Eishun woke up with a start at the sound of someone banging harshly on the door. “Who the actual fuck!”, he exclaimed, rubbing the crust from out of the corner of his eyes, and swinging his feet off the living room table that they were propped on. Glancing at the clock on the nearby wall, seeing the time being only 10 am in the morning, his attention was forced back to the door as, whoever was knocking, persisted on their endeavor. “Yeah, Yeah. I am coming. Hold your goddamn horses.”, he swore, standing up from the comfortable couch, and making his way towards the front door, though, not before his right hand wrapped around the hilt of the massive hammer that was beside the couch, lifting the thing onto his shoulder, Eishun opened the door.

Mahogany brown eyes stared at the one who disturbed the male from his nap, with annoyance. There, across from him, was one of the faculty staff members from the Shinobi Academy. “Well, what do you want. Some people are trying to sleep.” There was a clear annoyance in his voice at being disturbed, if it wasn’t clear to the staff member than Eishun’s constant flexing the fingers around the grip of the hammer surely was. While waiting for a response, the Kaguya pondered on the repercussions of smashing the staff member’s head in with the hammer. They disturbed him from a wonderful nap, and instead of answering right away, was fumbling over their words. “Spit it out already!”, he snapped, causing the individual to finally speak on why they were there.

“Sorry . . . to . . . disturb you, but one of your students, Ozawa Tadaaki”, just at the mention of the name Eishun groan in annoyance, “Had, according to his friends, skipped class today, and ventured off towards Spider-Island in hopes to prove to everyone that it doesn’t exist, and it is something made up by the adults and other shinobi to scare children.” It really wasn’t surprising Tadaaki did something like that. During the first day of class, the civilian boy had questioned everything that was simplySpider-Islandish’ to believe. He was an annoying piece of shit when it came to the topic of Spider Island. For he did not believe such an island existed, and that a brood of spiders were calling the place home. Now it seem like the boy had went off to to Spider Island to see it for himself.

Rubbing his temples, the next words that came out of his mouth surprised the staff member, who looked at him in shock, “What do you want me to do about it?”. While a normal person would be worried about some kid going to Spider Island, and what would befall on them if they were not careful enough, Eishun showed little visual concern for the child’s well-being. “Uh, hmmm, you have been asked to retrieve Ozawa Tadaaki from Spider Island, and return him back to class, or his parents.” Didn’t they know he wasn’t going to lift a damn finger unless money came his way in some form or another?

Tilting in his head to the side, Eishun spoke,”Who is ordering me to do this?”, he question. The response was one that simply could not ignore, even if he wanted to, “From the Mizukage.” At of everyone, it was only the orders from the Mizukage and council that he could not ignore. Groaning in frustration, he turned on his heel, and closed the door behind him, shutting it in the person’s face. “Fine, I will do it. But, don’t expect the boy to come back alive, you know what people say about those who go to Spider Island.”, he spoke, opening the door, and stepping outside. He was now dressed in a pair of black camouflage pants and black combat boots. Like before, his upper body was bare, showing off his chiseled chest. The Kiri headband was wrapped around his forehead. Hefting the hammer, which he had sat down once he stepped outside, he left to do what was asked of him.

It seemed like everything was trying his patients this morning. None of the normal captains would agree to take him to Spider Island. They were all too scared to enter the monster’s territory. The rumors about those who enter the seas not returning caused many to avoid the area like a plague. Speaking to other people at the docks, other believe that there were nothing but monsters on the island. It took him roughly ten minutes to find someone who was willing to take him, “You looking for a ride to Spider Island, eh?” Eishun eyed the old man who was clutching a bottle of alcohol like a lifeline, “Second person today who ask to go to that damn place. At least you look old enough to go there, until the squirt from earlier.”

He did not ponder on who was the other person who the man took to Spider Island, “Yeah, think you can take me?”, he asked. Five minutes of negotiation the pair had come to an agreement with Eishun giving the old coot money to take him to Spider Island. The man only wana ting money to buy more booze. Eishun did not personally care where the money was used for, only for him to be taken to the island in question. Getting onto the boat, Eishun started up conversation with the captain as they made their way towards the island.

“Here we are, Spider Island.” Maghony eyes look out and towards the gigantic land that was rumored to be filled with monsters. The thick fog which blanketed the area, giving it a natural cover, enchanted the eerie presence of the place. Subconsciously, Eishun felt his skin crawl as he stepped foot on the island, followed by the captain. “You will find the boy here, but rather he is alive or dead, is up to the inhabitants. They tend to be a bit bitey!”, The captain spoke, laughing, showing his crooked teeth that looked to be running away from one another.

Ignoring the man’s laughter, Eishun began walking further into the island, getting swallowed up by the fog. Senses were obscured, not only by the fog, but the sounds of critters moving to and fro, Eishun catching their shadowy moments from the current of his village. He did not know where he was going. This was the first time he was on the island. He was just heading straight towards the Manor in the distance, hoping the residents would give him some insight on where the boy was, or at least his body.

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Otherworldly is one of the many words Eishun could use to describe Spider-Island. Each step taken, leading him deeper into the fog, and the safety which the coast provide, due to the mode of transportation being there, he felt himself leaving the pronounced civilization of Mizu no Kuni and entering into a different world. Unknown and ghastly, the feeling the island was given off was something completely different than what felt in the other parts of Mizu no Kuni. A sensory he might be, but there was something primal and unnatural about the place, as if it had been isolated from humanity's touch, or removed any presence of the latter from the area.

Even though he had been walking for a few minutes, he could still hear the laughter of the ferryman who brought him across the water, and underneath the bridge that connected the island to others. The laughter was haunting and chilling. Even the words were spoken, how the residents could be a bit bitey, words that could have easily been dismissed as a harmless scare tactic was not by Eishun. He could not perceive any humor within the words. It was like the man was speaking cold truths, just hidden amongst a burst of laughter. Of course, he could have just been imagining things, but, for some reason, a part of him knew he wasn’t. Although. . .

Shadowy movements were a scene from the corner of his eye, with the source of it had disappeared by the time he turned his head in the direction. The next time a figured moved in his peripheral vision, he was able to turn his head fast enough to catch the sight of a pair of spiders fighting out in the opening. Not too far from the pair was another feeding on some small reptile. Even from a distance, he could see the arachnid’s massive fang massaging the tender underbelly of the small reptile. The sight was one of the interests for Eishun, but he could not stop and take in the speculate for he had a job to do, unfortunately.

The deeper he went, heading towards the manor, the more wildlife he began to see, and he began to realize why the place was called spider island. Arachnids were abundant everywhere. No matter where he looked, he would see multiple of spiders going about their busy, doing what nature attended for them to do. A few even managed to crawl on him, unknowingly, only for them to be removed, and allowed to scurry away. Undoubtedly, if he had a fear of spiders, his skin would have been crawling by now. Thankfully, he did not have such a fear, thus, the number of spiders didn’t affect him at all.

It still did not stop him from silently questioning why he was taking time out of his day to find and rescue this academy student? Who cares if the boy was apart of his class? With the Mizukage not paying any of them, his responsibilities for the welfare of the students were null and void. There was also the fact Ozawa Tadaaki was a bad student, to begin with. He always had the snarky comment to make when certain subjects are brought up. He finding any reason to disrupt the class. Yet, despite all of that, he was expected to save the boy from his faith? A faith that he placed on himself? If it wasn’t for the Mizukage ordering him to do it, and most likely checking to see if he did, Eishun would have returned and said he couldn’t find the boy.

Eishun’s paced quicken, if only slightly, at the sound of a boy screaming, and murmurs could be heard as he got closer to the manor. Stepping into the garden, he ignored how dead the surrounding area looked, instead, went directly to the sound of the scream. The moment he got close enough, the hair on his arm began to raise up, and a shiver ran down his spine. It felt as if he stepped into the lair of a predator, and that he should leave immediately. Unfortunately, he could not leave, for he had to return the student home, if possible. Tightening the grip on the hammer, resting against his bare shoulder, he came to an interesting sight.

There, wrapped in a cocoon, hanging upside down from one of the trees, was his student. The scent of urine hung in the air, and told him the boy had soiled himself. Great, just what is needed to deal with; the smell of piss.  His gaze did not linger on the boy for long, instead, it flickered towards the one who was given off the eerie presence. Mahogany eyes looked towards the woman who was enjoying some type of food. He had been around some scary people, but this one . . . she was made his skin crawl, something which he was surprised by.

Although he was foolish to do this, Eishun eyes turned to the other in the area, a blue-haired child. Apart from him believe he knew who the child was, but he wasn’t entirely sure how? Maybe it was someone who he taught before? Nevertheless, his gaze focused back on the woman who was eating, and he cleared his throat to gain their attention. “Sensei!! Save me!!!”, Eishun ignored the boy pleads, instead remained locked on the woman, but the words spoken were addressed to the boy, “Didn’t I tell you Spider-Island was off-limits unless you are foolish or had a death wish? I told you what could possibly be here, yet, you ignore my teachings. You joked whenever the topic was brought up. Now look at you. . .” he scolded the boy.

“But Sens - - -” The boy shut up the moment Eishun removed the hammer from his shoulder, and rested it in front of him. With one hand rest on the end of the pole of the hammer, and the other on top of it, Eishun finally introduces himself, “I’m Kaguya Eishun. An academy teacher. I am sorry to disturb you all today, but, I need to return the nimrod.”, he tilted his head towards the boy, “Back to home and to his parents. Though, I am curious on who you two might be, and how he ended up in his current predicament.”

Although appearing relaxed, he couldn’t stop his hair on his arms from raising. Whoever the girl in  front of him, he would need to be wary.

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The inhabitants were certainly interesting to say the least. From the unknown woman who were content in eating then concern with the affairs in front of her. A look of disinterested, or maybe apathy, towards the academy student was in a precarious position, and screaming from freedom. She didn’t even seem to be bothered with the smell of defecation and urination which hung in the air. Though, the latter didn’t mean much for, if she was a shinobi, then the smell was one that they were taught to block out. Even he, himself,  had learned the particular trick upon coming to Kiri, nevertheless, that was not here or there.

When introduction was given, Eishun’s eyes widen for a brief second, his facial expression schooling into a look of calm and composure. Osada Sero was not someone who was unrecognizable within Mizu no Kuni. The Father of Monsters, Eishun became aware of the male existences, his tales being like a story to scare children and adults alike, even when he was living in Kibo, and had a foolish wish in meeting the supposed progenitor. But, before him wasn’t the Father of Monsters, but one of his offsprings.  The thought of that man having children was unnerving and fascinating at the same time. Yet, the proof was right in front of him.

Osada Haka, he mentally repeated the name as his eyes were kept on the woman. While he never met her father, apart of him shudder to think what type of presence that man allude with his daughter already heard such a frightening one? The thought was the stuff of nightmares, but, something he wishes to experience in his lifetime, assuming he lived long enough to meet the man in person . “Nice to meet you, Osada Haka.”, he spoke in a polite tone, and slight bow of the head in respect. While he did not know much about her, he did know she outranked him. Her, and her teammates were unique in Mizu no Kuni for how long they lasted as a team, thus, she was not an anomaly to him.

With one introduction over, Eishun shifted his attention to the other, who had yet to introduce herself. The playful and coy smile from her caused him to raise an eyebrow. His eyes widening when the unknown girl mentioned something only a student of his would know. Though, what she had mentioned, and implied, caused the blood to drain from his face. Out of all of his students, there had only been one who didn’t fail his test on the first day, and, and only one who had the nerve to talk back to him about his lack of shirts, Eishun found himself saying the person name, “Maeve?”, in questioning manner. If it was to believe, the daughter of his deceased sensei was on this island.

A hand came up to rub his nonexistent beard as his mind was in a whirlwind of emotions. Asides from the Kaguyas, there had only been one family which he was close to, and who had treated him like one of their own, and that was Maeve’s. When he wasn’t busy with something else, he was always over at their house, either for training with her father or simply to hang out. Though, all of that changed when his sensei and his wife got killed with Maeve seemingly taken by bandits. His duties as an Academy teacher was the only thing that kept him from searching for her himself. Of course, it didn’t sit well with him, considering his connection with the girl and her family, but he had to follow orders, somewhat.

The light crook of his corner lip was present as his features schooled down, “You have always been one of my brightest students. Even now, you were the only one who didn’t foolish eat the cookies.”, he spoke, his voice having emotion in it. Who would have thought his sensei’s daughter would be on this island? Who would have thought he would find his favorite student by agreeing to retrieve one of his least favorite ones? “How?”he asked, the question should be obvious as reference to how she managed to escape from her captives. The answer to the question would have to wait as Haka spoke.

Glancing at the boy, Eishun spoke, “I am glad he made it here, and is experiencing the hospitality of the inhabitants. Maybe this will be enough to convince him that the stuff I teach isn’t bullshit, granted, he will need to be alive to understand this valuable lesson.”. Ignoring the cries of outrage to his comment, Eishun ponder on what to do in the given situation.  Giving how the boy, by all rights, trespassed on private land, his fate should be in the hands of the inhabitants to do what they will with him. But, there lies a problem of Eishun dealing with the fallout if word got out that the boy made it to the island. What to do?

Eishun smile and chuckled at the antics of the spider, who’s name apparently was Gomu, as it terrorized the boy more. The boy’s yammering and cries for help was amusing, even when  the boy suddenly threatened to get him fired from the school, Eishun just shrugged, “I could care less. With teachers not being paid, I have no reason to return to teaching, especially for brats like you.” His attention shifted back to Haka, listening as she spoke, “You are underestimating the foolish of some students, especially those with a civilian background. They won’t believe in monsters until they see it for themselves. Of course, there are some smart ones, but they are few and far between.”, he said, “If he doesn’t return. I will simply say he never made it to the island. Doubt you want other shinobi scouring your lands for the boy’s body . . . or remains. The only one who knows the boy is here is us four, and the crazy boat captain who brought the boy, and me here. Doubt the man would say anything either, he was not. . all there.”

His eyes never left the daughter of Sero, watching as she transported the spider from the boy, and over to where Maeve was, before moving towards him. His posture did not change as Haka was merely a meter away from him, her aura being even more intense due to the close proximity between the two, yet, he did not falter. The question proposed was one he had been having a mental war with. What to do about the student? It was the boy’s own fault in getting into the mess he currently was in. “Despite how much of a nuisance he is, I would miss him, like I do all my students. A teacher never wish to lose any of their students, for it means that they failed in instilling into them the knowledge needed to survive in this world.”, he spoke, catching the look of relief in the boy’s eyes. Though the relief in the boy’s eyes would disappear with Eishen’s next words, “However, as a future shinobi, one must learn there are consequences for one’s actions. That, a single mistake can cost them either a teammate, a limb, or . . . their life. My academy student needs to learn that lesson.”

Eishun ignored the boy’s screams in favor of looking at the two in front of him, “He trespassed on your land, on the home of spiders, thus, it is only fair they punish him.”, he spoke, leaving the boy’s faith into the hands of the Haka, and whoever else who live on the island. Now, what faith would befall on the boy?

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