The Masquerade.

Mission Details:

Yushin received a couple days ago a most intriguing letter from a noble of the Land of the Hotsprings who wanted to hire the criminal. Apparently, the noble known as Kyoro Matsuhiko would throw an extremely extravagant masquerade party in Yugakure no Sato, and he invited nobles and the upper class from many countries around the Land of Hotsprings. 

Such powerful people coming to this get together were the kind of people who like to feel safe but don't want to see what is protecting them, so Yushin was tasked with going undercover and to watch out for Kyoro's guests well being, as the harm or death of any guest would deeply affect Kyoro’s reputation.

Alongside the letter and the mission contract, Yushin received a black Anbu-like mask which he would use to pose as a guest and camouflage himself in the party, blending in the many masked people there. The letter also contained instructions of meeting the other shinobi hired for this job in a specified rendezvous point. This meant that, for a change, Yushin wouldn’t be working alone. Tagging alongside others and working as rich people’s bodyguard kind of bothered the missing ninja, but he was promised to be paid handsomely for this job, so he was more than willing to take it and fulfill it.

There was a final footnote on the letter:

“A few of my guests could potentially be targeted by mischievous assassins trying to ruin my party, and I need you to quietly take care of it. Please DO NOT harm any of the guests while trying to save them either.”

This didn’t surprise Yushin at all, as since the party was being thrown outside any major village’s territory and right into the Land of Hotsprings, known for being the epicenter for many of the shinobi’s world criminal activities. That meant that probably this job would require Yushin to leave his eyes wide open and his senses sharp in order to avoid any trouble.

The night quickly arrived, and then the criminal Yushin put on the mask he had received along with his mission contract, his traditional clothing and his inseparable fedora hat, and headed to the meeting point, at the rooftop of Kyoro's mansion. From there, he watched as the noble guests, wearing masks of the most diverse models and shapes, one by one arrived in extravagant carriages, and were received by the mansion's staff. Soon, the rest of the “security” team would arrive, and their watch would begin.

---

WC: 415

Koharu hated parties at the best of times. On top of that one filled with nobility? Even worse. She had nearly outright refused the contract offer when first received, but better judgement prevailed. The pay was generous for one, and it wasn't exactly a high risk scenario. All she had to do was watch over a bunch of drunken buffoons for a few hours, take her ryo and be off. It seemed simple enough of paper. The real difficulty came in deciding what to wear. Koharu had a certain distaste for the gaudy clothing that the noble's deemed 'high fashion'.

In the end she had decided to settle on a simple black robe for the occasion. It was more in line with her usual tastes, and still allowed for freedom of movement if necessary. The mask was one similar to something she had seen in a theatre show once, depicting a crying face. Koharu thought it was fitting, given her overall displeasure of glorified babysitting duty. Not that she would ever openly voice such things, money was always welcome.

On the night of the party Koharu found herself re-reading the contract once more. The wording of the letter itself was interesting, showing the eccentric nature of the writer. "Mischievous?" She couldn't help but question aloud with a shake of her head. That was certainly one way of describing would be assassins she supposed. Still, at least the man had the sense to even hire guards in the first place. This area of the world wasn't exactly known for its law abiding citizens after all.

Which begged the question, what sort of trouble could be expected? So many nobles in one place was a tantalising target. Koharu was likely safe in her assumption that anyone targeting this party would be somewhat skilled. Either that, or incredibly stupid. She hoped the latter, but was preparing for the former. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise then that she would not be working alone, for once.

The day had drifted to night, and Koharu herself had drifted to the party. It seemed the plan was to rendezvous with her fellow disguised party-goers on the rooftop, and then begin doing...security things or something like that. In order to blend in, she arrived with her chakra suppressed and in costume. It was neither fancy enough nor plain enough to really draw any attention to herself, which was a good thing for stuff like this...probably.

She slipped through the slowly gathering crowd, making her way to the rooftop of the mansion relatively early on. By the time of her arrival it seemed one other was already there. They seemed to be a tall individual, far taller than Koharu herself anyway.

"Good evening." Koharu spoke, only really as a formality to announce herself. Wouldn't want someone getting spooked and falling off the rooftop after all. Her gaze moved down toward the gathering crowd, eyes scanning the incoming nobles. It was a sea of fancy dresses and masked faces. This was going to require more effort than she had originally anticipated it seemed.

[514]

Spoiler:

The meeting was a brief one, and soon Koharu had left to go fulfil her end of the job. She spent time mingling amongst the crowd, head on a swivel and eyes constantly scanning the area as she went. How does one spot an assassin? It's a difficult task, made more so by the nature of the event itself. Still, it was relatively easy to find people who didn't belong amongst nobility. The way they acted, the way they spoke, even the way they moved. The lack of trained grace and refinement potentially could stick out amongst the crowd, should one pay attention for long enough. Which is what Koharu did, she simply watched and listened.

All in all, there was one in particular that caught her attention.

A man who stood near the edge of the gathering. He was dressed impeccably but seemed to move with a stiffness that betrayed his discomfort. He was alone, scanning the room constantly, though his gaze seemed to linger on certain individuals. While most of the party going nobles were engaging in light hearted banter or indulging in the lavish foods offered, this man seemed more interested in the exits and blind spots.

There was a chance Koharu was mistaken, perhaps he was simply a minor noble who was nervous about his first time in the big leagues. So she didn't make a move yet, and instead kept her eyes on him. The more she watched, the more the disguise unravelled itself before her violet gaze. His posture was too rigid, his grip on the drink glass white knuckled and firm. The way he moved felt off, almost too deliberate, as if it were part of a well rehearsed performance.

She watched him from across the room, and weaved through the crowd while keeping an eye on her target. Her mask provided a convenient cover, allowing her eyes to remain locked on the man without cause for alarm as she moved. When the man started to move, Koharu followed. She made sure to keep him within eyesight at all times. The worst possibility was if he managed to give her the slip. It had been difficult to spot him the first time, and tracking him down a second time would perhaps prove too difficult.

The man's path led him toward a balcony that overlooked the grand hall. It was less crowded, and offered a clear vantage point of the gathered nobles below. Koharu followed, taking a slightly longer route as to avoid suspicion. She reached the balcony's entrance just in time to see the man step outside, his back turned to the party as he gazed out to the night.

Koharu paused in the shadows and weighed her options. Confronting him outright would alert any accomplices he had. But letting him out of her sight wasn't an option either. She decided on the subtle approach, blending into the background until an opportunity presented itself.

The man shifted his weight, leaning on the railing. He glanced over his shoulder and his eyes narrowed. It was for a fleeting moment, but Koharu caught it, the flicker of tension that seemed to confirm her suspicions. The man was waiting for something, or someone.

The real question was what exactly were they waiting for?

Koharu moved closer. She positioned herself near a column, providing cover while still allowing her to keep a clear view of the man. She watched as he retrieved a small object from his pocket, glancing at it for a moment before returning it into his coat. Her eyes narrowed, the design wasn't typical for a nobles accessory. Too plain, too sleek, nowhere near garish enough for a noble, even a minor one.

The man's behaviour confirmed her earlier suspicions. He was up to something, definitely not just a nervous noble. She exhaled softly, adjusting her stance as she prepared to approach him. As she neared, she formulated a plan. Observe first, then intervene if necessary. The object he had retrieved could be crucial evidence or a tool for whatever scheme he had in mind.

When she was close enough, Koharu decided to make her presence known, to gauge his reaction without alarming him. "Lovely evening, isn't it?" She said.

The man stiffened, his hand instinctively moving toward his pocket. He turned slowly, a strained smile on his face. "Yes, quite," He replied, though his tone betrayed his unease.

Koharu tilted her head, feigning a casual interest. "Not many choose to enjoy the view from here. Most prefer the warmth of the grand hall."

"I needed a moment away from the crowd. It's a bit...overwhelming." The man chuckled nervously.

"Understandable," Koharu replied as she began stepping closer. "These events can be rather stifling."

She noted the beads of sweat forming on his brow despite the cool night air. The man's eyes darted around, searching for an escape route or perhaps for someone to come to his aid. Koharu's presence was unsettling him, which meant she was on the right track.

"May I ask what brings you out here tonight?" she inquired, keeping her tone light but pressing subtly for information.

"Just...enjoying the night," he stammered, his hand inching toward his pocket again.

Koharu's eyes flicked to his hand. "And what might that be?" she asked, nodding toward his pocket.

The man's smile faltered, he seemed to consider his options. He sighed, pulling the object from his pocket it was a small metallic device, unfamiliar to her at first glance.

"A gift," He said, holding it up for her to see. "For the host."

Koharu narrowed her eyes, reaching out to take the device. "Mind if I take a look?"

Before he could respond, she snatched it from his hand. She examined it closely The device was compact, with an intricate design that suggested a concealed mechanism. It wasn’t a typical gift that's for sure. Her suspicion was confirmed when she found a tiny switch on the side. A trap, perhaps? Or a weapon?

"Interesting gift," She remarked cooly. "I wonder what it does."

The man's façade crumbled, and he lunged forward. Koharu sidestepped easily. She twisted his arm behind his back, pressing him against the railing.

"Care to explain?" She whispered in his ear.

He struggled, but Koharu's grip was solid. "You're making a mistake!"

"Maybe, but we can find that out after I've handed you over."

"Wai-" The man didn't finish whatever he was about to say, as a blow to the head knocked him out in good order.

"Seems someone's had too much to drink." She held him up, slinging one arm around her shoulder, and half dragged the man back inside.

Her job was done for the night it seemed, as she would go to hand him over the security for questioning...or whatever it was that they did.

His accomplices could be left in the hands of the other hired help.

2080/3000 Mission WC

[Exit]

1665 Personal WC

1500/1500 One Handed Seals with Max Stat Discount
Rest Discarded

Yushin stood in the rooftop of the mansion, and as he awaited, a slim built female Shinobi announced herself. She wore a mask depicting a crying face and was of short stature. "Good evening" - Yushin replied coldly, without much emotion. He wasn't there to make friends, he was there to geit paid and do his job. Soon other hired Shinobi arrived, most likely they were all missing ninja, and none seemed interested in making friends whatsoever. The security staff meeting was brief, and soon the all left to go fulfil their end of the job.  

Yushin was positioned in the grand hall of the mansion, preying in its shadows , surveying the glittering scene before him. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the room with the precision, looking for any trouble. Noblemen and women, dressed in the finest silks and jewelry, wearing the most flamboyant masks, mingled in groups, laughing and clinking glasses. Their eyes, the only part of their faces that were visible, gleamed with a mixture of wealth and arrogance, and the hum of idle conversation filled the air. The heavy scent of roses and incense mixed with the savory aromas of a grand feast laid out across long, polished tables. It was a spectacle of excess, quite the opposite from the quiet life he knew as a rogue ninja.

But Yushin wasn’t here for the indulgence. He was here to ensure that no one’s blood was spilled. His contract had been clear: Prevent any assassination attempts on the guests without drawing attention to himself. Failure meant he wouldn't get paid. His instructions had been simple enough. Blend in with the other guests, use his skills to detect any signs of assassination attempts, and neutralize the threat without anyone realizing that the rogue ninja was working in their midst. He wasn’t to harm anyone unless absolutely necessary, which meant his usual methods of swift, lethal strikes would be left unused. Instead, he had to become a ghost, slipping unnoticed through the throngs of high society.

He took a deep breath and adjusted the pitch-black Anbu like mask he had been provided. He was also, as usual, dressed impeccably, making it difficult to distinguish him from any other guest at the party. He looked every bit the part of an unassuming nobleman, blending seamlessly into the upper-class world around him.

If an assassination attempt would indeed happen, his first task was to gather information. He needed to identify potential targets, possible threats, and suspicious behavior. He took a glass of wine from a passing servant and began to move through the crowd. His senses were heightened and his every step calculated. His eyes never stopped moving, catching subtle changes in posture, unusual movements, and the occasional flicker of discomfort that only someone trained to notice such things could see. Yushin was a killer himself, so she should be able to notice if another was lurking in the room.

He spotted Lord Kyoro across the room, surrounded by several guests. The nobleman was tall and imposing, wearing a robe of deep crimson that seemed to shimmer with an almost supernatural luster, and he wore a shining golden fox mask, the type of mask that caught everyone's attention, standing out and making the nobleman a potential target. His guests were fawning over him, their laughter as hollow as the wine they drank. Yushin assumed that Kyoro was a man who enjoyed the attention and the power that came with wealth, giving on his mannerism and taste for clothes. He had likely made many enemies in his rise to prominence, especially being in the Land of Hotsprings. Perhaps criminal activities?

As Yushin continued to move through the party, he noted the various individuals who caught his eye. A well-dressed man in his mid-forties, with a thin wooden mask and long brown hair, seemed to be keeping his distance from the others. His eyes darted around the room, never settling on anyone for long. Yushin watched him closely, noting his suspicious demeanor. There was also a woman standing near a pillar, wearing a pearl-white mask. Her dark eyes, however, were sharp and calculating. She wasn’t paying attention to the conversation around her but was instead scanning the crowd with a kind of detached vigilance, but she wasn't in the "security staff" meeting at the rooftop, and Yushin saw as she entered the mansion as a guest. Yushin’s instincts told him that she was no ordinary guest, and her presence here could mean trouble.

His ears picked up snatches of conversation as he passed by groups of guests. One voice stood out, speaking in low tones. “Have you heard? There’s a traitor among us.” The voice was hushed, but Yushin could still make out the words. Traitor? Assassin? He didn’t know yet, but the tension in the air was palpable, and he could feel that something dangerous was afoot. The minutes ticked by, and Yushin continued to move through the crowd, never staying in one place for too long. He had already noted several potential threats, but he needed more information. Something told him that the situation was more complicated than it appeared. He had to stay focused, keep his senses sharp, and ensure that nothing slipped through the cracks. After another patrol round, he noticed that as the festivities wen on, the white mask woman stood still, glancing at Lord Kyoro without taking her eyes off him.

Just as Yushin was about to approach the suspicious woman near the pillar, a sudden commotion erupted at the far end of the hall. A loud shout rang out, and several guests gasped in shock. One random guest was apparently choking, causing a circle of people to form around him as the man struggled to breathe. All eyes were on the choking man, and a few guests tried to help him. Yushin noticed that the mysterious woman took advantage of the distraction, and started walking in a swift pace towards lord Kyoro, with a dagger in hand.

Instinct took over. Yushin’s hand shot out, grabbing a silver serving platter from a nearby table and hurling it with deadly accuracy. The platter struck the assassin’s hand, sending the knife flying from his grasp. In the same fluid motion, Yushin was already moving toward the figure, weaving through the crowd. The assassin’s mask was quickly torn away as Yushin grabbed her by the collar and slammed him against a nearby pillar. Everyone was occupied with the choking man, who dramatically made all kinds of noise and made everyone worry.

A few seconds later, two guards rushed to Yushin’s side, clearly unaware of the rogue ninja’s identity. They stepped in, attempting to subdue the assassin, but Yushin was already backing away, melting into the crowd as though he had never been there.

After a while, a guest who seemed like a doctor helped the poor man. Lord Kyoro, still shaken by the horrifying scene, but unharmed, was quickly escorted away by his retainers as he was informed by the regular guards that there was a killer in the room. The guests, their initial shock fading, returned to their conversations—albeit with a new sense of unease in the air.

Yushin slipped into the shadows, his mind racing. The choking mas had been a distraction? Was he part of the assassination plot. And why target Lord Kyoro now, at the height of his party? He needed answers, but there was no time to pursue them at the moment. There was probably still more danger to deal with.

As the doctor helped the choking man to his feet, Yushin realized that the man with thin wooden mask and the long brown hair was moving right behind Lord Kyoro's footsteps with ill intentions. Was he the second assassin? Was everything from before a mere distraction. Yushin couldn't wait to see it, so he swiftly walked towards the man chasing Lord Kyoro. As the criminal approached him, he noticed the man started doing handseals. A shinobi? - Yushin wandered. Before the man complete the jutsu handseals, Yushin struck him in the back of the head, putting the assassin to sleep in the middle of the great hall. The criminal once again blended into the crowd as the man felt, while the guests' eyes once again turned to another fallen guest. As the well-dressed man hit the ground, a dagger fell from his robe, and soon a crowd of guards surrounded the assassin, who had now been discovered by all.

It seemed like his job for the night was finally done. No blood had been spilled on his watch.

---

WC: 1435
TWC: 1850

[EXIT]

CLAIMS:

Mission Completion
2x Mission Rewards with Beloved Presence: 12.000 ryo and 60 AP

WC CLAIMS:

1500 words towards Chakra Supression skill [1500/1500] - 25% discount via max stats.
The remaining 350 words towards Clan Discovery [1780/2000] - had 1430 words previously trained here

Koharu Yuki wrote:

2080/3000 Mission WC

[Exit]

1665 Personal WC

1500/1500 One Handed Seals with Max Stat Discount
Rest Discarded

Approved!

Mission Completion Claim:

8000 Ryo [6000 Base & 2000 from C-Rank Bonus] [New Total 17000]

30 Bonus AP [New Total 180]

Koharu Yuki wrote:Mission Completion Claim:

8000 Ryo [6000 Base & 2000 from C-Rank Bonus] [New Total 17000]

30 Bonus AP [New Total 180]

Approved!

Yushin wrote:
WC: 1435
TWC: 1850

[EXIT]

CLAIMS:

Mission Completion
2x Mission Rewards with Beloved Presence: 12.000 ryo and 60 AP

WC CLAIMS:

1500 words towards Chakra Supression skill [1500/1500] - 25% discount via max stats.
The remaining 350 words towards Clan Discovery [1780/2000] - had 1430 words previously trained here

Approved!