Naruto SoundITP IC 1: A Melancholy Song of Hope To Come

[Rater202]

"I spent a good chunk of the time between leaving my home town and coming to found running around in the woods. It is a miracle that I did not go feral."

"When you, at eight years of age, have wrestled a deer to the ground and broken its neck with your bare hands before dragging it back to the cave you were living in at the time band skinning it with a rock to make clothes, a comfortable futon and a heater seem luxurious in comparison. Status and wealth? My needs are met, anything beyond that is excessive. If I were to have such things, I would rather it be becuase of my accomplishments than because someone decided that my unique biology entitled me to it. Besides, with status comes obligation: You were, until recently, involved in an arranged marriage done without your input, were you not? Do you think everyone has to deal with that kind of toxic politicking?"

"...Though, I would not say no to a small group of admirers who worship the ground I walk on and live to cater to my whims. Who does not fantasize about being pampered every now and then?"

The night is relatively uneventful, as is the rest of the journey to the border. Along the way, Senko continues to practice mist generation.

It isn't long before you make it to the border, the towering statues of Madara Uchiha and Tobirama Senju flanking the Valley of the End being visible in the distance, and you are stopped at a checkpoint

Official looking signage says that you are about to cross into the Land of Fire, while an Ashigaru equipped in armor typical of the Land of Fire's non-ninja military forces stands before you.

"Halt, present your passports and state your reasons for entering the Land of the Fire."

A few meters behind him, at a checkpoint for people leaving the Land of Fire for the Land of Rice, a Rice Ashigaru is imitating the movements of the man confronting you in a mocking manner. The Fire Ashigaru does not seem to notice.

Menko steps forward and presents her passport, hoping it will hold to scrutiny. These five Ninja are my escorts, protecting me from bandits as I, Menko Honda, Shrine Maiden and Priestess-in-training of the Great Shrine of Inari in northern Rice Country make a pilgrimage to the Great Temple of Inari in southern Fire Country."