Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kazuma entered his village on the ferry that had carried him from the undeclared lands where the academy was located. The ferry carried him straight into the village on the river that fed the lake at the base of the massive tree that the village was situated around. Kazuma smiled as he stepped onto the dock underneath the shade of the tree that covered the village in a broken shadow throughout most of the day. It had been a while since he had been home. He had never exactly been greatly loved in his village. He kept to himself mostly, but humans cannot help but attract others to themselves, and he had made some friends through gambling and drinking. Kazuma was old, but not incredibly. He had been surprised when he had matured and the black tendrils had slowly grown to fill his body. From that time forward, his body had not aged. However, he had begun to feel tired. In the year or so before he had decided to attend the academy and become a shinobi, he had noticed himself getting tired quicker, and running out of breath faster. He was aging, despite his appearance. After making this discovery, Kazuma had begun researching the history of his clan. The information that the village had on his clan was broken and incomplete. It was obvious that any recorded information they had had been looked through and cut in order to preserve someone's secrets. However, Kazuma had read about his clan's tendency to steal the hearts of their enemy shinobi, as well as their incredibly long life span. He figured that there must be some connection. And indeed there was. He now had two hearts inside of him and he felt much better. He was back on his game and it felt fantastic. He could even feel new chakra flowing through him. It was still his, but it was changing. Kazuma thought about all of this as he walked across the damn that held back the lake in which the great tree grew.

Kazuma was rather taken aback by this stranger. He couldn't decide if it was his formality or his informality that set him apart. But kazuma had to wonder what he was doing here, and why he felt that he should talk to him in that manner. Kazuma was wearing a new suit, and his stitches were 95% covered excluding a bit on his neck and his wrists. Kazuma had always been intrigued by the world of business, and so had preserved his face in order to maintain the possibility of conducting business without drawing to much unwanted attention. He looked at the boy before him. Why should I worry about returning to my home village? Though I may not be returning to some big parade or gala event, I am not feared here, and even have some friends in certain circles. The question I'd like to ask is, who are you to ask such things of me?

Kazuma grunted as he walked by the excited youth. There's not much going on in the village right now. In fact there's never really a lot going on in the Hidden Waterfall village. Honestly, I'm not sure why anyone ever comes here. Kazuma walked on past the youth as he made his way towards the dam that led from one side of the village to the other. He was interested in going to see the massive tree at the center of the lake which the Hidden Waterfall village was situated around. As he walked he thought of something. So tell me, why are you here? Is there something you came to accomplish? Are you just another shinobi looking for powerful jutsu? Or are you here for some other reason?

Kazuma stopped in mid-step as the youth spoke. He didn't turn around at first. What did this kid want with the kakuzu? Why would he track down a group of ninja who were know for their power unless he hoped to gain something from them? Kazuma gained power by stealing the hearts of his opponents he defeated in battle. Azami Zetsu gained power by eating her foes. Was it to much to think that there might be others out there who gained power from their enemies? Or perhaps he was here for revenge. Perhaps someone he knew had been killed by a kakuzu? Or maybe he was just one of those guys who felt that it was their divine mandate to hunt down and destroy those like the kakuzu? Kazuma had to be careful. He wasn't so good with sensing chakra, although he figured if this kid's chakra was so much higher than his own he'd be able to notice. However, without knowing his abilities, he would have to be careful. Kazuma glanced over his shoulder. He wasn't to fond of that halo that seemed to hang over the boy's head. If he didn't know better, he'd say it was made of pure chakra. Kazuma took a breath and turned, smiling. My name is Kazuma Torisuna, of the Hidden Waterfall village. Allow me to be the first to welcome you... The Kakuzu clan, eh? Not much is known about them. However, they are a mark of shame upon our shining village, and they are dangerous. I believe that there are several running about the world at the time, but I couldn't tell you anything about their location... Tell me, why are you looking for the Kakuzu?

Kazuma was relieved that his cover name had been convincing. Well, it should be since it was the name he had gone by for a long time. He had found long ago that openly stating that you were from a clan such as the kakuzu was dangerous. It tended to attract some unwanted attention. He wasn't convinced though. Most shinobi were only concerned with increasing their own clan's power, and beyond that, most were only interested in furthering their own power. Kazuma didn't think that this youth was telling him everything, but what could he do? Asking to many questions might raise the boy's suspicions. Kazuma turned beginning to continue on into the village. Well, you are welcome to accompany me into the village, but I can't promise that we will meet any kakuzu. Kazuma kept himself at the ready around this person.

Kazuma smirked good-natured. God this kid was nosey. Kazuma continued walking, expecting the youth to follow. His manner was almost like a tour guide. Well, the Torisuna is a smaller clan, less widely known than infamous clans such as the Kakuzu. But I'm afraid I can't tell you much more than that. Trade secrets you know. Kazuma turned his head and smiled at his own joke. He hoped that the kid would stop asking questions.

This kid was beginning to wear on Kazuma's nerves. Without warning, he spun around to face Zeru. As he did so, he reached into his jacket an pulled out a black rod. Kazuma swung the rod out at Zeru. The rod extended, telescoping out, revealing a spiked end, stopping just short of Zeru's face. My friend, forgive me for my deceit, but I cannot shake the feeling that you are here for only one reason. Kakuzu or not, I simply cannot just sit back and let you kill another member of my village without taking action. It is my duty as a shinobi of the Hidden Waterfall, to stop hostile forces from entering my village. You come here as an assassin. Do you think that you should just be able to go around and do as you like? This land is not as lawless as some of the other villages think. Kazuma smiled slyly as he slowly moved around the Fuka clan member. Keeping his weapon trained on the shinobi before him. Now, you will tell me of the powers of the Fuka clan now. Kazuma smiled. He was taking a risk, not knowing what the ninja's powers were, but if the shinobi wasn't looking for a fight, then he might be able to gain some valuable information.