(Chapter 3 - The Hut on the Mountain Peak)

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Caution never causes harm.

In order to obtain more information about the mysterious incident, Itachi and Kisame asked around in the village, posing as ordinary travelers from the Country of Water's capital. Luckily the existence of Akatsuki was barely known among the villager, and as they were told, no shinobi or other military intervention had been spotted so far in the village.

"Daimyo's recreation villa? Sure we have heard. They are intending to built the villa up there right? Of course no one would mind. Well it seems strange at first having so many outsiders coming inside the village, but they never bother with us and just directly head to the mountain peak and stay there. No, they never stays long or come down."

"Their food and provision? I dunno, they just stay there and never comes down. Maybe they hunt their own food or something? The resources are plenty here after all. Now that i think of it, how's the progress of the villa's building going?"

"Predator? Huh, i don't think so. As far as we knew no dangerous animal that would kill human exist here. Well, not if they're left alone. But at least if there's an attack, there would be reported injury right? Since i'm the only doctor here. But i don't know, maybe they have their own doctor or medical ninja so they don't need to come down here."

"Missing person? Who? Nah, never heard of it. It's always peaceful here, none of us ever experienced something like that."

"Anyone who might know more about the villa's construction? Hmmm, I guess old man Bocchon will have known, he lives on the forest near the mountain peak after all."

Kisame almost laughed at the silly name.

"Old man Bocchon?" Ask Itachi, confirming.

"Yes, an old hunter he is. He lives with his so-said-grand-daughter on the small hut near the mountain peak. Well, a lot of us doubted that though, the little girl is too cute to be his after all," the merchant laughed a bit, then continued,

"He is highly spirited even for his old age. Even though he doesn't hunt anymore, he always climbs up and down the mountain to buy some stuffs here. But well, we heard from his granddaughter that he is sick now so she is doing her errand alone while taking care of him. No surprise since he's a heavy drinker and all. But anyway, i'm sure he'd be the right person to ask about the construction since he's there all day long."

Itachi nodded at the merchant and thanked him for the information. When he and Kisame turned around to leave, the merchant called them back.

"Hey wait!" the merchant said, "You guys are going there right? If so, please do me a favor and deliver this to him from me."

The merchant ran towards Itachi and shoved a bag full of rice and herbs to him. The merchant smiled and continued.

"We and other villagers feel bad since we couldn't help the girl take care of the old man or even give her these stuffs ourselves. You know, since she won't be able to carry those heavy stuffs back up there. The path is already dangerous and steep even without carrying those stuffs. Even, it's amazing that they managed to went back and forth to that place, but well, i guess it's just the old hunter's passed down skills or such."

The merchant grinned cheerfully, "But you two are shinobi, right? My son is learning to be shinobi in Kirigakure, so i just knew it. Don't worry, i'll pay for your service later!"

Kisame was about to protest when Itachi took the package and nodded, leaving Kisame speechless.

"Sometimes i just don't get you," said Kisame to his partner.

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Author's Note:
I said that this fanfic will center around Uchiha Itachi, but why is kisame doing all the talking and Itachi barely speaks at all, and what's with all the info?

Well reason is, because i think as a member of Akatsuki, Itachi tried to hide himself a lot, so he will do his best to hide himself a lot, especially in front of fellow members. And Kisame is the more talkative between those two after all.

The lots of info is because, i'd like to make the plot stronger and so the mission will not be just a half assed plot device :3 It has to have relevance to everything and have impact to the characters and shows their characters more blablabla gosh i'm rambling

Anyway, i'm trying my best to write this serious fanfic, so enjoy :3