Kazahana Dōtō stood up with a dark expression, drew a tachi from his waist, and pointed it at his elder brother.
"Are you mocking me? It seems you still refuse to submit. You must have moved the Hexagonal Crystal somewhere else long ago..."
"Let me guess. Could it be with my dear niece, Princess Koyuki? As expected, you must have already sent her away. But my troops are everywhere in the Snow Capital now. Where could a little girl like her possibly run?"
Watching Kazahana Sōsetsu's expression gradually change, Kazahana Dōtō broke into a delighted smile.
"To think you won't even spare Koyuki! That's right, the Hexagonal Crystal is with her, but you'll never have a chance to get it!"
"I told you, I let you have this position. I noticed your rebellion long ago, but I thought you were more suited to being the Daimyo than I was, so I barely resisted. Before you rebelled, however, I had already commissioned the ninjas of Konohagakure to protect Koyuki and take her out of the Land of Snow!"
"Urgh!"
Kazahana Sōsetsu spat out a mouthful of blood. Kazahana Dōtō had thrust his tachi into his abdomen.
"What a pity... In that case, since you're no longer of any use... there's no reason to keep you alive. Soon, I'll send your daughter to join you in the Pure Land!"
"Urgh-!"
The tachi was pulled free, and another mouthful of blood sprayed from Kazahana Sōsetsu's mouth, even splashing onto Kazahana Dōtō's face.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and take your fellow Snow Ninjas to bring my dear niece back!"
Kazahana Dōtō turned his head toward a man who had been watching from the sidelines, also clad in Chakra Armor, with long white hair hanging loose.
He was the leader of