Two weeks later
A ship cut across the rolling waves toward Haruko Island, carrying Yukito and the other Kirigakure shinobi who had recently been transferred to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen troops.
Yukito was currently training Yukina in the use of her Ice Release kekkei genkai.
Yukina rapidly shaped kunai, senbon, katanas, and numerous other weapons using her Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, her hands moving with remarkable speed.
Yukito observed Yukina from a short distance as she honed her Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, and he let out a silent sigh within himself.
"I honestly don't know whether to be proud or jealous of her. It only took her three days to master the basics of Ice Release, and now her control of the Ice Release chakra is quite impressive. She now can make all sorts of ice constructs."
'I have never witnessed talent like hers. Yukitaro was once hailed as the genius of the Yuki clan, yet even he pales in comparison to Yukina. Her talent belongs to an entirely different realm.'
'This little girl is a true genius.'
Yukito paused for a moment as he made up his mind. His eyes hardened with resolve, and he whispered to himself.
'Yoshi and the others might disagree with me, but if I don't go through with it, I'll only be holding Yukina back.'
'The Yuki clan's blood runs in her veins—she deserves to be trained as a true member of the clan.'
Having made up his mind, Yukito fixed a serious gaze on Yukina.
"Listen, girl. You've mastered the basics of the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai and fully mastered the Ice Release chakra. Now it's time for you to learn the Yuki Clan's signature jutsu, so pay close attention."
Yukina smiled and nodded to Yukito.
"The jutsu is called Ice Release: Crystal Ice Shuriken, and it serves as the rite of passage for every young member of the Yuki Clan. Simply put, mastering this jutsu is the only way to earn full acknowledgment as a true Yuki Clan shinobi."
Yukina rolled her eyes upon hearing Yukito's words and said to herself.
Yukina rolled her eyes at Yukito's words and muttered to herself.
Yukito then began explaining the theories behind ninjutsu and demonstrated the hand seals to her.
He quickly performed the hand seals and raised his right palm above his head.
"Ice release: Crystal Ice Shuriken."
A massive, sharp shuriken materialized from thin air above Yukito's head, and he hurled it into the sea."
"SWISH."
The massive ice shuriken shot across the sea with incredible force, cleaving the water in two.
Yukina was impressed by Yukito's physical prowess; he might not have bulky muscles, but his strength was undeniable.
She decided it was time to try the Crystal Ice Shuriken jutsu. Yukina had already understood it after Yukito's explanation and had also memorized the hand seals.
She executed the hand seals flawlessly on her very first attempt, moving with swift precision.
"Ice release Crystal Shuriken."
"SWISH."
Her massive ice shuriken shot toward the sea with incredible force, splitting the water in half, though its impact was far weaker than Yukito's.
Yukito froze at the sight, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his cheek.
'This is insane! Yukitaro and I struggled to execute this jutsu when Father first trained us, and yet this little girl only needed to see it once to learn it. This is ridiculous.'
He took a deep breath to calm down, then began complimenting Yukina.
"Good work, Yukina! You've just learned the jutsu, and now it's time to master it. Keep practicing."
Yukina nodded and began practicing the jutsu tirelessly, repeating it over and over.
Yukito grabbed a cigarette from his pocket, took a drag, and retreated to a quiet corner of the ship.
His gaze faded into the distance, and for the first time, he questioned the life he had been living.
Zangetsu approached, clearly amused by the look on Yukito's face, and asked,
"What's with that look, Yukito?"
Yukito scowled at Zangetsu, but he remained silent, the smoke curling from his cigarette as his mind wandered elsewhere.
After a few moments he spoke.
"Never have I seen talent like hers, Zangetsu. My father and the elders of the Yuki clan once praised Yukitaro's talents with such arrogance that it's almost laughable to me now."
"They were fools, like frogs in a well. Today, I finally saw what a true genius looks like. It's both terrifying and exhilarating, Zangetsu—I can hardly put it into words."
Yukito then turned his gaze to Yukina, who was practicing diligently, and Zangetsu did the same.
Yukito inhaled the smoke, letting it curl around him before he sighed.
"Yukitaro was an utter fool. The Yuki clan might have flourished if he hadn't let his pride drive Yukina away. Curse his arrogance."
Zangetsu chuckled and nodded to Yukito in agreement.
Yukito flicked the last of his cigarette ash aside and, exhaling slowly, looked at Zangetsu before asking.
"So, how long is it going to take us to reach Haruko Island?"
Zangetsu grabbed his saucer and poured himself some sake. After taking a sip, he replied.
"Hira estimated that we'd need two days to reach Haruko Island."
Yukito nodded, and the two of them began drinking sake together.
_____
Two days later
Near Haruko Island
As the ship neared Haruko Island, Yukito peered toward the distant land.
Since morning, Yukina had been sitting alone, writing equations on an empty scroll, completely oblivious to her surroundings.
The ship came to a stop at the chosen rendezvous, its crew waiting for the Kirigakure troops to appear.
Mangetsu approached Yukina, his gaze steady, and spoke.
"Yukina-chan, we arrived at our meeting spot."
Yukina gave Mangetsu a small nod, yet her attention never wavered from the equations before her.
Mangetsu took a seat next to her and asked.
"Yukina-chan, what are you jotting down on that scroll?"
Without looking at Mangetsu, Yukina replied.
"I am creating a ninjutsu that combines both the Hyderfication Kekkei Genkai and the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai."
Mangetsu's eyes widened in shock at her words, and even Yukito and Zangetsu, standing nearby, were left speechless.
In an instant, Yukina found herself surrounded by all the apprentices of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, along with other Kirigakure shinobi who had heard her words.
Even Zangetsu and Yukito stepped closer to Yukina, eager to hear what she was about to say.
A second later, Mangetsu regained his composure and exclaimed.
"How is this possible, Yukina-chan? The Hyderfication Kekkei Genkai and the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai are two completely different Kekkei Genkai. It should be impossible to create a jutsu by combining them."
Everyone nodded in agreement when they heard Mangetsu's question, but Yukina was the only one who shook her head.
"Ice is just another form of water. When we use our Hyderfication Kekkei Genkai, we mold our chakra in a precise pattern. I'm certain I can merge the two Kekkei Genkai and create a completely new jutsu."
Zangetsu and Yukito's eyes gleamed with interest as they listened to Yukina's explanation, ready to comment, when suddenly countless ships appeared, sailing swiftly toward them.
When Yukito saw the countless ships approaching them he said.
"Everyone, get ready! Fuguki-sama and the rest of his troops have arrived. We will be setting sail for the Land of Fire."
Yukina smiled at this, then folded the scroll and tucked it back into her kunai pouch.
She rose to her feet, her eyes fixed on the ships sailing toward them.
'It has been a while since I last saw Fuguki-sensei. I wonder what he's been up to these days. I'm very excited to fight alongside him and show him how much I've progressed with the Pure Heart Sword cultivation method.'
When all the ships stopped next to Yukito's, Fuguki stepped forward, smiling as he saw Yukina.
"Girl, it's been a while. Come aboard this ship."
Yukina smiled and nodded before leaping into the air, landing gracefully beside Fuguki.
Fuguki then turned to Yukito and said.
"Yukito, you should come aboard my ship as well, so you can share your strategy with us."
With a nod of agreement, Yukito sprang into the air and touched down lightly beside Yukina.
Fuguki then looked at Zangetsu and spoke.
"Zangetsu, you're in charge of this ship for the time being."
After Zangetsu nodded, Fuguki gave a sharp glance at his subordinates and commanded the fleet to head toward the Land of Fire.
In unison, all the ships surged ahead, heading straight for the Land of Fire.
_____