To Tea we go! [sm-Mission]

[Sukuna Kiyo]

Akihiko got up early, he actually was at an inn in the village where the mission that he picked up took place. He wanted a good nights sleep for his first mission back to his homeland. Akihiko had sent Yukio a letter about three days ago, explaining the mission he picked up for them, it read:

Dear Yukio,

I acquired the mission, it is a B-rank, so it shouldn't be hard. It is an escort mission to Tea, we are to meet our client at the port village to the east and depart from there. He wants to meet early in the morning so we can leave early, on the docks, where his shop is located. It is a local trading store that specializes in overseas- and land goods. Its called "The Careful Nut Antique Store".
I will meet you there as well, so see you soon.

Sincerely,
Tachibana Akihiko

Just simple instructions, hopefully, he didn't forget to mention anything in the letter. He was good at writing, but writing to others was completely different from writing notes in a journal. Also, Akihiko's handwriting was pretty sloppy, but at least readable.

Akihiko got up and checked out of his hotel pretty early in the morning, of course much earlier than he needed to be at the meeting. He went out to eat, then went to the docks, and waited outside the store for Yukio to show up. The docks were very busy, probably due to the traffic of people using boats as a means of travel to tea. Merchants of all kinds were packing wagons to head to the country on land, others were shopping for the journey, and some were taking the sea route. It was slightly faster by sea, but a little more unpredictable.

Akihiko kept his eyes on the crowd for any sign of the silver-haired man.


[WC: 310 ]
[req Yukio]

 

[Shirai Sadao]

Waking in the early hours of the morning Yukio would have had the first semi decent sleep for the first night in a long time deciding that for the sake of his comrade that would be joining the Hyuuga it would be better to be well rested and prepared for what was to come. Though it would be a cooperative mission he would have to represent the branch reaching for his mask as his thin digits slid down the its frame before sliding it on, it had been some time since work had required him to wear combat gear and though he would still stand out like a sore thumb it was best to have all the preparation possible than little to non.

Moving towards the docks the robes provided by the branch caught in the wind with the way his mask covered the face and hair there was little need to use the hood such a thing would only obscure vision and the Hyuuga found it tedious to keep up from time to time though that could be attributed due to how little he wore the thing. As thought many a passer-by threw a glance his way raising an eyebrow though quickly dismissing such notions to stop him and though it was hidden well the activity of the docks was not much appreciated by the ANBU operative.

Coming to a stop there was a brief pause as the Byakugan scanned the area attempting to spot his ally noticing the shop and the man outside a brief sigh of relief following as quick strides brought him through the day to day traffic the docks brought to the village coming to a stop beside Akihiko. "A pleasure to see you again friend, though it may not be required this is still a mission as such the correct attire was required I'm sure you can understand." Though the mask changed the tone of voice the light green glow presented through gaps would give away the occupant as he gestured out towards the docks.

"Quite the crowd we have here though this will be a first for me travelling somewhere by sea safe to say I have never experienced it before so its going to be something new to say the least. Different set of risks however I look forward to seeing the world in a different way." His voice was calm though a hint of excitement was clear in the was he spoke the Hyuuga always hopeful new experiences would bring its fair share of challenges with it.

[WC: 426]

Yukio ANBU mask:

Spoiler

 

[Sukuna Kiyo]

Akihiko was lost in thought for a moment, then a masked man came into view. It took a moment, but he was able to sense his chakra, it was the same chakra signature as Yukio. He almost forgot that he was an ANBU. Akihiko let out a sigh of relief, Yukio was here so they could start the mission. "Hey, it's no problem.... SHould we have code names too?" Akihiko said half-jokingly, but he knew ANBU liked staying unknown. He didn't know if he had his own code-name, maybe Yukio was his code-name? It didn't matter to Akihiko if it was or not.

Akihiko was wearing his usual attire. He had a sword on his hip, and his leaf headband tired to his right arm. He was glad he didn't have to wear a uniform on missions, it would be kinda silly to wear scrubs out and about. He never bothered bringing much, he did bring a snack or two in his backpack which he was carrying. It had a change of clothes, swim trunks, and some medical supplies. He knew medical jutsu, but he knew better not to depend on it, since they all required chakra, and who knew what could happen on a mission.

"I haven't really traveled by sea either, but I don't get why he'd need ninja on a ship... If its just port to port." Akihiko stated with a shrug. A mission was a mission, however. He took the mission seriously, he just thought the sea was safer than land, so he thought this was going to be pretty easy. Though this was going to be a very interesting experience. It was about a day and a half's travel by sea, and almost five days by land, at least for civilians. So the sea route was the fastest.

"I wouldn't dismiss the open ocean so fast, there are many dangers out there, plus the risk of being sunken and stranded at sea with no way of contacting for help." A older man approached the two, He was previously inside the shop, packing some boxes. "Excuse me, I am Kanoko, the owner of this shop, I assume you two are the ninja from the leaf?" The man questioned.

Ship crew was loading boxes from inside the store on to a ship docked in front of the store. There weren't too many boxes, plus the ship was small, compared to the other ships next to it. It looked like it would fall apart at any moment, so the man's words were not comforting at all. It was an old ship, it was easy to tell that it had mold and wood rot. Somehow it still stayed afloat.


[wc: 450]

 

[Shirai Sadao]

Code names Yukio had heard the term many times before however had usually been given one upon the start of every mission it was not normally one he came up with on his own either though this time would be different in a way the two were representing their own branches and as such it was expected of him to follow all the rules that come with that however he would not use one so memorable. "For the sake of the mission and representing the branch refer to me as Jihn while I wear the mask, outside the village I am no longer Yukio as you may have guessed by now."

In terms of gear Yukio seemed to have nothing but his ANBU normal combat clothing present with not even a pack to accompany it though space on his back being taken up by a rather large Scythe it seemed he had taken every step to save space on his person already wearing his combat gloves having them firmly strapped to his arms taking a few moment to adjust them for his own comfort. The rest was covered by a long cloak that ceased just above the ankle hiding whatever could be worn underneath most likely his own personal preference to hide from those they might meet what he was prepared for.

Any further thoughts the Hyuuga came to a halt with the man approaching them tilting his head back to see who it was the motion was somewhat pointless given his Byakugan but something he preferred to do in order to acknowledge the mans presence. "What would be us yes can I assume your the one who asked us to be here?" the mans statement could be more accurate the sea would be a unique adversary on its own with most of his time spent reading there had been many a horror story about those lost amongst the waves.

"We shall keep such things in mind though I spend a lot of time reading that can only prepare you for so much in the end its the experience that will teach us the most." The ship in question was in poor condition not filling the ANBU with much confidence his head almost dipping in disappointment but in the end they were not being paid to complain about what they were given to work with and a mission was a mission after all so long as it got them from A to B then all would be well and they could do there part. "Is there anything we should know before departing on this venture? About the area in question or the ships crew after all knowing what we can before leaving would be preferable."

[WC: 455]

 

[Sukuna Kiyo]

"Jihn, okay." Akihiko stated, as a way to remember it. He knew it was important for Yukio, but he had no need to hide his identity. Akihiko kinda wondered if Yukio was his real name, it didn't really matter, either way, Akihiko would probably be okay never knowing, after all, it didn't matter in the end as long as he had his back. Of course, Akihiko wondered, but he shook the thought off. He'd get paranoid if he kept thinking like that, overthinking things. It was best to brush it off and just not worry about it.

Akihiko glanced at the crewmen carrying boxes out of the store and into the ship. That wasn't the ship they were taking right? Akihiko went pale at the thought, his attention was caught by the shop owner as the man spoke to them. His words didn't help how Akihiko felt at this moment. Akihiko crossed his arms and regained his composure. "Yeap, that's us, leaf Shinobi." Akihiko stated with a small smile.


Akihiko let Yukio take the lead since he was already asking questions, Akihiko had not been on a mission since his tour. He went on minor missions here and there to get some funds to keep going, but other than that, it was mostly just researching. "This is Jihn, and I am Tachibana Akihiko, You can call me Bana." He introduced them since Yukio didn’t.

”I am glad this experience will benefit you.” Kanoko said with a smile. He then wondered at ‘Jihn’s’ question. ”Well the wares I am handling are very hard to get, and people knew I sell hard to get wares, they also know I am traveling to Tea country for your shinobi tournament.” He explained, then he looked side to side, then leaned in, and started whispering. ”Also my daughter, Mikumi, is joining us, she means the world to me, and she is too stubborn to listen if I say no she’ll just stowaway. So if trouble does arise, she is your number one priority.” He said with worry in his voice.

Like on cue a woman exited the building, she looked like Kanoko, brown hair, similar facial features, but she had blue eyes and was wearing a dress. One which was longer in the back and opens in the front for better mobility. "Father, the ship is ready, let’s go!" She stated in a demanding and impatient tone of voice. She blinked as she noticed Akihiko and Yukio standing there.

Akihiko gave an awkward wave to her, and then glanced at Yukio, then back to Kanoko.

" Sorry dear, I was just briefing these men, as they will be joining us.”" Kanoko stated, to his daughter, he then looked at the shinobi. "Please, let us board the ship and get going." He said then he walked with his daughter on the ship.

Akihiko sighed in relief, and walked a little distance behind them. "That girl is cute, a little demanding though." Akihiko stated to Yukio, then he chuckled. He seemed to feel like he needed to break the tension in some way for him he felt tense, and nervous, he wasn’t letting it show now, but if Yukio was paying attention then he would have heard it in Akihiko’s voice just a bit ago.

[wc: 548]

 

[Shirai Sadao]

He knew the name was simple and straight forward but that's just the way Yukio preferred things quick and simple considering the name itself would only be until the end of the mission and the thought of spending the entire time in tea country wearing ANBU gear was not an appealing one, not the best way to spend time off as he spoke in a quite tone. "Don't be concerned once the mission is over things will return to the normal way at least once the mask is off." There was a wish to give the medic some positive reinforcement the facts were the ANBU weren't quite out of the shadows yet and to others in the village the shroud of mystery still remained.

Tilting his head to the man he took in each word thinking through the possible scenarios this could lead too depending on what it was they were carrying, every detail could be useful however too much prying could lose them the job if the wrong thing was inquired so Yukio would take what he had as a blessing. "I see I shall keep that in mind and your daughter? I can assume.." He was cut off by the women her rather impatient tone with them causing the Hyuuga to look back to Akihiko it was almost as if someone could feel the raised eyebrow behind the mask.

He had little to say on the matter a job was a job as they walked towards the ship somewhat concerned about the sudden variable in the mission, it had disaster written all over it should anything happen out on the open sea as he responded. "Though I am inclined to agree lets just hope things go smoothly demanding is fine we have to deal with such things on a daily basis but I do wonder how well this is going to go. You have to admit it feels like its going to take effort just keeping the ship together but that's a bridge we can cross when we come to it."

The closer they got to the ship the more tense the ANBU felt adjusting the robes as a form of distraction as his vision swept across the people coming too and from both their ship and the others instinct causing him to remain alert and somewhat on edge. "Guess its better not to think about such things could lead to distraction and that's the last thing we want during a mission" as he wondered what services could be provided for the duration of the trip there was one that stood out to him more than the rest bringing his hands to his chin as he called out to the man.

"Something that has come to mind should you wish for extra assistance I have rather gifted vision shall we say I would be more than happy to keep an eye on the ocean for potential problems for the duration of the trip." It only made sense to Yukio to offer the assistance with the open ocean came nothing to obscure the Byakugan it offered wide and detailed information on changes in weather and anything moving in from the distance be it animal or person.

[WC: 537]