blogombal Chapter 213 Wind, Flowers, and Raging Waves: The Advantage Lies With Me!
Chapter 213 Wind, Flowers, and Raging Waves: The Advantage Lies With Me!
Chapter 214 Wind, Flowers, and Raging Waves: The Advantage Lies With Me!
A cold wind, carrying snowflakes, swept across the land outside the eastern wall of the Star Ninja outpost, a place that had just experienced a brief but bloody conflict.
Four corpses clad in ice-blue armor lay silently on the snow, their pure white bodies stained crimson with blood, like a few blooming red plum blossoms.
Firefly's gaze swept over the structure of the house, and she calmly gave the order: "Xuejian, use the storage scroll to properly seal the structure of the house that was destroyed by the Wolf Fang Avalanche."
The corpse of an elite Jonin from the Land of Snow, both the intelligence it carried and its peculiar chakra armor, are of extremely high value to the research department.
"Understood!" Xuejian nodded immediately, took out a specially made storage scroll from her ninja tool pouch, and skillfully formed hand seals.
With the injection of chakra, the body of Wolf Fang Avalanche, riddled with thousands of sticks and in a tragic state, was collected into the scroll.
Next, Hotaru and Gota crouched down and began to carefully examine the bodies of the other three Snow Ninja Chunin.
Wu Tai's rough fingers traced the broken chakra armor on the corpse, his eyes gleaming with inquiry: "Pfft, this armor is indeed ingeniously constructed. It can amplify chakra and assist in activating Ice Release. Unfortunately, the material strength and energy conduction seem to be flawed. Its power is far less pure and powerful than Haku's Ice Release bloodline limit."
As he made his assessment, he deftly peeled off the armor from the three bodies and carefully packed it away.
"Take the armor back to the research department for analysis. As for the body," Firefly stood up, lifting a cold body in one hand, while Gota also lifted another.
"Give it back to them."
The two exchanged a glance, and simultaneously exerted their strength, hurling the three nearly naked, wounded Snow Ninja corpses toward the distant Yuu Country military camp as if throwing stones!
Pfft!Pfft!Pfft!
Three dull thuds of heavy objects hitting the ground were particularly clear in the silent, cold night, landing precisely at the edge of the torchlight of the soldiers patrolling the outer perimeter of the military camp.
"Enemy attack?!"
"What is that?!"
A panicked shout and chaotic footsteps immediately rang out from behind the military camp fence.
Several soldiers cautiously approached, and when the firelight illuminated the three faces, frozen in fear and pain, familiar yet unfamiliar, a terrified scream instantly pierced the night sky!
"It's...it's the ninja master from the Land of Snow!!"
"They're dead! They were stripped naked!!"
"Oh my god! Who did this?!"
The military camp instantly became like a hornet's nest that had been poked, restless and uneasy!
Panic spread like a plague among the ordinary soldiers.
Those high-ranking ninja masters were killed so easily and thrown back like trash?!
Startled by the commotion outside, Matsukatsuki Dennosuke hurriedly put on his coat and rushed over.
When he saw the three snow ninja bodies on the ground, almost completely naked and clearly dead after a brutal battle, his face, which always carried a calculating expression, instantly turned incredibly gloomy, and his goatee trembled slightly with anger.
"Useless! A bunch of useless people!" He cursed Wolf Fang Avalanche's incompetence in his heart, but more than that, he felt uneasy and apprehensive about things getting out of control.
He knew Wolf Fang Avalanche's strength well. With the help of Jonin-made chakra armor and three Chunin as subordinates, they were completely wiped out without even making a splash. Their corpses were even used as spoils of war and tools for provocation?!
The power within the Star Ninja base was far more terrifying than he had anticipated!
He suppressed his horror and shouted sternly to the trembling messenger beside him, "Immediately! Send an urgent request for assistance back home as quickly as possible! Report to Prince Fury Waves that the Star Ninja are putting up fierce resistance, and that the Wolf Fang Avalanche Jonin and his squad have been killed! Request Your Highness to send stronger reinforcements immediately! Quickly!"
His voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.
The portly nobleman from the Land of the Darkness, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, was initially startled by the sight of the corpses on the ground. However, a look of disdain and resentment appeared on his face as he muttered under his breath, "Hmph, I thought the ninjas from the Land of Snow were so powerful, they boasted so much, but is this all they've got? They didn't even manage to touch a Star Ninja before they were all dead? What a waste of our money and resources."
Matsukatsuki Dennosuke was furious when he heard this idiot's mutterings, but the situation was beyond his control. He could only keep a gloomy face, ignore the idiot, and think quickly about his next move.
In the following days, the situation fell into an eerie calm.
In the direction of the Star Ninja base, Hotaru and Gota strictly followed Menma's orders, holding their ground and not venturing out, only strengthening their vigilance and defensive fortifications.
Kimimaro, Haku, Yukimi, and the other Star Ninjas stationed there took turns on guard duty. That night, the Yuki Ninja's corpse was thrown at the gate of the military camp, which made the You Kingdom army dare not cross the line.
Meanwhile, Matsukatsu Dennosuke and the nobles of the Land of the Darkness in the military camp were hesitant to act, neither daring to send any more small groups to their deaths nor having the strength to launch a general offensive. They could only anxiously await reinforcements from their homeland while remaining wary of the Star Ninjas in their garrison suddenly attacking.
The two sides were locked in a silent standoff across the cold snowfield and the low wall, the air so tense it seemed ready to ignite at any moment.
Meanwhile, in the Swamp Country, which suffers from famine and oppression by nobles.
The figure of the priestess Miroku appeared like a warm light in the area most severely affected by the disaster.
She was still wearing that simple and solemn shrine maiden's outfit, her brows furrowed with both compassion and determination.
Behind her were a dozen or so priests and shrine maidens from the Oni Kingdom Shrine.
In addition, a highly skilled squad of ANBU ninjas from the Land of Stars, personally led by Kisame Hoshigaki, lurked around like shadows, responsible for protecting their safety.
Maitreya personally directed the setting up of soup kitchens on the outskirts of the towns most severely affected by the disaster.
The food provided by the Star Kingdom was cooked into a thick, hot porridge, emitting a life-saving aroma.
"It's the Miroku priestess!"
"The priestess has come to our rescue!"
"Quick! Get in line! The priestess of the Star Kingdom is giving out porridge!"
Maitreya's immense prestige in the western countries was now fully revealed.
The news spread like wildfire, and countless emaciated and poorly dressed disaster victims flocked from all directions, gathering around the soup kitchen, their eyes rekindling with hope.
Under the guidance of the priests and priestesses, they lined up in an orderly fashion to receive the life-saving food, expressing their deepest gratitude to Miroku and the Star Ninjas.
This scene stood in stark contrast to the indifference of the nobles.
This surge of popular support and prestige quickly aroused extreme unease and jealousy in Ono Takuto, the daimyo of the Swamp Country.
He personally led an army of more than three thousand ordinary soldiers into Bensong City, where Maitreya was located.
The army roughly dispersed some of the disaster victims and surrounded the inn where Maitreya was staying.
Inside the inn room, the short, stout Ono Takuto, with a sinister look in his eyes, dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, met the calmly seated Miroku, surrounded by a group of samurai and several wandering ninjas.
"The presence of the shrine maiden Miroku is a great honor to my land of marshland." Ono Takuto toyed with a folding fan in his hand, smiling with feigned arrogance, but his eyes were greedily scanning Miroku.
"My lady is compassionate and extended a helping hand to our country when it was suffering from disaster. I am deeply grateful. How about we ask that you stay in our Swamp Country for a long time? I will certainly treat you with the respect due to a royal advisor. It is better than being subservient to those traitors in the Star Country, isn't it?"
Miroku slowly raised his head, his purple eyes calm and undisturbed, his voice gentle yet firm: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency. However, Miroku's trip is solely for the purpose of providing relief to the disaster victims, and is carried out in accordance with the will of Lord Shura of the Star Country. Once the disaster has subsided, I will depart. I cannot comply with your request to remain in the Swamp Country."
Ono Takuto's face instantly darkened, and his fake smile vanished completely.
He leaned back slightly, opening his folding fan to obscure half his face: "My lady, please don't be so stubborn! Look outside the city! Tens of thousands of starving people! Their lives depend on your decision! If you insist on leaving and displease me, hmph, I can't guarantee they'll even get a sip of hot porridge!"
He directly abandoned all pretense and threatened the lives of the disaster victims outside the city.
Maitreya's gaze suddenly turned cold, and his fingers tightened slightly.
But she remained calm: "Is Your Excellency threatening Miroku, or the people outside the castle whom you are supposed to protect?"
"Think what you want!" Ono Takuto sneered. "I'll give you a day to think it over! Think carefully: do you want to stay in the Swamp Country and enjoy wealth and luxury, or watch those lowly people starve and freeze to death because of you!"
After saying that, he snorted coldly, and led his men away, leaving behind the army that surrounded the inn.
After Takuto Ono left, Kisame Hoshigaki silently emerged from the shadows of the room. His shark-like face was expressionless, but his small eyes flashed with a chilling killing intent: "My lady, should I 'deal with' that idiot?"
His right hand twitched slightly, as if he had already grasped the hilt of Samehada.
Miroku walked to the window, looked down at the densely packed army below, their weapons gleaming, and gently shook his head. He sighed, "No need, Kisame-san. Killing him is easy, but the chaos it causes will affect countless civilians. Lord Shura promised me he would do his best to minimize civilian casualties. Let's await his instructions."
Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if she could see the strategist in Star City.
Time slipped away amidst the tense pace of keeping track of time and the silent pressure, and a week passed in the blink of an eye.
On the border of the Land of the Darkness, the wind and snow intensified. A large ninja force quietly arrived at the Land of the Darkness's military camp amidst the swirling snow.
Leading the group was none other than the daimyo of the Land of Snow, Fuuka Nutō!
He wore a more ornate chakra armor inlaid with blue crystals, his face beneath the helmet was as hard as ice, and his eyes were full of ambition and violence.
Behind him followed two powerful Snow Ninja Jonin, as well as an elite force consisting of more than twenty Chunin and more than fifty Genin!
The cold chakra armor reflected a chilling light in the snow, like an army from an icy hell.
However, after Feng Hua Nu Tao stepped into the territory of the You Kingdom, he found that something was wrong.
The villages along the way appeared particularly desolate and lifeless, with occasional glimpses of burned-down houses and scattered dead corpses lying by the roadside.
An atmosphere of oppression and panic permeated the air, a stark contrast to the scene he had imagined.
During his meeting with Yokokawa Taichi, the daimyo of the Land of the Dark, Fuuka Nutō raised a question with a frown.
Yokokawa Taichi waved his hand dismissively, picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and reeked of alcohol, saying, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry. They're just some starving commoners causing trouble! They can't make a fuss! Once your Snow Ninja army defeats the Star Ninja, my army can easily suppress them!"
"In the depths of winter, it's perfectly normal for some lowly people to starve or freeze to death; it saves on food! But those Star Country ninjas are like nails driven into my land, Your Highness—"
A barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed in Feng Hua Nu Tao's eyes; he had seen plenty of such foolish and short-sighted nobles.
Although he wouldn't care about civilian casualties, population is an important cornerstone of a country.
Although the loss of an elite force from Wolf Fang Avalanche had made him abandon all his contempt for the Star Kingdom, he remained confident in his own strength and his advantage in the winter environment.
"The Star Ninja must be dealt with naturally." Fuuka Nutō's voice was icy.
"Winter is the domain of the Snow Ninja! With the aid of wind and snow, our chakra armor can unleash the full power of Ice Release! Star Ninja? They're nothing but a bunch of rats hiding behind earthen walls!"
After several days of standoff, Matsutsuki Kōnosuke had observed the situation of the Star Ninja's stronghold and judged that there were fewer than ten ninjas.
As for Hoshinobi Village, it's just a small ninja village, with at most a hundred or so ninjas.
The force of over seventy ninjas led by Fuuka Nutō, each clad in chakra armor, was fighting in winter, allowing their ice-style ninjutsu to be used to its fullest potential.
Once this Star Ninja force is dealt with, we can then march straight into the Star Country and catch the Star Ninja off guard!
In any case, the advantage lies with us in winter operations!
Then, Fuuka Nutō abruptly changed the subject, proposing the conditions he had already prepared: "However, for the Yokokawa Daimyo to ask for the full assistance of the Land of Snow, the price will not be low. After the matter is accomplished, that 'forest' bordering the Land of Snow to the north of the Land of Darkness will permanently belong to the Land of Snow! What do you say?"
Upon hearing this, Yokokawa Taichi's eyes darted around.
Although that forest was quite large, it was bitterly cold all year round. Apart from some hardy timber and wild animals, it was far less valuable than the fertile land transformed by Xingren in his eyes.
He had even begun to fantasize that after defeating the Star Kingdom, he could not only reclaim the land, but perhaps also take the opportunity to launch a counterattack and take a big chunk of flesh from the Star Kingdom!
"No problem! It's a deal!" Yokokawa Taichi readily agreed. "As long as Your Highness can help me drive away the Hoshininja and take over the plains, what harm is there in giving you that lousy forest!"
Both had their own ulterior motives, and they reached this deal.
Feng Hua Nu Tao smiled with satisfaction. Demanding that forest as payment was just a smokescreen. What he really wanted was the entire Netherworld Kingdom!
Just wait, after I've dealt with the Star Ninja, you'll be next—" Those rogue ninjas from the Star Ninja Village can kill nobles and daimyo, but I, Fuuka Nutō, can kill them just as easily!
The winter snow fell heavier and heavier, like a thick white shroud, completely covering the Land of Swamps and the Land of Darkness.
The disastrous consequences of the Star Kingdom's complete trade disruption are beginning to manifest themselves.
Both countries, already suffering from poor harvests due to natural disasters, have been plunged into a complete food shortage.
Food prices on the market have already skyrocketed to despairingly high levels, and there is no market for it even though it is available.
Ordinary merchants and minor nobles also began to feel the pressure, but the truly elite nobles and magnates continued their nightly revelry, indulging in wine and women as if the tragedy outside had nothing to do with them.
In the city, more and more civilians froze to death or starved to death. Their bodies were carelessly dumped in alley corners or mass graves and were soon buried by the heavy snow. Despair spread, and finally, some people who had been driven to the brink of despair gathered together and took the risk of robbing the warehouses and mansions of some wealthy and unscrupulous merchants and minor nobles.
Sporadic acts of resistance and riots began to break out in towns and cities in both countries.
However, the long-standing class oppression and thought suppression were so heavy that the vast majority of the lower classes, even when they watched their loved ones starve and freeze to death, remained numb and endured it without daring to have the slightest thought of resistance.
The sporadic resistance was quickly and bloodily suppressed by the noble private armies and warriors who had withdrawn some of their border troops and increased their suppressive power.
Ironically, or rather tragically, the daimyo and nobles of both countries not only failed to provide relief to the disaster victims, but instead intensified their efforts, enacting even harsher tax laws under the guise of "wartime" and "resisting the invasion of the Star Kingdom," ruthlessly squeezing the last drop of wealth from the people.
It was used to support their army and their extravagant lifestyle.
Star City, top-floor office of the administration building.
Mianma stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the snow-covered yet orderly city outside.
Vanilla Whirlpool stood behind him, giving a detailed report on the intelligence gathered from various sources.
"-In conclusion, my lord. The resentment among the common people of You and Nuwa is like a volcano about to erupt, but it has been suppressed by long-term oppressive rule and the harsh winter. The nobles of both countries continue to live a life of decadence and extortion. Feng Hua Nu Tao has personally led the main force of the Snow Ninja to the border of You and reached some kind of agreement with the Daimyo of You. They seem to believe that winter is their absolute home ground."
Menma listened quietly, his deep blue eyes unwavering.
After a moment, he sighed softly, a hint of disappointment in his voice: "The awakening of the people is slower and more arduous than expected. Have centuries of oppression already extinguished the last vestiges of their fighting spirit?"
But he quickly suppressed this emotion, his gaze becoming sharp and firm: "However, the time is almost right. Feng Hua Nu Tao has personally jumped into this trap, which is just the right time to deal with this restless cold current in the Snow Country, along with the two corrupt kingdoms of You and Nuwa."
He turned to look at Vanilla Whirlpool, his tone resolute: "Pass down the order! Proceed with the original plan and begin pre-battle preparations! Once the main force of the Snow Ninja led by Fuuhou Futō is deployed, immediately execute the annihilation operation!!"
"Yes, sir!" Vanilla Whirlpool's eyes gleamed with excitement and reverence as she bowed, accepted the order, and quickly turned to leave to make arrangements.
Just as the western part of the Ninja World Continent was undergoing a sudden change, and war clouds were gathering.
The distant Land of Fire, Konoha Village.
Inside a busy film shooting base.
At only twelve years old, Fujikaze Yukie, who already possessed the beginnings of stunning beauty, sat in front of the makeup mirror, letting the makeup artist meticulously dress her up. She had long black hair, snow-white skin, and exquisite features, but deep within her beautiful blue eyes lay a trace of melancholy and aloofness that did not match her age.
At this moment, she is getting her makeup done for her next ninja-themed movie.
Suddenly, the door to the dressing room was flung open!
Her manager, Asama Santayu, who always appeared meticulous and wore small black-rimmed glasses, rushed in with an unusually serious expression.
"Excuse me, everyone, please step outside for a moment. Ms. Yukie and I have important matters to discuss." Asama Santayu's voice was urgent.
The makeup artist and assistants exchanged glances, but under the stern gaze of the Third Master, they quickly packed their things and left, closing the door behind them.
Only the two of them remained in the room.
Asama Santayu took a deep breath, walked quickly to Fuuka Koyuki, took out several crumpled newspapers from his pocket, and tremblingly spread them on the dressing table.
"Your Highness! Look at this!" His voice was hoarse with excitement, and he even used a taboo term he hadn't used in a long time.
Fuuka Koyuki, who is active on screen under the stage name Fuji Fuuka, frowned slightly and looked at the newspaper with some displeasure.
The headlines above were striking: "Famine Spreads in the Land of Darkness and the Land of Swamp, Social Unrest Erupts!", "The Land of Stars Cuts Off Trade, Adding to the Dire Situation for Both Countries!", and "The Land of Snow Announces Military Protection for the Lands of Darkness and Swamp, Intervening in Regional Dispute!"
"What does this have to do with me?" Feng Hua Xiaoxue's voice trembled slightly, and she subconsciously tried to look away.
"Your Highness! How could it be alright!" Asama Santayu excitedly pointed to the newspaper report about the Land of Snow, her voice lower and more urgent.
"Look! That traitor Feng Hua Nu Tao! He has personally led the core elite of the Snow Ninja away from the Land of Snow! Now the country is vulnerable!"
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us!
He suddenly grabbed Kazaka Koyuki's shoulders, his eyes behind his glasses filled with bloodshot veins and fanaticism: "Your Highness! Stop running away! You are Princess Kazaka Hayayuki's only bloodline! You are the rightful heir to the Land of Snow!"
"More than forty of the former lord's followers are scattered throughout the Snow Kingdom, living in anonymity! They have all been deeply indebted to Princess Hayayuki, and if you were to raise your voice, they would surely follow you to the death! We can gather our strength, storm back to the palace, reclaim your throne, and avenge Princess Hayayuki!"
Asama Santayu's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Fuuka Koyuki's ears.
Those cold, bloody fragments of memories she had deliberately forgotten instantly flooded her mind.
The sight of her uncle's furious smile, her father's blood, the cold palace, and the endless escape turned her face deathly pale. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and she abruptly shook off Santa's hand, taking several steps back like a startled deer. Her voice was filled with fear and resistance: "Stop! Santa! Don't say anymore! I'm not a princess! I'm just Fujikaze Yukie! An actress! The throne of the Snow Kingdom has nothing to do with me anymore! I don't want to go back to that cold place!"
"And please, please stop wasting your energy!"
Her voice was choked with sobs, and her blue eyes were filled with deep fear and a desire to escape, as if the Snow Country, which only existed in her memories and reports, was a nightmare that could devour her.
Feng Hua Xiaoxue turned around, hugged her arms tightly, buried her face in her hands, and her shoulders shrugged slightly.
Asama Santayu looked at the princess in this state, a trace of heartache and resentment flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth, but in the end, it turned into a helpless sigh. He silently picked up the newspaper from the ground and carefully put it away.
The flame of restoring his kingdom burned in his heart, but the princess's resistance and inner turmoil were clearly not something that could be resolved overnight.
However, Asama Santayu still managed to send secret messages to his old friends in the Land of Snow, contacting them in order to wait for the right opportunity.
[PS: Konoha Year 57, Ninja World Map]