Winter is Here

The Mission Details:

The Stats:

Here it is.

Feeling the crunch of the soft snow, the bone-chilling winds rake across her face, and incessant downpours of frozen rain droplets cake and cloud her view, she takes a long-winded breath and then exhales in the same fashion. The ceaseless tundra of the snow country hides the military bastion afar, the environment as harsh as one would predict, and her form constantly assailed by unforgiving blizzards. Certainly feels like a home away from home, but she nevertheless feels at ease being here.

Dusting off the flakes of snow on her clothing, she rifles through her breast pocket and unfurls a small missive she'd acquired from the carriage driver prior. Reading the contents inscribed, she's given directions toward one of the nearest hamlets in the tundra. Specifically, she uses the roadway to stay true to the path and landmarks—wherever they are amidst the torrential snowfall—as her guide to bookmark where exactly she's supposed to be at a given point in time during the trek. By then, she hopes whatever community she finds will be willing enough to provide a bit of food and shelter for a while until she can find a suitable encampment to make her temporary home.

Tucking the missive away, she checks her gear one final time before she begins her walk through the frigid northern lands. She takes a few steps forward, leaving footprints and a trail behind her in the wake of soft, freshly fallen snow. As she makes her way into the blizzard, the winds howl and the snow blows fiercely in the cold and barren winter wastes.

Some time later…

After what feels like hours of walking, the woman finally comes across a settlement. The snow subsides for the moment, and a clear sky reveals the setting sun on the horizon. She's been able to find her way to the hamlet without much issue, the missive proving to be helpful as the roads and landmarks did help keep her on the right track. She passed a few other communities on her way here, but they were much too far from her destination.

As she approaches, she sees the settlement is made up of a collection of large stone structures, all of which appear to be connected. The hamlet is situated on the top of a mountain and is surrounded by a wall made of stone. At the front is a massive gate that blocks what lies beyond, possibly a courtyard judging by the echoing commotion that clamors against the howling winds. Likely with folk milling and going about their business.

"Halt!" Cries a gravely, masculine voice. When she adjusts her gaze to fixate on its owner, she sees clad in… queer garments. Clothing likely native to these boreal parts of the world that she's never seen along her travels along the austral lands. The attire is a blend of functionality, tradition, and modern sensibilities, a testament to the country's unique culture and climatic challenges. However, the most eye-catching was the grayish-black, woolen sweater he wears that bears patterns inspired by the natural world—geometric representations of snowflakes, waves, and mountain ranges, a living tapestry woven with history and connection to the land. "Who goes there? Another one of Toriko's men sent to fetch our 'taxes', is it? Hm? Speak up, you!"

Toriko…? She raises an eyebrow at the accusations flung at her. Did Hyogagakure impose tax collections personally with a representative to fetch their dues? No, that doesn't sound coherent at all. It doesn't add up that a village from which its capital—as far as she's concerned—derives from its military services would need to concern itself to send its forces to the far, outer reaches simply for collections' sake. Something's afoot. But a more delicate matter requires her immediate attention right now.

"I know not of whom you speak," She hollers to overpower the wind's cries. "I am merely a wanderer who arrived… arrived from the southern lands in search of lodging."

"Oh, I get it. Pup's lost her way here and now she's looking for a warm bed. Hah!" The man guffaws at his own quip. "Well, this isn't the place for you, girly! Go and take yerself elsewhere if y'know what's good for ya."

She mulls over how best to approach the conversation's new trajectory. "Look, I… I implore you. I've traveled for days without much sustenance or shelter. All I ask is a place to rest my head and be on my way when I'm ready."

Although she cannot see it, the man's hand clenches the handle of his weapon and narrows his eyes at her. An uncomfortable tension looms, the silence intermittently broken by the bellows and belches of cascading winds that grate against any exposed skin. He lifts his head and slightly shifts his head from right to left, his eyes scan the perimeter with a methodical gaze and rebound in the opposite direction. Yushia, in the meanwhile, took notes of the man's posture for any alterations to deduce a behavioral change.

Thankfully, a loud grumble emanates from her midsection. Which broke the man's tension as he slouches and loosens his grip on his weapon's handle.
"Tch. Y'know what? I feel for you. However, the inn's gone bankrupt and the only lodgings available are at the tavern down below. Might be able to scrounge for a bite to eat there, too. But—!" He pauses. "Just because I'm letting you in, doesn't mean I fully trust you, Outlander . My men will see you in and around the village to keep an eye on you and, of course, see to it that you find yourself settled down. If you try to pull anything while you're here… well, let's just say you won't live long enough to regret it. Understood?"

Yushia nods, "Understood." The conditions themselves are a bit stringent, but fair enough if she's kept under strict supervision. However, she'd expected something like this upon entering a hamlet that was isolated from the nearest settlements miles away. She's technically a foreigner and anyone in their right mind would be wary to let someone not from their community into their home. Whatever's gotten this place shaken up, perhaps she can gather information regarding this "Toriko" fellow, as it seems to her, thus far, he's been controlling what flows in and out of the hamlet.

The man turns, leans back, and whistles. Yushia hears the sounds of muffled shifts and crunches before the gates slowly part and reveals a courtyard bustling with activity. Immediately to her, she can see many stone buildings with wooden beams and roofs, connected to one another. The establishment, most likely. To her right are several merchants—their stalls covered by a sheet of cloth—and carts litter the area. Various wares and goods are on display, ranging from clothing, tools, weapons, and…? She squints her eyes and sees it's a variety of food. Perhaps they're willing to barter if she has anything to offer, although that'll have to wait until later.

"Name?"

"Mm?" She lifts her back toward the man.

"What's your name, girly?"

"Ryou. Yushia Ryou."

"Alright then, Yushia, my boys Takeda and Honjin will be accompanying you to the tavern for your fill. Or what's left of it, that is. Boys? You know where to find me during."

Two men emerge from either side of the gate clad in a similar design to the gatekeeper she spoke with earlier. They gesture for her to follow and she does so, as the gates behind her grate and crunch until the sounds die beneath the gale. Striding over to supposedly their tavern that's barely a half-minute walk from the front entrance, she finds herself in front of a large building with two levels, made of wood and clay. Several windows line from the top to the bottom of the edifice, all of which are littered with various patrons who are engaged in their festivities.

Entering inside, the tavern's flooded with a robust clamor. The aroma of delicious foods fills her nostrils, as does the scent of a… fragrant beverage? A drink, perhaps. But as the guards escort her to an empty table to sit at, she also observes the state of disrepair the tavern is in. Cracks and crevices can be found on the ceilings, the floors are caked and coated in stains of… she can't make it out in the poor lighting. Not to mention the decorum appears lackluster and devoid of any… personality. It's almost as if the tavern's taken a hit financially and struggling to keep things afloat.

During her temporary stay, after a full meal and drink to satiate her appetite, she discloses her concerns about what specifically has happened lately within the small town and what befell it. The guardsmen, initially skeptical at her inquiries, gradually divulge the following: as it turns out for the past couple of months, the community's been under the control of a local bandit, who calls himself "Toriko", and his retinue, the "Winter Wolves", who've taken a liking to their hospitality a little too much.

While initially, the Winter Wolves were amicable and cordial, Toriko imposed taxes on the hamlet in order to fund his operations to pillage and plunder throughout the snow country. Any dissenters were promptly dealt with, as a means to send a message and, subsequently, enforced a curfew for all the hamlet's residents to abide by. Supplies became scarce and, hence, the tavern's been struggling to sustain itself ever since.

"I see." She murmurs, folding her arms one over the other and swinging her left leg to and fro. "That explains the skepticism from earlier. I'd be just as suspicious in your shoes. And it sounds like to me you could do with a little change around here."

"Aye." Honjin, the guard to her right, sighs. "But without proper resources and what's left of our own, Toriko's men have kept us on a tight leash. Not to mention, we're too ill-equipped to fend them off."

"I see." She repeats, formulating a plan in her mind. "And that's something I can certainly fix, too."


Elsewhere, in the wintry barren realm…


Toriko reclines and slumps into his chair as his men partake and indulge in their festivities. Drinks flow endlessly and their bellies fill to the brim as his men waste no time in frivolously spending this week's bounty. His teeth clamp on the cigar he'd been smoking and idly puff smoke rings into the air before exhaling a billow and snuffing what's left of it on an ashtray provided to him. He'd recently been informed earlier by one of his scouts, Sadao, posing as a gatekeeper, that an austral outlander by the name of "Ryou Yushia" had stumbled her way into the hamlet. After receiving a rundown of the report, he concludes that the girl's presence was nothing to worry about, really, but it's a prudent move nonetheless to exercise cautionary measures until he can ascertain whether or not she poses a threat to his operations.

While relaxing, one of his henchmen hurriedly approaches him and clears his throat. "Lord Toriko. There's someone at the front entrance who wishes to speak with you."

The pudgy man raises an eyebrow and lifts his head upward to fixate on his subordinate. "Who's it?"

"Didn't catch a name, my lord. But they're adorned in… eastern attire."

Eastern attire? Toriko scratches his chin as his mind wracks for anyone of an… easterly origin to call upon him at this hour. He ruminates for several seconds before he pieces the puzzle together. Could it be…? Surely, no one would be dumb enough to challenge the head honcho of the Winter Wolves unless they had a death wish. Whoever it was, they sure had a serious pair of cojones to come here during his relaxation time. But right now, he'd rather eat and drink the day away than deal with some nobody.

"Tell 'em I'm busy with more important matters and come some other time." Toriko waves his henchman off.

"Actually… that won't be necessary." A voice booms from behind the henchman before him. Turning his head to the source, he sees the easterner his scout spoke of and his maw hangs. The easterner in question possesses a lithe physique followed by long, ashen-gray hair tied into a ponytail down to her upper waist with two braids that flow at either side of her shoulders down to her lower chest. She has a pair of deep, brown eyes and sharp facial features accompanied by an ivory complexion with two odd scars across her forehead and right cheekbone.

Her attire remarkably resembles that of a Gakuran uniform, consisting of a buttoned shirt with a white framed collar having the kanji「 滅 」engraved on the back in white, a shirt pocket on top of the left breast, and a white undershirt. It also consists of long, saggy tattsuke-hakama pants strapped by a white buckled belt and a pair of maroon-colored Kyahan that extends into tabi socks. Additionally, she wears a lavishly, redwood and old rose-designed haori over her uniform with sleeves reaching up to her wrists and its folds stopping just at her knees.

She carries with her here an unconscious body—presumably one of the guardsmen to watch her as the aforementioned scout relayed her arrival to his boss—, and drops said body on the floor beside her. The woman then takes several steps forward toward the center of the cave-in establishment. "A flock of birdies told me a certain lowlife named 'Toriko' and his band of misfits were giving them a hard time and running their pockets dry." She drones with a hint of agitation. "I'm here to politely ask you to leave them alone."

Toriko chuckles and guffaws at the audacity shown before him. One minute, he's enjoying his relaxation time, and, the next, a wayward outlander steps in unannounced and, without his consent, demands he and his Winter Wolves leave his hamlet behind. The same hamlet that he rightfully controls and isn't willing to relinquish anytime soon.

"Ohohoh… a funny gal, ain't ya?" Toriko rises from his seat and tilts his head to the side to see his Winter Wolves have, too, risen from theirs to confront the intruder. "And what makes you think I should comply with yer… 'request', girly? Hmm?"

Yushia rests her hand over the butt of her weapon whilst periodically fixing Toriko and his Winter Wolves in an interchanging gaze. "Simple. Leave and I won't be forced to… 'convince' you otherwise."

Toriko sneers at her response. "Convince me? Girly, you've entered the wolves' den. MY den. And yer outnumbered here. What makes you think yer capable of even 'scratching' me or my Winter Wolves, hm? What're ye gonna do?"

Yushia closes her eyes and reopens them, narrowing her pupils toward Toriko's direction. "Because, if you and your Winter Wolves don't comply, you'll all wish to the gods above that you'd listened." She menaces before charging straight toward Toriko at a blinding speed. The Winter Wolves attempt to intercept her path, but Yushia swiftly dodges and deflects any incoming attacks by sidestepping and parrying their blows with her forearms. Some Winter Wolves resort to drawing their weapons, to which Yushia draws her katana, in kind, and cuts them down in a series of rapid flurries and strikes.

Toriko stares agape at the sight unfolding before him. Where did this gal come from and, more importantly, how's she so… adept at combat? While Toriko himself isn't a novice in the art of swordsmanship, he's never seen nor encountered someone capable of such… precision and accuracy to her movements. It's like she's anticipated every strike, blow, and defense the Winter Wolves threw at her and countered in turn.

His ponderings are interrupted when Yushia reaches his position and lunges toward him. Her katana was poised and aimed directly toward his midsection. Acting quickly, Toriko unsheathes his own sword and attempts to clash their blades together. Upon seeing Toriko reach and draw for his blade, she takes a deep inhalation, angles her weapon to a Low Guard position, and murmurs.

"Third Form..."

Her blade suddenly engulfs itself in and spills a thin stream of translucent liquid that follows the contour of the blade's arc. In a near-instantaneous moment, Yushia closes the gap between Toriko. By the time Toriko unsheathes his weapon to block the oncoming strike, both her body and blade pivot and maneuver around Toriko's weapon in a graceful and fluid rotation.

"...Flowing Dance."

When the katana connects with his flesh, the speed at which she delivers the blow appears as a blur to the rest of the onlooking Wolves and the ligament responsible for holding Toriko's weapon suddenly dislodges itself from the host body. Toriko collapses onto his knee and drops his now-useless weapon to the ground below, as does his hand that once wielded it. Blood oozes and spurts from his injury as the nerves throughout his limb send an excruciating and painful sensation that has Toriko howling in agony.

But she wasn't done with them yet.

Keeping up the tempo, followed by a contrail of opaque fluid in her wake, sets about dispatching the remaining Wolves in the den. Within the span of a couple of minutes, she cleaves, eviscerates, and splits any Wolf unlucky enough to challenge or flee from her in an effortless fashion.

Toriko, still kneeling and clutching his wounded appendage, lifts his head upward to see every Winter Wolf who'd accompanied him, and his livelihood, dead and laying on the stone, cold floor littered with crimson pools. His breathing becomes heavy and erratic as adrenaline courses through his veins, as do the beads of sweat and cold shivers that follow thereafter. His body slowly loses its strength and his mobility begins to falter. Before succumbing to the darkness, his vision catches Yushia's fiery gaze and angles her bloodied katana toward Toriko. The last thing he sees is the sight of a beautiful, calligraphic contrail flowing behind her before everything becomes… dark.

After the slaughter, what's left of the den has been decorated in splatters of blood and corpses sprawled throughout the area. Yushia takes a brief respite after thoroughly exhausting her efforts and, thus, flicks her weapon and, with her handkerchief, wipes the blood from her face, then what she can of her clothing and blade before she sheaths her katana and readjusts. She strides toward Toriko, kneels down beside him, and observes his incapacitated form, idly lying on the ground, and his expression's blank. Whether or not he's dead or unconscious, is up for debate.

Rummaging through his pockets, she feels a small object and pulls out what looks to be a key. Standing up, she takes a deep breath, the rejuvenating feeling that coursed through her veins returns to a serene calm. She takes a brief round about the cave for anything they might've kept around and finds an assortment of valuables and trinkets stowed away in crates and chests. Most likely acquired from their pillaging and plundering expeditions. She gathers what she can on her person and in the seals that come with her uniform and secedes the hamlet.

Upon exiting, she greets the guardsmen who're visibly stunned, and, subsequently, Yushia presents them with what riches were left over from the scuffle prior. The guardsmen are initially hesitant and decline her offering, to which Yushia urges and insists she doesn't need it or, rather, has no use for it. And that the Winter Wolves will no longer pose a threat any longer. Relenting to her generosity, the guardsmen accept the offerings and thank Yushia for liberating their hamlet and, as thanks, throw an impromptu celebration in her honor and a fraction of the spoils for her trouble.

All the while during the celebration, Yushia finds her services in need once again for an… unorthodox request. She's to help act as a "friend"—although the circumstances call for her to be more akin to a mediator—between a couple who've lived together at the hamlet for several years now, but have found themselves at an impasse. Being one of her least favorable traits, in tandem with what little exposure she has to maintain long-standing relationships, she hesitantly accepts the assignment and seats herself with the disgruntled couple in a corner of the tavern away from the source of many attractions. At best, this can be a learning experience not just for the duo, but for herself in the future. And who knows, it may prove beneficial in networking and forming alliances.

She approaches the topic as she would any other situation. Albeit, the process to come to any sort of compromise takes far longer than what she's used to. Still, she persists, prevails, and, eventually, a resolution's reached between the couple. They express their gratitude toward Yushia and, afterwards, join in the festivities alongside the hamlet residents. Finding the current environment too… lively and "high-spirited" for her liking, she excuses herself from the establishment and secedes the hamlet scroll fastened and tucked underneath her haori.

Following morrow, Yushia bids the hamlet residents farewell and, eventually, resumes her journey throughout snow country. Traipsing through the frigid wastelands, she finds a suitable cave for a quick pitstop and enters inside. Immediately setting up camp, she prepares her sleeping bag and lights a small fire to maintain her warmth.

Settling herself atop her resting bag and rifles through her uniform to unfurl a familiar-looking pastry delight. Rummaging once more through her clothing, she reveals in her delicate hand a fork—the selfsame tool that helps bridge the divide between imagination and reality since her brief stay in Yugakure. With deliberate care, she slices into the strawberry cheesecake, its surface glistening as though kissed by the heavens. The fork glides through the creamy layer of cheese, yielding to her touch as if inviting her to partake in its tenderness.

As the forkful approaches her lips, a subtle inhale reveals the symphony of aromas that dance before her senses. The faint scent of vanilla mingles with the fruity essence of freshly sliced strawberries, forming a tantalizing overture that precedes the imminent delight. With a gentle touch, her tongue meets the creamy offering, and a sigh of contentment escapes her parted lips.

The first taste is an orchestra of textures and flavors—a harmonious blend of velvety richness and the subtle crunch of the crumbly crust. The cheesecake, a masterpiece of culinary artistry, unravels its tale on her taste buds. The cream cheese base, like a soft embrace, melts gracefully, releasing whispers of sweetened cream and a faint tang that sparks a delicate interplay with the strawberry coulis.

A solitary strawberry rests atop the slice, a ruby gem adorning a crown of creamy ivory. She regards it briefly, allowing the sight to imprint upon her memory before surrendering to its allure. As the ruby fruit yields to the gentle pressure of her fork, its nectar seeps into the cake, merging and mingling with the other elements to create a crescendo of flavors that dance upon her palate.

With each subsequent bite, Yushia delves deeper into the experience, savoring the symphony of sensations that accompany this delectable journey. Her eyelids flutter closed, shutting out the world beyond her immediate senses. In this cocoon of taste and pleasure, time suspends its relentless march, granting her a brief respite from the cacophony of life.

A contented smile graces her lips, the embodiment of the simple joy derived from this act of self-care. The strawberry cheesecake becomes more than a dessert; it transforms into a conduit for moments of blissful escape, a testament to the profound connection between food, emotion, and the human spirit. And as the last forkful disappears, she lingers in the afterglow of this experience, nourished not only by the confection before her but by the memories she has woven into its tapestry.

'Tis a shame, truly, for all good things must come to an end. That was the last slice she had left at her disposal to whisk her away in the near future to relive this indulgence anew. But, for now, Yushia resigns herself to the here and now. To cherish this fleeting moment and carry it with her, a reminder that in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there are still fragments of beauty and joy to be found. A small but powerful antidote for the weariness of the soul, a balm to soothe the wounds of the heart. Mayhaps, next time, she'll opt to try a Strawberry Tiramisu instead. She spends most of the day gathering her bearings, tending to the equipment, and checking the supplies before she sets off toward another encampment further toward the west of the landmass.

Coming the morrow after the morrow, Yushia stirs from her slumber and rises from her resting bag to prepare herself for the day ahead. Securing her belongings and tidying up her attire, she departs the cave and resumes her trek throughout snow country. Taking note from her encounter prior with Toriko and his Winter Wolves hideout, it'd be prudent, and even better, to exercise cautionary measures and tread with a wary eye and attentive ear. The Land of Snow is home to many perilous and hazardous terrain ripe for the unsuspecting fool and, Yushia, wasn't about to become one of them anytime soon.


WC: 4,223 x2 (via x1 Strawberry Cake in "The Inventory") = 8,000 (max cap); 223 Remainder
TWC: 8,223


[EXIT THREAD]


Requesting approval for the following claims:

Claiming the following mission reward(s):

► Total Ryo Earned: +8,000 Ryo
► Total AP Earned: +40 AP

Investing 8,223 TWC into the following *Skill(s):

► Training Chakra Infusion (1,500/1,500) [6,723 TWC Left]

Investing the remaining 6,723 TWC into the following *Jutsu:

► Training Sky Shredding Dragon @ A-Rank (1,875/1,875) [4,848 TWC Left]
► Training Sacred Spear @ A-Rank (1,875/1,875) [2,973 TWC Left]
► Training Willow Cannon [671/2,062) → (2,062/2,062) [1,582 TWC Left]
► Training Flying Swallow (750/750) [832 TWC Left]
► Training Temple Style: Discovery of an Incomplete Truth @ B-Rank (832/1,125) [0 TWC Left]

*25% Discount option via max stats

Sayuri Yuki wrote:
WC: 4,223 x2 (via x1 Strawberry Cake in "The Inventory") = 8,000 (max cap); 223 Remainder
TWC: 8,223


[EXIT THREAD]


Requesting approval for the following claims:

Claiming the following mission reward(s):

► Total Ryo Earned: +8,000 Ryo
► Total AP Earned: +40 AP

Investing 8,223 TWC into the following *Skill(s):

► Training Chakra Infusion (1,500/1,500) [6,723 TWC Left]

Investing the remaining 6,723 TWC into the following *Jutsu:

► Training Sky Shredding Dragon @ A-Rank (1,875/1,875) [4,848 TWC Left]
► Training Sacred Spear @ A-Rank (1,875/1,875) [2,973 TWC Left]
► Training Willow Cannon [671/2,062) → (2,062/2,062) [1,582 TWC Left]
► Training Flying Swallow (750/750) [832 TWC Left]
► Training Temple Style: Discovery of an Incomplete Truth @ B-Rank (832/1,125) [0 TWC Left]

*25% Discount option via max stats

Approved!

Note: Don’t forget to list the last technique of under your C-Rank since you’ve hit the WC requirement while learning it at B-Rank!