Land of Snow, Kazahana City, the royal palace.
"Did you find the treasure Kazahana Sōsetsu hid?" Dotō asked from his seat.
Nadare Rōga bowed and reported, "Your Highness, we searched the entire palace, but we found no treasure he had hidden."
Then he asked doubtfully, "Could it be that this treasure never existed at all?"
"Impossible!" Dotō slammed his hand against the armrest and blurted out, "Kazahana Sōsetsu ruled the Land of Snow for decades. How could he not have a treasure?"
Dotō rose to his feet, thought for a moment, and said, "The day after tomorrow is the day my brother officially names his daughter, Kazahana Koyuki, as princess. Before then, make your move and capture Kazahana Koyuki. Force her to reveal where the treasure is!"
"Yes!" Nadare Rōga left the hall with two Snow Ninja.
Dotō decided to see his brother one more time and ask him to share part of the Land of Snow's treasure with him...
Yet after a long while, the answer he received remained unchanged. "The Land of Snow has no treasure. Stop dreaming about it!"
"Since you are heartless, don't blame me for being cruel!" Dotō made up his mind as he watched Kazahana Koyuki playing nearby.
After nightfall, Dotō led the Snow Ninja into the royal palace.
"I am Lord Dotō! Kazahana Sōsetsu dotes on his daughter and neglects state affairs, leaving the people in misery. He is weak and incompetent besides... If you recognize your mistakes and switch sides now, I will forgive your past offenses!"
To leave himself a way out for his actions, he had even prepared a righteous speech in advance!
Seeing that every guard who resisted had been killed, the palace guards could no longer continue fighting. Most surrendered, making Dotō's advance much smoother!
The king's bedchamber.