Contact, Astonishment, and Ecstasy

The Snow Ninjas who had defected to Kazahana Koyuki and Sandayu, having detected the unusual movements of this group, immediately relayed the news back to Kazahana Castle. Under the orders of their respective Jonin, they made the necessary defensive preparations and dispatched messengers to ensure that the Snow Ninjas stationed throughout the region were ready for battle.

Although this form of civil strife.

Was not an outcome this group of Snow Ninjas wished to see.

In fact, the vast majority of them were unwilling to engage in such combat against their own comrades.

But their interests differed.

Their stances differed.

This was a battle that was bound to come.

"I only hope this battle can end with minimal casualties! Do not destroy the hard-won development of the Land of Snow!"

It was not for the sake of profit.

But for the sake of righteousness that Fushimi Mine, another Jonin of the Snow Ninja Village who had chosen to stand by Kazahana Koyuki's side, stood in his office. He looked out at the scenery of the Snow Ninja Village and the Snow Ninjas moving quietly in the shadows, sighed softly, and spoke in a low voice.

As a veteran from the era of Kazahana Dōtō.

Nearing forty, Fushimi had witnessed the ups and downs of the Land of Snow over the past two or three decades.

The most terrifying era.

The most miserable era.

The most heart-wrenching era.

Fushimi had witnessed them all with his own eyes.

Precisely because of this.

After Kazahana Koyuki, who inherited the bloodline of the legitimate Daimyo from two generations ago, ascended to the position of Daimyo once more, Fushimi Mine chose to stand by Her Majesty the Queen's side at the very first opportunity. He believed that this gentle and kind Queen would surely lead