Travel To Kumo 2 [Arrival]

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Lake Country was full of unexciting views. Plains here and an occasional village there broke up the monotony of fields and the sea. Akiko couldn't help but wonder what this country was about but lingering on such thoughts would only prove as a distraction to the task at hand. The one view she did enjoy however was the approaching port where she would use her wealth to purchase a ride to Lightning Country. As she passed by the first few buildings dotting the exterior perimeter of the small port village, the kunoichi slid her mask upon her face. Her disguise would help keep her true identity hidden, though she would stand out just because of her attire. The purpose of the disguise was to keep more unsavory types from attempting to kidnap her. She understood that not everyone knew she was heir to a ninja clan and also the clan's merchant activities but precaution was always the best policy. If someone was able to capture her, the clan would come looking but a ransom would be demanded.

Akiko approached the docks, ignoring the suspicious looks from the various inhabitants. There were boats of many sizes built for different purposes. The smaller boats, most obviously used for shallow fishing or for personal use were not considered. This trip wasn't a real long one but Akiko wanted to at least feel comfortable. Besides, it was not the girls style to keep a low profile, her policy being that it is easier to hide behind the sun or in plain sight than hiding in a dark crevice somewhere. After a few minutes of driving her cart down the port she came across a ship that seemed to meet her needs. It wasn't a huge ship but could easily fit a crew of 12 and could haul a few tons of supplies. A frigate.

After she hopped off of the wagon, the girl approached the boat as if she already owned it. On the side of the boat read Shiokarai Maru, roughly meaning the Salty Circle. It might have been because of her odd nickname being Crunchy but Akiko loved the somewhat unappealing name. A rough looking man, about 6 feet tall and a dark beard, approached the blonde teen seemingly to inquire about why she was ogling his precious boat.

"Can I help you?" He asked suspiciously. Akiko turned to greet him and wasn't surprised when the man reacted to her mask, "You hiding something?"

"Yes actually. . . to both questions. I am in the market for transportation. I need to get to the fisherman village in the Lightning Country. Willing to pay." Akiko said, her voice in a lower register than what she normally talked. The man looked at her cart than back at her. He did not seem impressed by her at the slightest.

"Sorry missy but we got a large shipment to ship. Lightning Country is not on the way. You are going to have to find your way without our ship." Akiko eyes closed and nodded as if she agreed with the man before she sighed.

"Would this change your mind?" Akiko took out a small piece of wood with a single kanji imposed on top of the Kyokkou clan symbol on it signifying a high status within the merchant part of her clan and handed it to the man. The man took it and his eyes widened as he understood the possibilities of associating with such a prestigious merchant clan. He didn't say a word as he considered what this meant.

"This is how this will work. You will take me to the fishing port in the Lightning Country with no complaints. We of the Kyou will pay for your cargo and pay for my transportation. Everyone is happy."

The man began to speak, "You don't even know what our cargo is and what about our other supplier. We have a contract with them to deliver these goods to-"

"We don't care what the cargo is but I expect we can find a use for it. We will double your contract pay and buy out the contract you already have. If all goes well, we may also have more services to offer you. I am more than sure we can out bid any other company for your services." Akiko interrupted the man knowing full well that throwing her money around would get her desired results. The man seemed to hesitate but nodded before turning and yelling to his crew.

"Get this wagon and horses on the rig! We got a change of destination." He said. Money is a powerful language.

Akiko followed the man onto the boat knowing that the hardest part of her journey was just about over. After a few more preparations that the crew did, the Salty Circle departed for the Lightning Country. Akiko headed to the bow to feel the sea air hit her face. It felt amazing. If there was one way for sure way to feel what true freedom was then this was it. Akiko could understand why pirates, and to a similar extent bandits, do what they do at this moment. Nothing holding them back except their own abilities and the limits of their dreams. Akiko pondered most of the trip about what her dreams were. It had been years since she had graduated the academy and yet she did not feel any more comfortable in her skin and in her life. For the first time in her life, Akiko was alone and away from her family and village. Part of her just did not want to return to Kumo and become a missing ninja and do what she felt was best for her own life. The only things that kept her from following this path was the fact that her clan was still based in Kumo, a good chunk of her family's fortune also laid there, but most importantly her close friends, Surai and Jaki, still hailed from there. With a look of determination she decided to take what she needed out of the village and escape the prison that her fellow ninjas referred to as home. Her future did not lay within the rocky confines of Kumo but in the vast wilderness of the world. The image of the fishing port on the horizon only solidified her ambition.

[EXIT]

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