"Haven't you found Koyuki's whereabouts yet?"
"I'm sorry, Lord Doto. We've searched everywhere, but we still haven't found her."
"Hmph. Then keep looking! The hexagonal item must be on Koyuki!"
"Yes!"
After the report, the Snow Shinobi retreated.
When his subordinates left, only one person remained in the hall.
"The treasure of the Kazahana family... I must get it!"
Stormy Waves sat on his throne-like chair and muttered to himself.
At that moment, an unfamiliar voice suddenly echoed through the empty hall.
"Tch, treasure... Speaking of which, the Kazahana family really did leave a priceless treasure behind for the country."
The sudden voice made Doto's expression shift.
"Who?!"
Da, da, da...
Footsteps rang out.
Then, two figures... one large, one small slowly walked out of the shadows and came to the foot of the steps.
At first, Doto just squinted at the masked Obito.
But then his eyes widened the moment he saw the petite figure clearly. He stood up in surprise, an ecstatic grin spreading across his face.
"Hahaha!"
Doto burst out laughing.
"Isn't this Koyuki? I didn't expect you to walk right into my lap. That really warms my heart, my dear niece."
"Doto... Bastard Doto!"
Koyuki's little body trembled as she heard his voice.
"Koyuki, long time no see," Doto said with a smirk. "What gave you the courage to show your face before me?"
His gaze then shifted to Obito.
"Was it him?"
Watching Doto's hideous grin, Koyuki gripped the hem of Obito's cloak tightly, inching closer to him.
At that moment, a warm hand landed gently on her head.
Her panicked heart calmed slightly.
Obito stroked her head, then looked up at Doto and said flatly:
"I'm curious too... what gave you the confidence to talk to me like that?"
"Hahahaha!"
Doto laughed, as if he'd heard a joke.
"You may have snuck in here unnoticed, which proves you have some skill... but—"
With a dramatic flair, Doto ripped open his shirt, revealing a strange suit of armor beneath.
"This is the masterpiece of the Land of Snow!" he declared. "In front of this armor, all ninjutsu is meaningless! And it enhances the user's chakra!"
"You don't stand a chance against me!"
"..."
Obito stared at him, speechless.
'Ahh shit… here we go again,' he thought.
'Why do villains always start monologuing their entire ability set before a fight?'
It was like a universal law of anime villainy: "Tell your enemy how to beat you, then get clapped."
Obito had complained about this kind of dumbassery when he was still an otaku. Now, seeing it unfold in real time? Absolutely peak comedy.
After basking in his own ego, Doto looked at Koyuki again, feigning warmth.
"Koyuki, do you have the hexagonal item with you?"
Koyuki looked up at Obito. Seeing no reaction from him, she nodded and pulled the crystal from around her neck.
"Very good," Doto smiled. "Because that's the only bond that connects the Kazahana family."
"And... it's the key to unlocking the secret treasure."
Koyuki blinked in surprise.
She had no idea what the crystal really was. Her father gave it to her before his death, but she never knew it held any real meaning.
"When I took this country from your father," Doto continued, "he left no assets. So I knew he must've hidden them somewhere."
"I searched every inch of this land and finally found it."
"The treasure is hidden inside the Rainbow Ice Wall!"
"I found a keyhole there that matches your item exactly."
Doto now looked like a man drunk on power.
"With that treasure, I'll mass-produce Chakra Armor. My country will surpass the Five Great Nations in military power!"
"So come now, Koyuki! give me that item!"
"..."
Koyuki shrunk back, her head low. Fear flashed in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Obito was entirely unfazed.
He didn't even feel the need to react. Honestly, this clown was entertaining.
'You think this busted cosplay armor makes you stronger than the Five Great Nations?'
It's like Zoro trying to challenge Mihawk back in the East Blue — laughable.
The frog at the bottom of the well will always be just that.
Watching Doto's delusional ambition made Obito's day.
Actually… now he didn't want Doto to die too quickly. He wanted to see his reaction when he found out what was really inside the so-called treasure vault.
He turned to Koyuki and extended his hand.
"Give me that priceless item."
Koyuki looked up into those crimson eyes through his mask. Something about them steadied her.
She slowly removed the hexagonal pendant and placed it into Obito's hand.
He patted her head again and said calmly,
"Rest assured. Your nightmare will end soon... I promise."
"Mhm."
Koyuki nodded softly, then clung to his cloak again, staring quietly up at his masked face.
Obito turned to Doto, casually tossing the red item once before gripping it.
"Joker," he said with a cold smirk, "as you can see, I have the precious item now."
"If you want it... come and take it."
"And while you're at it... show me just how strong your overpriced cosplay really is."
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