After developing his initial rescue plan by the river, Hikaru rubbed the back of his neck as he considered the challenges ahead. He needed more detailed intelligence about the circus's security measures and staff routines, but approaching openly would create unnecessary risks.
The afternoon sun was still high as he made his way back toward the colorful tents, his fingers drumming against his leg as he worked through the plan that had formed during his riverside contemplation. This time he would need careful preparation rather than casual observation.
Finding a secluded grove of trees near the circus grounds, Hikaru glanced left and right before forming the transformation hand seals. His chakra flowed through his body as he focused on the image he wanted to project—an elderly man who belonged at the circus without drawing attention.
A puff of smoke enveloped him, and when it cleared, an elderly man with weathered features stood in his place. Gray hair replaced his youthful black locks, and his posture was bent forward as if supported by years of labor. He picked up a sturdy branch from the ground, testing its weight before nodding with satisfaction.
Once he felt confident in his disguise, Hikaru made his way toward the circus entrance, testing the walking cane's balance with each step. Even at this time in the afternoon, the area was still bustling with people, and he could still hear festive music drifting from multiple directions.
Disguised as an elderly man, Hikaru moved slowly through the circus area, shuffling his feet in the manner of someone simply there for entertainment. The transformation allowed him to observe many restricted areas without drawing suspicion—the equipment storage tents, animal enclosures, and staff rest areas that had been off-limits during his earlier visit.
The workers' rest area consisted of several tents tucked among the larger structures, each marked with distinguishing signs that identified their specific purposes. Hikaru scratched his temple thoughtfully as he studied the layout, memorizing the positions for later reference.
While walking along one of the service paths, Hikaru spotted a worker in front of the tents handling what looked like blank sealing paper. The man was laying the papers out in direct sunlight, apparently trying to dry them quickly. Hikaru's eyebrows rose—that wasn't the proper method for preparing seal materials.
He decided to approach the worker, tapping his makeshift cane against the ground to announce his presence.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Hikaru said, affecting the wavering voice of an elderly man.
"Eh? What do you mean, ojii-san (Uncle)?" the worker asked, looking up with confusion as he paused in his work.
"You are handling the seal paper incorrectly," Hikaru explained, pointing at the exposed papers with his cane while shaking his head disapprovingly. "If the seal paper has already been inscribed with chakra ink, it's acceptable to let it face the sun. But if not, the heat will cause the surface to become uneven and difficult to inscribe properly."
The worker's eyes widened in panic as he absorbed this information, quickly gathering the papers against his chest. "Ah! Thank you so much for your advice, ojii-san! I had no idea!"
Hikaru waved his free hand dismissively, then tilted his head with apparent curiosity. "I didn't know that the circus would need sealing techniques for their performances."
"Oh no, it wasn't intended for the circus performance," the worker replied, organizing the papers carefully as he spoke. "We had some trouble with our animals recently, and Nishikawa-san ordered us to prepare fresh sealing paper just in case we need emergency containment."
"Nishikawa-san?" Hikaru repeated, pressing his lips together as if trying to recall the name.
The worker nodded earnestly while storing the papers in a nearby tent. "Yes, he's our head assistant. He's the only one here handling sealing work in the circus."
"Ah, I see!" Hikaru exclaimed, tapping his cane against the ground before shuffling away with apparent satisfaction.
When the worker emerged from the tent moments later, he blinked in confusion at the empty path. The helpful elderly man had vanished as mysteriously as he had appeared.
Now that Hikaru knew who handled the sealing work in the circus, he began surveying the area more thoroughly, his eyes scanning for potential escape routes while maintaining his shuffling elderly persona. He needed multiple options in case his nighttime plan required quick changes.
The layout was more complex than he had initially realized. Service paths wound between the various tents and enclosures, providing access for workers while remaining hidden from public view. Hikaru's head turned slowly as he noted several locations where someone could move unseen between different areas of the circus grounds.
While making his way behind the main performance tent, Hikaru caught sight of the expedition's ringmaster emerging from a side entrance, apparently taking a break from his duties. The man stretched his arms above his head and looked around with obvious satisfaction at the day's success.
Hikaru's eyes lit up. This was perfect timing. He shuffled forward, affecting the enthusiasm of an impressed spectator.
"Excuse me, are you the ringmaster?" Hikaru called out, his disguised voice carrying genuine excitement. "I wanted to tell you how wonderful today's performance was!"
Aruaru's face lit up immediately, his mustache twitching as he smiled broadly. "Why thank you, honored guest! It brings me great joy to hear such praise from someone who clearly appreciates true artistry!"
The man's theatrical manner was even more pronounced up close, every gesture designed for maximum dramatic effect. But as they conversed, Hikaru's nose twitched—a distinctive fragrance seemed to follow the ringmaster like an invisible signature.
The scent was sweet and heavy, with notes that made Hikaru's nose feel slightly itchy. He had to resist the urge to wrinkle his face as he continued offering compliments about the various acts he had witnessed.
"The way your elephants performed those difficult formations was absolutely magnificent," Hikaru said, leaning heavily on his cane as if the excitement was overwhelming. "And those tigers jumping through fire—I've never seen anything so daring!"
"Ah, you have excellent taste!" Aruaru replied, puffing out his chest with pride. "Our performers train for years to achieve such precision. Each act represents the pinnacle of animal artistry!"
The conversation continued for several minutes, with Hikaru carefully observing the ringmaster's mannerisms and speech patterns. He tilted his head slightly as he studied Aruaru's theatrical personality—imitating him would require careful attention to specific details.
"I do hope you'll return tomorrow," Aruaru said with a flourish, adjusting his elaborate costume. "We have several special performances planned that are sure to amaze!"
"I wouldn't miss it," Hikaru replied, bowing respectfully before shuffling away as if heading toward the exit.
Instead of leaving, he maintained his distance while following Aruaru's path through the circus grounds. The ringmaster took considerable time greeting other fans and well-wishers, his theatrical personality requiring him to acknowledge every compliment with dramatic gestures.
Hikaru's eyes tracked carefully as the man eventually made his way toward a tent that stood out from the others—decorated with elaborate mustache banners that left no doubt about its occupant's identity. The ringmaster disappeared inside with a final wave to passing admirers.
After confirming Aruaru's rest area, Hikaru conducted one final round of the circus grounds, his elderly disguise allowing him to observe security patterns and worker routines without suspicion. His gaze followed the guards who made regular patrols—their routes were predictable and left several gaps that could be exploited after dark.
He also noted the positions of oil lamps and torches that would provide light during the evening hours. Most of the illumination was concentrated around the main performance areas and public pathways, leaving the service areas relatively dark once the crowds departed.
As he shuffled past one of the food vendor stalls, Hikaru noticed an ice cream cart positioned near the main exit. The vendor, an elderly woman with kind eyes, was cleaning her equipment while humming softly to herself. The sweet smell of vanilla and strawberry made his mouth water despite his focus on the mission.
"Excuse me," Hikaru called out in his disguised voice, tapping his cane gently on the ground. "Do you have any ice cream left?"
The woman looked up with a warm smile. "Of course! What flavor would you like? I have vanilla, strawberry, and green tea."
"Vanilla, please," Hikaru replied, fishing coins from his pocket with trembling fingers that weren't entirely an act. His shoulders had begun to ache from maintaining his transformation while gathering intelligence.
As the vendor prepared his treat, Hikaru used the opportunity to study the main exit more carefully. His eyes traced the path leading away from the circus grounds, noting several branching routes that could serve as escape options. He memorized the layout while maintaining casual conversation.
"Has business been good today?" he asked, accepting the ice cream with grateful hands.
"Oh yes, very good!" the woman replied cheerfully. "The circus brings so many visitors to our village. People love sweet treats after watching exciting performances."
Hikaru nodded appreciatively while taking a small bite of the cold dessert. The vanilla flavor was rich and creamy, providing genuine comfort despite his nervous energy. "The performances were truly magnificent. Those exotic animals must be difficult to care for."
"I imagine so," the vendor agreed, wiping down her cart with practiced efficiency. "The circus workers seem very dedicated. They're always checking on the animals, especially late at night."
Hikaru's head snapped up with apparent curiosity while continuing to eat his ice cream. "Late at night? Don't the animals sleep?"
"Some do, but others need special attention," the woman explained, unaware of how valuable her information was becoming. "I've seen workers making rounds well past midnight, checking the more exotic creatures. The night guards tell me some animals require constant supervision."
Hikaru's grip tightened slightly on his ice cream as he filed this information away carefully. If workers were making late-night rounds to check on animals, his timing would need to be even more precise than he had originally planned.
"That must be challenging work," he commented, taking another bite while his mind raced through tactical adjustments. "I hope they get adequate rest between their duties."
"The circus people work very hard," the vendor agreed with admiration. "But they seem to genuinely care about their animals' welfare. It's not just about the performances—they want the creatures to be healthy and content."
Hikaru's jaw tightened at the irony of her words. Fushigi certainly wasn't content in his sealed cage, regardless of how well the circus staff believed they were treating him. Sometimes good intentions weren't enough when they ignored what the animals actually wanted.
"Well, I should be heading home," Hikaru said, finishing the last of his ice cream and handing the empty container back to the vendor. "Thank you for the delicious treat."
"You're very welcome! Please come back tomorrow if you visit the circus again."
Hikaru waved goodbye and shuffled away, but instead of heading directly toward the exit, he took a roundabout path that allowed him to observe more of the security arrangements. The ice cream vendor's information about late-night animal checks had been invaluable—he would need to account for that possibility in his planning.
Near the equipment storage area, he paused to rest on a wooden crate while maintaining his elderly persona. From this position, he could see multiple service paths converging near the animal tents, creating natural chokepoints that could either help or hinder his escape depending on timing.
A group of circus workers passed nearby, discussing their plans for the evening cleanup. Hikaru strained his ears to catch useful details while pretending to struggle with his shoelaces.
"Make sure the bird tent is secure before you leave," one worker instructed another. "Nishikawa-san was very specific about double-checking all the containment seals tonight."
"Any particular reason?" the second worker asked, shouldering a bag of equipment.
"Something about recent behavioral changes in the special exhibits," the first replied with a shrug. "Better safe than sorry with those valuable specimens."
Hikaru's heart skipped a beat. Were they suspicious about Fushigi's condition, or was this routine caution? Either way, it meant additional scrutiny that could complicate his rescue attempt. He would need to be even more careful about timing and approach.
By the time he found a secluded spot to reverse his transformation, the sun was beginning to set. Standing in the shadows between two supply tents, Hikaru formed the release seals and felt his appearance return to normal in a puff of smoke. He stretched his back gratefully—maintaining the hunched posture had been more tiring than expected."
The intelligence gathering had been successful beyond his expectations. He now knew who handled the sealing work, where the ringmaster rested, and how the security patrols operated. Most importantly, he had identified several potential escape routes that would allow him to move unseen during the rescue operation.
Glancing back at the circus from his concealed position, Hikaru's heart beat faster as he took in the scope of what lay ahead. The real challenge would begin after darkness fell, but now he had the information needed to make his plan work.
Walking slowly through the village streets toward home, Hikaru reviewed everything he had learned. The rescue would require precise timing and careful execution, but it was definitely possible. Fushigi had waited this long for freedom—tonight, that wait would finally end.
"Time to finish what I started," he whispered to himself, his hands clenching and unclenching as he mentally prepared for the night ahead. The golden eagle had trusted him to return, and he wouldn't disappoint that trust.
As he reached his neighborhood, Hikaru's chest tightened with the familiar mixture of excitement and apprehension that came before attempting something dangerous but important. His parents would have understood—sometimes helping others required taking calculated risks.
Tomorrow, if everything went according to plan, Fushigi would be flying free through the skies above the Land of Fire, no longer trapped in a cage for others' entertainment. The thought of the golden eagle's gratitude made all the preparation worthwhile.
The first phase of his rescue plan was complete. Now came the hard part—putting all that intelligence to use in the darkness, when a single mistake could expose him and create serious consequences for everyone involved.
Hikaru took a deep breath and headed inside to prepare for the night's work. By midnight, one way or another, the rescue mission would be finished.