Back in Suigen

[Π]

BACK IN SUIGEN
[OPEN - NDE]

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His frame moved quickly through the bustling streets of Suigen, draped in black cloths from the land of Tea's merchantmen. Yamada Norishige had returned to his homeland of Kawa-no-Kuni and to the capital of Suigen in search of someone. The men that he had killed several nights ago were merely the beginning to his bloody quest through the ninja realm. The sun hung in the air overhead as the boy pulled a dark hood over his skull - he spat mental curses at his daytime antagonizer as he continued toward his destination.

"Kakuzu... where are you?" his question fell on deaf ears as he pushed his way through the packed marketplace. Hopefully no one heard him - hopefully no one recognized him.

[Π]

His search had been in vain within the reaches of the market area. Kakuzu wasn't at the stall that he usually manned, but his father Kinnojo had been.

"Ahhhh - good to see you, Norishige-san," the man said as he saw Tenchu approach the shop. He quickly served up a bowl of ramen for the boy who looked eager to eat. As he bowed before the man who he considered to be his step-father, he inquired:

"Where is Kakuzu? I must speak with him..." his gaze shifted from the steaming bowl in front of him to that of Kinnojo's visage. The latter man frowned slightly before he replied. "Honestly, I do not know. A while after you left the country, he headed north. I think he went to Taki-no-Kuni to look for work there." He seemed to be saddened by the departure of his son, but his mood quickly perked up as he extended his open arms toward Nori.

"Ah! But you are back from Tea Country! (he then leaned in to whisper as Tenchu began to feast on his ramen) ... But I heard a tale about you just a day ago. You attacked some travelers from Kuma?" his whisper had been heard by none other than Norishige who finished his meal promptly.

Nori nodded in retort. He lifted himself up as he turned to head out: "I must find Kakuzu, we have much to discuss." he bowed to Kinnojo before he left the stall headed back into the bustling market streets. Within time, he managed to make his way to the outskirts of the town by midday. Norishige seemed very impatient about matters at hand. He would have to travel to Waterfall Country to find his brother Kakuzu...

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———exit