𝑰𝑵𝑶𝑪𝑯𝑰 𝑵𝑶𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑨 :: Dauntless

12. SUNA

Inochi entered the village anticipating only a few people outside because of the harsh torrid climate, but instead came across a huge bustling crowd. After crossing the forest and the desert with zero presence of any human being, such a busy place shocked her as well as provided some comfort.

As she trod down the sandy streets she could hear the villagers speak in a different accent which she tried to incorporate in her speech. She stopped midway to look at the huge buildings which seemed to be made out of clay and sand but under the sunlight gleamed as if they were covered in gold. As she awed at their extravaganza with mouth agape, a man suddenly approached her and enquired,

- "Are you new here?"

-" Yes sir " Inochi bowed slightly to acknowledge the man, who didn't seem to bear any ill wishes.

-"The buildings are fascinating aren't they? They seem to be covered in gold"

-"Are they really!?" Inochi's eyes sparkled in curiosity.

-"One can say that. Our Kazekage can control gold sand so he covered many buildings with it to make them look more presentable"

-"Gold sand! It's my first time hearing about it"

- "The third Kazekage used Iron sand. It was even more sightful to see" The man took a look at the buildings as if to appreciate their beauty. "So do you need any help? You seem lost"

- "Oh yes, can you guide me to the Ho-" Inochi stopped herself. She was so awestruck from the scenery that she completely blanked out from the mission.

-"Ho?"

-"Home of the Kazekage? Maybe the Kazekage building? I don't know what it is supposed to be called" Inochi stopped herself from uttering 'Hokage' at the last moment.

-"Oh ok. I get it. Can you see that almost spherical building right there?" The man pointed at a direction opposite to the entrance, at the biggest building that seemed to be built at the heart of the village. Anyone could figure out, even without guidance, that it was the Kazekage mansion, but fortunately the man didn't doubt Inochi's intentions. "Just follow this path. Its a straight way. All the 8 main roads lead straight to that building. This one is the first main road that connects the entrance to the Kazekage building."

- "Oh is that so? Thank you so much sir" Inochi bowed to the man and then headed towards the building, thanking the Gods for letting her first encounter with the villagers to go this smoothly.

As she travelled down the street, she found a whole different world. Everyone was wearing rough clothes and head scarfs to protect them from the sand. Inochi was wearing such clothing too but soon realised that she was having trouble with breathing. The air was too dry and hot for someone from the leaf village which not only had a nice humid climate but was also surrounded by sufficient greenery.

Inochi reached the Kazekage office in no time as it was a one way route. She shyly entered the place, fit for someone visiting the office for the first time. Inochi didn't know if her facade was her real personality or not, but it didn't matter to her. Afterall, as long as she knew what she was doing, her personality, fake or not, hadn't yet created any trouble. She asked a few guards where to submit her application and was finally led to a room.

- "May I ask your name miss?" The woman in the office asked Inochi.

- "Nagisa Kumimono"

- "You must be very brave or very desperate to take this job miss Kumimono" The sand official remarked. She now beared a smirk on her previously unamused face.

- "Yes, I am in desperate need of the job" Inochi started with her already made up background." I am right now responsible majorly for the finances of my family as my father passed away suddenly from a rare disease" Inochi let out a tear. "My mother is already working hard while looking after my younger brother but her sole earnings was not enough to sustain our family. So when I heard about this job and how much it will be paying, I couldn't reject it"