Chapter 223: The Death of Doto Kazahana
The first female ninja had armor that stimulated the Gate of Closing located at the spine. Nadare Rōga's armor stimulated the Gate of Shock and the Gate of Life. The Snow Ninja that Shikamaru and the others defeated had armor that stimulated the Gate of Hurt. Among these three Snow Ninjas, Nadare Rōga's strength was clearly greater.
The Snow Ninjas might not have known about the existence of the Eight Inner Gates taijutsu, but relying on technology, they had still found these eight critical chakra points. It had to be said, they were quite talented.
Ino collected three sets of these 'Back Straighteners' (her nickname for the armor parts), planning to take them back for research. Shikamaru and the others were indifferent; if you want them, take them. It wasn't that she was trying to embezzle; it was just that Konoha Village had no department dedicated to researching these kinds of things.
In Boruto, there's a Scientific Ninja Tool Development Team, but that department was primarily established by pooling knowledge from the Five Great Shinobi Villages because Naruto and Sasuke's combined power ensured the other four villages didn't dare to not maintain peace.
Currently, Konoha Village could only be described as having just stepped out of the era of aging F4 rule. The village only had a Ninja Tool Squad that was more for show than substance.
Ino had visited it when she was on a mission with Tenten last time. Calling them 'set in their ways' would have been a compliment. A few retired ninjas on the second line spent their days playing cards and loafing around. They just kept a reserve of standard ninja tools like kunai, shuriken, Fuma shuriken, senbon, explosive tags, and smoke bombs, and that was it.
Research and development? Didn't exist. 'Ninja should diligently train in taijutsu and ninjutsu; don't stray onto crooked paths or evil ways!' That's what a few old ninjas had shouted at Tenten back then, leaving her so angry she almost fought them. The designers capable of creating things like exploding kunai, exploding shuriken, or exploding meteor hammers had been marginalized and sent to a mountain ravine to conduct their experiments.
Asking them to research chakra armor now? Don't kid around.
Ino could only research it herself. If it proved effective, she'd make a set later... and sell it to Kakashi.
Hinata was a little excited. Her eye power had greatly increased, and her observation skills had improved significantly. Combined with the clan's refined taijutsu, she had almost single-handedly defeated the previous enemy. Although her nervous habits like finger-twirling and pigeon-toed feet could still be seen, from her demeanor, she was clearly much more confident than before.
Ino gave Shikamaru a look that said, 'What's up with that?'
Shikamaru clasped his hands behind his head. 'You're asking me about troublesome things like women?'
Originally, Ino wanted to strike directly at the heart of the enemy, take out that Doto Kazahana, and then peacefully shoot the movie. However, this time Shikamaru had a different opinion.
"That guy is the Daimyo of the Land of Snow after all. He doesn't have a direct link to our mission, and it's not really appropriate for us to attack a country's Daimyo."
This was the viewpoint of a traditional ninja like Shikamaru. For Ino, it was simply: the greater the ability, the greater the power.
When she was a Genin, she had to strictly adhere to all the village's rules and regulations, reporting for instructions in the morning and on performance in the evening, reporting her thoughts to her leader frequently, attending Sarutobi's training lectures, and writing study notes on the Will of Fire.
Becoming a Chunin meant fewer restrictions.
Once she proved she had Jonin-level strength, the restrictions were even fewer. Tsunade left the village after the Second Great War, and Jiraiya taught Nagato and the others for three years without the village saying anything. Not to mention Danzo, who wouldn't obey orders or summons – this was a classic example of greater ability leading to greater power.
If Ino were still a Genin, she couldn't just get Sandayu to 'reimburse' her expenses. Now, it didn't matter. Ninjas weren't moral paragons; no one would fault her for something like this. Considering the Sannin's experiences with women, gambling, and questionable activities, Advisors like Koharu Utatane would most likely even think it was a good thing she had flaws. In an organization like a ninja village, the constraints are entirely on the lower levels; the higher the position, the less the constraint.
Ino thought about it. For ninjas, especially Konoha ninjas, to directly attack a country's Daimyo was indeed a bit improper and could easily lead to unnecessary misinterpretations.
"You have a point," she conceded. "Let's postpone that action for now. We'll listen to Sandayu and their opinions in a bit."
Koyuki Kazahana and Sandayu had just finished dealing with the body of the female Snow Ninja. In the icy, snowy environment, the two of them had surprisingly broken into a sweat.
As soon as they finished, Ino arrived with the bodies of Nadare Rōga and Mizore Fuyukuma. The two bodies, frozen stiff, were tossed at their feet.
"This is...?" Sandayu was greatly shocked, followed by overwhelming joy. "Doto Kazahana's three henchmen are all dead?! Hahahaha—this is truly wonderful!"
He seemed to go mad, cursing and jumping around. Koyuki, on the other hand, kept backing away until she was against the wall. Seeing the mockery at the corner of Ino's mouth, she finally mustered a bit of courage. She was afraid of living people, but was she still afraid of corpses?
Ino waited for Sandayu to calm down before speaking. "My original mission was just to protect you from harassment by the Snow Ninjas. I hate trouble, so I dealt with the three of them preemptively. But the Daimyo of the Land of Snow... honestly, unless he attacks the film crew, we can't proactively attack him."
The ecstatic Sandayu understood her implicit meaning perfectly. His face was flushed with excitement.
"We'll pay more!"
He himself was broke, but the Land of Snow was rich! As long as Koyuki Kazahana inherited the position of Daimyo, even if the country was poor, they could still scrape together some money.
Ino looked hesitant. "This isn't about money..."
"Five million ryo!"
"No, Mr. Asama, this really isn't about money."
"Ten million ryo!"
Ino squinted at him. "Mr. Asama, do you even have that much money?"
The old man declared firmly, "As long as Princess Koyuki inherits the position of Daimyo, then taxes can be collected. If the people are dissatisfied at that time, I will take all responsibility. Execute me to quell the people's dissatisfaction."
Good heavens, you're really going all out!
Ino was touched by their patriotic fervor (definitely not for the money). Although she couldn't directly attack, she promised to provide a little assistance.
Early the next morning, the remaining Snow Ninja foot soldiers launched a surprise attack on the film crew. Although Ino and the others repelled the enemy, Koyuki Kazahana was still captured.
Shikamaru was annoyed, thinking these Snow Ninjas were utterly baffling. Their three leaders were dead, and a bunch of small fry still dared to try and snatch someone?
Ino led the team in pursuit to the Daimyo's castle. Accompanying them were the old retainers and righteous warriors contacted by Sandayu.
Doto Kazahana, the ambitious villain who had murdered his brother and usurped the country, had an ordinary face. He first proudly gave a speech about all traitors dying.
But as he tore off his outer coat, revealing his chakra armor, and prepared to face the Konoha ninjas, he exclaimed in surprise, "Impossible! How is my chakra...?"
Without chakra, he was just an ordinary person. Everyone then watched, wide-eyed, as Koyuki Kazahana let out a loud cry and, at close range, stabbed Doto Kazahana to death with a knife.
Like a samurai committing seppuku, she carved a cross-shaped wound on Doto Kazahana's stomach. Doto Kazahana, who was first a ninja and then a Daimyo, officially passed away, ending his life of fratricide and usurpation.
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