Kirigakure is nestled among treacherous mountains, where melting snow from high peaks and abundant rainfall create numerous rivers, streams, and deep lakes and ponds.
These waterways merge with Kirigakure, flowing from north to south and east to west.
In the southwest corner of Kirigakure,
this is where the Yuki Clan resides within the village.
Unlike the Shinobi clans of Konohagakure, who are situated in the very center, the most prosperous part of the village,
especially the Uchiha and Senju, around whom Konohagakure itself expanded.
The Shinobi clans of Kirigakure, on the other hand, are located on the outskirts of the village.
One reason is that during the village's founding, they were part of the negotiations and had some conflict with the true founders.
Another reason is that this location is where waterways converge, allowing them to maximize the effectiveness of their Hyōton here.
"Yukisumi, out for a stroll again?"
"Ah, Yukikaze, it's just that I've been feeling uneasy these past few days, so I thought I'd come out for a walk."
"Ugh! You! You've been infected by Elder Yukitaki, that coward! Who in this vast Kirigakure would dare to come to our Yuki Clan!"
"Heh heh, you're right! But it's always good to be a little cautious."
"Ugh! The clan isn't without its defense patrols. Come on, I'll take you back for a good drink to bolster your courage."
With that, Yukikaze walked up to Yukisumi, put his arm around Yukisumi's shoulder, and led him in the opposite direction from where he was.
"Hey, hey, hey, Yukikaze! Isn't this a bit much? I remember you were supposed to be on patrol tonight!"
"What's there to be afraid of? Isn't Yukio still here? Don't worry, as long as someone's watching, no one will dare to come."
..."Ugh! Seriously, why isn't Yukikaze back yet? Did he sneak off again?"
A young man dressed in white clothes with snowflake patterns was holding a torch, standing still and muttering to himself.
"Sigh, never mind. He's definitely not coming back. I guess I'll find a place to sleep too."
With that, the man turned and walked back the way he came, intending to find a good spot for a good night's sleep.
Unbeknownst to him, countless eyes were watching him from behind... Two in the morning.
By a stream, there was a small five-square-meter hut, a resting place specifically provided by the Yuki Clan for clan members on night patrol.
Outside the hut, more than a dozen masked Ninjas stood.
Inside, two more Ninjas stood, one short with a baby face.
The other was tall and corpulent, carrying a massive, wide sword on his back.
And a young man, half in white and half in red, lay peacefully asleep on the ground.
The young man lying on the ground was none other than the patrol member who had returned alone to sleep after Yukikaze failed to come back.
"How simple, Yagura-sama! I never imagined the Yuki Clan's defenses would be so weak! Heh heh heh!"
"Don't get carried away, Fuguki Suikazan! This is only the Yuki Clan's outer perimeter. We still have a tough battle ahead tonight!"
"Don't worry, Yagura-sama! With us Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and Samehada on my back, a mere Yuki Clan is nothing but child's play!"
"I hope so!"
...Inside the Yuki Clan's compound.
In the center of the compound, there was a large lake.
In the middle of the lake, a vast courtyard was built.
Only a floating bridge connected the shore to the courtyard.
This was the residence of the Yuki Clan's leader.
"Boom!"
The explosion of an Explosive Tag broke the silence of the night.
It also completely illuminated the lake courtyard.
"Crack!" "Boom!"
The courtyard gate was kicked open from the inside.
A man in his forties, dressed in white battle attire, emerged.
It was the current leader of the Yuki Clan, Yukii.
He looked grimly in the direction of the explosion.
That was the family's outer patrol area.
And it was deep within the outer patrol area.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
At that moment, a member of the Yuki Clan ran over quickly and said to Yukii,
"It's bad, Clan Leader! Patrol members found traces of large numbers of Ninjas in the forest outside the clan! They also found bodies of clan members, and upon examination, the wounds appear to be from the Chōtō: Nuibari!"
"What!"
Yukii, who was still guessing what rogue Ninja would be so bold as to cause trouble at the Yuki Clan, immediately changed his expression upon hearing the clan member's report.
"Are you sure it's the Chōtō: Nuibari, one of the Seven Ninja Swords, and not some other similar weapon?"
Still unable to believe it was the work of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, who were the Mizukage's ace unit, Yukii questioned his clan member again.
"No! No other weapon can mimic the damage of Nuibari! Clan Leader!"
"Was it found at the location of the explosion just now?"
"No! It was found at a different location!"
"This is troublesome! Immediately gather all elite clan members to defend, and have the other Ninjas gather all civilians here for unified protection.
Also, send people to other Shinobi clans to await their support."
Upon hearing the affirmative answer again, Yukii immediately made arrangements without hesitation.
"Yes, Clan Leader!"
After hearing the affirmative reply,
Yukii rushed alone towards the location of the explosion.
He intended to go alone, resolve the situation, and then go to support the other side... On the other side of the Yuki Clan, Fuguki Suikazan was leading a squad of Anbu, stealthily moving in the darkness.
The massive explosion made them stop their stealthy advance.
"It's in Jinpachi Munashi's direction. It seems he's started his move."
"No need to hide anymore. Everyone, speed up and head to the designated location!"
With that, Fuguki Suikazan charged out first, gripping Samehada in his hand.
At the site of the explosion.
Jinpachi Munashi was fighting a Yuki Clan Ninja.
The squad of Anbu accompanying him were ganging up on another Ninja.
"Heh heh, how unlucky! I didn't expect to encounter the Yuki Clan's genius Ninja, Yukisumi, known as 'Dakuhyō', here."
"Jinpachi Munashi, it's you! Is Kirigakure finally making its move?"
"Since you know, why don't you surrender? Maybe I can spare your life."
"Hmph! Just you!" As soon as Yukisumi finished speaking, without waiting for a reply, he immediately formed hand signs.
"Hyōton: Hyōshin!"
Dense black ice needles condensed behind Yukisumi, then shot towards Jinpachi Munashi.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
The sound of ice needles colliding with the Shibuki echoed through the area.
Although Jinpachi Munashi was powerful, and the Shibuki was wide enough,
he still couldn't block all the ice needles.
He was still wounded on his shoulder and the back of his hand.
"As expected of Dakuhyō Yukisumi, these black ice needles are truly difficult to distinguish in the darkness!"
"It seems I'll have to rely on the power of the Shibuki."
"Although it deviates slightly from the plan, the impact isn't significant!"