"This thing actually comes with mind-control vibes?"
As Ye Liang approached the mask, he suddenly felt an intense urge from deep within to put it on. At the same time, whispers filled his ears.
Like devilish hypnosis.
"Wear me! Come on, wear me! It feels amazing..."
Screw this creepy thing.
Anyone with half a brain would avoid something clearly cursed. Besides, Ye Liang wasn't even into Kamen Rider — there was no way he'd fall for such a trick.
He placed the mask into his storage space and considered the matter settled.
"Lord Ye Liang, what was that?" Fugaku Uchiha asked curiously, watching from the side. Thinking it might be some kind of Space-Time Ninjutsu, however, he didn't press further.
As for the man previously possessed by the mask — he looked terrible.
Bald, pale-faced, hollow-eyed — completely drained, like every last bit of energy had been sucked right out of him.
Pathetic!
After parting ways with Fugaku Uchiha, Ye Liang returned to the village to continue his research.
Actually, during his many days in the Land of Snow, this wasn't the first time he had seen White Zetsu along the country's borders. They were everywhere — crawling about in dense numbers. But this version wearing a mask? That was new.
Looks like the Land of Snow wouldn't be safe from White Zetsu for long either.
Tapping lightly on his prize, Ye Liang activated Kanka (Cash Eye).
[Zero-Tails (Copy)]
By placing it on your face, you gain unimaginable power, but your mind will be corrupted. Use with caution!
"???!"
Why?!
Ye Liang was stunned.
"This is actually the Zero-Tails? How did I miss it for so long!"
He was burning with regret!
Not because of the discovery itself, but because he hadn't recognized the Zero-Tails earlier.
The Zero-Tails wasn't artificially made!
In the Naruto world, this tailed beast had always existed. Unlike other tailed beasts, it wasn't split off from the Ten-Tails, but instead formed from human emotions!
Dark Chakra gathered inside the mask to create the Zero-Tails!
In the original storyline, the Zero-Tails only appeared in a theatrical release — back then, its host was just a white mask, so Ye Liang hadn't connected it to this earlier.
Now that he had seen it in person, Ye Liang's suspicions about the White Zetsu grew clearer.
First of all, their leader definitely wasn't a native!
Even though Ye Liang's arrival had changed events in the Naruto world, whoever came up with the idea to enhance White Zetsu using the Zero-Tails and implement a strategy of surrounding cities from the countryside — like a slow, creeping takeover — couldn't possibly be a native!
Suddenly, another thought struck him.
His system seemed to have lost its soul!
The basic functions were still there, but something vital was missing — the intelligence was gone.
Which meant the mastermind behind everything had either obtained the soul of the system or *was* the system's soul itself!
That had to be it!
"Damn it! No wonder that bastard behind everything keeps targeting me. He's after my System!"
Muttering curses under his breath changed nothing.
Looks like he needed to be extra cautious from now on. With that thought, Ye Liang carefully stored the mask away once more.
At that moment, a knock suddenly came at the door.
"Teacher Ye Liang, dinner's ready!"
"Yesterday."
The next day.
Ye Liang made his way to the Daimyo's mansion in the Land of Snow.
As Kasuka Kazahana's advisor, Ye Liang had a duty to meet with the Daimyo beforehand!
Although he hadn't verbally accepted Kasuka's invitation, he would still help her—not because he was a saint or anything, but mostly 'cause she was seriously hot.
"Marry an old man?"
Ye Liang shook his head violently.
Since he happened to come across this situation, he was determined to intervene!
Today's hostess was still Kasuga.
"Miss Kasuga, hello there."
The two quickly arrived at the Daimyo's mansion. While technically the residence of a country's ruler, it was basically just an ordinary villa, except with a few additional courtyards. Compared to the luxurious mansions from his previous life where you'd walk halfway just to reach the front door, it was far inferior!
Ye Liang didn't give a damn about that.
"Mr. Ye Liang, the Daimyo is a very serious man. Please show him some respect. Although you are powerful, for the princess' sake, thank you."
Before sending Ye Liang in, Kasuga reminded him about some etiquette rules.
It was basically the same as those palace dramas from his past life—full of bowing and greetings like "Your Highness, greetings!" and "Honored Lady, greetings!" Ye Liang found it totally boring.
They stepped into the main courtyard.
Indeed, it was a serious-looking man with a goatee beard, dark circles under his eyes like he hadn't slept well, and his hair was slightly greenish.
This must be Advisor Ye Liang. Please take a seat over here.
The elder Daimyo pointed to the seat beside Kasuka Kazahana, having Ye Liang sit next to her.
The latter glanced around.
Besides Kasuka Kazahana, there were several older men, each accompanied by their retainers. These should be the other princes.
The only woman present was Kasuka Kazahana.
"Well then, since Mr. Ye Liang has arrived, let us discuss the matter regarding the Martial Valor Festival."
"Father, the Martial Valor Festival has always been for men. I suggest we revoke Kasuka's eligibility; she doesn't deserve it!"
"That's right, Father! And you know what Kasuka has been doing all these years—becoming a dancer! Such self-degradation makes her utterly unfit to participate in the Martial Valor Festival!"
"Exactly! Having such a sister is simply disgusting!"
No sooner had the elder Daimyo spoken than many of the princes began arguing, but most of what they said were insults directed at Kasuka Kazahana.
"Kasuka, do you have nothing to say?" the elder Daimyo asked, but Kasuka only tightly gripped her dress hem, unable to utter a word.
Those words truly hurt.
Though they were Kasuka's own brothers, saying such cruel things would surely make any loving brother-in-law from the other side furious enough to die on the spot.
The Daimyo shook his head.
"If you have nothing to say, I will revoke your eligibility for this Martial Valor Festival."
"I...!"
Kasuka bit her lip but could no longer speak.
Ye Liang couldn't stand it anymore.
"Your Lordship, though I am merely an outsider, may I offer one word?"
Seeing them bully someone like this, Ye naturally needed to step in.
"You are the advisor that Kasuka brought from another country, correct?"
Elder Daimyo glanced at Ye Liang and remarked, "Do you have any insightful opinion?"
Insightful opinion?
I only have a humble one!
Ye Liang, seeing Elder Daimyo had allowed him to speak, naturally stepped forward without hesitation.
"May I ask Your Lordship Daimyo," he bowed toward the Daimyo, "is there any rule stating that women are forbidden from participating in the Martial Valor Festival?"
"There isn't."
"Then may I ask again, Your Lordship Daimyo, is there any rule forbidding performers like Hime from joining the festival?"
"No, there isn't either."
"One last question, Your Lordship—does our Snow Country have any regulation prohibiting women from succeeding to leadership?"
"Not at all. In fact, the third Daimyo of our Snow Country was indeed a woman."
"In that case, I've got no further questions."
Ye Liang waved it off with a shrug.
The three questions landed like hammer blows!
The royal heirs standing nearby immediately lost their composure.
"Who the hell do you think you are?!"
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