The mission felt complete as the trio recovered Ichi's body hidden within the Orochi Ruins. The moment he was found, Noburo took her leave back to Shimagakure where she informed Shinichi of the good news. While the news was given and the reply was being written, the trio stopped back at the farm of pig herders they had protected through the Valley of the End. Ichi's statue was not shown to the family, but kept hidden within the confines of the forest. The trio took turns keeping watch for the Rice army in case the main army decided to go searching for those that killed the small army guarding the Orochi Ruins.
With the consultation of Yuki and with his steady thoughts of security, Shinichi's letter of return would be an unexpected one. The trio would not return to Shimagakure, but search the solitary and peaceful countries for an area which would be ideal for a base. With both Shinichi and Yuki's written words of advice on a rather long scroll brought back by Noburo, the group will have traveled to the Grass Country near the Earth Country's border. With Yuki's knowledge of the Grass Country, she instructed the trio to first seek out Mugendai Valley, a peaceful area that could hold a livable cavern for the group.
With Shinichi's intricate plotting for deceit, the group was instructed to follow this cover up story:
Tradesmen Takeshi Jonu, his nephew the artist, Takeshi Kana, and his fiance the apothecary, Yamato Aya, have traveled to the Grass Country in hopes to start up a new life. Jonu has brought the rather young couple to this peaceful country to escape the bitter life they had in the Rice Country. Aya's small family had not approved of the love between she and the Takeshi boy, so being the romantic that he was, Jonu aided the couple in covering their footsteps and whisking them away to a more peaceful life. Jonu hopes to get the young couple started in Mugendai valley and then return home to sort out the confrontation that may begin between the two families.
In the letter, Shinichi explains that Shimagakure is not a safe place for the vulnerable Ichi to be. A war against the Meho's is soon to arrive, so he has laid the responsibility of creating a safe haven in the mainland on the trio. Yuki has not been to the Grass Country in many years, so the trio must first investigate Sundai Village to make sure the location is prime. If it is proven prime, then the trio should begin construction of a base away from Sundai and continue living under the guise that he has provided them until word is sent to them. Jonu should be prepared to return to Shimagakure to help prepare against the Meho's once construction begins.
The family at the pig farm gave a grand farewell to the trio by offering them a donkey for their travels. The donkey was old and near the end of his years, but it was the least the family could do for the trio that had kept them company for the bitter weeks of the end of the winter. The gratitude for all the fire wood they had chopped during their stay!
[Exit to Sundai Village]
Mission Completion: Retrieve Ichi
Rank: B
Experience Rewards: 40 Experience, 4 Ryo
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