At that time, Ryoma had dumped a large amount of work onto Tsunade's shoulders. As a result, he had almost forgotten that a place like the Land of Snow even existed. Moreover, because of its remote location and year-round freezing climate, no space gate had ever been installed there.
"The current lord… rules through force and ambition."
Ryoma recalled the Chakra Armor developed by the other party—technology that appeared in the Snow Country incident. By amplifying chakra flow and strengthening ninjutsu, even a low-level ninja could unleash destructive power comparable to that of a jōnin.
Naturally, Ryoma's interest wasn't limited to chakra armor alone.
What truly caught his attention were the large-scale geothermal heating systems and the massive projection technology created by the former ruler, Kazahana Dōtō's predecessor—technology capable of bringing spring to a frozen land.
"This man's ambition is far from small. Though he hasn't made many overt moves, he's been quietly planning for years. Now… it's time for a change in leadership."
Ryoma studied the photographs painted by Yukie Fujikaze, a clear plan already forming in his mind.
The next moment, his figure vanished from the room without a sound.
Inside Izuki Bar, Yukie Fujikaze sat alone at the counter, quietly drinking.
She was a regular here. The bar's subdued atmosphere suited her—few customers, little noise, just enough silence to allow her to enjoy both the drink and her thoughts.
"…Do I really want to go back to that place?"
Her fingers brushed against the purple, hexagonal crystal hanging from her neck. A flicker of nostalgia surfaced in her eyes.
In truth, Yukie Fujikaze was not her real name.
Her true name was Koyuki Kazahana, the former princess of the Land of Snow.
The crystal was a keepsake from her father—and the only thing she had left after losing everything.
As she gazed at it, memories long buried began to resurface.
More than ten years ago, when the ninja world had yet to stabilize and the Land of Snow still stood independent, her father—Kazahana Dōtō—had ruled as a devoted and benevolent leader. But in the end, he was betrayed and murdered by his younger brother.
With the help of hired snow ninja, the usurper staged a rebellion and seized control with ease. Even the most beautiful city in the land—Windflower City—was reduced to ashes, collapsing amid roaring flames.
From that day on, Koyuki's heart had died.
She no longer had the strength—or courage—to seek revenge. She had lost even the ability to cry. All that remained was an empty shell.
A coward who hid behind acting to escape reality.
A coward who didn't even dare to resist.
"…How ironic."
She let out a self-mocking smile.
"Playing the role of the 'Snow Princess'… when the real me is nothing like her."
She drained the wine in her glass in one go.
Unnoticed by her, not far away, a pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes had been watching her the entire time.
"As expected."
The owner of that gaze was a scruffy man with an unkempt beard. He rose from his seat and slowly approached.
But just as he was about to make his move, his entire body froze.
His instincts screamed in warning—like a rabbit locked onto by a predator.
Cold sweat slid down his forehead. The man swallowed hard.
I can't do it. Not here.
Without another word, he turned and slipped out of the bar.
Only after stepping outside did he start gasping for air, realizing he had almost forgotten how to breathe.
"What the hell was that…?"
He had no idea what had just happened. Yet one thing was certain—
If he had acted earlier, he would have died on the spot.
The thought made his scalp go numb.
"Could it be… Konoha ninja protecting the Snow Princess?"
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became. He immediately decided to leave and report everything to his lord.
Inside the bar, Ryoma—seated quietly on a sofa—watched the snow ninja flee.
He hadn't lifted a finger.
All he'd done was glance in that direction.
Had the man insisted on acting, he would've been dead the next instant.
"Bartender," Ryoma said calmly, "a glass of Green Bamboo. Give it to the young lady here."
He took the empty seat beside Koyuki.
"Oh?"
She turned her head toward him. Between the dim lighting and the alcohol, she couldn't see his face clearly—only the vague outline of a handsome man.
She scoffed lightly.
"What, little pretty boy? You think one drink is enough to pick me up?"
"I just wanted to talk," Ryoma replied evenly.
Koyuki Kazahana's ridicule didn't anger Ryoma in the slightest. He took a small sip of his drink and spoke calmly.
"Running away for this long… that's not really a solution, is it?"
Her beautiful eyes narrowed instantly. She looked at him with clear vigilance.
"You—who exactly are you?"
"Someone who wants to help you."
"I don't need anyone's help!"
Koyuki stood up abruptly, clearly intending to leave. However, Ryoma's next words made her halt in her tracks.
"Kazahana Dōtō has already set his sights on you. Do you really think you can deal with him on your own?"
"You like to run, but you're not foolish. You should be able to see your situation clearly."
Watching her return with a stiff, stubborn expression, Ryoma smiled faintly.
By then, the glass of Green Bamboo had been prepared. He gently pushed it toward her.
"You can lower your guard around me. Believe me—if I truly meant you harm, you wouldn't have the slightest chance to resist, no matter what I wanted to do."
Koyuki stared at the increasingly mysterious man before her. As an actress, she was especially sensitive to falsehoods and performance.
Though she still didn't know who he was, she could tell one thing clearly—
He wasn't lying.
She picked up the Green Bamboo and took a drink. A faint blush crept onto her face as she fixed her gaze on Ryoma, speaking carefully, word by word.
"If you say you're here to help me… then tell me. How exactly do you plan to do that?"
"It's simple."
Ryoma reached into his clothes and produced a specially marked kunai, placing it into her hand.
"When you see Kazahana Dōtō, and you decide that you want my help… I'll appear."
Holding the kunai, Koyuki's expression was filled with unease and suspicion.
"That's it? Don't you think this is ridiculous? How am I supposed to trust you?"
She wasn't some naïve heroine from a romance story. Trusting a stranger's words so easily was not in her nature.
Ryoma, however, didn't seem bothered in the slightest.
"The person you need to trust isn't me—it's yourself. Stop using excuses to keep running away."
He continued calmly.
"And like I said, there's no need for me to deceive you. If I truly intended to scheme against you, you'd be completely powerless to stop me."
At that, Ryoma looked at her seriously.
"It's been many years. It's time for things to change. Don't let yourself keep living in fear of him. You still have the chance to take everything back."
The moment his words ended, Koyuki realized—
The man before her had vanished.
Only she remained, alone at the bar.
For a moment, she wondered if everything had been nothing more than an illusion brought on by alcohol. But the cold weight of the kunai in her palm told her otherwise.
Everything that had just happened… was real.
"Can I really do it…?"
"Revenge…"
She stared at the kunai, her fragile reflection mirrored on its blade. Then she remembered the words he had spoken earlier—
Don't let yourself continue to live in fear of him.
Her grip tightened.
For the first time in many years, a glimmer of resolve appeared in her previously hollow eyes.
She made her decision.
She would return to her homeland—
And finally settle things with Kazahana Dōtō.
(End of Chapter)
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