It was late afternoon in the Sugar country and Sekuro had gone out to relax a little that night. He had heard of a shop in town that boasted having the best dumplings and sake in the village. That and they have shogi boards out as well, able to play and challenge anyone around, with Sekuro being a prodige at strategy games and scenarios, albeit a self proclaimed title, he would enjoy nothing more than sitting back, having a drink and beating some poor chump at chess or shogi all night. He prepped all of his stuff and headed out for the night, it was late afternoon already, probably getting close to dinner time for most people in the village, he would hold off a little and take in the scenery of the village while he was here. Flyers all over the village about finding some chocolate eggs scattered around the village, after his ordeal in the maze it was doubtful he would venture too far off to find any if he decided to go find some more. The air was crisp and lightly blowing, and the streetlights were just starting to come on. Children were running around still, playing with their friends while they still could before their parents would call them home for dinner, and to wash up for the night and finish any homework they might have. It brought back some memories for Sekuro from when he was young but mixed feelings, he loved school and learning and he has had the intention to enroll in classes at the university in Iwa, but he also hadn't had parents to be there and support him growing up, it saddened him, not having anyone to help raise him but he had been dealing with it for so long that it hardly bothered him anymore. He had basically learned to block out the emotion of it, not really blocking it out but supressing it, deeper and deeper each time those feelings decided to show themselves.

After walking along a bit further Sekuro arrived at the shop, a very traditional shop with lanterns lighting the place and wooden support beams throughout, paper doors at the front and it's logo written in cloth above the door; a woman sat him at a table towards the back, having both a shogi board and a chess board there at his table. He was open to any challenges that might come his way that night, placing his order for some beef strips, and a bottle of their house special whiskey, he waited for his first opponent. A younger man full of confidence came up to him, wondering if he was willing to play him in chess. It would be a good warm-up for Sekuro and this guy looks like he wouldn't make much of an opponent so if his food and drink were to come he wouldn't be at risk of losing. Sure, I'll take your challenge, but just know I won't go easy on you and there will be no rematches with me. The man accepted the challenge and took his seat, they got started, the waiter bringing his drink first he poured himself a glass and played the man, he was definitely not very good as he set himself up into a trap. The waiter brought his food to the table as he checkmated his opponent, using a simple decoy with his pawn and it was over. The man couldn't believe it was already over, it had been less than a few minutes. Sekuro thanked him for the warm up and ate some of his steak as an older man showed up shortly after, You know, I've been coming here a long time and playing chess and shogi even longer than that, and you seem to be very skilled, how about giving an old man a run for his money? Sekuro agreed, hopefully the age and experience he had would provide him with a challenge, they began playing, and Sekuro finished his steak strips fairly quickly, and finished his drink but chose not to refill it, the heat of his game preventing him from wandering too far off in any direction. He had stopped even noticing the people coming in and out, this old man was skilled indeed and was giving him a run for his ryo.

As their game went on his thoughts and planning moves started to cloud his mind, all he could think about was planning several turns ahead or ways to maybe trap and counter his opponent here. Shogi being much more complex than basic chess he had to divise a strategy to finish him off or make a move at his King. Sekuro decided he would implement a Mino castle, hopefully the old man would see that and send a forward assault at him, being a very basic defensive formation where the pawns are used as cannon fodder and his own generals would move to attack from their base positions, keeping his own king protected. He had one more move to set it up and then to start his own assault on the old man's pieces. It was becoming truly a test of the mind for Sekuro, but once he was done, he would wait a few moves to evaluate the flow of the old man's moves and then counter to his weak side and trap his king for an easy win. It wouldn't be but a few more minutes but Sekuro was confident he could break this old man's streak.

The ticking of a clock on the wall began to fill Sekuro's mind, a bead of sweat fell from the old man's head as he realized what a predicament he had been put in and would have to fight out of. Any watching bystanders being ignored by the both of them as Sekuro made his final moves and would go to capture his King as well. The old man looked like he had been defeated his winning streak at this particular venue being snapped, Sekuro couldn't help but wanting to feel prideful and rub it in but he decided it would be best not to. He thanked the old man for the game as he left, shaking his hand as well, Sekuro refilled his glass again, the whole bar began to smell like varieties of food and alcohol as it began getting late. He sipped his drink, now that his game was over he began to key back into the shop that had gone from a light patronage to starting to buzz, it wasn't exactly Sekuro's style but he was hear already and had bought his drink. He sat patiently, leaning his head back and closing his eyes, waiting for someone else to show up and entertain him this evening, as the smoke from their grill began to fill the air.

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The establishment Sekuro had wondered into was already catering to Ryota by the time he arrived. As a matter of fact, Ryota had just finished a course of their delicious dumplings and then some by the time Sekuro had reached the near conclusion of his second game. Having turned down various accostings of his own person Ryota could feel no drive to pursue this method of training his mind this evening, it would be entirely impractical to offset such a good mood.

The genin had come to visit this bounteous valley in an effort to discover the origin of a leading phenomena spreading in rapid words about the lands. Egg hunting, they say! It was an incredibly interesting concept to hunt something so fragile, especially given the further hearsay that the things were decorated thoroughly with fanciful patterns and delicate colours befitting babes of this time of year.

Still, the whole ordeal did not fail to drag a smile to the assassin's face, even if obscured behind that devilish half-mask. Tapping fingers upon the table the young ninja was left awaiting a waiter to alight to his side with change from a paid bill. The smell of the barbeque had been pleasant at first yet not Ryota felt as if the smoke had accrued a foul film of dirt upon his skin, grimacing at the sensation and squinting his eyes against the warm air.Licking his lips to reminisce of the only just recently lost taste he turned instead to the fine green tea in his cup, prepared with a taste of lemon and honey to allure the tongue. being sat with one arm upon the table and legs crossed, his free hand pluckd the fine cup to admire the work set into manufacturing such a delightful little thing. It was fine white china adorned with sweet little images of sakura blossoms, bound by a portrayal of wind and water sweeping against each other like a great battle to claim one another's territory. A saucer naturally accompanied, adorned with the same neatly worked imagery. Setting it back upon the table, Ryota smiled up at the approaching waiter who had been so kind enough as to return with a receipt and change. Inclining his head in thanks as it was received the ninja mused it would likely be time to make tracks and scout around for these magical eggs....

...But then, the scent of the divine tea once more ensnared this mere teenaged with it's allure, driving him to reach for the final dregs of the cup. The seconds between Ryota grasping the cup and bringing it to his lips was all it took for utter chaos to ensue. Somehow a great and spontaneous event had occurred.

A great, wild black bull, a rippling specimen of muscle had barged through the doorway, shredding doors to nothing with frame hanging breifly from his horns. People, patrons and staff both fled from the establishment, one man trying to reason with the creature kicked firmly across the shop. Ryota had frozen up somewhat, staring on at the almost impossible occurence. Grumbling to himself, he sipped the tea before drawing his kunai and uttering, "Of course. A literal bull in a china shop. What else could go wrong?"

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