Several hours later
Koike looked at the small village in front of them. He wasn't too sure about how big it was, but it wasn't that huge. Mostly just farmers and some simple workers. ''It looks like it is close community. They would likely spot us right away if we act just a bit different.'' Koike stated. Crouched, he was standing on top of a branch of a big oak tree. Narrowing his eyes, he tried to think of a way that they wouldn't raise any suspicion among the people. ''I suggest we move in with a simple Transformation technique. To cover our weapons with backpacks and such. Making us look like some travelers.''
"We should change our faces as well," he said, quickly performing the handseals and turning into a regularly clothed boy with a backpack, his face changed somewhat, though his body was still hidden behind the leaves. "In case someone sees our face, we don't want to risk anything, hm?" As first response Koike nodded. He too weaved the required signals to follow in line with Katsu's technique. With his appearance changed, Koike dropped himself to the ground. Landing without a problem, he glanced at the village one more time. ''We could split up and keep using our earphone communicators in order to find both the location of the target's home as himself.'' Koike said, but it was more thinking out loud than suggesting it.
Katsu dropped from the tree next to Koike. "Sounds good. We should probably think of some aliases," he said, feeling the communicator hidden under the long hair. "If either of us finds the house, I suggest we both meet up before doing anything. We can think of something to do together." What was in the boy's mind right now was finding the best way to go about this without getting caught or killing the man. "I'll go that way," he said, pointing to the right. "You go the other way." He froze, feeling like he was saying it as if it was some sort of a command. "If you're okay with that, y'know...."
He said nothing at first, but Koike noticed that Katsu's tone changed. Frowning, Koike shrugged. ''Don't worry. Let's for now focus on finding the house. Best would be to try to find a place where we can fall back too. Aiko-sama hasn't told us how long we have to be here and I doubt that we will just need to be here for a hour.'' Koike replied as he would then walk in the direction that Katsu had told him to go. ''Oh, Katsu.'' Koike seemed to stop, not yet turning around to look at his team member. ''I think this would come in handy. Don't drop it in front of you though.'' Turning around, Koike had seemed to pick out a smokebomb of his pouch and threw it in an arc towards Katsu. ''If you want to know what is inside, it is half made of the Giant Hogweed plant. Don't make it come in contact with your skin. And certainly not your eyes.'' That having said, Koike would head the way that Katsu had suggested.
Katsu didn't move for a short time even after Koike had taken his first steps. He caught the smokebomb out of the air and gulped upon learning its contents. "Thanks," he said. "See you soon." He pocketed it and started walking in the opposite direction, observing his surroundings. Seemingly now void of any memory of the duty he had, the boy blended in immediately, going about his business like the others. He kept his eyes scouring the area for a house that met the description without darting around.
Much like Katsu, Koike had little trouble with blending in with the people that walked the street. Looking around, it made him look like a rather curious kind of travelar that was just wandering around. However, Koike was looking for spots and places that they could use later to either spy their target from or if they had to, strike and ambush the target. Stopping at a stand, Koike feigned to have interest, but was trying to think of where he should start. Asking around would be too obvious and fall out of line with his current disguise. Maybe..
Continuing his march, the boy was simply looking to find the house. Butterfly, butterfly, butterfly... He looked back once every often to give some of the houses he'd missed in an effort not to look too curious a quick glance. The crowd wasn't dense at all, giving him a good view on each building he saw. If worst comes to worst, I'll transform into someone else and ask and then turn back, he thought to himself.
Walking around, Koike's mood was dropping. If there would be a fight and this Cho would be a shinobi, it meant that they would have to either use the village or the perimeter as a battlefield. It wasn't that big after all, which made him worry. Coughing, Koike moved his right hand to his mouth. Nobody was really paying attention to him, but he checked to be sure. ''Katsu. Be sure to hide your headband later.'' Koike mumbled underneath his breath. Afterwards he moved his hand away from his mouth as he continued his search.
Katsu put his index finger on the earphone, spinning it as if trying to clean his ear. This got him some disgusted glances though nothing that would suggest any suspicion. "Alright," he said quickly and then looked at his finger. He lowered it with a sigh and continued moving. He knew talking to himself in the middle of the street and distracting Koike at the same time wasn't a good idea so he just kept looking around to search for the building.
Glad that Katsu had heard and understood the message, Koike came to a halt. He didn't had the sharp eyes of the Nimatsu, Hyuuga or even the Nibi's host, but he had noticed something. Rubbing his neck and sighing out loud, he lowered his head. But squinted his eyes as he glanced at a front door. He thought he had seen a kanji. Continue to walk further, he would need to meet up with Katsu. The first step was done. Finding the targets home. Now they would need to discuss what their next step would be. Coughing again, Koike would repeat the same as what he had did before. ''Meet me at a tavern. I found the home.'' The reason why Koike said ''a tavern'', was cause he wasn't sure if there were more. He didn't think that the village had an abudance of them, but he couldn't think of something more specific.
Katsu let out a loud "Eh?" after hearing the location Koike had suggested to meet up at. A tavern he says, which only left the two to find the possibly non-existent tavern. Sighing, he decided to ask someone where it could possibly, walking up to a shop. He marched in, seeing the man sitting in the corner. "Er... Hi! I was wondering if you knew where the tavern in the village was," the boy said with a friendly tone. The man sighed and gave him a brief description which ended up with Katsu finding himself in the center of the village within minutes in front of "a tavern".
Walking around, Koike had went up to an old lady who was sitting on a bench. Asking her where he could find a tavern in a polite fashion, he too was directed to the place. Heading towards it, he was already trying to formulate several plans. The problem was that he didn't know where their target was. If they could know when he wasn't at home, that would leave an opening to sneak into his house and try to get some information about him. Seeing the tavern at some distance, Koike thought about how they could try to find out about their target's job.
Katsu was sitting outside, daydreaming as he looked up at the sky. The boy was thinking of how they would end the mission. It was pretty simple, though, from what it seemed. While they might have to use force, so far he thought that if they managed to do their jobs properly, they wouldn't have to assassinate some guy for doubting a political figure.
''Good to see you here.'' Koike said, coming to a halt as he noticed Katsu. ''Lets go inside and get something to eat.'' Koike suggested as he beckoned Katsu to follow with him. Probably they would need a room too. To discuss what they had managed to find out and also what they would do next. It would be stupid if they would just take a seat somewhere and then start to discuss their plans and what they were plotting like that. Too much risk that somebody would catch on what they were going to do.
Quickly turning his attention to Koike, Katsu nodded. "Sounds good," he said, standing up. "I have an idea on how we could go about doing this. I'll tell you more inside." He followed Koike in to see if they'd go to get some food or accomodation first. This really is a good way to get through this mission without any problems. I just hope he'll be satisfied with it, the boy thought to himself.
Opening the door, Koike kept it open as he entered the place. It was quite empty at this time of the day. There were several patrons, that were just enjoying their lunch or drinking together. Once Katsu had followed him inside, Koike would walk towards the counter. There was a kind of fat man behind it, eyeing the two disguised genins with interest. ''We would like to rent a room for two. Together with some lunch, if that is possible.'' Koike calmly stated. This made the man frown. ''First, I think you would do better with requesting what you want, kiddo.'' This made Koike frown as well, wanting to talk back to the man.
Katsu interjected quickly, jumping to the front scene. "Ah, excuse my friend! He meant to ask for what kind of food you might have here," the boy said with a fake yet somewhat sympathetic nervous tone. "We were told this place is the best place to get a bite. We'll have whatever you might recommend!" He did his best to, and he did quite well, to keep his voice as friendly as possible.
The man rubbed his chin, or at least one of them. Koike decided to keep his mouth shut as he decided that it was Katsu's expertise to come over more friendly. Finally the man made an offer. It wasn't that expensive, but Koike wasn't sure if it was truly a fair one. ''Shall we split it?'' Koike asked, already bringing out his wallet. Though he was more than loyal enough to follow Aiko's request and the mission, he wasn't that fond of now paying for what wasn't even going to benefit him directly.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Katsu mused, maintaining the same tone as before as he pulled out his own crumpled money. He turned his attention to it, silently counting. Once he'd pulled out enough, he straightened it out between his palms and put the rest back into his pocket. He raised his thumb over the money and held it out to Koike, ready to lock the papers under his finger and hand it over to the man.
Taking the money with a nod, Koike then paid the tavern owner. The man started to count the money, even twice. Though it irked Koike, he decided to take a look around the tavern. It wasn't a place what he would call great or what he would like to stay again. But maybe that was just due the fat owner that was starting to annoy him. Once the man told them which room they could have and offering the key to Koike, they were told that they could expect lunch within thirty minutes. Mumbling a thanks, Koike would already start to walk to the nearby stairs to find their room. Once at the door, he used the key to open it. And like suspected, the room wasn't that great either. But beter than nothing, he thought. Waiting till Katsu would be in the room, Koike would shut the door and lock it.
After Koike had locked the door, Katsu transformed back and undid the knot behind his headband. "So here's the idea... We could use clones to go after the target. That way, if we were about to be discovered, the clones could just undo the technique and disappear," he said. "We would be able to avoid any conflict without getting caught and still spy on him!"
Transforming back as well, Koike looked at his jack. He couldn't carry it as the headband was stitched to the left sleeve. Wrapping it up, Koike thought about what Katsu suggested. ''Clones would be handy, but then the question is on how many you can make. I can make and control a total of at least two clones. That would cut my chakra reserve down that I and each clone can use up to thirty three percent. Without any information or detail about our target, I don't think we should resolve to such chakra taxing tactic.'' Koike replied. Though he thought of something. ''Lets first try to take a post somewhere near the house. I have discovered and seen several good hiding places on which we can use. Together with our earphone communicators, we can direct and give each other heads up on where the target is. If we want to avoid any conflict or any chance of true discovering our identity, we can disguise ourselves as..'' Koike thought about it. ''Sunagakure shinobi.''
"But... But we wouldn't have to put ourselves at risk of a fight," Katsu objected. "If we just watched from afar or even stayed here and sent one clone each, we'd be much safer! That way we'd virtually be like ghosts and we'd be somewhere else in case the clones are seen, giving us an alibi! Cutting our chakra in half wouldn't matter if we don't have to use any for combat."
Koike stared at Katsu. ''Did you ever kill somebody?'' He suddenly asked. The fact that Katsu wanted to approach the man in a way that would enable them to escape any fight made it a bit clear that Katsu wanted to preserve the life of their target. At least that was what Koike suspected. ''What if we do what you suggest and it would cut our chakra in half or even worse. Imagine what it would be then if our target is a sensor. Unlike some clans, Cho's don't have a set of abilities that they all follow. For what we know is that he is a Cho, but nothing else. If we would end up in a conflict and try to flee in such a manner, it could backfire and even get one of us killed.''
Katsu glared at Koike upon hearing the first question. "If he's a sensor and we go straight in, we'll be found out anyway," he objected again. "But... I..." His voice faded. "Alright... When should we move into place?" the boy asked with a tone void of any emotion. He didn't like the situation but after Koike had pointed it out, it was quite possible that things might not go the way they planned.
Still a calm expression on his face, Koike waited a moment before he would respond. ''After dinner and making sure you can raise your hand against our target. I mean no disrespect Katsu,'' Koike paused as his expression changed a bit. It was a more regretful one. ''But if you can't have the will to kill somebody we might need to take down, I rather have it that you stay here. I don't wish you to end up hurt due you wavered.''
"I won't stay back," Katsu said with a stern voice. "Don't worry... I can look at the situation properly. I understand that we might have to kill him, and if I get the chance after that happens, I won't hesitate." He sat down on one of the beds. "We should probably choose new faces as well," he said. "If a bystander locates us, they should see some shinobi from the Sand whose faces have never been seen by anyone. Maybe we can check the bingo book for reference. Perhaps pick two missing-nins."
For the first time with Katsu, Koike said something. ''Are you a jounin or an ANBU?'' The tone was off and maybe a bit weird. But there was a growing smile on Koike's face as he raised his eyebrows as well. He kind of tried to make a joke. ''I don't have a bingo book as I am not that high ranked. Unless somebody gave it too you, I wouldn't mind to use that plan. It sounds good."
Katsu chuckled lightly. "I don't either but..." As he paused, a grave expression glaring at nothing in particular. "I have someone I can turn into without causing any trouble." Sighing, he leaned back in the bed. "You said you found some hiding spots, right? I guess things look like they'll turn out to be smooth..." Walking towards the only window in the room, Koike nodded. ''Yes. Several, but I am now thinking about if the person is a sensor. Any kind of signal that he is being spied and he would use any kind of sensor ability to spot and pin point our location.'' Koike paused, thinking about how they could try to neutralize a sensory ability. The problem was that were a lot of different sensor techniques and abilities. ''I hope so. Lets eat and then head towards the place.'' Koike suggested.
Katsu nodded, jumping up to his feet and weaving the handseals to transform once more. "Lead the way," he said, smiling as he stood in front of the locked door. After a poof, Koike also transformed back as he would then open the door for Katsu. Nodding, he would close the door behind them and lock it.
Some time later.
Disguised as a kind of Sunagakure shinobi, Koike sat in the shadows. On a rooftop, he used the cover of a chimney. He was carefully peeking around it to keep the door of the house they were spying on in check. Just in case, Koike had pulled out a kunai. There was some dark green subtance on the blade of the weapon. Unsure of their opponent abilities, he wouldn't hold back. ''Do you see him yet?'' Koike whispered through the earphone communicator.
In Katsu's place was a shinobi with a menacing look in his eyes, the suna headband wrapped around his forehead. He was standing on top of a building on the opposite side of the house from where Koike was. "No, nothing from here," he answered quietly into the earphone. "What do we do when we see him? Close in? I don't think we can tell much from this distance..."
''That isn't the goal. We will need to see how he looks like. Once we know how he looks like, we at least know more.'' Koike responded back with a whisper. ''Then we will need to try to plan our next step. On how we will gather information. Best way I see so far, without needing to move in with the aim to kill is to attempt to sneak in his home when he is out.'' He explained. Still on the look out as well, Koike wondered how long they would have to be in cover.
There was no movement or sound coming until Katsu spoke into the earphone after a few moments. "Right," he simply uttered, continuing to concentrate on the house. The boy didn't seem to have the childish enthusiasm as he had before they'd left the village, though the decrease was quite slow over the time.
Somebody was whistling. Seemed to be a rather average villager was walking down the street. He had a shovel resting on his shoulder as he kept walking. There wasn't an angry or negative expression on his face. Bit of mud and sweat, by the armpits, that were showing that he had done some intensive labour. Both Katsu and Koike would be able to see the man heading to the house with the Cho symbol on it. Their target. Reaching with his free hand in his pocket, the man pulled out his keys and opened the door, to enter his home.
Katsu quickly focused his sight on the singular noise coming from the villager. His eyes followed the man right up to the door where the man vanished into the building. "Alright... If that man is him, how do we proceed?" he spoke into the earphone, keeping an eye on the windows of the building, trying to see if any of the rooms were illuminated.
''Let's wait. For what we have seen is how the target looks like.'' Koike replied. He had another reason to wait. If the man was suspecting that Aiko would send people after him, then they would just have to wait and see if the man was a bit paranoia. The tricky part was however if the man was like they feared a sensor. Then his approach wouldn't help at all. ''We could place a trap at his house, but I think that if that is too risky, we should fall back for now.'' Koike said after a few moments.
"Understood," he said, a relieved look on his face. "We might be able to tail him a bit tomorrow. We won't stick out too much if we're a part of several people in the crowd," he spoke once more as he slowly got up on the rooftop, now a silhouette with a dark background. "Back to the tavern then?" Koike already started to move away. ''Yes.'' He wasn't that happy that they couldn't finish the mission in one day, but it was better than nothing. Judging by what they had seen, it seemed that the target had a job at the day till the start of the evening. That was something they could use tomorrow.
