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Sai quietly made his way through the crowd of people that were traveling to and from their jobs or errands for the day. It was a quiet annoying and tedious process, specially when it would have been so easy to travel from the trees or rooftops, even the bottom part of the bridges would have been easier but Sai didn't need to draw more attention to himself. They were being watched but such uncharacteristic would just draw whoever's eyes on him more and then the twin's plans would have been all for naught.

Feigning a yawn that racked his entire body as one of his hands rubbed his weary face, Sai pushed open the glass door of a shop with the other. The store was plain and was full of only the most basic ninja tools, but that was the only supplies that he needed to get. It would have been nice to acquire some of those more unique and dangerous weapons and tools but that was to attention worthy and he needed parcels that would blend in easily. So a grin played against Sai's lips as he gathered himself a pile of explosive tags, each one was neatly folded into small origami shuriken. Then came the wires, kunais, and shuriken, each of which were strung together in various sets with the wires so to keep them neat and organized. Finally came the smoke bombs, there was only a handful that he actually placed to buy, however a much larger sum was pocketed when the shop owner wasn't looking, along with more explosive tags that weren't altered in anyway.

As soon as Sai had finished buying his parcels, his heart slightly accelerated from the worry of being caught stealing, he quickly exited the shop and made his way back onto the maze of bridges. The moment he reached a busy intersection, he placed his hand onto the edge of the bridge and slipped over it, not falling to the ground or branches below but instead catching himself upside to walk on the underbelly of the bridge. With a grin he continued making his way towards the slums upside down, coming down to the ground below only after he felt confident that he hadn't been followed.
(497)

The sound of a wire being released from it's wheel filled the immediate area as Sai wrapped a wire around the base of a tree and continued on to wrap it around the supports of a bridge. For the last hour or so he had been rushing this way and that amongst the underbelly of the village, wrapping wires around the support beams for various buildings and the trees that stood nearest to them. In fact the building he chose were mainly residential buildings and restaurants, choosing specifically the beams that were positioned on only one particular side of any restaurant and were beneath any said house. Each of the buildings were stationed a pre-calculated amount of meters away from each other, and majorly semi-surrounded larger buildings, buildings that were actually government buildings that stood high above the rest and were quite noticeable.

At the end, beginning, or corner of the wires that were wrapped around any particular object, there were one or two explosive tags that were wrapped carefully around the razor thin wires. Everything was set, all that was left to do was to soak the wires and various parts of the village's support beams and bases. The barrels of gun powder would be placed in the more difficult places, or strategical sections that required a bigger blast then rest. When all was said and done they would be left with only the shuriken, kunais, smoke bombs, the shuriken shaped explosive tags, three wheels of wires, and at least a barrel of oil and gun powder.

Standing quietly at the entrance to the slums, Sai crossed his arms across his chest and stared out into the distance wondering what had happened to Sennyo. If he had followed Sai he would have most likely been lost a hour or so before when he slipped through the crowd and into the slums below. Maybe he found his way and went to alert the authorities? It could have been possible he was lost or even with Sorain at the very moment. With a shrug, he easily dismissed the questions and continued to wait for his brother to show up so they could finish picking up the remaining supplies.

Sai sighed heavily as he looked over the materials, "Guessing you couldn't get your hands on any oil then, eh?" Shaking his head softly, he rubbed his chin as he watched his brother begin to work and tell him a small addition to the plan he had thought up. For a moment, Sai simply watched his twin as he chewed on his bottom lip and thought about what they could do to make it even better. "Ah well... Guess we didn't really need it, would've been helpful though. In any case, I'll do you one better. Why don't we hook up the flares with an explosive tag and some gun powder, then package it up and give it to some kid. Have the kid deliver it to a building or something nearby the Mizukage's Mansion. It'll throw them completely off base and with the combination of all of that material it'll make a pretty flashy start." Sai said with a grand gesture that was completely lost on his brother's sightless eyes. Dropping his arms as he quickly realized the waste, the boy continued on, "Now that will definitely throw them for a serious loop... In any case, I shall be back, I'm going to make sure out escape route is cleared."

Grabbing the last barrel, Sai made his way into the forest that surrounded the village completely. It would be there that he would pour lines of the gun powder around the trees in various directions, the powder was meant to stretch out and branch out into various patterns before coming back and rejoining exactly twenty meters ahead of where the entrance would begin. It was set so the moment a person entered a radius of two meters of the entrance, small explosive tags would go off and light the beginnings of the powder trail. The lighted trail would stretch out and curve around to the sides and then come back within the time that the person would be able to get ahead roughly sixteen to eighteen meters. At which point they would end at the keg and the large explosion would take out any pursuers and close their path up slightly by causing the trees to fall into the way. Smoke bombs would also be set near by so to help confuse the enemy and wires would be set for thirty to fifty yards with trip set kunais and shuriken ready to strike down any continuing followers.

The boy was doing his best not to cut any corners in making sure that him and his brother would be able to escape with their lives and continue on to live the lives they always wished for. Smiling at the completion of his job, Sai returned to his brother. "So are you ready man?"


It would be some hours later before the duo was completely ready to go, and in the last minutes of the night, a young delinquent boy would ride his bicycle to a residence that stood just outside of the vicinity of the Mizukage's Mansion. There he would place a decent sized package just off the doorstep before peddling quickly away into the night to spend his new found money on whatever his heart felt. At exactly five minutes til midnight.....
(581)

Hibiki and Kuro shared glances and seemed to giggle in unison, despite the fox not being able to actually giggle, "Well, it seems we have a crime scene, a motive, and a suspect, or suspects. The number one person being the store owner over here, using petty thieves to do his bidding. Now we just need to catch them in the act! Allowing us to use their shop for an ambush, is perfect timing." The Inuzuka was ecstatic and filled with glee at the thought of figuring this whole thing out. It was as if this mission was a puzzle or brain-teaser and Hibiki finally found the trick to completing it.

"Whether these vandals are weak or not is not something to underestimate. We are still only genin and we do not know how many of them there are. Only way we could one-up them in manpower would be to await their break in, and then strike without mercy. Therefore, I have no objection to whatever plan you lay down as of now." For once, Hibiki was sincere with these words. He didn't think Kyu was a great leader, but the Inuzuka didn't want to be in such a dangerous mission when he just graduated the academy and needed someone with a bit more experience in charge than himself.

With a quick salut, Hibiki chuckled again in his fox-like way, "Point me in the direction of the pharmacy, I do wish to set up some traps here and there." He shook the contents of his ninja pouch strapped to his waist with glee. Even Kuro was excited, his fur was bristling with static electricity as it discharged with small zap sounds. "I love sneak attacks!" Hibiki exclaimed to his best friend, Kuro yipping in response.

Kurosai dug his claws deep into the soil trying to hold his ground against the pressure wave created by Kaji's enormous burst of chakra. The attempt was admirable but futile in the end. Kurosai was forced back step by step until the pressure wave suddenly stopped, and Kaji seemed to be more focused and in control. However Kurosai could smell the ozone building and feel the static electricity standing his hair on end. He knew that Kaji was about to unleash lightning upon the battle field.

He pointed his head up and let out a loud howl. The howl quickly turned into a guttural roar as Kurosai's body shifted and changed. His muscles and bones became more dense, his fangs and claws became more prominent and his already imposing form was made more terrifying by streams of chakra that rose from his fur. Slowly the streams flowed together to form a chakra cloak very simliar to Kaji's. Kurosai let out another howl and prepared himself for the coming battle.








None

Novvus was now viewing the clearing at a different angle, directly behind the feral pair. It was then that he noticed that images of himself were on every other mirror. A thought came to his mind.
I can travel from mirror to mirror without giving off my exact location! Novvus looked up and saw that there were many more windows above him. He jumped up, intrigued by the fact that he did not fall back to ground level, but floated in place in front of the window. The dark-skinned boy proceeded to relocate himself around the dome of windows, floating up to the third level of mirrors then diving down to the first or second, exercising his newfound power. Another idea formed in Novvus' head. He floated to a mirror that was positioned behind Kaji and slowly pushed his arm through it. The bandaged limb slid through the ice medium without a hitch. Nodding, Novvus sprang from the mirror and leaped into the air, landing onto the feral boy's back.

The chakra enveloping Kaji had a malignant feel to it, as if it were made of pure killing intent. The currents of electricity were almost unbearable, sending jolts of pain up through his legs and spine. Before the pain overcame him, the dark-skinned boy did a back-flip and landed neatly into the mirror behind them.
"That hurt...." said Novvus checking his feet and legs for injury. There were minor burns on his skin and faint scorch marks on his pants. "I have to do something before this gets too out of hand." Novvus was sure that Kaji would be enraged by the stunt he had pulled. He used that distraction to reposition himself in a place the feral boy would least expect him to appear. When Kaji was not facing his direction, Novvus shot out of the mirror in a blur. "Hey, Kaji! Suuuuurpriiiise!!" When the feral boy turned it was too late. Novvus landed on the ground and transferred the power of his rebound into a spiraling uppercut that sent him flying. Kaji landed with a thud a few feet away, then Novvus brought his still-clenched fist to his lips. "I'm sorry, but this was the only way i could get you to calm down without causing too much damage."

Kyuzaku nodded, “You’ve got that one right, mutt. We have everything to catch them in the act, but now we need a plan to unfold. Follow me, I’ll show you to the place.” Kyuzaku walked away from the group circle and began to rattle off his plans, “In the pharmacy, the man has two arrow-repeater turrets set up. It seems over the top, but no doubt, they’ll be useful in one way or another. There’s also a dropping gate to trap them in. However, I have a good feeling that the enemy knows this from experience, and will use clones like they did against our Rinku. The building is in a similar location to the last one, so perhaps there will be a useable fire escape like the one that Hibiki found…” Kyu scratched his chin, and puzzled over a strategy.

“If they use clones for the actual theft, there’s no reason to be inside. We can trap it up, so when they get so far in, they’ll trigger the gate. We could also put dummies in the turrets and behind the table, so it looks like the place is being guarded like before. Once their clones get in, they’ll be trapped, and will be either forced to disperse or pull chakra from their owners. Hmm, maybe I could post a Water Clone in there. He’ll attack them on the inside, and make a signal when he’s dispersed them. In the event that they are not clones, he might be canceled, and, of course, I’ll know immediately. Hopefully, the real ones will be outside, and we’ll be tracking down the real ones. With Hibiki and Kuro’s nose, it shouldn’t be really hard. Given that they’re up to the challenge.” Kyu hadn’t noticed, but he had begun to speak of his team in the third person, instead of speaking as if they were there, “Once they’re found, we may move into full ninja-to-ninja battle. We cannot kill them, that would be against the guidelines of the mission.” Kyu shook his head, “We need to capture one true ninja. After stunning them, or holding them down, we simply need to pierce them with a kunai… That will prove that they’re a real person, not a clone. Once that’s finished, we clear out from the area with the ninja. If he doesn’t spill the information we need, we can bring him to the mission offices to interrogate him. In the hands of interrogators, he’ll confess. He will… We may be asked to finish the mission, and confront the shop owner, and shut down the place.” Kyuzaku nodded, and mumbled, “This will work… I know it…” I just have to put a bit too much trust in these two. I can’t track like Hibiki can, and I need Rinku’s third-person-in-the-group manpower.

Kyuzaku looked to his sides, “Sorry. I was kind of rambling there, wasn’t I?” He looked up, and there was the pharmacy. Inside, the shopkeep and his three employees scampered around, setting up the shop for another raid. Kyuzaku smiled beneath his facemask, “Listen you two, I’m going to start setting up in here. You two check out the area together. You should be safe in a group. Like before, look for vantage points, look for hiding spots, and most importantly, look for places that look like the ninja have been hanging out there during these raids. If they’ve been attacking night after night with shadow clones like I thing, they’ll be setting up a spot that they can supervise from. If you can find that spot, then we have a place to start looking from, and maybe even a spot for Hibiki to pick up a scent. Maybe, you’ll even be able to compare that scent to the scent on the headband. Mind you two, this is all hypothetical…” Kyuzaku turned around to face his two comrades, “After you’ve collected the information, return here, fill me in, and we’ll set up the traps. That’s the game plan. Now, get on with it.” Kyu backed away, and then entered the shop.



Kyuzaku entered the pharmacy, and saluted the pharmacist, “Me and my group have decided to use your shop as our stake out location!” The man looked surprised and relieved, and replied, “What can we do for you Mr. Ninja.” Kyu grinned, “Here’s the plan: We’ll be making sack-cloth dummies to put behind the turrets. Me and my partners will then set up a trap to trip your falling gate. When the vandals enter, they’ll believe that you’re guarding the place as usual. They’ll enter, like usual, and once they’re in, they’ll activate a trap. The gate falls, and they’re trapped.” Kyuzaku nodded, then walked into the center of the room, “You’ll be helping me set up, right?”

The pharmacist started ordering around his three employees. Together, they began hitching up sack-cloth bags together into the form of scarecrows. With very little effort, their silhouettes would look like a tired set of guards. Meanwhile, the girl who was formerly behind the table undid the controls by Kyu’s orders, and began to connect them so that they could be used as a trap. Kyuzaku would leave the actual ninja-wiring to Hibiki. As the team sensor, he needed the experience more than Kyu did. Instead, Kyu began to tamper with the cloth sack scarecrow set ups. The employees had run off to do other preperations, yet the decoys were still looking lumpy. He shifted them around a bit, and placed their clumpy hands over the turret controls. He shifted their hats a bit to compensate for their leaning, and readjusted their support sticks.

The shark ninja stood back, and looked over his work. It still didn’t look natural, but he had a new idea. He fumbled through his ninja pouch and drew out some ninja wire. He tied underneath the arms, and connected them to the rafters. Instantly, they looked more upright, and more natural. He finished both puppets in just a few minutes, but was graced with muse as he did.

Wire was attached carefully to the repeaters, and then over the rafters. Using his practical training experience from the academy, he lined up the ninja wire on the far side of the room to trigger if there was a window entry. If someone were to crash through the large front windows (granted, they were more like boarded-up holes now), they would hit the wire, and activate the trap, causing the turrets to fire a shot in their general direction. If the vandals weren’t tricked by the dummies and the trap, then nothing would.

Kyu surveyed the shop. It was half done at this point. All that was left was Hibiki’s job, and Kyu’s Water Clone. “Now that I think of it, Hibiki and Rinku should be done by now.” Kyu walked out the front door, and looked for his teammates.

60 lines

Sennyo looked at the two gentlemen. He had to say that their postures did not give off the aura that their mood had improved one iota, but something was different. They seemed to be preparing for something. It seemed to be something rather big considering it would require such supplies as gasoline. That either meant a vehicle of some kind or just natural accelerant. Either way, this would prove to be most interesting a journey, and Sennyo definitely wanted to be a part of it. He decided ultimately to follow Sai into the market. He followed Sai into the store of ninja tools. It seemed such a common place for something so grande to begin, but things were what things were. Sennyo noticed that he was buying certain items so as not to appear suspicious, but he was definitely pocketing more of the basic items than he paid for. Sennyo decided to keep his record clear, as he had no knowledge of what these things were going to be used for. He didn't really say anything, as Sai was apparently concentrating on something, but he followed him throughout the very complicated path that he chose to escape from the market area. He followed him to the destination point where they apparently were setting up some sort of explosive trap that was, not in preparation for attack against another country, but appeared to be in attack to the country itself. Sennyo had to admit that he had not expected any of this, and he was kind of on the fence as to what to do. However, something in him told him that he was not overtly fond of the Mist Village o Water Country in general. He was not taking part in setting up anything because he had no idea what to do for a trap this interwoven and complicated. Sennyo awaited instructions for what he was to do.

"So, I'm assuming some rather large fireworks? Can I ask what their purpose is besides blowing the s**t out of this area?" Despite the severity of what Sennyo was asking, his voice still sounded bright and chipper as though it made no difference to him at all what happened here