30 Painting Heist 3 (1/2)
The crew spent an entire day flipping through the mess that was the master painter's bedroom.
Shino and Hinata mainly concerned themselves with the countless stacks of paper left by the deceased. Kiba, on the other hand, took another angle entirely. He was crouching on all four, sniffing through the entire place together with Akamaru.
The team left the studio by the time that the sun was setting down. For now, they would discuss their findings and formulate a concrete plan for tomorrow's search.
In the room that Kurenai had booked in the town's inn, Shino laid out the things that he had taken note of.
”The painter is a quiet person, but he corresponded a lot.”
Those stacks of paper were replies from his fellow artists who lived in various countries, as well as the copies of his own letters. There were also personal notes containing his thoughts about his current projects, most notably his newest four-panel painting.
”The letters mentioned about the people of this town as well. I suggest that we ask around and look for clues about the deceased's behavior.”
”That's a good idea,” Kurenai nodded.
Kiba suddenly interrupted.
”Heh. That'll take too long! We've memorized that painter guy's smell! All we have to do is to follow that scent to his hiding place, and we'll find that painting in no time! Right, Akamaru?”
Woof!
The puppy barked energetically.
”Well, that's another way to find it, although I think only you can do it, Kiba...”
”Exactly. It doesn't guarantee results. If anything, you'll just get sidetracked,” Shino remarked.
”And you think asking around is enough, huh? All you'll get are gossips!” Kiba retorted.
”Better than sniffing around like dogs.”
”Oi! You got something against dogs, you punk?!”
The two boys glared at each other, neither wanting to back down. The clash continued for another minute until Kurenai stepped between them and pushed them apart.
”Alright, alright, that's enough. You're scaring the poor girl.”
Ah.
They turned to Hinata, who was looking at them with worried gaze. They quickly dropped the subject.
”Well, we've heard your ideas. What about you, Hinata? What do you think we should do?”
”E-eh? U-um... I-I think...”
She began fidgeting her fingers again. Everyone waited for her in silence, knowing that the girl needed some time to gather her courage.
”I-I think both ideas are g-good... h-how about we split up...?”
Oh. Yeah, that's right, that works too...
”I guess I can ask the bodyguard team to lend us some men. What do you think, Kiba, Shino?”
”Hmm,” Shino nodded, showing agreement.
”Fine with me,” Kiba nodded as well.
”Good. We'll go with that plan. Now, let's have dinner.”
Before she went out of the room, she seemed to remember something as she stopped at the door frame.
”Oh yeah. Don't forget to wash your hands before eating. Also, brush your teeth before you're going to sleep. That'll be all.”
She left soon after that.
””...””
”...Why did she say the same thing as my sis...” Kiba groaned.
It seemed that they were still seen as kids, even though they were already Genin...
---
”The name's Hyoumaru! Nice to meet you!”
”Seki... let's get along...”
As Kurenai had promised, the bodyguard team had lent them some additional manpower to aid the search. The former was an energetic-looking, well-built guy, while the latter was the gloomy, lethargic type.
”Thank Atsushi later for me,” Kurenai smiled.
”Don't mention it, Ma'am! We're happy to help! So, I'll be going with this kid...”
”Shino,” the Aburame boy gave a slight nod of acknowledgement.
”...As for mine...”
”It's me! Inuzuka Kiba, at your service!”
””...””
The dynamic felt a bit lopsided...
Kurenai chuckled. She already predicted that this would happen.
”Well, I think Hyoumaru can help Shino when talking with the residents, while Seki... sorry about this, but you're the only one who can keep up with Kiba's speed. Just follow behind the boy and make sure that he doesn't do anything reckless.”
”Yes, Ma'am!”
”...Understood...”
The pairs quickly departed from the inn, leaving Hinata alone with Kurenai.
”M-Miss Kurenai, what about m-me...?”
”I'll be going with you.”
”E-eeh?”
She grinned mischievously at the surprised girl.
”What's wrong? Disappointed?”
”A-ah, n-no, I-I'm just surprised... b-because, I'm just a f-failure, s-so... I-I'm afraid that I'll just h-hold you back...”
The Jonin patted Hinata's head, rubbing it gently.
”F-fuwee?!”
”Hinata, remember this. You're not a failure,” Kurenai stated, full of conviction. ”You're stronger than you think. Never forget it.”
The girl blinked repeatedly, unable to believe what the Jonin had just said.
Kurenai sighed. It seemed that the effect of Hiashi's cold treatment couldn't be wiped clean so easily.
'I guess it's not enough with just words... nevermind, she'll understand with time.'
”Let's go. We shouldn't waste time.”