Omoi took a big bite of the heavy snow and complained somewhat,
"This guy could clearly invade the Land of Lightning very quickly, yet he insists on camping here and holding a grand banquet. What a terrible commander."
Samui lightly knocked Omoi on the head. "Stop grumbling. Come on, let's go pay him a visit!"
Karui suddenly said, "Wait, someone came out. It's the target, and he's holding a girl's hand."
Samui and Omoi immediately lowered their heads, concealing their presence while observing the distant figure.
Kairen asked about Chika's background along the way.
This young girl Chika was still an innocent girl; Kairen had already dug out her family history for eight generations.
She was a noble young lady from the Land of Iron. Since childhood, she loved martial arts, so she apprenticed under Mifune and inherited all of his true teachings.
This was extremely rare in the male-dominated Land of Iron.
Kairen praised, "Do not say women are not heroic; every night they sing upon the wall."
Chika looked at Kairen with a hint of surprise. "Your Majesty, you can compose poetry?"
Kairen chuckled softly. "I have a little literary talent, merely a small elegant hobby."
Looking at the goose-feather snow falling from the sky, Chika murmured,
"Your Majesty, could you compose a poem about snow?"
The stage had already been set for Kairen. If he didn't show off now, when would he?
"Wait a moment, let me think which one to copy—"
Kairen quickly corrected himself: "Which angle to start from!"
Chika's dark pupils sparkled as she watched Kairen, full of anticipation.
It felt as if she were discovering a treasure chest—the more she uncovered, the more pleasantly surprised she became, and the more irresistible Kairen seemed.
Kairen thought of one immediately and copied it straight out:
"The snow presses winter clouds, white flakes fly;
Ten thousand blossoms fade at once.
Cold currents roll through the vast heavens;
Warm breath rises across the mighty earth."
His voice rose and fell rhythmically, flowing in one breath, leaving Chika deeply moved.
"Your Majesty is amazing! To compose poetry in seven steps—truly a great talent."
Feeling the warmth of the girl's palm, Kairen's heart howled like a wolf a few times.
It seemed some girls liked refined scoundrels. He needed to add another strategy against enemies: pretend to be a scholar and stand unrivaled in elegance.
"This guy… can even write poetry!"
Kairen's performance genuinely surprised Omoi. He had thought the man was just a simple lecher, but unexpectedly he also possessed literary flair.
Samui quietly examined Kairen's appearance. The night was dark, but a ninja's vision was as sharp as a cat's.
Handsome features, an aura capable of devouring the world, able to compose poetry, filled with romanticism.
Samui suddenly felt Kairen looked somewhat pleasing to the eye. Following him wouldn't be a loss.
After showing off literary talent, Kairen began showing off his second skill—ninjutsu.
Chika was someone who revered martial strength; she was surely more interested in power. If Kairen performed well, he could immediately capture the girl's heart.
"Chika, watch carefully. My ninjutsu can change the appearance of the heavens."
"Okay!"
Chika watched expectantly.
Kairen spread open his right hand. A spark condensed above it, radiating warm heat like the sun in winter.
As Kairen continuously infused chakra, the spark grew larger and slowly began taking shape.
Chicken head, swallow jaw, snake neck, turtle back…
A crimson little phoenix quietly floated above Kairen's palm, beautiful like a fire spirit.
Chika could not look away and even wanted to reach out and touch the beautiful fire spirit.
Kairen released the fire phoenix into the night sky.
Instantly, the phoenix expanded, growing enormous.
"Chirp—!"
The phoenix cried. A blazing sun illuminated the sky; its elegant posture seemed to compose a poem, stirring longing in all who watched.
Most astonishing of all, the heavy snow of the night melted beneath the phoenix's flames.
The phoenix departed, and the snow stopped as well.
The Kumogakure trio—"The Three of Us"—stared blankly at the flames dispersing in the sky.
They were immersed in the beautiful scenery and equally shaken by Kairen's power.
Omoi withdrew his gaze, still unsatisfied.
"So this is the power of Moku Kairen? Driving away a blizzard so effortlessly."
Samui stared at Kairen's face from afar, feeling slightly envious of the girl whose hand he held.
Perhaps every woman hoped to be protected in the arms of such a powerful man.
Chika said regretfully, "Such a beautiful sight, yet only a fleeting glance."
Kairen recited, "The scenery of the floating world endures for centuries, yet human life is like dew and illusion—emptiness."
Chika nodded and suddenly looked at Kairen with admiration.
"Your Majesty, you're truly amazing."
Kairen smiled. "I have something even better. Want me to take you to see it?"
The adorable and charming female warrior smiled and immediately said,
"Your Majesty, then I shall perform a sword dance for you!"
"A sword dance? The kind where you dance while taking off clothes?"
"What?"
Kairen stopped himself. "Come! Let me see your dance!"
"Alright!" Chika nodded lightly.
Though born a noble lady, she was not devoted solely to martial arts. In her spare time she had mastered various refined skills—
Like flute, zither, and the like.
Chika released Kairen's hand and drew the samurai sword at her waist. The blade shone silver, reflecting the cold moonlight.
Just from the blade's glow, Kairen could tell her martial skill was extraordinary—comparable even to a jōnin.
Chika's dark pupils gazed at Kairen as she softly said, "Your Majesty, please look at me properly!"
Like a spirit of the snowy night, Chika stepped forward, dancing upon falling snowflakes.
Her movements were extremely agile yet elegant and beautiful—at times like a peacock spreading its tail, at times like a swan stretching its neck… breathtaking beyond words!
Kairen watched with full appreciation. It would be even better if there were some clothing-removal movements—preferably with a little waist twisting.
Though he appreciated both elegance and vulgarity, deep down he still preferred something a bit more worldly.
When the dance ended, the beauty's ethereal figure lingered within the falling snow.
Kairen stepped forward and lifted Chika into his arms.
"Chika, you are truly a tremendous treasure."
Chika wrapped her arms around Kairen's neck, her pupils filled entirely with his image.
"Your Majesty is as well."
"Don't call me Your Majesty anymore. Call me Kairen. Kairen-kun works too!"
Chika softly murmured, "Kai… Kairen-kun!"
Kairen smiled. "With this vast land and endless scenery, are you willing to wander it together with me?"
Chika nodded gently. Sometimes love at first sight requires no time to take root—it blossoms instantly.
When Kairen released that phoenix, she had already fallen in love with this man.
Kairen slowly lowered his head and parted Chika's soft lips.
"They kissed! They kissed!"
Karui, watching from the sidelines, suddenly grew inexplicably excited, earning an eye-roll from Omoi.
"Why are you so excited? You're not the heroine."
Karui knocked Omoi on the head and scolded,
"You blockhead! You don't understand romance. A snowy night, phoenix-like fireworks, a mesmerizing sword dance—what a love poem this is."
"I'm almost falling for this man myself. Too bad I'm not his type."
"Samui, Samui…"
Karui suddenly noticed Samui was still immersed in the sight of the couple kissing.
There was light in her eyes, as if she too longed for such a romantic moment.
"Samui, are you jealous?"
Samui said nothing and shook her head. "Now isn't the time to discuss romantic matters."
Omoi suddenly exclaimed, "Hey! They're gone."
Karui and Samui looked again. Sure enough, the two figures had vanished.
"Where did they go?"
"Guests, since you've come, why hide?"
A strange voice suddenly sounded, instantly putting Samui and the other two on full alert.
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