The Land of Frost didn't have a ninja force. While they did have some in the past, their army was destroyed in the 2nd and 3rd wars by Kumogakure. Right now, they only had a few ninjas for the protection of the Daimyo and the city. All their missions would be issued to Konoha or Kumo.
Tamotsu briefed Fujin on the details of the Land of Frost en route. Tamotsu also warned his group saying, "I don't have the exact information, but I heard some rumors about our Anbu squad clashing with some ninjas from the Land of Frost. So keep your guard up in case this mission is a trap."
Everyone nodded. They entered the city as soon as they reached it. After going through some formalities, the group was received by an old politician and his bodyguard.
Fujin and his group observed their client. He was very old, probably in his eighties. His back seemed to have been bent permanently and he walked with the help of a walking stick. A Samurai acted as his bodyguard.
The old man introduced himself, "I'm Konda Kunio. I'm happy to see that Konoha sent a strong group for my mission."
Tamotsu asked, "Konda? Are you related to the Daimyo?"
Konda Kunio smiled and said, "Looks like you are well-informed as well. The current Daimyo is my nephew."
Tamotsu said, "Can you tell us more about the mission? The mission statement didn't have much information."
Kunio nodded and said, "For generations, we had a family heirloom passed through our family. It was a sword made from chakra metal. Unfortunately, we had a break-in last week and our sword was stolen. We did some investigation and found that the thief was a rogue ninja who was formerly from Kumo.
His name is Saigo Rikyu. He used to be a Chunin. He became a missing-nin 3 years ago. We discovered that he has created an organization and has set up multiple bases in our country. We don't have the ability to track and kill him."
As he was speaking, the Samurai led down a map on the table. It was a map of the Land of Frost. It had 5 red crosses.
Kunio continued, "We have discovered that his organization has these 5 hidden bases. But we don't know which one he is hiding in. We also don't know the exact number and strength of his forces. So your mission is only to retrieve the heirloom. There's no need to kill him or his group. Of course, if you kill him and eliminate his group, that would be the best. You can claim his 2.5 million Ryo bounty if he is killed."
The Konoha ninjas analyzed the information. There was a lot of information that hadn't been confirmed. The mission could be very risky if stronger ninjas were hiding in the hideouts.
Tamotsu asked, "If such a group is operating in your country, why didn't you issue a higher-ranked mission to eliminate them and resolve the issue forever?"
Kunio didn't reply for a few seconds. He let out a sign and said, "It's complicated. Every time we issue a high ranked mission to clear such a rogue group, another takes its place. It's a never-ending cycle. My nephew decided that as long as they don't kill anyone, we won't spend money to hunt them down.
Unfortunately, I don't have the money to issue a higher ranked mission without getting funds from him."
He took out a small book and placed it on the table and said, "I reiterate that your mission is just to retrieve the heirloom. However, if you are able to exterminate the rogue group, I will reward you with this book. This book contains research conducted by the previous generation of our ninjas on how to combine Water and Wind manipulation into Ice manipulation."
This info shocked the group. They began staring at the book. Fujin thought, 'You gotta be kidding me. How does a weak country have such a book and how did he manage to hold onto it?'
The old man saw the expressions on the faces of Konoha ninjas and said, "I would like to clarify that the research is incomplete. Though we tried a lot, none of our ninjas ever learnt Ice Kekkei Genkai."
The group calmed down. It made a lot more sense now. They guessed that the Land of Frost would have multiple copies of this book.
Tamotsu said, "Alright. We will get your heirloom back and investigate the rogue groups as well."
Kunio smiled and got up. He said, "Enjoy your feast. I'll send someone to show you your rooms for the night."
He and his Samurai bodyguard left. The Konoha group didn't discuss the mission at all. They rested for the night and left the city early in the morning before the Sun had risen.
After they were a sufficient distance from the city, Ryota asked, "What are your thoughts on the mission?"
Fujin answered first, "It is very tricky. We don't know how many are in his organization. We can't even be sure that he is the leader. If he is just a lackey instead of a leader, then this mission will be very difficult."
Tamotsu nodded and said, "You are right. It will be a rank A or even S in that case. Considering the risk involved, focus on your safety first. The mission comes after the safety of our group. So don't be impulsive. Especially you, Tadashi."
Tadashi's ninja dog, Kenta, barked in agreement. Tadashi replied, "Hey, I have enough control over myself."
The group ignored him and continued forward. They reached the first hideout. It was a small hill with multiple caves in it.
Tadashi said, "I don't smell anyone inside the hill. I do smell some scents, but they aren't fresh."
Katsumi said, "I will send my bugs in to check."
He sent a few bugs to investigate the hill. The remaining group stayed a considerable distance away.
After some time, even the bugs returned empty-handed. Tamotsu looked at Fujin. Fujin spread his chakra field and shook his head, "I don't sense anyone."
Tamotsu said, "Alright, let's check the next hideout."
The group checked the nearest hideout but didn't find anyone once again. So they moved to the 3rd location. There was a huge waterfall at this location. Apart from the river and some sparse trees around it, the area was open.
Ryota asked, "Where is the hideout here?"
Tadashi said, "I don't smell anyone."
Kenta barked in agreement.
Fujin asked, "Should I try to sense right away?"
Tamotsu said, "No, let Katsumi check the area first."
Fujin nodded. Katsumi's bugs scouted the location but didn't find anything either.
Fujin spread his chakra field. He didn't pick up any chakra either. But he felt something weird. He looked at the Waterfall. Chakra gathered in his eyes as he focused on it.
He said, "There is a cave at the bottom of the waterfall. But the entrance is blocked with a wall of rocks which look natural."
Tamotsu asked, "Do you sense someone hiding there?"
Fujin answered, "No, but I have a weird feeling. As if my chakra field can't enter deep into the cave. And as if something is trying to hide from my eyes."
Ryota asked, "What do you mean?"
Fujin said, "During my last mission with Renjiro sensei, we encountered a squad from Kiri who hid underground perfectly using Fuinjutsu. I have a feeling that the same might be the case here."
As he said that, Fujin thought, 'Well, I can't tell that I live in a house that is filled with seals, can I? It has helped in getting familiar with how seals feel when I try to sense them.'
Hearing Fujin, everyone frowned. Tamotsu said, "Fuinjutsu? That's troublesome. Even more troublesome is the fact that they have someone who could be a SealMaster."
He looked at Fujin and asked, "Are you 100% sure that this place is guarded by Fuinjutsu?"
Fujin shook his head. Despite his familiarity with the seals, he still couldn't guarantee. Tamotsu asked, "Is there any way we could enter undetected?"
Fujin replied, "Unless we have a much superior SealMaster, nope."
Tamotsu asked, "What would you recommend?"
Fujin said, "The best way would be to destroy the cave behind the waterfall. That way, most of them will die inside. We can stay far away and observe who stays alive and comes out. We can decide whether to attack or escape then."
Fujin looked at Ryota and asked, "Do you have any Earth jutsu that could make the entire waterfall collapse?"
Ryota said with a deadpan expression, "Of course not."
Tamotsu said, "None of us has any jutsu. Fujin, if we enter the cave, would we be ambushed?"
Fujin said, "Likely not. The initial part of the cave seems clear. They are probably hiding inside. Though I'm not 100% sure."
Tamotsu said, "Alright. Let's enter the cave then. We will see if there is any way to infiltrate deeper stealthily. If not, we will blow up the whole place with explosives."
The group grinned at that idea. The group entered the Waterfall. Fujin pointed at one spot and Ryota used a jutsu to create a path. Katsumi first checked the insides with his bugs and the group stepped in when they confirmed that there were no traps.
