Chapter 344: Turning the Tables
Chapter 344: Turning the Tables
Name: Han Hu Bingfeng
Chakra: 45,000
Skills: Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient: 3,400/15,000), Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient: 300/15,000), Water Style: Black Dragon Blizzard (Proficient), Water Style: White Whale (Proficient), Water Style: Wolf Tooth Avalanche (Proficient), Water Style: Swallow Snowstorm (Skilled)...
After reviewing Han Hu Bingfeng's status panel, Mu Yue could only commend his courage.
While chakra was Mu Yue's weakness, it was still more than enough to easily overpower Han Hu Bingfeng. Mu Yue's current chakra reserve was close to 80,000, almost double that of Han Hu Bingfeng.
There was no need to even mention skills, as Mu Yue far surpassed him in both quantity and quality.
Although the enemy was one he could easily defeat, Mu Yue still found this reconnaissance mission valuable.
Han Hu Bingfeng, despite being no match for him, was currently an opponent that Kakashi, Obito, and the others could not handle.
Out of caution, Mu Yue decided to assign two Shadow Clones to protect his disciples from now on. One clone would be visible, providing protection, while the other would remain hidden, acting according to the situation.
"Since Fu Hua Zaoxue may have discovered us, we need to change our plans. I'll start preparing for a probing mission in the coming days. Once we confirm, we'll launch the coup immediately," Fu Hua Nu Tao said, taking a sip of hot tea.
If they couldn't identify the spy within the Snow Ninja, he would directly test Fu Hua Zaoxue to probe Mu Yue. If anything seemed amiss, they would initiate the coup without delay.
Initially, Fu Hua Nu Tao had intended to slowly bring the officials to his side before staging the coup, thereby minimizing the damage to the Snow Country. However, it seemed they didn't have that kind of time.
"Mmm, I'll arrange for a few reliable Snow Ninja village jounin to accompany you," Han Hu Bingfeng nodded in agreement.
The central figure in this coup was none other than Fu Hua Nu Tao, as he was the Daimyo's brother and had the necessary status.
Mu Yue continued to use his Byakugan to observe Fu Hua Nu Tao leaving the office. Afterward, he used his Byakugan to search Snow Ninja Village for the so-called Chakra Battle Armor.
Byakugan was indeed a convenient ability, with its x-ray vision and long-range observation capabilities. It made locating the underground laboratory a simple task, and he soon found it.
However, the defenses in place were fewer than Mu Yue had expected, possibly because the Snow Country was so remote and rarely experienced ninja warfare.
But the defenses meant little to Mu Yue; he could charge through if there were many people and simply walk in if there were few. The outcome would not differ much either way.
In the laboratory, Mu Yue only found a single Chakra Battle Armor used for research. He guessed that the completed Chakra Battle Armors had already been delivered to the Snow Ninja higher-ups.
Mu Yue did not take the Battle Armor from the laboratory. Instead, he took out a camera and meticulously recorded Snow Ninja's research materials.
Since the Snow Ninja could create Chakra Battle Armor, the materials must be sourced from within the Snow Country. With the technology in hand, they need not worry about a shortage of Chakra Battle Armors.
After he finished recording, Mu Yue silently left. He sincerely hoped that the Snow Ninja would make further breakthroughs soon, as it would mean another opportunity for him to benefit.
...
"Father, why are the seasons always the same in our country? There are no flowers in spring, and summer isn't hot either," Fu Hua Xiaoxue asked, confusion furrowing her brow after dinner.
Mu Yue had explained the concept of seasons to her before, mentioning that the Snow Country's location was unique. However, she didn't quite understand what that meant.
"Because our country is located at the northernmost part of the Ninja World, and the climate is extremely cold," Fu Hua Zaoxue ruffled Fu Hua Xiaoxue's hair affectionately as he explained with a smile.
Although Fu Hua Zaoxue was the Daimyo, he was more interested in knowledge, especially modern scientific and technological advancements, than political schemes.
Before becoming the Daimyo, he had visited the Fire Country and still remembered the breathtaking beauty of spring there.
However, as beautiful as it was, it was not his country. The Fu Hua family was the royalty of the Snow Country, and the cost of traveling was negligible compared to the country's finances. Many Snow Country citizens didn't have the means to travel to other countries and experience the beauty of spring.
So, even before becoming the Daimyo, Fu Hua Zaoxue had resolved to use technology to change the Snow Country's environment, ensuring that all its citizens could witness the beauty of spring and the blooming flowers.
To that end, he had reduced the Snow Ninja Village's funding and cut military expenditures to increase investment in civilian technology development.
He had also visited smaller countries that had no ninja villages, and they were doing just fine, leading Fu Hua Zaoxue to believe that the Snow Country didn't heavily rely on the Snow Ninja.
"Then can't we just move a little south?" Fu Hua Xiaoxue still didn't quite understand.
"Hahaha, our country isn't just a small patch of land," Fu Hua Zaoxue laughed at his adorable daughter's suggestion.
"Does that mean our country will never experience spring?" Disappointment laced Fu Hua Xiaoxue's voice.
Not knowing the difference between the seasons hadn't bothered her before, but now that she understood, she felt genuinely unhappy that her country only knew winter.
Rude people like Obito got to live in spring, while she, the obedient and cute Fu Hua Xiaoxue, had to spend her entire life in the cold of winter.
The Snow Ninjas called it Chakra Ore, but Fu Hua Zaoxue preferred to call it Spring Warmth Ore, as it represented Snow Country's hope for a spring of its own.
Fu Hua Zaoxue planned to build a massive heating apparatus that would encompass all of Snow Country, a means to combat the relentless cold.
"Really?" Fu Hua Xiaoxue looked at her father expectantly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Of course, it's true. How could I ever lie to the adorable Princess Xiaoxue?" Fu Hua Zaoxue pinched his daughter's chubby cheeks and smiled warmly.
With beautiful dreams dancing in her head, Fu Hua Xiaoxue returned to her room and fell asleep. In her dreams, she saw the springtime flower fields that Mu Yue had described. She witnessed the end of Snow Country's bitter winter and the arrival of a vibrant spring.
Just as Fu Hua Xiaoxue reached out to pluck a flower to examine it more closely, a voice called out to her, rousing her from her slumber.
"Princess Xiaoxue, it's time to wake up and eat breakfast."
Upon waking, Fu Hua Xiaoxue recognized the voice as that of her attendant. She felt a twinge of annoyance as she had just been about to take a closer look at the beautiful flowers, only to have her dream interrupted.
However, being a kind and righteous princess, Fu Hua Xiaoxue would never scold her attendant. Instead, she puffed out her cheeks to express her displeasure non-verbally.
"Princess Xiaoxue, I'm so sorry. I disturbed your beautiful dream, didn't I?" The attendant, well-versed in the princess' expressions, immediately apologized upon seeing her familiar pout.
Fu Hua Xiaoxue's anger melted away, and she cheerfully finished her breakfast.
"Brother Mu Yue, can you continue telling me stories about the Fire Country today? I want to hear more." After breakfast, Fu Hua Xiaoxue sought out Mu Yue, batting her eyes at him endearingly.
"I also have stories about the Fire Country. Would you like to hear them?" Suddenly, Obito spoke up, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"You?" Fu Hua Xiaoxue looked at Obito skeptically, her hand still clutching Mu Yue's sleeve.
"Don't underestimate me. In Konoha, I'm known as the King of Fire Country Storytellers." Obito's face remained straight as he spun his tale, not a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
Mu Yue watched Obito quietly, wondering what scheme he was concocting this time.
"Really? Let's hear one, then." Fu Hua Xiaoxue still didn't quite trust Obito's storytelling abilities.
"Ahem, pay close attention, then." Obito cleared his throat and began his performance.
"During the Warring States period, there were two powerful ninja clans: the Uchiha clan and the Senju clan. Originally bitter enemies, the heirs of these two clans formed a deep friendship in their youth, and thus, the course of history was altered..."
Obito recounted the history he had learned from Mu Yue, though his imitation of Mu Yue's storytelling style was only passable. Nonetheless, the story itself was full of twists and legends, capturing Fu Hua Xiaoxue's imagination completely.
"...Now, based on the above materials, predict whether the two clans will successfully unite and provide an explanation. Analyze the impact of the era on their union..." Just as the story was reaching its climax, Obito posed a series of questions.
Fu Hua Xiaoxue, who had been listening intently, began to think about Obito's questions subconsciously. Suddenly, her eyes glazed over as she struggled to comprehend. She knew each word individually, but when they were all put together, she couldn't make sense of them.
"Obito, you..." Even Yamato found it challenging to judge Obito's actions.
Kakashi was struggling to keep a straight face. "You're supposed to be telling a story, and you turn it into a history exam question? Who hurt you?"
"This... this is not a story at all!" Fu Hua Xiaoxue exclaimed, her face reddening as she realized Obito's deceit.
She declared Obito her arch-nemesis; never before had she encountered such a cunning individual.
"As a princess, you shouldn't be listening to frivolous stories. You are the future queen and must learn how to govern the country. Otherwise, how will you rule in the future?" Obito lectured Fu Hua Xiaoxue with a solemn expression.
He had often been mocked by Kakashi for his dreams of becoming the Hokage, and now he was getting his revenge by using those same words on someone else.
Fu Hua Xiaoxue was at a loss for words. She felt that Obito's words made sense, even though she didn't particularly like hearing them.
Fu Hua Xiaoxue's small face flushed with frustration. She felt that Obito's intentions were less than pure, and she wanted to strike back. However, she had no idea how to retaliate.
"Xiaoxue, can you take me to meet your father?" Mu Yue interrupted, knocking Obito's head with his two fingers and turning to Fu Hua Xiaoxue with a request.
"No problem. Father isn't at work yet. In fact, I think he has the day off today." Fu Hua Xiaoxue beamed at Obito, who was now rubbing his forehead.
"Then please take me to him. I have something very important to discuss with your father." Mu Yue patted Fu Hua Xiaoxue's head gently.
Fu Hua Nu Tao wanted to test him further? He would turn the tables on him!
(End of Chapter)
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