Izuna [in mind]: 'Sigh... I can't refuse this... can I? If I refuse... they might turn suspicious of me. Why did I even bother to stop by and interfere in the fight when Ao and his group were on their way?'
Izuna: "Very well... we will tag along."
(Izuna and Kimimaro join the group as they walk towards Kirigakure.)
(Ao walks near them and starts to question Izuna.)
Ao: "Yuito... right?"
(Izuna nods his head in affirmation.)
Ao: "So... you are a member of now almost extinct Yuki clan. What made you return to Kiri... that also of all times?"
(Ao stops and looks at Izuna's expression before he continues.)
Ao: "Kiri is at its most chaotic time... the infamy of the village as 'Bloody Mist' is spread throughout other nations. Many Shinobis are abandoning the village to leave a relatively peaceful life. It was the reason... Kiri created the Hunter-Nin Corp of Anbu to hunt down these deserters. So, why of all times are you returning to the village?"
(Ao continues to observe Izuna for any change in his expression.)
Izuna [in mind]: 'Is he doubting my credibility? But I haven't done anything suspicious to warrant his doubt. I never knew Ao was such a meticulous person.'
Mei: "He is here to bury his mother's ashes."
(Mei explains to Ao before Izuna could open his mouth.)
(Ao nods his head and maintains his distance from them.)
(He is still monitoring Izuna for any suspicious activity.)
Mei: "Yuito... so that's your name. It... it lacks manliness."
Izuna: "...."
Izuna [in mind]: 'Did I choose the wrong name? I thought it would go quite well with my Yuki clan identity. Haku looked like a trap with his voice, name, and appearance.'
Izuna: "My mother wanted a baby girl... but I was born instead. So... she gave me such a name."
(Izuna explains to Mei.)
(Mei nods her head.)
Mei: "With that appearance... I think it quite suits you."
Izuna: "...."
(Izuna speechlessly looks at Mei.)
(They continue their journey towards Kiri.)
(as Ao constantly monitors Izuna's every move.)
Izuna [in mind]: 'Damn... this half-ass pirate is staring at me like a hawk. Should I gauge out that Byakugan of his? If he stares at me for again... then I will surely pluck out that Byakugan in the future.'
(Izuna is pissed off by the continuous hawk- like gaze of Ao.)
(Shiver...)
(Ao feels a chill run down his spine.)
(He immediately turns away from Izuna.)
Ao [in mind]: 'Strange'.
(He mutters to himself.)
(Finally, they reach the entrance of the Kirigakure.)
(A giant arc of rock appears in their vision.)
(There is a giant blue circular engraving with a symbol for 'Water' in Kanji carved on the arc.)
(The entrance is covered in mist as any Ninja patrols the walls of the village.)
Izuna [in mind]: 'So.. this is Kiri. It is my first time here in Kiri.'
(Izuna inspects Kiri.)
(He notices several cylindrical buildings erected all over in Kiri.)
(At the entrance of the Kiri.)
(a middle-aged man and an old man waits for the group.)
(The middle-aged man notices the group.)
(and hurriedly approaches them.)
(He hugs Mei and immediately questions her.)
Fuji: "Mei... are you alright?"
Mei: "I am alright Father."
(Mei nods her head and explains the entire incident in detail.)
(Fuji turns to Izuna and thanks him.)
Fuji: "Thanks for saving my daughter."
(Fuji curiously inspects Izuna but couldn't find any extraordinary feature except his handsome face.)
Fuji [in mind]: 'His face is way too girly. Well... all Yuki clan males have such features.'
(Fuji shakes his head and continues the conversation.)
Fuji: "Since you are the savior of my daughter... I will allow you to enter the village without any exception. Kiri is in a pretty chaotic situation nowadays... so always be on alert. Also... as my gratitude, I will provide you with lodging."
(Fuji signals a nearby shinobi.)
(The shinobi leads Izuna and Kimimaro inside the village.)
(After their departure, Genji slowly walks up to Fuji and addresses him.)
Genji: "You should keep an eye on him. Ao is suspicious of him. I have never seen Ao so guarded against somebody."
(Fuji nods his head.)
Fuji: "Yes... I can't be lenient anymore. They have attempted assassination on my daughter."
(Fuji turs towards Wakan and orders him.)
Fuji: "Wakan... you are one of my most trusted partners. I would like you to send someone to keep an eye on that Yuito. Also... send someone to the village he mentioned to investigate his background. I want to know if he is telling the truth or not. If he is telling truth... then we can rope him in. There are no powerful Ice release users among our ranks. He can prove to be a worthy asset in our cause."
Wakan: "Yes, Fuji-san."
(Wakan bows his head and turns towards his Anbu team.)
(He sends one of his Anbu members to keep an eye on Izuna.)
(and sends another to validate the background of Izuna.)
(On a nearby tree.)
Izuna [in mind]: 'So... that's what they are planning. I can never lower my guard... can I?'
(Izuna is eavesdropping on the conversation of the group by using his invisibility.)
[To be continued...]