Broken Blades[Mission/Solo]

Age : 33 Posts : 718

Quote :: Mission Title: Broken Blades
Mission Type: Custom
Mission Location: Lightning Country - Fisherman's Port
Shinobi Requirement: Genin
Mission Rank: C
Mission Objective: The Kousen compound is running low on materials for the repair and maintenance of weapons. A shipment of replacement goods has been ordered and someone needs to go pick them up. Travel to the docks to receive the load and then escort them back to the clan compound. The merchant might give you trouble and demand a larger payment for his trouble, be sure to resolve any complaints professionally and politely but don't give in to his miserly greed.

Memories of joining his father on trips to the port to pick up new materials flooded Mugen's mind as he read the details of his latest mission. There were happy visions of his past in those memories, but the nostalgia was tainted by conflicting feelings. His recent exile from the clan compound made taking on this request somewhat difficult for the young boy. He was not wanted inside the Kousen clan's walls and not even Mugen's father wanted to see him. It was Shura himself whom told Mugen to fend for himself and that he was forbidden to use the Kousen name in the first place. Perhaps this "punishment" was being imposed for his own good. Perhaps it was for Mugen's own protection against the spite of his fellow clan members. Even so, the great shame that lingered over young Mugen's head whenever he thought of the clan was almost too much to bare. Now he had to serve on a mission for them? There was either some kind of cruel twist of fate going on here, or someone in the clan had arranged this mission to rub his exile in Mugen's face.

Regardless of his personal feelings on the matter, Mugen could not bring himself to decline or refuse the mission. As son of Shura, one of the Kousen's blacksmiths, Mugen knew all too well just how vital this shipment was to the daily operations at the Kousen forge. Scratching the back of his head in frustration, Mugen made his way to the Kousen clan headquarters in the Daichu district. "Well, the sooner I get this over with, the sooner it will be done." The boy convinced himself as he approached the gates only to be stopped by a pair of chuunin guards that seemed to appear out of thin air.

"Halt, only members of the Kousen Clan or those with permission are allowed beyond this point." The guard stated plainly.

Mugen sighed as he fought back the urge to insist that despite what those in the clan wanted to believe, he was still a member of their bloodline. Resisting the temptation to prove as much by unleashing a ranton jutsu on the young man, Mugen cleared his throat and produced a document stating his business there. From the way the chuunin snatched the paper from Mugen's hand only to glare at the boy the entire time, clearly not reading what was written down, it was obvious that the chuunin knew who Mugen was. Likely, the chuunin knew what Mugen had done as well, or at least rumors surrounding it. But more importantly, he knew Mugen would be coming and still chose to give him the run around anyways. Eager to escape the older shinobi's judgemental eyes, Mugen spoke up. "So where is the transportation?"

"A cart has been prepared for you at the village gates. When you've completed your mission a Kousen Jounin will meet you at the village gates to take custody of the shipment. There will be no need for outsiders to enter the compound."

The message being sent was clear enough. The document detailing Mugen's mission was tossed back at him unceremoniously and the other guard who had remained silent until now shooed Mugen away with a hand gesture. The boy grasped the paper out of the air and took one last second to look both the guards over well. He'd remember their faces and their disrespect. One day they would pay for this, but not today. Burning their ugly faces into his memory, Mugen turned on his heel and began making his way to the village gates.

Age : 33 Posts : 718

Choosing the early morning hours to leave so as not to keep the merchants waiting once they arrived, Mugen hurried to the cart at the village gates and set off at once. He wanted to reach the docks by noon which was when the shipment was predicted to arrive, but even Mugen with all his inexperience had to admit that it was a hopeful estimate at best. He'd likely arrive at least an hour later than he desired and that was all the more reason to get going. Shaking the reigns to the beasts of burden that were leading the cart, Mugen began a slow and uneventful trek to the coast. The sun was covered by the usual overcast thunderclouds until Mugen got a decent ways away from the village. Then the great orb of light and fire beat down upon the boy without mercy. The cold air of winter combined with the baking heat from the sun made for a strange combo where Mugen was sweating and being chilled to the bone as crisp dry air evaporated the salted water from his skin.

Feeling as though he were sick due to the shivering sweats Mugen suffered, the boy decided he needed respite and led the cart to the side of the road. There, he dismounted and left the cart be while he went to look for some cover. There was no reason to worry the cart would be stolen at the moment as it was empty, but Mugen did worry about the creatures that drove it. With their safety in mind, Mugen moved with purpose and quickly gathered a branch and many leafy twigs. Using some wire from his genin kit, Mugen tied the flora together making a small umbrella to shade himself from the sun and maybe ever stave off some of the wind. The boy returned to the cart with his makeshift cover and resumed his course urging the beasts to hurry to make up for lost time. It was a few more hours until Mugen's pace eventually brought him to the port, but thankfully the salty air hit his nose soon enough. It was an hour later than Mugen predicted, but he was here.

Driving the cart right up to the docks, Mugen found himself approached by an impatient looking old man.

"About damn time you got here!"

The old merchant shuffled over to Mugen waving a frail looking arm in the air. "You Kousen kids are usually on time. What took so long!?" Apparently Mugen was recognized for his clan's signature dark skin and white hair. "Sorry, I'm..." Mugen was about to tell the old man that he wasn't allowed to call himself a Kousen, but the realization of how nice it felt to be recognized as one for the first time in so long stayed his words. "...a replacement. The guy who was supposed to come today fell ill suddenly." It was a poor lie, but the geezer didn't seem like he was even listening. "I'm not interested in your excuses. I should have been back on my boat hours ago! Time is money kid. You better have something to make this wait worth my while."

There it was, the greedy Merchant was trying to milk Mugen for more than the agreed price. The boy would need to be careful with his words from here on out. He couldn't afford to pay the man more, but he couldn't afford to return to the village empty handed either...

Age : 33 Posts : 718

((OOC: Ugh, I hate referring to the animals leading the cart without specifying a species. But I just don't know what people from Kumo would likely use as beasts of burden. Please excuse the repeated use of "beast" "animal" and "creature" in this thread v.v))

Mugen looked the old fart in the eyes searching for some hint of mercy, but he saw nothing aside from the glittering gold dollar signs of greed reflected back at him. Holding back a sigh so as not to seem insolent, Mugen sat up straightening his back trying his best to seem confident and important. "I apologize for taking up so much of your time, sir. Unfortunately, I don't have much I can offer you as compensation." Mugen admitted thinking it best to be honest about his lack of funds. "I have the sum you agreed upon for the contract with me, but I'm not carrying a single ryo more. I'm sure you understand, being a merchant. It's dangerous to travel with a large amount of money sitting around." Attempting to appeal to the man's good senses, the boy tried to establish his position in this little negotiation but it was clear from the merchant's grin that the elderly trader had some crafty plan in mind to pressure Mugen.

"Surely you have SOMETHING else of value. Some kind of rare and expensive ninja weapon you shinobi are so proud of. Heck, even one of these animal's would fetch a good price..." The merchant said as he rubbed his chin and eyed the beasts closely. So that was his game, but Mugen couldn't give in and part with one of the creatures. The weight of the cart when it was full would already put a heavy burden on the two that he had. Mugen wasn't sure just how rough the trip back would be on them, but he was positive that with only one available to handle the load, it would be a grueling day for the animal. Mugen shook his head and stated his refusal, "I don't have authority to sell these animals. They belong to the village."

Seeing the look in Mugen's eyes, the merchant gave up on the idea and gave an exaggerated shrug. "Can't be helped then, but let me tell you somethin' kid. This is just one stop I have to make this month. I've got all kinds of shipments up and down the coast to make and being held up at one for even a few hours can end up costing me a contract. I'm spread thin enough as it is. Losing out on even just ONE of my contracts would mean I can't afford to buy new stock or fund my next voyage. Understand? Now give me something worth my lost time or you can consider the deal off." It was a crushing verbal blow intended to back Mugen into a corner, but the merchant must have been getting sloppy in his old years. He'd let something slip which Mugen noticed and planned to capitalize upon. "Yes, I understand...Welp, in that case I guess I'll have to head back. Sorry for wasting your time sir." Mugen began to turn the cart around only for the old man to stop him, W-Wait, wait, wait, what about the shipment!? Don't you want it?"

Mugen smiled softly, "Of course, but if you aren't going to sell it for the agreed upon price then I've got no choice to leave. I'm just a kid after all. That's something for the adults to deal with." Mugen got the cart fully backed up and turned around. With a snap of the reigns, he started down the dusty road back to Kumo as he called back to the man. "I'll let the clan elders know we'll need to find a new supplier...shame. Good luck with the rest of your voyage old ma-" The bluff paid off. "Hang on! I'll sell, I'll sell! At the price we agreed upon!" Mugen stopped the cart and turned back to the man with a toothy grin, "Excellent! I'm sure the clan will be pleased with your goods."

Once Mugen learned that the merchant was dependant upon each of his stops, his intuition told him that the key to breaking the man's plan to bleed him for more laid in that detail. Threatening a loss of business with the Kousen clan would mean a domino effect of losses for the merchant. Targeting this, Mugen managed to purchase the repair materials without spending a single extra Ryo. All it had cost him was a little patience and some good use of his brain cells. Mugen handed over the funds and loaded the cart up before wising the old man a safe trip. He then began the long trip back to Kumogakure. Mugen arrived well past nightfall, but did so without any more troubles getting in his way. Once past the gates, Mugen turned over the cart to the Kousen Jounin who was waiting for him and thus completed his mission.

Spoiler:

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