"Hmph!"
Kazahana Doto let out a cold snort, disdainful to explain anything.
He automatically ignored Sandayu, his gaze burning as he looked at his niece, Koyuki, the joy in his eyes was evident.
"Koyuki, you truly are my good niece. Are you so eager to give me the Hexagonal Crystal?"
He spoke to Koyuki with a naturally warm and gentle tone, full of concern.
"Kazahana Doto, I don't have an uncle like you who commits regicide and fratricide. If you confess now, I can spare your life."
Even though Koyuki had a great fear of Kazahana Doto in her heart, as the legitimate heir to the Daimyo of the Land of Snow and its future ruler, she had to muster the courage to confront Kazahana Doto bravely at this moment despite her fear.
"You've really made your uncle sad, Koyuki. It seems that not seeing you for a few months has made you a disobedient child. Your uncle is very hurt."
Kazahana Doto sighed sadly, then looked at Koyuki, or more accurately, at the crystal pendant hanging from her neck.
The Hexagonal Crystal.
The key to unlocking the treasure of the Land of Snow.
Originally, due to Konoha's protection and the need for internal stability in the Land of Snow, Kazahana Doto planned to wait six months before seeking Koyuki to retrieve the Hexagonal Crystal.
He didn't expect Koyuki to return to the Land of Snow at this time, which was an unexpected surprise for Kazahana Doto.
This way, he could soon open the great treasure of the Land of Snow and invest more funds into the research of Chakra Armor, creating an invincible army to annex the surrounding small countries and ultimately become a transcendent existence like the Five Great Nations.
The thought of his long-cherished dream about to be fulfilled made Kazahana Doto overjoyed.
Therefore, Koyuki's rude words were merely a child's tantrum to him.
"Stop pretending here. I just ask you, will you surrender or not?"
Koyuki took a deep breath, finding Kazahana Doto's feigned warmth and concern nauseating.
"You think you can resist me just because you've gathered a group of rebels? It seems the fear I instilled in you in the past wasn't deep enough. No worries, I'll have more time later to educate you on how to respect your elders."
"The Snow Ninjas outside have almost been subdued. If you still refuse to come to your senses..."
"So, is this what you're relying on? Koyuki?"
Kazahana Doto interrupted Koyuki's words, glancing arrogantly at the silent Hakushi and Ayane.
"I was careless earlier, not expecting anyone to break my Chakra Armor. But don't compare me with those outside garbage. My strength and this customized Chakra Armor, if unleashed fully, might even frighten myself."
Kazahana Doto declared with certainty.
In his eyes, victory was already beckoning.
The black Chakra Armor emitted a terrifying aura, the powerful Chakra bursting forth in a tangible form from Kazahana Doto.
Though it was with the aid of the highest-grade Chakra Armor that such dreadful power could be unleashed, it also proved that Kazahana Doto's own strength was quite remarkable.
The floor beneath his feet shattered, and a violently repulsive force field enveloped him, dark shadows flickering in Kazahana Doto's eyes, with a faint phantom of a Black Dragon lingering around his fist.
The Black Dragon phantom coiled around Kazahana Doto's fist emitted an astonishing chill, rapidly lowering the surrounding air temperature.
Kazahana Koyuki and Sandayu both shivered.
For the two ordinary people, facing such pressure was indeed a bit daunting.
"Ice Style again? It looks quite interesting."
Ayane's chuckle rang out.
"Don't overdo it. The Chakra Armor he's wearing has immense research value."
Hakushi tilted his head slightly.
"Don't worry, I'll control my power and won't damage that armor a bit."
After Ayane spoke, her figure disappeared, her body cloaked in a black coat like a black flash tearing through space, her speed too fast to even catch an afterimage, charging directly towards Kazahana Doto.
So fast! Kazahana Doto was startled in his heart, amazed by Ayane's speed.
This speed was not something ordinary ninjas possessed.
However, as long as the Ninja controlling the Shadow Blade didn't strike, clad in the customized Chakra Armor, his biggest fear wasn't hand-to-hand combat.
Seeing Ayane fast approaching him.
Kazahana Doto leisurely leaped back, having enough leeway to observe Ayane's movements.
From her running posture, her foot speed, and the trajectory of her palm strike, the palm strike was likely a feint, intended to serve as a distraction while the real power was concentrated in her legs for a surprise attack! Kazahana Doto's mind spun rapidly, his rich combat experience allowing him to see through Ayane's intentions at once.
No matter what, the palm strike she was preparing appeared too light to cause any harm and was thus considered no threat. Conversely, her astonishing speed suggested that her power was focused entirely in her legs and feet, making the palm strike a decoy.
Naive! Ridiculous!
Such an obvious baited attack was, in Kazahana Doto's eyes, full of holes.
This kind of attack, he could see through at a glance.
The shadows deepened in Kazahana Doto's eyes as he raised his fist.