The Innocent.

Three bodies hidden in the woods, some where remote. Where the guards that make there trips outside could not see. Not even disguised, as anything but himself Akumu walked among the people of the village. Everyone passing by him, villagers and shinobi. Akumu wore no head band he did not want to exactly show that he was of a threat. So if he was to be disguised as anything it would be a villager. His hunger grew. Stomach louder than his voice at the time. But he was not there to feast. He was there to discover potential. Hopefully. Walking in the markets fast paced lifestyle as it always of. Akumu had been around the leaf village for some while now. Akumu's summon Kangohei, patiently waiting for his signal. Akumu's intentions were not to strike the village down, for he could care less about burning it down. He would not hesitate to whoop some ass. But would not start any fight. He was tired of fighting for now. Fully rested physically, just mentally bored at the time being. He fought to kill, and he had already killed two people. No longer any fun.

He took his time walking through the village paying attention to housing and such for any given potential. Turning a quick corner as he jumped the rooftop scouting among everyone, hiding ever so cautiously. Looking around. Wearing a very loose button up shirt. White hair that flowed behind him. The red marks of royalty among his forehead. Wearing loose trousers, with a sash holding it in place. Bamboo slippers at his feet. His normal outfit. He saw very few shinobi. Many in different places that were not near him. Akumu could not spot the Hokage neither. Which was rather odd. Akumu kept an extra sense of caution just in case. He needed, to find someone he could mentor, he needed someone to be his prodigy. For his plans could not be followed through on his own. Akumu continued to scout out, awaiting until someone appeared, and appealed to his likings.

Hybris, as always, was training in a nearby courtyard, just southwest of the position in which Akumu was scouting upon. Just behind the chimney of a building, the small training facility could be seen outside. The grounds were marked with footpad treads, kunai or shuriken that had missed their targets in the past, cascades of flowing petals from surrounding trees and a series of wooden dummy's devised for the purpose of Taijutsu training. This wasn't Hybris` desired method of training however. Her version of training was preferably, using human targets, but this had to live up to her new standards. Using a series of handsigns, Hybris took a deep breath inside, her robust chest filling up with air. Finishing the handsigns up, she quickly threw her body forward, opening her mouth and unleashing a torrent of infernos toward the trees and wooden dummy's. The raging flames quickly consumed the targets, but her initial attack wasn't over yet.

Using this conjunction, before releasing the deadly torrent of fire, she had bones protrude from her fingertips, a direct symbol of being part of the believed extinct Kaguya clan. The bones flew from her fingertips at deafening speeds, being enveloped by the fires, they were both hidden and ignited within the flame. The 'bullets' pierced three of her desired targets in the pattern of an upside down cross, marking the top of a holy cross at the bottom, and the bottom up. This was obviously a sign of unholy rites, and Hybris often enjoyed expressing herself through combat. The flames quickly spread and set the gardens around the facility on fire, as well as having the fire travel up the trunks of trees and further igniting the abundance of leaves atop them as well.

She smiled at the symbol of her destruction. This was not even a minor extortion of her raw power though, and her strategies during actual tactical combat change completely in the heat of the moment. Still, satisfied with this days work, she sat down on the sandy grounds below her and looked around, taking in the wonderful smell of burning wood and scarring plant-life. The reflection of fire burned within her eyes like the heat of a thousand suns. She wiped the bangs away from her face, which, in retrospect, would reveal the honorable symbol of Kaguya Royalty. Her pitch-black brawling outfit was embroidered with hints of sweat around the entire suit due to many hours of training spent. Sighing, as she is now bored once again, she blows a gust of wind from her mouth, consoling the sweat that would be laying unto her forehead.

Akumu looked on but saw nothing. Manipulating the bones in his fingers to protrude from the fingers. Digging into the roof upon which he was kneeling. As one hand hung on to the wall scratching all the way down. Allowing his whole body to hang. He grew hungry as he looked at his hands. The bones retracting within his hand. Akumu looked around beginning to look north of his position, walking hast fully within the shadows. His eyes towards the living quarters, as he began to heard the movement near him. He stopped in his tracks resting upon the walls of a house. Meanwhile south of Akumu, Kangohei had been watching a girl demolish a set of wooden dummies. And as he saw this, he took to the roof tops of the living quarters. Headed straight for Akumu. On all fours staying close to the rooftop, his ribcage grinding upon the clay roofs. As he reached the point of where Akumu was hiding from what had been making movement near him. As Kangohei looked over he saw a villager walking to see what had been making noise near her house. Kangohei looked over her, thinking quickly he dropped a rock behind him. A large one at that, for if he had dropped it on her it would have killed her. But this was not to kill her. As this all went down in seconds, Akumu had watched patiently. As the rock hit the floor Akumu smiled making a quick hand sign, and as she looked back towards where Akumu was he was gone. For he had switched his spot behind her. Grabbing the middle aged woman by the back of the neck.

"Shh, dont make a sound."

He said as he snapped her neck. Throwing her in the alley way. He quickly jumped from the alley way upon the rooftops. Kangohei telling Akumu about the girl and her where abouts. He darted towards the training area, before entering the area he performed one quick jutsu. Creating multiple bodies of himself. Wooden dummy's singed as Akumu made his way there. Kangohei behind the girl just in case she tried to escape. The real Akumu standing off to the side. As was the second clone, and the first clone in front of the girl. Akumu smiled as he saw the marks of royalty upon her forehead. A kaguya, had to be as he looked down at shiny pieces of bone much like Akumu's.

"Girl. Please tell me your name."

Akumu's voice echoed out. As he looked at her ever so patiently. Awaiting her answer. 2 clones. Kangohei. Akumu. And the girl in which he did not know of her name. All in this area. These precautions Akumu took were of no threat, but were taken just in case she got mad. Or if someone were to intrude on there little meeting.

"Speak swiftly, for i cannot stay for long"

As Akumu created this mass stirring of murder and deceitful violence nearby, Hybris was still harshly exhausted from training the entire day. The sun was setting now, and it cast a veil of vibrant aurora's over the skies looming above. She made haste to stand up and begin training again, for she did not believe that the day was over until her hands were masked by bruises and blood. Her breathing was steady, as a Taijutsu-user in training she had to maintain top-peak physical performance in order to maintain the standards required to that of an excellent fighter.

She spoke softly, but boldly. "There is not enough time left in the day to complete my training.. And so, I shall work through the night if that is what it takes." She formed her ball into a fist, and was prepared to unleash yet another torrent of bone-shattering bullets that would be launched from her fingertips. Before this action could be enacted however, her attempt was exempted from theory as what seemed to be a dog-like creature and a man who hastily asked her questions. She knew the chances of this were, she'd have to fight him off, or he wanted something of value before his departure.

She eyed him, and looked behind her, sniveling at the creature that stood so powerfully. She could sense a powerful chakra, and figured that it was the Ninja in front of her's aura. Surely enough, instead of resorting to violence, she decided to play the right cards in her hand and engage into conversation with this stranger.

As her ears registered this question into her brain, she responded quite quickly, following his impeachment. "My name is Hybris no Kaguya, stranger.." She eyed him, scanning over his clothes, arms, legs and chest to see if any weapons were drawn "who might you be, and what is your purpose here?" She asked, hoping to get an honest, direct answer in return. This however wasn't always the case, and a demanding approach wasn't always the best way to respond to someone who looks as serious and dangerous as this guy does.

But, she still had to live up to the toughness and road-house lifestyle that the Kaguya themselves became famous for. This was not a sign of arrogance, any less it be a sign of demeanor. She strictly adhered to the ways of her clan like the worlds most powerful super glue, and this was a true fact. She awaited his answer furthermore, but still was on the brink of insanity thinking whether or not he was friendly with the intention of recruitment or battle. Keeping her sanity within its own designated boundaries, she still had yet to let her guard down. You could never be too careful when opposed by someone of this stature.

AKUBUMP!

A grin upon Akumu's face appeared. "Kaguya, hmm? Well than that makes me over joyed, My name is Akumu Kaguya. For my purpose here i shall tell you later. That is if you were to come with me. You see, I know the anger that resides in you, the damage you have dealt to these poor wooden dummies shows that. But in this village, you feel cooped up, you cant show your full potential here, and with Kaguya blood running through your veins, no one here can train you, due to there being no Kaguyas that I know of in here." He said with the clones puffing leaving clouds around her. And as they settled Akumu walked from outside of his temporary hiding spot.

"If you come with me girl, I will show your true potential, i will make you into a murderous machine. You will be unstoppable." He said extending his hand. "If you would like to come with me take my hand and we will be out of here in seconds. But if you don't want too, I understand. I will be on my way, and you will never see me again. Choose now Hybris, for if you do in fact come with me your future will be miraculous compared to the future that lies for you here." With this he nodded his head to his undead ape, Kangohei. This giving him the signal to be on watch. For most of his clones were down, and he no longer had the same watch he had before. The area they were in exactly was checked every so often by a guard of the village. And Akumu knew this well. They would need to leave quickly if he wanted to be unseen.

But Akumu would not rush this girl, his smile fading away into a blank emotion, his hungers growing, he knew that if the girl were to reject his offer, he would go off to find the girl he had just killed. He was hungry and that was going to be the easiest to find and eat without being found. His hand was cold, like death itself. No warm blood resided in him any longer, the girl would quickly find this out if she were to come with him. In Akumu's mind he knew that she had plenty of potential, but if not he did not know what he would do from there, maybe find others maybe not. But this was an offer he usually did not give out like candy. But to see a Kaguya was a site to see for Akumu at least. For he had not seen one for some time. And had hope to see more, but was not going to hold his breath. But as of now his eyes pierced towards her in no angry form, but an adapting expression awaiting the response from the girl.

Hybris listened intently as the man explained a portion of his secondary purpose in this village. But she couldn't help but think. ~Why now.. Why this day.. There must be some odd reason he is looking for an apprentice.. Perhaps there is a war going on. Is he part of the Akatsuki?.. Some other murderous organization...?~ These thoughts would not place bars upon the actions that would occur immediately after the pondering of these questions.

Her hand twitched a bit, sensing some sort of dark energy amidst. Slowly, she reached her hand into the air, fingers extended, and upon touching the hand of Akumu, a sense of bone-chilling cold ran through her body. A shutter, if you will. Hybris must maintain her stature however. She was unsure of the future that may become of her if she chooses to take his hand in unholy matrimony.

Against the obvious best choice, her decision had been made. The final thought crossed her mind as the deadened words escaped his lips. "Choose now Hybris, for if you do in fact come with me your future will be miraculous compared to the future that lies for you here." It made her think. What would her position here in Konoha as an innocent lead her to? What possible life could she have if she chose to stay on the path of good, and not drift off to the bleak path of sleepy hollow.

Flashing lightning and storming skies filled and clouded her mind with mistrust for those that resided in Hi no Kuni. The thought of following authorities made her nauseous to begin with, and that wasn't even the worst part. The Jounin and higher ranked ninja demanded so much respect, when it was lack of respectful consideration they really deserved.

All they did was look upon the lower-ranked nin like they were simpletons. Like they could do nothing on their own. Hybris had proven them wrong time and time again before however. The Chuunin exams for example. Her murderous rampage that had taken place of her team members and the team members she rivaled. They all fell at her hands. Hybris had even perfected her arsenal of lethal assassination techniques involving the Hidden Mist Jutsu. Yes, she was certainly a dangerous little girl.. A powerful, potential-bearing, dangerous little girl.

Against her best judgement, she took the hand of the individual standing in front of her. The chilling shocks have subsided now, as her body was used to these types of temperatures from when she lived in the Village Hidden in the Mist. She looked at him, squint-eyed. What was he planning? Who knows, all Hybris wanted was to become this murderous, unstoppable machine that Akumu had mentioned previously.. "If you come with me girl, I will show your true potential, i will make you into a murderous machine. You will be unstoppable." She yearned power. She craved the blood of her enemies.. And right now, this was probably the best way to have her body soaked by it.

It had been quite a while actually. Not only since then that there was a string of brutal murders in the village. Usually it's just overlooked, and just like that usually, it is left for the anbu and the police force to take care of. But recently Ryusaki had decided it was time to adopt a new position on the issue. As time passed the members of the village were getting more and more that this person wasn't being caught. To increase the issue it seemed like more and more people were showing up dead. In response to this over the past few days, Ryu had in fact, increased patrols around the village. But not as a visible display of power. It was more like, those things done to help that nobody really notices at first. The civilian population often felt like helpless rats in a cage. The military and shinobi constantly standing over and looking at them like hungry animals. Sure Ryu, making patrols large enough for them to be obvious he was on the issue had their benefits. But it also had it's drawbacks. First off all the murderer whoever this was would know clearly that the village was onto them.

Chances were they would slip into hiding. Maybe begin killing a bit more to cover their tracks and now the streets would be filled with many more innocent bodies. Lastly, they would feel like this psychopath was far more of a threat than he really was. The military mobilizing on a higher level just for him. Or maybe he might just leave the village and it would all end. While Ryusaki would love that he wanted to catch this person. Not just sweep him under the rug and call him a renegade problem that got fixed behind a curtain. However with these increased patrols he quickly received word of the hidden bodies near the village. With the increase in patrols the skill of the guards had been increased, their routes extended and their frequency increased. Not only that but people who's jobs were specifically on the case were all given radio's. High ranking ninja killing them without commotion would not be easy or probably not even possible. The radios would allow them communicate information with lightning fast speed and spanned a large part of the village in range. Soon after that it took almost no time for word to be sent back to him. In fact timeline wise it was slightly before Akumu's next victim the middle aged women had been decided. Standing up, Ryusaki looked out on his village. The place he was sworn to protect and the place that he would give his life for. Nodding at the shinobi who had informed him, he left. Now most would assume that he would head for the scene of the crime in the wooded area. However this was pointless, there was already medics there and everything. Enough people to say that the bodies had been recent. That means that the killing fool couldn't be too far away. And so with that patrols once again increased. Carefully as to not alert people but at the same time more frequented, and by experienced people. Akumu was careless, with his placement of the girl. Carelessly throwing her into an alleyway of a her body was found with haste. Being a living area, it had high traffic, perfect place for a murderer, perfect place to increase patrols. Moving along the rooftops, the call came into Ryusaki and those searching. Yet another body, and soon after that the direction it was came through as well. Ryusaki was already on his way to that area as it was. That being part of the general place someone would be from where the bodies were found. As the call came in he began to scan the place, carefully and not taking such a careless moving approach. From there he noticed two figures, talking. On the roof, and extremely close to the the place where the body had been found.

Over the radio, Ryusaki called out to them. If they were part of the team they should respond. Trying once again with no response, it became clear they weren't part of the group. Sure they could just been two shinobi looking but at the moment he was seeing red. That meant they were his best leads, and by no means would they get away. His specialty was taijutsu, so making up the distance enough to keep up when they started moving wasn't hard. But Ryusaki was still careful, not even risking it with his ear piece. It would be silent to those with ones only, but still why risk it? When they went down into a field he stopped. He knew the village well and he knew exactly where that was. His intentions were to go in, but he needed intelligence first. He saw two people, now once again there was a slight chance, that they were his shinobi but still. Out of view from any of Akumu's security measures Ryusaki summoned his sensing dog Karyuudo, smoke from the puff would be kept down, even so blocked by walls and trees. He would speak softly and lowly with her, nobody but her with her extremely well set ears would hear him. Immediately she would get to work picking out targets and numbering people. All the while this conversation was going as he attempted to change one of leafs shinobi to his ways. "There are five..one is..not human, the other three have the same chakra signature probably clones. The last is another person." She would whisper so that she couldn't be heard by anybody besides Ryu. "I see so guarding themselves...another target maybe..this has to be stopped now. I'm going in..keep tabs on everything, and if my chakra should flare, join the battle at your own discretion. Do what you do best understand. Oh and take this, relay to me whats happening during the battle just in case" Ryu would take a spare radio from his pouch and set it up for her. She could speak and sense, she would be his hidden eyes during the battle, all the way until she joined the fight.

The dog would only nod and activate a hiding jutsu as Ryu would transform into a fairly common small animal in the village. Moving towards the meeting he stayed the brushes, nothing would give him away. Should anything have nothing would draw any more attention to him than any other wildlife in the area had drawn attention to themselves. It was the training ground...there was wildlife especially this kind. From his hidden area Ryu caught some of the conversation..namely from this point. "with Kaguya blood running through your veins, no one here can train you, due to there being no Kaguyas that I know of in here". Ryu would watch as all the clones would disappear and a man step out from his hiding spot. "If you would like to come with me take my hand and we will be out of here in seconds. But if you don't want too, I understand. I will be on my way, and you will never see me again. Choose now Hybris, for if you do in fact come with me your future will be miraculous compared to the future that lies for you here." So now he had hit the jackpot. Chipmunk Ryu remained hidden where nobody could see him. This was the man he was looking for probably, if not this was his best lead. Now he was trying to drag down his shinobi with him, to drag down his village..that would not be stood for. Ryu watched as the girl seemed conflicted. He quickly recognized her..a special case. In the past there had been a few nasty messages from Kiri about her. The one that the village had taken in, once everything had been taken from her. For several reason's Ryu had to stop this as he hand reached out. The small animal stepped from hiding and changed instantly. The Hokage allowing his ominous and oppressive chakra to fill the entire area. Probably stopping the entire conversation there and then.

"Are you sure you want to do that? Are you sure you want to betray the place that took you in!? The people that looked after you when we found you with nothing, kept you from the vultures that hunted you and gave you a home to enjoy in and live? The life of a criminal killing the parents of small children always hiding from society and the rest of the world appeals to you? Over the life of glory that a gifted Kunoichi like you could achieve here? The entire time Ryu remained on guard. If anyone, no anything made even a twitch of their muscles Karyuudo would warn him. He was intent on getting what he needed said, said. "Don't make me laugh..who but a psychopath would enjoy that kind of life, there is far more for you here. No matter what pathetic reason he gives you to leave they are nothing but lies and slander. As for not being trained? You do not need to be of the same clan to teach a shinobi. You are original, you create your own style your own moves, thats what makes you superior to others. That is why makes you a better shinobi, not learning from somebody else. That puts you at their mercy, making you weaker than them, and lets them see you as a lesser, take your own hand and make yourself stronger. Do not standing with the help of those that only wish you harm."

While talking the area around Ryu would get slightly heated and warmer as he removed his kunai and commanded that the man, get down on the ground with his hands visible. His talking would not disturb him from his dog, for he was a trained shinobi and had worked with her for years, this would work. Whether she listened to him or not, whoever this man was, he had to be stopped now. He was a suspect in a string of murders, not only that but he was trying to pull shinobi away from the village for some reason. His threat level just hit high alert, and the Hokage had no intention of letting him go. Alive would be preferred, dead acceptable.

Jutsu

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