"He has backup?" Kazahana Doto stared intently at Haku.
The latter stood in the spacious palace, not resembling a ninja seasoned by life-and-death battles at all, but rather appearing elegant and serene. From their earlier exchange, it wasn't hard to tell that neither Haku nor his companion held Doto in high regard. This stirred a simmering anger within Kazahana Doto, and at the same time, his apprehension grew.
Clearly, the opponent had an ace up their sleeve; their confidence was palpable.
Could they be Konoha ANBU?
Countless thoughts raced through Kazahana Doto's mind. Finally, he tightened his grip on his kunai.
Swish!
Haku struck first. It was still his favored Senbon Rain.
A sky full of senbon instantly locked onto all of Kazahana Doto's critical pressure points below. If Doto couldn't evade, he would lose his ability to fight in an instant. Senbon, shaped like long needles, typically had low killing power and were often used coated in poison.
Haku is still too kind, Naruto mused, shaking his head internally. The pressure points targeted by the senbon were all non-lethal. Before becoming a Shinigami, Haku already possessed strength close to that of a Tokubetsu Jonin. After becoming one, Naruto believed Haku had surpassed that level. But even so, if he held back against Kazahana Doto, he might suffer for it.
What Naruto was more interested in was Haku's Shikai. He wondered what kind of surprise Haku's Zanpakuto release would bring.
Facing the incoming senbon, Kazahana Doto sneered and formed hand seals. "Ice Shuriken!"
Moisture in the air solidified, forming into the shape of shuriken that met the senbon head-on.
Clink, clink!
With a harsh clattering sound, all the senbon fell to the ground.
Having done this, Kazahana Doto immediately bolted towards the palace exterior. Without the weather advantage, his strength didn't even quite reach the level of a Tokubetsu Jonin.
As he ran, he didn't forget to glance back, only to find with dismay that Haku was ghosting right behind him.
This guy actually matched my speed, and with ease at that! Doto's heart clenched, and his hands formed seals once more.
"Water Style: Raging Waves!"
Ninja with an aptitude for Ice Release could naturally use Water Style, but in extreme cold, Water Style wasn't particularly effective.
Facing the oncoming torrent, Haku drew the Zanpakuto from his waist and slashed decisively. The blade, imbued with chakra and Reiatsu, carried a powerful gust of air that cleaved the water stream in two.
"Ice Release: Swallow Snow Storm!" Kazahana Doto's hair stood on end. The water that had scattered into the air instantly froze, transforming into shuriken-like projectiles that shot towards Haku.
Since the distance was less than five meters, Haku couldn't dodge.
A triumphant, savage grin lingered on Kazahana Doto's face, as if he could already see Haku impaled.
"Hado Number 26: Red Flame Seal!" But Haku instantly cast a Kido. A roaring wall of red fire appeared before him.
Hiss!
The snow shuriken melted the instant they plunged into the firewall, emitting a harsh sizzling sound.
Haku then leaped up, lightly tapping the firewall to propel himself into mid-air. Under Kazahana Doto's astonished gaze, he used another Kido.
"Hado #31: Red Fire Cannon!" A violent fireball descended from the sky, leaving a burning trail, and the surrounding snow melted in an instant.
Ever since learning Kido, Haku had barely used ninjutsu. Kido encompassed various attributes, was simple to master, and far more convenient than ninjutsu which required hand seals. Most importantly, fire against ice was exceptionally effective.
What a troublesome ninja! Is that even ninjutsu he's using? Kazahana Doto hastily used an Ice Substitution Jutsu to dodge, then pushed off with his legs, leaping out of the palace with all his might.
His attack having failed, Haku followed close behind.
At this moment, the sky itself seemed to aid Kazahana Doto, as a heavy snow began to fall. In this weather, Doto's strength would undoubtedly be greater. He spread his arms wide, a joyous laugh escaping him. "Hahaha, even the heavens are on my side!"
Looking at Haku and Naruto, however, they remained calm. This caused Doto's killing intent to boil over.
"Ice Release: Black Dragon Blizzard Kill!"
As he completed the hand seals, a swirling, spinning tornado suddenly appeared in the area. The tornado sucked in the falling snow, forming a violent blizzard that slowly advanced towards Haku.
Due to its vast range and the ferocity of the vortex, anyone caught within it would likely face certain death. Its destructive power was no less than that of Chidori.
"Oh? It seems Haku will have to use his Shikai now." Faced with such a powerful ninjutsu, Naruto merely grinned with amusement. He leaned casually against a tree, letting the wind and snow fall upon him. If Haku were to be defeated by this kind of ninjutsu, he wouldn't be worthy of being one of Naruto's own Twelve Blades.
The blizzard was about to hit, mingled with Kazahana Doto's roar, "Die! Be torn to shreds!"
Haku sighed, a look of resignation on his face. He glanced towards Naruto's direction, his movements hesitant. He understood that the time to release his Shikai had come.
But this Shikai… it was a bit strange.
If it weren't absolutely necessary, he would never use it.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki."
With the release command, the Zanpakuto in Haku's hand underwent a sudden transformation. The blade, guard, and hilt all turned pure white. The tsuba was oval, with six hollowed-out sections. The front of the hilt had a pattern, and a white ribbon was connected to its end.
The surrounding snowflakes began to dance around Haku as if they had a life of their own, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
What was even more astonishing and shocking was Haku himself.
His hair grew to waist-length. His kimono also transformed into a white one. He now possessed ice-blue eyes and long, light purple hair, a portion of which was tied back with a long hairpin. A light yellow-green sash was tied around his waist, with a large, light purple bow fastened at the back.
His chest even appeared slightly… fuller.
He had completely taken on the appearance of a beautiful woman.
Haku, after releasing his Shikai, had gained distinct feminine features.
Naruto's jaw dropped, his expression one of utter shock—the kind that could last a hundred years.
The first thought that popped into his mind was: If Zabuza were still alive, wouldn't he go absolutely crazy?
He finally understood why Haku had shown such reluctance before using his Shikai.
After completing the Shikai release, Haku's gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by an air of ruthlessness and chilling cold.
Facing the oncoming blizzard, she lightly waved Sode no Shirayuki.
The next moment, the blizzard astonishingly turned around, heading straight for Kazahana Doto.
"First Dance, Tsukishiro!" Haku then drew a circle on the ground with the tip of Sode no Shirayuki. The entire area enveloped by this circle fell under Sode no Shirayuki's freezing domain.
Even Kazahana Doto, who excelled in Ice Release, felt an intense chill.
He looked at Haku in horror, genuine fear gripping his heart. His Ice Release felt as if it had encountered its empress—submitting, terrified.
Who is she?! Why does she possess such terrifying Ice Release?!
Kazahana Doto had too many questions left unasked. He was finally engulfed by the blizzard, and with a miserable scream, his fate became unknown.
Just when it seemed everything was over, an airship unexpectedly flew into view. An explosion suddenly rocked the airship, tearing a hole in its side. A figure wreathed in lightning, carrying a woman, leaped out and landed on the snow-covered ground, now a chaotic mess ravaged by the blizzard. He looked towards Haku and Naruto.
"Who are you?" Uchiha Sasuke stared intently at Haku and Naruto, his voice cold.