Paycut.

"He is coming today isn't he?" Guard A spoke while biting on a stalk of weed.

"He is! I've heard plenty about him. I mean it's a surprise in and of itself that the nobility of the land of fire allowed him to go on this excursion."

"Yeah…I heard he wanted to learn more about the people by spending time with them."

"Pfftt…you can't seriously have believed that…"

"I mean what else could it be? The Daimyo wouldn't have left any important matters to him yet just because he was declared a genius during his childhood, right?"

"No way. I heard that the boy was proliferating his own religion at such a young age. He claimed to be the blessed one of a long-lost God. Probably a fraud like the cult of Jashin."

"Who knows…"

"You're right…who knows what goes on in the minds of those noble people sitting there and commanding the lives of us fools."

"...true."

"By the way, the next time you go to the Hokage tower could you ask the receptionist if I can take her out for dinner tonight?"

"....what makes you think she'll accept this time?"

*clop* *clop* *clop*

The sound of wooden sandals hitting the hard road was heard from a distance. The guards subconsciously straightened their postures in anticipation of the person who was going to walk over to them.

Walking over the hill was a small boy, aged about twelve as he walked toward the rather grand entrance of the village. The young boy had shabby black hair, wore a blue kimono and held a topaz silver pendulum that was wrapped around his wrist.

His eyes however were a striking blue that appeared deep enough to suck one's soul away if stared at long enough.

The boy's face looked masculine with a touch of femininity that gave him a graceful feel.

There were no blemishes or scars anywhere visible which also hinted that the boy was of high stature.

The boy had on his head a straw hat to keep away the heat of the sun as he walked with steady steps and reached the gate.

"Halt!" Guard A said as he stepped closer to the boy and placed his hand in his path.

The boy a little surprised looked at the guard and spoke with some respect, "Yes Mister? How may I help you?"

"Name, identification and reason to visit Konoha." Guard B said walking over to the boy.

"Ah…my name's Tachibana Rei. As for identification, well would it be alright to say I have none? But I think your Hokage should know me. And for my reason to visit Konoha? Let's say fate has directed me to be here." 

The boy made eye contact with the guard which unsettled him in some way, his collar suddenly felt tight and he felt vulnerable as if he had been completely seen through.

But he had a job to do and wouldn't be scared by just any little boy claiming to be a friend of the Hokage.

"You cannot enter Konoha without identification. Sorry, but those are the rules." Guard B said since Guard A was quiet for somereason.

"But if you could just ask the Hokage he'd let you know I'm not lying! After all a seer has no reason to profit from lies. It goes against fate." Rei answered cryptically.

The two guards looked at him before Guard A asked, "Are you the son of the Daimyo?"

A smile blossomed on Rei's face as he nodded softly, "Yes. But I have long since given up that identity. I want to live with the people and learn more about them. I also hope to bring them to see who is their true lord and saviour."

Guard A frowned but Guard B spoke, "We will verify that for you. But while we do that, could you please remain here?"

The boy looked a little disappointed about the delay but he nodded and allowed the Guards to do their work.

Guard A left the gate leaving Rei with Guard B.

"What happened to your escorts? Were you attacked?" The guard asked.

Rei shook his head with a soft smile as he looked above and said, "It was all by the will of the lord that I arrived at Konoha safe and sound without any mishaps. Fate did not intend me to be entangled with troubles."

The Guard became confused but nodded nevertheless. He'd met too many crackpots during his time as a guard so he said nothing else.

Suddenly, the guard saw Rei let go of his pendant and allow it to still before his head tilted backwards and his eyes rolled into his head.

The boy murmured something but the Guard couldn't quite catch what he was speaking.

After a few seconds, the boy opened his eyes looking normal before he looked at the pendant that was now rapidly spinning clockwise.

The boy frowned and looked at the guard with a little bit of pity, before he spoke kindly, "I hope you are able to stay calm through the adversities you shall face today."

The guard became stunned but didn't overextend his thoughts, instead, he opted to believe the boy was not right in the head.

The other guard soon arrived and bowed to the child with a smile, "Greetings Tachibana-san. I hope you have a pleasant stay during your time in Konoha."

Rei nodded politely and passed through the checkpoint to finally enter Konoha. Something he'd dreamed of doing for long.

As Rei entered Konoha however Guard A turned to Guard B and spoke softly, "The receptionist declined your invitation. She escalated the issue with her manager who told me to inform you that you'll be getting a pay cut for this month. And if you keep trying to score with the receptionist you could even lose your job."

Guard B's mouth hung loose and then he *sighed* and looked at the sky, pondering about the words of the young boy he'd seen just now.

'Well at least it's nothing too big…the boy was looking at me like I'd eaten shit…'

*Kawk*

*squealch*

*Gulp*

A bird flew by startling guard B who was looking at the sky, he inadvertently gulped out of shock but his timing was wrong since the bird emptied its stomach at the same time.

Guard A at this moment looked at his friend who was on the ground and trying to spit out whatever he had swallowed with some pity.

'Damn…'