[center][b]The mission between friends,
A request of the Cho clan.

A collab between Sketcher, Gerontis and Lesli.

Part III

Summary :
Finding out where and who their target is, Koike and Katsu decide to move in. It is time to end this mission![/center][/b]

[hider=Blades for Hire]
[center][b]Several hours later[/center][/b]

[b]''Let's wait. For what we have seen is how the target looks like.''[/b] 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. [b]''We could place a trap at his house, but I think that if that is too risky, we should fall back for now.''[/b] Koike said after a few moments.

[b]"Understood,"[/b] he said, a relieved look on his face. [b]"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,"[/b] he spoke once more as he slowly got up on the rooftop, now a silhouette with a dark background. [b]"Back to the tavern then?"[/b] Koike already started to move away. [b]''Yes.''[/b] 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.

---
[center][b]The next morning/[/center][/b]

After having washed and being dressed, Koike inspected his gear. Polishing his sword, he started to think already ahead of what they were going to do. Not forgetting about how they could approach the house that they needed to sneak in. If Aiko wanted information, maybe they should seek for ledgers, diaries and such. All kind of things that could show information about the man and what he was up to.

Once having gotten ready, Katsu attached his armaments onto his belt and back. He almost reached for his headband but remembered Koike's advice, leaving it on the counter. He quickly formed the handseals for the transformation technique and looked over to Koike. [b]"So... how should we go about doing this?"[/b] he asked with a plain expression.

While Katsu asked his question, Koike also used the transformation technique to look like an ordinary villager. [b]''We have seen him with a shovel, his clothes been dirty and sweaty. Judging that this is just a small village, it means he is either somebody who works on the nearby farms or other hard labour work. This means he can't come early home, which makes it ideal for us to sneak in.''[/b] Koike explained. [b]''Once we are inside, we will start to look for things that can reveal information about him. Diaries, ledges and such things.''[/b]

[b]"I see. That sounds like a good plan,"[/b] he acknowledged the idea gladly. [b]"Though I wonder... What kind of a threat could a farmer be to the clan?"[/b] he thought out loud somewhat in despair. [b]"...Sorry,"[/b] he muttered. [b]"If we've got everything sorted out, let's go, hm?"[/b] He put on a friendly and delightful smile at the end of the sentence as a final touch.

[b]''Who says he is a farmer? Maybe he is just working now as a farmer, but knows a few things?''[/b] Koike asked back. Knowing that Katsu had some problems with the whole deal, Koike would take the duty of making sure his friend and team member understood several things. Sure, Aiko could probably explain it better, but there was some risk to it. At least, Koike thought so. [b]''Remember what a shinobi is. We aren't always doing what seems good for everybody, but if we have to choose between Aiko-sama and this man, I can make my choice in a second. Can you?''[/b]

[b]"I... I understand. Don't worry,"[/b] Katsu reassured him. [b]"I won't hesitate if... y'know. We have to do something."[/b] The smile faded as he heaved a sigh. [b]"Shall we go?"[/b] he asked, holding his hand just above the handle of the door, waiting for Koike's approval. Koike still was doubting if it was a good idea to have Katsu be here. But he nodded as there was only one way to find out if Katsu could perform missions like these. It would be nicer to have somebody tag along with these ''dirty'' missions. Not just cause Koike was feeling better with company, but because he thought it could help Katsu gain more experience all together.

Opening the door, Katsu walked out with a hardly noticeable fake-natural visage. [b]"So, we go there... How will we know if he's in the house?"[/b] he asked, thinking it might be a stupid question. [b]"I mean, he might go to work early or late... And if we go in while he's still in there, we're pretty much screwed, aren't we?"[/b] Frowning, Koike quickly moved his right index finger to his mouth. A clear signal. [b]''I haven't got an idea where we should go now. West is probably not the direction we want to go. I heard the desert isn't that great.''[/b] Koike said, sounding a bit displeased as if the word desert was the cause of it his displeasure. 

Katsu flinched upon seeing the signal, turning his head forward. [b]"Oh... Right, sorry,"[/b] he said, sighing. [b]"Well, whatever you decide to be the best course of action, I'll follow you."[/b] He stepped to the side of the corridor to get behind his friend. Not feeling the need to reply on that, cause Koike wasn't sure if this was the best course of action. It was more that he couldn't think of a better approach or plan. He already grabbed the key out of his pocket to deliver it to the tavern owner. The plan would hopefully not force them to stay another night in the village. Though they could use the Transformation Technique to look differently and then rent a room again. Once outside, Koike glanced at Katsu. [b]''Ready?''[/b]

[b]"Ready as I'll ever be,"[/b] he answered. He sounded surprisingly determined with no hint of hesitation in his voice. The night earlier he'd had some time to think, deciding to and promising himself to be helpful in any way possible. If it came to a fight, freezing in the midst of the battle would be less than acceptable. [b]''Good.''[/b] Koike said before he lead the way again.

---
[center][b]A half hour later[/center][/b]

Again disguiseds a masked Sunagakure shinobi, Koike looked at the entrance of the target's house. From the cover of where he had been before, behind a chimney, the young Hon kept a close eye on the door. There was a chance that their target was already at his work as most people would likely been. [b]''Are you in position?''[/b] Koike asked, avoiding to say Katsu's name. Right now, they had no names. They had no loyalty. Only one objective and goal.

Having hidden and disguised himself, Katsu was hiding under a long roof's shadow with one hand and both feet on the wall, looking directly towards the house from the back. He touched the earphone communicator. [b]"I am. Ready to move in when you give the word,"[/b] he said quietly. He lowered his hand to his side once more. [b]''Alright, then we move now.''[/b] Koike answered. He glanced around the corner of the chimney for another time. Hopefully the man was gone to his work or what so ever. Carefully and wary, Koike moved to the edge of the house he had been on. Dropping himself to the street level, he marched towards the house of their target. There wasn't anybody around as it was too early for children to play outside and too late to go to work. [b]''Take the back.''[/b] Koike whispered in his communicator. Seeing an open window at the first floor, Koike checked the streets again. Nobody. Turning his attention back to the open window, he used the Wall climbing technique to scale the wall towards the window.

[b]"Got it,"[/b] Katsu dropped on the ground without making a sound, creeping over to a window on the back of the building. He dug his fingers into the bottom of the wood, pushing it up and making a gap he could get in from after taking a peak isnide to see no one was there. [b]"No one's here. I'm moving in."[/b]

Leaping inside, Koike managed to do it without making a sound. Though he wasn't really a person to compliment himself, he froze for a moment. Glancing at his own body, he realized something. Which made him smile for a moment before he would walk through the hall. Looking into some rooms, he was looking for what would be a study room or the master bedroom. Given the size of the home, it wasn't that big, so there wouldn't be that much rooms to explore.

Katsu climbed in and shut the window, bringing it to the exact same position as it was before he opened it. His knees were bent as he walked over the floorboard. He made his way towards the bedroom. Koike was already there, inspecting the possible places for where he could find information. [b]''Try to look for any diaries or such. We must be quick, I don't want to linger here longer than necessary.''[/b] Koike mumbled, continue his search in a cupboard.

Katsu nodded as he looked through the desk. [b]"Got it,"[/b] the boy said, looking into the drawers to find something. [b]''Got what?''[/b] A masculine voice asked. In the door opening was the man. He looked with an angry look in the direction of both Katsu and Koike. In his hand was the spade and he seemed to be ready for work. [b]''Who are you.... Wait, shinobi?''[/b] He asked, lowering his head a bit as he seemed to ready his spade as a weapon.
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