[Hunting Fukusha Mukei -Info Thread - Traveling - 2] The Long Journey to Heart Empire - Finished

[AFungalNetwork]

The sun had barely set behind the mountains when Tetsuo stepped onto the rugged path leading out of the small outer village of Iwagakure. The confrontation with the Jonin had left a bitter taste in his mouth and now he had been forced to leave earlier than planned, but the mission was still the same.

Mukei was somewhere out there, and the Fukusha Clan's orders echoed in his mind. He needed to find him, and quickly.

The road ahead was long, winding through rough, hilly terrain. Tetsuo moved quickly but cautiously, checking for ambushes as he moved. The Jonin were skilled, and though he had dealt with them, they wouldn’t let this go easily. They’d be looking for him.

His muscles ached from travel, he had only slept for 4 hours before he was disturbed. But there was no time to stop, to rest. With every step, the village disappeared into the distance, swallowed by the mountains.

By morning, the harsh terrain had started to change. The once dense forests of Rock Country opened up into a sprawling wilderness, where only the occasional tree provided a break from the endless expanse of rocky hills and deep ravines. The land felt silent, and the air was dry. Tetsuo’s boots crunched against the loose gravel as he moved forward, careful not to make too much noise.

The sun beat down relentlessly with only the occasional wind as relief. Tetsuo had traveled through wilderness before, but there was something unsettling about this place—something that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

It wasn’t just the landscape. It was the lack of life. No animals, no travelers. It felt as though the land itself was abandoned. Ahead of him lay a narrow valley, carved deep within a ravine—an ideal spot for an ambush. The terrain would slow him down, but avoiding unnecessary conflict was worth the extra time.
Paranoia or not, he wasn't going to take any chances. Tetsuo decided to set up a dummy campsite within the ravine. Leaving just enough traces of activity to mislead anyone following him. Afterward, he'd backtrack and circumvent the ravine, taking the longer but safer route.

It took him an additional 3 hours to enter the ravine, set up, and exit but now he felt more confident. If anyone had been following him, hopefully that would set them back a bit.

[AFungalNetwork]

The landscape shifted yet again as Tetsuo moved further from Iwagakure’s outskirts. The rugged hills flattened into vast, open plains, the dry earth gradually giving way to patches of green. He was entering the outer territories of the Heart Empire.

Traveling here was a different kind of challenge. Unlike the isolated wilderness, where silence was an advantage, the Heart Empire’s lands were more populated. Even in the border regions, patrols and wandering travelers weren’t uncommon. He would have to be careful—blending in when possible and avoiding unnecessary attention.

As night fell, he found shelter beneath a rocky overhang, resting just long enough to keep moving at first light. His rations were running low, and he’d need to resupply soon. That meant heading toward a settlement, but he had to be selective. The wrong town could mean questions, delays, or worse—recognition.

By midday, he spotted signs of civilization—a dirt road cutting through the fields, leading toward a village in the distance. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the faint murmur of life carried on the wind. He adjusted his cloak, put on his headband, and wrapped a cloth around his head to cover his eyes. It would be better if they didn't know he is a Hyuuga.

Tetsuo approached cautiously, studying the settlement. It wasn’t large, maybe a farming village or a minor trading post. Perfect for a quick stop.

He made his way toward the outskirts, scanning for a place to observe unnoticed before entering. His mission was clear—reach the Heart Empire’s interior and find Mukei. But first, he needed food, water, and information.

Word CountShow

687