Lypophrenia || [One Piece Various x OC x Naruto Various]

Journal Entry #8 - [Home]

The sun had long since set. The bustles of Loguetown had now ceased, leaving behind only the Marine soldiers to patrol the area. The sea breeze blew between the buildings, letting out eerie whistle's and creaks. This calmness was completely different from the event that unfolded that very morning. The event that caught the eyes of many, something that will most likely be the headline of next day's newspaper with the huge ruckus it caused.

It was rare for Marines to give chase to criminals for so long a time. At most, the captain who guarded the Marine base would be the one to do so; but even then, his opponents, usually pirates who unfortunately had their journey cut short, barely gave enough fight and would be caught in a matter of seconds. Which was why the wild goose chase that day caught the eyes of the civilians. The sight of the people in green flak jackets with the swirling red symbol at the back, headbands with matching symbols on the metal plates, and their iconic running stances, being chased by the many soldiers who were stationed on the island stirred much disturbance in the air. True, not many of them were seen. At most, four of them were in sight, with a fifth addition, but the latter was clad in an all-black outfit, unlike the others. But anybody in their right minds would be foolish to ignore danger while in the presences of those people, who were known to many as the Ninjas of the Five Great Nations.

However, their fears were not put to a stop when they accidentally heard the Marine soldiers calling out to each other.

"Catch them!" 

"Make sure that Kiyomizu Himari doesn't escape the island!"

Kiyomizu Himari. If one was foolish enough to not know the Ninjas, they would be even more of an idiot if they did not know this name. This name that had brought terror for months on end until her fateful disappearance. This name that caused many to tremble in their own shoes whenever mentioned. This name that caused many to flee and scatter like headless chickens whenever spoken of. No wonder the Marines were adamant with their chase.

By noon, all commotion ceased. Yet the Marines returned to their posts with sullen looks, and it became clear that they failed in capturing any of the Shinobi. Although the citizens of the town resumed their daily routines, the thought of the sudden return of the largely sought criminal hung over their heads like a hanging grey cloud.

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"Damn it!"

A large crack formed on the wall at the strength Smoker exerted. In his anger, this time, he couldn't control his emotions. He had let a notorious criminal escape his grasp. What more, Tashigi was found all tied up, no doubt the work of those Ninjas. All because he had let his guard down. He should have known that those Ninjas had tricks up their sleeves that hid them from him and his subordinates. 

And there was the matter of the mysterious traveller named Thalia. She came so suddenly and disappeared just as equally sudden afterwards. When he searched the room she vacated the previous night, he found no sign of the black-haired woman anywhere. Had he not known she stayed there, he would have been tricked. There was not a single clue that indicated someone was there before.

The night before, when Thalia arrived, Smoker had suspicions on the woman. She was a mute and was only able to communicate using sign language. She carried a katana with her, and a humble-sized backpack slung on her shoulders. Her eyes were empty of any emotions, and although he couldn't see her face because of the mask she constantly wore, he could tell that she held so much composure. Not even her body language betrayed anything more than ease. Thalia was feeling at ease as she spoke to him and Tashigi the previous night. 

A lone and armed traveler. Nobody would have suspected anything, right? It was normal for a traveler to be able to protect themselves especially if they were on their journey alone. Alas, here was Smoker, suspecting her to be a kunoichi in disguise. Who knows? She might have been the one that the Shinobi sent to scout and spy for the all clear before they made their move. The possibility was there, and certain odds were against her already. But what proof did he have?