Sayonara, Kumogakure! Konoha Inbound! [Request Exit]

[Tatsuo]

Travelling always harbored a certain amount of anxiety, going across the continent to another place would always be a mixture of worry and excitement. However it was obvious by Tatsuo's face he was eager to get home. To feel the warmth of Konoha kiss his skin, to see how his village was doing. It had been long since he heard anything from the Fire Country. He wondered what changed, but hoped most was the same.

The last time he made this trip he was all alone but this time he had more company than he could've ever imagined. Their travelling party included; Tatsuo, Saito, a Missing-Nin from Leaf, and someone the Raikage had sent to supervise. Tatsuo hadn't had enough time to say good bye to everyone, but sometimes it was easier that way. Goodbyes could be tough. He furrowed his brows and placed a hand over his head, it was early in the morning and the sun had just began to peek over the pass.

As always, Tatsuo had packed heavy. A pack nearly the size of Saito was on his back. It included literally anything you could imagine, Tatsuo usually did not over prepare, but there was something about travelling which spurred him to always come ready. Assuming Saito listened to Tatsuo's very strict advice regarding the matter, he would be sharing a similar pack size. Almost a comical level of gear but better to be safe than sorry.

First arrived Tatsuo at the exit side of the gates, he had informed all those travelling among them to be there at that time and he would be leaving as soon as they all showed and were let out. Tatsuo was his headband proudly and a large thick jacket over a white shirt that poked from underneath a pair of black pants added some contrast to his outfit. On his face was a smile as wide as the Dragon Tooth Path, itself. It would seem like there wasn't a thing in the world that could ruin his day.

Requesting: Saito, Baba, and an NPC chosen by Ayumu.
Exit will not be requested until after all of them respond.

 

[Keigo Oen]

OOC: Sorry for the small post about to go to sleep in a bit.

Trudging along, he felt as if he were chained and maimed.. but he wasnt to that extent. Baba would show up guarded by ANBU Guards that had his chakra completely sealed with his body wrapped in chains laced with more Chakra suppressing Seals. He wasnt about to go running off anyways, with his arms tied behind his back he would find that this would be the way of the world... and hopefully things would manage to get from here back home, maybe he would have a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of the goddess. Who knew at this point... he'd committed a crime and now he was facing his worst fear, being unable to do anything about his abilities... succumbing to his humanity and being chained down like a dog. Now all that remained was a guard to let them out? Who knew... but his soft blond hair would fall over his head covering his features as he didnt have the will to look anyone in the eyes.

 

[Kogami Ayumu]

Shuusei Touma​

As Tatsuo arrived, he would not notice Touma at the side of the gates conversing with the gate guards. Touma was not one to stand out... and that was intentional. He was wearing his usual garb, all black loose fitting clothing which was clearly more about function than fashion. As usual, despite not wearing his ANBU mask, most of his lower face remained covered by a black face mask and his forehead protector covered the rest save for his eyes. At his side, under his belt, his sheathed katana was readily available. By appearances, it would seem he had not taken a single thing with him for the journey. Yet, all of his gear was packed and on his person in the form of a summoning scroll neatly lodged into a belt pouch on his backside. Today, he and a couple of other ANBU had been tasked to escort a group to Konoha. It was a strange group of travelling companions to be sure. A student of Kumogakure, a Chuunin of Konoha, and a rogue shinobi accompanied by a few ANBU. Regardless, they were all headed to the same destination, so as a group they would go.

Touma was busy handling the documentation procedures needed for the group to be on their way. Meanwhile, a trio of ANBU guards arrived flanking the chained and sealed prisoner, Baba. For the moment, they each held a chain connected to the man to secure their hold on him if, for any reason, he attempted to escape while in such a state. Horses were being prepared for all of them as well as transport for the prisoner. They were accustomed to the harsh trip down the mountain out of Kumogakure. As they waited for the entire party to arrive, Baba would be seated on and secured to a cart led by a horse upon which one of the ANBU would ride. The other two would trail slightly behind and to the side. The rest of the group would trail even further behind on their own horses, a cautious distance away from the prisoner transport.

Touma was to ensure the delivery of the rogue to their ally and once there to deliver a message from the Raikage to the Hokage. The letter would verify the Raikage's approval of Tatsuo's request to have Saito train in Konoha for a year. Touma's presence would ensure that if Konoha declined, that Saito would have an escort back to Kumogakure. There had been discussion of simply sending a letter first, but Tatsuo had been very insistent of leaving immediately and Ayumu had acquiesced with this compromise. Touma would also explain the circumstances by which they had come into possession of the rogue the group was delivering to their gates. After he finished up the gate procedures, Touma approached the rogue whom was presently being secured to the cart he would be riding in.

"I understand you wished to go back to Konoha. As you have been told, that is where we are taking you. Do not resist and you will get what you want," he advised the man, though he could not tell if he was listening as his gaze remained cast downwards. 'What they do with you afterwards is up to them,' he thought to himself. For the time being, the man seemed to have no interest in doing any resisting. Having said his piece, Touma approached Tatsuo. "I will be leading the group accompanying you. I trust you know how to ride," he said, gesturing to the horses that had been brought out. Looking back towards the village, he surveyed the approach to the gates looking for the student whom would likely be arriving momentarily. Once all had arrived, there would be one final check in with a guard before their departure.

 

[Samsara Saito]

If anything, Saito had packed MORE gear than Tatsuo may have expected. The young boy keenly remembered how his family's survival when on the run depended heavily on a careful plan that included traveling with all of the essentials, and even a few non-essentials. Fortunately for Saito, he had been in Kumogakure for so little time that he hadn't actually unpacked anything from his initial journey to the Cloud. Procrastinating that little task ended up working quite well for the child, though in his extra effort to fulfill his sensei's instructions he may have taken the "prepare for anything" idea too far...

"I'm ready, Shinrin-sensei! Heyyyyy!!! Senseiiiiiii, I'm hereeeee!!" Saito called from a ways down the road when he caught sight of the gate, waving frantically at the leaf ninja. He ran as fast as he possibly could, given the huge, squarely comical tower of equipment on his back. As he awkwardly runs, the path behind him becomes littered with various bits of unnecessary equipment: pots, pans, toys, books, and other non-essentials fall to the wayside as he hurries, all unnoticed by the running boy whose happy smile plastered all over his face radiates undeniable joy.

Nearing Tatsuo and the others, the boy's clear excitement got the better of his normally careful nature as he trips over his own two feet. With a loud, surprised cry, his forward momentum propels him through the air, gear flying everywhere as he soars. The young student's flight ends as gracefully as it began -- with a crash landing, on his face, at Tatsuo's feet.

"Ouch..." the boy mumbles, rubbing his hurt nose and the bump rapidly forming on his forehead as he slowly picks himself up. Finally standing before the leaf ninja with a completely empty pack, he manages a near-perfect reflection of Tatsuo's cheeky grin as he rubs the back of his head with his hand.

"Hi, Shinrin-sensei! Are we ready to go?" he asks Tatsuo with a touch of awkward laughter, his smile still bright and excited despite the events of the last few minutes.

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

A heads up was sent to the gate guards as a prisoner was going to be escorted today, an individual named “Baba”. Or perhaps they said the a child was on board this journey and they need their Baba. Either or, Tsuyoshi Aiko’s Job was simple just like everyday.

Let people in and out the gate and be on guard even if he didn’t look like he was on guard. The gentle spirit headed from the tower and conversed with the shinobi leading the escort. As they conversed, the leaf shinobi had arrived and the chained prisoner. Observing the chakra seals on the prisoner along with all the backup, Aiko simply nodded. The leader of the escort had things under control.

Suddenly, a young Kumogakure lad was approaching rapidly with excitement. Performing a grand entrance with his face hitting the ground, Aiko raised a brow. Just as fast as the boy fell, he was back on his feet rubbing his head as a knot was forming.

Raising two fingers to his lips, Aiko whistled quite loud and have the hand signal to open the gates. Looking at the young boy, Aiko pointed to the mess he had made. ”Yeah. Get this taken cared of before you go.” Aiko said with a nod in a basic tone.

Topic Entered/Left
Exit Granted!!!

 

[Tatsuo]

Quite the party that had formed, Tatsuo was used to travelling with people but this was more of a crowd. When offered a horse by the Anbu he nodded, "Yes sir." he would say as he hopped onto the horse, looking around. It wasn't long before a smirk appeared on his face as he saw Saito run towards him. He was very happy to see his incredible amount of gear on his back. Preparing was important and if Saito learned anything from Tatsuo it was to pack heavy.

He broke into a friendly laughter as Saito's things were sent flying and rolling around in the pass. Getting off his horse he went to help him, "Well we would be ready to go if you had not spilled everything all over the place." he said with a chuckle and a cheeky grin as he picked up a few pots and pans. "Here.." he would say offering the pack, "You ready to go? We've been cleared already." he said pointing to the leaving Aiko. "We've got quite a few people travelling with us as well." As he grew closer to Saito he said "Be careful." hopefully quiet enough for only him to hear.

Turning to look at Baba and the large ANBU escort he honestly felt safe. Even if Baba was a powerful criminal, how much damage could he do with multiple ANBU ready to cull him at the slightest movement. "You know how to ride, kid?" he said to Saito as he walked over to a horse hopping onto it. Tatsuo had learned riding from Kaji, a useful skill to have. A ninja may move faster than a horse, but running from Kumogakure to Konoha definitely was not a trip made for human feet. "If not you can ride with me, horse is big enough and i'd rather not have you pulling one's ear and making him buck you off." he grinned before crossing his arms and preparing to go with the party in tow.

[Thread Left, will be making country travel thread soon]

 

[Keigo Oen]

Silently would follow nothing being said as nothing could be said at this time. Baba didnt want to speak until he saw the Goddess, maybe even someone else if she was still alive. Who knew in all honesty. Though as they would begin trudging along Baba would not drag his feet, lifting them up and back down as he continued on the journey... something small like this would help keep the trip from lagging behind because of him. So he found himself moving and pushing through the snowy landscape, but it didnt at all matter... this was to be a fate he foresaw. He'd forsaken his home, leaving and not doing anything that would help his cause. So this would definitively seem like they werent doing anything to do him any favors... he'd messed that idea up. With that nothing more could be elaborated upon... it was time to receive his punishment.

[Topic Left being held by ANBU]

 

[Kogami Ayumu]

The prisoner seemed in no mindset to cause any trouble, which was Touma's primary concern. Fortunately, the horse were already prepared for the group and the arrangements had already been made with the gate for their departure. The only thing they were still waiting for was... running full speed in their direction at that very moment. Touma watched as the young boy sprinted towards them, the ridiculous amount of luggage clearly messing with his balance. Inevitably, he was bound for the floor and found it in glorious fashion as he skidded to a halt in front of Tatsuo. Touma let out a low chuckle and shook his head, looking away.

'He really is just a kid. I hope he does alright in Konoha,' he thought to himself before looking to Aiko, the man in charge of the gates that morning. He nodded in Saito's direction and a moment to indicate that the last of their party had arrived. The prisoner had been loaded onto the transport and they were ready to go. A shrill whistle from Aiko signaled the guards to open the gates and the way forward was opened. Touma signaled to the ANBU in control of the transport and motioned for him to exit first and then motioned for the rest of the party to follow. The trip would be long but hopefully not too arduous or perilous.

[Topic Left; NPC Exiting Village]

 

[Samsara Saito]

"Yes, Guard-san!" Saito said to Aiko, his body snapping to rigid attention as his right hand offers the guardian a salute! Worried for a brief moment that he might have really screwed up, before Tatsuo's boisterous laughter and Touma's smothered chuckle put his mind at ease.

"Well we would be ready to go if you had not spilled everything all over the place," Tatsuo pointed out -- a statement which appeared true, Saito observed as he and Tatsuo worked on recovering and repacking his gear. The child checked out the rest of the traveling party. ANBU! Elite ninja in the direct service of the Kage, protecting the village from the shadows... WOW! He'd never seen one before but the masks were dead giveaways -- the sketches in that book he'd read that time were right on!

Some kid, closer to Saito's own age, bound up by sealed chains and guarded by the ANBU... whoaaa he's probably really powerful! But he doesn't look THAT much older than me... And another adult, looking quite skilled in appearance, perhaps managing the prisoner with the ANBU?

How did me and Tatsuo-sensei's trip get so complicated... and so weird?

Saito quickly regathered his gear, his speed and efficiency at recovering the individual pieces matched and even exceeded by Tatsuo's superior packing skills. "Here..." the leaf ninja said, offering the pack to Saito. With the leaf ninja's help, everything the young student wanted to bring fit neatly inside, with the bundle ending up roughly the size of Tatsuo's own. Saito flicked amazed eyes from the pack back to Tatsuo as the older boy said, "You ready to go? We've been cleared already." Pointing to the leaving Aiko, the leaf ninja continued. "We've got quite a few people travelling with us as well."

"Be careful," the leaf ninja surreptitiously murmured to the young student.

The boy returned Tatsuo's quiet warning with a barely perceptible nod of his head. No need to tell me THAT, sensei.

Having declared no experience with horses, Saito ended up riding with Tatsuo. Not long afterward, the party moved out, its long trek to Konoha officially begun!

[Topic Left -- exiting village!]