Entering Country One Airship Ride Later...

[Shinrya Kitsune]

After a long and eventful journey, they had finally reached their destination: the Fire Country. The airship, which had been their home for the duration of the journey, was to be set down a short distance away from Konohagakure. This was a strategic decision, designed to avoid attracting unnecessary attention and to allow them a moment of respite before they embarked on the final leg of their journey.

The remainder of the journey to the gates of Konoha was to be completed in a vehicle that was as much a symbol of Kitsune's authority as it was a means of transportation: the Maibatsu Regalia. This was no ordinary car. It was a vehicle that Kitsune had designated for official business use, a testament to her status as the leader of Kumogakure and the Lightning Country.

The Maibatsu Regalia was, in many ways, an evolution of the Maibatsu Thunder, a model that Kitsune had built by hand in her workshop. The Thunder was a testament to her skills as an inventor, a machine that was as powerful as it was innovative. The Regalia, however, was a different beast altogether. It was the Thunder, but with a metric crapton of refinement. It was sleeker, faster, and more efficient, a symbol of Kitsune's growth as an inventor and a leader.

As they neared their destination, Kitsune spent most of her time preparing for the landing. She knew that she would have to meet her Leafian counterpart, a meeting that was as much about diplomacy as it was about strategy. She went over plans, rehearsed mini-speeches, and discussed potential scenarios with Rei. This was a crucial moment, one that could shape the future of their countries, and she was determined to be prepared.

Rei, her trusted second-in-command, was by her side throughout this process. They worked together, their minds in sync as they prepared for the challenges that awaited them. Despite the pressure, they found comfort in each other's company, their bond strengthening with every passing moment. As they neared the gates of Konoha, they were ready to face whatever awaited them, their resolve unshaken and their spirits high.

[Country entered; One-shot]

 

[Toraono Michino]

It had taken them a whole extra three days to make the trek by sky, but it had been well worth it. While normally shinobi of their caliber could make it from their gates to the gates of Konoha in a day, taking the long route had been exactly what Rei needed. Her body was still getting used to the change. She witnessed it every now and then while discussing plans with Kitsune or listening to any of her speeches. Occasionally the power stuffed down into her mortal shell would slip out, and alter things. Sometimes it was benign like changing the ink in a pen from black to red randomly…other times, not so much. More than a handful of times the power cracked out of her shell and straight disintegrated the documents she was holding onto at the time, forcing her to re-write them all over again.

It didn’t take the Sennin long to realize that it was due to the stress of their mission. Never mind the fact that the goal of their mission could mean reshaping their entire country for the foreseeable future, Rei tried to think of it as something far less stressful than combat; which worried her. If her power leaking out was so destructive already, would that mean actually using it would be impossible? Had she decided to use chakra to run to Konohagakure instead of flying via airship, would she been able to maintain her form? Would she had wrecked a path of destruction simply by existing? These were all pressing questions that made her realize that she needed something beyond the seal she had staked her life on. Looking at the strangely small feminine hands from time to time, a despair inside of her stomach began to grow as she realized that even if they could secure peace, unless she found a way to control her new power, she’d have to retire. There would be no use for a Sennin who was just as likely to destroy the village by accident as she was to save it.

Once the ship landed and documents were traded the crew worked on getting Kitsune’s car out and down to ground level; which was something of a feat. The Fire Country didn’t exactly have all the bells and whistles Lightning had, but they clearly made up for it in their own ways; it really was impressive to watch one guy carry the entire car down by himself. Once in the car Rei sighed a breath of relief to feel the conditioned air hit her face. It felt like a nice breeze in the mountains, probably enough to freeze most but was simply ‘home’ for her. Pulling the latch that laid her seat back, she adjusted her mirror shades and rested her eyes. The moment she did the Sennin got a “feel” for the area, gleaning information on the latent chakra hanging in the air to paint a picture. With her senses active she gave Kitsune a signal, and they began to head to their destination.

[Country Entered]