Naruto: Multiverse Character Templates

Chapter 148: New Changes in Konan



"Are there any vacant rooms?" Natsuki asked after returning to his senses.

"Yes."

Rōga immediately replied, "I'll take you to one."

Natsuki patted Yahiko on the shoulder and left the hall.

The four of them followed Rōga to a two-story house.

Natsuki opened the door and found the interior spotless. It appeared that someone cleaned the house regularly.

"Who was this place meant for?" Natsuki asked casually.

"It was prepared for Kazahana Dotō," Rōga explained. "But he has never stayed here."

"Come back tomorrow morning at nine."

Natsuki nodded and instructed, "You'll take me to meet Kazahana Dotō."

"Yes."

Rōga bowed slightly before turning to leave.

Natsuki watched him go, unconcerned that he might betray him.

Although Rōga had received very little blood, not even enough to awaken a Blood Demon Art, all the effects of the Blood Curse were still present.

For example, Natsuki could sense his location at any time.

If Rōga revealed any information about Natsuki, the curse would kill him.

"Natsuki-sensei!"

As soon as Rōga left, Yahiko could no longer contain himself.

"I awakened my Blood Demon Art!"

"What does it do?" Nagato asked curiously.

"My Blood Demon Art is the opposite of Konan's."

Yahiko held out his hand, and blood flowed from his palm.

The scarlet liquid floated above his hand before transforming into ice crystals in the blink of an eye.

A bitter chill spread through the room.

"So cold."

Standing nearby, Nagato could not help shivering.

"Not bad."

Natsuki nodded.

"It seems bringing you to the Land of Snow was the right choice."

"I only understood it after watching the Snow shinobi use their techniques!"

Yahiko grinned broadly.

"Don't get too excited. Awakening it doesn't mean you've mastered it."

Natsuki reminded him, "Blood Demon Art: Ice Crystals has many possible applications, and you haven't mastered a single one yet."

"Yes, Natsuki-sensei!"

Yahiko immediately restrained his excitement and answered seriously.

"Today's battle wasn't challenging enough for you," Natsuki said after a moment of thought. "I'll leave Kazahana Dotō to the three of you."

At present, Dotō did not have chakra armor to enhance his abilities. Even with the environmental advantage of the Land of Snow, he was only an ordinary jōnin.

Without that advantage, he would be no stronger than an elite chūnin or tokubetsu jōnin.

He would be a difficult opponent for Yahiko and the others, but not an impossible one.

Of course, the most important factor was that Natsuki would be controlling Dotō throughout the battle.

"Alright!"

Yahiko immediately grew excited.

He had only just awakened Blood Demon Art: Ice Crystals, so he naturally wanted to test it against a powerful enemy.

Konan and Nagato were also eager to give it a try.

They had only fought ordinary Snow shinobi that day, so the battle had not been particularly satisfying.

"Choose your rooms and get some rest."

Natsuki smiled.

"Yes, Natsuki-sensei."

The three of them each chose a room.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Rōga appeared before Natsuki at exactly nine o'clock.

"You three should continue training."

Natsuki ruffled Konan's hair before leaving with Rōga for the capital of the Land of Snow.

It did not take them long to reach Dotō's residence.

The guards clearly recognized Rōga. After briefly asking about Natsuki, they escorted the two of them inside.

A young man dressed in black appeared before them.

"Nadare, who is he?" Dotō asked, glancing at Natsuki.

"He is a distant nephew of mine who returned only a few days ago," Rōga explained. "He is highly skilled at forging ninja tools. I hope Lord Dotō will allow him to participate in the development of the chakra armor."

"If he truly possesses such skills, then he may participate."

Dotō nodded.

He did not suspect anything.

Natsuki simply looked too young.

How much strength could someone his age possibly possess? Dotō never imagined that he could pose any threat.

"Thank you, Lord Dotō."

Rōga bowed.

"What is your name?" Dotō asked, turning toward Natsuki.

Natsuki met his gaze and immediately activated Figure Eyes.

Invisible ripples spread through the air.

Dotō had never expected Natsuki to attack without warning. By the time he realized something was wrong, his mind had already fallen under Natsuki's control.

Natsuki continued channeling chakra until he was certain the technique would remain effective for some time.

He could have used the Blood Curse to control Dotō, but there was no reason to waste his blood when Figure Eyes was already sufficient.

"Why do you want to seize the throne?" Natsuki asked.

"My brother is the daimyō, yet instead of using the country's wealth to strengthen the Land of Snow, he has poured it into some mysterious project."

Dotō spoke with obvious resentment.

"More importantly, he refuses to tell me what the project is."

Just as Natsuki expected.

The mysterious project was the environmental transformation machine.

In the original story, Dotō had believed it to be a hidden treasure and had not hesitated to seize the throne in order to obtain it.

However, the key had been entrusted to Koyuki, whom Kakashi later rescued. Because of that, Dotō never managed to obtain the so-called treasure.

"Go to the daimyō now," Natsuki instructed Rōga. "Tell him that Kazahana Dotō intends to seize the throne."

"Yes!"

Rōga hesitated briefly before answering.

"Do not mention me," Natsuki added.

He had previously claimed to be acting on behalf of the daimyō, Kazahana Sōsetsu.

Rōga did not know the truth. If he said the wrong thing, Natsuki's lie would immediately be exposed.

"Bring several Snow shinobi with you," Natsuki continued. "Once you arrive, Dotō will begin his rebellion."

"Yes!"

Rōga's heart trembled.

Natsuki was truly ruthless.

"Kazahana Dotō, contact your men and lead them to the daimyō's residence."

After Rōga left, Natsuki turned toward Dotō and smiled.

Dotō nodded obediently.

At the same time, inside the daimyō's residence, Koyuki was gazing at the snow beyond the window.

"Father, when will spring finally come to the Land of Snow?"

"Just wait a little longer."

Sōsetsu smiled.

"You don't need to ask me every day. When the time comes, I'll tell you."

He was developing the environmental transformation machine both for the sake of the Land of Snow and to fulfill Koyuki's wish.

He had once told her that he knew a way to bring spring to their frozen country.

Ever since then, she had asked him about it whenever she had the chance.

"Daimyō, Rōga Nadare of the Snow Shinobi clan requests an audience."

A guard entered the room.

Sōsetsu frowned.

The Snow Shinobi clan had approached him before.

Their request had been simple. They wanted financial support.

Under the shinobi world's system of one nation and one hidden village, such arrangements were common.

The daimyō provided funding, while the shinobi served the country.

However, Sōsetsu had refused because he wanted to invest his money in the environmental transformation machine.

After being rejected, the Snow Shinobi clan had approached Dotō instead.

Dotō had agreed to support them.

Sōsetsu had not intervened.

First, Dotō was his younger brother, and Sōsetsu did not wish to damage their relationship.

Second, Dotō's spending had no effect on the environmental transformation project.

"Let him in," Sōsetsu said after a moment of thought.

He could not understand why the Snow Shinobi clan, which had already pledged itself to Dotō, would suddenly approach him again.

If they intended to ask for money, he would refuse them once more.

"Koyuki, wait behind the screen."

Sōsetsu gently patted her head.

"Alright, Father."

Koyuki rose and stepped behind the folding screen.

"Daimyō."

Rōga entered and bowed slightly.

"Why have you come?" Sōsetsu asked.

"I have come to report Kazahana Dotō."

Rōga took a deep breath.

"He intends to seize the throne."

"How is that possible?"

Sōsetsu immediately stood.

"Do you have evidence?"

"He told me himself."

Rōga proceeded to explain everything the Snow Shinobi clan had done after entering Dotō's service.

"H-How could this be?"

Sōsetsu still found it difficult to believe.

Dotō had always concealed his ambitions well.

However, the Snow Shinobi clan would not dare lie to him about something this serious.

If they betrayed Dotō and then betrayed Sōsetsu as well, there would be no place left for them in the Land of Snow.

"Daimyō, you must prepare immediately," Rōga warned him. "Now that I have come to see you, Kazahana Dotō will undoubtedly learn of it."

"You have done well."

Sōsetsu nodded.

"From now on, I will provide your clan with sufficient financial support."

At such a critical moment, he could no longer afford to be stingy.

The Snow Shinobi clan had chosen to support him rather than Dotō, which seemed to prove their loyalty.

If Sōsetsu still refused to fund them, they might withdraw their support or even kill him before returning to Dotō's side.

"Thank you, Daimyō."

Rōga sighed inwardly.

Had this happened earlier, he would have been overjoyed.

Now, however, both he and the entire Snow Shinobi clan were already under Natsuki's control.

"Daimyō!"

The guard from earlier rushed into the room.

"Kazahana Dotō has launched a rebellion! His men have surrounded the residence!"

"What?"

Sōsetsu's face went pale. He looked as though he had been struck by lightning.

"Dotō must have learned that I came to see you," Rōga said quickly. "He must have realized that I betrayed him and decided to rebel immediately!"

"W-What should we do?"

Sōsetsu began to panic.

"There are not many guards here. It will be extremely difficult to escape."

"Daimyō, I brought several Snow shinobi with me," Rōga said. "They can protect you and help you break through the encirclement."

"Really?"

Hope appeared in Sōsetsu's eyes.

"Order your guards to hold off Dotō's men," Rōga instructed. "We will escort you through the rear gate!"

He walked to the door and called out.

Fubuki and the others entered the room.

"If the Snow shinobi can help us escape, I will double your future funding!"

Seeing so many shinobi, Sōsetsu finally felt somewhat reassured and immediately increased their promised reward.

He then called Koyuki out from behind the screen.

"Father, what happened?"

Koyuki had already sensed that something was wrong.

"It's nothing."

Sōsetsu gently stroked her hair.

"Close your eyes and don't worry."

He bent down, lifted her into his arms, and followed Rōga and the others toward the rear gate of the residence.

There were also many enemies stationed there.

Fortunately, Rōga and the others were stronger. They dealt with the attackers in only a few moves.

"Daimyō."

Rōga stopped.

"Fubuki will escort you somewhere safe."

"What about you?" Sōsetsu asked.

"Someone must deal with Kazahana Dotō."

Rōga wore a solemn, righteous expression.

"Leave him to the Snow Shinobi clan."

"You... All of you..."

Sōsetsu was deeply moved.

He had never expected the Snow Shinobi clan to go so far for him.

"If we defeat Kazahana Dotō, please support us in establishing Yukigakure," Rōga said seriously.

"No problem."

Sōsetsu agreed immediately.

Establishing a hidden village would require more money, but the expense was still within an acceptable range.

If Dotō was not stopped, establishing a village would be the least of his concerns. He would not even be able to retain his position as daimyō.

After Sōsetsu and the others departed, Rōga and his companions returned to the daimyō's residence.

"Leave Kazahana Dotō to us," Natsuki said without turning around. "You deal with the others."

"Yes."

Rōga and the rest answered in unison.

"Be careful."

Natsuki looked at Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato.

The three nodded before heading toward the front gate of the residence.

It did not take long for them to find Dotō.

Rōga and the other Snow shinobi rushed past them, intercepting the rest of Dotō's men.

"Blood Demon Art: Ice Crystals!"

Yahiko excitedly launched the first attack.

Blood surged from his body and transformed into ice crystals in midair before hurtling forward.

"Ice Release: Shuriken!"

Dotō was also proficient in the Snow Shinobi clan's secret techniques.

He raised both hands, causing the ice and snow on the ground to form a barrage of shuriken.

The two attacks collided.

Nagato seized the opportunity to appear directly in front of Dotō.

"Armament Haki!"

He leaped into the air and kicked toward Dotō's neck.

Dotō instinctively raised an arm to block.

Nagato's leg struck his forearm.

A shock wave burst from the point of impact.

Dotō let out a muffled grunt and staggered several steps backward.

At that moment, a stream of blood controlled by Konan flowed toward his feet.

"Blood Demon Art: Exploding Blood!"

An explosion erupted, and flames swept across the ground.

At the critical moment, Dotō clapped his hands together.

Ice and snow surged upward, forming a wall.

He then used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat.

The flames melted the ice wall, but Konan's attack failed to reach him.

With a thought, Yahiko raised both hands.

More blood flew into the air and quickly condensed into shuriken-shaped ice crystals.

In Demon Slayer, Dōma had developed numerous techniques derived from Blood Demon Art: Ice Crystals.

One of the most powerful was Rime Water Lily Bodhisattva.

The technique created a gigantic bodhisattva that fought on the user's behalf.

Of course, Yahiko had only just awakened Blood Demon Art: Ice Crystals. He was nowhere near capable of using such a complex technique.

Creating ice shuriken, however, was not difficult.

Natsuki could use Rime Water Lily Bodhisattva himself. He could demonstrate it to Yahiko when he had the opportunity.

Watching Yahiko, Konan also had a sudden flash of inspiration.

She extended one hand, and her blood condensed into a sword before shooting toward Dotō.

Natsuki understood her idea at a glance.

Blood Demon Art: Exploding Blood could indeed function as a lesser version of Projection Magecraft combined with Broken Phantasm.

Natsuki's thoughts shifted as he continued controlling Dotō.

Figure Eyes was no ordinary genjutsu.

It allowed him to manipulate a target's soul and turn them into a puppet.

"Ice Release: Black Dragon Blizzard!"

Dotō stopped retreating and aimed at Konan and Yahiko.

The surrounding snow surged upward and transformed into a dragon-shaped blizzard.

Yahiko's ice shuriken struck the storm, but every one of them was blown away.

Konan's blood sword arrived next.

Before it could touch the blizzard, it suddenly exploded.

Countless droplets of blood scattered across the storm.

Flames spread through the blizzard, immediately burning a large opening through it.

Nagato seized the opportunity and used Soru.

He appeared in front of Dotō and thrust out one finger.

Dotō instinctively reached out to grab it.

In the next instant, Nagato's finger pierced straight through his palm.

"Armament Haki!"

Nagato pressed his advantage.

"Konoha Whirlwind!"

His kick sent Dotō flying.

"Nice!"

Yahiko shouted excitedly as more blood surged from his body.

The blood froze into a dragon and chased after Dotō.

Clearly, seeing Dotō's Black Dragon Blizzard had given him fresh inspiration.

Konan leaped into the air and swept both hands downward.

Blood fell from the sky like rain.

Dotō quickly regained his balance and formed hand seals.

"Ice Release: Twin Dragon Blizzard!"

Two dragon-shaped blizzards appeared.

The first collided with Yahiko's ice dragon and crushed it almost immediately. Without losing momentum, it continued rushing toward him.

Nagato stepped forward and punched.

Armament Haki transformed into a shock wave that slammed into the blizzard.

A violent explosion erupted.

Yahiko seized the opportunity to use Soru, escaping the blast radius.

The second blizzard rushed toward Konan.

"Blood Demon Art: Exploding Blood!"

The falling droplets of blood exploded.

Flames spread across the sky, creating a sea of fire in the blink of an eye.

The flames descended and melted the entire blizzard.

"Konan's Blood Demon Art really does counter Ice Release," Yahiko remarked.

He and Konan were roughly equal in strength.

However, Konan's Blood Demon Art was clearly more effective against Dotō's techniques.

Faced with the blood raining from above, Dotō had no choice but to dodge.

Yahiko and Nagato exchanged a glance before using Soru simultaneously.

They appeared on either side of Dotō.

"Armament Haki!"

Nagato reached out and seized both of Dotō's arms.

"Blood Demon Art: Ice Crystals!"

Yahiko's blood transformed into a cloud of freezing mist.

Dotō could not evade it in time and inhaled the mist directly into his lungs.

His expression froze.

Breathing suddenly became difficult.

Moments later, he clutched his chest and collapsed.

"We won!"

Yahiko shouted excitedly.

Dotō was the first truly powerful enemy the three of them had faced.

By working together, they had defeated him in a three-on-one battle.

The victory filled Yahiko with indescribable joy.

Nagato and Konan also smiled.

"You did well."

Natsuki approached them.

"Your teamwork was excellent. Konan and Yahiko also adapted their Blood Demon Arts remarkably quickly."

Rōga and the other Snow shinobi soon finished dealing with the remaining enemies and gathered before him.

They all looked at Natsuki in silence.

Everyone understood that from this moment onward, Kazahana Sōsetsu was no longer the true ruler of the Land of Snow.

That position now belonged to Natsuki.

(To be continued.)

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