Yamashiro Aoba...
Sunglasses
"When the flame is done properly, it should not be looked at without protection."
On the battle field, style over substance will for eternity mean defeat over victory. For those who wear sunglasses on the battle field, like Yamashiro Aoba, they mean victory and therefore have been made specially. Aoba was roaming the Hidden Shade Store looking at the lens that would be placed in his wide oval frames. The store worker, Mozuku, a Chuunin, walked up to Aoba.
"Would you like to test our new glass?" Mozuku said.
They walked to the top floor of the store where light came in from many windows to the laboratory. In the middle, there hung a reflective black glass.
"One way glass," Aoba evaluated and walked around the glass to look at the non reflective side to clearly see glass cutting equipment. "It does not tone down the brightness."
"This glass will prevent you from having to change shades. They can be worn at anytime and you wouldn't know they are there," Mozuku said. "This is the result of technology and seals. You will be benefiting without knowing it."
"Huh?"
"It will tone down brightness that is dangerous to the eyes," Mozuku revealed, "and prevent splash back that could injure the eye."
"So I'll know," Aoba performed handseals and his throat and cheeks swelled until he released a flame from his mouth onto the glass. After five seconds of fire covering the glass, the fire system activated the sprinkler system. Aoba's brown hair that spiked up to the left weighted down over his slanted head protector. Running his hand over the glass, he did not have to pull away from any discomfort. "Done deal, I would need them no longer than 5:30 in my frame model ready to be picked up." He walked off charred all around and added after a violent coughing fit, "The check will be in the mail, if I survive."
Sandals
"Lighting will not strike the same place twice, but the world is never the same place twice."
In the Hidden Leaf Village, the promotion of commerce between other ninja villages permitted specialty stores to open being run by other business people from other countries. Aoba was in one of those places. The store was called Flash Footwear with the symbol of the Hidden Lighting Village, though the available gear was simply surplus so it was not the greatest gear from that village. However, Aoba had good relations with people in all of the countries.
"It may not be important for defense against electric attacks from other ninjas," he shook the can of instant rubber coating, "but it will help accomplishing my goal."
Vest
"Water brings both life and death, which cannot be stopped, so stay above water because none exceed it in lowliness."
In the event that they would travel through the Rain Country, an alley with the band of hopeful Chuunins would prove essential. In defending themselves, floods may come. Therefore, Aoba replaced his vest with a thicker one that would act as a life jacket. As a traveler as an apprentice ambassador, this is the information he had gathered first hand. He wrote it down in his large notepad and studied their primary elements associated with each ninja country.
Blade
"To move stone is time consuming and wasteful; it would be easier to move everything around the block for a mortal."
The finest metal is mined and refined in Earth Country, place of the Hidden Stone Village. Aoba removed his sandals and placed them on the countered. The old man took the sandals and tapped the two inside heels together. From the front of the sandals, two metal spikes sprung. The owner removed the blades and replaced them with new ones.
"I will charge it to my credit card," Aoba said. The man put the card through the machine. He tried it again and then ducked down behind the counter to get a pair of scissors.
"Sorry," the owner said and cut his credit card.
"No need," Aoba snatched the sandals and ran away. "Paying for my missions I go on is too expensive for what I get in return."
Lip Gloss
"Sand: once you get it in; you will never get it back out again."
Aoba threw two kunais in the drugs store to disable the cameras as his shadow clone occupied the girl who watched over the monitors that were behind her and serve the customers. This would not be the first time he has stolen here, and that is why Team Eight were around. This would be the fourth Genins team he had foiled. From his scouting, Kiba and Akamaru stayed to the farthest place from the cosmetics department that served free samples of perfume. They were in the male grooming selection. Through Kiba had suggested Shino reconsider the idea of going to cosmetics, Hinata took that place leaving Shino with the feminine hygiene department and magazine rank.
Aoba would have no problems like the other times; however, his lip protection brand was where Kiba and Akamaru guarded, occasionally checking out the razors and pulling a few fingers under his chin. Then he would have to go for lip gloss. He choose cherry concealing the filch from faraway Hinata who was having her finger nails done.
"I hope this match my skin colour," Aoba wondered as he left.
Recruitment
"The body! That is the key to controlling the elements."
Ibiki found Aoba carrying a large backpack into the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Wow, Ibiki," Aoba said, "You have shown up for my homecoming."
"You were away?" Ibiki asked and jumped straight to handing him the mission briefing. "ANBU headquarters is where we meet. Bring what you need on this mission and assume that any ninja from any country will be confronted."
"Sure," Aoba said slowly, "I kind of want to see my apartment." He coughed into his hand. "I have been sick since I left. Can't want to see my roommate, who ever he is."
"That what I thought," Ibiki said, "what other member would you want to join this campaign?"
"Gekkou Hayate," Aoba said.
"Oh, you wouldn't have known," Ibiki stated.
"What ever it is," Aoba admitted, "Genma can handle this task. Get him back into fighting. I got my equipment."
"Sure." And they departed.