Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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An old man opened the door, and Muzan noticed Hui's shocked expression before he quickly lowered his head.

"Father."

His appearance here could only mean one thing: the plan to assassinate his brother had been exposed. Despite now being the sole heir, Muchuan Hui knew his father's character well enough to realize that even if the inheritance were handed down, it would never fall into his hands. His cousins would take precedence before he ever did.

Damn it! I was just one step away!

Sensing the inner turmoil in Muchuan Hui, Muzan observed the scene with great interest, relishing the moment. Offering hope only to snatch it away had always amused him.

Not everyone can withstand the weight of loss. And Muchuan Hui was clearly teetering on the brink of despair.

"Hmph! There's no way I can entrust my position to you. After committing such a treacherous act, I'll hand you over to the Fire Daimyo to be dealt with!"

The old lord's words pushed Muchuan Hui over the edge. His bloodshot eyes glared at his father, a mix of rage and desperation evident in his expression.

"Then I'll take the lordship by force!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Haku stepped forward, activating his Ice Release. Frost engulfed the old lord in seconds, encasing him in a block of ice. A sharp crack echoed through the room, and the frozen body shattered, fragments scattering and vanishing from sight.

"Congratulations on taking this step at last. Our partnership truly begins today," Muzan remarked, his tone calm yet laced with satisfaction as he watched Muchuan Hui descend into madness.

Realizing the enormity of his actions, Muchuan Hui took a deep breath to steady himself. Muzan's words reminded him that there was no turning back now.

"Thank you both. Our cooperation is unbreakable. Not even the daimyo can interfere with our alliance."

Muchuan Hui glanced at Muzan knowingly. He was aware that Muzan held evidence of his crimes and that any betrayal would result in his downfall. Finding a stronger ally to eliminate Muzan was no longer an option. His dream of becoming the lord of Muchuan Mansion had finally come true.

His father's death would be easily covered up. Muzan could even transform into his father to maintain the facade of normalcy.

As for the retainers, they were indifferent to who ruled, as long as there was a lord to serve.

Watching the revelry in the courtyard, Haku's thoughts were conflicted. Is this what nobility truly is? He had once thought that nobles were superior, yet here they were, revealing themselves as nothing more than schemers.

To achieve their goals, they would stop at nothing.

"Stop overthinking," Muzan said, walking toward Haku. He noticed the doubt clouding Haku's eyes and sought to clear it.

"The nobility shouldn't exist. We need to develop technology. Only then can these problems be solved. Look at the Land of Waves under our leadership—there's no starvation there as long as people work hard."

Haku nodded slowly. The Land of Waves was indeed the happiest place he had ever seen. Free from the shackles of war, it thrived. Though chaos occasionally flared, the people lived in relative safety compared to the war-torn ninja world.

"Still," Muzan said, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "there are many enemies in this world, including myself. Konoha's pursuit is relentless. I am, after all, considered a rogue ninja."

But once his plans fell into place, Muzan would finally have the freedom to conduct his experiments in peace.

Muchuan Hui returned after a long day, fatigue evident on his face but failing to mask the joy in his eyes. Seeing Muzan, he unfurled a map and said:

"Lord Muzan, regarding our cooperation."

"This area can be mined by you, but the daimyo has decreed that no one can excavate there without his permission. We'll need to proceed with caution."

Though now the legitimate lord of Muchuan Mansion, he remained wary of the Fire Daimyo's authority. After all, the daimyo ruled the entire Land of Fire.

"Don't worry. Everything will proceed smoothly. If necessary, I can even make you the daimyo of the Land of Fire," Muzan said, his tone eerily calm.

Muchuan Hui recoiled slightly, clutching the map as his face paled. He forced a smile.

"You're joking, right?"

"Do you think I'm joking?" Muzan's gaze bore into him, unwavering and intense.

Unable to meet his eyes, Muchuan Hui lowered his head.

Even Haku, who had been staring at the sky, was puzzled. Didn't Muzan want to dismantle the daimyo system?

As if reading Haku's thoughts, Muzan spoke once Muchuan Hui had left.

"Abolishing the daimyo system won't happen overnight. We'll need a puppet in place. The daimyo will serve as a figurehead, with no real power. If things go wrong, he'll serve as a scapegoat to pacify the masses."

It was a constitutional monarchy—a system where the daimyo would be nothing more than a symbol. In the worst-case scenario, they could sacrifice him to maintain stability.

"I see."

Understanding Muzan's plan, Haku realized it was feasible. A new determination lit up in his eyes as he looked at Muzan.

"I understand. I'll grow stronger and help change the world!"

He kept one thought to himself: Only by dismantling the current system could technology truly thrive. Relying solely on individual strength would never solve the root problems.

As the two spoke of the future, a figure lurked outside Muchuan Mansion.

"So, the kid's hiding here. No wonder we couldn't find him," Jiraiya muttered to himself.

As a ninja, Jiraiya had no official jurisdiction to investigate noble territories. Even the ANBU had to operate covertly in such areas. Discovery would cause a diplomatic nightmare.

Even so, the Toad Sage had slipped past the walls and disguised himself as a retainer to track down Muzan.

Inside the courtyard, Muzan suddenly stood and turned to face the east. A smile curved his lips.

"What is it?" Haku asked, instantly on alert as he lowered the surrounding temperature.

"An old friend has arrived," Muzan replied.

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To call Muzan an old friend, Haku frowned, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement.

Suddenly, "Boom!" White smoke exploded into the area, revealing Jiraiya with a dramatic flair. His confident smirk clashed against Muzan's calm composure.

"Boy, I am the Toad Sage! Shouldn't you be kneeling and begging for mercy? Not that it would change your fate!" Jiraiya declared, his tone exaggerated, almost theatrical.

Haku, perplexed by the arrival, turned to Muzan. "Who is this guy?" His unfamiliarity with the ninja world was evident as he regarded Jiraiya with quiet curiosity.

Muzan smirked faintly. "An old mentor of mine. He taught me Sage Mode for a time. Despite his antics, he's one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin—someone worth respecting."

Jiraiya bristled. "Old mentor? Old?! Who do you think you're calling old, you brat? I'm in my prime!" His indignation erupted, though the lines on his face betrayed his years of experience.

Muzan remained seated, unfazed. "If you're here to take me back, Jiraiya-sensei, then let's see if you've still got what it takes."

Jiraiya's smirk hardened. "Oh, I wasn't planning on dragging you back quietly. Now, I think I'll teach you some manners first."

With a sharp glance at Haku, Muzan spoke evenly. "Prepare the area. Use your ice."

Haku nodded, his demeanor serious. "Demon Ice Technique: Frozen Rainfall!"

The air chilled instantly as icy rain began falling. Wherever the droplets landed, frost spread rapidly, turning the ground into a frozen battlefield.

Jiraiya observed the phenomenon with narrowed eyes. "This jutsu… it's powerful." He shifted his stance, exhaling visible white mist as the temperature continued to plummet.

"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!" His wild white hair hardened into sharp spikes, creating a defensive barrier.

Muzan signaled Haku to stay back and whispered, "Maintain your technique from here. I'll handle the Toad Sage."

Drawing his sword, Muzan met Jiraiya's fiery gaze. "I hope you've improved, Jiraiya-sensei. Otherwise, this will be over quickly."

Jiraiya responded with a hand seal. "Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"

A massive sphere of fire roared toward Muzan. But as it approached, the icy rain diminished its size and intensity. Muzan stepped forward, his sword gleaming as he channeled chakra into the blade.

The flame split in two with a single slash, the clash of fire and ice creating a turbulent gust. Muzan smirked. "In this frozen world, your fire techniques are severely weakened."

Jiraiya grunted. "Don't get cocky, kid." Forming more seals, he unleashed "Fire Style: Giant Flame Bullet!"

This time, the flames were larger, their heat overwhelming the icy battlefield. Muzan gritted his teeth, adapting quickly. His blade shifted, blood-red energy coating its edge.

"Blood Demon Art: Blood Fang Blade!"

The blade sprouted jagged, crimson fangs, cutting through the flames with ferocious precision. But Jiraiya was already on the move.

"Rasengan!"

The spinning chakra orb appeared in Jiraiya's hand as he closed the distance. Muzan reacted, deflecting with his sword, but the Rasengan collided with his arm, leaving a deep wound.

Muzan clenched his fist, the injury already healing. "You're as persistent as ever."

Jiraiya's expression hardened. "Your regeneration makes you troublesome, but I'll find a way to take you down." His gaze shifted to Haku, who continued to channel his ice technique. The dropping temperature began to affect Jiraiya's movements, frost creeping over his limbs.

Realizing the need to act quickly, Jiraiya slammed his hands together. "Summoning Jutsu: Gamabunta!"

With a massive impact, the giant toad appeared, his gruff voice echoing through the icy courtyard. "Damn it, Jiraiya! You know I hate the cold!"

Jiraiya grinned nervously. "Sorry, Bunta, but i need your help. This one's tough."

Gamabunta groaned, the frost forming on his skin making him shiver. "You owe me a hot spring after this."

From atop Gamabunta's head, Jiraiya locked eyes with Haku. "I'll deal with the kid first. He's the source of this cold."

Muzan's voice cut through the frigid air. "Haku, use everything you've got."

Haku's eyes narrowed as he raised his hands. "Demon Ice Technique: Ice Lotus Blossom!"

Giant lotus flowers of ice began to bloom, their deadly beauty mesmerizing. As they reached full bloom, the freezing power surged, covering the courtyard in thick layers of frost.

The battlefield had become an arctic arena, with Muzan and Haku standing as the architects of this frozen wasteland.

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