Skip Chapter 61
Takuno controlled the giant snake, bringing Kazahana Dotō before him. Seeing the man completely broken, tears and snot streaming down his face, Takuno felt a little disgusted.
The closer Kazahana Dotō got to Takuno, the more terrified he became, and the less he could control his expression.
Takuno had intended to tell him to compose himself, but remembering that Kazahana Dotō's hands were bound by the giant snake, he sighed and extended a disgusted finger, touching it to Kazahana Dotō's forehead.
Instantly, the same curse mark that the Snow Ninja Trio had received surged into Kazahana Dotō's body.
The Snow Ninja Trio watched this scene without surprise; they were well aware of Kazahana Dotō's strength.
After doing all this, Takuno flicked his finger in disgust, had the giant snake release Kazahana Dotō, and then said, "Let them tell you the function of this Sealing Jutsu. Also, clean up your expression and your snot. If I see you like this again when I return, you'll regret it."
With that, he made to leave.
Then, he noticed that the Snow Ninja Trio seemed to be subtly looking at him, as if they wanted to say something but hesitated.
Takuno was momentarily startled, but quickly understood, and said with a slight chuckle, "Don't worry, the process will be followed."
Upon hearing this, the Snow Ninja Trio's eyes lit up, and their gaze towards Takuno grew even more respectful.
Afterward, Roga Nadare was the first to speak to Kazahana Dotō, "Let me tell you about this Sealing Jutsu. The first Sealing Jutsu is called Death Curse Seal. You don't need to worry about its function; you'll know it soon enough. The rest—"
Takuno shook his head with a smile and walked out of the house. This was truly a classic case of 'not the lack, but unequal distribution.'
Because he had suffered, he wanted to see others who were like him suffer even more deeply.
He sat on the rooftop, watching the snowflakes that seemed to never cease.
This environment was indeed more suitable for the use of Ice Release.
Compared to the Snow Ninja's Ice Release, which was actually a slightly altered Water Release that utilized the environment to become Ice Release Ninjutsu, if it were true Ice Release, its power should be even greater.
In other words, the environment here might be very suitable for Haku, who was far away in the Land of Water.
In fact, during the time he had been in the Land of Snow, Haku had already awakened his Ice Release and used it in front of his father.
This also led to the events of the original story unfolding as usual: Haku's father, along with the villagers, killed Haku's mother, and when he later tried to kill Haku, Haku activated his Kekkei Genkai, killing everyone present.
Right now, Haku was probably begging in the streets and alleys of the Land of Water.
This kind of life would probably continue for a long time for him. He had encountered Kimimaro when he was with Zabuza.
And that part of the plot indicated that Haku's encounter with Zabuza would happen after Orochimaru's defection, and Orochimaru's defection was still quite a long time away.
Takuno looked into the distance. Logically, letting Haku beg and wander for a while, as in the original story, was the correct way to train him.
However, after thinking for a while, he felt it might not be necessary.
He didn't need Haku to do anything for him.
Although he thought Haku's Ice Release was more suitable for the Land of Snow, that didn't mean Haku was suitable to help him with things in the Land of Snow.
It could be seen from the original story that even though he followed Zabuza, a demon who killed without batting an eye, Haku remained untainted and inherently kind.
Asking such an inherently kind person to help Takuno watch over test subjects? Was that a joke?
"I'll make a trip to the Land of Water later," Takuno decided. He would have to bring him back eventually, so he might as well go now while he had the time.
He didn't have that kind of perverse psychology that wanted to see others suffer more.
As for the location, he would arrange it next to Jugo. He didn't need Jugo's body for experiments yet, and Jugo could also help those people keep an eye on him.
After thinking, Takuno also came down from the rooftop and re-entered the house.
At this time, Kazahana Dotō had restored his original appearance, but the arrogant expression he once had was completely gone.
The look in his eyes towards Takuno was one of fear and—anger.
"My Lord, we have already told him about the Sealing Jutsu, only that one remains," Roga Nadare said with a smile, and the two others beside him also nodded.
Kazahana Dotō felt a very ominous premonition upon hearing this, but he dared not say anything, only making a mental note against the Snow Ninja Trio once more.
"All of you just wait. The day I obtain enough power from Kazahana Sōsetsu, you'll be the first ones I deal with!"
Takuno glanced at Kazahana Dotō, knowing that he probably hadn't fully submitted internally. He was afraid of death, yes, but he was also very cunning.
Under the expectant gazes of the Snow Ninja Trio, Takuno snapped his fingers.
Then, the familiar screams reached them.
The Snow Ninja Trio watched Kazahana Dotō being tormented by the Death Curse Seal, and instantly felt satisfied. Finally, he was just like them!
Takuno calculated the time and stopped at the same duration as theirs.
Immediately, the Snow Ninja Trio couldn't help but look over, as if to say, 'Was his time a little short?'
"It's all the same," Takuno said, a little exasperated. "It just felt long because you found the time hard to bear in your pain."
The Snow Ninja Trio all nodded, not daring to disbelieve. Since Takuno said it was the same, then it was the same, and what he said made sense; there was no need for him to deceive them in this regard.
At this moment, Kazahana Dotō was still slumped on the ground, almost completely unable to move.
After waiting for a while, Takuno spoke.
"Alright, get up."
But Kazahana Dotō showed no movement.
Takuno narrowed his eyes and made a snapping gesture.
In an instant, Kazahana Dotō scrambled up from the ground, stood ramrod straight, and loudly declared, "My Lord, I am up!" "Next time, be quicker." Takuno glanced at Kazahana Dotō.
"Yes!" Cold sweat streamed down Kazahana Dotō's face. That feeling of wishing for death, he finally understood why the Snow Ninja Trio had betrayed so readily.
At this moment, he, quite uncharacteristically, felt some empathy for his former subordinates.
That was pain no human could endure!
Takuno wasn't surprised by Kazahana Dotō's reaction; he had probably been pampered since childhood and wouldn't be able to endure it.
In reality, if that kind of pain truly killed a person, they would be dead. The fact that he could still stand and speak proved that this level was still bearable.
When he first experimented, it wasn't as if he hadn't tried to torture someone to death—
The current Death Curse Seal, unless it was used on individuals with very weak bodies and minds who might have issues, would not cause problems for others, let alone death.
In the Land of Snow, Hidden Snow Village, in the largest office.
Takuno sat at the head, sipping tea. He had now removed the lower half of his mask.
The Snow Ninja Trio and Kazahana Dotō sat below, completely silent, quietly waiting for Takuno to finish his tea and speak.
They had also secretly caught a glimpse of the exposed part of Takuno's face and had all made guesses about his age; it shouldn't be old.
At this moment, Takuno finally put down his cup.
Immediately, the four below sat up straight, in a state of serious listening.
"Kazahana Dotō," Takuno called his name.
"Here!" Kazahana Dotō inwardly groaned, but outwardly showed no sign of it, still shouting respectfully and energetically.
"I hear you're very interested in the hidden power of Kazahana Sōsetsu?" Takuno looked at Kazahana Dotō with interest. He didn't believe Kazahana Dotō hadn't thought of using that power against him.
Immediately, Kazahana Dotō's eyes widened, looking at Takuno in disbelief.
Even the Snow Ninja Trio didn't know about this; where did he "hear" it from?
"Answer me," Takuno said calmly.
Immediately, Kazahana Dotō trembled all over, then bowed his head even lower, his words becoming even more respectful as he said, "Yes!"
"Then tell me what power Kazahana Sōsetsu has hidden," Takuno continued.
Kazahana Dotō opened his mouth. He didn't know, and he also had a suspicion: perhaps Takuno had come specifically for the hidden power of Kazahana Sōsetsu!
Immediately, a feeling of anger towards Kazahana Sōsetsu welled up in him, but he still had to answer now. If he didn't speak, Takuno would surely use that Death Curse Seal Sealing Jutsu again—
"I, I don't know. I just sensed that Kazahana Sōsetsu seemed to be hiding something, but I don't know what exactly he's hiding," Kazahana Dotō said, his voice trembling. He felt that this answer probably wouldn't satisfy Takuno.
"Really?"
However, the expected anger did not come; what he heard was Takuno's question.
"Really! Absolutely true! My Lord, you must believe me. If I knew what Kazahana Sōsetsu specifically hid, I would have already taken the three of them to seize it!" Kazahana Dotō seemed to see hope and quickly said.
As he spoke, he also looked at the Snow Ninja Trio, hoping they could help him speak.
Takuno also looked at the three of them.
Finally, Roga Nadare spoke, "My Lord, based on my understanding of Kazahana Dotō, that last sentence should be true."
Immediately, Kazahana Dotō looked gratefully at Roga Nadare.
Takuno chuckled at this point. Kazahana Dotō's reputation was indeed known even by his subordinates.
Upon hearing Takuno's laughter, Kazahana Dotō finally breathed a sigh of relief. A smile meant that he wouldn't be punished for this.
"What if I told you I know what Kazahana Sōsetsu is hiding?" Takuno suddenly said.
"Huh?!" Kazahana Dotō was startled, then showed an 'I knew it' expression. He had said that Takuno was attracted by Kazahana Sōsetsu's hidden power. Damn Kazahana Sōsetsu!
"My Lord, we will definitely help you seize those powers!" Kazahana Dotō immediately pledged his loyalty.
"My Lord, please command us!" the Snow Ninja Trio also said in unison, not wanting to miss the opportunity to earn merit.
Takuno looked at Kazahana Dotō and asked playfully, "Haven't you thought of using that power to deal with me after you get it?"
"No, no!" Immediately, cold sweat once again appeared on Kazahana Dotō's forehead.
"Are you really sure?" Takuno asked again.
Immediately, Kazahana Dotō fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing vigorously as he said, "My Lord, I did think that before, but ever since you used the Death Curse Seal, I've never had such a thought again! Please, My Lord, do not use the Death Curse Seal on me again!"
Takuno snorted coldly and said, "Why didn't you say so earlier? Your punishment is to listen while kneeling."
"Yes!" Kazahana Dotō showed no anger at all. As long as the Death Curse Seal wasn't used, what was kneeling worth? How much money could it buy?
"Actually, what Kazahana Sōsetsu is hiding isn't power, but a form of energy," Takuno said at this point.
"Energy?" Kazahana Dotō was stunned, then his mind raced as he asked, "Is it an energy that can be used for very powerful weapons?"
In his impression, anything worth hiding to such an extent would likely be related to military strength.
"It's underfloor heating," Takuno said with a somewhat strange expression.
"Huh?" Kazahana Dotō was completely dumbfounded, now doubting if his ears had been damaged by the previous pain, and was currently vigorously patting them.
"You didn't mishear, it's underfloor heating," Takuno said. Although the technology involved was not simple, it was vastly different from energy that could provide powerful destructive force.
Kazahana Dotō opened his mouth. The legendary treasure Kazahana Sōsetsu spoke of was underfloor heating?
Even with Takuno saying so, he didn't believe it.
"If you don't believe it, you can go back and ask. As long as you say it, Kazahana Sōsetsu, as your brother, shouldn't hide it from you," Takuno said casually. After all, it was just underfloor heating; there really wasn't much need to hide it.
In the original story, Kazahana Sōsetsu probably planned to announce it once it was developed, but then he encountered a younger brother like Kazahana Dotō, who was only interested in powerful strength.
And then, Kazahana Dotō killed Kazahana Sōsetsu for the legendary treasure, causing a series of problems, until Naruto arrived and finally learned that the legendary treasure was just underfloor heating.
Kazahana Dotō was somewhat silent, not answering immediately; his heart was a bit conflicted.
Theoretically, he should believe that his current lord had no reason to deceive him, but emotionally, he couldn't believe that Kazahana Sōsetsu had hidden something for so long just for such a boring thing.
That's right, this technology, which was very beneficial to the entire Land of Snow, was, in Kazahana Dotō's eyes, a boring thing.
Takuno looked at the sky and said, "Let's go now. Be quick. I don't want to stay here for too many days."
"Yes!" Kazahana Dotō stood up somewhat dispiritedly.
"Don't think about escaping, or bringing the soldiers of the Land of Snow. Because before that, you will die," Takuno said to Kazahana Dotō, revealing a somewhat sinister smile.
Kazahana Dotō looked at his smile and felt as if his entire body had fallen into an icy sea.
"Your subordinate would not dare!"
"I will wait for you for three days. What happens after three days, if you have the guts, you can try it," Takuno said, yawning, as if he were talking about something unimportant.
However, this matter directly concerned Kazahana Dotō's life, causing him to widen his eyes and shout, "I will definitely return within three days!"