Chapter 212
The orange-red beam of light is pure Taijutsu.
However, it was slightly hindered before being blasted into the earthen mound by the overwhelming force.
"I didn't expect... you would hold back..."
Kakashi lowered his Forehead Protector, covering his Sharingan, his tone complex.
Whether it was the Fuyukuma Mizore, the Fubuki Kakuyoku, or the Nadare Rōga, none of the three died.
He was simply knocked unconscious and temporarily lost his strength.
"The lower-ranking ninjas serve the upper echelons. Whether their actions are good or evil largely depends on the kind of person their leader is. Under the command of an ambitious figure like Kazahana Dōtō, the Hidden Yukigakure would naturally become the 'evil' side. In other words... for most leaders, ninjas are nothing more than disposable expendable resources that can be replaced at any time."
Akito lowered his fist and stared at Kakashi once more.
"You may have misunderstood something. I don't hate most ninjas, including those from Konoha Ninja. Apart from war criminals who need to be punished, I have no ill will towards the others. Because the rank-and-file ninjas themselves are not at fault; the fault lies with the regime they belong to."
Akito floated in the sky, chatting with Kakashi.
Perhaps it's because we haven't spoken for too long.
So this time, I talked about a lot more things.
Nestled in the warm embrace of the Akito, Kazahana Koyuki no longer trembled.
When she saw Akito's godlike power, she naturally calmed down.
She believed that her father's revenge could be easily obtained.
Kazahana Castle can also be retaken.
"Just like your father, Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of the Leaf of Konoha, who was casually abandoned by the Konoha High Command..."
Kakashi's father back then.
A hero whose skill surpassed that of the Sannin, and who made great contributions to Konoha.
A character like Pakura ended up committing suicide due to public pressure after a failed mission.
Official novels, anime, games, and manga.
No official statement has ever said that it was Danzo's fault, or anyone else's fault.
Hatake Sakumo truly died because of public opinion.
"But... since your master's wife, Uzumaki Kushina, was able to conceal her identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Jiraiya from Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, it would obviously be a very easy task for her to cover up Hatake Sakumo's defeat with this level of secrecy."
"But information about your father was still spread, becoming known throughout the village. It's hard not to suspect... that your father's death was orchestrated by higher-ups."
"The reason is that at the time, White Fang of the Leaf was at the height of his fame, while Minato Namikaze was still relatively unknown. Unsurprisingly, the most popular candidate for White Fang of the Leaf was the 'Fourth Hokage,' so... well, just look at Pakura's experience, there's nothing new under the sun."
With overwhelming popular support, outstanding achievements that overshadow the ruler, and belonging to no political faction, he is a representative of the grassroots ninja... making him a strong candidate for Kazekage / Hokage.
Hatake Sakumo and Pakura are remarkably similar.
Kakashi listened to these words in silence, offering no comment.
"Lower-rank ninjas are just tools manipulated by the upper echelons. Countless tragedies are caused by the stupidity and wickedness of the rent-seeking class... So what I need to do is not to kill everyone in Konoha, nor to kill the ordinary people of Konoha, nor to wipe out all the ninjas of Konoha, but to destroy the 'regime' of Konoha. Do you... understand? Kakashi Hatake, so you don't need to act like you're about to die every time you see me, giving me that stupid look that says 'You're about to kill me.'"
After saying that, Akito took a step and rushed directly towards Kazahana Castle.
Kakashi was left standing there, lost in thought and confusion.
Inside Kazahana Castle.
Kazahana Dōtō stood in the shattered hall, looking at the extinguished flames, and immediately frowned.
He was followed by several ninja from Yukigakure.
I was planning to watch the fireworks.
But they found that the fire had been extinguished.
So he ran over to check what was going on.
"..."
Focus your gaze on the broken wall next to you.
A cold wind howled in.
The Kazahana Dōtō were about to step forward to investigate.
A figure appeared at the entrance.
Then, they came in.
"Um?"
Everyone was slightly taken aback.
All that could be seen was a young man in a black trench coat carrying Koyuki Princess as he walked in.
This is...
"You must be Kazahana Dōtō." Akito glanced at Kazahana Dōtō.
Kazahana Dōtō gave a cold laugh, "Hmph, I—"
"No need to say anything more, I don't want to hear any nonsense."
Pfft!
The Akito raised his fist.
An orange-red beam of light shot out, Kazahana Dōtō's head exploded completely in a fraction of a second.
"..."
All the Yukigakure present were stunned.
Everyone's voice disappeared.
Inside the main hall, apart from the crackling of the fireplace for heating, there was no other sound.
There was only silence...
"..."
Kazahana Koyuki also stared blankly at this scene.
Only then did the Akito realize that they should have covered it up a little.
So he raised his hand and covered Kazahana Koyuki's eyes.
Such a shocking scene could cause significant psychological trauma to a child.
As described in the official novel, Itachi Uchiha went to the battlefield at the age of 4, and his whole life was ruined from that.
Childhood trauma can be very scary.
"Princess Kazahana Koyuki is the rightful heir to this country, and your Yukigakure should obey her commands. Who agrees? Who disagrees?"
The Akito asked in a cold tone, despite his otherwise enthusiastic manner.
"..."
Looking at the headless corpse.
The snow ninjas exchanged glances.
Subsequently, dozens of Snow Ninja present knelt on one knee and bowed their heads in obedience.
When Kakashi walked in.
What we saw was everyone kneeling on one knee before Amakawa Akito.
"That... solves the problem..."
Kakashi's tone was somewhat bitter.
Because absolute violence can often represent a lot.
"Princess Koyuki is tired today. Tomorrow morning, all of you gather your companions in the main hall. I have something to announce."
Akito waved his hand, dismissing the group of Snow Ninja.
As if granted a pardon, they all withdrew, and soon only Akito, Koyuki, Kakashi remained in the hall.
Thus, the Land of Snow came under the control of the Akito.
141. Interrogation of Fubuki Kakuyoku
"Koyuki Princess...!"
Inside one side of the main hall.
Suddenly, a figure stumbled out.
He approached Akito, knelt down, and bowed deeply. "Lord Akito... thank you for saving Princess Koyuki!"
The kneeling adult man was none other than Sandayu, who had sent the distress call.
He was also one of Kazahana Sōsetsu's most loyal subordinates.
As a wise and virtuous monarch.
Kazahana Sōsetsu has a group of loyal subordinates.
Although they lacked military power, they were very supportive of the former.
In the theatrical anime, he is even willing to sacrifice his own life for Princess Kazahana Koyuki.
He was a truly loyal subject.
Sandayu frequently traveled for various diplomatic missions.
That's how they learned the names of the Akito figures and sent out a letter seeking help.
"Tell the servants to take Princess Koyuki to rest. Also, summon all the ministers tomorrow."
Akito continued to cover Kazahana Koyuki's eyes, preventing him from seeing Kazahana Dōtō's corpse with its head exploded.
"Yes..."
Sandayu immediately ran out to gather servants.
Everything... fell silent again.
"What are you planning to do next?" Kakashi asked, his expression somewhat complicated.
"We will bring the Land of Snow under our control, making it a vassal state of the Land of Rain. This is the first country to be incorporated. Other countries will join us gradually, forming a temporary alliance. And one day, step by step, I will bring the entire ninja world under my rule!"
The Akito made no attempt to conceal his thoughts.
There's absolutely no need to hide it.
My ideals are perfectly legitimate, and I don't mind telling them to everyone, or even to a dog.
"..."
Kakashi was slightly taken aback, completely at a loss for words.
"Of course, the Land of Fire is included. After destroying Konoha, the 100 million people of the Land of Fire will be liberated and a new order will be established. At that time, there will be no more wars in the world... at least, no more internal wars."
The Akito looked out the window.
Besides Earthlings, there is also the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
However, interstellar warfare is a different matter.
To Kakashi, this grand ideal sounded like a declaration of peace.
But he still couldn't accept that Amakawa Akito wanted to destroy Konoha.
After all, that was the education and beliefs he received from childhood.
Soon, Sandayu, along with a group of colleagues and servants, swarmed in.
I found Princess Kazahana Koyuki unharmed.
The ministers were moved to tears, kneeling in gratitude and with great satisfaction.
The servants cleaned up the body, leaving only the black Chakra Armor on Kazahana Dōtō's body.