As Arashi soared through the skies, his bird Sora seamlessly blended with the vast expanse of the sky and the twinkling stars, allowing him to remain above while discreetly observing his surroundings.
In addition to his aerial reconnaissance, Arashi also needed to create a well-thought-out plan. He calmly settled himself down as the bird gracefully circled overhead, allowing him a few moments of contemplation. Using his Rinnegan power, Arashi tapped into the bird's perspective, seeing through its eyes with unparalleled clarity.
This magnificent creature possessed extraordinary eyesight, which Arashi's Rinnegan further enhanced. Its vision spanned 360 degrees, enabling it to detect predators from thousands of feet away, ensuring its survival in this treacherous world.
Arashi stood steadfast, his gaze sweeping over the bustling village and its diverse inhabitants below. His hands nonchalantly rested in his pockets, exuding casual confidence. 'Before I make any moves,' he thought, 'I will gather as much information as possible from the locals.'
With a swift motion, Arashi reached his hand into the bird's body, causing a mesmerizing ripple-like effect, and retrieved a backpack.
After completing his previous actions, Arashi briefly closed his eyes, preparing for his next move. "Now... my third ability," he muttered, his determination evident.
Concentrating all of his chakra into his eyes, Arashi summoned forth his power. He slowly opened his eyes with a deep inhale, revealing three tomoe swirling boldly within them. "Limitless Limbo!" he exclaimed, forming a hand seal with precision.
In an instant, reality seemed to distort, as if the entire world and its surroundings were caught in a shimmering haze. Just moments later, Arashi found himself firmly planted on the ground. Leaning against a tree for support, he caught his breath, cradling his eyes. "I hate using that jutsu," he muttered, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
Arashi moved efficiently, shedding his Anbu uniform and replacing it with dark, nondescript clothing. He donned a hooded cloak to conceal his weapons, securing the chains tightly to minimize telltale sounds. Finally, he slipped on dark sunglasses, effectively hiding his Rinnegan while keeping its power active.
Upon entering the village, Arashi lifted the hood of his cloak over his face, obscuring his features. He subtly altered his voice, adding a touch of maturity to its youthful timbre, before stepping into a quaint tea shop.
The door chimed softly as he entered, drawing the attention of the elderly woman behind the counter. "Well, my, aren't you quite young?" she greeted him warmly. "Where are your parents, young man?"
Arashi chuckled a hint of amusement in his voice. "Not young, just short," he replied, his tone lighthearted.
The woman blushed slightly, realizing her mistake. "Oh, I apologize. Please forgive my assumption. How may I assist you, sir?"
Arashi returned her smile, his expression reassuring. "No need to worry; it's a common mistake. I don't pay much attention to it. Ah, right! My order. I'll have my favourite, Sencha, please."
"Right away, sir!" the woman chirped, bustling towards the back of the shop to prepare his tea.
"Hey," Arashi called after her, feigning casual curiosity, "do you know if anything is exciting happening around here? The streets seem pretty empty."
The woman grinned, glancing back at him over her shoulder. "I had a feeling you weren't from these parts," she remarked. "You're a new face to me."
Arashi smiled back, keeping his expression carefully neutral. "I'm an entertainer," he explained, spinning a believable tale. "I travel to different villages showcasing live-action origami performances. It's not the most lucrative job, but I love it."
The elderly lady's smile widened as she returned with a steaming teapot, carefully pouring a cup for him. "Origami, huh?" she exclaimed. "That sounds amazing! Maybe your presence could breathe some life back into our little village."
As she set the tea down, her expression clouded slightly. "Ever since those strange folk showed up in our village, everyone has been on edge," she confided.
"Strange folk?" Arashi prompted, taking a sip of his tea.
"Yes, Kagami Corp," she replied. "Haven't you heard of them? Supposedly, the owner is quite influential. Rumours are circulating that he paid Shibuki-sama some hush money to stay out of his affairs. Absolute nonsense, if you ask me."
"You mean to say you don't think the village head is involved?" Arashi pressed, feigning surprise.
The lady scoffed. "Certainly not! Despite his age, Shibuki-sama is a true hero of Takigakure. No one else would have stepped up to the plate like he did." She paused, taking a deep breath. "Anyway, it's rather surprising that you haven't heard about the Kagami Corp. It's quite a big deal in the Land of Fire. And here in Takigakure, their building towers are far to the north, above all else. It's the very first industrial building in our village's history."
After finishing his tea, Arashi offered his thanks. "Thank you for the tea," he said, placing the payment on the counter before leaving. As the woman collected the coins, a strange sensation washed over her, fleeting disorientation as if a gust of wind had swept through her mind.
The memory of the young man with the dark glasses blurred and faded, leaving her bewildered. 'Perhaps I'm simply growing too old for all this,' she mused, shaking her head and gathering the empty cups.
Meanwhile, Arashi found himself alone on the deserted streets of Takigakure. "So, it's far to the north," he murmured, closing his eyes and tapping into Sora's vision. 'I can see it,' he thought, a determined glint in his eyes before vanishing in a flicker of movement.
He reappeared on the rooftops, gaining a vantage point of the village. In the distance, he spotted his target.
Kagami Corp. was a towering industrial structure that starkly contrasted the village's traditional architecture. It stood isolated, several blocks away, the path to its main entrance a desolate stretch of land bordered by a dense, dark forest.
'The forest is undoubtedly more heavily guarded than the main entrance,' Arashi deduced. 'It's likely under constant surveillance and where they're conducting whatever activities caught the old man's attention. I can see the chakra lingering from here.'
He stretched languidly, feigning nonchalance. "Yawn..." he yawned audibly, his arms reaching high above his head.
"Getting tired, kid?" Sae's voice slithered in his mind, silky and taunting. "Why don't you lend me a little more chakra? I'll make sure you feel better than ever."
She lingered through the edge of his vision, strolling through the quiet village, a spectator only he could see. The chained kunai, coiling around her body, twitching playfully.
After a few casual hops to shake off the pretence of laziness, he loosened his chains, his gaze fixed on the shadowy forest. "Now then..." he declared a steely glint in his eyes. "I won't hold back. I'll go through the forest!"
And with that, he vanished, a fleeting spark of light marking his departure.