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"Hmph."
Kakashi's lightning halted, but his expression remained serious as he stared at the charred, tall man lying on the ground, his short blade held in reverse, his guard up.
"Damn, damn you brats…"
Fuyukuma Mizore struggled to his feet, propping himself up with one hand.
Although his Chakra armor couldn't compare to 'That Person's' special model, it had barely blocked that fatal blow, but the numbness throughout his body continued to spread, making his expression even more ferocious.
"Pfft!"
However, before he could even get up from the ground, A Kunai was plunged straight into his heart from behind, splattering a fresh red bloodstain.
Kakashi and Obito were both startled, looking in astonishment at Mei Terumī, who stood behind Fuyukuma Mizore.
"Idiot."
Mei Terumī flicked the bloodstain off the Kunai, which showed red against the snow, her expression cold: "If we don't kill him now, are we supposed to wait for him to finish talking?"
"Truly, some people lack self-awareness."
After speaking, without waiting for the children to react, Mei Terumī walked over to Kazahana Koyuki and took on the protection task herself.
It was only then that Kakashi rubbed his silver hair, seemingly a bit embarrassed as he glanced in Sawara's direction.
Indeed, he had hesitated just now—or rather, he hadn't adjusted his mindset in time.
He was still acting as if he were in a Ninja Academy spar, habitually waiting for the defeated classmate to ramble on for a bit.
'I need to correct this habit.'
However, Kakashi quickly reacted, his gaze warily sweeping towards the guards beside Kazahana Sōsetsu, and he quickly walked up to the Snow Country Daimyo, who still looked terrified, lowering his voice:
"Daimyo-sama, we need to move as soon as possible."
"We've only just reached the safe house, and the enemy has already found us, which indicates that there are likely some unstable elements among your guards."
"For the rest of the journey, we need to take you and Princess Koyuki alone."
"Please dismiss your guards."
"Ah?"
Kazahana Sōsetsu hadn't reacted yet, but his guards had already started cursing.
"Arrogant Ninja! What did you say?"
"Are you slandering noble Samurai!"
"We were fine at the Train Station before, but as soon as you arrived, the enemy came knocking. It must be one of you who was bribed!"
"Damn fellows…"
The surrounding guards were clamoring. The guards who remained by Kazahana Sōsetsu's side at such a time were all people he trusted and relied on, and they were all from reliable noble families. It was only natural for them to react this way when suddenly questioned.
However, Kakashi completely ignored their reprimands, his gaze calmly fixed on the Daimyo before him.
Sawara had made it clear from the beginning that this operation was both a mission and a comprehensive test for their squad, concerning their Ninja High School assessment. Even a genius like him dared not be negligent in the slightest.
Sawara Kiri watched this scene from a distance, shaking his head slightly.
Kakashi was still too young; he directly brought this matter up and left the decision to the mission target, which was too naive a method.
Only his observational skills were decent.
Mei Terumī, the leader of the other squad, also quietly watched the surrounding guards, her body subtly blocking Kazahana Sōsetsu and the princess, always ready to prevent any internal traitors from suddenly attacking.
Unexpectedly, Kazahana Sōsetsu, who was usually gentle and known for his kindness and benevolence, suddenly shouted after a long silence, interrupting the guards' scolding.
"Enough!"
The guards immediately quieted down, looking towards the Daimyo.
Kazahana Sōsetsu looked at his worried daughter beside him, and the Konoha Ninja who remained vigilant around them. Finally, his gaze fell on Sawara Kiri and Namikaze Minato, who had been standing in the distance since earlier but for some reason were completely ignored by Fuyukuma Mizore, and he made up his mind:
"You are also loyal people who have followed me for a long time. How can you be so presumptuous in front of the Konoha lords!"
"What's more, following me now is indeed fraught with danger. As ordinary people, we are too powerless in front of Ninja."
Hearing this, the guards were first stunned, and then involuntarily lowered their heads.
This was the undeniable truth.
During their days following the Daimyo, besides doing odd jobs, they were no match for the rogue Ninja.
Even the initial number of guards had continuously dwindled under the relentless pursuit, from dozens at the beginning to just a handful now—most of them having been used as bait to draw away the rogue Ninja.
Kazahana Sōsetsu looked at them solemnly, his tone gentle: "I know all of your loyalty, but since the Konoha lords have given such instructions, you should disperse and flee for your lives."
"If I don't return to the capital alive in the future, it might even be a good thing for you."
Kakashi and the others simply watched quietly from the side.
Although some guards still resisted, Kazahana Sōsetsu persuaded them one by one, and eventually, all of them scattered.
Only Kazahana Koyuki clung tightly to her father's clothes, looking warily at the Ninja around her.
As a noble, she had always been extremely wary of these Ninja who could be summoned with money, and this was not something that could be dispelled with a few words.
Now seeing her 'loyal' guards walk away one by one, that sense of wariness in her heart grew even stronger.
Kazahana Sōsetsu also noticed his daughter's tightly clenched hand on his clothes. Once the guards' figures had walked away, he gently said:
"Don't worry."
"A great figure like Sawara Kiri would not abandon his long-accumulated reputation for a mission of this level."
"Yes, Father."
Kazahana Koyuki's hand, clutching his clothes, loosened slightly, but she still held on.
Kakashi, meanwhile, had a somewhat changed impression of this benevolent Daimyo.
When it came to making a decision, he still had the courage to go all in, didn't he?
"Ninja-sama, what about us next…?"
After comforting his daughter, Kazahana Sōsetsu raised his head again to look at Kakashi—in reality, at Sawara Kiri behind him.
Kakashi calmly said: "First, leave this border city and move towards the interior, hiding your identities."
"The Land of Snow is not large. As long as we can ensure your and the princess's safety, we will have ample time to find the rogue Ninja pursuing you and defeat them one by one."
This was his plan.
Sawara Kiri simply listened quietly from the side, giving no instructions.
Aside from a cheat like him, no one's strength is achieved overnight.
Even a genius like Kakashi needs time to hone his skills.
"I understand."
Once Kazahana Sōsetsu agreed, Kakashi immediately began to direct his companions to carry Kazahana Sōsetsu and the princess, quickly leaving the city via a small path.
Not long after they left, "Doto-sama, this is the place."
A guard who had only left a short while ago, led a tall and burly man to the previous battlefield.
Kazahana Doto's expression was calm, and he was accompanied by two subordinates, a man and a woman.
As soon as he turned the corner, he saw Fuyukuma Mizore's charred corpse lying on the ground.
However, there was no expression on his face. He simply bent down and touched the snow, observing the footprints around him:
"They haven't been gone long. You've earned a merit this time."
"Thank you, Lord!"
The guard immediately knelt on one knee.
Kazahana Doto calmly observed the marks on the ground, frowning slightly: "Six people participated in the battle, heading northwest."
"Besides that… there's Sawara Kiri and a relatively unknown Konoha Jonin?"
"How did my brother manage to recruit such monsters?"
Hearing Kazahana Doto's words, a slender, frivolous man with long, light purple hair tied back, who stood behind him, slightly curled his lips in disdain:
"Kiri the Demon King, quite a grand name."
"He's just a Ninja."
"Boss, that fool Frozen Rain was just too careless, and his Chakra armor hadn't been replaced with the latest model."
"If it were you, you could definitely cut that guy down!"
Rouga Nadare looked up at him with an excited expression, or rather, at the piece of broken jade embedded in his forehead.
They, who had personally experienced it, knew perfectly well what kind of power this man possessed.
Even if it was the rumored Sawara Kiri, what of it?
He was merely one of the 'Jewel Ninja' who became powerful by relying on the Shikon no Tama.
Now, their Boss also has a divine jewel possessing him, so who's to say he's necessarily worse than 'That Person'?
"Rouga Nadare, you talk too much."
Kazahana Doto's tone was indifferent, but his expression showed a certain boldness, as if he truly didn't take Sawara Kiri seriously, just as he said.
Perhaps only those who are also 'Jewel Ninja' can understand the confidence brought by such power?
After all, his life was completely changed by this tiny fragment, wasn't it?
Rouga Nadare didn't get angry when he was reprimanded, he just smiled ingratiatingly.
Tsurugi Hyori, standing nearby, sneered and glanced at Rouga Nadare when she saw this, then spoke:
"Boss, what about us now?"
"No matter."
Kazahana Doto's tone was calm: "Since my brother claims to be righteous, then we'll just make good use of that—no matter what, we must find that thing within the time limit."
"Yes!"
Rouga Nadare and Tsurugi Hyori responded simultaneously.
After they had all dispersed, Kazahana Doto took out a small compass-like device from his pocket and pressed a button on the edge.
Soon, a small figure, completely shrouded in a black robe with purple melon patterns and wearing a mask, appeared in the center of the compass.
Kazahana Doto's expression changed, and he said respectfully: "My Lord, we have found traces of my brother, and in a few days, we will be able to retrieve that treasure."
The voice on the other side was slightly hoarse, with a hint of nonchalance: "Kazahana Doto, let me see... Hmm, the Rainbow Wall of the Land of Snow? Remember not to go over time."
"Yes!"
Kazahana Doto's voice was calm, then he continued: "It's just that we've encountered a small problem here, and I'd like to request intelligence support from the guild."
"Ask."
The small figure on the other side continued to write something, seemingly unconcerned, and casually replied.
Kazahana Doto quickly said: "Please tell me, what is Sawara Kiri's weakness? I wish to target him specifically."
...
The voice on the other side was silent for a few seconds first.
Then, he heard him ask in return:
"Sawara Kiri's weakness?!"
"Yes, Konoha sent Sawara Kiri and a Konoha Jonin of the first rank to protect my brother this time..."
I'd like to know too!
The figure on the other side looked at him inexplicably; wasn't it already written in the guild regulations that 'if you encounter Sawara Kiri, you can abandon the mission on the spot'?
Where did his subordinates find such an ignorant fool?
Are you looking for death?
"Get out!"
Without another word, the other party directly cut off the video.
Kazahana Doto was stunned, staring blankly at the compass in his hand, remaining silent for a long time.
It seems 'That Person' is in a bad mood today?
At the same time, he also felt a faint anger rising within him.
Since obtaining a fragment of the Shikon no Tama a year ago and becoming a Jewel Ninja, it had been a long time since anyone dared to speak to him like that. The arrogance of being the son of the Land of Snow's Daimyo made him frown tightly.
However, under the deterrence of the disaster-like power he had witnessed in the video before, he gradually suppressed his rebellious thoughts.
Still, the attitude displayed by the other party inexplicably made him somewhat apprehensive.
"Could it be that Sawara Kiri possesses power comparable to 'That Person'?"
Kazahana Doto thought this, then couldn't help but shake his head with a laugh.
How could that be?
Konoha is also one of the Five Great Nations, and if there truly were such a large difference in strength between it and Iwagakure or Kumogakure, the last Ninja World War would never have been able to happen.
As for the strength of other Ninja villages, and even the Konoha Ninja, he had also witnessed it.
It was nothing special.
It simply couldn't compare to himself, a 'Jewel Ninja'.
"If that's the case, then there's only one conclusion."
"In 'That Person's' eyes, was he annoyed that I, a 'Jewel Ninja,' would ask such a foolish question?"
"Heh."
"So that's it."
Kazahana Doto thought, and immediately felt confident.
Since that's the case, he had nothing to fear at all.
Sawara Kiri?
Let him see.
That terrifying power, unique to a god.
Under Kakashi's guidance, the group quickly moved through the frigid forest along the small paths of the Land of Snow. After leaving the city, they immediately erased their tracks, changed direction several times, and finally arrived at Shirayama Castle, located in the eastern part of the Land of Snow.
After days of arduous travel, Kazahana Sōsetsu and the other's bodies were starting to give out.
Considering that both of them were ordinary people, Kakashi decided to stop in this city for a temporary rest.
"Thank you for your hard work, Kakashi."
Even though he had been running around for days, and his lips were a bit pale, Kazahana Sōsetsu still forced himself to stand and politely thanked them.
"It's alright, please rest first."
"We will now use the intelligence network to gather some clues about the enemy."
"If the plan goes smoothly, we'll be able to send you back to the capital soon."
Kakashi reassured him from the side.
These past few days, they hadn't observed any traces of enemy pursuit, so it seemed the problem truly lay with those few guards, and the current safety factor had increased significantly.
However, how to draw out and deal with the enemy next was another challenge.
Just as he was pondering this.
Uchiha Obito, beside him, suddenly leaned out the window and shouted: "Kakashi, look at the sky!"
Kakashi was startled at his words and immediately walked over quickly.
Then, he saw numerous steel-colored birds circling in the air, dropping large amounts of paper sheets like snowflakes.
Pedestrians on the street all looked up.
The next moment.
"Boom, boom, boom—"
A continuous series of explosions echoed in their ears.
Kakashi's eyes widened abruptly as he looked towards the street in the distant city center.
At this moment, that area was already engulfed in large flames, with dust from the explosions constantly rising, and splashing debris hitting the glass with popping sounds, as if the very ground was shaking.
At the same time, Mei Terumī had already leaned out and caught sheets of paper in the air, her brows slightly furrowed.
"What's happening?"
Kazahana Sōsetsu suddenly stood up, also looking out the window.
Mei Terumī didn't answer immediately, but instead handed the paper to Kakashi.
Kakashi's brows also furrowed.
The content on the flyer was simple: it demanded that Kazahana Sōsetsu immediately appear and hand over the Great Secret Treasure, otherwise, these random air strikes would continue.
Kazahana Sōsetsu's face turned completely dark after just one glance.
"Daimyo, please don't be impulsive."
Kakashi said this, but his own expression was clearly not very calm.
Encountering such a situation on his first command mission, his mind was in a mess, and he had no idea how to respond.
Mei Terumī was even more direct in her questioning: "Daimyo, is your family's inherited secret treasure truly just an environmental modification device?"
"I..."
Kazahana Sōsetsu was also a bit confused.
What exactly does Kazahana Doto want?
He's already run away; if he wants the throne, who can stop him?
What is he trying to do now?
Just as the young ones were in a panic.
Sawara Kiri suddenly spoke beside them:
"Don't panic."
"Have you decided on your mission objective yet?"
Kakashi and the others were startled at his words, turning their heads to look at him with a mix of confusion and unspoken hope—hoping that as their sensei, he could provide an answer at this moment.
Perhaps because this mission involved civilians, his expression was noticeably more serious than his usual calm. He looked at them and asked:
"The scope of the mission brief is often like this, always just a broad outline."
"But, should we strictly follow the mission requirements, protecting the Daimyo through this fifteen-day period of danger? Or should we continue to act, even at the risk of mission failure, and go out to eliminate the enemy?"
"Kakashi."
"This is the most important choice a Ninja faces during a mission."
"If it were Sakumo, what do you think he would decide?"
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