(Translator Note : I apologize for the earlier inconsistency. Although the original text uses the surname Mizunotsuki (水无月), it's clearly meant to refer to the Yuki Clan (雪一族) — the canon Ice Release (Hyōton) clan from Naruto. To maintain alignment with established lore and avoid confusion, I've corrected the name to Yuki Yoru moving forward. Thank you for your understanding.)
With the conclusion of the pre-battle briefing, the only thing left… was war.
As the newly appointed Deputy Commander of the ANBU, Yoru naturally had a mountain of tasks awaiting him. But after discussing the offensive arrangements with Yagura, he returned to his tent—only to find several figures blocking the entrance.
Noticing the Yuki clan crest on their lapels, Yoru paused slightly, his tone flat.
"Something you need?"
The group exchanged glances. The leader stepped forward and spoke solemnly:
"The Clan Elder would like to see you. Please come with us."
Yoru gave a short, derisive chuckle and didn't spare them another glance. He walked directly into his tent, completely ignoring them.
His dismissive attitude instantly drew a trace of anger to the leader's face.
The Yuki Clan's temperament was far less cold than their Ice Release. As one of Kirigakure's top bloodline clans, rivaling even the Kaguya in prestige, their pride ran deep. Being treated so dismissively was intolerable.
Chakra began to gather in the man's hand—but in the next instant, a suffocating chill swept out of nowhere.
He looked down in disbelief.
At some unknown point, the entire lower half of his body had been encased in crystal-clear ice.
"When—?"
"I didn't even sense any chakra…"
The frost kept spreading. Within moments, everything below his neck had been frozen solid—only his head remained exposed.
Yoru continued into his tent without turning back, leaving the others scrambling in panic as they hurriedly dragged away their frozen comrade.
But before Yoru could get through even a few documents, new visitors arrived—once again, from the Yuki Clan.
This time, however, it was a woman—around twenty years old—accompanied by a young man.
Despite being on the frontlines, she wasn't dressed in standard Kirigakure gear, but instead wore an elegant white kimono. Her every step was graceful and refined. Raven-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her figure—mature, full, and curvaceous—matched the cool, aloof beauty of a snow-covered rose.
Her name was Yuki Akira, an elder of the Yuki Clan. The man with her was none other than Yuki Hisashi, the newly appointed Deputy Commander of Kirigakure's Second Division.
The two waited quietly outside until Yoru finished reading through a document. Only then did he permit them to enter.
"Wait outside."
"Understood."
At her soft reply, Akira stepped into the tent. Hisashi nodded and remained outside.
Since Yoru had reached the rank of Deputy Commander, he no longer wore his ANBU mask inside command tents. His youthful but sharp features were fully visible, though a small, white mask still covered his right eye.
Akira's gaze lingered briefly on his face.
"Deputy Commander, your eye…"
"It's nothing." Yoru didn't even look up as he continued reviewing files.
As an ANBU executive, Yoru was no longer merely a combatant—he was now a high-ranking official, responsible for overseeing military affairs and policy. The documents he reviewed weren't limited to ANBU operations but also included civil and local matters—many unrelated to battlefield tactics.
For instance, the file in his hands now concerned a Chūnin from the Momochi family who had taken unauthorized missions for pay—and not only that, had killed his squad's Jōnin leader and sold the body for bounty money.
[Classified as: A-Rank Missing-nin. Marked for arrest or execution.]
After jotting a few words onto the scroll, Yoru finally looked up at Akira.
"If you're here just to offer concern, then consider it received. I'm busy. I'd appreciate it if Elder Akira would excuse herself."
His blunt tone didn't faze Akira. Her expression remained composed.
"Deputy Commander, Yagura-dono mentioned you've awakened Ice Release?"
Yoru's gaze grew colder.
"Body condition data on high-ranking village personnel is classified. You should know that."
"But I'm a clan elder of the Yuki. It's my duty and right to review and verify the status of all—"
"What does that have to do with me?"
Yoru cut her off sharply.
"I was expelled from the Yuki Clan the day I was born. Don't believe me? Go back and check the clan registry. Look through every line, and tell me if you find the name 'Yuki Yoru' listed anywhere."
The glint in his eyes made Akira purse her lips tightly.
"I only came out of concern for your health. Awakening Ice Release requires both Water and Wind chakra natures. But you were born with only Water. If your body is forced to—"
"Let me remind you one more time, Yuki Akira."
Yoru's cold tone froze the air. His visible left eye radiated a chilling, lethal aura.
"Don't overstep your bounds. Investigating classified information about village leadership violates Kirigakure law. Especially now, during wartime—if you continue, I'll have no choice but to initiate an internal ANBU investigation."
Akira stiffened but quickly stood up and bowed deeply.
"Forgive me for disturbing your work, Deputy Commander. I'll take my leave."
Yoru didn't reply, already bent over the next report.
The conversation inside had not been quiet. Outside the tent, Yuki Hisashi stood rigid, his fists clenched.
When Akira exited, her expression unreadable, Hisashi's face darkened.
"That little brat has no manners at all! You're not only an elder—you're a potential clan head. How can he treat his senior like this?!"
But Akira simply stood there, thoughtful.
Hisashi continued to seethe, ranting about disrespect and arrogance—that just because Yoru had awakened Ice Release, he thought himself untouchable.
Akira, however, chuckled softly.
"You heard what he said. His name's not even in our clan's registry. By our own records, we're not his elders at all."
Hisashi's words caught in his throat.
He had nothing to say to that.
Akira gave a quiet shake of her head.
"Go see to the preparations. I'm going to report this to the clan head."
"…Yes, Elder Akira."
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin