NOVEL WEB Chapter 65: CHAPTER 65
Kimimaro felt a flicker of irritation, but looking at the flushed, alluring woman in front of him, already half-drunk and grinning slyly, he couldn't hold on to it.
With a soft sigh, he sank into the seat across from her.
He had been outmaneuvered—actually outmaneuvered.
For someone like him, trained from childhood in battle and discipline, it was a rare feeling. But it made sense. Karin's teasing was mischievous but predictable; Hanabi was still young and reserved, and Kurotsuchi—despite her strong will—had become quite deferential in private after their relationship deepened.
But Koyuki Kazahana?
She was different. A seasoned actress, a reigning daimyo, and a woman who had long walked the line between public figure and private survivor. She had weathered political betrayal and personal loss. Even if she had maintained her dignity over the years, she'd seen enough of the world to handle men like Kimimaro with grace and mischief.
"I'll stop teasing you," Koyuki laughed, swirling the last of her wine. "You're alright, you know that? Brave, honest, not full of yourself. You don't try to dominate women. With your strength, if you had wanted to grab me just now, I wouldn't have stood a chance."
"I'll take that as a compliment, Big Sister," Kimimaro replied calmly. "You mentioned the Snow Ninja earlier. Have you decided what to do about them?"
"I haven't. I'll take it one day at a time. Why? You planning to help me?" She smiled, her voice theatrical. "The young hero, Kimimaro, sees his dear sister about to be forced into marriage by a corrupt minister and rises to protect her—this script's not bad!"
"Heh, if that's the role you've cast me in, I could accept it. Provided the reward is fair."
"What kind of reward? Marriage?"
"Maybe more. How about you hand over the Land of Snow and help me build a harem while you're at it?"
"Get lost!" she snorted, nearly spilling her drink.
But Kimimaro's shoulders eased a bit.
She was clearly joking, but this kind of relaxed banter had narrowed the distance between them.
Outside, the two Snow Ninja assigned to watch over their daimyo were growing restless.
"She's been in there a long time."
"Want to check?"
"No. As long as we know she's inside, we won't raise suspicion. She's still the daimyo."
The door creaked open.
They straightened up, only to see Koyuki Kazahana leaning heavily on a white-haired young man.
"Who's that?"
"No idea. But Her Highness looks drunk."
She was more than drunk now. Earlier, when teasing Kimimaro, she was just tipsy. Now, her steps were wobbly and her face was flushed.
Kimimaro supported her awkwardly, conscious of the many eyes that might be on them—especially those of hidden Snow Ninja. He didn't want to be seen too close to the Daimyo, especially not in this state.
"Where do you live? I'll get you back," he said lowly.
"No need." Koyuki smiled lazily, her words slightly slurred. "Someone will come for me. Kimimaro… thank you. It's been a long time since I had such a good drink."
"You're welcome. But go home soon, or you'll collapse on the street."
"Don't worry," she whispered. Then, as if pulled by a fleeting impulse, she gently kissed his forehead. "That's your reward."
"You're really drunk."
At that moment, Kimimaro felt killing intent.
"Hand her over."
Two Snow Ninja stepped forward, though they kept their distance, not daring to alarm the daimyo.
"Who are you?"
"We're her escorts. Ask Her Highness if you're unsure."
Koyuki, still smiling, nodded. "They're here to take me back. Don't worry."
Then, in a whisper that only Kimimaro could hear, she added, "Nice acting. You played your part well."
She knew he had intentionally held back from revealing he knew her identity.
As she stepped onto the cart they brought, her strength gave out, and she collapsed into a deep sleep.
"…Brother, are we just going to let that guy off? She kissed him!"
"Calm down. She was drunk. And don't forget—she used to be an actress. Public affection doesn't mean anything. She even kissed that Konoha brat, Naruto, during the old film shoot."
"Still, Lord Yukikawa should know."
"I'll report it once we're back."
Late into the night, Kimimaro returned to the inn.
Karin and Haruna were both waiting in the front hall.
"You're back!" Karin exclaimed, walking up to him. "Even though we knew you weren't in danger, we still worried."
"You smell like alcohol," Haruna said with a frown. "And something else... perfume?"
Kimimaro scratched his head. "Don't worry, it's not some special ninja-grade liquor. I stayed in control."
Haruna folded her arms. "You said I'm not your employer, but I still paid you. If something happened to you, who would I even call?"
Then she turned to Karin. "He smells like a woman. You'd better keep an eye on him or some temptress will snatch him up."
"How did you even detect that?" Kimimaro asked, chuckling. "What, have you had a lot of girlfriends? Or is it lovers?"
"I have not! You—!" Haruna's face went bright red as she turned and stormed upstairs.
"She's been hiding her identity like that and still thinks we can't tell."
"Even if we've figured it out, she keeps pretending we haven't. She even picked up another woman's scent on me. What now, going to interrogate me?"
"Alright then!" Karin crossed her arms with a smirk. "Go back, and I'll grab the whip!"
"Really?"
"Fake." Karin rolled her eyes. From the way Kimimaro looked at her, she knew if she actually brought out the whip, he'd flip the situation on her instantly.
As exciting as the thought was, she also knew he wouldn't truly act out against her now. There was no point. She dropped the idea.
As for the scent of another woman—Karin didn't care. Kimimaro had already told her about his plan for the night. If she wanted to hear the details, he'd probably tell her everything that happened anyway.
The next morning, they boarded a cruise ship headed across the sea.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Vegetables…
The royal palace had fallen. Blood soaked the stone courtyard.
The Three Evil Brothers stood before a makeshift command table, reviewing intelligence brought in by their scouts.
"Brother, the latest report says a few people heading toward the Land of Vegetables have hired a group of shinobi. It's likely Princess Haruna. But they detoured to the Land of Snow first," Jiga said.
"The Land of Snow?" Renga folded his arms behind his back, a cold grin forming. "So they're planning to arrive by sea?"
He laughed. "Jiga, Ruiga—tell me. Isn't this a stroke of luck from the heavens?"
"Exactly," Ruiga said, his tone heavy. "On the sea, with my Water Release and your Ice Release, Brother, there'll be nowhere for them to run."
"Now that we've executed the Daimyo of the Land of Vegetables, the only thing left is Princess Haruna," Renga declared. "Once she's dead, the country is ours."
"We'll be its new rulers," Jiga added, his fists crackling with magnetized chakra. "Let's prepare. We'll sail out ourselves and give the princess a warm welcome... one she won't forget."
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