"Kazan!"
Kurenai's voice rang through the Forest of Death that day.
At the tip of the tallest tree, Kazan opened his eyes beneath a thick covering of snow.
He emerged from meditation. Below him, Kurenai and Hikari stood waiting.
"Today's the final selection for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. You promised the Fourth Hokage you'd be there."
Winter had arrived. Kurenai wore a red scarf and a warm pink dress that reached her knees.
Black leather shoes modeled after Kazan's covered her feet, with white tights wrapped around her calves. She looked youthful.
A Diamond Mark had also appeared on her forehead.
Ever since learning that Tsunade's technique could preserve her youth, she had thrown herself into practicing it like Wei Xiaobao. She had neglected her Genjutsu training for ages and had only now made some progress.
Hikari looked much the same as ever. She wore a dark trench coat belted at the waist, its split skirt revealing black fitted pants beneath a pair of shorts.
She had picked out leather shoes for herself too—high-tops that looked sharp and unmistakably Uchiha.
Designed specifically for combat, they combined style with practicality.
She stood with one hand on her hip, looking up at the snowman atop the tree.
Then the snow covering him melted before their eyes, revealing Kazan.
"The Daimyo of the Land of Fire is attending in person today. Don't be late."
"I know."
Kazan rose to his feet on the treetop, then floated down.
"Let's go."
It was the same Training Ground used for the Chunin Ninja Exams.
The bitter winter cold had done nothing to dampen the crowd's enthusiasm.
Too many people wanted to know who would claim the seven Ninja Blades. They poured into the grounds until the place was packed.
Outside the Training