"You just... let her do that."

"That's the best outcome," he gave Shisui a stern look, "You don't want to know what she can do with those needles, man."

Shisui gulped, Haku winked as she took another bite, "So Uh- do... you- Uh-"

"Shisui," Zabuza turned the smooth Uchiha towards himself, "Look at me, not her."

"Right, sorry," he shook himself, "Intimidating, sorry." He cleared his throat, "So, do you guys have an extra ticket or something?"

Zabuza laughed, "Ticket? Yeah right."

Shisui looked at him confused, "What do you mean by that?"

"We don't have tickets. We're not that rich."

"Don't you have Gatou's entire fortune?"

"2%, the land of waves has most of the rest. We were just going to sneak in," he leaned in close and whispered, "Illegally."

Shisui side-eyed him, "You know, I detain people like you," Zabuza snarled and Haku gasped, "But I'm not on duty. You're lucky I'm on vacation, Momochi." Zabuza smirked.

"All right. Let's do this then," he set off towards the stadium.

"Isn't it funny how you always help us commit crimes, Shisui?" Haku asked.

"Only twice."

"You spoke coherently," she chided, "Well done!" She pat his shoulder.

He squirmed away, "Don't- Just... You stop that."

She giggled, "Sure thing. Let's go watch some baseball."

"Oh, yeah, wait," Shisui gestured then towards him, "I think there's some sort of scandal going on in there. The workers are apparently being underpaid."

"Oh. I don't feel bad about breaking the law now," Zabuza replied.

"You didn't feel bad in the first place, dear."

"I know. I still don't feel bad."

-

Hey all!

This chapter took me a loooong time to write, so I'm sorry for that. I'm not going g to get your expectations up by saying this will be uploaded by Sunday like I did a while ago. Just know that the next chapter will be up ASAP. I've been super busy, and have only had one or two days off to work on writing, so it's been pretty hard to get in a writing mood and mindset.

Tl;dr, Sorry for taking so long writing this. There's no guarantee of when the next chapter goes up, but I'm working on it.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Despite getting writer's block, I enjoyed it greatly. I hope you also have/had a great day/night/week (or else!)

Buh-bye!

Jerry