Mission Briefing:

On the way

"Hai!" Kahou nodded after receiving her first task. She had a feeling she knew why people would quit as much but she could not explain it. It felt as if she had been "there" while memories from the past made their way back to her mind.
"Someday... I will come for you too..." she thought to herself as her boots's taps echoed in the Mizukage's halls.
She was still thinking what could be the reason behind store owner's issue? "Could the people be underpaid? Doubtful, the employees in the other stores are at the same wage. Huge workload? The owner probably would have noticed and hired more staff... not to mention the employees would have mentioned that. Maybe they are under pressure from the local manager? That could be it, but why would they not say something about it? Might be also the working conditions of the store? Smell, heat, comfort..." she was overthinking again, puzzled by the mystery.


The blonde was forced to leave her ninja bag in her locker, along with her bandana because she was going undercover and ninja tools did not seem appropriate. She also made a little change of cloths because after all she was going on something like a day-job where people should not be looking like military personel. On her way to the address she decided to buy a cup of warm coffee seasoned with two sugars - something extravagant for her because she had never actually drank coffee before. "How bad can it be? The people from the books always drank coffee!" she thought to herself putting the cup to her mouth, digging in a mouthful of coffee. She immediately spit it, splattering it all on the floor before her.
"OUCH! OUCH! OUCH" she instinctively reacted as she flapped her hand in front of her mouth to create a small breeze to cool down the hell she had embraced.
"Are you okay, miss?" a rather interested gentleman approached her. Of course he would be interested! She is a blonde, purple-eyed doll that apparently has the "brains" to be his day catch.
"I'm fine!" she stomped her foot and left in a hurricane.
"Huh...." the man lifted his eyebrows as he watched Kahou leave. "My love life in a nutshell..."

WC: 382

The Karisuma descendant continued her journey towards the address still healing herself from the burn the coffee had inflicted on her tongue. "People are insane to be drinking this..." she thought to herself without paying too much attention to her surroundings looking down just a few feet in front. When she finally arrived at the store, she lifted her head and her eyes grew wide.


"So it is pretty simple job!" he was keeping his posture as if he knew not the real reason for her being there. "Do you have any questions?"
"Uh..." she shaked her head sideways. "No, none." putting on an odd smile.
She began looking around to build up her impressions of the store but there was nothing she really fealt... revolting. Everything seemed normal. Womens clothing, white walls, white clean counter, good security...
"Good morning, you must be new?" the store manager had stepped in, greeting the new beautiful gal. "Hello, boss! I am so happy to see you! Is that shirt new? It fits you PERFECTLY. M-H-M!" he turned to the owner, waving his finger in approval.
"This guy is totally annoying, but... does he look like a reason to quit your job?" Kahou frowned to herself as the greasy compliments started dripping from the manager's mouth.
"Where are my manners? My name is Juroku. And what is yours darling?" he stretched his arm for a handshake.
"Hello... Kahou" she replied hesitantly.
"Great, but unfortunately I am off! Have to visit the other stores to ensure everything runs smooth." said the owner as he put on his top and left the store without giving any special attention to both Juroku and Kehou.
"Have a great day, sir! I hope to see you again soon!"the words of the manager were always following the owner.

Kahou put on the provided by the owner uniform and sat on her spot.
"You are very beautiful!" said Juroku.
"Uhm... thanks" awkwardly replied Kahou as she was beginning to doubt her first impressions of the manager.
A middle aged man, balding man with brown hair (or at least what was left from it) and a small belly, he was just a little taller than Kahou. His smile was somehow disturbing although his teeth were as white as the light itself.
A few women came in the store looking for some cloths and Juroku immediately switched to them, greeting them and inviting them to enjoy their stay. Some felt uncomfortable by his politeness but continued on their quest for a new dress nevertheless.
"Seems harmless" Kahou thought to herself.

WC: 444
Total: 382 + 444 = 826

The Pervert finally shows his face

A few hours had passed and Kahou finally was getting used to the cashier's responsibilities. The initial burst of people had finally slowed down and the after noon hours were now calm. At the moment the store was empty as the last woman paid for her dress and gifted a smile to Kahou as she left. The blond took a long breath in and an even longer breath out, trying to relieve from the stress. "This is really annoyiiiing... could it be people quit because of actually having to work?" she closed her eyes and stretched her shoulders, resting her head backward.

"That fragile body must be really tired!" the store manager put his hands on her shoulders from behind and started massaging her.
Her face immediately became terrified and images of "that night" started appearing in front of her eyes.

Flashback:

"How about we go at the back and I relieve you from the stress?" the words slithered from his dripping mouth.
Kahou jumped up and pushed the chair she was sitting on away and Juroku had to step a few feet back to avoid collision.

"How about I tell the owner?" she tried to keep her cool but she was clenching her fists. She wanted to hit him. She wanted to destroy him. "So you are the reason for all those people quitting this job!" she finally began to understand.

"And then what? Huh? I've been here for so long! Everybody trusts me! I will destroy you, your reputation and your future if you only say a word!" he finally fell into the trap he himself had laid forcing all those people to quit.

The blonde could no longer resist the urge and she threw herself upon him, striking with her right hand. Realizing the situation he was actually in, Juroku's face turned blue. He lifted his hands to protect his face but the coward he was, he closed his eyes hoping it would've been enough. Kahou's fist snuck between his arms and struck his chin. With a pirouette he spinned on his foot as an axis and then collapsed on the floor.

"Huuuh" she left a long female sigh that was both annoyed and content.
She heard steps coming from behind and turned instantly to see who had entered the store. Luckily for her it was the person she was now looking for - the store owner. Kahou's name meaning fortune again had struck in the right moment.

The man leaned above the counter, noticing the lying manager on the floor unconscious. His eyes then moved back up to Kahou who was breathing rapidly. She nodded a few times before taking a deep breath and explaining in details what had happened to the owner.
"All this time..." the owner was disappointed. "Thank you for your help... I can't wrap my head around it still. Oh, apologies. I wouldn't want to keep you. Here - the reward as promised."

Most people would say thank you at this stage but Kahou was still experiencing the nightmare of her past and just nodded back as she took the purse with Ryo. She left the store and started walking towards the Mizukage halls in order to bring back her report and close out this mission.
And about the store manager? Well, let's say that being blacklisted was the least of his problems nowadays.

[exit thread]
---------
WC: 612
Total:826+612 = 1438

Strength: E0 -> E1: 75
Speed: E0 -> E2: 225
Endurance: E0 -> E2: 225
Perception: E0 -> E1: 75
Reaction Time: E0 -> E1: 75

1438 - 675 = 763

Mission complete: 763/750.