Side: The Hunt 3

As they made their way towards the bar, Suigetsu couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The other patrons eyed them warily, their whispers growing hushed as they passed by.

But he paid them no mind. They had come to this village for a reason, and they wouldn't leave until they had found the answers they sought.

As they approached the bar, the bartender greeted them with a weary smile, his eyes flickering with curiosity.

"What can I get for you?" he asked, his voice rough with years of use.

Suigetsu glanced around the room, his gaze lingering on the spot where the blonde woman had been standing just moments before.

"We're looking for information," he said.

"Anything you can tell us about recent events in the area."

The bartender's expression darkened at Suigetsu's request for information. He glanced nervously around the tavern, his eyes darting from patron to patron as if searching for eavesdroppers.

"I can't help you," he muttered.

Suigetsu exchanged a knowing glance with Jugo, who reached into his pocket and produced a handful of ryo. With a subtle nod, Suigetsu gestured for Jugo to approach the bartender.

Wordlessly, Jugo placed the money on the counter. The bartender's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly pocketed the money before leaning in closer to Suigetsu and Jugo.

"Alright," he said reluctantly.

"But keep this quiet."

"There's been talk of strange happenings in these parts," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Stories of children disappearing without a trace, and sightings of strange white creatures lurking deep in the mountains."

Could these rumors be related to their own investigation? Or were they merely the product of an overactive imagination?

Before he could ponder the question further, Suigetsu's attention was drawn to the bartender's mention of the blonde woman.

"Do you know who she is?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

The bartender shook his head, his expression grave.

"I don't know her name, but I've heard stories," he mused.

"She's not someone you want to mess with, that's for sure. Best to keep your distance, unless you want to end up on the wrong end of her fist."

He paused, considering the possibility that she and her companion may have already left the village by now.

"And who knows, they might have slipped away by now."

Suigetsu nodded, filing away the information for later. But before he could delve further into the conversation, the door swung open, and a woman burst into the tavern, her eyes wild with panic.

"Has anyone seen my son?" she cried, her voice trembling with fear.

"He's gone missing, and I can't find him anywhere!"

She rushed to the bartender, clutching at his arm in desperation.

"Please, you have to help me find him," she pleaded, her voice choked with tears.

The bartender's expression softened, and he gently pried her hands from his arm.

"Calm down, Noriko," he said gently, reaching out to comfort her.

"What's happened?"

Noriko sobbed as she recounted the tale of her missing son. The bartender listened in silence, his heart heavy with sorrow.

"We'll find him, I promise."

With a trembling sigh, Noriko wiped away her tears and composed herself as best she could. She glanced up at the bartender.

"Thank you, Takeshi," she whispered.

"I don't know what I would do without you."

Takeshi offered her a reassuring smile before turning his attention to the two men standing before him. With a subtle sign, he leaned closer to them.

"I used to be a shinobi," he confessed quietly, his gaze flickering between Suigetsu and Jugo.

"And I can tell that both of you are shinobi as well."

Suigetsu and Jugo tensed, ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of hostility. But Takeshi raised a calming hand, his expression one of earnest sincerity.

"I'm not here to fight," he pleaded, his eyes flickering with desperation.

"In fact, I could use your help."

Suigetsu narrowed his eyes, suspicion etched into his features.

"Why should we help you?" he demanded, his voice sharp with distrust.

Takeshi met his gaze steadily.

"Because I may not be strong in battle," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret, "but I have a talent for sensing chakra signatures."

Suigetsu bristled at the implication, his hand inching towards the hilt of his blade. But before he could react, Takeshi continued.

"I can sense the strength within you," he said, his voice low with certainty.

"Especially your companion."

Jugo remained stoic beside Suigetsu, his gaze fixed on Takeshi with curiosity.

"And what do you propose we do?" he asked.

Takeshi's lips quirked into a small smile, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes.

"I believe the two of you are in search of something—or someone," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "And I can help you find them."

Suigetsu and Jugo exchanged a meaningful glance.

"Alright," Suigetsu grumbled, his tone laced with annoyance.

"But don't even think about pulling any tricks on us."

Takeshi nodded solemnly, his gratitude evident in his eyes.

"Thank you," he said sincerely, his voice filled with relief.

"I won't forget this, I promise."

With a swift motion, both Suigetsu and Jugo dispelled their transformation jutsu, revealing their true forms.

Observing their unmasked appearances, he couldn't help but remark, "You two look surprisingly youthful."

Suigetsu responded with a mischievous grin before turning his attention to Noriko.

"What does your son look like?" he inquired.

Noriko's eyes were red-rimmed with tears as she described her son—a boy with magenta eyes and long pale-green hair. Suigetsu's heart skipped a beat as he realized that this description matched the boy he had seen playing outside the village.

"We'll find him," Jugo promised.

With that, Suigetsu and Jugo wasted no time in leaving the tavern.

As Takeshi watched them go, a sense of purpose was burning in his eyes.

"The tavern is closed," he announced to the remaining patrons.

"You'll have to leave."

"Stay here, Noriko," he said gently, his hand resting on her shoulder.

"We'll bring your son back to you."

As the others grumbled and shuffled out of the tavern, Takeshi followed Suigetsu and Jugo into the night, leaving Noriko behind with a reassuring smile.

Under the moonlit sky, Takeshi led Suigetsu and Jugo through the paths of the forest. With each step, he followed the thread of chakra residue that lingered in the air, directing them toward the distant mountains.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Takeshi felt something he hadn't experienced in a long time. He had long since retired from the life of a shinobi, but the thrill of the hunt still coursed through his veins. And now, with Suigetsu and Jugo at his side, he felt alive once more.

As they leaped from tree to tree, Suigetsu couldn't help but voice his curiosity.

"Why are you so determined to find this boy?" he asked.

Takeshi's expression softened, a fond smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Yukimaru is like a son to me," he admitted, his voice tinged with emotion.

"Even though we're not related by blood, he and Noriko have become my family. At first, I didn't think I was cut out for children, but interacting with Yukimaru changed something inside me."

Suddenly, Takeshi came to a halt, his gaze fixed on a dark cavern nestled in the side of the mountain. 

"He is in there," he said quietly.

Jugo raised an eyebrow.

"How do you know?" he asked, his tone cautious.

Takeshi smiled knowingly.

"Everyone's chakra signature is unique, and living with Yukimaru has made me particularly attuned to his chakra," he explained.

As they continued their conversation, Takeshi's senses suddenly went on high alert. With a subtle gesture, he signaled for them to stop, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger.

"They're shinobi," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the rustle of leaves. 

"And they're not alone."

As they watched from their hidden vantage point, the shadows shifted, revealing figures emerging from the darkness. Takeshi strained to make out their conversation, his heart sinking as he caught wind of their plan.

"We've received orders from Lord Orochimaru," one of them said, his voice cold and calculating.

"The village is to be destroyed, and no one is to be spared."

Takeshi's blood ran cold at the revelation, his heart heavy with dread. And beside him, Suigetsu's face darkened at the mention of Orochimaru's name, his fists clenched at his sides.

But before they could react, a figure emerged from the cavern, her hair of light blue spikes pulled back into a ponytail.

"Guren," Suigetsu murmured.

As they watched, Guren issued orders to her companions. Takeshi's heart clenched as he realized the gravity of the situation they now faced.

"We have to stop them," Takeshi said with determination.

"Before it's too late."

With a nod of agreement, Suigetsu and Jugo prepared to spring into action.