(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
****************
After dispatching the Snow Ninja trio, Colt's expression remained unchanged.
Among the three, only Nadare Rōga possessed Jōnin-level strength, enhanced by the chakra armor.
The other two were mere fodder.
Kakashi's prowess was truly remarkable.
To think he could contend with Kaguya twice, yet also struggle against ordinary ninjas like Nadare Rōga.
The title of Copy Ninja was well-deserved. He copies the strong and weak equally.
Seeing Koyuki Kazahana slump to the ground, Colt shook his head.
He carried her back to the boat, and the others halted filming due to the lack of a leading actress.
Asama Sandayū also revealed the true situation to the director and key crew members.
In truth, these crew members were rather unlucky, nearly sacrificing their lives for a movie.
But strangely enough, after hearing Asama Sandayū's real purpose, the director not only didn't get angry but became even more excited.
"Incredible! I never thought I'd one day be able to film with a real princess!"
"Change the script, change the script! The main storyline becomes Princess Gale's Road to reclaiming her throne!"
In this way, the only two still sober crew members were left bewildered, eagerly preparing for a new script.
Colt couldn't help but give the director a second glance.
Could he be a hidden boss? How else could he remain so calm?
But under the perception of his 'eye of the kagura', there was no trace of chakra in the director's body.
It didn't take long for Koyuki to regain consciousness.
The first thing she did after waking was to go to Colt's room next door.
"Thank you, Colt-san."
Looking at the young man calmly drinking tea, Koyuki sincerely thanked him.
"No need for thanks. It's just my mission," Colt waved his hand dismissively.
"No, this is necessary," Koyuki said firmly. "Sandayū issued the task, but now, I'm only representing myself, not the Land of Snow."
What Koyuki Kazahana wanted to thank Colt for was not helping her reclaim her country.
Instead, it was for avenging her father's death.
Now, the only thing she needed to face was her imminent confrontation with Dotō.
Ten years ago, she had escaped with Kakashi's help.
And now Colt was far more powerful than Kakashi, bringing her an unparalleled sense of security.
Today's Koyuki Kazahana truly had the ambition to restore her country.
The next day, the ship sailed into a port of the Land of Snow.
This was a country perpetually covered in ice and snow, thousands of miles from the heart of the continent like the Land of Fire.
Everyone boarded the Snow Country train and headed to their predetermined location.
"There are many villagers on the other side of the tunnel who are still loyal to Princess Koyuki. When you give the order, they will never back down," Asama Sandayū enthusiastically introduced his trump card to Colt.
"Are there any ninja among them?" Colt asked casually.
"No, I'm sorry, but they are all elite samurai!"
Asama Sandayū made a somewhat embarrassing defense, and Colt didn't press further.
Whatever kind of warriors they were, he estimated they were just some above-average civilians.
The crew were shooting in an orderly manner, and Koyuki Kazahana had fully immersed herself in her role.
Each scene was done over and over until perfect.
Just when everyone thought the day would end smoothly, a train roared from the other side of the tunnel.
Dotō Kazahana took the lead, standing atop a carriage as he appeared before everyone.
"Long time no see, Koyuki."
Dotō Kazahana looked down at Koyuki Kazahana with a smirk.
"It's been ten years. Let me take a good look at your face."
Colt glanced at the speechless Asama Sandayū. "So, your enemy drove a train right through your secret base?"
"This... this..."
Asama Sandayū struggled for words, unable to form a coherent response.
Dotō Kazahana also noticed Colt, who had effortlessly dispatched the Snow ninja trio he had relied on.
As long as Colt was dealt with, Koyuki Kazahana would be easy to catch.
"Fire!"
With his order, the entire side of the train facing Colt and the others opened up.
In an instant, countless kunais shot out like bullets from a Gatling gun, attempting to turn them into human pincushions.
If he were alone, Colt had countless ways to avoid the attack.
But Koyuki Kazahana and the film crew were behind him.
To protect them, Colt had to intercept the barrage.
"Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall!"
From the ground, rows of wooden pillars formed a shape to protect everyone inside.
Though made of wood, the kunai struck it with the clanging sound of fine steel.
Tens of thousands of kunais rained down, but they couldn't leave a single mark on the wooden shield.
Dotō Kazahana frowned slightly, finding Colt troublesome for the first time.
"As expected of someone who could defeat my three subordinates. It's a pity you've encountered me!"
As he spoke, he lifted his outer robe, revealing fully armed chakra armor beneath.
This was the strongest suit of armor in the Land of Snow, its power incomparable to those used by the trio.
"Ice Release: Twin Dragon Blizzard!"
The power of Dotō Kazahana's jutsu became even more terrifying through the armor's enhancement. Both trees and glaciers were destroyed by the two tornadoes.
To avoid being blown away, the crew members sheltered by Colt grabbed tightly onto the nearest rocks.
"Ice Release: Twin Rising Dragons!"
Colt found that his favorite tactic now was to defeat enemies in their own specialty.
Since Dotō Kazahana used Ice Release, he would respond in kind.
Two ice dragons, each tens of meters long, emerged from the ground and faced the tornadoes without fear.
The two forces collided, causing even greater destruction. Ice debris and dust flew everywhere, obscuring visibility.
"Cough, cough!"
Waving his hand to clear the smoke and dust around him, Dotō Kazahana felt slightly overwhelmed. He ordered his subordinates, "Drive! Let's go!"
"You've come all this way, just to leave?" Colt's calm voice sounded from behind Dotō Kazahana. With his mind's eye of the kagura, he easily located the enemy's position.
"Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness!"
"Ice Release: Ice Spears!"
Ice spread from the ground, trapping Dotō Kazahana in place, making him unable to break free.
Immediately afterward, icicles covered in thorns condensed before Colt, mercilessly slamming into the chakra armor.
The first was blocked, but there was a second, a third… and so on.
Under Dotō's terrified gaze, the core of the chakra armor gradually developed a crack, which continued to expand.
"No!"
On the tenth strike, the armor shattered, and an ice spear pierced straight into his heart.
"Damn you... Konoha..."
Dotō Kazahana's eyes widened as he uttered the last words of his life.
He collapsed to the ground, lifeless.