[Uzumaki Ichigoni]

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くたばれ
It was a smaller wooden ship with a below deck full of cargo. The top side featured a single unfurled sail with Mizu no Kuni’s crest brandished on it. It wasn’t the large warship that Ichigoni used as a flagship, and only a handful of shinobi walked the deck assisting a crew of merchants in their tasks.

The Uzumaki stood near the bow. His usual jacket was accompanied by a fuzzy brown undercoat. His scarf, which was often ornamental, was tightly woven around his nose and face to try to mute the northern cold. Wind tossed his wine hair as he watched the ship pulling into the busy port of Shouninnomura, Yuki no Kuni’s capital.

The port had many spaces for docking, and he could see one of the nearing ships being worked by thick coated figures loading fish from nets into barrels. Others approached to take the cargo, forming a small line that headed into the market. Aside from it, he could hear the distant and strange drone of a train’s whistle and a smoke cloud in the distance.

Ichigoni had escorted the ship with one of his own until arriving near the bay, where he then boarded the merchant vessel to personally accompany them through to the capitol. Beyond seeing the escort completed, he was to attend a brief meeting with some representatives of Yukigakure as a formality of their alliance. To his knowledge there was little to discuss, but the formality was to be maintained regardless.

As they began docking, he watched the port nearby looking for signs of an approaching party or person who was undoubtedly expecting to entertain his company. The place that they anchored too was a trade lane, with the planks of dark wood layered long enough for up to five people to travel across it side by side. It hooked around in an "L” shape with the ship falling on the smaller tail. As soon as they were anchored the merchants and shinobi began moving into the lower deck and some could be seen coming up already with large crates and barrels that would soon be hauled away.

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Yuki Hakurei

[Yuki Hakurei]

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[attr="class","yellsubarrow"] [attr="class","yellsubright"] [attr="class","yellsubtop"] [attr="class","yellsubtop2"] Formalities, [attr="class","yellsubtop4"] for Uzumaki Ichigoni [attr="class","yellsubtop3"][break][break] A white-haired man man stood on the wharf staring out at the foreign ship as it docked. He was noticeably less bundled than the majority of those around him and seemed totally at ease in the frigid environs. [break][break] Hakurei’s pale blue eyes scanned the deck in search of an officer and rapidly connected with the man in charge on the other side. A toothy grin lit up his features causing little creases to form at the corners of his eyes. He nodded to the red haired man before deftly making his way down onto the dock. The sludge at the edge of the land seemed to re-solidify under his feet as he strode with unnatural grace to the gangplank at which point he offered a polite bow. [break][break] "Welcome to Yuki no Kuni.” Hakurei projected from the dock. He would wait for the other man to either disembark or invite him aboard before closing the distance between them. "Our Lady Shuka sends her best and hopes your travel was… uneventful?” His eyes darted across the ship looking for any signs of struggle or damage and thankfully found nothing of the sort. "I’m Yuki Hakurei and I’ll be your contact here in Shouninnomura.”

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[Uzumaki Ichigoni]

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くたばれ
Ichigoni returned a bow to the white haired shinobi. Hakurei’s presence seemed to come with a slight drop in the temperature. Despite the bitter cold stinging his skin, only the goosebumps on his skin betrayed his professional posture.

"I am Ichigoni of Kirigakure,” he said in introduction. His surname was purposely withheld, as to avoid any confusion about his allegiances. Though he had an Uzumaki heritage, he was estranged from the clan. "Thank you for your hospitality. My flagship will be stopping at Shisenno to the west for maintenance, where the trade vessel will be going soon after. They should be ready to pick me up in a few days.”

Ichigoni would be taking a train to maximize his time in Shouninnomura. On his person he had several scrolls to deliver to the commerce office in the city, near the black walls of the palace. Nothing especially dramatic, just details of logistics plans for the next season's trade agreements.

"Perhaps you could show me around? I have a few tasks to complete but a lot of free time.”

Behind them was the city's famed merchant district. Unlike the outdoor stalls one could often find in warmer climes, the streets here had somewhat larger buildings meant for customers to come inside to get out of the elements. Restaurants lined the strip near their dock, hoping to attract the attention of travelers coming to the capital by sea.

🗡️

[Yuki Hakurei]

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[attr="class","yellsubarrow"] [attr="class","yellsubright"] [attr="class","yellsubtop"] [attr="class","yellsubtop2"] Formalities, [attr="class","yellsubtop4"][break] for Uzumaki Ichigoni [attr="class","yellsubtop3"][break][break] "It’s great to meet you, Ichigoni.” Hakurei grinned but couldn’t fully disguise his disappointment. "It’s a shame that your flagship won’t be passing by. I’d have loved to see it. I’m no expert on ships but I am an… enthusiast.” Hakurei had helped build several cargo ships and loved sailing mostly on fishing skiffs and merchant ships. He’d never been on a boat with defensive capabilities like cannons or ballistas but he had developed a romanticized view of such things. He often fantasized about battling pirates on the high seas. [break][break] He didn’t linger on this for too long though. The subject had been broached, giving the Captain an opportunity to brag about his ship if he liked. However, it would be understandable if Ichigoni were weary from travel and likely cold. Hakurei always had to remind himself about the cold. "I’d be honored to highlight a few places that might be of interest to you. We’ve arranged lodgings for you. We can head there first so you can get comfortable… Unless, you’re hungry. I know a few really great restaurants around here.”[break][break] All of these potential destinations had been thoroughly inspected earlier in the day and there were quite a few incognito GOKA lurking throughout the city to ensure their visitor’s safety.

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[Uzumaki Ichigoni]

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くたばれ
Ichigoni thought about the rest of the day. He’d been at sea for a few weeks, and although he was a hardened sailor, restlessness and boredom set in on these routine trade escorts. Being on land and in a country he’d never set foot in before, he felt a sense of excitement that often came from his forrays into land. Doubly so because he was separated from his subordinates and didn’t have to worry about the burdens of command for the moment.

"I sort of promised a few friends that we’d try some local food and shop for souvenirs,” he said, holding his hand behind his head and chuckling. "I think it might be a bit too cold for them though. Is there any chance that there might be a clothing store nearby?”

His friends happened to be a few of the toads that he had a contract with. He often summoned them in his cabin to have conversations while at sea with someone outside of his command. When Gamatatsu heard about the port call coming up, he invited himself and then told Gamakichi about it. They’d never forgive him if he didn’t summon them.

Warmer clothing would be a good purchase for himself as well. He’d underestimated the weather.

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