Mission name: Rise of Heidel III - From Mist to Frost
Mission rank: A-Rank
Location: Frost Country (Mizu no Kuni Border)
Reward: 1000 Ryo + 1EP
WC Requirement: 4'000
Development References: Verdandi discovers problems within the refugee camps near Kirigakure as referenced in The Refugee's and decides to take action.

Objective: Refugee Management

Mission Description: The refugees have been moved and sent on their journey to their respective locations. Over 20'000 where allocated to Yuki no Kuni and will be transported there by sea. The ships will use the summerset canal in frost country in order to avoid sailing around the whole lighting country. The goal is to bring the refugees safely to their new homeland.

Mission Details: The over 20'000 men will be moved into a fleet of thirty ships. Loaded with cargo and enough resources to help them start a proper life in their new home. Including steel, clay, iron, wood, water and food. During the passage in the summerset canal. Local bandits from the frost country will try to attack the ships from landside. Each ship they sink will either cause a huge delay and complications to retrieve the men and resources or even cause devastating losses.

Allies: The ANBU Captain may command a good 30 D-Rank non-ninja kiri soldiers for the proper management of the refugees. Three B-Rank ANBU with standard gear and B-Rank library wind and water techniques, will be available for the captain as their squad. All allies have X-2 Stats.

Enemies: The ANBU Captain will encounter the Frost Nations Bandits. There are thirty B-Ranked individuals with suiton and doton library jutsu as well as weapons equal to their rank. They will try to set some of the refugee ships on fire so they can force the people off their ships and steal the goods. Sinking the ships in the canal is a good tactic for them as the waters are not deep and the goods would be retrievable from the ship wrecks. All enemies have X-1 Stats.

Verdandi glared from the windows of her office in the refugee camp onwards to the Kiri village. She could see the kage tower on the horizon. Wondering what was going on in auntie’s office while she was here on duty. The last refugees not coming for Yuki no Kuni were departing. Verdandi moved down to see them off, shaking hands with one of the sky tribe’s leaders as they once again thanked the princess for keeping them safe throughout all this time. Their escort party would be an ANBU squad on its own, going by their very separate orders. But it’d be a simple task for them to lead the caravan to the southern borders. Verd sighed to herself as she watched them. Every last one of the remaining twenty thousand in the camp had officially agreed to move to her homeland. She could say with pride that it meant a lot to her personally to see such an optimistic excitement coming from them. But it was time for action. With a simple gesture she signed the soldiers to start moving. The demon clan ahead, the refugees followed in groups of their own. Carrying their food resources on towards the city. For most it’d be the first time to ever lay eyes upon the actual shinobi village. The gates would open and a large number of military forces had made a clear path from the gate towards the northern exit that would lead them to the docks. The ships were already waiting for them.

Many would glare in disbelief over the actual beauty of the village. Verd could tell that some had second thoughts over their decision to join the desolate village in the north. Rather would they stay in the mild temperatures of Kiri and the beauty of the village itself. But it was no option for them. None of them would be welcome here for too long for obvious reasons. Slowly they would make their way towards the gate that already stood open. Heavy was the sound of said gate as it clearly shut behind them. Their glance upon the marvel of the mist’s shinobi village but a short reminder of what they were missing out on. But the path ahead to them was going to be an adventure as well. With motivated steps and deep trust in Verdandi’s powers of protection they would follow the eager demon clan towards the docks. In steady court from the last remaining soldiers that were allocated to follow Verd and her new snow people to their future home. Verdandi’s ANBU squad had all origins in Yuki no Kuni too, obviously excited to return home. Not many of them had seen the ashes trapped in ice that surrounded Heidel as a village. Unsure of how they would feel, Verdandi wasn’t going to mention it for now. They would have to face their own tears over the losses their home had taken. Most of them came to the Kiri academy before Hao’s wrath had put an end to most of Yuki as it used to be.

Verdandi watched the refugees slowly board their thirty ships. They would be full to the brim. But they were the largest and best ships Kiri could have brought forth. A great fleet with enough storage room for a lot of raw materials. Wood, clay, steel, iron, water and food. Enough to feed half of Heidel for almost a year and give rise to the new population and their future homes. Verdandi was motivated. She had already faced many hardships on this travel with grace. It seemed like home was only but a breath away now. It would take a few hours until all the ships were ready for boarding. Verd would send a last raven to send in her report and goodbyes to her aunt. She’d be back soon. To her second home. Kiri. With a heavy sigh she boards the main ship. Her squad scattered over the line of wooden vehicles to spread their attention and make sure that front, middle and rear end of the caravan would all have a lookout of skilled nature. Two ships always side by side. Fifteen rows forming as they headed out. The lone lead ship ahead, Verdandi climbing the mast to seat her butt down as the front lookout. Her concentration was something that twenty thousand souls would depend on now. She’d have to be at her very best and be the very leader they were looking up towards. No space for failures.

It wouldn’t take long as the spirits of the seas were already testing the merit of the boats and their sturdiness. But Kiri was the country of many islands. It’s history in making durable ships was famous to begin with. Little could even do the high waves to try and sink these boats. Many of the passengers however were scared. Frightened how they would potentially end at the bottom of the sea and become food for the nasty fish and predators of the deep. Verdandi would call upon her own powers of natural control to force the weather to its knees. Once again, a rather useful and underestimated skill in her repertoire of techniques. The waves however, were stronger than any ninja could simply command at whim. She could only reinforce the ships hulls and try to lower the impact of the waves. Successfully so. As not many hours later. The weather would even out again and despite some reports of sea sickness. None of the passengers had gone lost to the waves. All was fine. All was good. The first test of patience had been overcome. Soon she’d have to feel how the next test would arrive to her caravan. One she could only guess was incoming. As it was not the first time that she had traveled this route. Bandits were a common appearance. But usually she only had to fend for herself. To protect a whole caravan would prove tricky. Once again. Planning was required and important.


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The ships arrived at the shore of frost country. An uneasy truce existed between this land and Kiri. Their ships were mostly rather tolerated to pass through then encouraged to do so. The mist people not naturally welcome in these parts of the world. Verdandi was yet not going to leave it up to chance if she could face, he bandits luring in wait for pray. She’d be once again ahead of them and so as the ships anchored at the shore of frost, she’d jump off the lead ship. Leaving but the refugees in care of her squad. Once again, her Sharingan would awake. Her audio sensory spring to life and her desire to find the evil that would be luring for her precious caravan was huge. It was usually one of her favorite parts to hunt these mindless bandit scum beasts down on her journey through the frost. There was no law her trying to choke her from dealing with those bandits. She could execute them at the way Kiri demands justice for evil doers. With the maximum penalty at hand. Verdandi didn’t often admit to a certain blood thirst. But in moments like these, the hunter in her veins would spring to life and show her colors as an ultimate predator. But this time, she wouldn’t be hunting alone. Avalanche had been woken in his nap from the lead ship. The bear having had little to do so far. But now his assistance was required.

Since ‘Arrow’ was guarding the ships along with the rest of the squad. Verdandi would have to do the recon this time on her own. Just charging in there without proper intel would not suffice. She needed to be aware of which dangers were in store for her and if she’d require backup for it or not. Verd had a vague idea where the bandit camps usually were set up, but they tended to move and hide better the more often… they were found and beaten by the princess. She’d create four shadow clones and make sure that three of them would position themselves on top of the most nearby tree lines. The bandits usually didn’t go out that far so she was content that they would go unnoticed at this distance. The fourth clone would slip into ‘obfuscate’ to become invisible and move through the shadows heading straight to the heart of the forest towards the last known location of the bandit camp. Verd would remain and linger at the entrance with Avalanche near the other clones. But the time the clone took to search the woods made things awfully clear that her targets were not to be found where they usually lingered about. Verd was wondering if, by some odd chance of luck they had finally given up on trying to raid the Kiri ships passing through the canal. But her instincts told her that it wouldn’t go down as easy like that.

The recon clone soon made it to the outer rim of the forest and would not be disappointed this time. A huge fortress made of wood was there. To Verdandi’s great displeasure the fortress was highly reinforced and seemingly impenetrable. A casual bandit hunt would most likely not be on the menu this time. But also, avoiding them would most likely not work either. The fleet was way too large. Considering the sheer size of the fortress she wouldn’t be surprised if a spy of the bandits, a scout had already spotted the ships at the canal entrance. It seemed that, instead of budging to Verdandi’s bullying attacks over the last few years, the bandits had grown in number and strength, feeling cheeky and ready to strike back at the Kiri hunters. She could tell by the appearance of the wooden fortress that it already donned hull parts of broken and defeated ships. As if they were putting their crimes to display for good measure. Recon clone grit her teeth in utter displeasure over what she could spy. But then again, the bandits had built their fortress rather far away off the canal. Recon Dandi would quickly move between the fortress and the canal back and forth a few times. Trying to measure how quickly reinforcements would be able to arrive. Once again, to her displeasure she’d face the fact that the ships were just a tiny bit too slow to escape the potential bandit swarm. But for now, it was important to figure if the camp was already alerted.

Under the perfect disguise of ‘obfuscate’ she moved into the fortress. As usual, they didn’t seem to have any sensory ninja at hand to locate the invisible dragon princess. Verd clone could casually sit her butt a bit off the center of the camp and use her audio sensory to listen into the depths of the camp as to figure if either of these dozens of bandits were aware of her presence or that of her ships. She spent a good half an hour just spying and listening to them and as far as it went, she could tell that none of them had any clue yet whatsoever. It went without saying that bad luck would test her as the moment she desired to leave, a messenger and scout arrived by horse past the gates. Shouting that he had an important message for the captain. Verd clone was sure that what she feared had already become true. Aborting her plans of departure and instead sneaking after the messenger as he moved into the central office to plead audience with their leader. It didn’t take long and the utterly excited scout was telling promise of endless loot and as many ships as the captain had ever seen in his lifetime. Verd was sure, if that intel would leave this very room she was done for. There was no time to waste. She pulled forth a kunai bomb and dropped it into the hay of the stables next door.


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Recon Verd unsheathed her blade and without fail she’d strike from the shadows and cut the captains head clean off his shoulders. The scream of the scout utterly well timed with the explosion of the bomb next door. Her katana shoving itself deep into the scouts belly before pulling the sword up to slice horizontally away until his head and body had literally been turned to fall into two different pieces. The kunai bomb would explode and set the hay ablaze as well as spread the fire among any other wooden structure nearby. The explosion itself was Verdandi’s signal she had been waiting for. The ship caravan had been told to move as soon as they would hear or see something alike flare. While it was a bit improvised, the explosion in the fortress would do the trick. Slowly and steady the ships entered the canal, one by one they would move in. The real Verdandi would charge forward along the canal’s shore with her remaining clones. Arrow, Blade and Hammer were on the lookout. Arrow ahead, being the first recon and defender of the main ship would spy into the distance if she could make out any deeper intel over what her mistress was doing in that forest. Verdandi quickly made out a larger group of about B-Ranked bandits at the shore. Without fail she would charge them. Riding on Avalanches back. With three clones as backup. They would have no chance against the frost princess and her beast.

While Avalanche budged his full body weigh in the very first bandit he could make out. His sabretooth enhanced jaw would dig into his targets neck and rip out a large piece of flesh. His claws crawling into the poor man’s belly. He was instantly dead. Verdandi herself, leaped off his back in a somersault forward. Coming down with both hands tightly gripping her blade as she slices her legendary katana straight through the first target she came down upon. In an elegant swing to the right, she’d cut off another man’s arm just as he showed intent to be forming handseals. The bandits in the distance had more time to actually form their seals and fireballs would be rushing towards Verdandi from all sides. A perfect moment for the clones to appear. A primary archerfish technique would swallow the first gush of fire and extinguish them. A large ice dome wall would appear to further separate half of the remaining bandits from the other half. Avalanche was already charging for his next victim. Kunai and senbon as well as arrows couldn’t bother the creature fully covered in heaviest of armor. He’d pin number three against the ice dome wall before literally ripping his leg off and assaulting his face with heavy bites. Large frost spears were created from the clones and returned to where the fireballs had come from. Impaling another three targets in an instant, while Verdandi have the guy with one missing arm his mercy kill. In not even five minutes, half the bandit squad. All of which were trapped in the ice dome were dead.

Meanwhile. Recon Dandi was charged with the task of keeping the reinforcements at bay. To fight the complete army of the bandits would be a battle that she couldn’t take on today, not while so many civilian lives were at danger on the canal. The invisible kunoichi moved towards the entrance gate, casually placing an explosive tag there while she watched the hundreds of bandit’s storming into the center of the fortress. Many of the obviously confused over what was happening. Finding but the corpses of the captain and the scout in the main tent and trying to put out the fires in the stable. Recon would have to keep them busy as long as possible. Moving like a flash over the walls. Cutting her blade into various machinery that was held together by rope. Letting simple constructions break down and cause a ruckus. Cutting through frail wooden posts at the feet of various defensive towers. Letting them collapse. The more damage she’d cause, the busier the fortress would become. But hundreds of them were now in the open. Many of them already rescuing their brethren and searching the broken towers for any survivors. The recon clone moving without break. It’s path of destruction more and more clearly giving away it’s location. Soon there would be bandit hunters going after her. But once again their concentration would be disturbed by the explosion at the entrance gate.

Meanwhile Verd had melted an exit into her ice dome. Avalanche ahead, she’d storm for the remaining bandit troops. But just as she sliced her blade into her next victim. Reinforcements for them arrived. Verdandi called for her clones and Avalanche for a short retreat. At least two clones had slain another bandit with their own katana though. Around ten were dead. But another twenty at least were still out there. Just about that moment Verd realized. The caravan had arrived. She could clearly see the large mast of the head ship moving in. The bandits glaring in utter disbelief at the sudden appearance of o so many ships. The fortress had to be warned. Were they being attacked. Was someone trying to sneak such a golden price past them just like that? Verdandi could tell that three bandits split away from the rest and started to run for the fortress. The princes jumped back on Avalanche and made haste to chase after them. Bypassing the various other bandits in a quickening burst of speed from the bear. Verdandi kept the incoming projectiles at bay while she commanded her three clones to go back in and attack these remains. With heavy steps she would squeeze her feet into Ava’s armored hips. Telling him to give it his all. They were not to reach the camp. Not while the caravan was now oh so close in the very middle of the canal.


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Meanwhile, Recon clone had been cornered by the bandit hunters. Her disguise wasn’t helping anymore. She had to keep them at bay just a little longer. But how? Verd thought. A little act of deception maybe? She undid her stealth technique. Sheathing her blade. Lifting her arms and kneeling softly. “Alright, you got me.” She exhaled calmly. The hunters vary of her. Knowing well the amount of damage caused was not something one could do oh so lightly. “Who are you? Why are you attacking us?” They asked ahead. As expected, Verdandi had successfully disturbed their information flow. None of them had the slightly clue over what was going on at the shore. “I came here for revenge. Your bandit captain had slain my brother. He had his death coming for him. I have already accomplished my goal. Kill me now if you wish. I do not care.” The Verdandi clone spoke with emotion and reason. A theatrical display of drama. But it was working. The hunters were hesitant to actually come and try to behead her. Curiosity and confusion were taking the better of them. Especially, since Verdandi alone knew that all of this was but bound to a timer. The moment the ships would arrive to the open sea, they were safe. None of these cowards would ever dare try to hunt down a Kiri ship at full mast on its way to the north pole. Even sinking one of the ships would only cause the loot to be lost for good.

Verdandi and Avalanche arrived at the runaway squad. Verd quickly tossed a kunai at one mans legs that was too far ahead. She could see him fall as Avalanche jumped to claim the closest one as his victim. Verdandi once again leaped off her pet and charged forward at full speed. Lifting her katana, she would slice through the first one’s belly and sever his upper from his lower body with one simple, clean and powerful blow. Despite his wound that last bastard was getting up again and moving. He was awfully close to get off the forest and into the valley surrounding the fortress. Even if he didn’t reach it, him being seen by the obviously cautious guards on the fortress’s watchtowers would cause troubles. Verd had to use it. Slipstream Dash. With a sudden gush of wind speed, she instantly would catch up with her prey. He turned around. His bleeding calf already causing him great pain. But he’d suffer no longer. Verdandi’s katana found its way, straight through his head into his brain. He was dead. A clean and painless end for a suffering fellow and once again, the crisis of being stopped was averted. Verdandi turned around. She had to help her clones deal with the remaining bandits at the shore. One of the clones had been pierced by a doton spear and dispersed. It’s knowledge of how the fight was going instantly returning to Verdandi’s mind. Informing her over what’s going on there.

Arrow, Hammer and Blade had joined the fray. Leaving the protection of the ships up to the soldiers. The caravan already passing completely past the middle point. Only a few more minutes and they would be far enough that the bandits wouldn’t be able to catch up anymore, even if they figured what was going on. Recon clone had managed to wrap up the hunters in a tale of tears and blood. Of a young and aspiring bandit, her imaginary brother, whom only wanted to become the strongest, richest and most badass bandit ever. Before he was betrayed by his best friend the captain. It was hilarious how much time Verd’s clone could buy this way. But eventually one of the hunters got fed up with it. Commanding his men to take her and execute her. He couldn’t stand the whole drama any longer. Recon clone smiled. She’d lift her katana once again and with a large scream charge for the many hunters coming for her. Her blade would take at least twelve of them with her before she eventually puffed into non-existence. Making the hunters tragically aware of it being but a shadow clone and so, the bandits finally moving from their castle. Obviously eager to find now whom was messing with them. Their scouts rushing into all four directions trying to find the owner of the notorious recon clone. But alas, their reports over what was happening at the shore would come too late, way too late.

Verdandi mused for a while over the fun experiences and memories she received from recon clone. She was once again positively surprised as too how much intelligence and independent thinking mere clones were able to produce. Avalanche had already found his next prey. The remaining two clone were butchering through doton throwing bandits with simple ice armor. Slicing their blades against them. Arrow was taking the headshot from afar. Blade stealthily moved in to cut some feet off and hammer did what he did best. Smashing his fricking huge weapon onto someone’s face to crush their skull. Needless to say, the remains of the shore bandits were decimated. Only one of them was still alive. Arrow had shot two projectiles into his shoulders, pinning him to a nearby tree. Verdandi turned to nod to her ANBU Squad and let them run off to catch up with the last ships before they fully left shore. Most of the caravan had already moved out into the open sea. The bandit scouts that were looking for Verd most likely only spotting the rear end of the last few ships with obviously no chances to go back, get the troops and catch them. Verd glared at the last survivor. “Why do you keep bothering people here. Haven’t I beaten you every darn time I came here? Why do you insist on me hurting you guys. It’s annoying. Tell your Masters to get lost with their little fortress. Or I swear to the heavens. I’ll come back and burn it down for you.” With that said. Verd mounted Avalanche and left the last survivor to tell the tale. Soon catching up with her caravan. Read to sail the open sea in utter freedom.

[EXIT] - Part III complete.


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