That Photo Finish Spinach [Pre-Festival][Mission]

Hanzo loved a good party, though the fact there seemed to be an event in which 99 other sake-based festivals were held and Hanzo missed all of them left him a little pressed. He wasn't exactly the kind of guy that enjoyed being left out. But given that most of these festivals must have occurred before this settlement became a legitimate shinobi village, he could let it slide. Unless the Komekage was alive for the entire last century, it had to be some sort of local tradition, right? Still, he found it to be humorous to say the least. He'd have to make up for the ninety-nine Saturnalia festivals he missed by doing what he did best. Getting absolutely blitzed out of his goddamn mind.

Once his shift was over at least.

Though he was told to arrive in the morning so that he could help set up to take photos of the festival, he didn't exactly realize that there was going to be a four-hour time period that he was supposed to work. Instead, he had spent the early morning preparing a special area of the village that would help people take commemorative photos during the ceremony itself. It was a good thing that the festival had yet to officially begin, else he'd have found himself rather upset that he'd miss out on all that sake. Still, he knew his own limitations. Menial labor was the only thing this village even cared about, so there was no reason to complain about being an extra set of hands.

Still, he found it a bit odd that all he had been doing so far was setting up this booth, watching as others went about their business to prepare for the celebration. This had to be something special assuredly, but he had never learned the meaning behind the event. How could he? Given the fact he had spent all his time either trying to respectfully violate the personal space of a healthy blonde woman or be trained in combat rigorously by a healthy blonde man. Between those two and the number of small tasks he did around town, there was very little time to get immersed into the village itself. Though he figured that such a strict barrier to entry would change in due time.

Still, he had set up lighting and sturdy rice straw chairs for people to sit on. Making a long white sheet for the background of said photos that he had local kids, the class he had taught a few days prior in fact, helped him decorate with flowers and reeds. He made sure that everything he needed to get done was done before the four hours had passed and by the time he was getting paid, the sun was already setting overhead. He'd smirked to himself for a moment, proud of what he had accomplished. This place truly was tranquil. A far cry from the days when he lived solely to either be a slave: either as property or an oppressor. Either way he sliced it, this was his home now.

All that was left was to get ready for the festival itself. A quick detour to his temporary residence was all that he required. Soon he'd have enough money and connections to just build his own place on some unused land. That was the dream at least. But he hadn't gotten very far before he noticed the grandmother of one of his one of the men that aided him with the tree removal a few days ago. She seemed to be struggling with her groceries by all accounts, though why a little old lady needed so much food was beyond him. Perhaps she was going to be celebrating with her family. Enjoying a big dinner or something of the like? He'd have to investigate further.

Approaching the elderly lady with a salute into a wave of the hand, Hanzo would speak in a relaxed and polite manner. "Yo!" He'd exclaim whilst before pointing at her bags with his left hand. "Need some help, Kanako-chan?" He quizzed her before realizing she had many more bags sitting on the counter inside of the small shop that she had inside. The elder lady replied in a kind sing-songy voice, the look on her face indicated that she was in a good mood. "Ahhh, Kurokawa-kun! If you could be a doll and carry some of this for me, I'd appreciate it!" She was enthusiastic about the extra help, not that he could blame her. He'd move to take both of the bags out of her hand.

He’d head into the shop briefly, to pick up the rest of her bags and noticed that it was extra amounts of the stuff she had in the first bag. Was she cooking for half the village? This was far too many ingredients to ever be considered reasonable. At least to Hanzo.

Taking stock of her groceries he couldn't help but be curious as to their nature. "Granny, what are these for anyway?" He talked in a gruff manner, as he usually did, which caught the little old lady off guard for a moment as she jumped a little. But she seemed fine given that she managed to smile at him warmly before speaking. "Ah, sweetheart, it's for the shop." Her features were softer now. This was the first time that Hanzo had ever heard of any shop. Was she suffering from dementia? Or... was this whatever that girl's mother was talking about all those days ago. He could hardly pay attention given that he was too busy studying her body for the sake of science. So if she was speaking then he was at a complete and utter loss.

"Since when did you get a tofu shop?" He asked her with a look of absence taking over his mind. Mindlessly following her to her food stall. "We've had it for generations, even before we came to Tanbogakure. My daughter is the proprietor now. She told me that she lets you know. Hmm... maybe you've just been too busy to remember." She questioned him. He kept the blank expression on his face the whole while. Trying to figure out what the fuck she was talking about. There was no way that he didn't forget about something so arbitrary. But still, he didn't need to announce it. "Ah, no worries. I can't wait to try your food... what are you making anyway?" She'd laugh a bit under her breath. "Shoyu ramen with narutomaki and spinach!~"

As odd as it sounded like he didn’t say much else. Choosing instead to go with her until the groceries were placed at her stall. He’d waved at her but she stopped in right in his tracks. "Hanzo if it isn't too much to ask, can you help us set up for the festival? We don't need much, if you could just make the entrance acceptable... that'd be lovely." She'd given him the doe eyes. It was strange… but he figured that this meal would be prepped for the event itself, so if he were to agree and help they'd give him a bowl for free. Such a thought brought a smile to his face. Spinach was pretty good. So he imagined in ramen it had to be pretty fucking great.

Especially, with a nice warm sake. The thought alone was already making him excited. Besides, he couldn't say no to Kanako-chan. She might have been a bit on the older side but he could tell that she was still a battle cat. Quite the cougar if he said so himself. 'Anything for a pretty lady!' Was his personal motto. To that end, he gave her a wink and spoke up finally. "Sure, you make me one of those bowls when I come to visit later on tonight and I'll pull these weeds up for you." He had heard rumors from some of the neighbors that after Kanako's daughter, Ayano and her husband split, the yardwork had gone to waste. Kanako's husband Renmaru was a lazy old bastard. So there was no way he'd be of help.

Didn't take long for Hanzo to get his hands dirty. He put in the work alright. Snatching up all the weeds he could and even some of the dead vegetables that it seemed like the family was in the process of trying to make. It was a sad sight to behold really. But one that brought him a great deal of awareness. This wasn't the kind of situation that he'd normally find himself in. But the time it took to get the work done had meant another hour had flown by before he even realized it. His beloved cougar seemed happy, already starting to preheat everything and by the time he reached her he could do little beyond give her the biggest grin he could muster.

"Anything else?" He asked her without any attitude. Her reply was as sweet as it had been before, her tenderness was something that he appreciated since he had no one in his life that genuinely gave a shit about him. He had left everything behind in his past. "That will be all sweetie, Renmaru will appreciate that you put in all that extra effort. You have yourself a lovely night, make sure you stop by alright?" She stated with a wink. It was clear she was one of his favorite people in the village. Feeling he had done enough work, he took the time to take the garbage backs that he had filled and took them with him. Slinging it over his shoulder. It was time to finally head home.

[Exit]

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Stats

• Health 100
• Chakra 10
• Vigor 30
• Speed 30
• Strength 40

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Active Jutsu

• None
• Total AP subtracted is 0 AP

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Total Post WC 1,613
Total WC 1,613
Total WC Needed 1,500/1,500

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Active Skills
None.

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Claims

• +10 Strength, +5 Chakra
  
• 1,500 for Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave
  
• 3,000 Ryo & 15 AP
  
• Completion of Photo-Op Protégé
  
• Completion of Food Shopping
  
• Completion of Simple Gardening

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Post Information

Missions:

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Tagged

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