Chapter 37: The Yuki Clan
Uchiha Raizen dispatched a messenger to contact Uchiha Oki and decided to remain with the Fūma until his teacher arrived. Eight days later, Uchiha Oki appeared.
"Uchiha Raizen, is it true? You've actually secured the allegiance of the Fūma clan?" were Uchiha Oki's first words, his voice thick with disbelief.
"It's true, Master," Uchiha Raizen confirmed. "They have agreed to relocate within our sphere of influence. There's one more thing—you must inform the Patriarch that their settlement must be placed at a significant distance from our main compound. The energy that afflicts them is potent and could potentially affect us as well."
"Understood. I will relay this to the Patriarch," Uchiha Oki said before going to speak with Fūma Rivei.
With his task delegated, Uchiha Raizen departed. Over the past eight days, he had harvested a considerable number of Sage chakra fragments. His experience bar was now over halfway to the next level, sitting at 168/300. He would reach Level 3 in less than a month. He had also received his third consecutive monthly gift package.
"System, open the Primary Gift Package," he commanded.
[Congratulations, Host. You have acquired: Wind Nature Chakra Affinity.]
A satisfied smile spread across Uchiha Raizen's face. His theory was correct; these gift packages were designed to shore up his foundational attributes. He had initially been able to learn Fire and Water Release, which were likely his natural affinities. Now, the system was granting him others. His appreciation for the system, which had transformed him from a worthless weakling into a rising power, grew even deeper. It seemed capable of providing anything from the Naruto world.
"Second Brother," Uchiha Natsume began as they traveled, "our next target is a clan with a Kekkei Genkai. However, they are very small, probably fewer than ten members. They are the Yuki Clan."
"The Yuki Clan?" Uchiha Raizen's interest was piqued. "What is their Kekkei Genkai?"
"Ice Release."
"Ice Release? The Yuki Clan... could it be...?" A character flashed in Uchiha Raizen's mind: Haku. That tragically beautiful boy who wielded Ice Release. The manga had never detailed Haku's origins, but this had to be his clan.
"Aside from Ice Release, is there anything else notable about them?" Uchiha Raizen pressed.
"There is very little information," Uchiha Natsume admitted. "Every time they are encountered, one of their members dies. They have a sacrificial technique where a single clansman unleashes their full Ice Release power, creating a vast ice field to hold off enemies. The user always dies in the process, their body shattering into ice. Beyond their name and this final act, we know almost nothing."
Uchiha Raizen's expression turned grim. A clan that relied on such a desperate, self-sacrificial technique would be incredibly difficult to negotiate with.
Eight days later, they arrived at a desolate location containing only three small, dilapidated houses.
"This... is the Yuki Clan?" Uchiha Raizen asked, his voice full of doubt.
"It should be, according to our most recent intelligence," Uchiha Natsume confirmed, though he sounded equally uncertain.
"If this is it, then let's pay them a visit," Uchiha Raizen said, steeling himself. He walked up to the door of the nearest house and knocked gently.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound echoed in the profound silence.