The village of the Island Nations Coalition was decided to be made from the largest of the villages on the largest island in the coalition. There are multiple shops within the village, ranging from the fine Ramen shops, to weapon smiths and scroll writers. If there's anything that a young ninja would need, they can find it here in the village.
INC Village 1 - Introductions
INC Village 2 - Hanging Around
INC Village 3 - Briefing
INC Village 4 - Preparations
INC Village 5 - Eternal Hunt Mission
INC Village 6 - Free Time
INC Village 7 - Enter the Tardis
INC Village 8 - Eternal Frost Mission
INC Village 9 - Break Time
"They are stronger than they appear, Tsu."
Ishiaki told her after he grew tired of her silence. "They ceased being children when they became Genin."
"They're still just kids. And most people are unsure about sending full ninjas against people in the damn bingo book."
Tsu grumbled "I just think it's a bad call, you know?"
"It is not our call to make though. What is our call, is to make sure that the genin are fully aware and prepared for what lies ahead."
Ishiaki explained, perhaps a little coldly, but it was truth nonetheless
"And I never said I wasn't going to do that."
Tsu replied gently, unable to sound cold to the man who... well, nevermind, maybe he didn't want that mentioned outside of the cottage. "I guess I'll see you later." she said, nodding her head to Ishiaki.
Ishiaki nodded to her and smiled. "Let's hope the 'kage isn't wrong in his assessment." He told her quietly, he didn't like this any more than she did.
Tsu nodded, taking a deep breath and starting to walk towards her team's apartment. "I hope they're ready for this. All of them."
Ishiaki sighed and headed towards
Oita's House
Ishiaki lead his squad from
Oita's House, they were heavily packed and in a rather sullen mood as they headed their way to the docks.
"I wonder what sort of landscape we will be fighting on."
Akane said casually, glancing over to her friend, Kami.
Oita frowned slightly, walking along after his sensei. He still didn't like this. Was he too young to go rogue? Probably.
"Wherever it is I hope it's temperate."
Kami told her. "I'm sure we'll learn more on the Tardis.
Tsu emerged, looking harassed. Ishiaki knew that she didn't like this one bit, and by the look of it, she wasn't hiding that at all. Not a very professional thing to do, no, but she felt sending the kids out was more of a crime.
Kano raised his hand in greeting as they came upon the other squad. They looked about as happy about this mission as Tsu-sensei did.
"Shame El wasn't able to fix his guitar in time. Even though you are buying him a replacement, it still will be a hinderance I think... not to mention Oita's lack of puppets."
Akane noted to Kami. "I only hope Kano and Hinji are as prepared as we are."
"That's only if we come across one of his village's guitars."
Kami reminded her. "But yes... I hope they are..."
El spotted Akane's new clothes and his face turned beat red. He looked away, falling in behind the group. He was still furious with himself.
"I brought the ocarina too...just in case." Akane said, lifting it from around her neck from beneath her clothes so Kami could see.
"How are you?"
Tsu asked, standing by Ishiaki, looking up at him and obviously searching for some support here. She didn't think they were ready at all for this.
Oita watched as the others exchanged words, thinking back to the kiss with Rin. He worried he'd forced it a little... but he was also worried he'd die out there.
"Present and accounted for."
Ishiaki told her simply. He wasn't happy about the mission stats either, but at least he had somewhat accepted it. "Is your squad ready?"
"Apart from El having no guitar..."
Tsu said, frowning at this and crossing her arms "Without a musical instrument, he has no weapon..."
"Oita is basically in the same boat..."
Ishiaki said with a frown as well. "I told him that he could probably purchase new puppets when we arrived, but he said that would prove worse." He only shrugged at that notion.
"Perhaps you should give it to him."
Kami suggested. "He looks to be in something of a mood."
"Really?"
Akane asked, glancing back in their group until she spotted him. He seemed rather sullen, very unlike his normal personality. "Maybe.. that's a good idea." she said, giving Kami a polite nod before parting with her. She stepped aside and let everyone else pass her until she was side by side with El. "Hey." she began, "You okay?"
Hinji walked silently along with the group. He didn't like how Tsu was acting, it was as if she had no faith in them what-so-ever. A sensei who had no faith in her students was more of an anchor then a boon.
El neglected to answer. "I enjoy you're new attire." He said, changing the subject. "Especially the mask."
He didn't even try to hide the fact that he completely ignored her question, "Thanks."
Akane replied, "After my old patch was ripped, it didn't really seem to sit right on my face anymore...even after Rin sewed it." She gestured to her mask and went on, "I thought this looked a bit... I donno... more cultural? Everyone here seems to really represent their heritage, I thought I would give it a try. This mask inparticular is a representation of Kujaku, one of the most ancient and cherished deities of my people."
Tsu bit her lip. She looked like a little girl who'd just had her ice cream smashed from her hands by an angry father. This wasn't good. "Should we head out then?" she asked, looking around at the talking students.
"I like it."
El told her again. "It reminds me of ancient artwork from my own village... Perhaps our people are related?"
"Perhaps." Akane said offhandedly, not dwelling on the idea for much longer. Her thoughts were more on him than ancient civilizations. "So-" she began, changing the subject once more to it's original, "-No luck with the guitar, huh? Sorry to hear that."
El said nothing, but again diverted the subject. "Did you happen to bring your ocarina?"
Ishiaki touched Tsu's shoulder gently. "Let them be children for a few moments more..." He told her quietly. They had plenty of time before the caravan was scheduled to leave and the Tardis was the fastest ship on the seas.
"Of course."
Akane replied, lifting her hands up behind her head to untie the necklace. It was pretty obvious that El felt bad about not being able to fix his guitar in time. Considering what they were up against, Akane felt a bit worried for him. "Here." she said, handing it over.
Kano approached Kami once Akane went off to speak with El. He leaned over and whispered, "Is your sensei as perturbed by this mission as ours is?"
Oita was tugging carefully at a frayed part of his bag. He didn't like to agitate it, but it agitated him to no end in return. He couldn't stitch it, it wasn't broken, he couldn't break it, that would be a waste, he couldn't pull it, that would break it... It annoyed him. But it distracted him.
"I believe she is more visibly distressed than Ishiaki Sensei."
Kami told him. "But he is distinctly worried."
"Thank you Akane."
El told her. "I'm sorry about this... I promise I will teach you how to play it one of these days."
"Don't worry about it."
Akane said honestly as they walked behind the group. She thought about asking him about the guitar repairs, but figured that would only upset him. That aside, the only thing on her mind was the mission. "Sounds like you are going to need it too.. these fellas seem like bruisers."
El nodded. "I cannot say I'm very excited about this mission."
"I don't think anyone is."
Akane replied, "Ishiaki seems very tense about the situation. Apparently one of the main ninja is an old classmate of his."
Tsu looked at the kids, a little frown on her face as she watched them talk and glance towards their senseis. "Is it time we left?" she asked, not wanting the answer she knew Ishiaki would give.
Kano agreed with Kami entirely, "Ours is not the reason why, but to do and die...A bit grim, I admit, but certainly a useful quotation."
Ishiaki nodded grimly to Tsu and let out another sigh. He raised his arm and called in the youths. "The faster we get there, the better we can equip ourselves before the mission." With that said, the group boarded the Tardis and left for the
Village of Merchants
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Naruto: INC
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