.. edward was enjoying the solitude. He had plenty of time to make many items for sale. Though he had only gone to as couple of the nearby villages he hadnt been back to the leaf village yet.

He wanted to explore this new world he was in. Although dangerous he had the means to protect himself from atleast low level chunins now. Mostly thanks to his kekai genkai. However he was working on learning the ressengan.

It was proving truly difficult but just that would not stop him. Well time for a traveling merchent to continue his job, i guess ill head about 7 days in that direction he said to himself....

...

yipper returned with a very old looking bird next to him. Even his feathers were grey.

i have mostly bad news for you rinea said yipper. Most of the elders on the council want nothing to do with you or your training.

Rinea looked rather depressed after hearing that. Did they give a reason why yipper she asked.

yep they like the peacfull times they have been able to enjoy since the destruction of there last contracted clan. They also feel you are to week to protect yourself, much less offer anything to the falcons worth giving there aid.

oh were does that leave us asked rinea to yipper.

Well they wont force me to break the contract but i am in a bit of trouble he responded. However i do have some hope for you, thats when the old bird flapped over.

here you are sir some nice squirrel for you... .. munch ah so tasty. Those old lazy coots dont know what there missing chirrped the old bird.

what can i do for you sir asked rinea. The old bird chirped and said, while most dont want to get involved with you i can introduce you to someone who may... .. . Here is some tasty dear tenderloin... munch.

You were right yipper she does havd good taste. Very well hop on and ill take you to him, be car ed full though hes not well liked in the clan due to the differences in feathers as well as his latent talents. Still hes very powerfull ao be carefull

After a wonderfull flight which was over far to soon they landed on a tree. Com ed on out said the old bird to no one in particular.

Swoosh landed a familiar black falcon. Why have you brought this human further into our territory you old bat said the falcon. Now slasher you know you should treat us old birds with respect it said.

Very well bummbles but i still need the reason you brought her here.

.bummbles said i thought it would be obvious, your to train her in genjutsu.

You know i dont do the councils bidding im an outcast because of them slasher responded harshly whipping up a great deal of wind in the process.

ah thats why i brought her, the council has decided against training her said bummbles. This seemed to perk up slashers mood and the wind died down. That will depend on her said slasher. ...

ahh a lightbulb went off well here you go slash i have come prepared, rabbit, dear, and even a variety of fish ...Swoosh and the bag was grabbed.

.. Munch munch. Very well human i shall train you weather you have any talent or not that remains to be seen. His eyes went dark and she entered an unfamiliar world.

it was nearly completly dark, with a red overcast sky. Where am i. ... . This human is my own genjutsu created world. I am god here, its why the council fears me human.

um why have you brought me here rinea responded, i thought you were going to train me.

I already am slasher responded. By attacking your mind your resistance to genjutsu will either increase, or you will go mad let us find out which it will be for you human. Dont hesitate to use those eyes here you will need them human.

And so her months of hrllish traing began, the worst part was the food nothing but nuts from the local trees. I wish id brought edwards jerky thats better than this.

....

Edward was now facing a dilemma. He had exited the wooden area and now faced desert as far as the eyes could see. Should he give ip and go back or keep going. He decided to sleep on it for the night.

After getting a good nights sleep. Edward came up with a bold idea. He woukd try to cross the desert. Now its not as risky as it wounds but still not the wisest idea even if he hould make water by letting his ice thaw.

He would still have to worry about bandits, loose sand and a sense of direction. But he came up with a solution for the direction part. He would train his earth jutsu as he went making a road so he could travel and know if he was going in circles or not.

Just to be on the safe side edward would travel at night. He would also only go for 7 days before he turned around. To head back. He couldnt explain to himself why he wanted to cross a desert it made no sense but he felt as a traveling merchent he was kinda obligated to try. Well atleast water wont be a problem.

Did anyone tell you how exhausting it is to cross a desert, not to menyion hauling a cart behind you. Huff huff .. huff. Even as good a shape as edward was in he decided one time would be enough.

At least ive not been asailted by bandits he thought. Or poisonous critters either. ... .. on the 4th grueling day he saw what looked like a large mound. Hi walls and round.

oh crap is that the sand village thought edward i hope they dont attack me just for showing up, better stock up some water before i head in..

He walked further up and was abruptly stopped by a rather nasty looking guard.

Halt traveler you are approaching the hidden sand village what is your purpose.

my name is edward, and im a traveling merchant sir. I have many goods to sell. Water dryed rashions and some games and other miscellaneous items.

the gaurd seemed shocked though only for a moment. I must first inspect your goods to verify no ill intent said the gaurd and without further chit chat he opened up the cart.

it really is water strange, no to taste test it thought the gaurd. Ahh so good said the gaurd, and he also grabbed a pice of jerky. Munch munch.. a bit dry but could serve as rations. Ill have to report this to my boss. Poof a sand worm appeared from his summoning and darted towards the village.

Kid dont get your hopes up, we dont usually let outsiders in our village. But i put in a good word for you so youll have to wait a while... ... zzz zz z