A crack in the void slowly opened, and Koyuki looked on in disbelief at the scene unfolding before her. A young figure stepped out of the void's rift.
Ryujiro gazed at the blizzard outside the window and smiled faintly, "So this is the Land of Snow."
"It's indeed different from the weather outside."
Ryujiro was lightly dressed, yet the temperature inside the room remained quite low. Aside from Ryujiro, both Koyuki and Mihawk had donned thick coats.
Koyuki's eyes widened as she looked at Ryujiro before her.
This was the leader Mihawk had mentioned?
Koyuki never expected that the leader Mihawk spoke of would be such a young man.
Despite Ryujiro's youth, she did not dare to underestimate him, especially after witnessing what was undeniably a space-time ninjutsu.
"Ryujiro," Mihawk called out.
Ryujiro slightly nodded and looked at Koyuki with great interest.
The new ruler of the Land of Snow, Koyuki, was also the most popular actress in the Land of Snow.
But now, Koyuki's expression had turned to one of shock.
Ryujiro?!
That name resounded like thunder.
Surely, no one could be unaware of it.
The news of Konoha's desire to unify the shinobi world had spread throughout the land, and among them, Ryujiro was the most famous in Konoha.
Countless people referred to Ryujiro as a "demon," believing him to be a ruthless and cruel figure who destroyed the homes of others.
Naturally, the Land of Snow had also heard of Ryujiro's name.
Having ascended to the throne of the Land of Snow, Koyuki had some understanding of Ryujiro.
Was the person before her really the "demon" Ryujiro?
This was nothing like the image of a demon she had in her mind.
Not only was it different, but it was unimaginable.
How could such a young person be called a "demon" by everyone in the shinobi world?
Seeing the shocked expression on Koyuki's face, Ryujiro smiled faintly, "It seems my name has already reached the Land of Snow."
Koyuki looked at Ryujiro in fear, "You... you're the one Mihawk-sama spoke of!"
Her mind now cleared, Koyuki's thoughts went blank. Was Mihawk saving her because of this man?
Could it be that this master swordsman was also one of Konoha's people? Just how many powerful individuals was Konoha hiding?
"Yes."
"I am the leader, he spoke of."
Koyuki's face turned ashen, her fear evident as she looked at Ryujiro and shouted.
"Could it be... you're planning to attack the Land of Snow?"
They had no power to fight back against a giant like Konoha. Even Mihawk alone was enough to sweep through the Land of Snow.
If Ryujiro decided to act, the Land of Snow was destined for tragedy.
"Attack?"
Ryujiro smiled helplessly.
"I wouldn't attack for no reason."
"Besides, I'm here to give you an opportunity."
"An opportunity?"
Koyuki paused, but she couldn't bring herself to trust Ryujiro's words. Warily, she asked, "What opportunity?"
"I offer you the chance to merge with the Land of Fire."
"Konoha's goal is to unify the shinobi world, but not necessarily through bloodshed."
"If the Land of Snow merges with the Land of Fire, then the Land of Snow won't be treated the same as other major nations."
"In fact, every village and small nation that has joined the Land of Fire is living better than before."
"Konoha is simply accomplishing something our ancestors never imagined.
If the entire shinobi world is unified, the wars between great nations will disappear, and the shinobi world will finally see everlasting peace."
"Koyuki, you are a wise person."
"At least in the Land of Snow, I see you as a smart leader."
Ryujiro spoke to Koyuki calmly.
Koyuki's pupils contracted as she stared at Ryujiro. Merge the Land of Snow into the Land of Fire's territory? This... how could this be?
But...
If they resisted, their end would still be the same—they would become part of the Land of Fire.
"Every citizen is an ordinary person seeking a better life. Konoha can give them that."
"Even if you merge with the Land of Fire, you will still be the leader here."
"It's just that your country will become a city, and you'll need to follow the laws of the Land of Fire."
"Daily life won't be affected much. It's up to you to decide."
"Will you resist stubbornly or join willingly?"
Koyuki glanced secretly at Mihawk, her lips curling into a bitter smile.
Looking at Mihawk's indifferent expression, it was clear that he held Ryujiro in high regard.
Her previous naive thoughts, the idea that she could...
Because Mihawk was Koyuki's savior, she had always harbored some special feelings for him.
But now, it seemed, it was all just her own wishful thinking.
A man like him could never have personal emotions...
Koyuki forced a bitter smile and spoke weakly, "This isn't something I can decide alone. Can you give me some time?"
"Of course."
Ryujiro smiled faintly.
Koyuki breathed a sigh of relief. Time was good; at least she wouldn't be pressured so quickly.
She knew that even if the Land of Snow resisted, it would only result in a bloodbath, because the man before her was even more terrifying than Konoha's First Hokage, known as the "God of Shinobi."
"I will do my best to persuade the others," Koyuki said earnestly.
Ryujiro looked at her and said calmly, "One week. I'll give you one week."
"That's enough."
Koyuki's queenly aura suddenly emerged, the kind of confidence that came from believing in her own abilities.
Ryujiro narrowed his eyes, slightly surprised by Koyuki's demeanor. She indeed had the qualities of a queen.
She would make a good leader.
"Then I'll await your good news. Mihawk will stay in the Land of Snow to maintain its security."
"Remember, you have one week."
"I hope you'll give me a satisfactory answer."
With that, Ryujiro slashed the air with his finger, opening a rift in the void.
Seeing this, Koyuki couldn't help but shrink her pupils, looking in shock at the rift.
Not ninjutsu?!
It was his own power affecting space?
Koyuki gasped in shock.
Just how powerful was this Konoha ninja to influence time and space?
Incredible!
As she came back to her senses, Koyuki cast a complicated glance at Mihawk and forced a bitter smile.
"Mihawk-sama, I leave the safety of the Land of Snow in your hands."
Mihawk nodded indifferently and walked out of the room.
Koyuki, feeling exhausted, leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temples before summoning the ministers of her nation.
It took her a full five days to persuade the ministers. In the end, they were merely trying to save their own lives.
No matter how much they craved power, without life, everything was meaningless.
Not long after, Konoha officially announced that the Land of Snow had merged into the Land of Fire's territory, renamed as Snow City.
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