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Diaries of Fear - Arc 3

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Alanok:
A sweet new arc came out from the oven, for everyone's *happiness.
(*lacks evidence)
I will be posting slightly more often and I have my personal reasons for wanting to finish Arc 3 sooner.
There is no need to worry: the content will not be ‘rushed’ and I will not abandon arc 3 in the middle of the way.
Thanks everyone for reading and commenting.
I hope you enjoy, and by enjoy I mean 'not stabbing your own head with a freaking knife out of disgust'. So, enjoy!


Diaries of Fear – Arc 3

Episode 13 – Business Left to Do

Date of log: 2 days after the war. Hokorigakure (dust)

Osoreito woke up. Apparently, not having your village under danger feel great. He went down the stairs and checked the members of his family that were there. He then went to the front door to search for his favorite journal, Dusty Journal.

That moment he remembered that he still owed that kid some coins. Jim… how could he forget? It has been a considerable good amount of days since he last paid him, so one could say Osoreito has been forgetful lately. Good thing he did not forgot to return the ring to that creepy pigeon man yesterday, he thought.

He then started to read the cover page of the journal. The title says “It is Time to See the Baby Swan Rise Again”, and bellow, “In a few weeks, Haigakure will host the ‘Baby Swan Tournament’ once again. The tournament is a minor regional event, hosted after a certain amount of time. Invite your friends in this great opportunity to enjoy a fun event. Read more in page 6”.

_Not interested. Although, the village hidden by ash is a place I have not seen yet. Ah, honestly, my father seem to visit all kinds of places.

Osoreito went through the streets again, walking calmly. Eventually, he found a familiar face in the middle of the path.

_Creepy Pigeon Man! – He said.

_Stop calling me that, I already told you I have nothing to do with that pigeons. Besides, I already told you my name a few times.

_Oh really? What is it again?

_It is…

_Well, does not matter – said him, interrupting the man.

_Then why did you a… ah, forget about it. By the way – said him while showing a ring in his finger – thanks for returning me this. I apologize for invading your territory. This ring means a lot for me.

_No worries. Is it from your family, or maybe, is it expensive?

_No. It is not even that much pure. Oh my, but the aesthetics are amazing.

_Eh?

Osoreito returned to walk after some minutes. Approaching the kage’s building, he found a group of persons making the place looks more chaotic than usual. They shouted and cheered, welcoming someone among then. Upon closer inspection, the Kage was trying to enter the building and everyone nearby stopped to see him.

It was uncommon to see the Hokorikage in person. He usually goes to the building earlier. The Kage is one of the busiest persons Osoreito knows, having to take care of all kinds of problems all the time. Osoreito waited some minutes to enter the place with some peace, searching for the office.

After walking some corridors, he came across a locked room. Nigeru once showed him the place. The torture, the old methods to interrogate prisoners, the door was enough to give chills. Is the past gone now, or are the memories fated to bring eternal nightmares?

Osoreito went to the office and there, Hanaka gave him bad news. Although everyone thought the village’s forces took care of the enemy, they did not found a certain someone during the war. A person nobody found among the bodies, a person that did not showed up in the war at all. The shinobi in dark blue, by now, already had the identity uncovered as Akarui.

The interesting part, according to Hanaka, is the fact that contacts witnessed Akarui looking for information about the Baby Swan Tournament. The reason behind his interest in the tournament is unknown. It was time to further investigate. Osoreito and Hanaka would travel to Haigakure today, during nighttime, in the soul-freezing cold of the desert.

She assigned him a simple mission, one able to cost part of the evening. Osoreito accomplished the mission in a short time. Any shinobi that worked in a village for enough time is accustomed to receive a variety of missions. He then went to his home to prepare for the travel. His grandma insisted that they still trained that day, sooner than usual of course.

A noise was coming from the front door, as Hanaka got there to call the rookie shinobi. They walked through the village, approaching the walls. The sky, almost totally blackened, slowly started to transform into its night form. The stars are also a way to guide oneself in the wild.

_Why am I going? – asked Osoreito.

_This is a mission of significant importance. Track down such a dangerous figure… discover if he want to follow the Silence Princess’ original plan.

_I am tired and it is cold here. Why did you gave me a mission during the afternoon?

_This is a mission we cannot refuse.

_I am tired and it is cold h…

_This is a mission we cannot refuse.

_I am tired and…

_This is a mission we cannot…

_Ok. Gods, ok. Got it.

They approached a person with a covered face and a dark red cloak. Hanaka handed the person some coins. That person would be their guide. Good thing they prepared supplies for the travel. The three of them went to the desert, traveling bellow a cold night full of stairs.

According to Osoreito, the desert in everyone’s soul, like the desert of Hokorigakure, can be lonely sometimes.  Maybe his brain was merely starting to freeze, making him state random sentences. Maybe he truly believed that loneliness is inherent in a person nature. Either way, they would not be so alone if a bandit attacked. Moving outside the villages require careful action to avoid danger.

Both Osoreito and Hanaka were tired, thanks to not resting properly. They eventually stopped to rest, after some hours. Eventually, the group continued their travel, the next day. After more hours, the background changed. Dark colored rocks and earth became more common to see than the sand and the typical but small-numbered vegetation of Hokorigakure. They were finally close to reach their destination.


Akarui:
Appearance: Man that wear dark blue clothing.
About: He is usually a calm and confident shinobi, specialist in assassination. He served Nigeru the Silence Princess during a period, since he is one of the few friends Nigeru’s sister had during her lifetime.

Hayame (DarthTyrael):
Appearance: Man with hazel colored eyes and dark brown hair that wear a noble robe.
About: He is an experienced and skillful shinobi that served the village for years. He is the current Hokorikage… what else could you possibly want to know about him?
Link:https://www.shinobilifeonline.com/index.php?topic=2409.0

Alanok:
Episode 14 – Incurable

Date of log: 3 days after the war. Haigakure (ash)

Osoreito, Hanaka and their guide dressed in dark red were traveling to Haigakure. Eventually reaching the territory where ash fall from the sky from times to times, the group stopped by a house in the middle of nowhere. The mysterious guide gave Hanaka two tickets for the tournament. The guide parted way and Hanaka knocked on the door.

The door opened, revealing an old couple and a kid just behind them. The man spoke:

_You two can rest here before going to the Baby Swan Tournament. It must be tiring to travel all the way from the desert.

_Whoa – said Osoreito – this man is skillful in reading minds. Be careful Hanaka. He may be a dangerous shinobi.

_Actually, kid. There is a ticket to the tournament on this woman’s hand and a lot of sand in your shoulder.

_Oh. Makes sense.

_Also, letting you pass a night here is part of the deal. Did not your friend here told you the man in red clothes is my friend?

_Relax – said Hanaka - he is right.

Osoreito and Hanaka joined the house, sitting in a room. Suddenly, the little kid spoke to the old man and woman.

_Daddy Poncho, mommy Poncho. I will visit the grave – said the kid, picking up a flower in the table.

The old man just waved his head vertically, apparently giving permission to the kid. The kid was a boy, with a look in the eyes that made him look like he was always distracted or inside his inner world. The old man, mister Poncho, offered to tell Osoreito a story about the kid and the tournament.

_But what does this kid have to do with the Baby Swan Tournament? – Asked Osoreito.

_Directly, nothing. The prize of the tournament, however, is connected with this boy’s past. There is a bottle with a golden cork among the gold pieces of the prize. A special poison.

_Special poison? The more you try to explain, more confuse I become.

The man started to tell his story. A year ago the couple was taking care of two boys, both adopted, one of them being a younger kid. The older kid had mental problems. Both of them were playing in the roof of the house.

_Come play a game – said the older one, approaching the edge.

_H-hey do not, do not, do that.

_It is simple… you close your eyes and then walk close to the edge – said him, while following his own instructions.

_W-what were you doing in the wild? Mommy told us not to get far from here.

_Me? – He said, changing his expression to a more serious one – Collecting poisonous materials.

_Why?

_I was just testing it on small animals. I am creating a lethal mix of rare ingredients. The adults will be proud of me.

_W-why hurting animals? Hey, wait! You will fall if you continue.

_You are so ingenuous. Only one thing is equal for all, and that is death.

_Are you mad with me?

_Elibert! Get away from the edge – said miss Poncho, getting in the roof and grabbing the older kid.

_Take me then – the boy started to sing meaningless words in a twisted rhythm while being dragged away – five one… one… kinder. Ha, haha, hein… sebe, emil.

Some days after the incident, Elibert died. Shinobi found him far in the wild, contaminated from a mysterious poisonous substance. While alive, he managed to create a poison made from two rare ingredients. A rare toad and a rare mushroom. The shinobi realized that the substance is almost certain to kill, since the rarity of the components means there is simply not enough time to create an antidote. The same poison ended up becoming one of the prizes of the tournament, with the antidote not included.

_Eh… – said Osoreito – sorry, I am even more confused now.

_Whatever, young one. In case you was wondering, this young kid, Nain, brings his ‘brother’ a flower weekly since his death.

_Why the habit?

_He asked me once, ‘Mommy told me flowers are beautiful and make her happy. If I give my brother flowers will he stop being mad with me?’ ah, he really is otherworldly is not him?

_Yes.

Osoreito and Hanaka passed a day in that house. The old man told them more stories during the night. That night Hanaka called Osoreito to talk in private. She could not avoid thinking that the poison is probably the most precious part of the tournament’s prize. The few gold coins and pieces were not highly valuable, since the tournament was a minor event and it was possible to get better prizes from bigger events.

If Akarui have interest in the poison, then that could mean the Hokorikage is in danger. Preventing him from putting his hands on the tournament prize is crucial. Osoreito said:

_What is so special about this poison? Akarui could steal one from the Tokage no Sabaku clan or buy one in the black market.

_Those poisons have an antidote relatively accessible. I am guessing the fact that this poison is nearly incurable thanks to its ingredients rarity, attracted him.

_The tickets lists the prizes. Is not that right?

_Yes it does. I am guessing you want to see it.

_Let me borrow the tickets for a second, can I look?

_Yes – said her, handing him one ticket – be careful, otherwise I will make you buy another one with your money.

_’Atna’s liah’,’…tee nemanruotee’, ‘naws’, ‘…b’. I wonder what it means. Is there a person called Atna, which is a liar?

_No. Are you stupid? You are reading it upside-down.

_Oh, haha. ‘Baby Swan Tournament’. I see. Here, take it back.

They then proceeded to sleep. The other day, they would continue to travel. Haigakure is not far from that place. Their objective was close. Sleeping far from their village gave them an awkward feeling. They ended the day, resting like a rock.

Ghost0000:
Nice one keep up the good work  :)

Alanok:
Episode 15 – A Game of Detectives [Filler]

Date of log: 4 days after the war. Haigakure (ash)

Osoreito and Hanaka were walking in the territory that surrounds Haigakure, after some time they saw a squirrel running. The creature was going through a similar direction than them. The place where the squirrel ended stopping by was a house, in the middle of nowhere. The fact that they were finding houses more often could mean the village was not far.

_We will check that house now.

_Will we? You were talking about how important is our mission just a while ago.

_As far as I know, Akarui could be anywhere.

As she open the door, she faces a man standing there with the arms crossed and a serious expression.

_Civilians cannot trespass this crime scene. W-wait – the squirrel entered the room, disappearing from sight – ah, what a pain. This small fellow had better not destroy the place.

_We are shinobi with high rank, from the desert. Of course, we can trespass if we want to, mister, mister… Who are you again? – Said her.

_Detective Otohai, the greatest, the brighter. Otohai, the person that will get a promotion in the investigation team number five, from Haigakure, really soon. My experience is higher than any rank you could possibly have. I could even bet all the money in the world that you could not do half of what I have done these last three years. Not even in your dreams, child. I hope this answer your question. Now, go away you two.

_Sorry, I slept halfway. I did hear something about money and bet, though. Do you want to bet? If I solve this case, will you respect my rank?

Otohai sighed, complaining about how stubborn this woman can be. After thinking for a second, he said:

_Very well. You think you can do my job better than I can. If you two do solve this case, I will give you some coins. Beware though, if you damage the crime scene I expect you to pay a big fine. Oh, and your very first hypothesis will be considered your final answer. Go ahead, ha.

She ordered Osoreito to search for evidence in the scene, while she would interview the person closest from being a suspect. A person that apparently knew the victim. Osoreito looked at the place, realizing Haigakure’s forces had already taken the corpse. The first thing to attract attention in the room was the floor, full of black marks. It could be the effect of a fire.

Meanwhile, Hanaka had already collected the person’s alibi and headed to tell Osoreito about it. The person was pranking the victim before the incident. The interviewed man stole all the logs and coal, only to retrieve it hours later. The victim was a man in his lunchtime, ready to prepare food in his house. He was indeed preparing food, since Osoreito found a bowl with vegetables in the scene, probably for a soup.

Detective Otohai slowly approached a table while Hanaka was distracted, preparing to execute his obscure plan. He approached a vase with his hand, ready to push it in the ground to make it shatter. The reason was obvious however, for Hanaka. She took a shuriken from her bag, quickly turning her face and saying:

_You do not want things broken, do you? Like this vase, this table or maybe even your bloody skull on the ground. I did not forget about any bit of our deal. – After she finished, he moved away from the table.

Osoreito found a broken glass. Some kind of pot with some remaining oil inside. As Otohai and Hanaka joined the room, Osoreito commented:

_I think the victim burned to death. There is oil in the crime scene and black marks on the ground.

_Well, hahaha – said Otohai – I believe you two just lost. I won the bet, gyahaha.

_W-wait. What?

_Never forget my rules, kids. It was part of the deal to consider your first hypothesis as your final answer. I already solved this case and I know that your hypothesis is wrong.

_Unbelievable! – Shouted Hanaka – Ugh, I am going to kill you Osoreito. By the way, what is wrong with what he said? Mister Oto-something.

_Hai! Oto-hai! Mister ‘doctor detective master Otohai’ for the likes of you. The cause of the death was an explosion, which caused glass fragments to pierce vital organs of his body. Not fire, as your friend stated.

_Oh – proceeded Hanaka – but how he ended causing an explosion?

_Ah. His killer is that man you just interviewed. I believe that not only he stole logs and coal but also placed the pot there to kill him. It is an almost perfect crime, a sabotage. I know this because he also said that the victim was a fire nature shinobi and an impulsive person.

_Eh, he did not told me that. I cannot believe that I forgot to ask about what he knew about the victim and instead focused in his alibi… his prank. I may ask again, what triggered the explosion?

_Being an impulsive person, his first idea after realizing there was no coal was using a fire ninjutsu. However, since his killer sabotaged the place, he ended up hitting the pot. The killer knew too much about him. His elemental nature, his personality. His knowledge, the exactly reason for my suspicion about that man.

_What is this sound? – Asked Osoreito.

Hidden bellow a cabinet was a squirrel, eating a banana peel. They finally found the squirrel, destroying the crime scene. Osoreito announced his new hypothesis, even without a prize to get from the act.

_First, this man on the next room pranked our victim. Left without anything to start a fire with and cook his food, the victim proceeded to cast a fire ninjutsu. The incident however, was not the fruit of a sabotage, but an accident caused by this peel.

_Osoreito, for the first time ever, I do not regret accepting you in my division – said Hanaka – you solved the case.

_My dear Hanaka, solving the case was elementary. W-wait, what you mean with regretting to accept me in the division?

_Ugh – said Otohai, with a palm in his face – he did not solved anything. This do not explain how can an unrelated person know so much about the victim. What a dangerous oil was doing in the crime scene?

A man with a big mustache joined the room. Otohai ended shocked by his presence.

_S-superior. Earlier… are… you. You came early, I mean. This situation is under control.

_No use to talk now – said him, closing his eyes – I heard everything. I was passing by when I saw two squirrels invading the crime scene. I came to search for them.

_Does this mean that he heard Osoreito solving the case? I would love to get my money now – replied Hanaka.

_I will not repeat this – the mysterious man changed his expression to an angrier one – young woman, you and your friend should be far away from here. If you dare to stay here any longer, you can consider yourself arrested – he stopped for a moment and turned to Otohai.

_T-this case would grant me a promotion – said Otohai.

_I heard about your bet. Gambling during your work time, eh. You should not expect a promotion in at least two years, after an incident like this.

_Ah, I-I feel… unmasked. I would have gotten away with this, if it were not for these meddling kids and their stupid squirrels.

Osoreito and Hanaka returned to their path. For them, the case was unsolved, since they have no authority in Haigakure’s territory. Haigakure was not far from that place.

Alanok:
Episode 16 – The Unworthy Wait

Date of log: 5 (21) days after the war. Haigakure (ash)

Hanaka and Osoreito finally reached the village hidden by ash, Haigakure. They waited two weeks and some days for the tournament beginning. They approached the place where it would be hosted, afraid of getting there late. Outside the arena, among the large group of persons joining and leaving the place, it was already possible to see shinobi from Haigakure and the nearby villages. Mostly shinobi being from Haigakure.

Osoreito was surprised to find persons from Hokorigakure spread around the place. They both went through the entrance, giving the tickets and discovering that they got there late. They were too late to see the event from the beginning but joined anyway, after all, they had a mission. The event would last one day and could possibly take many hours to end.

Hanaka found a group of persons reunited in a corridor. Curious, she tried to understand what was going on. Some members of the Yamazaki clan were charging coins to present a ‘street hypnosis’ show. She heard a voice from that distance, something on the lines:

_Five and you feel more relaxed. Four, double the feel. A relaxing feeling sprouts on your feet and spreads through all your body. Three, you relax even more. You can wake up any time, but you just want to stay in this state and allow yourself to enjoy the moment. Two…

Hanaka and Osoreito went to sit in their place to watch the tournament. A man in the middle of the arena announced:

_And the winner of this battle is… Nibui! – Said him, holding Nibui’s arm high, while the crowd cheered in excitement.

Nibui left the place. The next battle was about to start. Two shinobi approached the arena from each side. One of them, a man wearing a black leather coat. He ran pointing his finger to the sky with a hand and screaming:

_Thunder!

_Thun-der! – Replied a group of persons close to Hanaka, possibly his fan club.

_Thunder!

_Thun-der!

_Thunder Boar!

From the other side, a shinobi came silently and walking casually with a static expression. The announcer said:

_In my left side is the man that goes by the title of… Thunder Boar. In my right side is the shinobi… Dart. Now, may the battle begin!

As the battle began, Thunder Boar started to talk:

_I am the protagonist in this story, I have the power of friendship by my side. I believe in the heart of the kunai. I would never let my friends down… – as he proceeded, Dart got distracted in a flashback.

Dart and Katugsuchi were in a room, discussing.

_I heard there is going to be a prize in gold in this tournament. I am not expecting to hear a no – said Katugsuchi.

_B-but I trained years to become a shinobi. I am part of the Tactical Squad and the Special Assassination group. It is not fitting that I participate in a battle tournament. Entertainment is the only purpose of such event.

_Do you think gold is a freaking game? It is about freaking gold that we are talking, Dart. Ok, so you want turn around and run away from my dreams. Go ahead.

_Eh… – he sighed – you know. You could send someone else or go there yourself.

_No sense. I am busy trying to count my gold. Oh, maybe you are just scared like a chicken – he started to imitate chicken noises and wave his elbows like wings.

Meanwhile, in the present moment, Thunder Boar continued:

_... and that is why I could never ever possibly lose this battle. You are about to face my burning youth!

Thunder Boar proceeded to kick his opponent multiple times. Dart dodged the first attack and the second as well, blocking the subsequent kicks with only one arm. Thunder Boar tried to punch him, but he dodged the attack by jumping backward and preparing to get something from a pocket. What he got was a kunai, two of them. He threw them at Thunder Boar skillfully, using one hand.

_You move fast but have little strength. Not bad – said Dart, while his enemy dodged the projectiles – but it is time to finish this. Earth Realease: Earth Dragon!

An earth dragon appeared from the ground and threw Thunder Boar outside the fighting space. The announcer prepared to congratulate the winner but a skinny man interrupted him, running desperately with sweat in his face and a shocked expression. The announcer heard him whisper something and started to tremble. As the skinny man left nervously, he announced stuttering:

_Do n-not panic, everyone. The organizers decided to suspend the tournament for now and it will continue tomorrow. Everyone who brought tickets can come watch without additional charge. Please, proceed to leave the place as soon as the guards quickly inspection and interview each of you.

For Hanaka and Osoreito, it became evident that they were too late to find Akarui. With the poison stolen, they had no choice but to go back to Hokorigakure. They prepared to travel that same night. Osoreito complained that they traveled so far without being able to fully watch the tournament or find Akarui. During the night, they travelled back, carrying the notice of their failure.


Nibui (Snoopy):
Appearance: Man with dark brown eyes and black hair that wear a black unbuttoned shirt and grey shorts.
About: He is a somewhat experienced shinobi and not much is known about him and his past.
Link:https://www.shinobilifeonline.com/index.php?topic=2870.msg49349#msg49349

Dart (CaioDarT):
Appearance: Man with light brown eyes and white hair that wear a shinobi outfit.
About: Little is known about this somewhat experienced shinobi.
Link:https://www.shinobilifeonline.com/index.php?topic=2951.0

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