The Northern Country, a land of bitter cold.
White Tiger City.
Snowy peaks stretched into the distance. The enormous city rising from this frozen land was pure white, built of materials both exceptionally hard and cold. Like a towering mountain of snow, it loomed over the Northern Country.
Snow blanketed everything, and the flakes never stopped falling. Fūzetsuga ignored the cold and snow as he gazed toward the Western Country.
"That old dog is finally on his last legs!"
His eyes were cold, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He was clearly in a good mood.
"Chief, the Ice Wolf King and the Ice Wolf Army were defeated by Mingye and the Demon Wolf Army. Rumors in the Western Country say that youngster has strength rivaling a great yokai.
"Should our plans..."
An old man in white robes, with pale hair reaching his shoulders, stepped closer and bowed slightly in respect as he reported another piece of news from the Western Country.
"Rivaling a great yokai? That youngster is certainly strong, but a great yokai's true power is nothing the Ice Wolf King's so-called forbidden killing move could compare to!
"That brat is still too young!"
Fūzetsuga spoke arrogantly. It was not as though he had never seen exceptionally gifted yokai, but to think they could rival a great yokai before reaching that level of existence? He was certain no one but his daughter could manage it.
Even Fūyō, the foremost warrior under his command, was hailed as the White Tiger Tribe's god of war. He was extraordinarily gifted and stood extremely close to becoming a great yokai.
Yet he was still no match for Fūzetsuga. That was the gulf between their levels of existence.
"It seems you don't think much of that youngster, Chief."
The old man