Chapter 7 - Explosive Growth in Power! Yuki Yuki Throws Herself Into His Arms!!!
Because he understood the truth better than anyone else, Chiba handled everything with calm, almost ruthless precision. Rather than acting openly, he ordered only his most trusted people to move in silence, instructing them to spread a single piece of information throughout Kirigakure: that Yagura Karatachi, the Yondaime Mizukage, was under the control of a powerful genjutsu.
Whether the rumor was believed or dismissed was irrelevant. The moment it surfaced, doubt would take root. And once doubt existed, the Hidden Mist's leadership would be forced to turn inward. Suspicion would fracture trust. Trust would collapse into paranoia. That chain reaction was inevitable. The only variable Chiba could not fully control was whether Elder Genji-the true pillar stabilizing Kirigakure-would realize the truth quickly enough to contain the damage.
With the strategic groundwork laid, Chiba personally dealt with the aftermath of the battle. There was no hesitation, no sentimentality. The corpses of the two fallen members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were handled decisively, stripped of both dignity and legacy. He claimed their weapons for himself without the slightest pause: the Kubikiribōchō (Executioner's Blade) once wielded by Jūzō Biwa, and the Kiba (Lightning Fang), Raiga Kurosuki's Thunder Blade.
Returning them to Kirigakure had never been an option. The swords of two elite Mist shinobi, combined with the captured remnants of the envoy corps, were more valuable as leverage than as trophies. When the Hidden Mist inevitably came knocking again, these would become bargaining chips sharp enough to draw blood before a single blade was swung.
Only when everything had been settled-when the council hall finally returned to silence-did Chiba allow his focus to turn inward. During the battle, the system's notifications had sounded again and again, but survival had taken precedence over everything else. Now, alone, the chime echoed clearly.
Ding.
"Congratulations to the host for successfully defeating Jūzō Biwa."
"Ninja Rank: High-Level Jōnin."
"Battle Evaluation: A-Rank."
"Reward: 8,000 points."
Another chime followed immediately, sharper than the first.
"Congratulations to the host for successfully defeating Raiga Kurosuki."
"Ninja Rank: Elite Jōnin (Early Stage)."
"Battle Evaluation: S-Rank."
"Reward: 15,000 points."
Chiba exhaled slowly, the breath heavy but controlled. A restrained, dangerous smile curved his lips. Two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen-legends of the Bloody Mist-had fallen by his hands alone. An A-rank and an S-rank evaluation. A total of 23,000 points. The rewards were fitting.
"Would the host like to immediately allocate the reward points?"
"Yes."
The response came without hesitation. Every accumulated point was invested at once into the Hie Hie no Mi (Ice–Ice Fruit). A violent, biting cold surged through his body, far sharper than before-denser, heavier, more absolute. The ice was no longer merely an ability he wielded. It was becoming something closer to an extension of his existence.
In an instant-
BOOM!!!
The development level of the Ice–Ice Fruit surged violently, leaping straight from Level One to Level Three.
Current Proficiency: LV3 (23,100 / 30,000)
As the fruit evolved, every ice-based technique underwent a qualitative transformation.
Ice Blade (Hyōtō - Ice Saber).
Ice Ball (Hyōkyū - Frozen Sphere).
Time Freeze Capsule (Tōketsu Jikan - Frozen Time).
Frozen Moment (Shunkan Hyōketsu - Instant Freeze).
Twin Halberd Spears (Sōsō Hyōgeki - Dual Ice Halberds).
Pheasant Beak (Hyōchō - Ice Pheasant).
And even-
Ice Age (Hyōkai Sōten - Frozen World).
One of Kuzan's most devastating large-scale techniques.
Previously, Chiba estimated that Ice Age could barely engulf the council hall. Now, its effective range had expanded more than tenfold. On a true battlefield, it could freeze hundreds of shinobi in a single instant, turning an army into statues of despair.
At the same time, his overall combat evaluation shifted decisively-from Jōnin to Elite Jōnin.
And yet, Chiba knew this was only the beginning.
Within the Yuki Clan, the effects of his ascension were immediate. With Chiba as clan head, the clan united as never before and began to recover at a visible pace. The fear that once followed the awakening of Ice Release gradually faded, replaced by discipline, structure, and purpose. Under his leadership, strength was rewarded without hesitation. Talent was nurtured, not feared. After all, a kekkei genkai was nothing more than talent given form-only a place like Kirigakure would hunt such gifts as if they were sins.
That day, inside the clan head's office, Chiba was quietly handling administrative matters when a subtle presence caught his attention. A small figure cautiously peeked through the doorway, half-hidden, as if unsure whether she was allowed to exist there.
Chiba looked up and smiled.
It was Yuki Haku.
Her large, clear eyes shimmered with curiosity as she stared at him, fingers gripping the edge of the doorframe.
"Haku," Chiba said softly, amusement warming his voice, "what are you sneaking around for?"
She hesitated, cheeks faintly flushed, before answering in a timid whisper.
"Mom said… now that Chiba-nii is the clan head, I shouldn't bother you anymore."
She lowered her gaze, voice growing quieter.
"…But if that's true, then no one will play with me."
Without a word, Chiba raised his hand.
Haku's face lit up instantly. All hesitation vanished as she rushed forward and threw herself into his arms, laughter breaking through the lingering shadows of the Bloody Mist.
For the first time since taking the weight of an entire clan onto his shoulders, Chiba felt something simple-and genuine.
Warmth.
"I knew it," Haku declared with unrestrained delight as she wrapped her arms tightly around Chiba's neck. "Chiba-nii would never ignore me!"
In this life, under the constant care of Chiba and Yuki Yuki, Haku had grown differently from the fate that once awaited her. She was a bright, gentle, and lively child, her natural kindness untouched. Chiba spent some time playing with her, laughing at her small mischiefs, while quietly observing the flow of her chakra. Even as a newly awakened Hyōton user, Haku already displayed an exceptional talent-one that surpassed even that of the former clan head, Yuki Yoru. With uncommon patience, Chiba corrected her posture, guided her breathing, and refined her chakra control, determined to let her grow far beyond what fate had once allowed.
It was then that another presence appeared at the doorway.
Hesitant. Reserved.
Yuki Yuki stood there, her hands folded in front of her, as if unsure whether she should step into a space that now belonged to him. Chiba noticed immediately and smiled.
"You really are alike, you two," he said lightly. "Come in."
She hurried a step forward. "Clan Head… I'm not interrupting your work, am I?"
Chiba let out a low, almost amused sigh. "It's bad enough when others call me that," he replied, lifting his gaze to her. "You too?"
Yuki hesitated for a moment. "Then… what should I call you?"
"I've always thought of you as an older sister," he answered calmly. "So just call me Chiba."
She lowered her eyes, surprised. "…An older sister?"
"And Haku?" she asked carefully.
Chiba smiled softly. "My little sister, of course."
Yuki blinked, caught off guard. "…We're mother and daughter."
"You make it sound like we're sisters instead," she added, uncertain how to respond.
For a brief moment, the weight of bloodshed, power, and fate seemed to fade away. Warmth returned to the room. Chiba maintained his faint smile, his gaze lingering on her for a heartbeat longer than necessary.
"That's not far from the truth," he said calmly. "After all, Sister Yuki… you're still very young."
Color bloomed instantly across her cheeks, spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. "H-Haku," she said quickly, averting her eyes, "go outside for a moment. I… I need to speak with Chiba."
Haku pouted, clearly reluctant, but nodded. Just before closing the door, she turned back, made a silly face at Chiba, stuck out her tongue, and dashed off down the corridor, her footsteps light and carefree.
The moment the door closed, silence settled heavily over the room.
Yuki's blush only deepened. "Chiba, I…" Her fingers tightened at the hem of her sleeves. "There are things I should say. Things I've been holding back for far too long."
Before she could gather the courage to continue, Chiba stepped forward. His hand closed around her wrist-gentle, but firm-and drew her toward him.
"Ah-!"
The sound slipped from her lips as he pulled her into his arms. One hand settled against her back, the other holding her close. Warmth enveloped her completely. The nearness stole her breath. The space between them vanished, replaced by a dense, almost suffocating tension.
"Sister Yuki," Chiba murmured, his voice low and steady, brushing near her ear, "you don't need to explain."
Her heart pounded violently in her chest.
"You've been protecting the clan… protecting Haku… standing behind me even when you were afraid," he continued. "I see all of it."
"I-I'm not thinking about myself," Yuki whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm only worried about you. About what will happen if the village turns against us again."
Chiba tightened his hold just slightly. "Then trust me," he said. "As clan head… and as the man standing in front of you now."
Her breathing grew shallow. "I'm afraid," she admitted softly. "Afraid that if I take even one step closer… I won't be able to stop."
Chiba leaned in slowly, his lips a breath away from hers.
"Then don't," he murmured.
"I-I'm not-mmph-"