This trip was not all pleasure for Kenji. He was commissioned by the Administrators of Takigakure to buff up security during the second round of battles. These battles being part of the famous Chuunin exams of course. He was stunned by how many celebrities were in the village. He had missed out on his opportunity to participate himself 6 years ago due to his quick ascension through the ranks. Accomplishing entering and graduating from the academy and ranking up to Special Jounin in less than a year. It was his journey to Jounin, Sennin and Sanin of his village that proved to be his greatest obstacle in achieving titles.

Many of the travelers and entertainers were gravitating to the casino where they could flaunt their money and bet on their favorite Genin. Stats and other evaluations were released based on the first event that Kenji was not present for. Kenji had stayed away from the casinos himself. He was superhumanly frugal, and any form of wasting anything was of no interest to him. On his way to Takigakure though, he heard of another attraction the village had to offer.

The sun was at its peak as he made his way to the show. It was a art exhibition. A few local artists were going to give the tourists a summary of what Takigakure had to offer in terms of art, and some art history in general. Kenji was looking forward to it. He carried his bow and quiver, along with his reflective gloves and Hane.

The Hane was an extremely lightweight katana, but its destructive force was immense. While he walked through Takigakure with his Hane sheathed on his hip, he was stunned by the energy of the village. I wonder if it is always like this, or is it because of the Chuunin exams only. There was so much energy, it was nearly tangible. The marketplace was flooded with people indulging themselves at the many shops. One shop was selling little dolls that resembled the participants. Another stall was selling food. Peopled were clamoring for the share of kunai shaped popsicles and shurkien funnel cakes.  


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Sozo was walking around the marketplace doing some window shopping. Sozo was poor right now so he couldn't afford a place to sleep or anymore things to buy. He spent his last bit of money on his white sleeveless hoodie and his blue and white plaid swim trunks. Sozo was wondering around when he over heard a woman ask her child if they would like to go to the art museum after launch. Hmm an art museum. That could be fun I was never into art that much but still. While walking around he was looking for something to do that could give him some money to spend.

Sozo looked in a window and saw his reflection Sozo's hair was unkept and was all over the place his white sleeveless hoodie that was unzipped his blue and white plaid swim trunks he was wearing a silver necklace with three tomoe. He walked away from the stores window and put on his sunglasses over his eyes. He walked around looking for the show but saw a bunch of people entering a casino to place bets on who would win the chunin exams. Sozo got a sick feeling in his stomach how could people place bets on people trying to kill each other. But Sozo knew that some time he would be one of the people taking the chunin exams. Sozo just gave a quick glare at the men and women walking out of the casino in their fancy clothing. How could they use that money on kids fighting to the death. They should be using it to help others. Sozo clinched his fist but walked away he tried hard to forget about the rich men and women at the casino.

Sozo just continued his way to the art show he wanted to see what kinds of paintings there would be. Sozo's mood became light and happy when a shopkeeper's daughter gave Sozo a big shuriken funnel cakes. She handed it to him and she started to plush as Sozo took the cake out of her hands. He kissed the back of her hand "Thank you." Sozo said softly as he lifted his glasses showing her his two different colored eyes that were soft and caring.

The girl gave a small and soft screech as she pulled her hand out of his and ran back to her shop. She looked down as her face was bright red Sozo gave her a nice smile as he walked away. Sozo took a bite out of the cake and was over come with how sweet and delicious the cake tasted with the powder sugar on top. Sozo ate over half the cake before he reached the art museum.

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Miles from the Takigakure Art Museum: Kenji was still at the exhibition within the marketplace listening to the presenter. Finally, the art was put on display. Several local artists displayed their best work. Some pieces included vibrant colors and images. Others were extremely dull and dreary. what is that? Kenji remarked internally at a piece of non representational art. It had no relation to the real world... Abstract art huh... Towards the end of the rather short exhibit was a toilet that was rolled out in front of the outdoor audience. Turning around now, having seen enough. Shuffling through the crowd, the eyes of the trained sannin spotted two individuals that seemed out of place. They were dressed in all black and wore hoods. He was sure not to stare, and he subtly turned back around to stay for the exhibit, to keep tabs on them. 

The host began to speak about the rich history of the museum of Takigakure. Kenji could see that the hooded men too interest to that part. 


They're going to target the Takigakure museum... 

Sozo was walking around the art museum till he saw some people waking into the museum. He followed them into the museum and looked around at all the different types of art. He saw some paintings of all different types. He paid close attention to some of sencery paintings. He looked at one of a moon that was going over a lake that was reflecting off lake's surface. The painting had a golden frame with some swirls that went all over giving it a hypnotic look to it. How can the painters so good at capturing emotion into their paintings Sozo thought to himself as he walked over and looked at more paintings.

Sozo looked at the statue of a man holding a spear in one hand and a olive branch in the other. The man had scars covering his body form head to tow So this man was willing to fight for peace by the looks of it. He must have thought that it was worth it then if he was willing to bear all that pain. A woman walked behind Sozo "Excuse me do you work here?" The woman asked. The woman looked to be twenty to Sozo "I'm sorry I don't work here I'm just looking around." "Oh sorry about that then." "It's alright." Sozo replied as the woman left and Sozo began to look for a bench to sit on as he waited for the show to start.

The crowd was now moving to the museum under the lead of the host. He talked the whole way, slightly turning his head back to the crowd. Kenji had lost sight of the man on more than one occasion due to his shortness. He was shockingly proud of his height though. He claimed it gave him a more unique perspective, which allowed him to appreciate art. Despite the absurdness, it did have an ounce of merit. Not too consumed with the actions of the host at this point, as his eyes were on a new target now, a much more threatening one. Other than Kenji's physique, he looked like a citizen who took a keen interest in art, and as long as he deemed it necessary, he would remain that way. 

The shinobi could not conclude too much about their interest in the museum. There was of course the far chance that they just liked art. Also, dressed in hoods were not a crime. All three of the hooded men stayed close together. They moved and shifted their vision so that they were always aware of their surroundings. These guys just get more and more suspicious. The sage was worried a few times as one their glances stayed on him a little too long for his taste. Kenji replied buoyantly with a grin and kept walking. He even took the act as far too talk to other attendees... which was a big mistake. They were true art fanatics. One woman with long brown hair a big blue eyes went on and on with fervor. "Art is an extension of oneself. In order to understand life, yourself, your surroundings, you must understand art. Why you ask? Because in order to understand origin and creation, you have to understand how to create and what it means to be creative. Needless to say, art is the epitome of creation and investigation." Kenji's fake grin grew weak as the woman continued on for about 10 minutes.

The outside of the museum was beautiful. Banners flowed in the wind, draping the upper part of the building. The mahogany stained oak structure was a staple of the village. It was sturdy enough. Towards the back west end of the building there was some natural art and aesthetics and trees leaned over the top gracing it with their colorful leaves and elegant limbs. Kenji was so entranced by the beauty he didn't realized the entourage had dwindled in size. One of them left? He was irate at himself. He must have already slipped inside. 

Kenji took one determined step and then realized he about to screw everything up. Their stares didn't find me for nothing. They're looking to see how I react. Kenji composed himself and continued normally toward the entrance with a smile, still scanning the gorgeousness of the outside. He moved in calmly, still following the direction of the guide. The guide spoke to the entire room, announcing the arrival of his caravan. Kenji's eyes had finally located the other hooded man who had sneaked in without Kenji noticing. His next move to survey to find the best vantage point, also he was checking for any present security. Two guards at the door, four on patrol and three at the back entrance. Scanning upward to the balcony he spotted two more roaming guards. Not bad. The Sannin moved over to a bench, where he could calmly keep tabs of everyone who came in, and for now, keep his eye on the hooded man that stood eerily still in front of a sculpture. He stood in front of a dynamic sculpture. It was a dancing Krishna. Through his travels he had read stories of the piece. It depicted a jubilant child who had just gotten away with a cruel deed, believed to be stealing sweets. To rejoice, the figure danced. The sculpture showed the Krishna on one leg, as if in the act of dancing. 

Sliding down emphatically, tired from all the walking, he spoke to the person next to him. He was young fellow with white hair. Though speaking, his eyes never made it over to the person next to him. "Good afternoon. How are you enjoying the gallery so far?" Kenji asked. Truthfully, he was somewhat interested, but he couldn't tear his focus away from the room just yet. There was some movement and action, Kenji's eyes could not help but to feat on all of it. Consequently, this prevented Kenji at the time from making eye contact with the person next to him.

As crowds of people began to come in through the glass doors to the art museum Sozo paid close attention to those entering the building. He laid back in a relaxed fashion as the art critics talked about what they thought of the art. Sozo gave a small sigh as he looked up at the white ceiling with lights blinding him till he started to squint and look around the art. But he was comfortable where he was so he didn't want to move. He noticed that there was a hooded man standing in front of a sculpture that looked like it was dancing. Sozo paid no real attention to this man standing in front of the sculpture that Sozo knew anything about. He thought it was an ugly piece he let out a sigh again when a strange man sat down next to him.

"Good afternoon. How are you enjoying the gallery so far?" the stranger asked Sozo. Sozo looked at him to see that he was more focused looking around like he was looking for something or someone or keeping an eye out for something to happen. Hello. It's alright I wish there weren't so many people but that can't be helped. How about you?" Sozo asked curiously as he turned his attention to the group of people looking at the dancing sculpture and began to think what was out of place in this picture. He scanned around looking for anything out of place till he remembered the hooded man. Why would you be wearing a hood at a art gallery Sozo thought to himself when the idea of a art heist came up in his head. He looked at the man next to him wondering if he was part of the heist as well. Sozo just sat back and waited for something to happen.

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