When the comforts of civilization begin to dull our senses, we must never forget that in the beginning, there was war. And war. And more war. Long before there were empires, there were humans consumed with greed and the hunger for power. Resources, territories, information—these were the forms of sustenance upon which we preyed. Today, we call such habits vices. Oh, how arrogant we have become! Are we not still impelled by those primordial emotions? Is the advent of war so far-fetched? But alas, for you to truly understand, we must dive deeper into this land’s half-forgotten past.
There was a time when might was the only law that humankind knew. Fearsome clans roamed throughout the land, seeking amenable grounds within which they could take root and opposing forces against whom they could test their mettle. Given the irregularity of nature’s bounty, certain regions appealed more than others, and dominion over such coveted territories became the spark that ignited the earliest inter-clan wars. These fierce, internecine affairs tended to conclude only when one side had decimated their competition into oblivion, and many clans of story were rendered extinct during this period.
The victors of war, having claimed their territories, often made truces with surrounding locals, offering protection in exchange for access to the yields of agriculture. Over time, certain communities emerged as more dominant than others, either due to numbers or sheer talent, and their rapid expansion would force smaller, neighboring communities to either collapse into their fold or be devastated. When the dust settled, humankind found itself divided into the five major territories that we are familiar with today. And was the bloodshed over? With our lands obtained and our bellies filled, were we finally content?
06/01/2023 June is for Juggin
We made it y’all, another month of OTA, and fresh off the press we have another promotion ready. Leaving behind the opening bonus sadly, we welcome the jugggggg! June is for juggin AKA working hard, so we are making it a double rewards month for every mission completed! Yes we said it's double rewards, now you all can really get into the thick of those builds if you work hard enough. And who knows what you might uncover in the process. AND all jobs are free to enroll no quest EXCEPT ANBU(Black Ops) roles.
Name: Fish of the Day Rank: C Repeatable: Yes Description: Furōrarukōsuto has always been famed for its vibrant shoreline, and all of the industries that come along with it. With its waters being full to the brim with vibrant aquatic life, it's no wonder that the region is known for its delicious seafood. As a result, many restaurants within Konohagakure favour such local delicacies above those imported from other nations. The markets of Furōrarukōsuto open at the early hour of 4:00AM in order to sell their catch in time for restaurants to prepare it for their customers on the same day. You've been enlisted by one of these restaurants to travel to Furōrarukōsuto and collect their requested order, be it fish, crab, or any other product of the sea, and to return back to the village before they lose their freshness! Objective: Travel to Furōrarukōsuto and pick up the restaurant's order from the market, returning it safely back to Konohagakure! Reward: 200 EXP and 25,000 Ryo
If there was one thing that Yuurei appreciated, it was the opportunity to complete a mission during unsociable hours when most were still sleeping in their beds. Compared to some he'd completed which required him to be out and about, mingling with Konohagakure's 'finest', he much preferred the solitude that lone missions such as these brought. Though at the moment he was performing on minimal sleep, he'd managed to gather enough energy to push himself out of bed and in to the inky black night. Having prepared himself a simple breakfast of rice and fish before heading out the door, his garb, though respectful, wasn't quite as polished as it would usually be day-to-day. But, who cared? The only people like to see him would be the fishermen themselves, and in what world could they be considered fashion gurus?
Nimble feet weaved through the at times unevan pathways of Konohagakure, leading towards the village gates where he would make his exit. With the exchange of a few brief words, before he knew it he was outside of the village walls, and he could feel a weight lifted. With his newly-found weightlessness, Yuurei strode onwards confidently through the surrounding forestry. Finding his feet, his stride soon became a run, and the run became a flash of inky-black to any onlookers as he traversed the sea of green around him, his cloak blending in against the shadows of the trees and bushes he passed. Being from Nara descent, he'd always found solace within these dark spaces - the glitz and glow of the village wasn't all for him.
With each passing step, he could feel a slight breeze passing by his face the closer he came to the coast. With such a dense collection of foliage, it was no wonder that the forestry of Hi no Kuni felt somewhat tropical at times. At some point, great plains spread far and wide, but others were far more claustrophobic. It wasn't often that he came to Furōrarukōsuto, with very few useful herbs growing in the region, and why else would he go there? Though he could swim and had no fear of water, sandy beaches had never called to him like they did others - though the great expanse of sea beyond it did well to remind himself that there was more to life than just Konohagakure, and wasn't that a sweet thing indeed.
Edging closer and closer to Furōrarukōsuto, the breeze continued to pick up and tickle the visible skin that he showed. What had previously been air tinged with the familiar leafy smell that he'd always been familiar with slowly became replaced by that of salt. Konohagakure did have a generous amount of rivers running through it, but the smell that came from them didn't compare with that of the sea. He couldn't place his finger on it but it was just different. Truth be told, he was unsure what caused such a scent - was it the foliage found deep within the its waters, or the fish themselves? Considering such things helped make the time go faster as he made his way over to Furōrarukōsuto, his own internal monologue serving entertainment enough. And after all, he'd much prefer his own company on a mission such as this, as opposed to have to run the errand with another one of Konohagakure's shinobi.
And suddenly - the forestry broke, giving way becoming far more sparse than it had previously. That savoury smell filled his lungs and he breathed it in deep, relishing what little escape it gave him. He felt transported to somewhere all-together different, and attempted to forget the fact that he would soon be returning back to the village once the order was picked up from one of Furōrarukōsuto's many fish merchants. Squinting his eyes a little, through the trees he could make out the faint shape of buildings up ahead, with one or two dimly lit by what seemed like a very basic light. Though not enough to project a clear path to any weary traveller, it screamed civilization, and it wasn't that he had travelled here previously, he would have been very grateful for the sign. Continuing onwards, he soon came close to these buildings - they were nice, but not Furōrarukōsuto nice. The village, though smaller than Konohagakure, was that steeped in luxury, and it was clear that Yuurei had only met the outskirts at this point.
Progress, at least.
Just like Konohagakure, the cobbled streets of the outlying community was quiet, with very few homes demonstrating having occupants that were awake. With such a bustling economy, he didn't doubt that it wouldn't be long until much of this place would be far more active, and so like a ghost in the night he continued through, the path leading him onwards becoming steadily more intentional and refined. Cobbles soon became a smooth stone and it wasn't long until he found himself within the silent streets of Furōrarukōsuto, bare except the odd person travelling silently just as he was. Some were empty handed, and others holding what looked like heavy caskets of what was very likely to be fish. The same salty sea air which he'd previously caught scent of at this point was overpowering, and he didn't need his eyes to confirm that he had now stumbled upon their market district.
It didn't matter what he'd heard - that it was the freshest fish that smelled the least. He was sure that much of the products on display here within the market had only been caught hours ago, but that putrid scent hung in the air like an unwelcome cloud. Of course - he had had fish for breakfast, but that was different. Packaged and ready-to-go from the store, a single salmon fillet, prepped and ready to cook had a very different aroma to it than an entire street full of sweaty fishermen and their barely-deceased catch. It was moments like this that he wished he'd fitted on his respirator in order to avoid the stench, but it was too late, and honestly, he hoped that he could retrieve the goods and leave as soon as he could. White crates lined the streets with their respective owners, and he could see a range of people surveying their contents, scrutinising each scale that they could see.
Taking a piece of folder up paper from his trouser pocket, he pulls it open and reads the contents: 'Furushima Fish Co - Order #023, look for the stall with the bright yellow and pink banner' he reads, returning it to his pocket after reviewing it. Looking around, he could see several stalls donning different banners - likely denoting the family the fish was caught by - and took note of each. The note, though helpful in pointing out exactly what vendor he needed to go to, didn't give much insight in to where the stall was, and Yuurei spent the next 15 minutes travelling the expanse of the strip, looking carefully at each stall as he attempted to find the one referenced in the client's note. Many of the banners chose more muted shades, reflecting the moody colours of the sea - with this one being pink and yellow, surely it wouldn't be too hard to find?
His eyes, darting around the stalls around him soon caught sight of the colours he was looking for. A pale pink banner, with a large yellow dot in the middle. Within that yellow dot there was what looked like a fish - Tuna, perhaps? Approaching the stall, he was glad to see that it was empty except for the young female sat at the front, guarding the wares held within the white tubs. That same fishy scent came ever stronger as he approached, and if he wasn't working on the instructions of a client, Yuurei would have raised his hand to his nose to protect his senses. However, as rash as he could be, he was able to be professional at the right moment, and he wouldn't have wanted to be turned away for the order on account of his attitude. He'd travelled too far for that.
"Excuse me" he begins, addressing the woman before him "I'm here to collect order number 23 for Sakura Cafe. A mixture of cod, tuna and scallops, I believe.." he trails off, handing the woman the order sheet that he'd been given. She, somewhat haggard and clearly sea-worn, soundlessly took the sheet from his hand and peered down at it with her dark eyes, teeth chewing brutally on what appeared to be a toothpick in the corner of her mouth. Placing it down, she turned away from Yuurei and moved further back within the maze of white tubs that surrounded her as she clearly attempted to find the order in question. Seeing her at this angle showcased her wide shoulders, and Yuurei questioned whether they were genetic or grown through years of working at the docks - these Furōrarukōsuto women sure were built different.
And so she roamed, for a moment or so, before freezing in place and looking down at the icy tub before her. Her hand dove in and she retrieved quite a heavy-looking bag, pulling it by the handle. It seemed insulated - one of those cool bags that ensured the contents would stay cold for the journey ahead. 'Here y'go' she would mutter, handing it unceremoniously to the Nara. With the payment having already been settled between the cafe and the vendor, there was no need for any exchange of cash, and Yuurei could now begin his journey back home to Konohagakure, though not without peering soundlessly in to one of the many ice-filled tubs around him. Having caught the eye of a certainly dead fish, there was something quite poetic about it. How old had it been? Did it have a family? Could fish comprehend the concept of family? At the end of the day, weren't they all just fish swimming in one large sea?
Disallowing his mind from straying much further, he thanked the woman before him and turned on his heel to leave the market. Looking above him, he'd notice the sky had since turned slightly brighter shade of gray, with such gray hues blending in to a faded yellow further in the distance to signify the sun beginning to rise. Unless he wanted the fish to spoil on the journey back to Konohagakure, he'd better get a move on - the smell was bad enough as it was, let alone after an hour heating up in the morning sun.
Following the same track he'd taken on his way in to Furōrarukōsuto, Yuurei noted how active the streets had become on his way back. People of all ages (though generally from teens upwards - even out here it seemed as if child labour was frowned upon) began to line the streets, each making a start to their day. Many moved on back towards the market that he had come from, especially older women who he presumed were purchasing fish ready to serve their families for the day. Though he wasn't a fan of the smell that emanated from the harbour market, he couldn't knock the fact that the produce was likely delicious. He'd eaten here, several years ago, with his mother and father, and he could only barely now remember the taste of the salty cod on his tongue. Much of those days were starting to fade away from his memory, and he was grateful at least that the salty sea air brought them back to the surface, if not only temporarily.
Passing the small outlying village and heading back in to the depth of the forestry of Hi no Kuni, here's where his internal compass was tested. Fortunately for him, being a native shinobi of Konohagakure his own dial seemed perpetually set to the place, as if he was some kind of homing pidgeon. Trees, unfamiliar to those foreign to the area were signposts to him that helped guide him back to the confines of the village. Even the change in the earth's texture gave sign to him of where he was within the country. With memories of days long gone running through his mind, he became stuck on autopilot, his legs running but barely recognizing the path he was on, and a true demonstration of just how familiar he was with both leaving and returning to the village. Time passed and before he knew it, here he was, passing through the village gates once more, holding the bag of fish up to the guards at the gate as if it were some kind of strange prize.
Fortunately for him, Sakura Cafe wasn't all that far from the opening to the village, and he could see the soft pink light of the entranceway calling him forwards. An equally soft light from within the cafe suggested that the owner had since arrived, and with a heavy knock, Yuurei made his presence known. A brief conversation - an exchange of goods and ryo, and he was done. Raising his hands to his nose and smelling his digits, he sighed happily knowing that the smell of fish hadn't transferred on to them at least. But - just to be sure, he'd take a long shower upon returning back to his home, just in case. As much as he didn't like the company of others, smelling bad wasn't something that he could tolerate, even if it was on this occasion a sign of a job well done.