Kakashi shifted his gaze and looked towards a snow-covered tree.
A Snow Ninja wearing Chakra Armor appeared there at some point, with ice-blue hair, approximately in his twenties, staring gloomily at Kakashi, ignoring the painful cries of the Snow Ninja named Touu on the ground, remaining still.
The body of Princess Koyuki, on Kakashi's back, trembled.
She recognized this Snow Ninja with ice-blue hair, named Roga Nadare.
He was a direct subordinate of Kazahana Doto, who slaughtered those opposing Kazahana Doto within Kazahana City during the previous coup.
Among the Snow Ninjas in the Land of Snow, he ranked among the top.
Kakashi also noticed this person's exceptional skills. If the man and woman earlier could, with the help of the so-called Chakra Armor, briefly entangle with a Jonin, then this one could likely be a Jonin themselves.
With the addition of the Chakra Armor, his power became even more formidable.
Kakashi said nothing, using the Instantaneous Body Jutsu to leave the spot.
The female Snow Ninja in the sky wanted to chase after him, but Roga Nadare stopped her, "Fubuki, don't go; if you do, you'll be killed. That Hatake Kakashi is no ordinary person. No wonder he's the son of Konoha White Fang."
His face showed a solemn expression, evidently not confident about capturing Kakashi.
Powerful Ninja Techniques that ignore Chakra Armor defenses are a nemesis to them, who overly depend on Chakra Armor in battles.
If they pursued now, the three of them might end up dead.
Although he was Kazahana Doto's subordinate, he was not blindly willing to die for Kazahana Doto's ambitions.
Ultimately, it was only because Kazahana Doto became Daimyo that he could gain more benefits.
"So, what do we do next?"
"First, stabilize Touu's injuries, and use prosthetics to replace the lost hands. As for the Hexagonal Crystal... I don't believe Konoha can protect Kazahana Koyuki forever. Once Konoha loses its umbrella of protection, the Hexagonal Crystal on Kazahana Koyuki will eventually be ours."
Roga Nadare analyzed rationally.
The female Snow Ninja Fubuki nodded in agreement with Roga Nadare's suggestion.
◎
"I didn't expect such turmoil to occur within the usually peaceful and stable Land of Snow."
Inside the office, the detailed reports from Kakashi regarding the Land of Snow were documented thoroughly, allowing Hakushi to understand the current internal chaos within the Land of Snow.
The benevolent Daimyo of the Land of Snow, Kazahana Sosetsu, was assassinated by his brother Kazahana Doto, publicly declared deceased due to illness.
The succession ceremony for the new Daimyo of the Land of Snow would be held in the coming days.
By then, regardless of opposition within the country, Kazahana Doto's succession as Daimyo of the Land of Snow will be finalized.
"Isn't this precisely what you wanted? Besides, the rightful heir to the Daimyo position, Kazahana Koyuki, is now safely settled in the Land of Demons thanks to Kakashi, which is immensely advantageous for us."
Ruri saw the opportunity, considering it a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
"Indeed. Even if Kazahana Sosetsu unfortunately passed away, the heir should be his only offspring, Kazahana Koyuki. Kazahana Doto's succession as the Daimyo of the Land of Snow is merely due to powerful force, bloody suppression, eliminating all voices of opposition. Such flaws won't be easily eradicated."
Hakushi nodded, acknowledging Ruri's assertion of a golden opportunity.
By utilizing Kazahana Koyuki's legitimate heir status, supporting her covertly to overthrow Kazahana Doto's tyrannical rule, and subsequently taking over the entirety of the Land of Snow, it's a great opportunity to expand territorial control.
Most importantly, Kazahana Koyuki holds absolute righteousness.
"So, when do you plan to act?"
"As the Land of Demons is currently a Neutral Country, taking over the Land of Snow should not be done overtly; it requires stealth beneath the surface. In official terms, we're merely assisting Princess Kazahana Koyuki in reclaiming her rightful power."
Furthermore, determining how to take over the Land of Snow would need an appropriate strategy; it can't be done hastily.
"In any case, let's first go to the Land of Rainbow and contact the person named Asama Sandayu. He's a close attendant of the Land of Snow's Daimyo Kazahana Sosetsu; convincing him would make things much simpler."
After all, Kazahana Koyuki is just a child with no understanding and lacks autonomy.
Hakushi quickly made his decision.
"I'm afraid things aren't that simple."
Ruri seemed skeptical.
"Try it and see. After all, without strong external intervention, Kazahana Koyuki will not be able to reclaim her rightful possessions. But talking about it, Ruri, do you think it would make things smoother if I recognized Kazahana Koyuki as my adopted daughter?"
Hakushi contemplated this matter seriously.
This way, he would have ample reason to assist Kazahana Koyuki, intervene in the Land of Snow's strife, defeat Kazahana Doto, and help her take back the Land of Snow.