Okay, so, perhaps it started then and only in the last ten years it has scaled up to a full Civil War?  Sounds fairly reasonable.<br/><br/>Regarding the swords, I'd have to agree with Kubikiribōchō as it's ability focuses on repair via the iron in a foe's blood, so the wielder would likely be pretty bloodthirsty.  Shibuki is also quite the violent weapon due to the massive explosions it causes.  Finally, I think I'd have to agree with Nuibari as its uses are quite morbid.<br/><br/>As for the neutral blade, I feel that either Kiba or Hiramekarei might be the better fit for it.  The former because it feels a like it wouldn't really be the the kind of blade used by either side.  The latter because I feel that the ability to store and release the user's Chakra would be a nice touch as, through the war, the neutral party would be continuously storing their chakra into it.  This could provide a story element where both sides are trying to convince the neutral swordsman to join their side as he would have quite the chakra reserve built up.<br/><br/>That sounds like a good idea.  Perhaps they are attacked as they get to about a day from the Village?  Upon examining the bodies, it is shown that they are a part of the Bloody Mist ninja?  And, I like the differentiation.  Perhaps the Bloody Mist scratch a line through their headbands like the Akatsuki did to signify that they are not part of what the village believes in anymore?<br/><br/>*Nods*  I would have to agree as well.  Each team may have different assignments and one or two teams may not even enter the village and go elsewhere for various reasons.  As for killing the leader, we can work on that when we get there.<br/><br/>Isobu is certainly a logical choice, considering the Mist's relationship to it.  However, I wouldn't say no to Saiken either.  I would agree that the host of the Tailed Beast would side with the Bloody Mist.  Heck, they could be the leader of that group.  Why else would the war have gone on for so long and attracted three of the Seven Swordsmen to their side?<br/><br/>However, I also wouldn't say no to no Tailed Beast involvement and have one of the three rebelling Swordsmen be the leader of the Bloody Mist.