Chapter 333: Reclaiming the Land of Snow

"Ah?!"

Yu's immediate rejection without even considering the offer surprised Sandayu Asama. He quickly stood up and ran after him. "Scarlet Yu-sama, please reconsider. We will definitely offer the highest reward…"

"I don't lack money and have no interest in it. You should find someone else…"

Ignoring Sandayu Asama, who was chasing after him, Yu continued on with Haku and Kimimaro, not looking back.

Unlike the usual ninjas who are driven by the task's reward, Yu's cash stored in the Kaio's alternate space is still unspent, and he has a Puppet like the immensely wealthy En Oyashiro. Money holds no appeal for him whatsoever.

Moreover, he is not like the main character Naruto Uzumaki, a hot-blooded fool who would recklessly risk his life to protect a so-called princess of the Land of Snow and reclaim the country.

"Damn it… Sandayu, who gave you the authority to make decisions on your own?!"

At this moment, Fujikaze Yikie, who was actually Kazahana Koyuki sitting on a white horse, spoke coldly upon hearing that Sandayu Asama had unilaterally hired Yu and been rejected. "I don't want to go back to that country at all! And I'm not a princess of the Land of Snow at all!"

"And someone as young as him…"

As she spoke coldly, her gaze fixed on Yu's retreating figure, Kazahana Koyuki unconsciously tightened her grip on the reins. "How could he possibly handle someone as devious and vicious as Kazahana Doto?!"

"Princess Koyuki, you must not speak so recklessly!"

Hearing Kazahana Koyuki's words, Sandayu Asama seemed worried that he might anger Yu, a terrifying ninja who could easily destroy an entire Ninja village. He quickly interjected, "Scarlet Yu-sama is currently the strongest ninja in the entire ninja world. Even the Five Great Ninja Countries' villages don't dare to provoke him. If he is willing to help Princess Koyuki, then we can definitely reclaim the country…"

"Alright, alright, you two don't need to play along with each other…"

Hearing the conversation between Kazahana Koyuki and Sandayu Asama from behind, Yu suddenly stopped, a hint of amusement curling at the corners of his mouth. "I'm not going to be tricked by such an obvious provocation, but I've suddenly changed my mind…"

"A princess of the Land of Snow who abandoned her country because she couldn't face the past, letting it fall into the hands of her father's killer…"

As everyone looked on in astonishment, Yu, who was about to leave, gradually turned around. His gaze, full of interest, settled on Kazahana Koyuki, who was riding the white horse, with a hint of mockery and derision in his smile. "With such a capricious and timid nature, you really are a far cry from the Fuun-hime in the movie just now…"

"I can take you back to the Land of Snow, and even help you reclaim the country and kill your uncle, Kazahana Doto…"

Before Kazahana Koyuki could respond, Yu continued speaking, his amber eyes gleaming with a light that seemed to devour everything. "But you'll need to agree to one condition…"

"What… What condition?!"

Seeing Yu, who had just refused the hire and commission, suddenly change his mind, Kazahana Koyuki and Sandayu Asama asked in unison.

Although she claimed she wasn't a princess of the Land of Snow and said she didn't want to return to that cold country, the light shining from Kazahana Koyuki's bright eyes betrayed her true feelings.

"If I help you reclaim the country and kill the usurper Kazahana Doto, making you the new ruler of the Land of Snow, you must submit to me."

Noticing the unhidden hope in Kazahana Koyuki's eyes, Yu quietly stated his condition while staring into her eyes.

"What?!"

They were shocked that Yu would make such an outrageous demand, asking the princess of the Land of Snow to submit to him. The loyal Sandayu Asama quickly interjected, "This is absolutely unacceptable! Princess Koyuki!!"

Even if Yu did agree to help them kill Kazahana Doto and reclaim the Land of Snow, if the country were to fall into the hands of another scheming individual right after, what would be the difference from before?

"Of course…"

Ignoring Sandayu Asama's agitated reaction, Yu appeared nonchalant, with a faint, barely noticeable smile at the corners of his mouth. "You are entirely free to refuse, and let the usurper continue to wreak havoc in your country…"

"Stop talking! Sandayu!!"

"I've made my decision. This is our only chance for revenge!!"

Seemingly spurred by Yu's words, Kazahana Koyuki, whose expression shifted between various emotions, struggled for a moment before finally making a difficult decision. "If we can really kill that bastard Kazahana Doto and reclaim the Land of Snow, I'm willing to sacrifice everything, even myself!!"

"Talk about not wanting to, but your actions are quite honest…"

Seeing that the fallen princess of the Land of Snow seemed to be completely within his grasp, Yu's smile grew even brighter. "Now that's more like a vengeful princess. Let's have a pleasant cooperation…"

With Yu and Kazahana Koyuki having reached an agreement, the film crew members, who were also nearby, began to gather. Their next filming location was also in the ice-covered Land of Snow.

"Sigh…"

Watching the group preparing to set off, only Sandayu Asama, who stood in the corner, let out a deep sigh.

The idea of hiring the current strongest ninja in the ninja world to kill Kazahana Doto and reclaim the Land of Snow was his, but he never imagined it would lead to inviting a wolf into the house. Whether this would turn out to be a blessing or a curse remained unknown; all he could do was take it one step at a time…

…

Land of Snow, Kazahana Castle.

This was a mysterious country of perpetual ice and snow, so much so that, according to legends in the anime, only Hatake Kakashi from Konoha ANBU had ever entered. At that time, he was unable to contend with Kazahana Doto's snow ninjas and had to flee with the young Kazahana Koyuki.

In the snow-covered, howling cold, within the vast and majestic ice palace, Kazahana Doto, who had overthrown his own brother Kazahana Sousetsu to become the new ruler of the Land of Snow, had spent the years since then researching Chakra armor and training a large number of powerful snow ninjas, intending to stir up a new storm in the already peaceful ninja world.

"What did you say?!"

"Koyuki has hired Scarlet Yu? That legendary ninja?!"

Inside the vast ice palace of Kazahana Castle, Kazahana Doto, a tall and broad-shouldered man with a fierce and rugged face, stared in astonishment at the snow ninja reporting to him.

"Yes, Doto-sama. And they are currently heading this way…"

In the grand hall before Kazahana Doto, a snow ninja reported the news honestly with his head bowed.

"Scarlet Yu… This is troublesome. What method did Princess Koyuki use to hire such a troublesome figure…"

Hearing the news brought back by the snow ninja, Nadare Roga, one of the three strongest snow ninjas under Kazahana Doto, spoke in a deep voice with a look of extreme concern in his cold eyes. "If the terrifying rumors are true, Doto-sama, it might be very difficult for us to find a ninja who can contend with him…"

Although they were powerful snow ninjas honed in the harsh environment of ice and snow and held themselves in high regard, the thought of facing a ninja who, according to legend, could single-handedly destroy the entire Hidden Cloud made them tremble with fear.

---- 

Support me on patreon for More advanced chapters up to 50 so far patreon.com/DemonWriter