[Invasion] Steamy Tempers!

[Nick]

This is an open request to any mercenary outfits with pay upon completion of work at the gates of Amegakure. Several refugees have reported being accosted on their way into steam country, from Iwagakure, Konohagakure, and even some from the Crescent Coalition that chose not to take refuge in Gold Country. Most reported bandits either within Gold Country, or within Fire Country after leaving Aroma Country threatening to take their possessions or their lives. While the bandits in Gold are reportedly being taken care of by the Heart Empire, Fire Country is still unsafe. Either bring proof of quelling the bandit threat, or safely escorting caravans will be paid out, also accepting word of mouth from refugees offered assistance in other ways, especially those in need of food or medical care.

A-Rank

Signed: Takeshi Yamamoto, Amegakure

While Aroma Country itself is safe enough, bandits and other third parties are likely to take advantage of Fire Country being busy both defending and attacking in this new grand war to pillage the roads and villages along the way, making the journey for refugees and supply caravans alike incredibly difficult. Steam Country also is quite busy with the influx of refugees, and further assistance may be needed beyond the borders of Fire Country! Good luck!

[ThatGuy]

“Lift with yer legs! Anyone that ends up throwin’ out their backs before any fightin’ loses drinkin’ privileges for a week.”

Akio led a group of men in constructing temporary houses for the flood of refugees that were heading to Amegakure from Fire Country. While the crew was technically a mercenary outfit these days, the giant was always eager to find jobs that consisted of helping people. Technically, all they really needed to do was protect the caravan that set out the next day, but his men knew better than to sit around while people needed help. Dropping the two big bundles of lumber he was carrying in each arm, he called back out to the crew.

“Alright fellas, I want to see hammers in hands. Some of ya have done this before, so it’s yer job t’ teach those who haven’t.”

----

Immediately upon arriving at the border city, Tsubaki and Shirai set out to provide medical aid to the various refugees. It was a lot for just two people to manage, but these people could not be in better hands. Aside from the expected sick and starving people, there were a surprisingly large number of injured individuals. There was a growing bandit problem in Fire Country, and one name kept popping up: Saburo. Not only was he targeting caravans that were trying to provide supplies to the victims of these bandit attacks, but he and his men were also stopping refugees from fleeing. Those who were fortunate enough to escape barely did so with their lives, but the rest either died or were captured. With a sigh, Shirai finished treating a man whose leg had been broken in multiple places. They would be able to walk on it again once it was fully healed, but not without pain. Turning to Tsubaki, he vented his frustrations.

“This is honestly disgusting. It almost makes me ashamed that we used to be bandits.”

Akio’s crew had never really seemed like bandits to him. By the time Shirai joined, the group had almost entirely stopped robbing people. He knew they had a dark past, but Akio was never as evil as this Saburo guy. What they did in the past was for survival. This was different. There was not only greed in this man’s decisions but also malice. Shirai could only hope that he was taken down soon.

[Amy]

Tsubaki placed her hands on her hips and stretched backwards until she was looking up at the sky. Akio and the rest of the crew were in the main part of town helping to build houses since they weren’t setting off with the caravan until the next day. She and Shirai had been sent to the triage area of people waiting for medical care. The area had been overflowing when they arrived. Some people were dehydrated and starving and they were easily helped by the other villagers and refugees. But there were others that had small injuries like twisted ankles or dislocated shoulders. But even worse were the serious injuries. Broken bones, stab wounds, burns, you name it there was someone there with it.

Shirai had been working on the external injuries while she worked on people with internal ones. They were exhausted.

“I agree. I’m glad that the crew had changed by the time I met Akio. I don’t think I would have been able to stick around otherwise.”

With a heavy sigh, Tsubaki stood back up straight and looked around. They had been healing all day and still, more people showed up every few minutes. It was a never ending stream of people who needed help. Tsubaki was more than happy to help but she was growing tired and her chakra was starting to run out.

“Let’s go pick up some at the campsite and then come back here. We aren’t going to be good to anyone if we pass out from exhausting ourselves. You finish up here and I'll let Rin know that we’ll be back soon.”

Rin was the one who had been organizing things, the one who had almost cried with relief when she and Shirai had shown up to start helping people. “Hey, Rin. Shirai and I need a break. We’ll be back in thirty. If an emergency comes in, have someone come get us, we’ll be over at the caravan camp.”

“No problem, you deserve the rest. See you soon.”

Tsubaki quickly found Shirai again and they walked off together. “Seems crazy that this is happening. If this guy knows what’s good for him he’ll stay away when he sees this huge group with the Caravan.” Criminals were stupid though, something she had learned over and over again throughout her life. It was likely that they would attack, despite Akio's crew being there, and it would mean a fight. Which meant injury and possibly death. Things had been a little easier going lately since they officially stopped labeling themselves as bandits but old habits died hard and the men did still love to fight.

When she spotted Akio, a warm smile spread over her face and she lifted an arm in greeting. “How are things going over here?”

[ThatGuy]

Shirai leapt at Tsubaki’s suggestion to take a quick break. His stomach had started growling an hour ago, and he needed to eat something. There was still work to be done, but they’d been at it for a while, and she was right that they’d be no help if they passed out from exhaustion. It didn’t take him long to wrap up things, and before he knew it, he was already heading back to camp with Tsubaki. When she mentioned that Saburo should avoid the caravan if he knew what was good for him, Shirai shook his head.

“You’re right, but it’ll only make the caravan look more enticing. Any caravan with such a large group guarding it must be protecting something valuable. High risk, high reward.”

----

A large piece of lumber slipped out of a crew member’s hands and threatened to crush his foot. Akio noticed just in time to dash over and shoot a hand out to catch the wood before it did so. The giant gave the young man a smile. It was one of the new recruits. He’d been with the crew for less than a month and clearly didn’t realize how they did things.

“Sorry, sir!”

“Listen, kid. I noticed ya tryin’ to keep up with the others. These guys been fightin’ and doin’ physical labor for a while now. Don’t feel like ya need to prove yerself to ‘em. We’re in this together, so when ya feel yer hand slippin’, ask fer help. We won’t judge ya because one day down the line we’ll be the ones askin’ ya for help. That’s how things work in my crew. Got it?”

“Yes, sir!”

Akio rolled his eyes at the young man’s formality. He’d drop it eventually, but for now, the giant would have to endure it. Another crew member walked over and grabbed the piece of lumber in order to help the new recruit carry it. As the two walked off, Akio yelled out to them.

“And lift with yer legs! How many times do I gotta say it?”

Turning around, he noticed Tsubaki and Shirai heading his way. Returning the smile, he walked towards them.

“Terrible. Unless ya consider no one is a trained carpenter, in which case, we’re doin’ fantastic.” He let out a laugh. “How’s it goin’ on yer end? There’s a lot more injured refugees than I would have thought.”