There were some light description of the factions, but the motivations of each clan were not going to be revealed to us until we decided to play. I read all of them out loud for the both of us. Suzie leaned in closer to hear me as I spoke louder. The Haikawa and Hanama Clans were in the political world. Politicians, celebrities, and older government officials used them to gain advantages and take out competition in whatever way was deemed appropriate by a highest bidder. Haikawa believed in closed ranks around the nation and doing whatever was needed to uplift the people. Hanama ninja on the other hand strived for the prosperity of the nation by fostering the alliances and deals abroad that would bring power and wealth. The Hanha and Hashakuro were more mercenary focused. Police, military, kingpins and other ninja clans called on them when a fight was on the horizon. Hanha ninjas were all masters of kenjutsu, swordplay. They were more into frontal assaults. The Hashakuro liked traps and surprise ambushes. They used hand to hand combat and explosives in their battles.
Criminal underworlds were not tamed by any means in this sub-world. The Yotochi and Kageyuki Clans rules with their various members having fingers in multiple pots. It was a full menu of vices. They were involved and largely reveled in Racketeering, Extortion, Gambling, Prostitution, Trafficking and Arms sales. One never wanted to cross anyone affiliated or under the protection of the clans. No one could stop them aside from another clan of ninja. A costly and exhaustive proposition. Therefore, as long as they stayed to the criminal world and never interfered with the other clans, they could do as they pleased. Each of the clans had their own distinct fighting styles and signature chakra techniques. Aside from the clans, there were independent ninjas and some small clans out there. There were usually the vassals of the larger clans or self-practiced upstarts. It could be seen as a challenge to go that harder route. Having to work your way up from scratch in a world of intrigue and shadows and also trying to establish your own clan sounded really cool. At least, it certainly was to me.
Suzie certainly seemed to agree. "Let's choose this world then." she said. I nodded. It seemed to be a good time. I looked at the monitor to hear the name of the world. It was called "The Nabari". Not knowing if we were going to want to be on the same side, I asked her. She was feeling the Hanha. I was still thinking of going independent this run through. It would be the best long term when we got to the end game. We selected it and were given a ticket for where we needed to go for the sub-world. We both went to the airship terminal. We were one of the only ones that were going to the terminal. There were many nice sub-worlds and the rest of the main world was also very appealing to new players. I could see one other Player in front of us. When we all got on the airship, we waited for a few minutes before it departed. Suzie and I shared a smile. An announcement was broadcasted from the speakers around the ship. "Dear customers, as some of you do not fall within the required races, you will be given the opportunity to choose and customize an avatar of the accepted races." it said.
Immediately after, my vision went black as it took me to the character generation mode. I chose the human race. I could also choose my name, body type, clothes, their coloration and a hairstyle. I went with curly, platinum blond hair down to the nape of my neck. I had bangs in the front as well. I decided to use my own body type for the avatar. I gave it slightly more muscle tone, but that was it. My new name was Shiro Kūran. It meant "white blank" and it was just the most cheesy thing to call a ninja. I loved it. I was an independent ninja shinobi. For my clothes there were two attires: ninja and casual. For the casual outfit I had a short-sleeved grey jacket with white-edged sleeves. Under that was a white mesh armor T-shirt. I also wore gray pants and black shoes. My ninja outfit was the classic ninja's uniform called a ninja-yoroi, or ninja armor. It consisted of a gray jacket, white trousers, light sandals, and a gray hooded cowl. I still wore the lightweight armor beneath my shirt. I wanted to be in style if I was going to do this at all. I just hoped that they did not mark and kill me immediately.
