On the other side, faced with desperate pleas and humiliating begging, Ryoma's expression remained unmoved. His gaze was cold as he looked at the man before him.
"It's already too late," Ryoma said calmly. "Recently, you've made far too much noise. You persecuted your own niece, slaughtered innocent crew members, and even collaborated with Gatō in arms and drug trafficking."
He paused, his voice steady and absolute.
"It's time for this land to change its lord."
Hearing the cold finality in Ryoma's words, Fūtao trembled violently. When he raised his head again, his eyes were bloodshot, filled with madness and hatred, like a cornered beast.
"Ryoma—don't push me too far!"
He tore off the white robe from his body, revealing the black chakra armor beneath.
Fūtao was the creator of chakra armor and the strongest among the Snow ninja. Ambitious and ruthless, he would never allow himself to die here so easily.
"Ryoma! Even if you are called the strongest shinobi in the world, I will not wait for death with my neck bared!"
He immediately assumed a combat stance, glaring at Ryoma with murderous intent.
Ryoma stood with his hands behind his back, his calm demeanor showing no trace of concern—as if his opponent didn't even exist. This indifference only fueled Fūtao's rage.
"Ice Release: Black Dragon Blizzard!"
Fūtao's right arm surged with chakra. He thrust forward violently, and a black dragon formed of ice and frost burst forth from his fist.
Wherever it passed, terrifying cold followed. The temperature plummeted instantly, frost spreading across the ground. The surrounding wind and snow shuddered violently, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
When the blizzard settled, only a humanoid ice sculpture remained where Ryoma had stood.
"Hahaha!"
Fūtao burst into laughter, ecstasy flashing across his face.
"So this is the so-called god of the shinobi world? Nothing special at all!"
Nearby, Koyuki Kazahana clenched her fists, despair filling her eyes. If even Ryoma had fallen… then who in this world could stop Fūtao?
Just then, Ryoma's calm voice echoed through the frozen air.
"Is this… the strength you rely on?"
The next instant, the ice sculpture shattered violently.
Before their stunned eyes, Ryoma stepped out unharmed. With a subtle surge of chakra, the frost clinging to his body instantly evaporated into mist.
"Impossible…"
Fūtao staggered back, disbelief and deep fear flooding his face.
The ninjutsu he took pride in—destroyed as effortlessly as a child's game.
"AAAAARGH!"
Fūtao roared in refusal, his sanity cracking under the overwhelming pressure. Ryoma's crushing power had pushed him to the brink of collapse.
There was no retreat left.
Either Ryoma died—or he did.
Fūtao pushed his chakra armor to its absolute limit.
Boom!
Violent energy surged through his body. His skin split, blood seeping through the cracks. The armor's core device began to fracture, unstable chakra leaking uncontrollably.
This was his final attack.
Pitch-black ice chakra wrapped around both arms as he gathered everything he had left.
"Ice Release: Twin Black Dragon Blizzard!"
With a furious roar, he swung both arms forward.
Two massive black ice dragons far larger than before roared into the sky. They twisted and spiraled downward like living beasts, their overwhelming pressure crashing toward the ground below.
Koyuki froze in place.
The suffocating pressure crushed her body, making it nearly impossible to breathe. Even taking a single step felt like moving under crushing gravity.
At this moment, she truly understood the terror of a high-level shinobi.
Then—
Ryoma stepped in front of her.
In an instant, the crushing pressure vanished like melting snow.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique."
With Ryoma's calm declaration, a colossal wooden dragon erupted from the ground. Covered in sharp thorns and radiating overwhelming vitality, it surged upward like a divine beast.
Compared to it, the two black ice dragons looked no different from helpless earthworms.
The wooden dragon tore them apart effortlessly, devouring them whole as Fūtao stared in despair.
BOOM—!
A thunderous explosion followed.
The earth was torn open for several kilometers, a massive trench carved through the land. Even the nearby airship and the Snow ninja aboard it were completely obliterated, reduced to dust.
"It's over," Ryoma said softly.
Koyuki nodded absentmindedly.
"Yes… it's really over…"
As she spoke, tears finally streamed down her face. She wiped her eyes and stared at the moisture on her fingers in disbelief.
Since her father's death and her exile, she had never cried. Even when acting, her tears were nothing more than eye drops. She thought her heart had long since dried up.
Yet today, she had reclaimed something she thought she had lost forever.
"Lord Ryoma… thank you for your help."
She bowed deeply.
Without him, she would never have dared return to this land—nor face her past.
Her long-held hatred, her heart demon, had finally been overcome.
"Your great kindness… I—"
"Spare the unnecessary gratitude," Ryoma interrupted calmly.
"If you truly wish to repay me, take real action."
As he spoke, his gaze fixed on the hexagonal crystal resting atop the stone platform.
Ryoma soon realized that the geothermal heater before him was far more sophisticated than he had initially thought. It wasn't merely a heating device—it was capable of revitalizing the entire Snow Province, transforming a land buried in eternal frost into a habitable environment.
This kind of technology, one that could alter natural conditions on such a scale, was truly astonishing—especially the hexagonal ice crystal embedded at its core.
At this moment, however, Ryoma's attention was completely focused on the geothermal system. He failed to notice that his earlier offhand remarks had caused Koyuki Kazahana's face to flush bright red.
She stood there shyly, murmuring under her breath,
"I never imagined that Lord Ryoma would be so… direct…"
After taking a deep breath, although the blush on her cheeks remained, her eyes became resolute.
"I—I understand!"
"I may be inexperienced and lacking in talent, but I will do my best! Whatever you ask of me, Lord Ryoma…"
Before she could continue, Ryoma interrupted her calmly.
"Effort is the minimum requirement. From now on, you'll have to manage this land properly—without hard work, it won't function."
He continued matter-of-factly,
"Later, you'll need to thoroughly study this technology. Also, install several space gates here."
"Ah—!"
Koyuki's face instantly turned even redder. She felt as if her entire body had become a burning stove—hot enough to boil water just by touching her face.
"I misunderstood again… Did Lord Ryoma hear what I muttered earlier? He won't think I'm some frivolous girl, right? But I would only ever be like that for him…"
At that moment, a series of surprised voices rang out from nearby.
"Sensei!"
"Dad!"
"Ryoma-sama?!"
Team Seven and the Snow Princess film crew hurried over. Naruko, who was in the lead, leapt straight into Ryoma's arms, rubbing against him happily as she grinned.
"Dad! Why are you here?!"
"Did you know my mission was in trouble, so you came to help me?"
"Uh… yes. Yes, that's right."
Ryoma rubbed Naruko's head awkwardly. As expected, she absolutely loved this, immediately chirping happily,
"Dad is the best!"
Rin glanced at the signs of battle nearby and asked carefully,
"Sensei… does this mean that Fūtao is already—?"
"Mhm."
Ryoma nodded.
"He and his subordinates have been eliminated."
He then looked at everyone and announced calmly,
"From now on, the position of daimyo of the Snow Province will be assumed by the rightful princess of the former Snow Country—Koyuki Kazahana."
"That's wonderful, Princess!"
The three senior retainers knelt with tears in their eyes. A wish they had carried for over ten years had finally come true.
"How is the situation on your end?" Ryoma asked.
Hearing this, the three immediately straightened and replied respectfully,
"Please rest assured, Lord Ryoma."
"After Lord Kazahana Sōsetsu was killed, many capable retainers remained behind. Even now, they are still waiting for the Snow Country's restoration. Once Princess Koyuki is announced as daimyo, governance will not be an issue."
Ryoma nodded. Anyone who could remain loyal for so many years without yielding to Fūtao's tyranny was worthy of trust.
Afterward, the Snow Princess film crew lined up to shake hands with Ryoma and take photos. However, due to the sheer number of people, Rin and the three retainers eventually stepped in to stop them.
Nearby, Naruko and Saeko chatted idly when Koyuki approached.
"Naruko, Saeko—thank you for protecting me during this time."
Koyuki smiled brightly, causing Naruko to freeze for a moment.
After all, someone who had always maintained a cold and distant attitude suddenly becoming this warm was… unsettling.
"In the future, if you encounter any problems, you can come talk to me," Koyuki continued gently.
"Whether it's about yourself, your father's habits, or even arguments between your parents—I can listen."
Watching Koyuki walk away, Naruko scratched her head.
"Saeko… don't you feel like Koyuki suddenly became really strange? Like she's a completely different person."
"I don't know," Saeko replied, narrowing her eyes.
"But it is strange."
Her gaze followed Koyuki instinctively.
"Could it be that she—"
Just then, someone tugged at her sleeve.
Turning around, she saw Sakura standing behind her, her face flushed, clutching a notebook and pen.
"Saeko-chan… can you help me ask Ryoma-sama for an autograph?"
"This is my lifelong wish! Please!"
"Your lifelong wish is incredibly boring. Rejected," Saeko replied coldly.
"Saeko-chan, don't be so heartless!"
Sakura clasped her hands together desperately.
"At worst—at worst, I'll let you read the newest shōjo manga every issue as soon as it comes out!"
"Huh?"
Saeko's eyes widened. "Who said I read shōjo manga?!"
She shot Sakura a sharp glance, a faint blush appearing on her pale cheeks.
"But two weeks ago, I saw you at the manga shop—"
Before Sakura could finish, Saeko clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Fine. I'll get the autograph."
Saeko's Sharingan flickered as she stared threateningly at Sakura.
"But you understand there are things you shouldn't say casually… right?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Sakura nodded frantically, nearly in tears.
In the end, Sakura obtained the autograph she wanted, and everyone prepared to depart for the Snow Province's capital city to rest.