Chapter 204: 200: Kazahana Koyuki

Chapter 204: 200: Kazahana Koyuki

The Land of Snow.

Among the castles in the Land of Snow, the capital city stood at the highest place. A Yuki ninja, clad in blue and white chakra armor, knelt on the cold floor, bowing his head to the man seated on the throne, showing regret as if they had made a grave mistake.

Wearing a luxurious and heavy coat, tall and imposing, with an impassive expression that exuded a coldness without anger.

"I'm sorry, Doto-sama. Because of interference from the Konoha ninja Hatake Kakashi, we lost our target." The Yuki ninja with long ice-blue hair explained, conveying his shame to Doto.

"Why would a Konoha ninja appear in the Land of Snow? The Land of Snow and the Land of Fire have never shared any relationship." Doto asked quite confused.

"Perhaps Sesotsu hired them."

"Will that man continue to cause trouble for me even in death? If they handed over the hexagonal crystal earlier, everything would had been fine." Doto supported his forehead, and seemed distressed, not at all like the ruthless villain who had killed his brother recently with his own hands.

"Doto-sama, what should we do next?" Roga asked His status and strength among the Yuki nins ranked second only to Doto. While others trembled at Doto's cruelty, he remained composed.

"Since Konoha has intervened now, hunting down Koyuki in a short time is impossible. However, the hexagonal crystal needs be secured. I don't believe Konoha will protect her for the rest of her life." A cold glint flashed through Doto's eyes and he was determined to obtain the hexagonal crystal on his niece's person.

This crystal held the key to unlocking the treasure buried by his elder brother for so years. Only with it could the Land Of Snow gather enough power to develop, mass-produce chakra armor, expand their weapons, annex the surrounding countries, and increase their status like the five major nations. He was dissatisfied with his brother's peaceful nature, Doto believed his brother unworthy of the Land Of Snow's fame. For this reason the hidden treasure which needed the crystal and the Land Of Snow must be his.

"Yes." Roga nodded. He knew that Doto wouldn't stop there. He was one step away from realizing his ambition to expand their territory, and he was unwilling to give up no matter what.

However the current power of the Land Of Fire and Konoha wasn't power they wanted to provoke. Especially Hatake Kakashi, whose exceptional strength, his kenjutsu could cut through even their chakra armor. A direct confrontation would prove difficult, they needed a meticulous long-term plan.

The opportune moment would arrive when Konoha's contract to protect Koyuki expired. Until then, their focus would be on locating her.

....

"Koyuki-sama, please have meal."

"Thank you."

Koyuki had no idea where she was at the moment, but she found peace in the maid's gentle demeanor as she brought breakfast. After spending a few days in fear she couldn't help but remember her kind maids who served her in the castle, but they died defending themselves during a rebellion.

Thoughts of Doto's cold and vicious face, Koyuki couldn't help but cast a shadow over her eyes, and lost the mood for breakfast.

"Excuse me... where's this place?"

Wearing twelve layers of luxurious attire, symbolic of her status as a princess. But before having her breakfast she needed answers.

"In the Land of Demons." The maid answered with a gentle voice.

"The Land of Demons?"

"Yes."

"I've heard about the beautiful dances in this country from my books."

Koyuki's innocent words elicited a smile from the maid. Yet, she seemed to be trapped on some kind of memory, she gently stroked the crystal jewelry on her neck. Soon, Koyuki returned from her daze, she decided to eat before asking about anything else. She had visited the Land of Demons before, she, as the Snow Daimyo's daughter, who would eventually inherit the country in the future.

She just didnt expect after leaving the Land Of Snow she would land in the adjacent Land Of Demons.

While both are small countries, the Land Of Snow and Land Of Demons were essentially different. Yet, as a troubled princess, Koyuki deemed it unsuitable for a long stay, fearing it might attract trouble from Doto's subordinates, given its proximity to the Land Of Snow.

After her meal, Koyuki asked of the maid standing respectfully beside her, "Where did Kakashi-san go?"

"He'll be back soon."

Koyuki nodded, choosing not to ask any further questions. She sat down at the mansion's corridor. While admiring the courtyard's scenery as she patiently awaited Kakashi's return.

Shortly after, Kakashi returned from the outside, prompting the maid to withdraw, providing space for the two.

Seeing Kakashi's return, Koyuki felt a sense of relief. In this place filled with strangers, only Kakashi, a familiar face, offered her a sense of security.

"Koyuki-sama."

"Kakashi-san, where have you been?"

"I went to negotiate with the person in charge of this country. After all, Koyuki-sama, your identity's quite sensitive."

"When do we leave next?" Koyuki asked worriedly.

"Well, we'll stay here for now. Don't worry about syour afety; this country is safe, and those looking for trouble wouldn't be presumptuous here."

"But"

"Actually, there's another reason. We have to wait for someone here, It's already arranged."

"Waiting for someone? Who?"

"Sandayu Asama. He's your father's confidant. He's currently in the Land Of Rainbow and will ve coming to the Land Of Demons soon."

'Sandayu Asama?' Koyuki tilted her head, recalling the name as a high-status official in the Land Of Snow.

"In that case, we'll stay for a while."

Koyuki decided, refraining from questioning why Kakashi didn't directly go to the Land Of Rainbows but waited for Asama to come to the Land Of Demons. She knew Kakashi likely wouldn't answer the question. She thought it would be good for her to know, but in her current state, as a dethroned princess who had lost her status and country, she didn't have the choice of choosing her destiny.

....

About three days passed, during which Koyuki had gotten used to the mansion. Having been accustomed to luxury since childhood, the maids here provided services of equal caliber.

The mansion, while not as large as her former castle, didn't concern her now.

Revenge, was a matter for the future or may be impossible in a lifetime. She had free herself from the shadows.

"Can you help me?" Koyuki reflexively asked, secretly passing her gaze to Asama to confirm if Shiraishi's words were true.

Asama was at a loss. Honestly, he only knew S-rank rogue ninjas were dangerous, but.... regarding their power he had no idea. Anyway to him all ninjas were unfathomable.

Whether Shiraishi could defeat Doto remained uncertain. Before Shiraishi implemented his plan, there were more pressing matters to pay attention to.

"Wait! The Land Of Demons is a neutral country, and you're a rogue ninja wanted by Konoha; how can you help Koyuki-sama?"

Asama asked after understanding the key problem. Shiraishi's proposal touched his heart, but there were too many problems that couldn't be solved.

With the Land Of Demons as a neutral country, they were offered protection but the protection also restricted the country. Meaning, the Land Of Demons will not be attacked or invaded by other countries and vice versa.

So Shiraishi as a rogue ninja from Konoha, must keep his identity undisclosed. Because once it was revealed it could worsen the situation.

"As long as you don't let others know. Dealing with the turmoil will not expose my identity."

"But what benefits can you get this way? Could it be that you want to..."

"Everything you gain, you lose, don't you?" Shiraishi said with a smile.

Asama understood this truth. Shiraishi's assistance to Koyuki isn't free. On the contrary, if he had offered his assistance free of charge, Asama felt that he would firmly dissuade Koyuki and decline the other party's proposal.

Asama never had any ideas about retaking the Land of Snow, because of the slim hope. Without a strong enough external force to intervene, Koyuki's desire to regain power was undoubtedly a dream.

Before Shiraishi's suggestion, Asama only wanted yo protect Koyuki for a peaceful life. To him, it was the best way to repay Sosetsu-sama. But.... was the words of a rogue ninja credible?.

"How do you ensure you won't take adverse actions against Koyuki-sama afterward?"

Shiraishi's proposal touched his heart, but he still had concerns about the traitor's reputation.

"How about I accept this child as my daughter? I can guarantee she will be a famous name in the Land Of Snow afterward." Shiraishi expressed his opinion.

"This... this is so nonsense!" Asama was stunned, but he was reluctant to refuse the unexpected proposal. The princess of a country recognizing a traitor as her father, what sick joke. It was all nonsense.

As Asama was about to refuse, Koyuki spoke to Shiraishi: "Father."

Click!

There was a sound of cracking glasses, as Asama's glasses shattered on the ground.

'Koyuki-sama you have lost your integrity!' Asama lamented inward.

.....

"Koyuki-sama, why did you agree to hid request?"

After Shiraishi left, Asama looked at Koyuki helplessly and with a headache.

Koyuki glanced at Asama then looked toward the blue sky and responded:

"I'm sorry, Asama-san, but i can't forgive what uncle Doto has done."

"Even so, we can take the long road, it doesn't have to be..." Asama still couldn't agree with Koyuki's approach.

Too much involvement with a rogue was bad for the Land Of Snow. If exposed, it would cause unnecessary trouble, especially with the Konoha in the Land of Fire. If they were pursued, the Land of Snow will be powerless to resist.

"A long-term plan? Asama-san, how long will this take?" Koyuki looked at Asama.

Asama hesitated and couldn't speak. For long it would take, he wasn't even sure because they didn't have any force.

Although he has money, it was still far from enough to raise an army. What's more, Doto has ninja troops. An army of ordinary people doesn't pose a threat to ninjas.

Therefore, the so-called long-term plan, in Koyuki's view, was just finding a place for a peaceful and stable life. But if someone accidentally finds her, then her fate can be imagined.

"Moreover, things are not as simple as we thought."

"?"

Asama looked at the Princess, confused.

"Kakashi,-san who came from Konoha to protect me, may also be from this side."

"!?" Asama opened his mouth wide. At this time, under Koyuki's reminder, he finally reacted, and his body shivered.

Yes, one is a talented Konoha ninja with a bright future, and the other is a dangerous rogue ninja hiding behind the scenes of the Land Of Demons.

After his mission, Kakashi took Koyuki to the Land Of Demons to settle for a while, and there was no dispute with the rogue ninja, which had already explained some problems.

'Spy?' Asama was shocked. He couldn't help but lament about the courage of the rogues ninjas. Daring to place spies in a powerful village like Konoha.

If that was the case, then the other party may really be able to help Koyuki-sama regain power in the Land Of Snow.

Although she will certainly lose a certain amount of autonomy in the future, but if he and Koyuki-sama only relied on their power to go to the Land Of Snow for revenge, it was like a sheep entering a tiger's mouth.

"I understand. No matter what happens, i will stand by you." Asama promised.

----

You can support me and read 150 advanced chapters on my Patreon.

patreon .com/chizihn