The Land of Whirlpools was a special country.
To the north and east, it faced the Land of Lightning and the Water Country across the sea. It was a peninsula surrounded by island chains on three sides.
Unlike other nations, which followed the "one country, one village" model, the Land of Whirlpools could truly be described as "one clan, one country."
The entire Land of Whirlpools had only one clan: the Uzumaki Clan. Even its Lord was an Uzumaki.
The Uzumaki Clan was famous for being straightforward. Upright, bold, frank, simple-minded, and carefree—those words could not have suited them better.
Perhaps for that reason, compared to the reserved and inexpressive Uchiha Clan, they had a better relationship with the Senju Clan led by Hashirama Senju.
Later, through Hashirama Senju's efforts, Uzushio Village became Konoha's ally.
Even Konoha's village emblem contained elements of the Uzumaki Clan, symbolizing their promise that the two nations would remain friendly for generations.
In truth, the Land of Whirlpools had developed quite well over the years.
Compared with the restless Lands of Wind, Earth, and Lightning, the Water Country across the sea had remained quiet, so they had enjoyed peace and stability for forty or fifty years.
Coupled with their friendly relationship with the Land of Fire, their economy and trade had also flourished.
In other words...
They had gradually become immersed in this false era of peace and prosperity, completely unaware that several pairs of eyes in the shadows had already fixed upon them.
Because today was the Uzumaki Clan's grand annual festival—
—the "Mask Festival."
At this moment, the Land of Whirlpools was still lively and peaceful, its streets packed with jubilant crowds.
As people walked through the bustling streets, their ears were filled with vendors' cries and noisy laughter.
Everyone wore colorful costumes and strange, bizarre masks.
Whether Ninja or civilian, all were immersed in joy.
"Don't miss out, don't miss out! The newest masks in stock!"
A large and a small figure walked down the street. Upon hearing the shout, the girl tugged at the man's arm.
"Dad, Dad! I want that mask!"
"Alright, alright, we'll buy it. Yoriko can buy anything she wants!"
"Yay! Dad is the best!"
Faced with his daughter's coquettish request, the man nodded helplessly, though his face carried a doting smile.
After taking money from his pocket and handing it to his daughter, he watched her skip away. Then he turned to survey the bustling scene before him, a trace of gratification flashing through his eyes.
In only a few decades, the Land of Whirlpools had already developed so much while preserving its distinctive culture. As clan head, he could not have been prouder.
"Ah, it was all thanks to me... Cough, cough!"
Just as the man was boasting to himself, he suddenly spotted a conspicuous building. His eyes widened, and he nearly choked.
"When did a casino appear here?!"
While he was still stunned, he saw a familiar figure walk out from the casino entrance.
"Ah~ I finally lost all my money. Looks like something lucky will happen next."
The youth stretched lazily, wearing an exceptionally bright smile, as though he had encountered some tremendous good fortune.
"Hey, hey, hey! Since when does losing money have anything to do with good luck? Wait, why does that sound so familiar? The last time I heard that was from Lord Hashirama..."
The man in the distance heard the youth's words and could not help grumbling inwardly. But he quickly raised his brows and shouted, "Chinna! You bastard, you actually dared to go to a casino!"
Hearing that familiar voice, the youth named Chinna froze. He scratched his head and turned toward the man with a slightly awkward smile. "Oh my, isn't that Lord Yoake? What a coincidence!"
Then he put his hands on his hips and said righteously, "I had my coming-of-age ceremony yesterday! Of course I can come to a casino now!"
"You bastard! Have you forgotten the Three Ninja Prohibitions? And weren't you supposed to be on guard duty today?!" The Uzumaki clan head's face immediately reddened with anger.
"It's such a nice day today, so I just slacked off for a little while..." Chinna casually argued, but seeing the man's furious red face, he hurriedly begged for mercy. "Alright, alright, I'm going now! I'm going now!"
Before Uzumaki Yoake could say anything, his figure vanished from the spot.
"You..."
"Dad, do you think my mask is cute?"
Just as Uzumaki Yoake was fuming, someone suddenly tugged on his sleeve.
Looking down, he saw his daughter Yoriko gesturing at the bird mask on her face. The anger in his heart immediately vanished, and he crouched down with a smile. "Hahaha, it looks great. It looks great."
"I bought a mask for Dad too!"
With that, Yoriko Uzumaki pulled out a monkey mask from behind her back and placed it over his face. She could not help letting out a crisp, bell-like laugh. "Dad, you look like a monkey!"
Yoake's face immediately darkened, and he did not know whether to laugh or cry.
But at that moment, he suddenly sensed a faint feeling of being watched.
He instinctively frowned and turned his head, but all he saw were the countless faces of ordinary life.
Everything was so vivid and lovely, so full of life and amusement, that he cast aside that slight suspicion.
"Dad! Hurry up!"
"Coming, coming! Hey, slow down!"
Yoake failed to notice the deep alley in the distance.
A pair of dark blue eyes watched him, filled with depths as profound as a still pond.
Achievement-type mission triggered: [End of the Uzumaki] Mission details: Witness and participate in the end of the [Land of Whirlpools] Mission level: Blue Mission deadline: 10 natural days Completion reward: 3000 points
"...The tide of fate is about to crush down."
An almost inaudible whisper echoed until it disappeared into the dim shadows.
Meanwhile, at the border of the Land of Whirlpools.
The youth named Uzumaki Chinna had already arrived.
"Thanks for your hard work, thanks for your hard work. I'll take over from here!"
"Hahaha, then I'll leave it to you. I'm going to have a look around too."
Watching his companion leave, Chinna sat in his chair in boredom.
"Seriously, what's the point of standing guard? Could anyone really dare attack our Land of Whirlpools?" he kept muttering. "Besides, how could any major nation bypass Konoha and attack us directly?"
As he spoke, he suddenly felt his heart skip a beat, and a damp sensation seemed to rise around his body.
Was it fog?
The moment that thought formed in Chinna's mind, the damp mist grew thicker and thicker, instantly spreading around him.
The next moment, a dull sound rang out.
Pfft!!
The youth collapsed to the ground, a bloody hole appearing in his forehead. Terror remained on his face, and in his wide-open eyes were reflected two figures.
"Seriously, they actually sent us to deal with these disgusting Uzumaki Clan members. It seems the Third truly has no one useful left under his command."
One man had yellow, spiky long hair and wore a Mist Anbu mask. His limbs were long and thin like bamboo poles, and he held a slender Ninja tool shaped like a needle.
Blood dripped from the tip of the tool as his arrogant voice spread through the fog-filled forest.
One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielder of the Nuibari—Kushimaru Kuriarare.
"Heehee, he's so old that he's bound to be running out of steam. We should be understanding toward the elderly. Besides, we're only the advance squad."
The other man had long black hair. His upright braided whip and long beard were equally distinctive. His left eye was covered by black cloth, and his sharp teeth gave him a cruel, vicious appearance.
One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielder of the Exploding Blade Shibuki—Munashi Jinpachi.
Whoosh!
Behind the two of them, thick fog gradually spread. Dozens of cold eyes flickered in and out of sight, all fixed firmly on the distant capital.
Like schools of bloodthirsty tigerfish roaming together, they stirred faint ripples beneath the tranquil water, waiting for the chance to tear a chunk of flesh from the whale.
They would dye the waters of the Land of Whirlpools with blood and unleash a storm of chaos upon this nation.
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