Bar Fight ( C Rank Mission ):

First night in town…

That was cause enough for celebration. Celebration meant a trip to the nearest establishment that sold alcoholic beverages. Thus, before even finding a place to rest his head for the night Kino found himself at the counter of an Iwagakure bar. He’d lost track of time a while ago, so lost in conversation with the regular patrons of the bar. So much so that he’d barely started on his second drink and some time ago the slight buzz the first had provided had worn off.

“All I’m saying is that if Kumo and Kirigakure go to war, I mean open war, it’s inevitable that the other nations be pulled in.” His hair was greyed with age. His right eye squinted tight, perhaps lost in a fight long ago. He’d introduced himself as Gon to the others. He too was a stranger from elsewhere, though from where he’d not yet revealed. “This is the way of things, the way things always are.” Gon took a long sip from his cup. “Ye-ap, alliances will see to that.”

“You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, old man.” Another voice chimed in from somewhere beyond the bar. “Iwagakure isn’t getting involved in any wars. Whatever the Bloody Mist and those damned cloud people wanna do is their business, and theirs alone.” He added through drunken slurring.

“Ah, shut yer trap Masato. It’s you don’t know what yer talking about. Old timers got a point. The villages got alliances that’s gonna pull the whole world into their war.” Another drunkard from the bar where the now silent Gon and Kino sat.

“I’m tellin’ you, Ren, Iwa ain’t gettin’ involved in them fools war,” Masato spat back. “It just aint gonna happen.”

“He’s right, ain’t no way Iwa gets involved in some foreign war.” Another voice, belonging to the man that sat with Masato, chimed in.

“Damn, right I’m right, Tatsu.”

Let the argument begin...

...and the night goes on.

“Shut your god damned mouth!” Masato shouted. At some point the political argument had devolved into a shouting match between the three men. No one in the bar seemed to bat an eye, however. This was common place. Inevitable really. The combination of alcohol and those that had consumed it in great quantity typically lead to these sorts of things.

“I’ve just about had it with yer shit, Masato.” Ren spat back.

“What is your punk ass gonna do about it, Ren? Not a god damned thing, that’s what.” Masato yelled back as he slammed his cup down on the table, startling his companion Tatsu. “Tell ‘em Tatsu.” It had become apparent throughout the course of the argument that Tatsu had very little in the way of opinions of his own. He’d spent the majority of the night agree with or simply downright repeating whatever fell from Masato’s lips.

“Not a damn thing, Masato. He knows it. Whole damn bar knows it. Ren ain’t nothin’ but a bunch of hot wind.” Tatsu agreed with a vehement nod.

“I bet you twenty ryo they fight tonight.” Gon had leaned toward Kino and whispered at him. He had insider information, of course. He’d been in this bar every night for the better part of two months. The arguments between Masato and Ren were so common that they’d become predictable. He’d watched them and was sure that tonight would be the night that Ren made good on his constant threats of violence.

“Bet.” Kino said, unawares that he was surely about to lose twenty ryo to his new acquaintance.

Put up, or shut up…

“Thaaank you, sir, thank you.” Gon chimed as he counted out his freshly acquired 20 ryo and stuffed it into his pocket with a wide grin.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Kino replied with a sigh. The loss was ironically heavy on him. He’d have to make up for this loss somehow. Hopefully, he’d be doing just that soon enough. For now, however, he was content to simply continue sipping from his drink.


Just a few seconds ago Ren had shouted to the world that he was done with Masato and Tatsu’s bullshit and he was going to do something about it tonight. Thusly, Ren had removed himself from the bar and was already starting toward the pair. Other drunkards loudly urged him onward, happy to finally see him making good on his threats. Masato on the other hand still didn’t believe the man would do anything and remained in his seat a wide pompous grin plastered across his face. Despite Masato’s confidence, Tatsu seemed to tense up. He actually knew Ren a bit better than Masato and knew that if the man had come this far he wouldn’t risk being embarrassed by not acting once he’d arrived at his destination. There was going to be a fight for sure and the fact that Ren didn’t seem bothered by the idea that he might have to take the two of them on made Tatsu a tad bit nervous.


“Another 20 ryo says Ren there wins.” Gon nudged Kino in his side with his elbow. His wide grin told that he’d sized up the man and decided that it was a sure bet or perhaps had even seen Ren in action at some point. How was Kino to know?


Kino paused for a moment. His eyes darted between Ren, Masato and Tatsu and then back to Gon he seemed still overly confident. Little did the older wanderer know; Kino too had a bit of inside information. He’d not be sharing that bit with the man, however. Instead he’d go ahead and take the opportunity to make his spending money back and in doing so get himself another drink once all was said and done. “No way he beats both of them. Double or nothing.” He answered finally.

“You’re on.” Gon replied thinking he was soon to be a full 60 ryo richer in just one night.