Concerns were circulating throughout the office and between officers. Reconsiderations were also proposed but denied on the basis that the division literally had no choice. They had to send someone to discover Gin and Seito was the only shinobi that fit the criteria. These growing concerns were not based off the notion that Seito was not a good shinobi but simply because he lacked experience. This would not only be his first time to venture the north but it would also be his first time doing an extended mission. Quite obviously, his parents were hesitant, yet everyone came to the realization that this was going to happen regardless of their good graces. It was time for the Hattori to buckle up anyways, he had spent too much of his time held up in an office analyzing and interpreting information. Not to say that this was not a good gig but it lacked depth and real world experience. And so there he was, standing alone at the gates of Kirigakure. His nerves tingled his spinal cord and yet, on his face portrayed a young confident shinobi. His mother hid from sight at a distance behind Seito and held her tears back; with each passing footstep, her heart stopped and the barricades preserving her dry cheeks rattled. His confidence was only a façade that could easily be seen through by those who knew him most; by those, who knew his deceptive personality, like his mother. His Hattori tanto strapped to his back and his little equipment around his waist. A polished, crisp headband concluded his pride for Kirigakure, a village that gave him life. And just like that…he vanished into the thick bed of mist. The tanto strapped onto his back provided a little bit of comfort but comfort was far from what he needed. His mother had felt something that many parents of shinobi have experienced. Have you ever watched your son walk out of your life and towards certain death?

…

Navigating through the thick mist of the Water Country was a daunting task, a task that was not meant for the weak hearted. Anxiety attacks were common in travelers due to their inability to project their path, to see their surroundings. Seito would easily admit that the route could be eerie but certainly is should not be a forbidden or prohibited effort. The young Hattori just like many others before him, had troubles maneuvering through the thick mist. Even as a native Kirigakure shinobi there were places that Seito had never been, which included a majority of the route he needed to take to travel to minor villages outlying the Water Country. Taking the highways would take way too long and bandits have plagued the routes. His feet splashed in each puddle in the marshy swamps. Mud littered his boots and the cool breeze brushed underneath his shirt. This journey would only begin. His hand crept into one of his pouches to feel a scroll that was given to him by his boss. ‘I wonder what is inside this.’ It was strange because Seito usually had clearance to be read on to these assignments, he usually knew what was going on but this time he was not allowed to read. Yet, they trusted him enough to not read the scroll and to deliver it in tact. ‘Gin.’ He thought as he wondered what it could be. She was a legend to many and even the former Kazekage, she clearly was an important shinobi. He was at least glad that he would be able to see what such power looked like. It was not too long before Seito found himself at the ports of Kirigakure. Being a Kirigakure shinobi, he had his trip paid for by the government and even had a decent seat. The trip would take a few hours, so there also were small portions of food served. Seito could certainly get used to this, unfortunately for him, the rest of the mission would not be so smooth.

While waiting on this ship, the young shinobi made his way to the bow of the ship. His eyes glanced over the glistening seas and the bright sun warmed the ship from the cold winds. It was strange; Seito had spent so much time covered in a thick layer of mist that he felt enlightened. His right hand was punched to his hip and his left arm dangled, as his eyes surveyed the sky full of clouds. It was truly a beautiful scene, a scene that was captured in Seito’s mental memory because he might not ever get a chance at this view. His mind went off on it’s own course and he was thinking about the possibilities of the reality he was living. The traveling ship cruised through the sea that separated the Water Country from the rest of the world. He had very little experience with the Lightning Country and wanted as much information that he could possibly obtain before arriving in the Village Hidden in the Clouds. He remembered the conversations he had with his co-workers. From what he remembered he was to expect different skin complexions, a lot of muscles that were trained through years of taijutsu. He also heard about the Raikage himself and the attitude of Kumogakure. The regime was healthy though and the two countries had no quarrels with each other. Perhaps, Seito was just naïve but he felt relatively safe going to Kumogakure or maybe because his journey truly has not begun.  

His belly was food from the appetizers served, simple finger food that Seito took full advantage of. He knew that from here on out, food was not always going to be readily available, and it would become a new expense. This trip will serve as a reality check for the young adult; soon he will have to be taking care of himself without the crunch of his parents. His body turned to see a sailor working the ship. His body language showed that he was about to say something to Seito but before he could, the Hattori eased his way closer to the ship and further away from the edge of the boat, an edge that did not have safety rails. “Sir, we are going to be entering choppy waters. We ask that everyone be inside.” He two seemingly nodded in unison, in agreement. The sailor turned his body and Seito followed him into the closet door. This door led Seito to the bar, a clean bar that held high standards. The bar had a few people scattered in their own areas. It became apparent that travelers did not speak to each other very often, or at least, not these ones.

Seito’s training in intelligence gathering kicked into gear as he realized this would be a perfect place to attempt to gain some insight of Gin’s location. One rumor for sure was Gin’s love for alcohol. After waking his way to the edge of the bar, where he could see the bartender and most of the patrons, the bartender walked up to him. "What can I get ya?" His eyes looked around to see what other people were drinking and his sudden realization that he did not know any drinks. He was a young shinobi who did not spend ANY time at all in a bar, no near alcohol. Everything he drank was always given to him; maybe, this was a apart of growing up. In an attempt to keep his cover, the boy stated with confidence, “I will take a Mizu Hizu.” The bartender’s eyebrow rose with confusion. “Did you mean a Mizu Gito?” A grin appeared on the Hattori as he nodded. “You know what they say, the sea will drive them crazy.” The two let out a light chuckle, Seito was just glad that the Kirigakure shinobi headband prevented people from asking too many questions. He took a sip of his drink that tasted good but then he realized that people only drink for the buzz.

Not before long, the bartender returned with the drink and dropped it down. Before the bartender was dismissed, Seito asked, “Hey, do you know where I could find Kuroka Gin?” The bartender’s let a light chuckle. “I can’t, but he can.” He said as his head nodded to an older man in the corner who was watching the two conversant. Seito’s fingered motioned for the bartender to bring a drink that the corner man would enjoy. Not before long, the young shinobi dropped ryo for the two drinks and a generous tip for the lead then proceeded to make his way towards the man in the corner. Without being able to say a word, the man spoke. “So, you are looking for Gin?” He said with a sly grin looking up towards the Hattori.

[Exit]
1473/1350

perception from E to D-0