one_long_mission | [OPEN] The Strange Man's Arrival

Within hours of finding himself in this new location, he'd removed his Sound forehead protector and buried it in a copse of trees beyond a rice paddy. It was clear that there were no shinobi here, and he had no desire to stand out. What was the saying about the post that sticks up...? If captured, he would need to be able to morph his allegiances to suit, not be branded prematurely by a piece of metal. Purposefully, he'd masked his Chakra and made to blend in, smiling and earning himself the trust of a simple herbsman within the village itself. To even the most trained eye, the young man with the prematurely-grey hair had made himself a home in this so-called Michi no Sato.

Yakushi Kabuto had no home, only cover stories.

Whether this was a test of Orochimaru-sama's or a genjutsu prison devised by any one of their many enemies, Kabuto would survive, would thrive, and would eventually escape to rejoin his master. Any lingering doubts that he might eventually be happy here on his own were quickly squashed. Independence was not an option.

Within a few days, other shinobi began to arrive, some more obviously than others. Through it all, the young man only smiled, collected herbs, mashed poultices, and took careful, careful notes.

The bustle of the Frost Festival provided the perfect opportunity to personally gather more information. The shifting timelines and alternate personalities he'd observed would only be to his benefit here.

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He takes careful note of the way he uses 'kidnapped' in past tense. Knowing Naruto-kun, there was only one potential target that the other would be upset that he was kidnapped -- Sasuke-kun. If it were in the past tense, that would mean their attempt to lure him succeeded. Which meant that in relation to his own self, this Naruto-kun was from a further point in time. Fascinating, really.

All that is decided in an instant as he doesn't comment on the setting up of a lab, not yet knowledgeable enough to comment. Instead, he lets his eyes widen with interest. "Uchiha Itachi... is it? This is not an opportunity that should be wasted... if I may suggest, Orochimaru-sama."

Edited 2012-11-22 21:28 (UTC)

"Oh I don't intend to. I'll be taking regular blood samples throughout the course of the drug testing until I find something... usable." He waved a hand and canted his head to the side. "I'm sure I'll have him around for a good long while. All the better in my opinion. Naruto is far harder to coax into cooperating. And you Kabuto-kun? Will you give me the chance to better get to know -you-?"

"And his body itself?" If Uchiha Itachi is weak enough to seek aid from Orochimaru-sama, then he should be weak enough to easily defeat... though, upon second thought, if Orochimaru-sama were really only as old as he looked, was that even a concern of his?

The question didn't merit a real answer; the other should already know the truth, especially if the presence of Uchiha Itachi as a willing test subject were laid as bait. Kabuto answers anyway, lips curving into something like a sadistic smirk. "As my lord wills," he answers.

"Hmm, you're asking something other than what I want to believe you're asking." He stepped forward, reaching up to brush his fingers along Kabuto's hair, shamelessly curious about this man.

After all, if he was cast in so bright a light for him he must have done -something- correctly. "Mmm, you'll tell me more about what I've done in the future? I'm tired of only getting the accusations when I ask." He paused, huffing softly. "And it's not even just Naruto-kun doing it either. Irritating."

Kabuto's eyes follow the other's hand to his hair, but he doesn't flinch away or make any sign that's he's uncomfortable with the motion. He only watches without blinking and settles his weight to show that he's not about to move.

"It would be my honor, Orochimaru-sama, but..." Purposefully, he lifts his eyes to survey the festival itself, one brow arching. "That is not something that should be openly discussed, if you don't mind my saying so."

"True, but that becomes a question of what definition of openly is in use." He pressed his fingertips to his sleeve where a small seal was inscribed. "I'll admit that war has made me -very- cautious."

There was a small flex of chakra, and the crowd abruptly seemed just a bit... brighter. "Will you walk with me Kabuto-kun? It's so pleasant to have a friendly face."

His eyes move from the seal to the crowd, attempting to analyze just what's been done, but he doesn't think he's seen the technique before. He only nods and extends a hand to gesture that Orochimaru-sama should continue on his way, and that he would fall into step behind him.

"It would be my pleasure. If I may ask, what jutsu is this?"

He turned to slip into the crowd. "Just a minor seal. I designed it to damped sound to a specified area and obscure so those within the area are difficult to look directly at. It's rather whimsical, but really only goes just out to fully-extended arm radius. I have it on most of my clothes. It's enough to dissuade casual spying, which is all I would have at the current time."

"I see." He nods with a small, interested smirk, and falls into step just behind him. "As expected from Orochimaru-sama. If you'll permit another question... what is it you are presently researching to trouble Naruto-kun so?"

"I've been bothering -him- actually. He really has no idea as to my proper studies, though they've not gone far given my incomplete lab." He tisked. "Research documentation from the locals has proved... fascinating however."

He nods once, watching the other for a moment before turning his attention forward again. "I agree. There are herbs in this country that I was not familiar with before arrival. It would suggest that we are far from any of the Five Great Nations."

"Considering the name of the country and the time... issues... I would presume that we're in a place somewhat removed from the elemental nations entirely." He didn't sound overly concerned by this, instead drifting to another vendor to collect something.

"So it would seem," he agrees impassively with another nod, only following the other far enough to stay out of the way of the main crowd, waiting patiently for him to collect whatever it was he wanted.

He swept back to him before continuing on, easily sealing the item into a purple ribbon from his pocket. "Tell me, you seemed surprised at my use of the seal. Did I not use such things around you?"

"Not that I had seen." Kabuto shakes his head once and falls right back into step with the other as if it had been practiced. "Though in fairness, we were rarely together for espionage."

He gave a low soft laugh. "Shame. I get the feeling that we make a beautiful team." He flicked his hair back behind his shoulder. "Would you agree Kabuto-kun?"

An eyebrow arches at the hairflip, and he only shakes his head. "You have reminded me several times that though I am strong enough to be on equal footing with Jounin, I cannot fight on equal footing with you, Orochimaru-sama."

"I never said that teams were equal, did I?" He dropped his hand to his side, looking over at him. "A good team always has a leader."

"Of course," he only nods, continuing to survey the area as they walk, "I will do as my lord wishes of me."

"That is your favorite phrase isn't it?" He paused his steps,then headed toward the edges of the festival. "I never had any students."

[OPEN] The Strange Man's Arrival

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