In a corner, sitting while sipping a cup of tea. The day rays became dim as Zeke was at a table positioned on the outside balcony of an inn. Looking over a variety of groups and characters mingling about on the streets.
From a swarm of yellow ninja outfits that ventured out in droves from the different valleys. To other colored uniforms that advanced up their ranks. There was also a mix of miscellaneous groups and people who weren't necessarily associated with the Three Reapers.
" Look at all these newbies running around here like a chicken with their head cut off."
" This month's Festival of Red Roses will make sure that most'll pray the term remains figuratively rather than literally."
Zeke overheard a random conversation about their trial that had become the main topic of discussion amongst the Valley of Light. The "Festival of Red Roses" was a name the locals coined for this bloodthirsty event that took place every three years. Privy to the dead that would soon bloom like the only flower that grew in this environment. All the conjoining trials would span 2 years, leaving the higher-ups a year to replenish their unit. They would repeat this cycle, which became a tradition for over 200 years.
On the hunt for something other than intel. Gazing at a particular sketch. After exploring the vast valley for several hours, Zeke had discovered one of his two targets, number 701. Being older than the average unit 1 age of 14, while he was 20. Having a rugged face, brown eyes with spiky hair, and a 5 o'clock shadow to match.
The rumors claimed that Reaper Ono purposely held him back from participating in the classes of '86 and '87. Taking a special interest in 701, he would sometimes even oversee his training.
However, this occurrence wasn't unheard of between the Three Reapers. They would usually bend the rules to nurture potential talent, as 00 was another example of this demented favoritism.
Yet, unlike Ono and Taki, Master Lee rarely saw anybody worth his time. Impatient by nature, anything that caught his attention would be thrown into the fire post haste with no guidance. Hence, even though 00 was his pet project. He decided to put him to the test earlier than his contemporaries would, at just 10 years old.
At this moment, 701 was flirting with a group of women in heavy makeup. Located in a brothel that was at least a block away from the inn where Zeke drank and ate. Gaining some distance away from 701 once he locked onto his trail.
Each cultivator had an internal wavelength unique to them. Making it possible for a higher-stage practitioner to track their prey from several kilometers or more, even in a crowd of thousands. This technique that Zeke was using in spurts was called" Mind's Eye".
Showing various forms and neon colors of life forces. His vision would become a haze of dark grey as his surroundings were outlined in a chalk-like white, becoming translucent. Proficient in this ability from his past experiences. Taking it a step further with enough focus. He was able to become a fly on the wall with anything that fell under his expanded range.
Painting a vivid picture of the horn dog that was 701.
"Wowzer, if I knew beauties like you existed in this hellhole! It wouldn't have taken me so long to explore these splendid peaks and valleys!"
701 said with drool practically coming from his mouth as he ogled these curvy concubines. While they hung onto his arms, reveling in the attention, one woman stood different from the rest. Tapping the lustful man on his shoulders.
" Do you think this is the time to get your rocks off, 701?"
A short assassin, around 19, with long black bangs that covered her eyes, forewarned.
"Well, I've been a little backed up, to say the least. Since you never gave me any love or extra care for all these years. So, if now isn't the best time. I don't know when it will be."
701 grinned from ear to ear, not bothering to take his eyes from the pair by his sides. He felt like a king while moving upstairs towards a private room with these women of the night.
"Besides, you're here to keep an eye out for me, right?" Isn't that the whole reason why the old man assigned you?"
He smirked, referring to Master Ono having orchestrated his past upstart 711 to be 701's bodyguard for the past year. Once she failed trial 3 in the class of '87. Ono forged her death, manipulating the rules set by tradition. This allowed 711 to drop back down to yellow, even though she rightfully should have been ranked red. Needless to say, she was a class above the rest in this trial.
711 knew that 701's wellbeing was her top priority if she ever wanted to be in Master Ono's good graces again.
" Yes, but..."
She wanted to protest, searching the bare room for any potential threats. Frustrated, 701 finally shooed her out,
" Look, just do your job while I'll do mine."
701 cackled while slamming the sliding door blinds shut behind him. Accompanied by his lovely sparring partners, whom he paid for. 711 could only sigh while she finished checking the perimeter.
....
"Would you like anything else this evening, sir?"
A waitress addressed Zeke as his vision reverted into the inn after snooping on his target from a distance.
" No, that'll be it. I'll take the check whenever you're ready."
Zeke said while heavily rubbing his eyelids, feeling the aftereffects as his sight blurred for a minute.
'I'm still not at a high enough stage to use that technique without any repercussions.'
He thought, paying for his bill. Zeke was now back on the dirt streets. The bustling environment died down to a crawl as the sun's warming embrace had vanished. Leaving torches and lanterns to pave the way. Patrolmen adorned in armored breastplates and helmets littered the place. Having spears as weapons, they carried vigilant and untrusting expressions. Using Mind's Eye, he discovered that the scene by the brothel was similar.
' It looks like I'll have to use some finesse if I have any thoughts of killing 701, unnoticed.'
With a plan in mind, Zeke casually strolled down the block before seamlessly disappearing.
...
Located at the brothel. After a couple of hours of intense exercise, 701 exited the sliding doors half-naked. Leaving his "training partners" to recuperate for a later round.
" Aw, I feel like a new man!"
He exclaimed, ready to brag about his experience to 711. However, she was nowhere to be found.
"That's odd, 711 doesn't usually move a foot without me knowing. Oh, well, she probably went to secure the perimeter."
701 quickly concluded, heading downstairs to the separate bathhouse without a care in the world. He developed an overinflated ego from being personally taught by his master. At Stage 2, Disciple rank, he felt that these runts in trial one were beneath him. Not fearing the potential danger hidden in the shadows.
" Damn, I should've got one of those sluts to wash me like the royalty I am!"
701 shouted in anger while entering the empty bathing area, plopping into the bath water, with a splash. Taking some time for himself, 701 soon heard a noise behind him. Turning around with urgency.
" Oh, it's just you. Anyways, what brings you here?"
701 eyebrows instantly rose, staring at 711, who only had a large towel wrapped around her breasts to her bottom thighs.
" Last time I checked, this was a mixed bath. However, I can leave if you want me to."
" No, that's okay. You're fine... in more ways than one. I'm just surprised a stick-in-the-mud like yourself knows how to relax and unwind."
701 licked his lips as 711 sat beside him, dipping her feet in the warm water.
" Well, after taking care of a few undesirables. The perimeter is fully secured for the foreseeable future. No one would dare launch an attack with the patrol out in full force on this first night."
" Now that's what I'm talking about! You'll eventually see that we have nothing to worry about when it comes to these small fries."
701 mentioned as he slyly placed his hand on 711's toweled lap. Halfway expecting her to rebuke his advances like the previous attempts. Yet to his surprise, she blushed instead.
" Hmm, your back looks filthy. Do you mind if I wash it for you?"
" Yes, go right ahead! I knew you'd warm up to me in time!"
701 replied on cloud 9, standing from the tub fully naked, taking a seat on a nearby stool. He waited for 711 as she grabbed a fresh sponge. Kneeling to scrub him down as the suds gathered, her towel slipped off, caressing 701's shoulders to his pleasure.
" Say, how about we start the action a little early here, before we head up to my room?"
701 asked mischievously, ready to throw his hat in the ring. Suddenly, he felt an unfamiliar sharp pain from behind him.
"What are you doing, you bi..."
He was unable to put up much of a struggle as 711 stabbed his back repeatedly until 701 was nothing but a red mess. His body soon crumpled breathlessly onto the soaked tile floor. Standing naked in a trance, she was revealed holding the bloody knife, as a small sheath was strapped to her upper right thigh.
" Wait, where am I? What am I doing with this?"
711 questioned in a daze as she soon dropped the knife in horror and confusion, once she laid eyes on 701's corpse. Holding herself back from screaming aloud while she tried to make sense of what had just transpired.
Meanwhile, Zeke and Kenshin were busy discussing their eventful day. Stationed in a room that was several km away from the scene of the crime.