[H2][CENTRE][color=fff200][b][ARC 2][/b][/color][/CENTRE][/H2]
[H2][CENTRE][color=fff200][b]KUROZUMI HAKU[/b][/color][/CENTRE][/H2]

Passing out of the hills that Tune Town occupied, a long road streaking into the island stretched out under a sky of rolling clouds in shades of white and gray. Shadows came and went as the sun slipped from cloud cover. Leading the way in between the golden fields of wheat, Coriander’s eyes were on that horizon, a treeline visible out in the distance.

[color=B3ADAB]“Sorry, when I was with everyone else I was full of things I wanted to talk about, but once I got outside, my head went blank,”[/color] Coriander explained with a weak giggle.

[color=fff200]"It's alright."[/color] Haku waved it away as he looked towards the surroundings.

The calm, serene weather, idyllic scenery and fields of golden wheat, combined with the salty air from the ocean.

To top it off, Coriander stood out among such a thing. Complemented it even.

It was a blessing, truly a blessing to see such a thing.

[color=fff200]"“Beautiful.”[/color] He murmured out loud before realizing his mistake and cleared his throat. 

[color=fff200]"“I meant the scenery, tis beautiful.”[/color] He said as Haku slipped in a Wano accent unintentionally. 

[color=fff200]"“Are there any other towns or villages? Or is it only one located here?”[/color] Switching topics for Coriander, he moved to mapping the actual place.

[color=B3ADAB]“Nowhere that anyone else lives,”[/color] Coriander mused. Looking down the path, she turned to Haku, her arms clasped behind her back. [color=B3ADAB]“But there is another city: it’s really old!”[/color] Rocker her head back and forth, she muttered, [color=B3ADAB]“I’m not sure if we’re really allowed to be there but…it’s cool! You should see it! While you’re here![/color] Feet tramping against the ground, she ran in place before darting at a pace Haku easily matched. [color=B3ADAB]“Let’s hurry, so we can get back before lunch!”[/color]

Haku and Coriander went from fields of wheat, sturdy enough to resist the storm, to deep green forests, the path narrowing and widening again. As they moved, Haku easily kept up with Coriander, doing his best to ensure that she got enough rest in between. Even offering a break and to carry her if needed. Coriander’s pace became a bit sluggish about halfway through, but eventually they reached a large gate. Or rather, what remained: the 50 foot tall portal fallen inward between two sides of the stone walls. Doubled over, Coriander heaved as she caught her breath. [color=B3ADAB]“We…made it!”[/color]

Haku stared in awe as he looked at the architecture. Never in his mind would he expect such a thing to be here in such a remote island.

It must’ve been imposing once, and it very much still was despite its dilapidated state. 

[color=fff200]“...What’s the story behind this place?”[/color] Haku said as he studied the place with huge interest, though another scary realization came when he touched a part of the stone with his hand

This place was a perfect place for hiding things.

He committed his mind to fully memorize this place, and maybe come back later. [color=fff200]“I never expected something like this here.”[/color]

[color=B3ADAB]“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”[/color] Coriander said as she moved into the city, years of weather having worn it down. Stepping over cobblestone roads with grass poking out of the cracks, she admitted, [color=B3ADAB]“We don’t really know much about it. Sorrel’s dad…er, Mr. Chervil, is an archeologist. I think they dated the city to around a millenia ago, but its destruction was a century or two closer. We call it ‘Tacet City’, but it’s not like that was its actual name.”[/color]  Glancing at her own reflection, severed in half on a broken window, she added, [color=B3ADAB]“It’s here, but it’s like it came from a void. A city without an identity. It’s so strange, isn’t it? But I like it here.”[/color] 

[color=fff200]“A missing history huh?”[/color] Haku muttered, looking at the city's sad state.

[color=fff200]“But it’s…sad.”[/color] Haku sighed, this kind of scenery struck a chord. [color=fff200]“Such a prosperous place, falling into such a state and without history left. Hopefully its people survived.”[/color]

[color=fff200]“Otherwise, they’ll really be all gone.”[/color] He concluded with a sigh and staring off at the distance.

After all, it took barely a generation for his own clan to fall from its glory. He doesn’t even know if his other cousins are alive.

[color=B3ADAB]”Hmm, I wonder about that.”[/color] The pair wandered into a courtyard, faced by windows from a number of abodes. [color=B3ADAB]”One day Tune Town is going to be gone too. Old man Burnet is always worrying about pirates and all. We’ve never really had to deal with them though, but we hear about it in the news all the time. Just a bit of bad luck and we might not be here tomorrow. It is sad, but I try not to let that get to me too much. I want to be happy that I’m still here. That’s why I want to enjoy every day.”[/color] Leaning to Haku, Coriander offered, [color=B3ADAB]”We have the Marines to thank for that, don’t we? I can’t imagine what it must be like, having to be on the frontlines, facing down the threat of death.”[/color] Suddenly growing self conscious, she threw up her hands, [color=B3ADAB]”Er, sorry if bringing it up is…inappropriate.”[/color] Her cheeks turned slightly pink.

[color=fff200]“Dying isn’t scary.”[/color] Haku gazed upwards to the skies briefly. [color=fff200]“Failing is far scarier.”[/color]

After all, if the marines don’t arrive to deal with the pirates, who will? 

[color=fff200]“But thank you for your compliments. We’re just doing our jobs.”[/color] He replied. [color=fff200]“While risking our lives, I’ll admit, I love traveling the seas. Now where else would’ve I thought an Island that exists on clouds, where lightning falls like its rain, and sea kings that’s wide as the horizon.”[/color]

[color=fff200]“I never realized just how small Wano was until then.”[/color] Haku said with a childish smile, letting slip his original island from his lips.

Coriander’s eyes went wide, the young girl bounding up to Haku, eyes sparkling, [color=B3ADAB]“Wano? Is that where you’re from? What’s it like!?”[/color]

[color=fff200]“Oh, yes. Land of the Samurai and once called the land of gold!”[/color] Haku waved his hand much more theatrically at that, able to tell tales of his homeland much freely. [color=fff200]“Due to that, Wano was forced to fend off many invaders, until one day, we were strong enough to stand on our own.”[/color]

[color=fff200]“That is due to the Samurai, warriors without peers. Why, our greatest swordsman, Shimotsuki Ryuma, is a legend, called the Sword God for his skills and feat of slaying a dragon!”[/color] Haku excitedly regale Coriander on Ryuma story, and his many, many feats.

After all, there wasn’t a samurai family alive that hadn’t aspired to be like Ryuma.

Eyes full of sparkle, Coriander smiled, but it faded to a more somber look. [color=B3ADAB]“Defending their home from invaders…it must have been hard. Is that why you left?”[/color]

[color=fff200]“Partially.”[/color] That question had Haku answered slightly slower but continued on to another topic. [color=fff200]“Admittedly, I always wanted to tour Wano. One day perhaps, but seeing the wide world is also great.”[/color]

[color=fff200]“From where I was, my province, Hakumai.”[/color] Haku leaned against the rubbles. [color=fff200]“Was a land filled with swamps and rivers. Travelers from other provinces were frequent, fish abound, and famous inns popped around large lakes for its beautiful scenery.”[/color]

[color=fff200]The Daimyo of Ringo is the one in charge of it now, aren’t they?[/color] Haku pondered, recalling that his family territory was now being under their administration.

[color=fff200]“My ances-I mean, Kurozumi Yamata, is said to have cleaved the numerous swamps of Hakumai into eight separate rivers.”[/color] He waved his hands and mimed a slashing action once. [color=fff200]“With one swing as well!”[/color] 

[color=B3ADAB]“Oh! Wow!” [/color]

[color=fff200]“The Shogun promoted him to be the Daimyo of Hakumai for allowing more ease of travel for its people.”[/color] Haku explained more about his own family, feeling quite…liberated.

That story was never told ever again in Wano, nor would anyone even take it seriously without heavy embellishment. Things like it was simply eight tiny rivers, that it wasn’t even Yamata that did it but the people and other samurais.

Had any of those people even seen those rivers? Would a river be so neatly cleaved and carved? 

[color=fff200]“...But getting back to the original topic, my homeland itself was already strong long before I left.”[/color] He looked back towards the direction of the village. [color=fff200]“Something that could be replicated, if the villagers are trained.”[/color]

Haku purposefully left out whether it be by their kingdom or marines hand. Then again, that person Cadog was talking to seemed like he fought before.

Coriander had been watching him speak, a light smile on her face, likely taking in all of Haku’s words. Raising her arms, she stretched into the sky, eyes looking to the sun. [color=B3ADAB]“Training, huh? I guess that’s what it means to be ready for a fight.”[/color] With a giggle, she admitted, [color=B3ADAB]“Maybe more people could handle Peppermint that way?”[/color] Raising her fists, she added, [color=B3ADAB]“You guys should see Peppermint at it before you go, she’s [i]really[/i] strong!”[/color] Pausing for a moment, she looked back up to the sky, before realizing, [color=B3ADAB]“Ack! We should probably get back soon, before it gets too late. I’m, uh, actually not allowed to be here, so if we’re gone too long, you know…”[/color]

[color=fff200]“Peppermint? Very well, though I’m not sure if Cado-Captain Cadog would agree to it.”[/color] Haku said, recalling the girl. She didn’t look that extraordinary from his view. Granted, she was the only one that seemed interested in joining the Marines.

Then it’ll be up to the captain to decide but she’ll likely be recommended or transferred to Central for training similar to what he went through.

[color=fff200]Not unless she has some massive talent or potential, or did something so reckless it becomes bravery.[/color] Haku giggled inwardly at that, looking back at what he did then, it was absolutely foolish.

Well, that’s up to Peppermint's performance. Haku ended his train of thoughts as Coriander quickly pointed out that they should go back.

[color=fff200]“Understood, lead the way.”[/color] Haku nodded, following Coriander as he surveyed the area one last time and compiled the information later for Cadog. Entering a light jog, Coriander started the long road back to Tune Town, as gray clouds droned on the horizon.