Sent to everyone who isn't also a daimyo

[problemdaimyo]

Fellow Shinobi,

I have a request of you, particularly those of you with long hair. What methods do you prefer to employ to tame it on difficult missions, where hair loss is both a significant possibility and a likely method of tracking or detection should stray hairs be lost?

Comments

[problemdaimyo]

That sounds very inefficient.

[incubi_abel]

If you are so concerned about your hair, retire from being a shinobi and take up life as a civilian. I can promise you that their hair is in much less danger than that of a shinobi's.

[Abel frowned at the latest missive before huffing decisively.]

Who are you and what village are you from? - Abel of Ame

[He wanted to know so as to avoid the idiot because it sounded like this shinobi was too concerned about their hair to bother with the mission details, and as far as Abel was concerned, someone like that was to be avoided at all costs.]

[problemdaimyo]

[He'd intentionally not given his name to begin with, because that would hinder his getting accurate answers. But this one gave their name first, and for that he felt obligated to answer honestly.

...Just not right away. There were reasons not to attach his name publicly if he could avoid it. He needs to go and fetch a shinobi of some sort to get a proper seal for it, and he doesn't want to wait to respond to him at all until he fetches one.]

I appreciate that you are forthcoming with your name first! You seem like a fair and good person. Even if, perhaps, you are too harsh to those with longer hair. A shinobi should have an open mind to all walks of life.

[incubi_abel]

Considering my own hair is nearly to my knees, your argument is invalid.

[Abel shook his head again, part of him wondering why he was still responding to this person, but he knew why. Liabilities on the 'battlefield' of the shinobi life. That is what this person seemed to be.]

[problemdaimyo]

So your advice is from personal experience!

[...Ah, there was that shinobi with the sealwork. He didn't understand it at all, but the shinobi assured him that the second message (sent after the brief one he sent out in impatience a moment ago) would be read only by 'Abel of Ame'.]

As I said, I appreciate that you've given your name first. It shows good manners! If it settles your curiosity, I am Hotohori of the Land of Noodles.

[incubi_abel]

[Abel filed that name away for further consideration and to make sure he was never assigned a mission with him.]

Yes it is. Hair is expendable. Lives and missions are not. Vanity is not worth your life.

[problemdaimyo]

[Hotohori, meanwhile, actually had someone file down 'Abel of Ame' as a primary Amegakure shinobi to request on missions. His comrades should be people he likes!]

Ah, but clearly the braid must work for you, unless you have a hair growing secret jutsu?

[incubi_abel]

I have lost my hair before on missions when it was more prudent to cut the braid then allow the enemy a more firm grip. I also use it to store extra weapons in it.

[problemdaimyo]

All the same, for it to be so long, it must not have happened in quite some time. Your method speaks well for itself.

...Although one wonders exactly what weapons can be carried in a braid.

[incubi_abel]

You'd be surprised.

[Abel put the scroll aside, determined to not answer any more of Hotohori's missives. He had other things to do than play twenty questions with a vain shinobi.]

[problemdaimyo]

It couldn't be sharp weapons, right?

[incubi_abel]

[Abel rolled his eyes before listing off a few of the things he carried in his own hair.]

Senbon, a few small throwing knives, a couple of exploding tags, a wire garrote, and a couple of smoke bombs all fit in my braid without showing. So yes, sharp weapons.

[The lock picks and small file were not going to be mentioned in case of capture.]

[problemdaimyo]

So you keep wires in your hair. You must have thick, well taken care of hair, then! That sort of weight would never be tolerated by thin and brittle hair.

[incubi_abel]

Why so concerned over hair? It's a tool and an object to be used as one can. Even a long enough braid can become a garrote in an emergency.

[Abel was so very tempted to bring this shinobi up to the head of the Land of Noodles. Was it only a daimyo or were there some shinobi as well? He'd have to look into it.]

[problemdaimyo]

Hair is an important matter, whether used as a garrote or disguise. Improperly taken care of it's only a liability. To be a better shinobi, it's better to take care of it properly than not.

[There is a small scattering of shinobi in the land, but for the most part...only the Daimyo claimed the title in the land.]

[incubi_abel]

In my opinion, hair is simply another tool. If it is lost, then it will be replaced. I see no way for it to be improperly taken care of. Wash, dry, brush, and braid out of the way. It's taken care of.

[problemdaimyo]

It seems that your hair is far more resilient than mine, to so easily be roughly handled.

[incubi_abel]

[Abel rolled his eyes. Right, time to ignore the tact he had.]

Or someone's been living as a civilian for too long.

Play the is he serious or sassing you game

[problemdaimyo]

Anyone who keeps tools in their hair has long from stayed as a civilian too long

*laughs*

[incubi_abel]

If you wish to be so concerned about your hair, hang up your hitae-ate and join the civilian life.

[problemdaimyo]

Such a country you live in, where a decision to be civilian or shinobi is a simple and easy choice!

[incubi_abel]

It should be a simple matter of going to your shinobi leader and informing them that you are retiring as a shinobi for reasons. They might even be polite enough to not say anything if you state you will be available for emergency missions.

[problemdaimyo]

Ah, yes. Unfortunately, it's not so easy a process to choose between the two here. Balancing the two is, in this case, the only option. [...because he'd like to become a shinobi, not retire from being one.]