Snow Moon Castle, this Land of Snow's only Capital, under the rule of Kazahana Dōtō for more than ten years, has lost its former warmth and become covered with a layer of iron-gray coldness.
In the center of the city, Daimyo's Mansion, which was originally inhabited by successive generations of Daimyo, had already been reduced to scorched earth in the fire of the coup that year.
Instead, there is a huge Palace that rises from the ground and is made of black Basalt and cold steel. It has a ferocious shape and rough lines, like a steel giant crawling on the snowy field, exuding an unquestionable sense of authority and oppression.
Palace The deepest main hall is surprisingly empty.
The high dome envelopes the vast space below, and light pours in from the narrow, high windows inlaid with iron bars, casting a few pale spots on the cold ground.
At the end of the hall, on several dark steps, there stood a huge throne carved from a single piece of Black Iron and wrapped with dark gold patterns.
Kazahana Dōtō sits alone on the throne. He is tall and burly, and even when he is sitting, he gives people a sense of calmness like a mountain.
He has a Chinese-character face that is calm and intimidating, with thick black Long Hair draped over his shoulders, and a metal Forehead Protector inlaid with Deep Blue gems on his forehead.
He closed his eyes, as if he was dozing, or deep in thought.
In the empty hall, only his steady and long breathing echoed.
Suddenly, his thick eyebrows moved almost imperceptibly, and he slowly opened his eyes.
They were a pair of eyes that were like thousands of years of ice, cold, deep, without any warmth, only the indifference and scrutiny accumulated from long-term control of the power of life and death.
"It's been... three days."
A low voice sounded in the hall.
"Nadare Rōga and the others haven't been able to bring Koyuki back yet?"
He seemed to be talking to himself, or asking about someone who might be hiding in the dark.
In fact, the ominous premonition deep in my heart has been quietly entrenching itself like a poisonous snake since yesterday.
It's just that he doesn't want to, or rather, doesn't bother to believe it.
Three Chakra Armor and powerful Snow Ninja go to "invite" an exiled princess and a movie troupe back. What surprises could happen?
"Squeak--Gah--"
The heavy Palace front door made a hard friction sound and slowly opened a gap inward.
The dazzling skylight and wind and snow outside the hall instantly poured in, pulling out a long, bright strip of light on the ground.
A figure, following the light, stepped into the darkness and silence that symbolized the highest power of Land of Snow.
The person who came was a young man with blond hair and a figure as tall as a pine tree.
He was wearing a suit of Chakra Armor that had been obviously modified, but the original white and blue pattern could still be seen. It was the suit that originally belonged to Nadare Rōga, but when he was wearing it at the moment, it was a little less arrogant than Nadare Rōga, and a little more neat and calm as a swordsman.
He held a Longsword casually in his right hand, pointed the tip of the sword diagonally at the ground, and walked steadily, neither fast nor slow. The soles of his boots stepped on the smooth and cold black stone slabs, making a clear and regular "tap, tap" sound, which seemed particularly abrupt in the dead silence of the hall.
The young man's gaze went straight across the empty hall and fell on the arrogant figure on the throne at the end of the steps.
They were a pair of eyes as blue as the clear polar sky, but as cold as the ice of eternity. There was no curiosity, no fear, or even obvious hostility in them, only an almost indifferent look.
"Are you Kazahana Dōtō?"
The young man's voice sounded, not high-pitched, but clearly penetrated the empty distance, with a deep and calm tone that was inconsistent with his age.
Kazahana Dōtō's eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint trace of surprise flashed in Bing Blue Eyes's pupils, which then turned into a deeper coldness and amusement.
He did not get angry, and his body posture did not even change. He just slowly raised his right hand, supported his right cheek with his palm, tilted his body slightly, and leaned on the cold armrest of the throne in a more relaxed and even condescending posture.
"Huh..."
An unknown chuckle escaped from Kazahana Dōtō's throat.
"You are an... interesting young man."
He glanced at the armor on the young man's body, and the look in his eyes said everything.
"Knowing who I am, how dare you walk into this place with a sword..."
Is it Desperado who took over the mission of that little girl Kazahana Koyuki and came to die?"
The corners of his mouth raised in a cold arc. No need to confirm, Nadare Rōga, Fubuki Kakuyoku, Fuyukuma Kōssetsu...
The three capable men who have been with him for many years are probably in danger.
Because Chakra Armor, which they regarded as a treasure and never left their bodies, was currently wearing this strange young man.
In Kazahana Dōtō's heart, there was not much grief for the death of his subordinates, but instead a long-lost, almost fresh curiosity arose.
It has been more than ten years since he took this position and integrated the Snow Kingdom with his iron fist and chakra armor technology. No one has dared to openly challenge his authority, let alone walk into his palace so calmly with a sword and look at him with such eyes.
"I killed those three of your men."
Naruto admitted directly, with a tone as calm as describing the weather, "Frankly speaking, last night, I learned that the guy named Nadare Rōga, in addition to being your lackey, is also Commander of Land of Snow Martial Pacification Office."
He paused, and there was a hint of displeasure at being plotted deep in his eyes.
Was put together.
If we had known that Nadare Rōga had such an official status, Two Million Ryō's commission fee would never have been able to send him away!
When it comes to the death of Martial Pacification Office Commander, the nature is completely different, and the trouble will increase exponentially.
Asama Sandayu knew about it but didn't tell him!
Naruto raised his right hand expressionlessly, and Longsword, which had been pointing obliquely at the ground, then raised it. Under the pale light coming from the high window, the sharp sword edge reflected a little cold star, pointing straight at Kazahana Dōtō on the throne.
The movements are clean and neat, with an unquestionable determination.
"Now, I give you two choices."
His voice echoed in the empty hall, clear and cold:
"First, as Daimyo of the Land of Snow, I personally promise that I will never issue any form of official wanted, reward or retaliation against me or anyone related to me because of this matter.
As long as you nod now, I will turn around and leave without looking back. I will never get involved in the mess between your uncle and nephew."
"Second..."
The tip of the sword slightly adjusted its angle and was aimed at Kazahana Dōtō's chest.
"... just die here."
The air seemed to be completely frozen at this moment.
The sound of wind and snow outside the palace seemed to become distant.
Only the cold light of the sword's edge collided silently with the gaze of the ice-blue eyes on the throne.
After a brief moment of dead silence--
"Hahahahahaha!"
Kazahana Dōtō burst out into a burst of laughter. The laughter was rich but cold, full of angry sarcasm and strong murderous intent, and it reverberated under the dome of the hall.
He leaned forward and clenched the palm of his hand that was holding the armrest, revealing the veins on the back of his hand.
"Interesting... so interesting!"
The laughter stopped suddenly, and Kazahana Dōtō slowly stood up.
He was already tall, but now he stood completely upright, which made him even more oppressive.
Under the well-tailored dark Daimyo clothes, one could vaguely feel the explosive power contained in the burly body, as well as... some kind of hidden, cold and biting energy fluctuations.
He looked down at the blond young man at the foot of the steps. There was no trace of amusement in his ice-blue eyes, only the pure coldness before a snowstorm.
"You are the first person who dares to speak like this in front of me in more than ten years."
Kazahana Dōtō's voice became deeper, but it contained a storm, "Young man, your courage is commendable.
But..."
He slowly raised one hand, palm upward, and traces of white cold air with ice crystals visible to the naked eye began to linger and gather in his palm, and the surrounding temperature seemed to drop suddenly.
"Then you can give it a try!"