The third day.
After gliding over the sea for an entire day, Hongshi and the others finally reached the mainland and, led by Sandayu, arrived at a village.
This village, the headquarters of the rebel army opposing Kazahana Dōtō, had been waiting for Kazahana Koyuki's return all this time.
Now, in the meeting hall, Hongshi and the others sat around a stove. The rebel leader looked only twenty or so, with a black scar on his face and a worried expression. "Sandayu, we finally got Princess Koyuki back, and now she's fallen into Kazahana Dōtō's hands again?"
Sandayu said, "Kazahana Kinji, you don't understand. The Titanic Pirates suddenly showed up. There were too many of them!"
Kazahana Kinji asked, "The Titanic Pirates only appeared in the last few months. They serve Kazahana Dōtō directly, and every member is equipped with Chakra Armor. They're too strong. They threw our battle plans into disarray in one stroke."
Sandayu sighed. "First the Snow Ninja, now a pirate crew. What are we supposed to do?"
Rock Lee stood up at this point. "Don't be afraid! You still have us ninja from Konoha! (งᵒ̌皿ᵒ̌)ง⁼³₌₃ Let them feel our burning fury!"
Kazahana Kinji shook his head. "It would be too difficult with just the few of you."
Neji said, "Hmph! Mere Snow Ninja!"
Hongshi said, "Neji, I heard you couldn't even break through their Chakra Armor."
Neji said, "Shut up!"
Over the past few days, Neji had been working hard to combine Gentle Fist with chakra of the five releases to create his own unique ninjutsu. He had long been itching to try it.
Yuhan quieted everyone down. "All right, I have an idea."
Sandayu said, "Yuhan is the captain of this escort mission. Let's hear what she has to say."
Yuhan asked, "Kinji, what fighting forces does Kazahana Dōtō have?"
Kinji lit his pipe, took a puff, and said slowly, "Right now, Kazahana Dōtō's fighting forces consist of fifty Snow Ninja, thirty Titanic Pirates, and a ten-man technology-focused unit. Our rebel army has two hundred men."
Hongshi said, "Pfft, hahahaha! An army of two hundred-odd people..."
Yuhan said, "Boss, shut up!"
Kinji said, "We are a legitimate rebel army! We're all retainers loyal to the former ruler, Lord Kazahana Sōsetsu, basking in Lord Kazahana Sōsetsu's glory!"
Yuhan nodded. "Actually, there's no need for a head-on confrontation. I have an idea."
"Oh?"
Yuhan continued, "First, the technology unit. We can send a few people to sneak in with explosives and blow up their equipment."
Kinji shook his head. "No. We've thought of that. Their defenses are far too tight. It simply can't be done."
Yuhan smiled. "No, no. The infiltration is already done. Our escort team from Konoha has six people, and two of them are inside right now. Just give the signal, and they can begin the destruction plan."
Rock Lee said, "Oh! Tenten! Huh? When did she get captured?"
Hongshi said, "Lee! You really should stop talking. Didn't Tenten just walk out of here?"
Neji said, "Both of you, shut up."
"As for the Titanic Pirates, Hongshi alone is enough to handle them. The trickiest part is the Snow Ninja. Your rebel army will have to fight them. The strongest three, Nadare Rōga and the other two, will be left to Team 3 and Kamiaka Hieimon."
Kazahana Kinji thought for a moment. "This guy can take on the entire Titanic Pirates crew?"
Yuhan smiled. "He can. I've already used ninjutsu to notify Tenten and Hieimon. We should hear something shortly."
Aboard the airship, Gato was still his sleazy old self, with his short stature and tackily flashy sunglasses. Waraji and Zōri still stood behind him, except they were wearing Chakra Armor too. After Zabuza's hellish training, their strength had improved by far more than a single level compared to their time in the Land of Waves.
Kazahana Dōtō looked out the window. "Mr. Gato, once I obtain the Hexagonal Crystal and unlock the treasure, I'll gain the power to change the world. I truly can't wait!"
Gato took a sip of hot tea. "All I care about is money, and the boss."
Kazahana Dōtō said, "Just who is this boss you keep talking about?"
Gato said, "Hehehe. You'll see him soon enough."
As the two chatted, Zabuza and the other three slowly walked in with Kazahana Koyuki, Tenten, and Kamiaka Hieimon.
"Hey!" Zabuza looked at Kazahana Dōtō. "I brought her. These ones are Konoha genin. A real pain!"
Chakra suppression devices had been fitted to Tenten's and Kamiaka Hieimon's abdomens, leaving them unable to mobilize chakra to use ninjutsu (or so it appeared).
Zabuza pressed Kazahana Koyuki down onto the sofa, then sat to one side himself without a word.
Kazahana Dōtō wore a fake smile. "Koyuki, it's been twenty years, hasn't it? Let uncle and niece catch up. Lock these Konoha ninja away."
The three Snow Ninja left with Tenten and Hieimon.
Only five people remained in the room.
Whoosh!
Gato seemed to sense something and stood up. Behind him, a technique formula flashed, and Hongshi appeared.
"Who are you?!" Kazahana Dōtō was startled.
Hongshi said, "(͡°͜ʖ͡°)✧ Yo, Gato, long time no see! You're still as sleazy as ever."
Gato said, "(͡°͜ʖ͡°)✧ You're here, boss~"
Jack said, "(͡°͜ʖ͡°)✧ Long live the boss!"
"B-boss?" Kazahana Dōtō could hardly believe it. "This bald, dark, buff guy is your boss?"
"Don't call me that!" Hongshi shuddered when he heard the words "bald, dark, buff guy." "Mental World! Enjoy yourself!"
Strange smiles appeared on Gato's and Jack's faces.
One minute later.
After being tormented by Hongshi for a month in the Mental World, Kazahana Dōtō returned to reality and dropped straight to his knees before Hongshi. "(•̆ᵕ•̆)◞♡ Boss! You're the most handsome person in the world! You're the embodiment of good looks, the spokesman for handsomeness! I, Kazahana Dōtō, am willing to lead the Land of Snow in serving you for a thousand years."
Gato said, "Urgh!"
Jack said, "What exactly did you go through?"
Hongshi nodded. "Mm! All right, that's more like it. Okay, this clone of mine has used up too much chakra and will disappear soon. Just proceed according to plan."
"Yes, boss!"
"Okay, boss!"
"I'll fight for you, my boss."
Poof.
Hongshi's clone vanished in a puff of smoke.
Gato stood up. "Well... starting today, we're all the boss's men. Speaking of which, what is the boss's plan?"
Kazahana Dōtō said, "Let's release Kamiaka Hieimon first and take him to the research center."
Jack said, "Mm! This kid has a real talent for this stuff. He might be able to make the Chakra Armor even stronger. Oh, right, the boss said they've made contact with the rebel army and told us to cooperate on our end..."
However... none of them had noticed...
Kazahana Koyuki sat quietly on the sofa, watching the entire process. "(°ー°〃) Uh... you guys... I'm... still here!"
"∑(❍ฺд❍ฺlll) I didn't even notice!"
"∑(❍ฺд❍ฺlll) What do we do?!"
"∑(❍ฺд❍ฺlll) Quick, call the boss back to brainwash her!"
Kazahana Dōtō said, "Koyuki, since you know now, your uncles will have to do you wrong!"
With that, Jack drew the modified Kubikiribōchō from his back. "Goodbye, little girl!"
Kazahana Koyuki said, "Wait! Your acting is really terrible! I can teach you!"
"???"
The Kubikiribōchō in Jack's hands still did not swing down. "You!! What did you say?!"
Kazahana Koyuki said, "I... I'm an actress, didn't you know? Have you seen my movies?!"
Gato nodded. "Jack, hold on a moment!"
"When acting, you first have to invest your emotions, but also rise above those emotions..."
Thirty minutes later.
"Oh! Now I get it!"
"So there are this many key points to acting!"
"What an eye-opening revelation!"
The Lord God said, "???? Weren't you discussing the battle plan?"