(Scene: Emerging from the forest)
The forest is damp and alive with the sounds of early morning. Tall trees loom overhead, leaves dripping with rain from the night before. Droplets clinging to every branch. Through the forest path- A horse bursts forward. Its hooves slam into the soaked ground, kicking up clumps of dirt beneath it. Rangako rides atop, her posture is steady and confident with the speed. The wind rushing past her face. Then- *FWOOSH* The horse explodes out of the forest line. Sunlight pours down over the open landscape ahead. The brightness reveals a wide stretch of land beyond the trees.. Rangako's eyes lock forward.. in the distance, massive gates stand tall. Thick stone walls stretch outward from both sides wide. The gates of sector 3. Rangako smirks, behind her the wooden carriage on the horse rattles as the for creaks open. Gajo climbs out, stretching his legs before stepping down. He shields his eyes from the sun as he squints toward the gates, and a grin spreads across his face. "Alright! Looks like we're here." Rangako hops down from the horse, she grabs the reins and ties the horse to a nearby post. "Looks like it..!" Then, from the carriage- Kai and Aris climb out.. Kai immediately rushes forward, moving past them. He stops near the mountain overlook, staring into the distant enormous gates of sector 3.. awe in his eyes. A grin forms on his face.. He grips his backpack straps.. and whispers "I'm ready..!" The wind blows harder for a moment..
The enormous gates of sector 3 stand tall and imposing. Their heavy metal doors are partially open, allowing travelers to pass through under watchful supervision. Next to the gate sits a small military police booth. Inside the booth.. A tired officer sits in his chair. His elbow rests against the desk while his face presses into his fist, half asleep. Then, footsteps approach, Gajo, Kai, Aris and Rangako. The group walks toward the checkpoint.. The officer slowly lifts his head. "Hm..?" He straightens "Identification please." Gajo casually steps forward "Yeah, they're with me." He pulls out a small identification card, sliding across the counter. The officer scans the information.. pausing briefly "Kisame Gajo, eh?" Gajo gives a goofy cartoonish grin "Hehe.." The officer lightly sighs, handing the card back. "Go ahead." The group walks past the booth and through the massive gates.. Inside Sector 3, the streets are lively. People walk through the city in every direction, merchants talk with customers. Kai glances around, surprised at how smooth it was to get here. "Easy enough.." Gajo walks beside him with his hands behind his head "Thankfully, it's easier to walk around here than in sector 4." He gestures to the surrounding area. "Not having to worry about territories, the festival is what's dangerous at night." Rangako looks around curiously at the new environment. The architecture, the people, the energy. Aris: "So what's the plan..?" Gajo scratches the back of his head "Well.. we should probably check in with my connects here." Rangako: "Sensei.. What's exactly the mission here..?" Kai blinks "Mission?" He scratches his head "I thought we were here for me to get stronger!" Gajo laughs awkwardly "Well, yeah. If im being honest with the three of you.. There's something i've been meaning to do for a while now." The group slows as he speaks.. "Ever since i went to sector 4.. Became strongest.. and inherited Dragon." His gaze remains fixed on the sky above the city. "I steered off my course." The others glance at him, confused. "But ever since i met you kai.. You reminded me of someone. And my own mission." All three of them blink.. none of them fully understand what he means. But Kai simply smirks. Aris folds his arms "Well. Everyone has their own reasons for being here." He glances toward the streets ahead. "For now, we just need to stick together." Gajo brightens again "Mhm." He dramatically spins and points forward like a tour guide "TO OUR SECTOR 3 ALLIES!!"
(Scene: The Chiyo Household)
A quiet stone house sits peacefully in a small neighborhood of sector 3. A chimney raised from the roof, grey smoke gently drifts upward. Inside the home- Warm light fills the room from a fireplace. Soft jazz music plays faintly in the background, The comforting smell of cookies and ginger fill the air. On the kitchen table, sits an old woman. Her grey hair is poofy and soft, a pair of glasses rest comfortably on her nose as she reads something, a wooden cane leans on her chair. Across the room, an old man stands near the window, a cigarette dangles between his fingers, his long grey beard stretches nearly to his knees. The old woman suddenly looks up "I thought i told you stop smoking those damn things..!" The old man barely reacts. "YEAH, YEAH. SHUT UP! I CAN BARELY HEAR YA FROM HERE ANYWAY!" Then- *knock, knock* The door echoes through the house. The old lady points "GET IT!" old man: "HUH!?" old lady: "The door!" old man: "HUH!??" Old lady: "THE GOD DAMN DOOR!!" The old man pauses "..What about the floor..?" The old woman rolls her eyes dramatically. She slowly pushes herself up from her chair and walks toward the door. She opens it.. Standing outside- Four familiar faces. Kai, Aris, Rangako and Gajo. Gajo smiles widely "Granny and grandpa Chiyo!" Aris' eyes narrow "Old people..?" Rangako puts her hands together with delight "Aweee! Old people are like, so cute!" Granny Chiyo's face lights up "HEYY! ITS OUR SWEET KISAME!" She turns toward the stairs and shouts loudly "AKIIIII! COME DOWNSTAIRS NOW!!" The wooden floorboards upstairs creak.. Behind her, The old man slowly walks into the room. He squints "Oh my..!" The group steps into the home, Gajo stretching casually "Hope you dont mind the company!" granny chiyo waves it off happily "Not at all!" The old man groans "Kisame, you could've at least called first-" Granny chiyo: "SHUT UP!" She immediately snaps. Slow footsteps descend the stairs, A man appearing. He wears a loose T-shirt, and sweatpants, his Black hair messy, His brown eyes tired and sunken. Aki. He slowly scans the room.. Gajo smirks "Aki! Long time no see, eh?" He points casually at him "What about helping me out later..?" Aki rolls his eyes "Whatever." He turns, walking back up the stairs. Kai blinks in confusion. Granny Chiyo turns back to Gajo "What do ya need honey??" Gajo waves his hand "Oh nothing.. Just a place to stay and train with my students for a while." The old man groans "Ugh, Kisame you're always in my hair!" Gajo grins "What hair?" Lady Chiyo bursts into laughter "Of course you can all stay!" Gajo smiles "You've never been anything less than the sweetest granny."