Land of Water.
The moon hung high in the sky, and all was silent.
The Hozuki Clan lived on an island outside Kirigakure.
This was also a unique feature of Kirigakure.
Most of Kirigakure's Kekkei Genkai Clans did not settle within the village itself. Instead, they were scattered across the islands outside Kirigakure, forming a defensive ring around the village.
This arrangement had two original purposes. First, unlike the other four great ninja villages, Kirigakure did not cover a vast area. On the contrary, it was very small—almost half the size of Konoha. There was naturally no room for so many Kekkei Genkai Clans to settle inside the village, so the surrounding islands had to be divided among the various clans.
Second, it was meant to make the distribution of resources within Kirigakure more equitable.
Each major Kekkei Genkai Clan was generally given an island of roughly equal size. Each ninja clan covered its own expenses and decided for itself whether to engage in export trade or commerce with the mainland.
This policy and system greatly eased the financial burden on Kirigakure. It also gave these Kekkei Genkai Clans considerable autonomy, making them feel a stronger sense of belonging to the village.
But this policy happened to make things convenient for Obito Uchiha.
If Kirigakure had been laid out like Konoha, with the various clans settled close together, he would have found it much harder to seize an opportunity to strike.
The isolated islands drew less attention, making it easier for him to raise the blade in his hand.
Moonlight shone over Kirigakure, and fell on Yagura's cold face.
Behind Yagura, a group of Kirigakure Anbu and the Mizukage's own assassination squad stood at the ready, quietly awaiting their leader's order.
At a single word from the Mizukage, they would