A pink-haired woman among the Snow Ninja looked at the man with interest. "He's a handsome guy~"
Dotō Kazahana demanded, "Who exactly are you—!"
Since he was in human form, he should be able to speak.
The white-haired, blue-eyed youth's eyes turned blood-red, and three tomoe patterns appeared. Without moving his head, a crimson glint seeped from the depths of his lowered eyelids. "Before you ask for someone's name, you should introduce yourself first..."
Dotō Kazahana's heart skipped a beat. He tried to hide his fear with a bold tone, raising his voice. "Don't you understand the situation?"
The pale-haired, blue-eyed youth closed his eyes, a short name escaping his lips with a slight exhale.
"Uchiha Tōshirō..."
Dotō Kazahana froze. After a moment of surprise, he said, "Don't try to scare me. That person is long dead..."
In the past, that name was famous.
He was from the same era as Tōshirō, and even living in a remote country, he was quite familiar with Tōshirō's deeds.
Fubuki Kakuyoku noticed Tōshirō's crimson eyes and warned, "Lord Dotō, please look at his eyes..."
Dotō Kazahana had been too shocked to pay attention, but with his subordinate's reminder, he suddenly noticed Tōshirō's eyes. "Those are Sharingan..."
Tōshirō calmly scanned the surroundings, realizing he was inside a barrier. He wasn't in a hurry to leave it, his gaze settling on Dotō Kazahana. Judging from the conversation, this guy was clearly the leader here. "I'll give you a chance. Submit to me..."
Dotō Kazahana thought his ears were playing tricks on him. He let out a "Ha!" and looked at Tōshirō as if he were insane. "What kind of joke is this?"
Tōshirō said flatly, "Is a reason not to kill you enough?"
Dotō Kazahana laughed bitterly, his face contorting in rage. "You're talking big... Die."
With his command, the Snow Ninja increased their chakra supply, and countless chains shot from the barrier toward the target.
Tōshirō calmly glanced at them, instantly judging the chains' trajectory. He used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of the barrier and threw a punch.
"Bang."
Dotō Kazahana was stunned and then laughed mockingly. "Idiot, trying to punch the barrier directly..."
Boil Release, why couldn't he use it?
Was it because he no longer had the Five-Tails inside him?
Tōshirō ignored the noisy laughter, lowering his gaze. It was as if he understood something, and a slight smirk appeared on his face.
So that's how it is, heh... This is an unexpected surprise...
Tōshirō's three tomoe spun rapidly, forming a hexagonal snowflake pattern as he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Spirit Fire
Tōshirō summoned a Spirit Fire, and with one punch, he created a crack in the barrier.
Everyone present was shocked, and Dotō Kazahana's scalp crawled. He shouted, "What are you all waiting for? Fix the barrier!"
Everyone snapped out of it and was about to begin repairs, but the Spirit Fire was faster. It plunged its palms into the crack and pulled them apart. With a roar, it tore a hole in the barrier, which shattered like broken glass, flying into the air. The Snow Ninja were hit with a backlash, spitting up blood and collapsing to the ground.
Facing the leisurely approaching Tōshirō, Dotō Kazahana was terrified. Still, he had some fight left in him and quickly used his strongest Ice Release ninjutsu, Blizzard of the Twin Dragons.
A massive amount of chakra gathered in his hands, unleashing two black dragons made of snow and frost that intertwined and flew toward Tōshirō.
The Spirit Fire casually threw a punch, destroying the two menacing black dragons and continuing its charge.
"W-what—!"
Dotō Kazahana's pupils shrank, and before his body could react, he was gripped like a chick by a huge fist and lifted high into the air.
Tōshirō sat leisurely on the Spirit Fire's shoulder, resting his hand on his knee, his palm supporting his face. A harmless smile was on his face, but to Dotō Kazahana, it was more terrifying than a demon from hell.
"Please, let me go. I'll do anything you want..."
Tōshirō's strength was far beyond what Dotō Kazahana had imagined. He'd hit a steel plate—no, a bomb—and chose to surrender immediately, discarding his pride as a daimyo.
In the face of death, such things were easily abandoned.
"Heh, how pathetic..."
With a contemptuous laugh, the Spirit Fire's hand glowed with blue flames, burning the immobilized Dotō Kazahana.
Amid his screams, Dotō Kazahana turned into an ice sculpture.
The Spirit Fire squeezed, and Dotō Kazahana was crushed into ice shards. When the Spirit Fire released its hand, the shards fell to the ground. After a moment, a soul floated out, looking exactly like Dotō Kazahana, with a vacant expression.
The Spirit Fire unceremoniously grabbed the soul and brought it to its mouth, devouring it.
Tōshirō felt reborn, his vision refreshed.
Additionally, since his body was no longer human, the side effects of the Mangekyō Sharingan had decreased to some extent.
"How pathetic..."
Tōshirō shook his head in disappointment.
This level of soul was too weak; the Spirit Fire would need to devour many more to make significant progress.
But more than devouring the souls of Kage-level shinobi, Tōshirō was more interested in another type of soul.
The demon from the Land of Demons.
The soul of Mōryō...
After devouring Dotō Kazahana's soul, Tōshirō slowly scanned the crowd. That show of force should have been enough to kill the chickens to scare the monkeys.
The Snow Ninja, led by Fubuki Kakuyoku, stood still, not daring to breathe.
They didn't want to save Dotō Kazahana, but the enemy was on a different level. Dotō Kazahana, with all his strength, couldn't last a single breath against him. For them to go up would be no different than suicide.
Besides, Fubuki Kakuyoku was clear about his own position. If he were the type to risk his life for his lord, he wouldn't have conspired with Dotō Kazahana for his own gain.
So, he had no reason to risk his life for Dotō Kazahana and fight a battle he was sure to lose.
For him, what was loyalty worth? How much per pound?
Meanwhile, the beautiful pink-haired woman beside him, Hoshi Hana, was sweating profusely.
That was a close call~
Luckily, she hadn't flirted with him just now, or she might have been the one devoured by that blue giant.
She looked at Tōshirō with a mix of fear, admiration, and obsession.
She wasn't a superficial woman; Tōshirō was simply too powerful. His handsome looks and his "let's just get this over with" attitude stimulated every nerve in her body, making her feel weak all over.
Tōshirō opened his eyes and gave a harmless smile. "Why do you all look so nervous? I'm not a demon..."
You're more terrifying than a demon, though...
Everyone exchanged glances, wanting to complain internally.
If they died at Tōshirō's hands, their bodies would be crushed, and their souls would be completely consumed.
The Spirit Fire opened its palm and respectfully lowered it to its shoulder.
Tōshirō stepped off its shoulder and onto its palm, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked down at everyone. "I'll ask again: Will you submit, or will you choose to be my enemy?"
There was no hesitation. Fubuki Kakuyoku knelt on one knee, showing his submission.
With Dotō Kazahana gone, Fubuki Kakuyoku was the new leader. Since he had surrendered, the others naturally followed suit.
As for Dotō Kazahana? Who cared?
They were loyal to him for personal gain, nothing more.
"A wise choice..."
Tōshirō smiled faintly.
A ball of flame wrapped around the Spirit Fire, and it vanished into thin air.
Without the Spirit Fire's intimidating presence, Fubuki Kakuyoku's tension eased slightly. He asked, "Legend says you died in a battle, but now you have returned in this form. What exactly happened in between?"
Tōshirō's eyes, with their crimson glow, gave him a cold look. "You seem very interested in me..."
Fubuki Kakuyoku realized his slip-up and quickly apologized.
Tōshirō looked away and asked, "What year is it?"
Hearing this, Fubuki Kakuyoku looked confused. As he was about to answer, the pink-haired Hoshi Hana beside him spoke first, eager to make a good impression on Tōshirō.
She not only told him the time but also Tōshirō's location.
Tōshirō frowned, surprised he had been asleep for so long. As if remembering something, he asked, "Is the Uchiha clan... still around?"
Hoshi Hana was slightly confused, unable to keep up with Tōshirō's line of thought, but she replied based on what she knew.
Tōshirō let out a sigh of relief.
To prevent any unforeseen issues, he had to return to the village as soon as possible.
He wouldn't let a single one of the people who had wronged him get away...
As he was thinking, Tōshirō's expression suddenly hardened. Half of his face began to take on a draconic appearance, ice crystals sprouted from the top of his head, and an ice dragon's wing grew from his back.
Everyone around him was startled by this sight.
Tōshirō clenched his newly sharpened teeth and fist, forcing his body back into a human form.
Damn it, I can't control this Sage power...
He needed to resolve this hidden danger.
(End of Chapter)
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