Confused... by hopeful

“Thank you, sir.” Taichi told the driver as he hopped out of the carriage. He handed the driver a small trinket that he had made out of his own wood Chakra. It was a small amulet in the shape of a hammer. He bid the driver farewell, and he turned to face the gate that led into the village.

“State your business.” A guard spoke sternly towards Taichi. “I’m a simple traveler, only looking to be an attendant to the Chuunin exams, then I will likely be gone. I am of no threat to you, and to that you have my word.” Taichi did a slight bow, to show his earnest intention. The guard spoke to his colleague and then turned back to Taichi and told him to stay where he was, they were going to get approval for his admission prior to allowing him into the village.

Taichi nodded his head and he waited for the approval of the guards, ensuring to be as cooperative as possible. 

(Attempting to enter Hoshigakure)

The City of Haven had a setting out of a fairytale where fields of blue, red, and golden roses stretched as far as the human eye could see. The market was bursting with people, and the wines smelled so good that one could get drunk just by breathing the air. Everyone wanted to have a taste of the upcoming glory of the spring before it fled. 

Harold had little taste for all that, and he was a man of the north where the music was the howling of the wolves. Shinobi in chainmail and flak jackets were standing guard outside the village walls’ tall bronze doors, eight strong. Gray cloaks snapped in the wind as they took note of every wagon with food, wine, ale, or mead and every visitor alone or in groups that wished to enter.

Harold’s blue eyes recognized a horse-pulled carriage that appeared on the horizon. Garrons were a reasonable choice of a horse in the sands. Both shinobi and civilians used them in considerable numbers, both for riding and carrying cargo. Notably known for their capability to deal with irregular terrain and hot temperatures. Despite the extreme heat, they seemed to fare better than destriers, which have considerably higher eating demands and are not particularly capable of dealing with sand. 

A haggard traveler dismounted from the carriage and gave something to the driver. A wooden trinket of sorts. Curious why waste such fine craftsmanship.  One of Harold’s men bid him halt, and the traveler complied with a well-mannered behavior.  He had the warrior’s look, but there was no headband visible on his person. Nor did he make mention of a village he represented. Tournaments always caused Ronin and free-riders looking for a place to crash and perhaps a town to serve to appear like wildfire.

"Your word that you will behave is a good start." The old Yukigakure warrior said—Harold Graymane into his own ornate and black, red armor, with a helm under one arm. Brown hair hangs loose past the shoulders—the hilt of a longsword poking over his left shoulder. 

The grizzled veteran signaled a stableboy that walked at Taichi basket in hand and offered him slices of pineapple. "A refreshment for you while you wait. Our village leadership insists.” If the man accepted, the fruit would serve any hunger and thirst with each bite. 

He believed he knew all the shinobi in Hoshi’s bingo book by memory, but he did take another look to be sure. The traveler was not in there. "Fill in all your information here, starting with your full name, “ Harold said and handed him an empty form to fill upon a wooden tablet. The rest of the information required was the village of origin, the purpose of the visit, and any active bounties.

“You'll receive a temporary identification badge. Have it visible at all times, and don't cause trouble. Since you don't seem to be representing any village, it's unlikely you'll be able to join in the Chuunin Exams. However, for the bold, there is plenty of other work to be done and glory to be gained in Hoshi."

WC: 521

Taichi continued to wait for a few moments until he noticed another man approaching Taichi and the guard at the gate. Taichi was impressed with the longsword handing off of the back of the man's armor. The large man waved at a stable boy who brought over a basket that held fruit within, Taichi was confused for a moment. 

Odd thing to offer a stranger, especially one without a village to represent. 


Taichi accepted the fruit from the stable boy and thanked them both. As he bit into the fruit, he realized that he had never had tasted such a fruit before. The taste was sweet, yet had a strong citrus like tang to it, which the white haired warrior had enjoyed very much. The guard turned to him, offering him a clipboard with several sheets of paper being held by a metal tab on the top. He heard the instruction given to him from the large sword wielder to fill out the paperwork with all of his information, starting with his full name. Taichi mentally shrugged his shoulders. He knew he wasn't a wanted man by any means, but it was the last name that he was reluctant to put on the page. 

He remembered when he spoke with the man who used to run Suna, Stark. He had told him to never trust anyone with such information as the clan name, especially when that clan name is that of an Uchiha. He thought for a moment before filling out the paperwork, just reading it over to see what other information they were going to want from him. He ultimately decided that lying was something he didn't want to do, not when it meant his possible entry being denied, or worse. He decided to ultimately tell the truth, writing out his given name, and his clan name. He filled out more of the paperwork, ensuring that the paperwork was honest, even including that he was from Suna. 

After filling out the paperwork as honestly as he could he gave the clipboard back to the guard, who in turn gave him a badge that was supposed to stay on him at all times, which Taichi had no issue with. Then he was told that he could not enter into the Chuunin Exams, which wasn't a big concern of Taichi for he saw no need for him to join the exams due to his current status as not being connected to any village or the village system's ranking system that he once was a part of. 

"No problem with not being able to join, would just like to watch the participants as a spectator. If there is work to be done on the other hand, that may be something I am particularly intrigued by." 

Taichi thanked the guard and the one wielding the sword, he took his badge and threw it over his head, moving his long white hair to go over the lanyard that it was attached to. He would begin walking through the gate the moment he was allowed, being sure to show his respect towards all those around him to ensure he started off on the right foot within the village.

WC: 701
Claims: +701 towards lightning (1148/6000) max stat discount

Approved