In this region, the cities Li saw generally were not built of stone. He had indeed heard that the Land of Snow had several cities with highly developed machinery, their outer walls cast entirely from iron, but such cities had never been widely adopted throughout the Land of Snow.
Most cities in the Land of Snow were actually formed from earth. Every year, during the warmest period, they dug up softer soil and piled it into shape, then poured water over it. Before long, it would freeze into the sturdiest city walls. They called it the warmest period because the Land of Snow had no other seasons at all. Many people from the Land of Snow were unwilling to return after leaving their homeland, because they had never even seen spring there.
Watching the soldiers, whose hats were crusted with ice, Itachi shivered for no apparent reason.
Li whistled, and the four Alaskan dogs stopped before the checkpoint ahead.
There were roughly a hundred soldiers stationed before the checkpoint. In fact, this was the coldest season in the entire Land of Snow. Normally, no one would cross through here to the territory beyond. Even if they did, they would usually travel in groups and sprint straight through—only then could they keep themselves warm.
Yet at that moment, a small sled stopped before the checkpoint. The soldiers immediately surrounded it, with a man who appeared to be the captain walking at the front.
He moved quickly, reaching Li in just a few strides. He wore an exceedingly rugged beard that covered most of his face. Li could sense the vigorous life energy within the man's body. He seemed to be a quintessential northern warrior.
The warrior looked Li up and down, then frowned. "A ninja?"
Li rubbed his nose. He was