[Hisakawa Yamato]

2 Clues Found

@all

It was thanks to Shizuha's help that the morning chores had gone by so smoothly, so it was only natural for a humble farmer to offer as much as he could in return. He smiled when she accepted his invitation to lunch, ushering her into the farmhouse where his wife was putting the final touches on their meal.

An impressive spread of food greeted the Yuki shinobi, from pork dumplings to fluffy steamed eggs to fried veggies, there was no shortage of options for Shizuha to choose from. Even with the already impressive amount of food, the farmer's wife entered the dining room with a few final dishes, gesturing eagerly for Shizuha to dig in.

"Please please, eat as much as you like, and don't be afraid to ask for seconds!"

There was probably no way that Shizuha would need a second helping with how much there was on the table, but it was clear that the offer was genuine. Either way, the trio would be free to eat at a leisurely pace, with both the farmer and his wife engaging in small talk if Shizuha seemed receptive to it.

Once the meal was done both of the farmers would begin the process of cleaning up, though with some forceful nudging from his wife, the man would leave to fulfil his end of his bargain with Shizuha. As he stepped back into the outdoors he paused, realizing that he didn't quite know the specifics of what Shizuha needed help with, and he sheepishly turned to the shinobi.

"Erm, so this.. clue of yours, any idea where we should start our search?"

Just as he finished his question, a flurry of barks would butt into their conversation, the farm dog from earlier making a rambunctious entrance. The furry little creature yapped incessantly at her owner, spinning in circles before bounding in a particular direction for a few meters before returning and repeating the motion.

"That's... unusual... she only acts this way when she's found a dangerous animal on the farmgrounds, but it hardly ever happens during the middle of the day..."

Even as he explained the dog's behavior, the farmer began following his canine companion, and it was probably in Shizuha's best interest to come along as well. If she decided to follow along, the dog would eventually lead them to the backside of the barn where there was a clearly out of place object. There was a mound of clearly disturbed soil, with the corner of some sort of box poking up through the dirt. This was no doubt somehow related to the clue that Shizuha was searching for, and if she dug it up the contents would reveal that she was one step closer to her goal. Inside was another note, similar to the one from her first clue, along with what looked to be well preserved dried meat.

To find your third and final clue travel to the center of the Hummingbird's Forest. Keep this gift of dried meat well protected until you need it most.

Unlike the previous hints, this note had no riddle, instead giving straightforward instructions to Shizuha's next destination as well as giving some insight as to the importance of holding onto the jerky.

Extra notes;

♥ Chou

[Yuki Shizuha]

Ice is as cold as your heart once you face the fury of me.

---

Once was an early day turned into a tiering process of feeding the animals. Although her body was aching and was pretty low on fuel to get her by the rest of the day it was only the kind gesture of the farmer and his wife to offer her lunch. It wasn’t unusual for the Yuki to share a lunch with people back at home, but she was thankful that even in another nation the people here still care for others that are complete strangers.

"Thank you for this meal.” She said before digging in.

It was a reward for her to have a meal like this compared to her catching it herself, but this only will be changed after the end of this day. "Thank you again for the meal and I really had a great time helping with you guys today.” And so, the next thing was to see if the farmer was able to help her with her task for the exams.

Once all sorted out and such, Shizuha would gather her belongings and started to follow the farmer as his dog was barking as something that seemed strange enough to say the lease. What his dog found was a box that was had the next hint as well as dried meat that she was supposed to keep safe for the next part. "Seems simple enough” she said while continuing to read the note. "Hummingbird’s Forest?” She question herself as she did remember seeing a forest just north of here while she was heading down here from the river. Maybe that was the next place for her to go.

With that should would wrap the dried meat in a cloth she brough with her and stuck it in her bag before saying her departure with the farmer and his wife. Heading north, she would be on her way to the forest.

[WC: 314]

---

Notes go here

🗡️

[Hisakawa Yamato]

2 Clues Found

@all

Fortunately for Shizuha, the distance between Kawauchi and the Hummingbird's Forest was relatively short, especially compared to the previous leg of her journey. In fact, it wouldn't be too long before she'd be able to spot the forest and then enter it if she so desired.

As she approached, she'd see that the forest didn't seem all that special, though there was a sort of strange serenity emanating from it. While it wouldn't be apparent at first, Shizuha would soon realize where the forest got its name, hummingbirds becoming a more common sight the deeper into the woods she went. It was clearly well maintained, a healthy amount of sunlight peeking through the upper foliage and plenty of smaller plantlife on the forest floor like flowers and shrubs.

If Shizuha remained alert as she travelled, she would soon realize that she wasn't the only soul traversing through these woods. Regardless of her speed, there was certainly someone trailing her a few dozen meters behind, doing their best to remain undetected, but there would be the telltale signs: the sound foliage being disturbed as well as the occasional glimpse of a face if she was quick enough.

Extra notes;

♥ Chou

[Yuki Shizuha]

Ice is as cold as your heart once you face the fury of me.

---

Traveling through the forest was quite the site for the Yuki girl. It wasn’t to often she’s able to see such a green forest considering that everything up where she’s from is frozen all year around. This whole exam was something new to her and for her it was quite amusing.

Although she was admiring the scenery of the forest she was capable of knowing someone was trailing her a few meters back. That being said though she didn’t react quite yet but kept going on to the center of the forest. But while doing so she did weave hand signs and pull out a kunai incase it turned out to be an attack.

Stopping around the middle of the forest like what the message stated and waited. Hearing noises like movement in the distance, Shizuha would stay calm and wait to see if what she’s looking for is around the area she’s at or if she’s going to have to look for it.

"Keep calm Shizuha. You’re doing fine.”

She whispered to herself trying to calm her nerves a little. It was only a matter of time she’ll know what she needs to do with the jerky that was given to her from the last clue. But for not she just waits and keep her aware up.

Hisakawa Yamato
WC: 218

---

Notes go here

🗡️

[Hisakawa Yamato]

3 Clues Found

@all

Whatever the presence was that was following Shizuha, it seemed to be content remaining hidden from her sight, continuing to trail as she traveled through the forest. She was wise to prepare for an attack, but in the end the other wouldn't act so long as the Yuki shinobi didn't strike first.

Moving to the center of the forest would eventually reveal a large clearing, a meadow, teeming with flittering creatures that were this forest's namesake. Hummingbirds of varying sizes and colors hovered from flower to flower as they went about their business, with one of them eventually coming right up to the genin from Yukigagkure. This hummingbird was just a bit bigger than the rest, completely green all over but in differing shades. It took a moment, but the hummingbird hovered directly in front of Shizuha's face, studying her briefly before he'd speak.

"Hello. You are... Yuki Shizuha, yes? Firstly, I would like to congratulate you on making it thus far, not many participants in this round have had your perseverance."

The bird spoke with a quiet politeness, pausing for a moment to let his words sink in before continuing.

"An appraisal of your performance: it seemed that you were a bit at a loss at the beginning of this challenge, but as time went on you became quite accustomed to it. You navigated the terrain of this land well, and aided those that requested it of you, for this I commend you. As a reward for your good work, I shall allow you to pick from one of three rewards, each guaranteed to assist you in the next round of the exams in some way."

Once again the bird paused to let Shizuha comprehend what he had said, waiting to see clarity in her expression before laying out the options.

"You may choose from a single chakra pill, a set of kunai and shuriken, or valuable information regarding the next itself."

Extra notes;

♥ Chou

[Yuki Shizuha]

Ice is as cold as your heart once you face the fury of me.

---

With the long day winding down and she finally arrives at the last location she notices the one hummingbird that was out of the ordinary. At first, she wasn’t paying much attention to it since it started to talk but then she finally figured it out. This was the end of the first round of the exams and she was being debrief of her journey. Unlike most of the other contestants, she felt like she had the disadvantage considering she’s never seen a full green environment. But that didn’t stop her from fighting on and figuring it out. There’s going to be times where she’ll be in a whole new place and needs to adapt to her surroundings quickly.

After the moment of silent she hears in on the bird once more as they explain her completing the first round that she was granted a reward. The choices were all good ones. But with that doe thought that the information given for the next round was more valuable than the other two options.

"I’ll like to have the information for the next round.”

She said it with a quiet and shy tone as she wasn’t sure how to address the bird but with that she would await for the next portion.

WC: 211

---

Notes go here

🗡️