[ Eastern continent | Wolf Country | Near the allied camps ]
[ Combined allied force | A collab between @GlitchyBugger , @Oetje , @Jason Targaryen and @Lesli | One of the teams that is send to investigate the surrounding. This team is send to do some investigation into the nearby town, to figure out some matters. While they learn that the inhabitants aren't hostile to them, some answers remain unanswered. ]
Though she wasn't entirely content with the current situation or fact that she was supposed to lead a band of allied operatives into the unknown urban centre, Saki's mood wasn't too foul. This mission required to gain intel about the locals, various important sites and other matters that could benefit the allied force. Which meant that wearing full armour and being armed to the teeth didn't bring much merit with it. For this operation, she would just resolve to some clothes that were comfortable to wear and could offer some protection against the cold.
Her only weapons would be four concealed knives, seeing it wasn't clear on how the locals would react to them. And seeing that she was aware that she was tasked to lead a small unit of Lightning operatives, Saki already didn't have high expectations that it would go entirely smooth. Or in any case, not that smooth that they could hide that they were foreigners.
After being certain that she had everything she needed, Saki would head towards the meeting point. It was near one of the slopes of the tall, flat hill where the allied camps were positioned, leading towards the city of their destination.
Niji was part of another reconnaissance mission, much different compared to the previous one seeing as they were investigating a nearby city and causing as little trouble as possible. There was a slight expectation on her part that there would still be some kind of confrontation if only because of the fact that people within the city wont be quick to trust outsiders, all things considered.
Prior to her arrival she double checked the bandaging around her leg, she no longer had to favour her steps due to the gash on her thigh but she needed to make sure it was still secure. She also sealed her sword within a seal in the inner sleeve of her clothing, opting to wear something that wasn't armour and was more weather appropriate, much like the leader of the mission had. Arriving at the meeting point she'd find just Saki Yamanaka at the moment.
"Niji Yakei, present and ready."
Mizuchi wasn't entirely certain what really set her up as being the best for a scouting mission. Sure, she could use sensory style techniques, but she was much more a fighter than anything else. Either way, she wasn't going to be one to argue with orders. The girl sealed her sword into a small scroll, that way she could recover it later should she need it for a fight. Opting to dress in some clothing that would help protect in cold, she wished she could have also brought her armor. Yet that much was simply impractical.
Moving quickly out towards the meeting the point, Mizuchi wondered what their mission was going to be like. Particularly how the foreigners were going to treat them, which she was expecting to be much less than stellar. She especially wanted to avoid going into some sort of ambush again like they had when Yumeji led them on that previous mission.
"Mizuchi Hojo, reporting in."
To prepare for today's operation didn't take long, not as per usual. Garbed without armour or armed to the teeth, Yumeji had a shoulder bag that had some rations. Her only armament was a small knife that she had sheathed in a scabbard, the holster being at her hip for a quick draw. There was some curiosity as the formed squad was going to be led by an Imperial. Instead of pondering on what could go wrong or all the possible problems with interacting with a perhaps murderous native population, Yumeji was wondering how much different they operated from the Imperial operatives and military. She half expected one of those Imperial Chonobi but when she arrived, she couldn't detect a patch of fur.
Then again, had Miu ever worn any kind of fur patch?
"Yumeji of the Hojo clan," she would begin to introduce herself, giving a small bow with her head towards Saki. Truth be told, she wasn't sure if Yamanaka was a sort of Imperial surname or even a clan name. But it wasn't yet the time or the place to ask such things.
Saki waited but didn't need to hold out long before the operatives of the Lightning army arrived. Subtly, the Yamanaka eyed each one of them. Luckily, it seemed that they all understood what kind of mission this was and didn't bring any heavy gear or visible weapons - such as swords, axes, maces, spears and whatever they likely used on more combat-active situations.
"I am Saki Yamanaka," she would begin once they all arrived and introduced themselves.
"As much as you have been briefed in, our goal is to gather intel. Preferably about strategic locations, resources and the like. I know some Rén, which can help us communicate with the locals. But before we go, I do want to go over the rules of conduct for this mission," the Yamanaka began, her tone polite but holding a modicum of seriousness in it.
"From earlier scouting operations, the locals aren't that keen on outsiders. To prevent that we are going to deal with a lot of angry locals that know the land better than us, we ought to be polite and preferably not involve ourselves too much with them. Any aggressive stance against the locals will be directly punished without questioning." She would slowly, almost lazily, move her gaze across the three Northerners.
"We won't bring up any military protocol. If anything, we want to blend in and don't catch too much attention. All that matters is that we get in, get the information and get out. Don't stray away, cause that will make you a liability. And I believe that neither our commanders will be willing to send forces to recover a wandering kunoichi into the area. Any questions?"
Before any of them could answer, Saki nodded.
"Good. Then we move out." With a resolute motion, the Yamanaka turned around on her heels and started to walk, heading towards the nearby settlement.
The walk would be taking some hours though, forcing the small group to trudge through the thick snow and passing the foliage that had shed their leaves. Despite the discomfort, there seemed to be a certain tranquility present in the area. The peaceful silence would, however, not last forever as the group started to close distance on the small city.
Arriving at the perimeter, the city lacked any man-made defenses. There was no fortifications as high, stout walls that could prevent hostiles from moving in. A few small towers were present but some symbols were adorning the top of the towers. Either implying that they could be used for lookout towers or were used for religious purposes. Such as what they did in some areas in the Wind country, Saki mused as she glanced at the structures.
The people that they could spot were dressed in garbs that gave away their status as commoners. The quality and colour of their garbs were in a way similar to what the small group was used back at home. Small differences were easy to spot but one could certainly have one of these people wander in a city like Kumogakure or Konohagakure, without falling out of tune with most people there.
"Hm," Saki came to a halt as she continued to lead the group further through the outskirts of the city.
"This is where it is getting tricky," she said, throwing a look over her shoulder.
"I believe it is best if we go to the local market. Perhaps try to figure out who is actually in charge of this place."
Listening to Saki, Yumeji would just nod to emphasise that she understood. There was nothing that really made her question or wonder about the operation. Chances were very slim that anybody could phrase it even simpler than this Yamanaka had done.
Following Saki towards the town, Yumeji did glance around. The architecture and people oddly didn't seem to be much different than what she was accustomed to. There were both clear and subtle differences but not enough to feel she was in a complete different world.
Hearing the suggestion of Saki, Yumeji nodded.
"Probably would be best," she said, considering something,
"though best if we do keep our guard up. In case of pickpockets." The Hojo stated, a ghost of a smile appearing on her lips.
Quietly Niji observed the outskirts of the city, making mental notes herself on what the group could see, briefly giving her own nod in response to the suggestions. She didn't have anything in particular to add herself, so she looked between the other members of the group and got herself ready to move.
Mizuchi wasn't typically the one who went out on scouting missions such as this, but remained quiet on the subject. Instead she quietly listened in to both her sister and Saki. She nodded in agreement with the other two, not having much to add herself as she simply got ready to move much like Niji was doing next to her. Though she first scanned the place before them, looking to see if there was any glaring detail that called out interest to her or a possible threat.
The hours slipped by slowly as the group continued in the settlement. There wasn't much that they could found at first glance other than what many likely already expected to find. Refugees from nearby areas that had decided to seek some form of shelter in the 'safety' of the city's confines. The sight of so many people being desperate, upset, wary and all cramped up in squalor was a pretty depressing sight to behold.
Yet as the small group pressed on, they would learn more about the city and how it was governed these days. A small council of low born nobles and merchants were deciding the city's fate. And while there had been attempts to manage the growing chaos, the city's council lacked the resources as trained folk to keep enough peace to organise everything properly. Resulting in what could only be described as a near collapse of the city's infrastructure and other bad impacts. Food wasn't cheap as it was becoming scarce and the winter cold was apparently already claiming the old, infirm and very young.
Serving as a translator, Saki was both confused and slightly worried. Not because of the reality that they were confronted with. She had seen similar matters before and frankly? She couldn't care about these people. To her, her socks were of more value. What had her worried and confused was the fact that the large force could have sweeped in and taken control. Why hadn't they? What was the purpose to drive people to one spot and let them be there?
Unable to conjure any reasoning, Saki did keep the thoughts to herself.
"I believe that there isn't much to learn. Unless any of you have a suggestion, I propose that we head back to the allied camps. And then report to our respective commanders."
Mizuchi was pretty well in agreement with the Yamanaka whenever she suggested that they head back to their allied camps. She was on edge as well, having similar worries to those of the Yamanaka in her mind. Though she worried this to be some sort of trap, perhaps to try to lure them in? She guessed it would serve well as one, bring in their forces to try to 'help' these people for appearances then cause an ambush. Though she was uncertain about if the enemy really thought that far ahead. Still, this and a few other ideas coursed through her mind as an uneasy feeling about the whole situation sat firmly in her gut.
Much aligned with the worries of Saki and Mizuchi, Yumeji had questions of her own. Though she was content that the locals didn't pose a direct threat, it wasn't entirely certain to her if they could be relied upon. The differences in language, habits and traditions alone already formed one obstacle. Perhaps it would lead to just more blood shedding?
"Might be for the best to head back and report our findings." Yumeji replied back, hoping that Kaya hadn't experienced any troubles on her assignment.
With a short nod, Niji seemed in agreement with the others and added a simple
"No immediate suggestions, only a few suspicions." in comment to what was likely a lingering thought amongst the group.
