Global Times Issue 1 [Year 500, Spring]

[kouri-chan_xx]

FIRE COUNTRY FORCES MASSACRE
HELPLESS FARMING VILLAGE IN STONE COUNTRY

by YAGAMI

Over 300 dead
Yesterday, forces claiming allegiance to the current leader of the Fire Country and Konohagakure swept into Takami, a small farming village in the Stone Country, leaving almost no survivors, local officials said. The killing was indiscriminate as even people who did not live in the village, those who had merely stopped in the village during their travels or who had travel to Takami to peddle their wares, were not spared. Eyewitnesses say that the army charged into the village and started looting, sacking and killing upon sight. The village was razed to the ground with only a few buildings left standing.
The effort to identify and record the deaths has begun. Due to Takami’s size and remoteness, it is estimated that it will be around a month before accurate statistics can be released.
Konohagakure’s military might has been proven inferior to Iwagakure’s defensive power. Is this attack another angle in the attempt to subjugate the Stone Country? Or just a spiteful army targeting a weak opponent? Regardless, this army and its murderous rampage must be stopped. Will Konohagakure stop at nothing in its attempt to assert dominance? And will an international force strong enough to combat the entire Fire Country arise?

Fire Country daimyo unrepentant
In an official statement released by his publicist shortly after the attack, the Fire Country daimyo, Yaguraoki, claimed that the annihilation of Takami was “absolutely vital to the defence of the Fire Country”. Further claims were made that “secret weapons were being concealed in Takami that were in danger of being used against the Fire Country”, and other countries across the world. The Fire Country daimyo made no further comments.
 

[kouri-chan_xx]

WORLD

Iron Country throne heir betrothed

by TEPPA

Minamoto Masato, son of the current shogun of the Iron Country and renowned samurai Minamoto Musashi, was betrothed yesterday. Details about the beautiful bride and prospective Empress of the nation have been tightly withheld. However, sources have confirmed that the woman is a geisha from an unidentified village. The ceremony was held in the inner chambers of the Royal Palace, and eyewitnesses state that it was a relatively muted event, attended by around 50 guests, including mayors of major cities in the Iron Country, honoured warriors and the royal family of the Lightning Country.


Investigation into Kirigakure yields surprising economic and political intrigue

by KAI

Framing. Mugging. Assassinations. That’s just the order of the day, claims our correspondent from the misty village in the Water Country, not only in the village, but also in the whole of the Water Country. Although outwardly unruffled, the isolationist country and village have changed dramatically inside. Our correspondent states that the Water Country is decaying from the inside, both physically and morally, with Kirigakure being the epicenter where the effects are amplified. A corrupt bureaucracy has siphoned large sums of money away from public spending for personal use, leading to a weakness in infrastructure and a poor internal economy. It’s claimed that the government has stolen something upwards of 5 million ryo from the people. Although the Water Country’s exports of fish and grain remain at normal levels, this is due to forced requisition from the people. Similarly, although the Water Country imports at a similar rate to before, the extra coin has been extracted from the people. Political crises have also continually rocked Kirigakure, with idealistic politicians being elevated into power every other week and then being assassinated not two or three weeks later.


Contaminated wine kills 60 in Wine Country

by SAKEI

Tragedy struck during the annual Spring Wine Tasting Festival as one of the wines, a light Yoshiya grape wine with an aromatic flavour and slight hints of berries, pear and rosewood, was discovered to have been contaminated during the brewing process. Its drinkers abruptly collapsed an hour after consumption, prompting the cancellation of the festival and a rapid investigation into the wines. "It's absolutely disgraceful," said one of the judges. "In all my 15 years at this festival, the wine had been perfect. I would never haver expected an event of this standard to go wrong. Fortunately, I was able to try the exquisite fugu blowfish wine before the incident struck. I would never have forgiven the Yoshiya brewery if they had deprived me of that opportunity." He then launched into a large monologue describing all aspects of the fugu blowfish wine very thoroughly. The Yoshiya brewery has since discovered the source of the contamination, and is offering a wine exchange service. They have been fined 100,000 ryo by the authorities and are additionally requested to pay compensation to the victims’ families. The Spring Wine Tasting Festival draws many wine enthusiasts, including celebrities and important figures from other countries and continents.

FEATURE

Suna Company reports record earnings

by FUUTO

Sunagakure in the past has had rough economic times. But recently we have come across a trade company who are bringing in the ryo like no tomorrow! Minami Kaze Shoosha, the South Wind Trading Company, were originally based in southern Wind Country, but bought a new establishment in Sunagakure seven years ago. Their Chief, Ishigama, was once a shinobi, and uses the Kokaze Horses of the West, said to travel faster than the speeds of a tornado can spin, to transport the goods from one place to another. How he got such magnificent beasts, he would not be quoted on, but he did say that the first time he met them, “I was in awe of these beasts.”
The day before we did the interview with the Chief of the company, we were told that the Kazekage had gone to the company himself to give a plaque of honours. It is now up in the front hall of their building in Sunagakure. The Chief of the company is pleased with the plaque – “More publicity means more business.” Sunagakure is now the shinobi village with the strongest economy, which hasn’t been the case for a long time.
We asked the Kazekage if the company would become a part of the support for the shinobi of Sunagakure. He declined to give specific details, but did say that the Chief would make sure the profits would naturally be spread throughout the village and even across Wind Country. He did say that the Academy would be given upgrades and resources in the upcoming years.
Chief Ishigama is holding a large carnival of entertainment next month which is expected to bring in many tourists and visitors. He gave us a tour of the establishment, which was magnificent. We learned that his main project has yet to get permission from the Kazekage, but he said it had something to do with the walls surrounding Suna. We finished up the interview with not much information, but he said we wouldn’t have to wait long to learn more.
 

[kouri-chan_xx]

CULTURE

Phoenix Country
RYOHOU- Global theater troupe WeAct’s latest offering, MacBeth, opened to a full house last night in the Village of Smiles in the Phoenix Country. WeAct will be touring the continent in order to spread a message of peace and unity in these troubled times.

Lightning Country
NARIMIYA- The Seidou Sushi-ya will reopen this Friday at dinnertime, 6pm. Previously closed for personal reasons, it was then sold to a new chef, who has been preparing for this day.

Bird Country
TORIO- Famous author Raiyaji visits the capital tomorrow on his next stop in his book tour. Central Library, 12-4pm.

Star Country
HOSHIGAWA- Catch the aurora borealis on Tuesday night. Special viewing platforms have been set up in all major cities for this event, which occurs only once every 50 years.

Serpent Country
HEBIZO- Cloud Ten are due to play in the capital on Tuesday as part of their Megatour spanning several countries. Ballasade Hall, Tuesday, 8pm.

FEATURE

Kikuchi Teahouse

by SATOU

When you try to locate this nondescript teahouse in the middle of the Tea Country countryside, you wouldn’t know where to start. Located in a traditional and typically countryside stone house, and with a blue tint to its roof, it looks like every other building in the country and is only identifiable by the small sign swinging by its entrance. But once you enter, parting the cloth screen and removing your shoes, the unmistakable of good, strong green tea hits you. You stagger, surprised, and your feet hit the strong yet supple bamboo floor, which immediately sags slightly, giving you space but also grounding you. You gratefully accept the waitresses’ help and sink into the soft chair, and take just a moment to settle into your surroundings and get used to the soothing smell of that strong, strong tea. That is what the Kikuchi Teahouse is like. A superb restaurant, rated highly by critics and the public alike, it has been nominated for the Gourmet Awards ten years in a row and has been awarded the Golden Gourmet Award for the past three years.
As you are served the best of the Kikuchi Teahouse, you feel this warmth inside. You feel joy as the liquid enters your mouth, sliding over your tongue, a burst of flavour suddenly erupting. The sensation invigorates you and makes you want more tea. Fortunately the staff make sure you do not go overboard, and you are taught to drink the tea in moderation. The meals are all made to suit the teas sold there. The waitresses are trained to suggest what meal would work well with what tea, so that you have an enjoyable dining experience at the Kikuchi Teahouse. Do stop by, it is worth it.
 

[kouri-chan_xx]

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. Amano on the birth of their beautiful baby boy!



Riddle:
I am always at the fore
Sticking out like a sore thumb.
When you were a child,
You always thought me dumb.
Made to stand above the crowd,
Strong and Proud and True,
But now only the first ones count,
Where symbols end, I begin anew.
I am the first you learn,
And the first that you perfect,
So the first you make,
And the last thing you detect.
What am I?

First person to send in the correct answer {PM kouri-chan_xx} wins an in-game prize!

edit: Solved by Qyp!!!