The oil painting dominated the waiting room. It depicted Doto Kazahana mounted upon a stallion of purest alabaster, positioning the man and beast atop a verdant hill. In the distance behind him, a city rose, its skyline pierced by the smokestacks of immense factories. The artist had clearly labored to weave the national colors into every brushstroke. The industrial chimneys were the color of midnight, the horse shone like fresh snow, and the military uniform draping Doto was a shade of primary blue. It was the same colors as the national tricolor flag of the Land of Snow.

  The portrait measured nine feet by twelve feet and commanded the majority of the northern wall within the antechamber. I took a moment to inspect the surroundings. The room was appointed with furniture that radiated wealth and status. If my appraisal was correct, both the painter and the craftsmanship of the chairs originated from the Land of Flowers. That detail alone was a troubling omen, but what worsened the situation was my suspicion that the choice was not deliberate. It suggested a lack of local culture or perhaps a disdain for it.

  A waiting room within the castle of a Daimyo served a vital function. It was the final image a delegate from a foreign nation would absorb before an audience with the ruler himself. The chamber itself broadcast a message to the visitor, and I sincerely hoped I was reading too much into the subtext.

  One particular detail that caught my attention was the negative space surrounding the central figure in the painting. There was enough void on the canvas for Doto to command future alterations. Typically, a patron would request such spacing to later add a spouse, children, or symbols of new conquest. If I were to ask Doto the reason for this composition, he would likely claim he was reserving the space for his future heirs. However, I suspect that if I asked the painter the same question in private, he would offer a different and far less flattering explanation.

  The sound of heavy boots striking stone echoed from the corridor. I immediately assumed my position standing before the lavish sofa that faced the entrance. I detested how even the arrangement of seating revealed the intentions of the host, and it annoyed me further that Doto likely remained ignorant of the subtle language his own room spoke. The sofa faced the double doors but sat at the furthest possible distance from them. Two modest chairs faced one another across a low table of mahogany, while a second sofa mirrored my own, its back turned to the entrance.

  My chosen position was calculated to demonstrate eagerness to meet him without appearing desperate. The geometry of the room represented more than simple hospitality, but from what I had gathered about Doto during my week at the hotel, the nuances would fly right over his head.

  The grand double doors swung inward, and Doto strolled into the room with the air of a conquering hero returning from a great crusade. His escort consisted of two shinobi from the Snow, disguised in the armor of common guards. If I had to hazard a guess based on their gait and alertness, they possessed capabilities equal to the Chunin rank. They followed him quickly, though their body language betrayed distinct displeasure. I was a foreign ninja within their sanctuary, and standard protocol insisted that one guard enter first to clear the room while the second secured the rear. Doto, however, prioritized a theatrical entrance over safety, forcing his protectors to open the doors for him and leaving them temporarily trailing in his wake.

  Doto sported fresh medals pinned to the breast of his uniform. They caught the light, shining brighter and appearing more numerous than the decorations captured in his portrait.

  "Ah, Lord Doto," I said, bowing slightly with practiced grace. "We meet at last. May I say it is a profound honor to finally stand before you. The tales of your impressive triumphs have reached the ears of even the lowest citizen within the Land of Fire. If my homeland possessed a hundred men as noble and courageous as you, mine would be the only nation remaining on the continent."

  Doto let out a laugh that shook his belly. "Oh, my advisors told me you were a flatterer. You speak highly of me."

  He approached, his eyes scanning me from boots to hairline. My face remained the same mask I had worn while acting as a guard for the Daimyo on the docks the previous week, but unlike that encounter, my attire was genuine this time. My robes were of fine make, yet not ostentatious. I wore no jewelry, opting instead for silk of high quality but simple design. I needed to present an image that did not disrespect the Village Hidden in the Leafs, yet I also had to ensure I did not outshine my host.

  "I had heard rumors that you draped yourself in expensive jewelry when you first arrived on my lands," Doto noted, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What brought about this change?"

  "You heard correctly, Lord Doto. Although I must confess, the jewelry was not genuine. It was merely a ninja trick meant to dazzle the common folk. I would never dream of standing before a man of your stature wearing fake jewels. If I did so, some might speculate that my intentions toward you and your mighty nation were insincere."

  "And you think me foolish enough to believe that your intentions here are... genuine, Shinobi?" he asked. There was a cruelty swimming in his eyes. Doto was clearly a man who would seize any excuse to inflict pain upon others if the mood struck him.

  "I believe you to be wise enough to perceive when the interests of two nations align," I replied smoothly. "And ambitious enough to seize such a marvelous opportunity when fate presents one to you."

  He paused, his interest piqued despite his suspicion. "And what opportunity do you believe I should be seizing?"

  "Why, the chance to take advantage of the Village Hidden in the Leafs. The Hokage is dead, and all the major nations are still tending to their wounds from the last great conflict. Only a fool lacking vision would fail to see the potential in this specific era."

  I purposefully utilized the phrase "lacking vision" as a barb, knowing his brother wore spectacles. Doto snorted, and the way his eyes darted to the left told me he was searching for a memory, confirming the insult had landed.

  "Yes," Doto mused. "I wish others could perceive such obvious things, but common sense is rarely common."

  "Oh, I understand that completely," I said, leaning closer to establish a conspiratorial tone. "Weak people love to demonize those who dare to reach for greatness. They settle for mediocrity and take offense when your ambition shines a spotlight on their inadequacies."

  "Hmm." Doto stroked his facial hair, studying me with renewed interest. "I am surprised. Most representatives from other nations do not broach topics of this nature. They are too afraid my nation will bare its fangs at them."

  "I will admit, most people cannot see past the current state of affairs, especially those in positions of power. For them, everything is fine, so why risk change? But true men, men possessed of ambition, do not settle for stagnation. They dare to dream of more. The Third Hokage is old. When the last war raged, he lacked the stomach for necessary conflict. He squandered the sacrifice and hard labor of my countrymen. He realized his error too late and then made the wisest decision of his life by choosing to step down. He appointed my predecessor, who would have been a strong leader had he not been assassinated."

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  "I have heard of that tragedy," Doto said. "The Demon of Nine Tails was released upon your village."

  "Yes. The Great Fox. The most powerful of its kin. Stronger than all the others combined. It can erase an entire village from the map with a single devastating attack. When it rages, the very landscape is altered. Thankfully, the Fourth Hokage managed to battle the beast and seal it away again, though he paid for the victory with his life."

  "I... I did not realize the creature was so powerful."

  "Oh yes, when the First Hokage sold the other beasts to the rival villages, he made certain to keep the most powerful weapon for ourselves."

  Doto nodded his head, leaning back into the cushions of the sofa. The guards near the door looked bored, which was a concerning detail. It suggested they were not experienced protectors and felt no anxiety over the safety of their charge. Or perhaps they were waiting for someone. They did not respect the conversation I was having with Doto because they did not believe it mattered.

  That settled the matter in my mind. This was the real Doto, but he was not truly in charge of the ninja forces within the Snow. I was being tested. I exchanged further small talk with the wannabe tyrant, peppering him with compliments to stroke his ego. At no point did he mention his niece, which implied he knew the people he truly wanted to capture were not yet in custody. I decided to force the hand of the powers watching from the shadows.

  "I honestly believe that the Land of Snow possesses the potential to rise as one of the major ninja nations, provided the circumstances are correct."

  That comment finally shattered the boredom of the guards. Doto sat up straighter.

  "Oh really? And what do you see that inspires such a belief?"

  "I would point to your geological location for a start. Thanks to the vast ocean that spans between the major nations and your shores, your situation reminds me of the Land of Water. However, you lack the chaotic internal politics that plague the Village of the Mist. Your strong leadership versus their squabbles means you can compete with them when dedicating resources to military campaigns. Furthermore, I have heard whispers of the marvelous technology being deployed here. That should counter the more wild and sporadic bloodlines the Mist tends to utilize."

  "Really?" Doto seemed genuinely intrigued by the comparison.

  "The only question is where to strike first. The continent has a few soft targets and a few hardened ones," I said, pointing a thumb at myself to indicate the Leaf, which elicited a short laugh from the dictator. "The Land of Snow has fruitful opportunities of its own. One aspect working to your advantage is perception. Because the Land of Fire is viewed as the dominant force on the continent, many villages view us as a threat and position their armies along their borders with us. They like to keep their resources far away from our reach. Coincidentally, two of the wealthiest nations practically have their backs and coin purses turned toward you."

  I could have elaborated, but the trap I sensed earlier finally sprang. Two sources of chakra that had been suppressing their signatures made their move. A few seconds later, the sharp sound of heels clicking against the floor echoed down the hall. With an exaggerated huff, the doors flew open, and two beautiful women stumbled into the room.

  "Doto! We found you! Oh, and who is this? Have you been hiding a handsome man from us?" A voice like a bell rang through the chamber.

  The two women were both blonde and draped in robes of fine silk that clung to their forms, accentuating every curve. The first woman wore her hair piled high in an elaborate style, her face coated in a thick layer of makeup. Her dress boasted a plunging neckline that revealed a significant amount of skin. I felt a mix of emotions regarding the display because every man in the room, all of whom were trained in the ninja arts, took a full second to admire the assets of the woman.

  The second woman must have been accustomed to the attention her companion garnered. She utilized the distraction to slip from behind her friend, crossing nearly half the distance toward Doto and myself while moving at a pace that appeared deceptive in its normalcy.

  While her friend was the loud distraction, this second woman was far more reserved. Her makeup was subtle, highlighting her features without masking them. Her attire was modest, covering her chest. She wore her hair in a single long ponytail that she fiddled with nervously in front of her. She projected an aura of shyness and innocence. She had been trained well in the art of deception, but I had seen better.

  The loud woman possessed the skills of a high-level Genin and was clearly embedded here on a long-term mission. But the quiet one managed to mask her abilities with greater skill. She was a kunoichi focused on combat who was temporarily undercover. A weakness in her facade showed through; the loud one, despite being weaker, was accustomed to the patience required for espionage. The quiet one was too focused on the mission parameters.

  The loud woman was a rose, visually appealing to the eye, but hiding dangerous thorns. The quiet one was a piece of jewelry that was secretly a weapon in disguise.

  "

  May, Kitty, I told you two I was in the middle of an important meeting!" Doto barked, though his anger lacked heat.

  "I am so sorry, my strong stallion. We just got so lonely without you and had to see you." May walked quickly to the sofa and sat beside Doto, clinging to his arm. "I am sure the guest will not mind. Will you?" May gave me a pleading gaze.

  "I do not think there is a man alive who minds when you enter any room, May," I responded with a charming smile.

  "Ooh, they did say you were a flirt! Kitty, did you hear that? Did you hear what he said?"

  "Yep," Kitty said, popping the final consonant. She pretended to glance around the room as if she were shy and unsure where to rest her eyes, but the motion masked a tactical examination of the area. I vaguely recognized her description from the Bingo Book, but I was having difficulty searching my memory while tracking so many threats. Keeping tabs on the two guards near the entrance, Doto, and now two new kunoichi was becoming a mental burden.

  "Well, if he does not mind... Amon, was it?"

  "Ah, yes, I apologize. I never properly introduced myself. My name is Amon, from the Village Hidden in the Leaves."

  "The Hidden Leaf? Are you not the villains who kidnapped poor Koyuki?" May asked with fake concern.

  Doto sneered at the comment, believing he now possessed justification to harm me. I do not know who he thought he was fooling with such a blatant lie, but I decided to play along.

  "There must be some misunderstanding. Before the incident with the previous Lord, he organized a trip for his daughter to the Land of Fire. As you know, Sosetsu had become fascinated with the Land of Whirlpools and desired to learn more. As the Land of Whirlpools exists no longer, the Land of Fire was a suitable alternative."

  "What?" Doto asked, his brow furrowing.

  "I am sorry," I said, acting confused.

  "The Land of Whirlpools... what do you mean?"

  "Oh. Well, for the past few years, Sosetsu was studying and acquiring the technology and techniques of the Land of Whirlpools. His interests were vast, but he seemed to focus his efforts on manipulating ocean currents. An incredibly useful thing. It helps generate whirlpools for defense while acting as a massive trap for fish to aid the local industry. Also, it would help deal with the constant problem of snow you have here. I recall reports of him wanting to attempt a name change for your country. He wanted to call it the Land of Spring. In theory, it could have worked. Although I find it difficult to believe he would have been able to affect the entire country, it would have at least made a sizable dent in the cold."

  Silence descended upon the room. The occupants were stunned. The notion that the Uzumaki village possessed such power was difficult to swallow, yet not impossible to imagine. The Village Hidden in the Whirlpool was a taboo subject in the ninja world, as no one knew the specifics of their fate. One day, they were a minor but powerful village, and overnight, their home was destroyed. No nation took credit for the deed, and the sparse survivors knew little of what had transpired that night.

  I was lying about knowing the specific details of the research Sosetsu had conducted. However, I was willing to wager that Doto did not know the details either. He would know that his brother was sniffing around the fallen village and spending money to acquire rare research materials, but not the specifics. The village was famous for its Sealing Arts, and it was common knowledge that they were able to control the violent tides near their lands.

  It was a believable lie that would test if Doto could disprove it. It also acted as a threat that I suspect was too subtle for the man to grasp immediately. If the rumor spread that the previous lord was working on a device that would act as a formidable defense, a resource gatherer, and a way to banish the gloom of this never-ending winter, the citizens would riot. The people of the Land of Snow would be furious with their new lord, who had literally wasted all that time, money, and effort in a plume of smoke.

  I also wanted to antagonize the two foreign spies. They most likely helped Doto perform his coup, or at the very least allowed it to happen, hoping to benefit from the chaos. Now they would have to report to their superiors that the secret bloodline of the Kazahana family was not only diminished, but that the Leaf Village held a significant piece of the puzzle in custody. They would have to report that a hoard of valuable secrets from the legendary Village Hidden in the Whirlpools was not only destroyed but might have been given to the Leaf.

  Furthermore, they had traded a potential ally for a headache. Instead of a controllable and reliable leader who cared deeply for his people and would have been grateful to them for salvation, they now had a warmongering, treacherous kinslayer watching their back door.

  The loud woman focused her efforts on keeping Doto happy while the man himself was deep in thought, trying to piece together clues about his brother's actions. The quiet ninja, however, was doing the math in her head. I could see the tension in her jaw. She did not like the answer she was calculating. I guessed that she would have to report to her commanders about what she had discovered, and she was hoping they would not do the math themselves.

  Looking at the beautiful face of the kunoichi who was trying to hide the panic setting in behind her eyes, I finally managed to place her identity. It helped that all the furniture originated from the Land of Flowers, as that nation maintained close ties to the Land of Lightning.

  Kitty was Yugito Nii. She was the host of the Beast of Two Tails.

  There was only one reason why a ninja of her caliber was here in this frozen wasteland. She was here to kill me.

  Yikes. The Village Hidden in the Clouds was making one poor decision after another.