The stadium was packed, the murmur of the crowd was like a rumbling, disorganized roar from every direction. It should not surprise anyone that a competition that pitted the world's strongest against each other would attract so much attention. There were a number of samurais guarding the fighter's entryway, apparently a few challengers attempted to start the competition a few hours early or so that was what one of the chattier sentinels claimed. The people of Kurosawa seemed accommodating enough, you were given comfortable living arrangements for the weeks you would spend in Tea Country and meals were delivered to your door promptly at 0600, 1200 and 1800 each day if you ate them or not. The people even seemed excited, even if it was a bit over the top at times. Both of you would have been approached for an autograph several times, hopefully you obliged at least a few. They would scream and carry on that you touched their pen and that they would treasure it forever. Awk-ward...
Perhaps this was what it was like to be e celebrity. The flash of cameras wherever you went and the sudden need for complete strangers to share your personal space. Rest might not have been particularly 'restful' for some, last night a girl would knock on your door, claiming she was sent to 'show you a good time before the big day.' For those that let her in, you would have a good time ...for the rest of the night. You might have an extra spring in your step, but you would be a bit tired. Apparently she knew how to perform clone ninjutsu as well. Oh boy... She would also be gone by the time you awoke, your wallet would also be missing. Damn... She was still worth every penny.
Regardless of how you spent the evening before -- be it asleep or the night of your life, the big day has finally come. It was the day of the tournament and the air was abuzz! Someone was waiting for you when you opened the hotel room door. "Kaminae Hideki" a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties would announce before he stated your full, legal name. He would wait for an affirmation before he would pull himself away from the wall he was resting against and announce that he would guide you to the Hisashī Zenshōsen Arena, there was a separate entrance for the fighters. Beyond that his answers would be one to two word answers or simple directions such as 'this way.' He would guide you through the maze-like streets, they were fairly easy to get turned around in but that was not the problem as you might already know, it was the civilians and their apparent interest in you. A random middle aged guy would yell out your name, declaring his love for you. Maybe someday you would love him back, just not right then. Hideki seemed to be rather proficient in clearing the crowd his his glare, beyond a few distant proclamations of their affections none accosted you with hugs, kisses, 'trinkets of luck' or an attempt at a manly arm wrestling competition.
You would be led around the arena. From the outside the arena was rather imposing, there were four statues with their backs towards you that appeared to be looking down into the arena. The walls were rather high, three hundred feet, perhaps more by your best estimation. The grey stone had something etched into it, into every single brick. If Hideki is asked about the bricks, he would simply shrug his shoulders. He either did not know, did not care or had no intention of sharing. You would be led to an unmarked door that was flanked by a pair of guards, each wore the regalia of a samurai. They would look over at Hideki and then part, allowing entry without a word. Apparently this private hall was well-guarded, another pair of samurais would eye you cautiously as you entered the hall. The hall was long and well lit with overhead, but you would see some rubble about mid way down a five hundred foot corridor. You could also smell smoke. You would notice a hole in the wall with some smoke trailing off as well as the carapaces of well over a hundred ...locusts? "We had a disqualification this morning, the first fighters ran into each other about an hour ago. They apparently knew each other. Something about smelling like elderberries and..." your escort shook their head. "And farting." He would pick up the pace ever so slightly, "which is why we are staggering the rest of you a bit better." His explanation was fairly basic but that was all that you were going to be getting out of him. In fact, his right arm appears to be burnt. His long-sleeved shirt and casual attire made him look more like a messenger than a fighter, but perhaps he was something more.
You would be led to a private locker room, your name on the door. You might recognize a few of the other names as well, fellow compatriots from your village or some famed shinobi from abroad. You would be summoned a few hours later, in the mean time you would be left to your devices -- eat, sleep, watch TV, call your wife on a headset, pray... [Yes, pick whatever amenities you want in the room] The same man would knock on your door, "it is time" he would announce solemnly as if he was taking you to your death. He would lead you to the door, it would be sealed shut. "The door will open at 12:00" he would note as he pointed at a clock, you had a few more minutes left. The sound of the ticking clock was deafening and the time would seem to pass slowly despite it being only a few minutes but the doors would eventually unlock and with a trumpet fanfare as well as confetti you would be queued to make an entrance. Half the show was about the spectacle. The other half... let's call it 'fighting.'
Notes:
- A Sand shinobi would recognize the language on the bricks to be vaguely Runic Terran but they would not be able to read what it says.
- A Leaf shinobi would be familiar with samurais from the incident in Fire Country but would be able to recognize their armor as 'different.' Even if these samurais are associated with the Fire Country incident years ago, the regalia has changed drastically and you suspect that the armor might have some sort of augmenting properties.
- Please IC make your entrance post. Remember that you have 2 free travel event threads for this event. This will occupy one of your two. you do not need to lave your village to participate in this event, however if two is too few for you, then some actual travel is required.
- This time marks the receipt of your profile. It will be copied and given to your moderator as well as logged. Your moderator will be Umashi.
- Please send your actions to Umashi. Remember to link everything. You have until January 10th to do so.