Haurutsuki: Beautiful Snow

7. Mist Meets Leaf

She stood with her back towards her brothers. She panted heavily as the smell of burning flesh continued to taint the air. "Miyuki, you-" His disbelief was cut short as she abruptly turned to face him, "Katsu, the merchant." He was slightly taken aback, "Now!" she demanded. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "Use your Paralysis Orb and get moving." She instructed. "Right!" He immediately created one in his hand before harshly throwing it to where the merchant was escaping. It sped off to the side, chasing after him.

Ryuu then shakily walked towards his sister, "You... You both killed them." She turned to see his shaken state. She ran over and hugged him for dear life, "I know. We're sorry. But this is the Ninja Way." He stood stunned in her embrace. Just then, Obito ran into the scene, "Hey, you!" She let go of her brother and turned to see him pointing right at them. "Hmm?" curiously tilted her head at the new boy. "Hand over the intel and surrender. For my name is Obito Uchiha, Ninja of the Hidden Leaf and future Hokage!" He declared. She was taken aback, "... Heh?" Even Ryuu had snapped out of his trauma response at his sudden declaration. "Intel?" She asked, turning to her brother. He shrugged at his own loss.

Meanwhile, Minato and the others spotted the purple orb whizz passed them and looked to see where it was heading. It flew straight to the merchant, entering his backside. He was completely unaware of its presence. Then Katsu ran passed them. Sensing their presence, he looked to the side as he ran. He met with Minato's eyes before looking away and running on. He raised a hand sign to his chin, and the merchant deadpanned in sudden paralysis. As the bull rode on, the merchant couldn't stop himself from falling over onto the ground and getting ridden over by the side wheels of the wagon. He screamed through his teeth, too paralysed by Katsu's Jutsu to even open his mouth. "Kakashi, protect Obito. Rin follow me." Minato instructed. "Hai!" The two nodded, and while Kakashi charged on ahead, Minato and Rin split off to chase after Katsu and the cargo.

Obito was infuriated by their lack of acknowledgement and burst out in anger, "Oi! Quit looking at each other and focus on me! I'm your opponent! Now hand over the intel!" He stomped about in place. She narrowed her eyes at his words, and immediately shot a senbon. Obito deadpanned at the sensation of the needle grazing his cheek. It stabbed into the snow-covered ground behind him. He stopped his tantrum to put a hand to his cheek. Blood spilling out from his small, fresh cut. His eyes went wide as it met the hooded girl's glare. She stood in pose after throwing it and said, "That was your only warning."

'Guys, I got incoming. Help!' Katsu communicated. After their initial surprise at hearing Katsu's voice in their heads, she turned to her brother. "On it." He said, immediately dashing off to the side to go save his brother. "Oi! Where do you think you're-" but before Obito could finish his retort, Miyuki instinctively fired three more needles at him. On the verge of chasing her brother, she aimed for her new enemy's side. But it never reached its intended target...

In that same moment, Kakashi appeared in front of Obito. With quick reflexes and a kunai in hand, he managed to successfully avert each senbon away from her intended target. "Kakashi?" Obito gasped in disbelief. "Go. I'll take care of her." He replied without turning to face him. Obito narrowed his eyes in a new determination, "Hai!" With that, he dashed off into the mist. She narrowed her eyes at the silver-haired Jonin, 'This one seems dangerous.' She concluded it was better to let the other ninja escape as she came face to face with her new opponent.

Meanwhile, before Ryuu could get to his brother's aid, a kunai whizzed by his shoulder. 'Looks like I got company guys.' He telepathically told his siblings as he turned around to see Obito running towards him. He had shuriken already in hand. Ryuu dodged them all with ease before the two came face-to-face, "I don't want to fight unless I have to." He said. "Yeah, well. In that case, I'll make you!" Obito declared as he flung a punch. Ryuu dodged it with the side of his head. He then tried for an upper cut, but blocked it with his arms before jumping back. Obito was annoyed. "Tch! This will bring me one step closer to becoming the Hokage, so stand and fight!" He demanded. Ryuu smirked under his hood, pleased with his opponent's persistence. He lowered his guard, "Hn. Well, in that case..." He began lifting off his hood, "My name is Ryuu Haurutsuki, the last-born son to the Head of the Haurutsuki Clan. I will be honoured to stand and fight you." He grinned as he showed reveal his face. Obito grinned back, "Well then, let's fight!" And with that, the two began clashing in combat.