Inside the castle.
Chakra lamps were placed every few steps, originally meant to illuminate the entire space as brightly as daylight.
However, due to Naruto's earlier attack, many of the Chakra Circuits in the castle had been damaged. These circuits were responsible for transmitting Chakra and powering the lights, leaving large areas of the castle shrouded in darkness.
Only a few lamps flickered weakly, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a horror movie.
The cold winter night intensified this eerie ambiance, sending chills down the spines of those within. Without the bright lights, the shadows in the castle seemed deeper and more foreboding. In such an environment, people's senses became heightened, and even the slightest sound or movement could trigger alarm.
Even with Naruto by their side, Koyuki and Sandayu couldn't help but feel their hair stand on end as they walked through the dimly lit corridor.
Despite the fear in her heart, Koyuki tried her best to maintain a calm exterior.
Although she had been away for nearly five years, she immediately recognized the path as soon as they set foot on it.
This was the road leading to the central palace of the Land of Snow's castle. She had walked this path countless times before, as the future heir to the Daimyo of the Land of Snow.
However, they hadn't walked far when a woman's voice echoed from the dark tunnel ahead.
"Ice Release: Swallow Snow Storm!"
The already cold and dark corridor seemed to grow even colder. From the darkness ahead, the sound of rushing wind could be heard.
In the next moment, a barrage of icy swallows, sharp as shuriken, shot toward Naruto and the others.
While Naruto appeared completely unfazed, the sudden attack startled Koyuki and Sandayu, shattering their previously feigned composure.
But the assault didn't end there.
As soon as the woman's voice faded, a man's voice rang out.
"Ice Release: One Horned White Whale!"
This time, the attack didn't come from the darkness of the corridor but from outside the castle windows. A massive white whale, made entirely of ice and snow, surged up from the snowy ground outside, leaping nearly a hundred meters into the air before crashing down toward Naruto and the others.
The Ice Release of the Land of Snow wasn't a Kekkei Genkai but a NNinjutsu that relied on the unique environment of the Land of Snow. As a result, large-scale techniques like the One-Horned White Whale required the snow outside the castle to reach their full potential.
Under the pale faces of Koyuki and Sandayu, the three were buried under the colossal form of the white whale.
After the terrifying impact, the narrow corridor was filled with the shattered ice and snow from the whale's collapse. Naruto and the others lay buried beneath, motionless.
"Your Highness, if that's the case, Princess Koyuki is probably dead."
Looking at the icy corridor before him, Roga appeared to be concerned about Koyuki's safety, but his expression was filled with disdain and a cold smirk.
"Hmph! A stray dog like her dares to bring outsiders to attack the Land of Snow."
Doto merely glanced at his loyal subordinate, his expression still cold, showing no hint of remorse for his niece's fate.
"Go find the Hexagonal Crystal."
Doto ordered the two subordinates beside him.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain. He had initially thought that whoever caused such a massive explosion would be a formidable threat. He had even wanted to test the new Chakra Armor. But to his surprise, the enemy turned out to be so weak.
They couldn't even withstand the Ninjutsu of his two subordinates.
"Yes!"
Roga and Fubuki responded in unison, moving to dig through the ice and snow blocking the corridor.
But suddenly, they felt an inexplicable repulsive force.
'What's going on?'
This thought barely crossed their minds before their bodies were sent flying like bullets.
Boom!
Boom!
Both of them crashed into the walls behind them, their Chakra Armor shattering on impact. The intense pain coursing through their bodies left them unable to stand.
Only Doto remained unaffected by the repulsive force, thanks to his Chakra Armor. However, he was now struggling against the razor-sharp snowstorm blowing toward him.
The repulsive force didn't just send Roga and Fubuki flying… it also scattered the remnants of the One-Horned White Whale's ice and snow.
When the snowstorm finally subsided, Doto lowered his arms, now bloodied from shielding his face.
To his horror, the three figures standing before him were completely unharmed.
Not even a single snowflake had touched their clothes.
"It takes courage to attack me, but that's the only thing I can praise you for."
Another burst of gravitational force erupted, and the limp bodies of Roga and Fubuki were dragged toward Naruto, landing at his feet.
Naruto's face still wore a faint smile, but his eyes had transformed into a pattern of concentric circles.
Since awakening the Rinnegan, this was the first time Naruto had used it in combat. Though it was overkill, it was undeniably convenient.
"P-please, don't kill me..."
Though his voice was weak, Roga's eyes were still open, fixed on the blond figure before him. His survival instincts compelled him to beg for mercy.
"Heh."
Naruto ignored Roga's pleas, and a long sword appeared in his hand.
He handed it to Koyuki.
"Your vengeance is yours to claim."
Koyuki's pale face still bore traces of the fear she had felt moments ago. Just a short while ago, she had truly believed she was going to die. But now, the situation had reversed so quickly.
She stared blankly at the long sword Naruto handed her, her eyes still filled with confusion.
"Naruto-sama! Doto is trying to escape!"
Just as she was still in a daze, Sandayu's voice rang out again. He was pointing behind Naruto.
All three of them turned to look. Doto's Chakra Armor had sprouted wings, and he was flying toward the castle's exit.
'Damn it! What kind of ability is that!?'
At this moment, Doto was both shocked and furious.
Just moments ago, he had been confident of victory, but in less than a minute, the situation had completely reversed. The sheer force Naruto had used to repel Roga and Fubuki had already left his arms bloodied and mangled.
He had to escape!
The enemy had instantly defeated Roga and Fubuki. There was no way he could win.
Fortunately, he was wearing the latest Chakra Armor, which is equipped with flight capabilities. While Naruto was dealing with Roga and Fubuki, he could make his escape.
As long as he could take to the air, there was no way Naruto could catch him.
As long as he survived, there would be a chance for revenge.
These are Doto's thoughts at this time.
But just as he flew outside…
'Damn it!'
In order to prevent the other party from using that strange ability again, he believed he had to strike first.
"Ice Release: Black Dragon Blizzard!"
Doto, now in the air, was pale and sweating profusely, but he endured the intense pain in his arms and quickly formed hand seals.
As his hands moved, a powerful surge of Chakra erupted from his body, converging into his fist.
Then, with a fierce punch, a black dragon shot out from his fist.
Its crimson fangs bared, the black dragon charged at Naruto with a menacing aura. The sheer pressure emanating from the dragon made the surrounding air feel heavy.
However, facing such a ferocious attack, Naruto didn't even bother to look. He simply waved his hand, and a terrifying repulsive force burst forth, instantly dispersing the snarling black dragon. The dragon vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.
Seeing this, Doto's eyes widened in terror. Though he had mentally prepared himself, he hadn't expected Naruto to dismantle his full-powered technique so effortlessly. Fear and despair gripped him even tighter, and he turned to flee as fast as he could.
However, just as he turned around, a powerful gravitational force suddenly pulled him back, making him experience the same sensation as Roga and Fubuki.
The repulsive force instantly transformed into a gravitational pull, as if an invisible hand had grabbed Doto and slammed him hard into the ground.
Boom!
Naruto had increased the intensity of the force this time. Doto's burly body crashed into the ground like a heavy boulder, landing right in front of Naruto with a dull thud.
The terrifying impact made his eyes widen instantly, and blood gushed from his mouth before he blacked out, losing consciousness.
Puff!
At the same time, the sound of a sword piercing flesh suddenly rang out.
Naruto turned to see Koyuki driving the sword into Roga's heart, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Though Koyuki's face was still pale, there was now a hint of determination in her expression.
As if noticing Naruto's surprise, Koyuki forced a weak smile.
"Although I rely on your strength, Naruto-sama, I am still the princess of the Land of Snow."
"Besides, the murder of my father is an unforgivable crime."
After saying that, she pulled the sword out and plunged it into Fubuki's heart.
Seeing this, Naruto smiled with satisfaction, 'It seemed Koyuki wasn't just a delicate canary. Letting her manage the Land of Snow for a while might not be a bad idea.'
"In that case, let's begin preparations for the coronation ceremony."