Fleeing from Konoha

Land of Iron, located in the Northern Continent.

It is one of the few Neutral Countries in the Ninja Realm, where nobles and citizens greatly revere the way of the Samurai. Therefore, within the Land of Iron, one can clearly feel the prevalence and prosperity of Samurai culture.

Even the Five Great Nations cannot ignore the military power of the Land of Iron, a country founded by Samurai.

Forest of Iron.

A vast forest covered with perpetual snow, a white blanket of snow dressed in silver armor.

Within this exceptionally cold forest, approximately hundreds of Samurai form a defensive formation surrounding the heart of the forest, rigorously protecting it.

In the protected area of these Samurai stands a magnificent and solemn castle.

Inside the castle, in a quiet room, the door suddenly knocks.

"Come in."

The voice in the quiet room sounds old, yet full of authority and strength, brimming with vigor.

"Pardon the intrusion, Lord Mifune."

A Samurai opens the door, with a sword at his waist, stands meticulously respectful at the doorway, speaking to the person in the quiet room.

"No matter, is there anything you need?"

The person addressed as ’Mifune’, with grayed hair and wrinkles on his face, clearly of advanced age, yet his eyes remain piercing and bright, like a sharp blade straight into the heart.

He sits cross-legged on a cushion, placing his beloved sword on his lap, cleaning it with a cloth, making the blade even sharper, the edge of the blade shimmering with a piercing cold light that stings the eyes.

"Just now, Lord Tsuchikage has arrived with his subordinates, resting in the guest room."

The Samurai replies.

"Is that so? We mustn’t be too discourteous. The other Kage, and the guests from the Land of Demons, should be arriving shortly as well. How is the venue for the meeting set up?"

Mifune asks.

"It is already prepared."

"Has it been arranged according to my specifications?"

"Yes, without the slightest mistake."

"Very well. Our Land of Iron is a Neutral Country. We must maintain an absolute neutral stance at all times, impartially acting as the host for this meeting."

Mifune returns the beloved sword on his lap to the scabbard at his waist, standing up from the cushion, smoothing out the creases in his clothing.

"Yes."

The Samurai, still lowering his head, responds respectfully.

"Let’s go, accompany me to see Lord Tsuchikage."

Mifune steps out of the quiet room with steady footsteps, taking the Samurai towards the guest room where the Tsuchikage is located.

◎

The wind and snow freeze over, the weather exceptionally cold.

As they approached the meeting location, Hakushi’s pace slowed down, transitioning to walking towards the castle where the meeting was held.

At this moment, three Samurai blocked Hakushi and his group’s path, with the leading Samurai stepping out, placing his palm on the hilt at his waist, speaking to Hakushi: "Are you Lord Chiba Hakushi from the Land of Demons?"

The attitude was quite meticulous, without apparent arrogance or malice, simply a greeting.

"Yes."

Hakushi nodded.

"Pardon the intrusion, I am named Rikaku, a subordinate of Lord Mifune."

The Samurai named Rikaku was exceptionally tall, with an imposing presence, and from his flawless stance, he appeared to be a swift and decisive Samurai.

Samurai Rikaku glanced over Hakushi, Ayane, and Akago, finally locking his gaze on Akago, slightly furrowing his brow—a child?

No matter how you look at it, this is a child under ten, drowsily yawning, hugging a spear much longer than his body, bandaged, giving off an extremely odd sense of disharmony.

However, Rikaku didn’t comment further, as one cannot judge a Ninja by common sense. Especially with children, one should never let their guard down.

To accompany someone like Hyuga Ayane, who once overpowered the Fourth Raikage, as a guard is enough to prove their extraordinariness.

"I will now lead the three of you to the castle where the meeting is held, please."

Having said that, he turned and led the two Samurai towards the castle, without any unnecessary movements.

Hakushi said nothing, following Rikaku quietly with Ayane towards the castle, Akago lagged slightly but caught up, small mouth slightly open, exhaling a steady and weak breath, emitting cold white air.

In such cold weather, sleepiness felt like a beast, attacking with a force that made Akago want to find a warm bed to sleep in.

Arriving at the castle’s main entrance, outside the door, approximately a dozen sword-wielding Samurai guarded it preciously, eyes sharp, palms on the hilt like Rikaku’s, ready to unsheathe at any sign of an enemy, killing them instantly with their blades.

Because the strength of Samurai focuses on their blade and swordsmanship, although they do not use Ninja Techniques, they can infuse Chakra, enhancing their lethality against enemies.

In this era dominated by Ninjas, the power of Samurai is not to be underestimated.

Especially Admiral Mifune of the Land of Iron, renowned across the Ninja Realm as a master of swordsmanship, Hakushi had heard Sakumo praise Admiral Mifune of the Land of Iron more than once while in Konoha, as a top-tier blade master in the Ninja Realm.

It is said that his explosive power is incredibly shocking, leaving Ninjas without time to seal before being slain by the blade.

Just as Hakushi and the others were preparing to enter the castle’s main entrance, a sudden violent sound erupted from behind them, with an exceedingly horrifying Chakra thrusting from behind.

Its astonishing momentum left the surrounding Samurai no time to react.

Akago was also startled from his drowsiness, hurriedly gripping his spear with both hands, standing without hesitation behind Hakushi and Ayane, wielding the spear horizontally in front of him, leaping above to block.