NOVEL WEB Chapter 70: CHAPTER 70
"Detected raw materials compatible with the Ice Release bloodline gene fluid. The host must expend 25,000 life energy to activate synthesis. Estimated production cycle: 100 days. Supplementing 300 life energy can reduce the cycle by one day. Due to the impure genetic origin, energy consumption is increased—but as the host has acquired life energy from the original bloodline user, activation cost is reduced to 5,000."
Much cheaper than Wood Release, Kimimaro thought. Logically, Ice Release shouldn't consume more than Crystal Release, but this bloodline was particularly impure.
He weighed his options. Currently, he had 20,000 life energy that still required processing. So he used another 10,000 to exchange for two additional test tubes.
The life energy extracted from Renga totaled about 15,000—just enough to activate three vials.
No matter what, Ice Release is a powerful ability. Maybe someone among his allies would be compatible.
A pity that Yukikawa Himi had escaped.
Then, Kimimaro turned his gaze to Princess Haruna. "These two, I'll leave to you."
Haruna glared at the fallen forms of Renga and Ruiga. Rage flared in her eyes as she grabbed a dagger and strode toward them. But when she stood over their barely breathing bodies, her resolve faltered.
Tears welled up, and instead of striking, she drove the blade into the deck beside Renga's ear.
"If you can't even bring yourself to kill them," Kimimaro said coldly, "then when you become Daimyo, you'll simply be killed by others."
"But I… I just can't," Haruna whispered, trembling. "I hate them, but…"
"You're intelligent, prideful—but ultimately weak. Your mercy isn't kindness—it's cowardice," Kimimaro said sharply. "You don't see your people as your responsibility. You see them as burdens you pity."
Haruna's tears fell freely now. "Stop… please… I've lost everything. My father, my guards, everything I relied on is gone. What's the point of killing them now?"
"Lost everything?" Kimimaro's voice remained firm. "As long as you return to the Land of Vegetables, you are still the Daimyo. Small or not, it's a nation—and it's yours."
"But with Father gone… Kikusuke, Yurinojō… they're all dead. No one remains to support me. If someone opposes me when I return… what do I do then?"
"Opposition?" Kimimaro scoffed. "Then crush them. But you can't even kill the murderers of your father. How will you deal with ambitious vassals who covet your throne?"
Haruna stared at her trembling hands. "If I'm alone, I really can't…"
"Then think about your people," Kimimaro said. "You claim they lived well under your father. If you abandon them now, and the Land falls into chaos, history will place the blame on your father's rule."
"No… I don't want that!" she cried, wiping her tears. Gritting her teeth, she reached for the knife again—but after a long pause, her hand still couldn't move.
She looked up at Kimimaro, something stirring in her heart. "Kimimaro… can you help me?"
"I'm already helping you."
"No, I mean—keep helping me. You understand so much. You even dared to slap me. Ever since I was a child—even when I was a political hostage—no one dared touch me like that. But you did, knowing who I was. You… you're stronger than I am."
"So? Just because you ask, I should become your retainer?"
"No! I wouldn't force that on you," Haruna said quickly. "I know you value your freedom. But you care about people too—you care about doing what's right. I can't lead alone. But if you return with me, protect me, advise me, enforce order—then I'll stabilize the nation and be its face. Everything else, I'll entrust to you."
Her voice lowered slightly, but her words gained resolve. "I trust you. You struck me, but I know you did it to wake me up. I'll give you the full authority of the Land of Vegetables. I'll even give myself to you—if that's what it takes. Just keep helping me. I won't bind you—I couldn't even if I tried. Just stay with me, Kimimaro."
Kimimaro was stunned. He had expected this direction eventually, but not so fast.
His original plan had been to gradually push Haruna toward independence and reform, then support her rule from behind. With no allies left, she would naturally depend on him—and he could shape a new foundation of power for himself within the Land of Vegetables.
But now she was skipping all intermediate steps and offering herself and her nation directly.
Was she… secretly a masochist? He'd slapped her, berated her, and she still trusted him more than anyone?
He kept a straight face, but inwardly, he felt the need to stay cautious. If he accepted too quickly, it might look like this had all been part of some long-standing manipulation.
And that wouldn't do—not yet.
Seeing Kimimaro remain silent, Haruna rushed forward, untied her hair, and wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I'm not lying. Everything I said is true. I'm terrified… terrified to return to the Land of Vegetables and face those who conspired in my father's death. But you're right—I can't abandon my people. So please, help me, Kimimaro. If you still doubt me… then, tonight, I'll share a room with you. I may not be as beautiful as Karin, but I—"
Karin, who had been calm until that moment, suddenly snapped. "Hey! I was fine with everything else, but sharing a room? You can't cut in line like that!"
Everyone turned to stare at her.
Her face flushed, but she crossed her arms and snapped defensively, "What? That's what I think. You got a problem with that? Suigetsu, say one more word and I'll knock your teeth out."
"It's not just me looking at you," Suigetsu muttered under his breath, wisely choosing not to speak louder.
Kimimaro exhaled slowly and gently pushed Haruna back. "I believe you," he said calmly. "But we'll talk about that part later. Matters of the heart can't be rushed."
"I'm not rushing it!"
"Even so, you should consider how I feel. This is all a bit sudden."
Kimimaro now fully understood—Princess Haruna was the type whose defiance only grew in the face of indifference or restraint. The colder and more distant he acted, the more determined she seemed to get.
Turning his focus back to the mission, Kimimaro said, "Suigetsu, dispose of the bodies. Karin, make sure to collect a good amount of Renga's blood—it may be useful later."
Just like the time with the Kaguya clan remains, some of Renga's blood might prove valuable for concocting potions or further study. After the execution, Kimimaro also extracted their bones, methodically and without hesitation, but kept their heads intact—as proof for the Daimyo upon their return to the Land of Vegetables.
Watching him work so coldly, Haruna couldn't help but shiver. Yet she drew in a deep breath and forced herself to stay composed.
Silently, she vowed: she would make Kimimaro hers—no matter what it took. She didn't yet have the heart to act with his ruthlessness, but she would find her own way.
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