With Princess Koyuki present, the operation now carried the cloak of legitimacy.
Konoha was no longer an invader— but a force restoring a rightful ruler and saving a nation.
As long as she was safely returned to the Land of Snow, intervention in its internal affairs would be justified.
The rebel ninja forces could be eliminated under the banner of justice.
When the Snow Ninja Village fell, Konoha would secure a strategic northern stronghold—
without deploying a formal army.
That was true strategic vision.
As the ship continued its voyage, it soon reached the border port of the Land of Snow.
The harbor was bustling with activity.
Merchants and travelers moved constantly.
Cargo ships from multiple nations docked and departed.
The scene was prosperous and lively.
After all, political coups among elites rarely affected ordinary citizens.
When harbor officials saw the ship bearing the insignia of the Hidden Mist, they quickly cleared the docks and stepped forward to bow respectfully.
For vessels from the Five Great Nations, the Land of Snow always offered the highest courtesy.
But when row after row of Konoha shinobi disembarked—
their uniforms marked with the unmistakable Uchiha crest—
everyone froze.
They were clearly Konoha ninja.
So why had they arrived on a Hidden Mist ship?
Then one official noticed Princess Koyuki among them.
His expression flickered—confusion, recognition, then tension.
He lowered his head in greeting, but hesitation lingered in the movement.
The change was subtle.
But to trained shinobi, it was obvious:
The line between loyalty and betrayal had long since blurred under the weight of power and survival.
Koyuki stepped slowly off the gangplank.
Cold wind lifted her hair, strands dancing in the air.
Her gaze swept across the homeland she had not seen in years.
Her expression turned complicated.
There was no nostalgia here.
Only fear.
She had witnessed betrayal and bloodshed on this very soil.
Beneath the palace's golden roofs lay memories she wished she could erase.
When Kakashi had helped her escape years ago, the burning palace behind her had lit the snowy sky red—
flames devouring the cold stone walls of her childhood.
A Hidden Mist operative approached Wen Lan.
"Deputy Hokage, shall we remain with you?"
"No," Wen Lan replied calmly.
"You may return."
He paused, then added:
"Give my regards to the Mizukage."
"Yes, sir."
The ship soon departed, disappearing into the harbor fog.
Koyuki stood on the frozen ground of her homeland.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
But she forced herself to stand upright.
Wen Lan glanced at her briefly, then looked toward Shisui.
A silent signal.
Protect her.
Shisui nodded subtly and positioned himself half a step behind her.
"Bring them in," Wen Lan suddenly ordered.
Several shinobi rushed into nearby warehouses.
Moments later, they returned dragging six suspicious individuals.
All wore headbands from the Snow Ninja Village.
Wen Lan had spotted them the moment he stepped off the ship.
Under the Sharingan, the difference between civilians and ninja was unmistakable.
Ordinary people did not circulate chakra.
"On your knees."
The captives were forced into the snow.
Their foreheads pressed against the frozen ground.
Their bodies trembled uncontrollably.
Wen Lan walked forward slowly.
His gaze cut across them like a blade.
"Who sent you?"
One Snow ninja lifted his head defiantly.
"You cowardly Konoha dogs! Lord Dotō will slaughter you all and conquer the ninja world!"
Wen Lan let out a short laugh.
"A village without even a Kage dreams of ruling the world."
He spoke a single word:
"Execute."
A blade flashed.
The man's head separated from his body and rolled across the snow.
Blood spread quickly, staining the white ground crimson.
The remaining five captives shook violently.
Their teeth chattered.
No one spoke.
"If you refuse to talk," Wen Lan said calmly,
"then you'll never speak again."
He gave a slight glance.
Jien stepped forward.
Another head fell instantly.
The remaining four broke.
One shouted in panic:
"It was Lord Dotō! He ordered us to monitor you. He said if you lowered your guard, we were to kidnap Princess Koyuki!"
Jien frowned.
"Just the six of you? Against two hundred ninja?"
Another captive hurried to explain:
"Lord Dotō only knew Konoha had arrived—he didn't know how many of you there were! I swear it's the truth!"
Jien looked toward Wen Lan.
Wen Lan's expression remained unchanged.
"I already said it.
If you refuse to speak, then you never will."
The four remaining prisoners were forced down.
Blades flashed.
Blood sprayed across the snow like blooming red plum blossoms.
Wen Lan turned and looked toward the distant royal palace.
Cold wind lifted the hem of his cloak.
The Sharingan in his eyes slowly faded.
Jien stepped closer.
"Third Elder, where do we go next?"
Wen Lan answered without hesitation:
"Dispatch fifty jonin and one hundred chunin.
Surround the palace.
No one enters.
No one leaves.
Anyone who resists—kill them."
He paused.
"Everyone else comes with me to the Snow Ninja Village.
Any force that stands against Konoha forfeits its right to exist."
"Yes, sir."
Jien immediately organized the units.
He personally led the palace encirclement, partly because he worried Shisui's compassionate nature might interfere.
Shisui remained with Wen Lan.
Soon after, Wen Lan led fifty ninja—along with Koyuki and Sandayu—toward the Snow Ninja Village.
By the time they arrived, night had fallen.
At the village entrance, guards stepped forward to question them.
Wen Lan raised his hand.
Dozens of kunai flew through the air.
The guards collapsed before they could scream.
The village alarm had not yet sounded when Uchiha forces sealed every exit.
Wen Lan walked slowly into the settlement.
Snow crunched beneath his boots.
The sound echoed softly—
as if the earth itself were whispering.
Shisui followed in silence.
His eyes swept across the sleeping houses.
After a moment, he turned his face toward the cold wind and sighed quietly.
Suddenly, lights flared from a central tower.
A ninja realized something was wrong and rushed to strike the alarm bell.
Before his hand touched it—
a kunai pierced his throat.
He collapsed instantly.
Wen Lan spoke coldly:
"Pass the order.
Leave none alive."
The command fell like a hammer.
Under the firelight, fifty shadows moved like ghosts through the streets.
Steel flashed.
Screams echoed.
Blood spilled into every room.
Flames spread rapidly across the village.
Some Snow ninja managed to react and fight back.
But against the Uchiha—
especially those with awakened Sharingan—
their resistance was like a candle in a storm.
Genjutsu swallowed them whole.
Fire roared skyward.
Half the night sky turned red.
Wen Lan stood in the center of the burning village.
Flames reflected in his eyes.
The Sharingan spun slowly, absorbing every scream and every death.
Behind him, Koyuki squeezed her eyes shut.
She could not bear to watch.
Sandayu shielded her body, trembling as he stared at Wen Lan.
He had never imagined the man could be so merciless.
So decisive.
So utterly ruthless.
—------------------------------
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