Kakashi tries to find a way inside the museum since using teleportation it phasing out would not work. He would have to be patient for a while but if he could not, he was ready to use brute force.
As he waited, Kakashi saw her, a pink-skinned woman who looked almost human, weaving through the crowd toward the Collector's museum. The guards barely glanced at her, waving her through checkpoints without a word.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. 'She's got access to the museum.' He didn't know her name or her role, but he could tell she was important enough to move freely in a place crawling with security.
Her name was Carina, the Collector's assistant and slave, though Kakashi had no way of knowing that. What he did know was that the guards let her pass without hesitation. That was his ticket inside.
He scanned her path, his Sharingan flickering briefly to map blind spots, gaps between cameras, moments when guards turned away. He did all of this within seconds.
He found one: a narrow alley just before the museum's outer gate, out of sight from turrets and patrols. Perfect.
In a blur of speed, Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique, moving faster than the eye could follow. Before Carina could react, he locked eyes with her. The Sharingan spun, and a Kamui vortex swallowed her, pulling her into his dimension. She vanished without a sound.
A second later, Kakashi transformed into her exact likeness, pink skin, delicate features, the same robe. He adjusted his posture to match her gait and stepped out of the alley. Another Carina now walked toward the museum.
The gate opened automatically, likely triggered by someone watching the cameras. The guards didn't even glance at him, their eyes sliding past as if he were invisible.
Kakashi noted their behavior. 'They know she's allowed here, but they're not bowing or scraping. She's not high-ranking. Probably a servant.' His mind filed the information away as he crossed the threshold into the Collector's domain.
Inside, the museum was filled with both wonders and horrors. Glass shelves lined the walls, displaying artifacts. A dagger pulsed with red energy. A frozen bird with six wings floated in stasis. One case held a severed hand, its fingers twitching faintly. Kakashi's stomach turned at the sight of a small, lizard-like creature trapped in a jar, its eyes wide with fear. No sign of Cosmo yet, but the museum was massive.
He moved carefully, keeping Carina's face calm and neutral.
He turned a corner and entered what looked like a living area. A man sat there, human-like but with stark white hair. He lounged in a high-backed chair, a glass of some liquid in one hand.
Kakashi could tell that this was the Collector. He could feel the man was not as strong as Odin, but still dangerous.
Kakashi considered eliminating him. A kunai to the throat, a quick Kamui to the head, done. But he dismissed the thought. The museum was rigged with defenses, and the Collector likely had artifacts to protect himself. One wrong move could bring the whole place down on him. Stealth was the way.
Then he overheard the Collector speaking into a communicator, "Thanos has employed Ronan to find the Orb. Keep an eye on him for any updates. I also have information that he's hired Loki Odinson, a prince of Asgard, to help him find…"
Kakashi froze. 'Loki?'
He didn't have time to eavesdrop further, but he couldn't let this information slip away.
Moving quickly, Kakashi slipped a small chakra-infused tag from his pouch. It was a Fuinjutsu tag, designed to record sound and transmit it to a paired receiver which was another Fuinjutsu tag. He hid it behind a display case, wedging it into a crack where it wouldn't be noticed. The tag hummed faintly, activating. It would send the Collector's words to a receiver Kakashi carried, letting him listen later. For now, he had to find Cosmo.
He moved deeper into the museum.
---
In a distant wing of the museum, a room filled with glass cages. Creatures from across the galaxy were trapped here.
In one cage, Howard the Duck strutted back and forth, a half-empty glass of something strong in his wing. He also had a cigar in his beak.
"You know what, Cosmo?" Howard shouted, his voice echoing off the glass. "That shiny freak calls himself 'The Collector.' Pfft!"
He gulped his drink, swaying slightly. "Guy's got a planet's worth of junk, half of it's dustier than his social life!"
Across the room, Cosmo the Labrador lay in her cage, her head resting on her paws. Her astronaut suit was scuffed, her golden fur dull. She looked exhausted. She sighed quietly as Howard kept going.
"And what's this, huh?" Howard pointed at the glass ceiling. "Glass cage! Oh yeah, real classy. 'Howard, you're part of my rare collection.' Newsflash, buddy, I'm rare 'cause no one else wants to deal with me!"
Cosmo sighed again, louder this time.
"Yeah, go ahead, sigh all you want, furball," Howard snapped. "You're trapped too. Don't act like you're better than me."
He leaned against the glass, muttering. "He probably polishes his skull at night, whispering, 'Oh Tivan, you're so magnificent.' I swear, I heard him naming his hairbrushes once. Who does that?"
He tossed his empty glass into the corner. It bounced off the wall harmlessly. "And don't even get me started on that cologne! I could smell him coming before I hatched!"
Cosmo groaned, turning her head away.
"Oh, don't you start!" Howard said, pacing again. "I'm just venting! You think I like monologuing to myself every day? ...Okay, maybe a little."
He threw up his wings in exasperation. "If I ever get outta here, first thing I'm collecting is his dignity. Though that one's been extinct since before I was hatched!"
Cosmo gave another long-suffering groan.
"Yeah, yeah, go chase a space bone," Howard muttered. "I'm done talkin'... for now." He paused, then added, "You think he dusts us when we're asleep?"
Cosmo sighed again, clearly done with him.
Suddenly, the door hissed open, and Carina stepped in. Or rather, Kakashi in Carina's form.
Howard perked up instantly. "Oh, look who it is! The assistant to the galaxy's biggest egomaniac! Tell me, Carina, how's it feel polishing trophies for a guy who collects toenail clippings if they sparkle enough?"
Kakashi kept walking, ignoring him. Howard wasn't fazed.
"Don't ignore me, sugarplum!" Howard called. "You're the only person I know who can walk into a room and make the air smell sweet as vanilla!"
Kakashi looked at the duck in wonder.
"What? Too forward?" Howard smirked, smoothing his chest feathers. "C'mon, don't act like you've never dreamed of a duck in a tux! Face it, babe. I'm 60% attitude, 40% feathers, and 100% better company than Tivan."
Cosmo sighed again, louder.
"Hey, don't give me that look, mutt!" Howard snapped. "I'm just speaking truth!"
Kakashi, still as Carina eyes turned towards Cosmo.
------Author Notes---------
Do check out my new novel.
Naruto: The Eraserhead of Suna.
Y'all can now read the next 15 chapters of the fanfic on my pat*reon.
Also you can also now read exclusive one shots on it.
https://pat*reon.com/Charizard6
[No star]