A Simple Pit Stop (Entering Country)

[Atsushi Nakamura]

Whenever Ao traveled from one place to another he typically started off by finding some traveling companions. Shortly after departing from the Village Hidden in the Sand Ao came across a group of traveling merchants. Ao offered the caravan his protection in exchange for their companionship as well as any information that they could offer him regarding Fire Country. They agreed, and so began Ao's journey. The group reached a crossroads shortly thereafter, one path led to the Hidden Leaf Village, the other to a place called Crater City. Ao, curious to learn about the city, asked his traveling companions what they knew about the place and whether or not they intended to stop there. Ao's companions informed him of the terrible depression that the city was going through currently, and that they used to stop there to sell their goods, they would not risk going there for two reasons. One, the people there had very little money to spend, and two, that they were more likely to be robbed then they were to make a sale once they entered the city.

Ao parted ways with the merchants and made his way to Crater City. Ao wanted to see the city for himself, not because he did not believe the merchants, but because he was curious as to why a city like this one could be left to rot and die by its own rulers. As Ao approached the city he couldn't help but be impressed. Besides the fact that it was built inside of an impact crater, the city was quite defensible, and had a port that was very well suited for trade. By all means the city should have been flourishing, as it was on the outermost edge of Fire Country and could easily serve as a trading hub between Fire Country and the other nations. Something, or someone, as holding this city back, preventing it from being what it was meant to be. Ao wanted to learn more, so he began to look down into the city to see if any buildings stood out to him. The sun was beginning to set, and as it did it began to cast the long shadow of the edges of the crater onto the town, effectively bringing night to the city almost two whole hours earlier than it should.

As Ao looked down over the city one building, very close to the center of the city, stood out. It wasn't a very large building but it was obviously new, and judging by the ongoing construction appeared to be expanding. It was gaudy, flashy, and very busy; men and women were constantly coming in and out of the building. Some were smiling and laughing, others were visibly upset, and all of them were drunk. Ao decided that this would be the place he would visit first. Local watering holes were some of the best places to unearth important information regarding local happenings.

As Ao approached the strange building the sounds of debauchery grew louder. He checked one of the hidden pockets inside of his robe to ensure that he still had money, and then activated the transformation jutsu he used to disguise his arms. He then made his way inside of the building, and what he saw surprised him. Ao had assumed that it was a tavern of some sorts, but he was wrong, what this building appeared to be was a gambling hall. Ao thought back to the merchants he had be traveling with, those men had said no one here had any money, so how could a casino in a town like this work?

Ao had no interest in gambling, but he quickly found a bar and made his way to it. He caught the attractive bartender's attention and ordered a few rounds for himself, letting the young girl know that if she kept his drink topped off that she would earn herself quite the tip. He took his drink, and gave the bartender a grin before turning away from her to look back out over the casino.

[Country Entered]

 

[Saburo]

Saburo didn't typically interfere with the day-to-day operations of the crater city casino, but every so often he liked to poke his head into the building and see how his pet project seemed to be faring. On this particular day he noticed that the crowd coming and going seemed particularly pleased, but the earning potential of the casino mattered little to the aspiring criminal. He knew that the odds were stacked against the house intentionally, for this enterprise was one designed around money laundering. So long as word spread that Crater City was a mecca for those looking to make a quick buck, Saburo and his goons could continue to fleece the outsiders arriving with money to burn and dreams to foster.

Of course, every so often an individual arrived in the city that didn't fit the right demographic. These patrons were treated hospitably enough and rarely found themselves on the receiving end of a windfall containing forged yen, but they were still too close for comfort. At times like these, when potential whistle blowers stepped foot into the casino, it was Saburo's mission to size them up and then recruit or subdue... whatever proved necessary. Go figure that today just had to be one of those days when his services were required. As soon as Saburo crossed the threshold, the pit boss, Sadao, pulled him aside.

"We got a strange one at the bar, boss. Thought you should know."

Saburo didn't even glance that direction, but apprised himself of the situation via the reflective nature on most of the gambling machines. The glass face of a Pachinko machine showed him all he needed to know: some strange monk was enjoying his cups, but no other visitors gathered nearby seemed to be interesting enough to have caught Sadao's attention.

"What do you know about the man, Sadao? Have you even introduced yourself, asked the monk how he was enjoying himself?"

"Uhh..."

Saburo smiled. He knew the answer to such questions before he asked, but he still liked to put people on edge whenever possible. Sadao might have been his oldest childhood friend, but even he wasn't exempt from the Kaguya's proclivities.

"Nevermind that, Sadao. Check with the forgers and issue a cease and desist. Tell the dealers that the odds are back in our favor. Until I report back to you, we're a proper gambling hall... but offer free drinks to our friends losing their shirts. No need to let anyone leave sour on their experience here, right?"

Saburo didn't worry himself over the pit boss' reply. He knew Sadao would get the job done because past experience had shown the chuunin that his friend could be relied upon in these sorts of situations. Instead, he merely sauntered up to the bar and ordered himself a drink.

"Be a dear and mix me up a Sennin Surprise, would ya love? Also, don't make a man drink alone... how about you go ahead and make one up for yourself as well. My treat."

Saburo relaxed into a seat a few down from the red-headed monk and slipped out of his fur-lined jacket. Placing it on the stool beside him, Saburo revealed he was wearing nicer clothing for a change. His outfit still consisted of little more than black pants and a long-sleeved shirt merely a few shades lighter, but the quality of the fabrics screamed success; probably because, tonight, he didn't have to fit in with the poor people that called Crater City home. Glancing over his shoulder at the monk, Saburo made his introduction.

"Say, bub, you find yourself winning your fair share? Couldn't help but notice the prayer beads. Figured a spiritual man probably has something of a lock in terms of lucky breaks, huh?"

[MFT: 626]

 

[Atsushi Nakamura]

Ao appraised the man who had taken a spot at the bar only a few seats away. Unlike most of the other patrons at the gambling hall this man was well dressed, calm, and collected. The stranger obviously wanted to set himself apart from all of the other individuals who had come to spend their wages for a chance to make a quick buck. The man ordered himself a drink as well as one for the young bartender that was serving the two of them before turning his attention to Ao.

“Say bub, you find yourself winning your fair share? Couldn’t help but notice the prayer beads. Figured a spiritual man probably has something of a lock in terms of lucky breaks, huh?”

Ao took a swig of his drink before replying to the stranger. “Ah these old things, ” Ao tugged at the metallic beads that hung around his neck, “I’m afraid these things haven’t brought me much in regards to luck. ” Ao turned to face the man, sliding his drink along the bar so that it was easier to reach from his new position. “My garb tends to confuse people, in truth I’m not much of a monk. All of this was a gift from an old friend. I wear this outfit to honor his memory and keep with the traditions that he followed, for the time being. ”

Ao took another drink, finishing a glass and sliding it to the bartender so she could get him refill. The young bartender returned promptly with Ao’s new drink, his smile acknowledged her good work, he then returned his attention back to the stranger.

“Besides, I doubt I would do as well as you apparently have. Judging by your clothes you seem to have done pretty well for yourself, better than most of the citizens of Crater City at the very least. ”

Again Ao took another drink, and again he spoke. “The name’s Yamada Ao, pleasure to me you…” Ao did not finish his sentence in order to allow the stranger to ‘fill in the blank’.

 

[Atsushi Nakamura]

Before the stranger could answer Ao’s question the two of them were interrupted by a commotion behind them. Ao turned around to find a small white fox sitting patiently behind him on the floor. Around its’ neck was a small scroll as long as Ao’s hand. Ao excused himself from the conversation as he reached down to untie the scroll and read its’ contents. Ao’s eyes scanned the document over several times before rolling it back up and returning it to the fox’s neck. He then reached into one of the pockets on the inside of his robe and produced a sliver of jerky, which he promptly gave to the messenger. The little fox scarfed down the jerky and looked, pitifully, back up at Ao. He gave in to the charms of the cute thing and gave it another piece of jerky. It made a yipping sound before running off with its’ prize. Ao turned his attention back to the stranger he had originally been speaking with and informed him that something had come up. He paid for his drink, and promptly left the gambling hall.

The message Ao’s fox-ally had brought to him was an urgent one, and since he had made a contract with the foxes Ao had little choice but to respond less he lose a valuable ally. Maybe after he had finished assisting his four-legged friends he would return to this place and continue his conversation with the stranger, or maybe he wouldn’t. Only time would tell.

[MFT: WC-253]
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