Although the Land of Snow is a small country, the Kazahana Daimyō's palace was built to a magnificent scale.
A falcon swooped down and landed in a corner beside the palace.
A bespectacled man led a group of soldiers forward. The man at the front knelt toward the Kazahana Daimyō and said respectfully, "Daimyō-sama!"
Kairen looked at the man in front. He should be Asama Sandayū, the Kazahana Daimyō's trusted confidant.
A few years later, when the Land of Snow rebelled, the old retainers of the Kazahana Daimyō died or fled. The only one truly loyal to Kazahana Koyuki was him alone.
"Sandayū, get up!"
The Kazahana Daimyō helped Sandayū to his feet, clearly showing the trust he placed in this confidant.
Sandayū shifted his gaze to Kairen and Miroku behind the Kazahana Daimyō.
"These two lords are?!"
The Kazahana Daimyō smiled as he introduced them. "This is Lady Miroku, the high priestess of the Land of Demons. As for this one…"
The Kazahana Daimyō said proudly, "This is the prince consort I found for Koyuki!"
Koyuki was being held in Kairen's arms and was extremely affectionate toward him.
"Yes! Yes! Kairen is my husband!"
Sandayū stared at Kairen in shock.
"Asama Sandayū has generated 10 shock points toward you and says you are a beast!"
Kairen laughed silently in his heart. That's right—exactly! I am a beast.
Sandayū could not criticize the daimyō's family affairs; that was not something a retainer should do.
He immediately said with great joy, "Daimyō-sama, the Land of Snow's terrain has suddenly changed, gaining vast stretches of green land. Our country has received heavenly assistance—this is an auspicious sign!"
The Kazahana Daimyō was about to explain when a group of people walked over.
The man at the front looked similar to the Kazahana Daimyō, but his build was tall and upright, his face stern, faintly carrying the look of a wolf surveying its prey.
It was the Kazahana Daimyō's younger brother—Kazahana Dotō, the man who would later launch a rebellion.
Behind him followed three ninja wearing the forehead protectors of the Snow ninja—Kazahana Dotō's three lackeys.
Kazahana Dotō supported the establishment of Yukigakure, and they in turn worked for him.
The moment Kazahana Dotō arrived, his tone was aggressive.
"Brother, some nameless nobody wants to become the son-in-law of our Land of Snow. Aren't you afraid he has ulterior motives?!"
Kazahana Dotō had just heard what the Kazahana Daimyō said and immediately concentrated his firepower on Kairen.
The Kazahana Daimyō explained, "He is no nameless nobody. He is a ninja from Konohagakure, and he also—"
The Kazahana Daimyō could not continue. Kairen had just burned the ruler of the Land of Fire to ashes last night; calling him a ninja would practically sully the profession.
Kazahana Dotō sneered. "So what if he's a Konohagakure ninja? They're a bunch of killers with espionage abilities. Can you really feel safe entrusting Koyuki to him?"
The Kazahana Daimyō said again, "It's not like that. He is very strong. Our Land of Snow relied on him to drive away the winter."
"Heh heh!!" Kazahana Dotō clearly did not believe it.
The recent changes in the Land of Snow were shocking beyond belief—absolutely not something achievable by human power.
Kairen looked at the aggressive Kazahana Dotō, then at the timid Kazahana Daimyō.
No wonder the Kazahana Daimyō was overthrown—his personality was clearly being led by the nose by his younger brother.
Holding Koyuki, Kairen stepped forward.
Seeing Kairen about to step out, Kazahana Dotō sneered. "A nameless junior, you want to—"
Kazahana Dotō's words were swallowed in his throat, his eyes fixed straight on Kairen's blood-red eyes.
Kairen's Mangekyō Sharingan released a genjutsu. Before everyone's eyes, he made Kazahana Dotō speak all the thoughts in his heart.
Kazahana Dotō looked wildly arrogant. "Brother, you're far too weak. The position of daimyō of the Land of Snow should be mine!"
The Kazahana Daimyō pointed at Kazahana Dotō. "You—(꒪⌓꒪)"
The people around them were also shocked, secretly thinking that Kazahana Dotō was far too blunt. Even if he had rebellious intentions, he should not shout them out in broad daylight.
Kazahana Dotō continued laughing madly.
"Hahaha… I've disliked you for a long time. I secretly bribed ministers and cultivated ninja…"
"I was just waiting for the day to start a rebellion and drag you down from the daimyō's seat!"
Kazahana Dotō's abnormality was finally noticed.
Rōga Nadare beside him kept tugging at Kazahana Dotō's clothes. "My lord, my lord, what's wrong with you?"
Kazahana Dotō turned and roared at Nadare. "What 'my lord,' what's there to be afraid of? What's wrong with speaking my true thoughts? I've held them in for so long—keep this up and I'd go crazy!"
"My lord! My lord! You—"
Nadare glanced around, then his gaze locked directly onto Kairen. His pupils shrank. "It was you—"
Kairen smiled faintly. Then the Mangekyō in his eyes spun, and Kazahana Dotō was released from the genjutsu.
The moment Kazahana Dotō woke up, he realized his earlier recklessness. He had actually spoken out the thoughts he had hidden for many years, even exposing his secret plot.
Kazahana Dotō glared at Kairen. "Damn bastard, you actually used genjutsu on me?!"
Kairen smiled. "Holding it in for so many years must've been hard on you!"
"Nadare, get him!"
Kazahana Dotō extended his hand, ordering the three Snow ninja behind him to rush forward to deal with Kairen.
Roga Nadare, Fubuki Kakuyoku, and Mizore Fuyukuma received the order and charged toward Kairen like wild wolves.
Kairen held Koyuki in his arms, yet his face still wore that calm, breezy expression.
"Koyuki, let me take you to beat up the bad guys!"
"Okay! Okay!" Koyuki clapped her hands, her face full of curiosity.
Holding Koyuki, Kairen charged straight into the encirclement of the three Snow ninja.
The Kazahana Daimyō pointed at Kazahana Dotō from the side.
"Dotō, what are you doing? Stop now and I can still forgive you!"
Kazahana Dotō sneered. "Brother, you're really not fit to be daimyō. This kind of thing calls for exterminating the entire clan—what forgiveness?"
"Since I've already spoken my true thoughts, I won't pretend anymore. Today, I'll launch a rebellion and take back the position that belongs to me."
"Attack!"
Kazahana Dotō waved his hand, and all the followers behind him rushed forward, preparing to seize the Kazahana Daimyō.
...
Wolon and Fenchu, the two little bear cubs, were eating bamboo shoots when suddenly one of Kazahana Dotō's rebels thrust a spear at Fenchu.
"Mmgh~(ㅎ‸ㅎ)"
Fenchu flew into a rage, immediately activating the curse mark and transforming into a giant bear that joined the battle.
...
On Kairen's side, the three Snow ninja used a Snow Release secret technique. Seizing the opportunity, Kairen opened his Sharingan and copied one of them.
Holding Koyuki, he leapt out of their encirclement and sneered at Nadare and the other two.
"Next, I'll return an Ice Release to you."
"Nine-Tails Mode—Activate!"
He shouted loudly. A layer of golden flames suddenly ignited around his body, golden energy flowing throughout him as Kairen directly turned into a golden figure.
His pitch-black eyes turned golden, like the golden pupils of a fox.
Kairen freed one hand and snapped his fingers. "Ice Release!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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