Hearing Obito's complaint, Takeshi scratched his head.
"According to the intel, a Chūnin team spotted his tracks last month. But since they weren't strong enough, they didn't pursue. That proves at the very least this guy can't maintain a Transformation Jutsu for long."
"Besides, we've only checked the casino. We haven't looked into other entertainment venues. Starting tomorrow, let's split up. I'll continue investigating this casino. Asuma, you take Obito and stake out that dance hall you saw a few days ago."
"Let Obito go with you instead," Asuma shook his head, rejecting Takeshi's proposal.
It wasn't that he disliked Obito—well, actually…
Yeah, he just disliked Obito.
If that guy spotted the target, he'd charge in without thinking. There'd be no stopping him.
Only Takeshi or Rin could keep him in check.
"Alright then."
Seeing Asuma decline, Takeshi realized it too and didn't say more.
Asuma's luck was surprisingly good. On just the second night after they split up, he brought back some good news.
"I saw that guy at the dance hall on the west side of town."
As soon as the three of them sat down cross-legged, Asuma couldn't wait to speak.
"Really? That's great! We can finally be done with this never-ending surveillance!" Obito cheered, rolling up his sleeves, ready to go after the guy.
"But he never stepped outside the dance hall. I only spotted him through a second-floor window. To really figure out his movements, we'll have to keep watching."
Asuma's words instantly deflated Obito's excitement.
"Then what do we do? Call Captain Tatsuma over? But he never left us a way to contact him."
"Idiot Obito, this is clearly a test from Captain Tatsuma. He's trying to gauge our abilities. Keep watching and see if we can spot a weakness. If we really can't handle it, Captain Tatsuma will step in."
Takeshi was certain that sly Tatsuma was probably hiding in some unknown corner right now, silently watching how their group performed.
Of course, he couldn't just say that out loud. Who knew how many more years he'd have to work under Tatsuma? What if the guy held a grudge and made life difficult?
Time to show Tatsuma the fiery strength of our combo moves!
...
"Um, I think we could try other methods, like Transformation Jutsu. No need to go so extreme… And if that fails, calling Captain Tatsuma isn't a bad opt—"
Takeshi's voice cracked with panic as he looked in horror at the two approaching him with a set of girls' clothes.
"But the target is a Specail Jōnin. Getting close using Transformation Jutsu is very risky."
Asuma righteously rejected Takeshi's idea.
"And you're the one who said this was a test from Captain Tatsuma. Disguises are a basic ninja skill, right?"
Obito: "Yeah yeah yeah!"
After several days of observation, they found that Yamashita Yūji had a habit—he'd always stare at young girls walking past the window.
This gave Asuma a bold idea.
This guy seemed to have some perverse interest in underage girls.
In other words, dressing up as a young girl might let them get close to him inside the dance hall.
"If we're talking about disguises, you two can also—"
Takeshi made one last effort to resist.
"Let's not even mention Obito's goofy face. Just look at me—do you think he'd be interested?" Asuma interrupted Takeshi, pointing at his own face.
Obito: "Yeah yeah yeah—wait, hey, no—wait, yeah, actually…"
"Also, look at you. You've already got shoulder-length hair. You don't even need a wig! Just give up already, Takeshi!"
Pointing at Takeshi's short hair that reached just past his shoulders, Asuma didn't wait for his consent and charged in with Obito.
...
"Is… is this really me?"
Looking at himself in the mirror, not just Asuma and Obito, but even Takeshi was momentarily dazed.
He wore a light blue sleeveless yukata, simple in design yet highlighting his refined and pure look. His pale, slender arms added a fragile charm.
"Is it just me, or is Takeshi even cuter than Rin right now? Dammit, what am I thinking!" Obito shook his head violently, trying to banish such immature thoughts.
"My heart belongs to Rin. Forever."
"Ahem. See? I told you. Disguise yourself as a mall girl and sneak into the dance hall. He'll definitely take the bait." Asuma cleared his throat and moved on to the plan.
Whew. He'd almost blurted out that Takeshi looked even cuter than Kurenai.
"Ah, oh, yeah… okay, let's do that." Takeshi blushed scarlet, unsure what to say.
So embarrassing! Why is the hem of this outfit so short?
No way, no way. I'm never crossdressing again—never, even if it kills me!
...
As night fell, Yamashita Yūji sat in the dance hall, staring at the swaying bodies with no interest at all.
It had been two and a half years since he intercepted that fortune worth tens of millions and hid in this border town.
Though he had money, he knew the organization would definitely send ninja after him. So he didn't dare live too extravagantly, and spent every day hiding out in this dance hall, watching the same repetitive shows.
"Hmph. These depraved bodies are so boring. What I really crave are the young, vibrant, energetic girls!" He raised his glass—worth a year's salary for a commoner—and downed it in one gulp, sighing over how dull his life had become.
There were indeed many girls in town, but he didn't dare make a move. If any of them went missing, Konoha's ninja might come investigate. All he could do was sit at the second-floor window and feast his eyes.
"Ugh. At this hour, there's never anyone worth looking at..." He shook his head as he approached the window, lamenting the lack of eye candy—only to spot a striking figure.
A black-haired girl crouched outside the dance hall with a flower basket in hand, seemingly waiting for customers.
Every time a couple walked past, she'd approach with her basket, only to be rejected and sulk back to her spot.
"Now that's a gem..." Yamashita Yūji couldn't help but sigh.
With his seasoned mind, he instantly imagined a storyline: A girl from a poor family forced to sell flowers to make ends meet, repeatedly rejected until he stepped in to save her—leading to her falling in love with him...
"I can't wait anymore!"
After about half an hour of watching, Yamashita Yūji was convinced the girl was just an innocent little flower-seller.
Thinking with the wrong head, he immediately summoned a server and told him to inform the girl that he would buy all her flowers—if she brought them inside.
"Once you're in here, going back out won't be an option..." Staring at the delicate and beautiful figure, Yamashita Yūji's lips curled into a wicked grin.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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