Main World.
Konoha Year 21, winter.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
A cold wind blew down from the northern snow mountains, carrying fine grains of ice that struck Kumogakure's stone walls with a soft, steady rustle. Unlike Konoha's wooden buildings, Kumogakure's houses were mostly built from massive stones, their sharp corners and hard lines reflecting the character of the village itself-rough, overbearing, and unwilling to yield.
Deep within the village, in a stone hall protected by layers of barriers and guards, the brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku were drinking. Kinkaku sat on a stone chair, holding a huge bowl of liquor that shone amber in the firelight. He had rugged features, dark skin, and two horns on his forehead, the mark of the Hagoromo Clan-the legendary bloodline of the Sage of Six Paths.
Ginkaku sat across from him, also holding a bowl of liquor. His face resembled Kinkaku's, but was leaner, his eyes more sinister. He too had two horns on his forehead, slightly smaller than Kinkaku's, but just as sharp.
"Brother, we can't go on like this."
Ginkaku's voice was low, carrying anger he could not suppress.
"That bastard from the Yotsuki Clan! He actually wants to send us to die on the battlefield!"
Kinkaku did not answer immediately. He raised his bowl and drained it. The liquor burned down his throat like flames in his chest. He set the bowl down and wiped the liquor from the corner of his mouth.
"Our Hagoromo Clan contributed a great deal to building Kumogakure! The First Raikage was from the Yotsuki Clan, and so is the Second Raikage. And what about our Hagoromo Clan? We haven't even managed to get an elder's seat."
A vicious gleam flashed through Ginkaku's eyes.
"We've become the Uchiha Clan!"
Kinkaku fell silent for a moment.
"We have