In the years it took to finish up your training, you and Anzu managed to build a small hut for yourselves. It was cramped, but at least it granted some privacy from the other citizens. You poked your head into the hut, seeing Anzu writing a letter on a scroll, a small plank of wood on her lap as an impromptu writing desk.
"Hey sis!" you said, walking in. You took exactly two steps before you reached the center of the hut and sat down on your small bed on the right side. Anzu, sitting on the opposite side, looked at you and nodded, putting her writing to the side.
"What is it Adachi?" Anzu asked.
"I think it's time." you muttered seriously. "I'm ready to go out."
"Are you sure?" Anzu whispered back, a serious look in her eyes.
"Yes. I won't get any stronger here if I keep to myself. Besides, it's for the best anyway. With my eyes, one wrong word to the wrong person and this entire island ends up in flames again." you said. "I'll leave in the middle of the night. I already built a boat. If it sinks, well, I can walk on water."
"Adachi-" Anzu said before she was cut off by your body brightly glowing for a moment.
"Who's Adachi? I'm Maya!" you declared with a goofy grin, now in your female form.
Anzu rolled her eyes and said, "Look, seriously. It's dangerous out there. Please, be careful. I don't want...to lose anyone else."
"I know sis. I still have hope Otama is alive somewhere. But for mom, dad, and you, I refuse to die before I can end these pointless wars."
"Alright." Anzu sighed before reaching over and giving you a hug. You returned it and after a moment, you got to your feet. Anzu looked up at you and asked, "So, do you know where you're going to go first?"
You pulled out a map of Jihopan that was your father's previously and looked at it intently. You were currently on the island on the west side of the Mist Empire. Journey wise, going further west would bring you onto the mainland, the only land the Mist Empire controls that connects to the others. Going east in any direction would bring you into the heart of the Mist Empire itself. If you went mostly north, you could end up in the Cloud Empire and in the northwest was the Frost Empire. If you took a small turn going into the Frost Empire, you could hit the Whirlpool Protectorate, a small nation protected by the Leaf Empire.
Where were you going to go?
[] East, to the main island of the Mist Empire.
[] West, onto the mainland then into the Leaf Empire.
As someone who lived in the land of Water, we'll stick out the least in Mist. Shinobi who fought in our town also mentioned a couple of political figures who are more receptive to civilian-friendly policies; they might be worth looking at. Ecentually we'll be doing a lot of politicking, gotta know our potential friends and enemies.
I'd rather not stay for too long wherever we go, though. Gotta walk the earth for a bit before becoming second coming of ninja jesus.
Winning Vote: East, to the main island of the Mist Empire.
---
"I'm going into the heart of the Mist Empire. I don't expect to make any major changes right now, but it'll give me some insight on what this war is like. Plus, I need to get some allies and who better to start with than my hometown?" you said, listing out your reasons to Anzu.
"Alright. Just be careful. If you ever need my help just say so." Anzu seriously said.
"I will sis." you seriously replied, turning back into Adachi. Anzu stood up and gave you one more hug. You returned it strongly, knowing it might be the last time you can ever hug your precious sister...
---
The rest of the day went by both agonizingly slowly and much too fast. Despite the bluster you showed, you were extremely nervous of just waltzing into the Mist Empire, but you knew it had to be done. Besides, if needed be, you could pass yourself off as some hopeful new recruit or something. Eventually the time came, in the dark of the night, you slipped out of the hut with Anzu and brought you handmade raft to the eastern shore of the island. Going by this small raft will be dangerous, but it wasn't like you had any other choices other than trying to run across the waves.
"Goodbye Anzu. Please, be safe." you said as you stepped onto the raft that was floating on the shallow shore.
"You too, Adachi." Anzu solemnly replied. You gave her a smile before turning towards the sail of your raft and making a hand seal, manipulating wind chakra to blow a hefty breeze onto the sail and making it move forward. You turned back to look at Anzu and the island you've lived on your entire life.
"When I come back, I'll be much stronger. The world will be much more peaceful. Goodbye." you muttered to yourself before turning back around to focus on your raft.
---
With your inherent chakra detection, you were able to avoid any encounters with any shinobi by turning the raft away or using a transformation jutsu to make it look like fish breaking the surface. During the days it took to get to the heart of the Mist Empire, you practiced more of your genjutsu, eventually creating a very devious one you called the Stains of Time. Once it was applied it would distort the time perceived by the opponent, making them slow down for a maximum of ten seconds! No doubt more than enough time to strike a powerful blow!
Soon you saw the skyline of the main island of the Mist. It was an oddly clear day all things considering and honestly you were happy you no longer had to deal with being on a raft for awhile. Turns out, you tend to get a bit seasick. As soon as you landed on the shore, you instantly detected some chakra just ahead of you. Looking forward, you saw a squadron of mist shinobi being lead by...
[] A tall man with the bottom half of his face covered in bandages and a large, cleaver-like sword slung across his shoulders. Next to him was a young shinobi who's face was hidden by a Hunter-Nin mask.
[] A muscular man who was around your age with brown hair that hid his eyes. He wore a brown poncho and pointed a sword at you that was twice your height with one hand. Next to him was a pretty young woman with brown hair and bright blue eyes, she seemed to be the only one unafraid of the poncho wearing man.
[] An extremely beautiful woman with long, straight silver hair and a top that showed off her midriff and a small opening on her chest to show off her...large assets. She had a hand on her hip and seemed to be examining you closely...
[] A tall, lanky man with black hair tied into a low ponytail. He wore a disheveled looking blue flak jacket and baggy pants, but the most distinguishing thing was his bright smile.
[] A icy looking woman with chin length white hair and cold blue eyes. She wore a blue kimono and had a kunai in her hand, no doubt ready to enter combat.
[] A serious looking woman with long, dirty blond hair and wearing the standard Mist shinobi empire with fishnets covering her arms and legs. In her hand was an odd looking blade that seemed to have deep cuts on it.
[] A smug looking man with white hair, bright purple eyes who showed off his triangular teeth. He carried a large sword and his purple vest was equipped with various water bottles.
[X] An extremely beautiful woman with long, straight silver hair and a top that showed off her midriff and a small opening on her chest to show off her...large assets. She had a hand on her hip and seemed to be examining you closely...
[x] A tall man with the bottom half of his face covered in bandages and a large, cleaver-like sword slung across his shoulders. Next to him was a young shinobi who's face was hidden by a Hunter-Nin mask.
[X] A tall, lanky man with black hair tied into a low ponytail. He wore a disheveled looking blue flak jacket and baggy pants, but the most distinguishing thing was his bright smile.
[X] A icy looking woman with chin length white hair and cold blue eyes. She wore a blue kimono and had a kunai in her hand, no doubt ready to enter combat.
[X] A muscular man who was around your age with brown hair that hid his eyes. He wore a brown poncho and pointed a sword at you that was twice your height with one hand. Next to him was a pretty young woman with brown hair and bright blue eyes, she seemed to be the only one unafraid of the poncho wearing man.
[X] An extremely beautiful woman with long, straight silver hair and a top that showed off her midriff and a small opening on her chest to show off her...large assets. She had a hand on her hip and seemed to be examining you closely...
[X] A serious looking woman with long, dirty blond hair and wearing the standard Mist shinobi empire with fishnets covering her arms and legs. In her hand was an odd looking blade that seemed to have deep cuts on it.
[X] A icy looking woman with chin length white hair and cold blue eyes. She wore a blue kimono and had a kunai in her hand, no doubt ready to enter combat.
[X] A muscular man who was around your age with brown hair that hid his eyes. He wore a brown poncho and pointed a sword at you that was twice your height with one hand. Next to him was a pretty young woman with brown hair and bright blue eyes, she seemed to be the only one unafraid of the poncho wearing man
[X] A tall man with the bottom half of his face covered in bandages and a large, cleaver-like sword slung across his shoulders. Next to him was a young shinobi who's face was hidden by a Hunter-Nin mask.
[X] A icy looking woman with chin length white hair and cold blue eyes. She wore a blue kimono and had a kunai in her hand, no doubt ready to enter combat.
[X] A smug looking man with white hair, bright purple eyes who showed off his triangular teeth. He carried a large sword and his purple vest was equipped with various water bottles
[x] A tall man with the bottom half of his face covered in bandages and a large, cleaver-like sword slung across his shoulders. Next to him was a young shinobi who's face was hidden by a Hunter-Nin mask.
I'm not as familiar with the others, but I feel our primary message of 'Thou Art But Human' would be received well by him.
Also I have every intention of turning this into a revolution of the world by fighting against the idea of Shinobi as unfeeling weapons of war, but instead as humans who are capable of empathy with their fellow man, merely having been lied to until they believed otherwise.
