Chapter 56 - Eternal winter

Over the course of the next course of the next few weeks there have been a few clans coming to the mountain graveyards to try and settle. After seeing that this land had inhabits, they wanted to try living here.

However, some clans seemed to have other motives and were turned away.

Ernie always kept his eye out, observing the movements of these clans. He wanted to know what brought them here.

For the village, things were going well. As new people started to show up their population began to grow.

Ernie yawned as he stretched his arms.

Looking outside the window from the top floor of the villages main building, Ernie grinned. He could see the many kids playing with each other, running around or pretending to be powerful shinobi. There were also the adults, working as they carried supplies, worked on buildings or sold items.

"Today, is the day."

Ernie said to himself as returned his gaze to his desk. Documents were finished and signed, so Ernie had a lot of free time today. He doesn't get this often, but he would enjoy it.

There was still his Kage attire that was being made, but he wouldn't be able to get that for a few more days.

Ernie left the building and went home, when he opened the door he saw both girls laying down next to their children. Urek, Sumire and Vi were sleeping next to each other.

"Today, is the day."

Ernie told them when he entered.

Hina nodded.

"So it's finally arrived. I must say, i'm expecting great things."

Hina said softly so she wouldn't stir the babies.

"But we just put them to sleep, it'll be a pain if we wake them now."

Himari commented as she brushed back Vi's little hair with her finger.

"If they wake up, so be it! Just means daddy gets more time to play with them!"

Ernie spoke eagerly.

Hina and Himari giggled.

Himari reached over and grabbed Urek who moved his arms in a cute fashion. Ernie came over to her and took him in his arms as he rocked him.

Hina and Himari grabbed the two girls and stood up.

After tossing blankets over their heads to keep them warm, the three headed out.

Shortly after, news spread as families followed behind Ernie's family. They all made their way to the front of the village where two large watch towers were built.

Ernie turned and waited as more people showed up.

Soon there was a crowd of people gazing at him.

Himari took Urek from Ernie.

"Long ago, we had a dream to live a peaceful life in harmony. No conflicts, no wars. We have built a village, something many would think is impossible during these times. Today, I have two more announcements for you all and I thank you for being here with me today so you can personally hear it."

Ernie spoke loudly as he looked towards the crowd.

"We are the Village Shrouded in Ice! Don't forget that, and be proud of who you are! However, look around you, I don't see any ice that hides us. Today, will be the official day our village lives up to its name."

Ernie said as he activated his reitgan.

Ernie made six hand signs as he concentrated with his eyes closed. His hands were interlocked as veins started to bulge.

"Eternal Ice Wall!"

Ernie shouted as his two palms touched each other.

A thick transparent wall of ice emerged from the ground, slowly growing larger by the second. The wall of ice made a large circle around the entire village. Inside the village, walls of ice could be seen emerging as well.

Ernie wasn't only covering the outside of the village, he was also dividing the village into sections. It was all part of the plan they made long ago, which is why they had buildings placed in certain areas.

The inner walls would draw a clear line between the marketplace, and the housing district. It would also allow the guards to transverse the top to allow for quicker movements.

The citizens were shocked at the emerging walls, but some soon cheered.

How much chakra did this consume, they did not know. However, they could see the strain it put on Ernie so they believed it was not a small amount.

After the walls reached window height of the fifth story window of the villages main building, they stopped moving.

Ernie took a deep breath as he made more hand signs.

"Eternal winter!"

The wind blew and snow started to fall. Yet, when one looked up towards the sky, it was clear as day.

The snow was cold, but it wasn't cold enough to cause one to freeze.

"This snow will go on forever, hiding us but it's not harmful at all."

Ernie stopped speaking for a moment as he looked over all the young ones.

"Today, I would like for all parents to ask themselves what do you want for your child? If you would like for your child to have a better life than you had, fear not as today we are opening our doors to you. Send your children to the ninja academy, where they will learn not only reading, writing and math. They will also get an understanding of what it means to be a shinobi. As long as your child is age 3, they are eligible to join the academy. I would like to pass the reins over to Ms. Nana."

A middle aged woman with short blue hair came up and took over Ernie's spot.

Nana was great with admin work, and had plenty of ideas in her head. She was in charge of the ninja academy here, so it would be easier for her to talk about it than Ernie.

While he did know what would go on there, he wouldn't be there.

Nana talked about the perks of the academy and how it would be beneficial to the growth of the kids.

As the village shrouded in Ice was opening their own ninja academy, a great change went on in all the other lands.

All the major clans had a sit down, to discuss the future.

Both the Kizamaru clan and the Kamizuru clan stood in front of each other as their respective clan heads shook hands.

"With the era of shinobi villages upon us, it would be foolish of us to continue this war. While we have both lost a great deal of men, we can also say we have a deeper understanding of each other. Let us work together to create a village greater than all the rest."

The leader of the Kamizuru clan said calmly.

"Yes, together we shall conquer the world!"

It wasn't just the land of earth, in the land of water, lightning and wind all the other major clans were forging alliances to create their own shinobi villages.

After word got back to them about the village shrouded in ice, they started to see how creating a village would have immense potential. Afterall, why fight amongst themselves when there is a greater world out there?

The only land that was still fighting was the land of fire. As the Uchiha refused to broker peace with the Senju.