"Ice Release: Great Glacier!"
In front of Yukikawa Hyoumi's massive ice-and-snow construct, the ground trembled. Glaciers surged up from beneath, encasing the giant before crushing it into shards.
"This technique works best in a snow-heavy environment like this," Kimimaro remarked, clapping his hands as the ice giant crumbled.
Though environmental conditions in the Land of Snow amplified the move, its destructive potential had reached Kage-level. Against opponents like Sasori or Deidara, Kimimaro now felt confident he could hold his own with his newly refined Ice Release techniques.
Still, this power was conditional. His Shikotsumyaku bloodline disease hadn't been fully neutralized. Until he acquired the Byakugan—a dōjutsu that could harmonize with his kekkei genkai and improve internal chakra flow—his stability at Kage-level remained uncertain.
The glaciers kept advancing, compressing the battlefield and reducing the space for Yukikawa Hyoumi and his Snow Ninja allies.
"Where is he drawing that much chakra from?" Yukikawa Hyoumi gasped. "Even Chakra Armor can't provide that level of chakra amplification!"
Desperate, Hyoumi activated his final trump card. "I've upgraded Doto Kazahana's original armor. Watch this! Ice Release: Super Black Dragon Blizzard!"
A roaring black dragon of snow and ice surged forward, shattering the glaciers and barreling toward Kimimaro.
"So that's where this technique came from… Just a glorified Ice Dragon Bullet," Kimimaro scoffed.
Rather than evade, he prepared to test one of his latest innovations.
"Demonic Mirror Ice Crystals!"
A towering ice mirror materialized. As the black dragon collided with it, the mirror absorbed the attack. Then, with a crackling sound, the mirror shattered—harmlessly dispersing the chakra throughout the air.
This wasn't just Haku's technique. Kimimaro had taken a different development path, exploring the space-time components inherent in the Demonic Mirror Ice Crystals. His mirrors could now absorb chakra-based ninjutsu like a containment seal—though only temporarily.
For a jutsu like the black dragon, which was pure chakra and lacked an anchor, entering the mirror caused it to lose cohesion and dissipate.
Yukikawa Hyoumi's expression shifted in horror. "That's… Demonic Mirror Ice Crystals. An advanced application of Ice Release, only usable by true inheritors of the bloodline! How does he know it?!"
Gasps echoed from all around.
The upper echelons of the Land of Snow had long whispered that only a pure Ice Release user could awaken and master Demonic Mirror Ice Crystals.
Many had backed Hyoumi because of his partial Ice Release heritage. But now, a superior candidate stood before them—unmistakably pure-blooded.
"I believe him. He truly is the guardian of our queen—no, the guardian deity of the Land of Snow!" a minister declared, kneeling.
The declaration sparked a chain reaction. One by one, others dropped to their knees in reverence.
Koyuki Kazahana looked on in awe. Though a royal, her family had not produced a full Ice Release bearer in generations. Kimimaro's power proved he wasn't just a protector—he was someone who could lead.
Perhaps allowing him to come here… wasn't just political. Her cheeks flushed as a thought crossed her mind. Maybe… even descendants with true Ice Release are possible…
But Kimimaro paid no attention to the stir below. He was absorbed in the success of his technique.
He formed seals again. This time, smaller ice mirrors—just tall enough to reflect a person—sprang up all around Yukikawa Hyoumi and the remaining Snow Ninja, forming a mirrored arena.
Kimimaro's image appeared in each mirror.
"Ice Release: Ice Dragon Tornado!"
Multiple ice tornadoes, laden with sharp ice fragments, erupted from four of the mirrors and spiraled toward the enemy group, crushing through their defenses and tearing apart their Ice Wolves and other summoned beasts.
This technique had also been developed recently. Unlike Haku, who relied on speed and positioning, Kimimaro realized he could replicate himself within the mirrors—solidifying them like chakra-based shadow clones. He could then instantly switch places between mirrors, confusing foes.
Haku's version, while elegant, was chakra-inefficient. Kimimaro's development was more sustainable—and far more lethal.
Still, his mastery wasn't complete. Only four of the mirrored clones could use ninjutsu for now. But that was enough. The Snow Ninja had no way to counter simultaneous attacks from multiple angles.
Then came a flurry of ice senbon, a clear nod to Haku's signature technique. But these weren't for lethal impact—they served to suppress and disorient.
While the Snow Ninja scrambled, Kimimaro began charging a larger-scale jutsu.
Moments later, only Yukikawa Hyoumi remained standing.
"I… I surrender!" he gasped, knees buckling.
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes. "Sorry. Those who betray repeatedly lose the right to surrender."
He gestured to Koyuki's loyalists. "Take the survivors."
As the Snow Ninja were rounded up, Kimimaro seized Hyoumi and, without resistance, began draining his life force using a secret technique.
After extracting approximately 15,000 units of life energy—a rough estimate based on his internal chakra calculations—Kimimaro leapt onto the ceremonial stage.
With practiced efficiency, he stabbed a blade into Yukikawa Hyoumi's chest, ending the conflict once and for all.
"The rebel leader Yukikawa Hyoumi has been executed. Please welcome Her Majesty, the Queen of the Land of Snow."
Koyuki Kazahana ascended the ceremonial platform with composed grace, the hem of her regal white robe trailing behind her in the snow. Below, ministers and citizens dropped to their knees in unison, their breaths visible in the wintry air.
"Thank you," Koyuki Kazahana whispered, her eyes scanning the crowd—and pausing briefly on the masked figure standing at the edge of the stage.
"How will you thank me, Big Sister?" Kimimaro's calm voice reached her ears.
"Just as you said."
"Which one?"
"All of them."
This time, even Kimimaro—whose usually unshakable demeanor mirrored that of a trained shinobi—was momentarily stunned.
"All of them? Even... giving yourself to me?"
Koyuki tilted her head playfully. "What, are you scared now?"
"How could I be?" Kimimaro chuckled softly, then stepped forward and raised his voice to the public below:
"The rebels have been defeated! The Land of Snow is safe once more... and the wedding will proceed!"
There was a brief moment of stunned silence before a few sharp minds caught on.
"Long live Her Majesty, Queen Koyuki! Long live the Snow Country's Guardian!"
Others quickly followed:
"Congratulations to the Queen and her Guardian Deity!"
Everyone had seen Kimimaro's terrifying strength—capable of overwhelming elite shinobi with ease—and many now believed their future was secured through this union. Ministers secretly hoped this alliance would soon produce heirs with formidable bloodlines, perhaps even inheriting Koyuki's political acumen and Kimimaro's devastating combat prowess.
Kimimaro, still masked, felt quietly triumphant. It's a shame I can't take off the mask yet, he thought. Otherwise, I'd kiss her right now and stun the entire nation properly.
Lifting Koyuki into his arms, he smirked beneath his mask.
"Big Sister Koyuki, now that we're married… you'll have to listen to me from now on."
Koyuki twirled a lock of hair around her finger with a sly smile. "Oh? And what does my husband want me to do first?"
"Simple," Kimimaro replied, his tone cool and commanding.
"Return to your chambers… and wait for me."
Koyuki blinked in surprise, arching an elegant brow. "Not coming with me?" Was her charm not enough?
"I still have work to do." Kimimaro's voice dropped to a near-whisper, laced with calm resolve. "The remnants of the rebellion need to be purged… quietly."
Visit patreon.com/ShiroTL to gain access to 40+ chapters