"Hmm." Kazahana Doto nodded lightly and left, seemingly not very interested in Mokgetsu and the others.
Mokgetsu glanced at Kazahana Doto leaving and conducted an appraisal on this movie version BOSS character.
[Name: Kazahana Doto]
[Chakra: 10500]
[Skills: Water Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Mastery: 200/15000), Water Release: Black Dragon Blizzard (Mastered) ...]
As a future BOSS, Kazahana Doto's profile is quite ordinary, not much better than a regular Jonin.
It's worth mentioning that in the system's recognition, Kazahana Doto's ninjutsu is all Water Release and not Ice Release.
Mokgetsu wasn't too surprised by this, as the ninjutsu of Snow Country could be copied by Kakashi's Sharingan, which means it's definitely not a Kekkei Genkai, at best, it could be considered a Snow Secret Technique that can only be used in Snow Country.
Mokgetsu reckoned that the visual effects of their ninjutsu resembling Ice Release were probably related to the environment here in Snow Country, as well as the country's research into water nature changes.
"Lord Doto is the Daimyo's brother and also an important figure in maintaining the country's operations," Asama Sandayu briefly introduced Kazahana Doto to Mokgetsu and the others.
"Speaking of which, Lord Doto can also be considered half a ninja. He went to Snow Village to learn ninjutsu as a child to strengthen himself, and it seems he did quite well. If not for needing to handle national affairs, he might have been a formidable ninja."
Mokgetsu showed a contemplative expression, considering that this might be related to Kazahana Doto's coup, as having both the martial strength of a ninja and a royal identity makes it easy for ambitions to swell.
Obito wasn't interested in Asama Sandayu's story about Kazahana Doto, he just wanted to quickly see the princess and jump straight to rescuing her and becoming a hero.
Eventually, Mokgetsu and the others were led to a bright and spacious hall to wait.
Tap, tap.
When Obito heard the sound of footsteps, he instantly showed an excited expression, but what entered his sight was not the beautiful girl he imagined, nor was it a girl at all. The first to enter his vision was a very kind-looking middle-aged man wearing glasses.
Obito next saw a little girl in a purple kimono, very young, looking at most five or six years old, and then there were the guards. Obito looked around but couldn't find anyone who resembled a princess.
"Kakashi, aren't princesses usually girls?" Obito asked Kakashi with confusion.
Kakashi: ...
He couldn't believe such a question could even be asked, if a princess isn't a girl, what else could she be?
"Lord Sosetsu!" Asama Sandayu half-knelt respectfully on the ground to greet Kazahana Sosetsu.
Mokgetsu and the others just stood silently watching all this, as ninjas have their own rules and don't need to pay great respect to these nobles.
"Get up, it's not a formal occasion anyway," Kazahana Sosetsu said with a kind smile.
Kazahana Koyuki held her father's hand and looked curiously at these strangers, Mokgetsu and the others.
"Hello, Lord Sosetsu. I am Habu Mokgetsu," Mokgetsu greeted and briefly introduced himself.
Kazahana Sosetsu nodded with a smile, then said to Kazahana Koyuki, "Koyuki, quickly greet your brothers and sisters, they will be playing with you until the Snow God Festival."
"Hello, Brother Habu," Kazahana Koyuki obediently greeted Mokgetsu, her big eyes shining brightly.
Although it was the first meeting, Kazahana Koyuki felt that Mokgetsu was a good person.
"She's the princess? No way." Obito said in disbelief, looking at Kazahana Koyuki's chubby little face.
This wasn't the kind of princess he had imagined at all, just a little kid you could see anywhere.
Kakashi covered his face speechlessly, already causing trouble for their protection target.
Mokgetsu rubbed Obito's head, realizing that teaching Kenji was still a challenge.
Kazahana Koyuki puffed up her cheeks upon hearing Obito's words, making her already round face look even rounder.
"Hahaha, I told you to learn some etiquette more often, now look, others think you're not a princess," Kazahana Sosetsu laughed loudly at his daughter.
"Oh, father!" Kazahana Koyuki didn't expect her father to laugh at her instead of defending her, so she immediately let go of his hand and turned her face away to show her displeasure.
"I was wrong, Koyuki is the cutest princess in the world," Kazahana Sosetsu immediately tried to appease her.
Hearing her father call her cute, Kazahana Koyuki lightened up again and held tightly onto Kazahana Sosetsu's hand.
However, Kazahana Sosetsu, after all, is a Daimyo, and couldn't stay idle during the day, so he soon left due to business, leaving only the Mokgetsu Squad, the princess, Asama Sandayu, and several guards in the hall.
"You impolite guy, remember, I am Kazahana Koyuki, the princess of Snow Country, and the only princess," Kazahana Koyuki said seriously to Obito.
Obito reluctantly nodded, thinking he was fooled, maybe this task should be taken ten years later.
"And I'm not that guy, I am Uchiha Obito, the one and only Uchiha Obito in this world," Obito mimicked Kazahana Koyuki's way of speaking.
"Hmph, that's not for sure, the name Obito doesn't sound that special," Kazahana Koyuki denied Obito's uniqueness.
"Hello, adorable Princess Koyuki, I'm Nohara Rin," Nohara Rin introduced with a gentle smile.
Nohara Rin knew well how to handle children like such, just praise them and everything would be alright.
"Hello, Sister Rin, you're also cute." Koyuki beamed with a smile as soon as she was complimented.
"Hatake Kakashi, I'll be in charge of your safety," Kakashi said flatly.
To him, it didn't matter if the princess was large or small, younger meant they wouldn't be let out, staying in Kazahana City made it easier for the guards.
"Mm-hmm, Brother Kakashi seems reliable," Kazahana Koyuki found Kakashi's hair quite appealing.
"It's just being called brother by some kid, it's not a big deal." Seeing Kakashi enjoying the treatment he wasn't getting, Obito felt a bit bothered.
"Kazahana Koyuki is not a princess, just a little kid." Obito could only mentally repeat to himself to feel better.
...
"Habu Mokgetsu, defeated the Explosion Release Ninja Gari of Hidden Rock in the Konoha and Hidden Rock war, played a role in the battle against a Jinchuriki..." Kazahana Doto frowned deeply as he put down Mokgetsu's profile.
Kazahana Sosetsu's sudden hiring of Konoha ninjas made Kazahana Doto feel uneasy, as he was plotting a coup, so upon learning about Mokgetsu and the others' identities, he immediately sent people to gather information.
This investigation shocked Kazahana Doto, and even though ordinary people might not understand what these accomplishments meant, Kazahana Doto, familiar with ninjas, knew all too well, especially the part about fighting a Jinchuriki.
Jinchuriki are the ultimate weapons of the Five Great Ninja Villages, being able to play a role in such high-level battles means unquestionable strength.
Kazahana Doto even believed that if Snow Village had two Jinchuriki, it could become one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
"Despite being so covert, how was it discovered? Did something go wrong on Snow Village's side?" Kazahana Doto pondered where he could have slipped up.
He was certain that Kazahana Sosetsu had noticed something, otherwise, there was no reason not to support the national ninja village, especially since the hired ninjas were too strong, Kazahana Koyuki didn't need such strong protection, it was just a festival after all.
"I must investigate thoroughly," Kazahana Doto decided to find the mole first.
Even though the records show Mokgetsu is very powerful, Kazahana Doto didn't believe he was destined to lose because Mokgetsu was only one person, while he had the entire Snow Village.
Even if there was a mole within Snow Village, Kazahana Doto firmly believed it was only a few Snow Ninjas because Kazahana Sosetsu had reduced Snow Village's budget, whereas Kazahana Doto had clearly expressed intentions to heavily develop the military, any sane Snow Ninja would know who to support.
PS: My mind is foggy from drafting today, and I've only managed to write 4k again.
To motivate myself, I'm making a self-commitment, if I don't write 10,000 words tomorrow, I will send a 50-yuan red envelope in the reader group, doing my best!