Tomoko waved her hand dismissively.<br/><br/>"Well, footmen, lesser merchants, they all look similar."<br/><br/>Actually, that wouldn't really do. There was something to be said for regional distinctions. Though indeed, broadly, class and trade could be understood from some distance away. Nevertheless each region displayed, if not pride in their respective nations, at least tells of the sorts of terrains and climates with which they were most versed. It was not uncommon for merchants and other travellers to prepare something suitable for variations in environment but some habits were hard to shake. Suna paid extra attention to veils and other headgear suited to the buffeting winds of the desert. The isolationist Land of Iron, with its rare native caravans, never failed to overdress in furs and occasionally modest armour that ill suited more temperate climbs.<br/><br/>"You raise a fine point. Specificity is key here. After all, a regionally diverse party would be conspicuous, not to mention politically ridiculous."<br/><br/>Taking a moment to review her words, she appended: "Among merchants, that is. Without good cause." She could feel herself stuggling to reel it all back in. "I mean, that is, with political differences. For example, Suna's previous hostilities with Konoha, mistrust is doubtless a factor."<br/><br/>She looked at the representatives of each village before she could stop herself.<br/><br/>"Not that those things are c-current of course. Political, um, synergy. Lots of synergy. Is what we have now."<br/><br/>She sighed, and gathered herself, hoping no one had noticed her outburst. Straightening up with purpose, and pretending the previous clumsiness hadn't happened, she restated:<br/><br/>"As our Kumo representative correctly stated, uniformity is necessary to avoid suspicion. For the most part, it would be wisest to wear attires suggesting the nation we are to be venturing through, or ones that may be easily modified in order to appear native to several neighbouring areas. Moreover, a mix of guards and merchants would be appropriate. As such, those dependent on weaponry such as blades, spears and the like may do so with impunity as guards. Shinobi better suited to concealable equipment, scrolls and ninjutsu may do so easily beneath the more lavish robes expected of the merchant class."<br/><br/>Inwardly, Tomoko congratulated herself. That was a pretty smooth recovery. Iwa could hardly be seen to be spilling the secret resentments harboured by the Five Nations, to say nothing of their own. It was fortunate that they had as fine an administrative ninja as her to represent their interests.