The common trader who comes from far

The appearance of the merchant whose identity Yamihito appropriated :

A tanned young man, his skin parched from the sunlight, slowly approached the Otogakure gate. His clothes were almost identical to what the inhabitants of Sunagakure wore, except for one major difference. On his back he carried a large square wicker basket divided into five smaller compartments. Each of these sections was fitted with a scarf to protect the contents of the basket from the uncompromising sunlight of the desert. On its right side adorned the headdress of Sunagakure, a clear symbol of his loyalty to this village. His clothing was simple and functional, ideal for life in the hot climate of Sunagakure. He wore a loose white shirt that allowed him to move comfortably. His brown trousers were decorated with fine abrasions from his long desert travels. His feet were protected by sturdy leather sandals that were essential for moving across the hot sand.

The whole appearance of this Suny merchant was perfectly matched and harmonious, but one thing stood out, breaking this perfect symmetry - his dark black eyes with their unmistakable yellow pupils. Those eyes were like a window into the unknown secrets and mysteries that the merchant carried within him. The dark color of his eyes created a contrast with the tanned skin of his face, emphasizing the intensity of his gaze. They were deep and mysterious, like the very desert from which he came. His eyes had the ability to scan the world around him, picking up nuances in it that many would miss. Yamihito was a master of disguise and espionage with a wealth of experience gained from a criminal past and a smuggling.

The yellow pupil in his eyes added a special mystery to his gaze. It was as if those eyes were a channel through which he connected light and shadow, goodness and darkness. They were eyes that seemed to know the difference between truth and falsehood, and that perceived far more than met the eye. These eyes also had a history in the criminal underworld of Konoha, where they were well known. However, in this foreign land, among the common people, it was unlikely that anyone would be able to detect his true identity based on his eyes.

What set this young man apart from the others was what he carried on his back. The large, square wicker basket was divided into five compartments, each with a scarf, and it was obvious that it held something very valuable, perhaps even vital. During his journey to Otogakure, which took him across open plains, ethereal forests and mountainous terrain, the young man had played what looked like an instrument that was not a common feature of desert life. The stringed instrument, made of unknown materials, emitted melodies that were almost magical. His fingers moved gracefully across the strings, creating music that sounded like the song of the desert itself.

At the same time, as he played his mysterious instrument, he sang loudly His voice was captivating and deep, though the words of his song were as well understood and mysterious as the instrument he played. This music and song was his way of communicating with the desert, with nature, and with the world around him.

Lyrics:

Melody:

His long journey through the varied landscape, from open plains to dense ethereal forests, was accompanied by his mysterious instrument and hypnotic singing. It was music that spoke to the soul and made him feel part of a larger story. As he played and sang, he didn't even notice that he was passing through a barrier that he wouldn't have noticed even if he hadn't been singing and playing. However, perhaps as he approached where he was going he would have heard some sounds that he missed because of his singing performance.

Yamihito was originally on his way to Otogakure, but apparently forgot about it. Instead, he walked through this mysterious forest and was completely absorbed by the environment around him. He imagined that he was part of the forest, that his footsteps were part of this natural symphony orchestra. He stepped carefully through the trees, which were denser than they first appeared. The forest was silent but restless, and something mysterious seemed to surround him. Yamihito tried to remain cautious and armed with his ninjutsu skills in case he encountered danger. With every step he took, he felt like he was entering a world that was not part of ordinary reality. As he walked aimlessly through the deep forest, he began to realize that this place had something special. The trees looked alive, their leaves made soft melodies in the wind, and the sunlight created magical images on the ground. Yamihito felt as if he had entered another dimension that made him think. He wanted to go somewhere, but his mind and brain couldn't seem to remember where.

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WC: 1040

Raikur was performing his typical guard duties at the village gates when another Shinobi found him. The man was out of breath, clearly having been moving at top speed to arrive, what could have been so urgent? Turning towards him, Raikur gave a quizzed look, before the man finally spoke to him. "Raikur Shokku, correct?" When the young Shokku nodded in response, the man continued to speak. "I understand that you are currently performing your guard duty responsibilities, but you have a new assignment, one that can not wait."

Raikur raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, the man put up his hand and went on. "We do not have time to converse sadly, these are details. An unknown Shinobi is making their way towards the village as we speak, not too far off now." He then turned to point in a direction which Raikur assumed was where the unknown individual was coming from. "Your job is to intercept them, question them and then make a decision on what you believe the next move will be. If they are a threat, eliminate." Without so much as a goodbye, the man turned and dashed away, clearly he had other matters to attend to.

With a tired sigh, Raikur moved out from the gates and began running in the direction, away from the village. Activating his Ascended Muragan, he began scouring the scenery around him to get a glimpse of the incoming person. Thanks to his Attunement Charm, Raikur did not fall under the effects of their village's security. He assumed that the same protection was not extended onto their mystery visitor, perhaps they had just their luck that they got lost while wondering the wilderness? Whether that luck would be good or bad was something they would discover soon enough.

Slowing his pace, Raikur scanned up ahead as he heard the sound of music. His ocular prowess allowing him to see further than a person with a normal set of eyes. He spotted what appeared to be a young man making his way towards the young Shokku, playing a rather soothing tune, still oblivious to Raikur's presence. Raikur made a beeline directly towards the young intruder, stopping 10m away from him before speaking loudly.

"Halt. You are trespassing on private land. State your name, occupation and business being here. If you do not comply, you will be cut down without hesitation." His dark purple eyes were as scathing as his words, Raikur was in no mood for games today.

---

WC: 419

Yamihito walked through the forest, but his mind was as if shrouded in a fog of unconsciousness. He tried to remember why he had come here in the first place, but the memories escaped him like sand between his fingers. He felt that he had been brought here by something important, something that was now shrouded in an impenetrable fog of unconsciousness. Step by step he plunged deeper into the forest, though he had no idea where he was actually going. It was a step into the unknown, into a mystery that surrounded him as much as the treetops that encircled him. Every step he took seemed to be just another question mark in his mind. Why had he come here? What is it that is hidden here? But the answers eluded him. He became lost in this forest labyrinth where the trees were his only guides, and the howling wind was the only sound that surrounded him.

As he walked through the forest, deeper and deeper, he had no idea where he was going. Every step he took seemed to be just another question mark in his thoughts. Why had he come here in the first place? What was hiding here that had brought him here? These questions haunted him, but the answers remained hidden in the depths of his mind. Suddenly, even before he came into visual contact with the incoming shinobi, he began to notice strange sounds. The gentle rustling of leaves beneath footsteps, the quiet breathing of the wind, the distant sound of footsteps, or the strong chakra that even a non-senshiba shinobi could sense. His senses were still quite sharp despite all the confusion, and he became aware of someone else's presence before that someone even appeared in his field of vision. He was aware of the presence of someone else moving nearby, but chose to pretend as if he had no idea of this shadow. It was part of his strategy. He didn't want to show vulnerability or make a hostile gesture until he got a better idea of this figure.

At that moment, the music gradually died down, and Yamihito remained standing just a few meters away from the unknown man. Yamihito noticed a purple sparkle begin to shine from the eyes of this mysterious shinobi, and it immediately made him think of dojutsu. It was a purple light that pulsated from his eyes, and seemed to be far more than a simple optical phenomenon. Dojutsu, that was the first thing that came to his mind. Those purple eyes were perhaps a sign of some special ability or clan heritage. Yamihito was cautious and careful. Dojutsu could represent great power, so he was prepared for any possibility this mysterious person might present to him.

But instead of an attack came a series of warnings and questions about Yamihito's person. It wasn't the first time and he had a lot of experience in these and similar situations. The main aspect is to make up a story, think it through, assume an identity and then believe your story so that any methods working with psychology have no chance of success. If Yamihito began to believe his story and the identity he assumed and believed that he was really a businessman, then even situations like this didn't raise his heart rate and throw him off balance. Yamihito acted very naturally as if the shinobi's presence didn't even bother or disturb him.

''I'm sorry, I didn't know I was in a private area'' he uttered in a calm voice and placed the basket he had on his back on the ground as if it was very heavy so he could relieve his back after X hours. ''My name is Yashiro Shigawa'' he says, smiling in a friendly manner at the not-so-friendly looking man. ''I'm a former shinobi who got tired of a life of violence a few years ago, so I became a traveling merchant who travels the world selling things that are exclusive to our great country'' he says proudly as if he's a real Sunagakure civilian while tapping his left index finger twice on the blank headband without village symbol due to deteriorated image he has attached around his belt. "Merchant, musician, traveler and lover of women from all over the world. '' he seemed to sum up his life in a few words.

''I have sold our exotic spices which are very spicy to the men in most of the large villages.'' with his left hand he slides aside the scarf that covers the basket which reveals a yellow-black mixture of several herbs that will make the whole area smell in an instant. So that even the shinobi could smell the enticing aroma of the spices. ''"And from the experience of the women in Konohagakure and Kirigakure, I have high quality satin and silk here, so if you have a sweetheart at home, you're sure to make her happy.'' he adds as if he wanted to sell his goods to the shinobi instead of legitimizing himself. It was part of the identity of a merchant from Suna who would sell you his own mom if you paid well for her.

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WC:873
TWC: 1913

Raikur did not move a muscle as the man uttered his response, opting to simply stand still and listen, whilst also observing his face and body for anything out of the ordinary. This 'Yashiro' began to weave his story about being an ex Shinobi, Raikur raised an eyebrow at these comments, more so when he revealed an apparently blanked or 'faded' Shinobi headband. Something about it did not sit right with him, his advanced Dojutsu would further encourage him to place the man's claims into question. To a normal person's eyes, the headband would look old and weathered. But the Muragan were not normal eyes. "Well now, Yashiro Shigawa. That is quite an interesting claim you make there, I am sure that the Shinobi of Sunagakure miss you dearly."

Raikur would then slowly unsheathe his tanto while staring directly at the intruder. "And yet... would you not say that it is odd for an ex-Shinobi of the Sand to be holding a headband from Konohagakure?" Raikur's eyes were almost staring daggers at the newcomer now, a scowl painted across his face. "Not only that, but it appears that your humble headband has an inconveniently placed scratch through the middle of it. Now THAT is an interesting development." Raikur would then take several steps forward, leaving him only 3m away from this 'Yashiro'.

He was now completely ignoring the man's following statements. "You are not an ex Shinobi of Suna, are you? You are a Missing Nin from Konoha. Now I will ask again, Name. Occupation. Business." Raikur would then proceed to raise his tanto in his left hand, so that it would be facing directly at the man. "And one final thing. Give me one good reason why I should not cut a lying Missing Nin down and claim a rather enticing bounty." Raikur began infusing his chakra into the tanto, giving it an additional 10 impact force and health.

This man's words just did not add up. He lied about his prior village and just somehow arrived in the isolated forest outside of Oto claiming to be a wandering merchant? Raikur called bull on that. The young Shokku's body language was explicitly clear, he was ready and willing to end this man's life, he would not allow his home to become jeopardised.

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Stat Page:

Current stats:

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WC: 383
TWC: 802

Yamihito stood there exposed by the shinobi who was dangerously getting closer and closer to him. But this was a man who had been through countless challenges and dangerous situations as a shinobi in Konohagakure, and this ability to keep his cool and calm in a moment of crisis was his key quality. It was a calmness that he had built up through years of hard training and combat missions, and it was now coming in handy in this critical moment. Despite the fact that he had just been revealed as the Missing Nin of Konohagakure, he kept his face unmoved. His expression was still as calm despite the gravity of the situation. It was a calmness that was emphasized in his training as one of the most important qualities for a shinobi. Now that he was confronted with a dangerous situation, that calmness served as an invaluable ally.

''Your eyes must be very interesting and powerful, because no one has yet recognized the original symbol on the headband due to the state it is in'' he said in a calm but slightly surprised voice. There wasn't even a hint of respect for his eyes in that statement, but rather astonishment at their visual capabilities.  Yamihito stood across from him, his gaze still fixed on Raikur. Mutual eyes examined every detail about the other, searching for any hint that would allow him to decide how to proceed. It was a challenge Yamihito had to face, but he showed no signs of nervousness or fear. His mind began to work on possible scenarios and strategies. It was an instinct that had developed over his years of training as a shinobi. Although he was currently defenseless and didn't carry any tanto or other sharp tools unlike Raikur, he still had his skills and abilities that could help him in an emergency. Yamihito, standing in confrontation with Raikur, decided to take the diplomatic route instead of an immediate attack. Even though he was caught and revealed as the Missing Nin of Konohagakure, he knew that the deployment of force could lead to tragic consequences for both of them. He was a man of much experience who could discern situations where a fight would be necessary but this situation was not it.

He decided to try to calm the situation with a calm voice and a calm demeanor. "I understand that you have questions and concerns about my person," he began, still with a look of calm on his face. "People call me Yamihito, so you can call me that too.'' he said with an informative tone in his voice. Yamihito decided to put away any disguise and show his true identity. After removing his civilian clothes that resembled the people of Sunagakure, it was his turn to remove his headgear as well. As he slowly removed it, it revealed something that was surprising - artificial hair was attached to this very cap. He removed the cap and the artificial hair fell to the ground with it, revealing his true black hair that fell loosely around his face. His hand slowly moved to his hair to gently adjust his black hair to match how it normally looked. Underneath his civilian clothes he wore a black cloak with white fur at the shoulder area. This cloak was something that connected him to the past. His black eyes with yellow pupils that followed Raikuro's every move were dark, just like his hair and cloak, giving off an unnatural impression of being some sort of unknown Dojutsu.

With this gesture, he wanted to show that he was ready to be open and honest. When he was revealed, he no longer needed to hide his identity.
''I left Konohagakure because of my desire for freedom and independence, and the village system doesn't allow that for its citizens.'' Yamihito, unveiled and with no hidden identities, turned his gaze to Raikuro and continued the conversation. He then smiled at Raikur but it wasn't a kind smile, but rather a psychological type smile that made it seem in this tense situation that Yamihito had no fear of fighting. ''I could give you several good reasons, but if you just need one, I'll give you one.'' The tone Yamihito chose was soothing as if he wanted to calm this situation down. ''I can see by your mastery of Chakra Infusion that you are quite an experienced shinobi, however the bounty on my head is so small that it wouldn't be nearly worth it for you to drag my body to some station, let alone cover the risk that such a confrontation between us might bring''  His words were meant to emphasize that the financial reward for killing him was minuscule compared to the potential dangers and complications that could arise. A confrontation could end fatally for both sides, and that would not be to anyone's advantage.

Yamihito was interested in finding a peaceful resolution to this situation that would minimize risks and conflict. He was willing to negotiate with respect and humility, in the hope that a common solution to this difficult situation could be found. ''I am not a threat to be resolved at the cost of violence. There is a chance for an agreement that could benefit us.'' As soon as he finished saying that, he put his hands to his side and leaned against a tree, showing that he wasn't ready to be the first to act.

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WC: 911
TWC: 2824

This man seemed like trouble to Raikur, his initial avoidance to his query made him even more suspicious of the newcomer, it even felt like he was stalling out. Yet, the man had not given him a reason to resort to violence in the meantime. "Indeed, these eyes see more than most. Deception tends to be at the top of that list." He could feel that the man across from him was trying to read him, to understand him deeply, to do anything that would give him an advantage over the young Shokku. But Raikur would not give him anything, not a drop or inkling of hope to deceive him. Little did the newcomer realise, that Raikur would likely not be punished should he take the life of this man, the the protection of Oto was his number one priority, and his superiors would be more than understanding if he was required to use force.

Yamihito, he finally had a name, the REAL name. Raikur raised an eyebrow as the man began to remove his disguise, he had truly put a lot of effort into hiding who he really was. This raised more questions, was Yamihito running from something? Or someone? Raikur remained silent as the man completed his oddly timed wardrobe change and finally resumed speaking. It appeared some truth was finally coming out, a Missing Nin from the land of fire, clearly on the run for a new home. But what did he bring with him? He then began giving his reasoning for keeping his life, at this point Raikur was more than confident enough to realise that he would win this fight, should it take place. He finally spoke once more again.

"I see now, so you believe that you are not financially worth the effort it would take for me to end your life. That is indeed an interesting approach to take here. You speak of an agreement that could benefit the both of us, what exactly do you have that I could want? You are in the middle of nowhere, there is nothing of importance here and yet, you have arrived on my doorstep." Raikur spoke only the truth as far as the current state of the world was aware, Otogakure did not exist yet. Only those in the village were aware of its existence, so Yamihito would not be aware of it either. Then something came to mind.

"I will present you with two choices, I will respect either decision you make. First, you may turn around and leave, never to return to my home. Or second, you allow me to arrest you, peacefully, and take you in for proper questioning. If you have any ill intentions, they WILL be discovered and your life will likely be forfeit, so if that is the case, I would recommend taking the first option." Raikur would continue speaking before listening to his answer. "So what will it be Yamihito, the man without a home?"

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Current stats:

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WC: 497
TWC: 1,299

Yamihito stood in the heart of the deep forest, leaning against a massive oak tree, his gaze fixed on the man before him, Raikur. The silence of the forest was broken only by the whispering of the wind and the chirping of birds, creating an atmosphere of tense anticipation. Yamihito listened carefully to the words Raikur spoke, but his mind was filled with questions and doubts. ''Yes, my life is not worth your effort.'' he says in a surprisingly calm tone. ''If you interpret it that way, then so be it,'' he said softly, but his voice sounded determined.

Though he tried to show that he agreed with Raikura's interpretation of the situation, his thoughts were elsewhere at the moment. Raikur's eyes still shone with mystery, but rather than detailing their likely abilities, which were undeniable, he became more interested in Raikur's home.  Looking at Raikur, who was holding this unknown Dojutsu, philosophical musings were running through Yamihito's mind. It seemed that such a Dojutsu with unknown abilities and skills could not be left unattended. It must be controlled or controlled by something to prevent its potential misuse against the interests of other villages. Yamihito was aware that this power carried uncertainty and risk, and therefore measures were needed to keep it in check.

Three main possibilities began to emerge in Raikur's story. The first was the idea that Raikur might have been a Vagabound, a homeless shinobi, a wanderer who chose to live independently of village authorities. However, this version seemed increasingly unlikely as Raikur spoke of his home and his actions did not resemble typical Vagabound behavior. The other possibility was that Raikur was a Missing ninja, a former village shinobi who had run away due to excessive ability or disagreement with village values and was now outside the reach of village authority. However, Raikur did not appear to be a criminal or a fugitive, and his words about home and guardian behavior put that possibility to rest. The last possibility, and the most intriguing, was that Raikur really belonged to a community. However, it seemed that this community was much larger than Raikur was trying to imply. This was most interesting and important to Yamihito. If this theory was true, then it could open the door to uncovering an interesting but dangerous secret.

''I find myself in the middle of nowhere, uninteresting and unimportant, yet you prevent me from passing through the ordinary forest because somewhere in there is your home.'' he states in a soothing voice, as if he wanted to sum it up. Surely he will not obstruct with such verve and intensity the house in the forest he would call home. His defense and overall demeanor partially exposed him in Yamihito's eyes, despite Raikur probably trying to do the opposite. Yamihito was already convinced that Raikur's home would be anything but uninteresting. He kept this observation to himself, however. ''As I mentioned once before, I didn't want to arrive on the doorstep of your house, but since I'm here, my curiosity won't let me choose option one.'' he says in a slightly smiling yet still calm tone.

''So that means I'm choosing option two. I've already mentioned the reason for my disguise to you, so I don't have anything to hide from you and your home anymore.'' he utters as a matter of fact remark. Strange as it seemed, it was actually true, with the exception of the past, which Yamihito wouldn't want to discuss.Yamihito had no ill intentions, and unlike most Missing Ninjas, he preferred to settle things through diplomacy rather than force. The vast majority of his former friends would've long ago tried to cut Raikur down and gut him like a pig before they'd even entertain him in any way, but Yamihito was different in character.

"Make no mistake," Yamihito breathed with an almost sacred calm as his words pierced the air with unwavering resignation in the last moment before raising his hands above his head in a sign of surrender. "But I'm not looking for a new home." Those words were more than a statement, they were a clear declaration that even though he was giving up his resistance and allowing himself to be arrested, he had no intention of disturbing the definite ideological idyll and harmony of the place Raikur called home.

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WC: 729
TWC: 3553

"Indeed it is not, maybe I should wait until you've earned yourself a reputation before hunting you down." Raikur said with a matter of fact tone. He HAD considered a life of bounty hunting in the past, so the thought did appeal to him a little. That being said, he was not being entirely serious when he spoke the words. He could then tell that Yamihito was still trying to analyse him, an amusing thought considering it was going both ways. Raikur had already deduced the type of person he was dealing with, it was not too complex.

A dangerous look flashed across Raikur's eyes as the newcomer voiced his thoughts, something akin to a smirk appeared on the corner of his mouth."Well well well... We have a smart little rabbit hopping around the woods now, don't we? For the sake of self preservation, may I give you one piece of advice? Curious observations may indeed be useful, but some things should be left unspoken." Raikur had not yet lowered his blade, its sharp tip pointed directly at Yamihito's heart still. His arm did not shake or falter in the slightest. "Remember, threatening a Shinobi's home, deliberate or not, is a very dangerous path. So please be aware of the implications of your words from here on out."

Yamihito seemed genuine with his final statement, although actions often spoke louder than words. Regardless, the man had agreed to being peacefully arrested and taken in, and that was all that mattered at this point in time. With a nod, Raikur spoke once more, "Very well, you have made a smart choice, I will now place you under arrest and take you in for questioning. No funny business and you have my word that I will not cause you any harm."

If Yamihito went along with Raikur's directions, he would be placed in cuffs behind his back and Raikur would proceed to walk him back to the village. The impressive sight of Otogakure would become visible before long, Raikur would nod to the gate guards as they entered, who would suspiciously eye the newcomer as they made their way into the village.

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WC: 360
TWC: 1659

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Claims:

Yamihito leaned firmly against a massive oak tree, its roots digging into the ground. His back was against the bark of the tree, as if trying to connect with the power of nature that surrounded him. His body was tense but relaxed at the same time, ready for what Raikur would tell him.  Every sound of the forest, the whisper of the wind, and the chirping of the birds near him penetrated his consciousness, but his attention was fully focused on the words Raikur was uttering. His eyes were fixed on Raikur's face, watching every movement of his lips and the expression of his eyes. It was the moment when all his senses became dependent on what Raikur was saying to him. Yamihito smiled slightly at Raikur's mention of waiting until he gained some reputation to get a bigger bounty on his head. It probably wouldn't be too funny to most people, but Yamihito was rather amused. Continuing on with a humble expression and curious eyes in front of Raikur, whose words sounded with the relative silence of the forest Yamihito listens to every word Raikur says and just nods to signify his agreement with everything he says.
''I'll take your advice about silence'' he adds while putting his hands behind his back and cuffing himself.

Yamihito was curious about the place this mysterious man, Raikur, had led him to. His curiosity was almost irrepressible, like a flame burning within him. Yamihito didn't want to anticipate what was in store for him, but he had the determination within him to explore all the mysteries that lay before him. His curiosity was like an endless thirst for knowledge and new experiences that propelled him forward. His curiosity drove him forward, and though he may have feared the uncertainty of the future and real danger, he was prepared to take that risk and enter a place that would likely be filled with people dangerous to Yamihito. Yamihito and Raikur continued on their way, walking through the silent forest, lost in their thoughts. After a moment of silence, they arrived at a huge gate guarded by another guard. Yamihito was slightly surprised by its size; the gate was imposing and seemed much larger than what he had expected. It was the first hint that the place Raikur had led them to was certainly more important than he was trying to imply. Without a word, he followed Raikur on without any interest in making any trouble now. After all, if he wasn't making more trouble in the forest, starting trouble in an unfamiliar environment full of shinobi wouldn't even be stupid, but downright suicidal. And Yamihito was neither stupid or suicidal.

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I claim this:
WC: 413
TWC: 4000
Second Element (2 x 2000WC) [FIRE]
4000 WC - 40 points // +25 Vigor, +15 Speed

Raikur wrote:

Exit Thread (Unless any funny business)

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WC: 360
TWC: 1659

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Claims:

Approved