Chapter 76 – The Yuki Clan

Kiyosuke and the others immediately withdrew, racing toward the main Konoha base.

They still had a long way to go, and time wasn't on their side.

After covering some distance, Shibi suddenly spoke.

"Fuguki Suikazan and the others are closing in. My insects just told me—they're coming back."

No one expected those two hounds to circle back for a surprise attack. Clearly, they were here to kill.

"Damn mutts!"

Kiyosuke cursed under his breath.

Torifu snapped, "We have to pick up the pace. Might Duy, get those three kids out of here. We'll stay behind to cover you."

"Yes, sir!"

Even though Duy was worn out, he forced himself to stay sharp. He knew what needed to be done in moments like this. Without another word, he led Guy and the others away, while Shibi and Kiyosuke slowed down to take the rear.

A thin mist began to creep in, carrying with it a biting chill.

Torifu's expression shifted.

"Careful. That's a bloodline limit from Kirigakure."

Kirigakure had several bloodline limit users—Lava Release, Boil Release, Ice Release, and Shikotsumyaku were among the most dangerous.

Lava and Boil were famously used by the future Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī. Ice Release was associated with Haku, Zabuza's companion. And Shikotsumyaku... that was Kimimaro's domain.

In short, bloodline users were never easy to handle.

Crack... crack... crack...

Frost suddenly formed on the surrounding trees. The cold was intense, and their breaths came out in white clouds.

"It's the Yuki Clan's Ice Release. Be careful. One misstep and we'll end up frozen solid," Torifu warned.

"Got it."

Shibi nodded. He hated this kind of environment—his insects didn't handle cold well.

Flames rose from Kiyosuke's body, casting a wave of warmth over his companions.

Torifu and Shibi felt the heat and gave approving nods.

"You're a good kid," Torifu murmured.

Kiyosuke was considerate enough to keep them warm—but now wasn't the time for sentiment.

"Konoha shinobi... You actually managed to kill members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? Let us of the Yuki Clan show you the true power of Kirigakure!"

The voice came from all around.

Torifu's ears twitched. In an instant, he grabbed Shibi and Kiyosuke, leaping away just as the ground they'd been standing on was pelted with countless thin needles.

A closer look revealed—they were made entirely of ice.

"Hot, hot, hot!"

Torifu flinched, quickly letting go of Kiyosuke's hand.

"Sorry."

"I really hate this place."

"Same."

"Captain Torifu, I heard the Yuki Clan's all... effeminate, right? No real difference between men and women?" Kiyosuke asked suddenly.

"Yup. Bunch of pretty boys. Even when they're not cross-dressing, they're often mistaken for women. I've heard certain types of people are into that kind of thing."

Torifu spoke with an easy, cheerful tone—but anyone who knew him well would recognize the dry humor he'd picked up from spending too much time around the Third Hokage.

"You bastard!"

A voice from the shadows exploded in anger.

"Damn Konoha ninja, I'll kill you myself!"

Crack...

The moisture-drenched forest froze all at once under the intensifying cold. A white sheen of hoarfrost covered the leaves and branches—it looked like the whole world had been dipped in snow.

Countless ice-crafted shuriken came whistling in from every direction.

Kiyosuke spun in place, the fire coiling around his hands erupting into a towering column of flame. He positioned himself in the center, shielding the others as the ice shuriken struck and melted instantly, vaporizing into steam.

Inside the flame pillar, Kiyosuke released a snake. It slithered underground just as the flames dispersed.

The hidden Yuki ninja spoke again.

"What a fascinating ability. So this is the unusual body type that Fuguki reported? Truly intriguing... You can use jutsu without forming hand signs. Looks like you're worth dissecting."

Clearly, the man already had plans to strap Kiyosuke onto a surgery table.

Kiyosuke snorted.

"Hiding in the shadows like a rat... If you've got the guts, come out and fight!"

"You don't understand, brat," the Yuki ninja chuckled.

"A true ninja strikes from the shadows. You're too green."

"Strike from the shadows? You've got it all wrong."

"Huh?"

"True assassination is simple: eliminate every witness. Don't sneak in—go full rampage mode. Who has time for stealth? Sneak around, and you'll still get caught. So when that happens, chop 'em down. Can't win? Then blast 'em! Keep going until no one's left standing!"

The forest fell silent.

Even the hidden Yuki ninja was stunned.

Was... that supposed to make sense?

"Utter nonsense!"

He finally shouted, "You lunatic! That's not assassination—that's insanity!"

But even he couldn't think of a solid counterargument. The logic... sort of tracked.

The only problem was—hardly anyone could pull it off.

Torifu coughed.

"Kiyosuke, I get your point... but do that on every mission and you'll drop dead from exhaustion."

Ninja work was about killing in one blow. Use poison when you can, lay traps if possible—reveal nothing, kill swiftly.

"I found him."

Kiyosuke grinned.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

A torrent of snakes burst from his sleeves. At the same time, Torifu and the still-silent Shibi moved in for a coordinated strike.

The snakes slithered across the icy ground, their heat-sensing bodies quickly detecting the hidden Yuki shinobi—no one else in the area had a normal body temperature.

"Ice Release!"

A freezing wave stopped the snakes mid-strike, trapping them in ice. Even Shibi's insects froze.

Torifu's fist suddenly swelled in size.

BOOM!

His punch crashed forward and struck true.

A figure tumbled from a tree, coughing violently. The man wore a Kirigakure flak jacket and forehead protector. His face was delicate—too delicate. With straight black hair and androgynous features, he looked more like a model than a shinobi.

Blood dripped from his lips. Torifu's punch must've shattered several bones—his body felt like it had been hit by a runaway truck.

"How did you find me?" he rasped.

His concealment had been flawless. No sensor should've picked him up—so how did they find him?

A snake slithered up Kiyosuke's pant leg and coiled into his palm.

"You didn't know?" Kiyosuke smirked.

"Snakes can sense heat. In this cold, it's easy to pick out someone with normal body temperature. And unlike insects, my snakes don't hibernate."

"You...!"

Torifu didn't let him finish.

With a twist of his hand, he snapped the ninja's neck.

...

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