Citizens, lend me your Ears of Corn

Mission:

Oda arose with a smile on his face, the famine had long been recovered from, and the smell of fresh produce drifted through the village. Today was one of Oda's favorite times, a time when farmers from all over the Land of the Moon came to Tsukigakure to sell their wares. The massive influx of people necessitated aid from the Shinobi of the village. Already the market was brimming with bustling stalls. People drifted to and fro, their arms piling up with numerous produce as the citizens took advantage of the sales. The market was adorned with numerous streamers and paper lanterns that had yet to be lit. Numerous Shinobi were seen with manila envelopes, opening them and finding their assigned stalls.

He did the same, looking down and finding the stall number. He gave a big grin as he reached his stall, it was brimming with corn, one of Oda's favorite vegetables. The stall owner waved hello to him and he returned the wave and approached, tucking his assignment away in his vest. “Hello ma’am! I am Oda Terumi!” He gave a big thumbs up “I’ll be assigned to your stall today!” The woman nodded to him and gave a smile but was otherwise quick to get to work.

“Pleasure to meet you Oda, go and help my husband with the rest of the corn, then when you get back we’ll get to shucking it and preparing it. I’m also gonna need you to help sell it as people come and go.” The woman stopped talking and the two stared at each other in a brief silence. “Well, go on now” she said gruffly. Oda jumped at the command and flashed a smile as he headed further down the hill where he could see a large cart of Corn.

After a grueling hour of hauling up the hill he took a seat briefly to catch his breath. He looked out over Tsukigakure as the golden sun rays arched across the numerous rooftops.

“Don’t say you're gettin tired on me now!” The lady said with a laugh as she deftly lifted a bundle of corn from her shoulder onto a table. “Now's the time for shuckin!” Oda shot up with haste, determined not to let some corn beat him.

They began to shuck the corn, and shuck the corn, and shuck the corn. Occasionally Oda’s repetitive quagmire would be broken by his call to help move some corn for a customer. He relished those few moments. The couple, while friendly, was hardly a talkative bunch. They had a few short exchanges, and a few longer ones when it was about corn. Oda made sure to remember the tips she gave on cooking the corn. Eventually it felt as if Oda’s hands would be numb from all the corn shucked, the smell of fresh ears of corn permeated his clothes and nostrils and would do so for a few weeks at least.

“Ma’am, Sir” He said, nodding to the couple “It has been my pleasure to be of service today, thankyou for bringing your business to Tsukigakure.” He would bow deeply to the couple, and they would bow back in return. They made sure to give him a parting gift, a few ears of corn for the road. Oda smiled and accepted graciously, but truthfully didn’t want to see another ear of corn for a long time.

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[exit]

TWC: 566

Claims: