☄ World Crossroads ↔ Takumi 匠

[Ergo War]

At the point where the roads to all villages converge, a colossal path leading to the Merchant City expands. Paved and perfected by years of continual maintenance, the way to Takumi is a smooth and welcoming way for merchants. Various trees line the roadside, but their expanse isn't enough for ninja to sneak about.  

[Ergo War]

Bast next appeared in the intersection of the world crossroads, having been too eager to actually slow down for the desert in between Sunagakure and Takumi. Here, she stopped to catch her breath. She took another swig of tea before heading onward.  

[Qastor]

Traveling through the city was much larger than he expected,"Sugoi...."  

[Panthers7]

After departing Konoha, Noel was deep in the large portions of the crossroads. This was rather the first time the child had been at this place. It was stock full of merchants, food vendors and small eatery places. Noel thought he should press on and find a good destination to stay at but Noel decided it would be better if he simply took a break. He was wounded and it would be best if he didn't push himself too hard. Taking a seat at an eatery, Noel propped up his leg and order a nice little meal to eat. Wanting to restore his strength and possibly hit another little ninja shop to stock up on more weapons before departing for the adventure that will build the path to his wanted future.  

[Panthers7]

After Noel became well fed and full, the child took the time to shop for a couple of weapons; mostly projectiles. Noel purchased 5x exploding notes, 7x kunai's, and 6x senbons. Stuffed all the weaponry into his duffel bag and paid them in euro's which thankfully they took without so much as a bat of an eye lash before Noel continued on his way towards the merchant hub. Noel wanted to see what this place was all about, and see if they had anything that he should spend his hard earned Ryo on.

[Exit to Merchant City]  

[Panthers7]

After about three days and a couple of hours, Noel re-entered the cross roads but this time a night time. It looked like only a couple of stalls were open this time and even more so, it seemed like only a couple of stalls that he saw in the day time were still opening. Stopping at one of the eatery places, Noel grabbed him a bite to eat as well inquired about how he could get to the Wind Country. The place was so large that it seemed impossible for him to just find the correct path! Once he was pointed to the correct direction , Noel left a couple of euro's on the table and headed towards the Wind Country. Hoping to catch a mission or at the very least, get some more Ryo in his pocket through some pickpocketing. Noel truly needed the extra cash and attempt to buy some of the more expensive things in Takumi.

[Exit to the Wind Country]  

[Anonymous_Alcoholic]

[from mist gates]

Akio found the countryside beautiful, something he had never seen before. This was his first time travelling outside of the Water Country, and it felt good to do it alone. "I can't wait to visit other villages, that'll be pretty awesome. Can't wait to see the summoning isles as well. I love being able to travel." Akio spoke to no one but himself, and maybe his gourd, but it never listened to anything he said. As he came within sight of the city of merchants, Akio sighed, disappointed that he'd have to leave the beauty of nature.

[exit to Takumi gates]  

[Ergo War]

The sand storm continued as the tiny particles of earth continued to fall from Mononoke's body. She was a moving blur, but was still not slowing. Every movement seemed effortless, almost.  

[Anonymous_Alcoholic]

"So, do you guys have nay news about the other villages, like Konoha and Suna?" Akio hadn't been getting any news about the other villages through his regular channels, like the market, what with his sudden increase in his workload. Now was the perfect time to ask, what with several world-faring merchants travelling with them. They talked about some minor things, mostly idle gossip, but they went back to talking about this heavy feeling they had, as if there was a shadow hovering over them, of tension so thick it held weight. Akio couldn't say he liked to hear this sort of thing, he liked to remain as happy as he could before Isamaru found a way to ruin his good mood, but he needed to be in the know, as information could be the difference between life and death. He may have overheard something about mysterious men and women sighted in major villages and in the wilderness, but one of the merchants said it was a rumor he had picked up in Takumi, and he said it wasn't from the most trustworthy of sources. Akio dismissed it initially, but he found himself looking for mysterious-looking individuals. Not a good sign.
[3/5]  

[Count-Swagula]

Isamaru was enoying the scenery of all of the world. He had his hands cuffed up behind his head. Chewing on a piece of hay he had picked up on the way. He made himself at home, looking like the yokals that passed by the shinobi. Isamaru waved to some women delivering water to their home. Isamaru listened to Akio asking questions about the world. Isamaru couldn't help but notice something was bothering his good friend. Isamaru would ask him later, when not surrounded by other people. Isamaru knew it wouldn't hurt emotionally reaching out to Akio.  

[Anonymous_Alcoholic]

Akio decided to walk the rest of the way in silence, lost in thought as he guarded the carriage and the rich, greedy merchants of the Mist. They had been all over the world, taking in sights and eating exotic foods, while Akio had been stuck in the same old damp, dreary place for his entire life. It really gave him something to think about, like how he'd want to spend his twilight years travelling, assuming he made it that age and didn't die some horrible, violent death in the next few months, what with the state of the shinobi nations. I wouldn't mind peace for a bit, just so I can eat some Konoha food, or see a desert in the Wind Country. It'd be nice. Akio snapped out of his daydream when he spied the Takumi gates, large as they were. They had made it without incident, something Akio liked.
[5/5] [Exit to Takumi gates]  

[Anonymous_Alcoholic]

And so they were on the road back to Kiri after a long day of doing missions, speaking with strangers and escorting merchants, and with nothing noteworthy to talk about once they did return. It was a little unfortunate that nothing significant happened, no story for Akio and no real reason to see this time spent away from the village as nothing more than a waste of time, or so he thought. He could always earn money inside the village, not running around outside, earning a pittance doing errands. Still, at least I get to see the country side. It's pretty enough to waste time on. Sometimes. Akio sighed and fumbled with the piece of iron in his pocket, wondering if anything, anything at all would happen on the trip back to Kiri. He didn't know whether to hope for it or not.  

[Count-Swagula]

Isamaru walked down the dusty old trail. He kept watch of all the sights he would see every so often. He looked at the country girls. They had a certain. Feel to them Isamaru liked. You couldn't quite hate anyone from the country. As hard as you tried they'd love you anyways. Isamaru remembered having relatives in the country side of Konoha. He hadn't heard from them in quite a while. He couldn't really pay a visit. Isamaru just watched the scenery change to plains to forest. He didn't mind it, it was a nice change of pace. He could never live out here. Too quiet.  

[Mana_ecl Zetsuya]

It seemed such a shame for the chunnin who had stumbled upon the scene. While the scenery was changing, the merchants were about to step into a trap, from which there would be no escape. Ninja escorts or otherwise. The figured refused to reveal itself, not while there were subordinates to make the job easier. A brief signal flashed, a mirror using what little light from the canopy above to signal the waiting horde.

The robed figure had several men at his disposal, but for now, the signals notified a trio further back. Arrows loosed with a slight twang! It was enough for the ninja present to notice, however the arrows would do their job. Numbers weren't always everything, not while they had quality arrows, explosive tags wrapped about them. No particular targets, so long as they hit the wagon.

Unfortunately, it seemed a few had misunderstood the signals. Something which would be reprimanded in time. Blades and axes in hand, a quartet leaped before the caravan uselessly. Perhaps it would distract from the arrows to the side? Perhaps it wouldn't. Nonetheless, the quartet charged with fervor.