Clear Skies, Big Dreams

It seemed like the rain was finally letting up. Both in a literal and a metaphorical sense.

Literal in the sense that the heavy downpour that had been plaguing the central regions of the shinobi world for some days now had finally let up. Dark, brooding clouds had made place for a gentle blue sky with a mild sun and a soft breeze. The constant din of water droplets crashing into the ground was replaced by the chirping of birds and other small wildlife leaving their dens and caves.
Someone else who was finally leaving his cave was Yazui.

Dusting off his red traveling coat and stretching his back, the missing-nin emerged from the rocky den that had served as his home for the duration of the storm. His back was sore from sleeping on a rocky ground and his stomach was empty. Worse, he was stone cold sober under these circumstances.

And yet, for some reason, a strange sense of optimism filled Yazui. With the literal clouds, the metaphorical ones had also passed. He had been on the run for several years by now. Always staying under the radar, never lingering in one place for too long. Sometimes he could earn, steal or loot some cash, in which case he could afford a few nights in a cheap tavern or hotel. Other times, he would find an abandoned shack were he could stay for a few night. Or slit a few throats to make the shack abandoned.
Other times, he was forced to sleep and eat in a cave.

It was ironic. He had left Kumogakure no Sato when the war went south and the village was turning into an impoverished shithole. But so far, his situation as a freebooter wasn’t much of an improvement.

But sooner or later, Yazui’s luck would have to turn. Maybe it was the fact that he had gone so long without seeing a hunter-nin that he could only assume he was completely under the radar. But for some reason, he felt that he was done running.
Yes, it was time to stop running and start building. Increase his power, make a name for himself. And then, the life he always wanted would be his.

Yazui looked out over the green, forested river country. He adjusted his sunglasses and removed the old Kumogakure headband hanging from his neck. Better to keep a low profile for now. Yazui then headed down the muddy trial towards the first sign of civilization and whatever this day would bring.

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Word Count: 421

After about an hour of walking across the dirt paths of the forested area, Yazui arrived at a clearing on top of the hill. The meadow was basking in the sun; several rays shone right in Yazui’s face. This didn’t bother him much as his sunglasses served his purpose well. With his vision intact, he was treated to a spectacular view. From his vantage point, a vast green land opened up before him. Rays of sun shone down onto this country of forests, quaint towns and fertile fields. Yazui recognized this area as the Fire Country.

At one point in the past, the shinobi of this country had been one of the many enemies of Yazui. As a shinobi of Kumogakure during Youka Tau’s brutal campaign, he had been at war with most of the world. During those days, Yazui had taken lives and tortured enemies for information. Yazui stroked his chin with his thumb and index finger trying to remember if there had been any Konoha shinobi among them.

If so, it was a good thing he had hidden his old headband. Wouldn’t do to run into some vengeful widow or something. Not that Yazui had been high profile enough to be easily recognized. And he hadn’t worn his glasses back then, either.

”Might avoid the bigger settlements, just in case.”

If he was to travel through Fire Country, he was going to give Konohagakure no Sato a wide birth. That much was certain. Deciding on this plan, he descended towards the border.

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WC: 254
Total WC: 675
Spending 300 on +3 Speed stat and 300 on +3 Chakra stat

[Exit thread]

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Learning Mist Servant Technique for 500 WC

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