Kazahana Doto, who had been full of confidence just moments ago, turned his gaze toward Fubuki.
Fubuki immediately felt an immense pressure weighing down on her—it was his killing intent.
"They died because their mastery over their Chakra Armor was too weak. Besides, their armor isn't on the same level as mine."
Fubuki dared not say another word.
If she continued speaking, she feared that Kazahana Doto might decide to kill her as well.
After she left, Kazahana Doto sat on his throne, his face extremely grim.
Although he had exuded confidence in front of Fubuki, it had only been a front to conceal his inner unease.
In truth, he knew very well that while he was stronger than Mizore Fuyukuma and Rouga Nadare, the gap wasn't that significant.
If Yoruha could take them down so easily, then there was a real possibility that he could defeat—or even kill—him as well.
"No matter who you are, if you dare to stand in the way of my plans, you'll die."
Kazahana Doto gently ran a hand over his Chakra Armor, his gaze resolute.
Yoruha and his group had finally arrived in the Land of Snow.
Before long, they switched to a snowmobile to reach their destination.
Seated in the vehicle, which felt as comfortable as a luxury camper, Yoruha gazed at the snowy landscape outside.
"Why does this feel like an all-expenses-paid vacation?"
After all, sitting inside a warm, cozy snowmobile while enjoying the scenery—it definitely had the feel of a sightseeing tour.
Resting his chin against the window frame, he watched the vast snow-covered forests outside.
It was beautiful.
Sitting beside him, Koyuki Kazahana was applying makeup.
Hearing his remark, she asked, "Do you really like this kind of scenery?"
Yoruha turned to look at her and smiled. "Yeah, I do."
Koyuki glanced at the snowy landscape, then shook her head.
"There's nothing good about it. The cost of this so-called beauty is that the Land of Snow never sees spring. It's winter all year round—it's miserable."
Yoruha could understand that.
He was from Konoha, a place with distinct seasons, so seeing snow occasionally made it feel special.
But for someone who had lived in a land of eternal winter their whole life, this environment was far from pleasant.
So, he didn't argue.
After finishing her makeup, Koyuki looked at him.
"I just realized—you're actually quite good-looking. If you became an actor, you'd definitely be popular."
In truth, she had noticed from the start that Yoruha was exceptionally handsome—not just regular good-looking, but truly outstanding.
As a famous actress, she had met countless attractive men, yet none could compare to him.
If Yoruha weren't only twelve years old, she might have actually made a move on him.
Yoruha had never cared much about his own appearance.
If he had, he wouldn't have spent six years at the Ninja Academy blending into the background.
Still gazing at the snowy scenery outside, he asked, "Aren't you afraid that Kazahana Doto might come after you?"
Koyuki leaned against the window, looking bored.
"Isn't that why you're here?"
"I trust that you can keep me safe."
Yoruha chuckled.
"And what if I'm not strong enough to defeat Kazahana Doto?"
"If even you can't beat him, then that means I never had any hope to begin with. In that case… dying here wouldn't be the worst thing. At least I'd be returning home in the end."
As she spoke, she turned to look at Yoruha.
Being stared at like that made him feel a little uncomfortable.
Koyuki smiled slightly. "Then I'll be counting on you."
The vehicle continued along the mountain road.
Yoruha looked up toward the mountain ahead, his expression turning serious.
Noticing the change in his demeanor, Koyuki immediately realized that he must have detected an enemy.
She tensed up.
Yoruha stood up. "Stay inside the vehicle and don't come out."
Before Koyuki could say anything, Yoruha had already vanished from the car.
On the mountainside, Asama was meeting with the resistance fighters who opposed Kazahana Doto.
Suddenly, the sound of a train echoed through the tunnel at the end of the mountain road.
Steam billowed from within.
Hearing the unexpected noise, Asama turned his head sharply toward the distant tunnel.
"The railway here should have been abandoned. Why is there a train running?"
Moments later, a train emerged from the tunnel.
Asama's expression shifted as he realized something.
"It's Kazahana Doto!" he shouted.
Hearing the name, the resistance fighters erupted in fury.
"He dares to show up here? Kill him! Avenge Lord Sousetsu!"
Fueled by rage, they charged toward the railway.
Asama was momentarily stunned by their reaction.
He quickly came to his senses. "Everyone, don't be reckless! We are no match for Kazahana Doto!"
But his words fell on deaf ears.
Many of the warriors, clad in armor and wielding weapons, were already storming toward the railway.
"Stop! Don't be rash!"
Asama ran after them, desperately shouting for them to calm down.
Standing atop the train, Kazahana Doto observed the warriors charging down the mountain toward him.
"Who would have thought that such a group still existed?" he mused.
Fubuki, standing behind him, frowned slightly.
"Shall I take care of them for you?"
She might not have been able to defeat Yoruha, but against a group of samurai, she had no concerns.
However, Kazahana Doto merely raised a hand.
"There's no need."
As the train came to a halt, several side doors on the train cars slowly slid open.
Inside were rows upon rows of kunai launchers.
Seeing this, Asama trembled.
"Fall back! Retreat now!" he bellowed.
But the warriors, consumed by thoughts of avenging their fallen comrades, were beyond reason.
A deafening whoosh sounded as the first barrage of kunai was fired from the train cars.
Hundreds of kunai shot through the air toward the charging warriors.
Asama watched in despair, his head throbbing.
He regretted gathering with the resistance fighters here.
He had known they were driven by vengeance.
But he had never expected Kazahana Doto to appear on a supposedly abandoned railway.
The first wave of kunai descended.
Countless blades filled the warriors' vision.
Faced with the overwhelming attack, they finally hesitated.
They had never witnessed anything like this before.
A sliver of rationality returned to their minds—too late.
There was no way they could defend against this many kunai.
"You've got to be kidding..."
"We're finished."
"Damn it! I haven't even gotten my revenge yet!"
As the warriors watched in horror, knowing they were about to be buried under a storm of kunai—
A massive earthen wall suddenly rose in front of them.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Asama, who had collapsed to the ground in despair, immediately scrambled to his feet.
His eyes lit up as he looked at the towering wall that had appeared before them.
"It's Yoruha! Yoruha-sama has intervened!"
"We're saved!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Kunai after kunai pounded against the earthen wall.
Dust and debris filled the air as wave after wave of kunai clashed against the sturdy defense.
The assault continued for a long time.
When the dust finally settled, the earthen wall was riddled with dents and embedded with countless kunai.
However, despite the damage, the wall had only lost its outermost layer.
Not a single kunai had managed to pierce through it.
Atop the wall, a lone figure stood.
Read advanced chapters at:
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