Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 214 Wind, Flowers, and Raging Waves: The Advantage Lies With Me!
A cold wind, carrying snowflakes, swept across the land outside the eastern wall of the Star Ninja outpost, a place that had just experienced a brief but bloody conflict.

Four corpses clad in ice-blue armor lay silently on the snow, their pure white bodies stained crimson with blood, like a few ferocious red plum blossoms in full bloom.

Firefly's gaze swept over the corpse, and she calmly gave the order: "Xuejian, use the storage scroll to properly seal the body of Wolf Fang Avalanche. The body of an elite Jonin from the Land of Snow, whether it is the intelligence it carried or that peculiar chakra armor, is of extremely high value to the research department."

"Understood!" Xuejian nodded immediately, took out a specially made storage scroll from her ninja tool pouch, and skillfully formed hand seals.

With the infusion of chakra, the gruesome corpse of Wolf Fang Avalanche, riddled with shoguns, was collected into the scroll.

Next, Hotaru and Gota crouched down and began to carefully examine the bodies of the other three Snow Ninja Chunin.

Wu Tai's rough fingers traced the broken chakra armor on the corpse, his eyes gleaming with a look of inquiry: "Tsk tsk, this armor is indeed ingeniously constructed. It can amplify chakra and assist in activating Ice Release... It's a pity that the material strength and energy conduction seem to be flawed. Its power is far less pure and powerful than Haku's Ice Release bloodline limit."

As he assessed the situation, he deftly removed the armor from the three corpses and carefully packed it away.

"Take the armor back to the research department for analysis. As for the corpses..." Firefly stood up, lifting a cold corpse in one hand, while Gota also lifted another.

"Give it back to them."

The two exchanged a glance, and simultaneously exerted their strength, hurling the three nearly naked, wounded Snow Ninja corpses toward the distant Yuu Country military camp as if throwing stones!

Pfft!Pfft!Pfft!
Three dull thuds of heavy objects hitting the ground were particularly clear in the silent, cold night, landing precisely at the edge of the torchlight of the soldiers patrolling the outer perimeter of the military camp.

"Enemy attack?!"

"what?!"

A panicked shout and chaotic footsteps immediately rang out from behind the military camp fence.

Several soldiers cautiously approached, and when the firelight illuminated the three faces, frozen in fear and pain, familiar yet unfamiliar, a terrified scream instantly pierced the night sky!
"It's...it's the ninja lord from the Land of Snow!!"

"They're dead! They were stripped naked!!"

"Oh my god! Who did this?!"

The military camp instantly became like a hornet's nest that had been poked, restless and uneasy!

Panic spread like a plague among the ordinary soldiers.

Those high-ranking ninja masters were killed so easily and thrown back like trash?!
Startled by the commotion outside, Matsutsuki Ryunosuke hurriedly put on his coat and rushed over.

When he saw the three snow ninja corpses on the ground, almost completely naked and clearly dead after a brutal battle, his face, which always carried a calculating expression, instantly turned incredibly gloomy, and his goatee trembled slightly with anger.

"Useless! A bunch of useless people!" He cursed Wolf Fang Avalanche's incompetence in his heart, but more than that, he felt uneasy and apprehensive about things getting out of control.

He knew Wolf Fang Avalanche's strength well. With the help of Jonin-made chakra armor and three Chunin as subordinates, they were completely wiped out without even making a splash. Their corpses were even used as spoils of war and tools for provocation?!
The power within the Star Ninja base was far more terrifying than he had anticipated!
He suppressed his horror and shouted at the trembling messenger beside him, "Immediately! Send an urgent request for help back home as quickly as possible! Report to His Highness, the Star Ninja are putting up fierce resistance, and the Wolf Fang Avalanche Jonin and his squad... are dead! Request Your Highness to send stronger reinforcements immediately! Quickly!"

There was a barely perceptible tremor in his voice.

The portly nobleman from the Land of Darkness, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, was initially startled by the sight of the corpses on the ground. However, a look of disdain and resentment crossed his face as he muttered under his breath, "Hmph, I thought the ninjas from the Land of Snow were so powerful, all that boasting. Turns out, this is all they're capable of? They didn't even manage to touch a Star Ninja before they were all dead? What a waste of our money and resources..."

Matsukatsu Ryūnosuke was furious when he heard this fool's mutterings, but the situation was beyond his control. He could only keep a gloomy face, ignore the fool, and think quickly about his next move.

In the following days, the situation fell into an eerie calm.

In the direction of the Star Ninja base, Hotaru and Gota strictly followed Menma's orders, holding their ground and not venturing out, only strengthening their vigilance and defensive fortifications.

Kimimaro, Haku, Yukimi, and the other Star Ninjas stationed there took turns on guard duty. The threat of having Yukimi's corpse thrown at the gate of the military camp that night deterred the You Kingdom army from crossing the line.

Meanwhile, Matsutsuki Ryunosuke and the nobles of the Land of the Darkness were hesitant to act rashly. They dared not send any more small groups to their deaths, nor did they have the strength to launch a general offensive. They could only anxiously wait for reinforcements from their homeland, while also being wary of the Star Ninjas in their garrison suddenly attacking.

The two sides were locked in a silent standoff across the cold snowfield and the low wall, the air so tense it seemed ready to ignite at any moment.

Meanwhile, in the land of swamps, suffering from famine and oppression by nobles.

The figure of the priestess Miroku appeared like a warm light in the area most severely affected by the disaster.

She was still wearing that simple and solemn shrine maiden's outfit, her brows furrowed with both compassion and determination.

Behind her were a dozen or so priests and shrine maidens from the Oni Kingdom Shrine.

In addition, a highly skilled squad of ANBU ninjas from the Land of Stars, personally led by Kisame Hoshigaki, lurked around like shadows, responsible for protecting their safety.

Maitreya personally directed the setting up of soup kitchens on the outskirts of the towns most severely affected by the disaster.

The food provided by the Star Kingdom was cooked into a thick, hot porridge, emitting a life-saving aroma.

"It's Maitreya Shrine Maiden!"

"The priestess has come to our rescue!"

"Quick! Get in line! The priestess of the Star Kingdom is giving out porridge!"

Maitreya's high prestige in the western countries was now fully revealed.

The news spread like wildfire, and countless emaciated and ragged disaster victims flocked from all directions, gathering around the soup kitchen, their eyes rekindling with hope.

Under the guidance of the priests and priestesses, they lined up in an orderly fashion to receive the life-saving food, expressing their deepest gratitude to Miroku and the Star Ninjas.

This scene stood in stark contrast to the indifference of the nobles.

This surge of popular support and prestige quickly aroused extreme unease and jealousy in Ono Takuto, the daimyo of the Swamp Country.

He personally led an army of more than three thousand ordinary soldiers into Bensong City, where Maitreya was located.

The army roughly dispersed some of the disaster victims and surrounded the inn where Maitreya was staying.

Inside the inn room, the short, stout Ono Takuto, with his sinister eyes, dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, met the calmly seated Miroku, surrounded by a group of samurai and several wandering ninjas.

"The presence of the shrine maiden Miroku is truly an honor to my land of marshland." Ono Takuto toyed with a folding fan in his hand, smiling insincerely, while his eyes greedily scanned Miroku.

"My lady is compassionate and extended a helping hand when my country was in trouble. I am deeply grateful. Perhaps... I would like to ask my lady to stay in our Swamp Country for a long time? I will certainly treat her with the respect due to a royal advisor. It is better than being subservient to those traitors in the Star Country."

Miroku slowly raised his head, his purple eyes calm and undisturbed, his voice gentle yet firm: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency. However, Miroku's trip is solely for the purpose of providing relief to the disaster victims, and is carried out in accordance with the will of Lord Shura of the Star Country. Once the disaster has subsided, I will leave. I cannot comply with your request to remain in the Swamp Country."

Ono Takuto's face instantly darkened, and his fake smile vanished completely.

He leaned back slightly, opening his folding fan to cover half his face: "Witch, please don't refuse a polite offer and then force a penalty. Look outside the city! Tens of thousands of starving people! Their lives depend on your decision! If you insist on leaving and displease me, these people... Hmph, I can't guarantee they'll even get a sip of hot porridge!"

He directly abandoned all pretense and threatened the lives of the disaster victims outside the city.

Maitreya's gaze suddenly turned cold, and his fingers tightened slightly.

But she remained calm: "Is Your Excellency threatening Miroku, or the people outside the city whom you are supposed to protect?"

"Think what you want!" Ono Takuto sneered. "I'll give you a day to think it over! Think carefully: will you stay in the Swamp Country and enjoy wealth and luxury, or... watch those lowly people starve and freeze to death because of you!"

After saying that, he snorted coldly, and led his men away, leaving behind the army that surrounded the inn.

After Ono Takuto left, Kisame Hoshigaki silently emerged from the shadows of the room. His shark-like face was expressionless, but his small eyes flashed with cold killing intent: "My lady, do you need me to 'deal with' that idiot?"

His right hand twitched slightly, as if he had already grasped the hilt of Samehada.

Miroku walked to the window, looked down at the densely packed army below, its soldiers armed and ready, shook his head slightly, and sighed, "No need, Kisame-san. Killing him is easy, but the chaos it causes will affect countless civilians. Lord Shura promised me that he would do his best to minimize civilian casualties. Let's... wait for his instructions."

Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if she could see the strategist in Star City.

Time passed in the tense standoff and silent pressure, and a week went by in the blink of an eye.

On the border of the Land of Darkness, the wind and snow grew even fiercer.

A large ninja force quietly arrived at the military camp of the Land of Darkness amidst the swirling snow.

Leading the group was none other than the daimyo of the Land of Snow, Fuuka Nutō!

He wore a more ornate chakra armor inlaid with blue crystals, his face beneath the helmet was as hard as ice, and his eyes were full of ambition and violence.

Behind him followed two powerful Snow Ninja Jonin, as well as an elite force consisting of more than twenty Chunin and more than fifty Genin!

The cold chakra armor reflected a chilling light in the snow, like an army from an icy hell.

However, after Feng Hua Nu Tao stepped into the territory of the You Kingdom, he found that something was wrong.

The villages along the way appeared exceptionally desolate and lifeless, with occasional burnt-down houses and scattered frozen corpses lying by the roadside. An atmosphere of oppression and panic permeated the air, a stark contrast to the scene he had imagined.

During his meeting with Yokokawa Taichi, the daimyo of the Land of the Dark, Fuuka Nutō raised a question with a frown.

Yokokawa Taichi waved his hand dismissively, picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and reeked of alcohol, saying, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry. They're just some starving commoners causing trouble! They can't make a fuss! Once your Snow Ninja army defeats the Star Ninja, my army can easily suppress them!"

"In the depths of winter, it's perfectly normal for some lowly people to starve or freeze to death; it saves on food! But those Star Country ninjas are like nails driven into my land, Your Highness, you see..."

A barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed in Feng Hua Nu Tao's eyes; he had seen plenty of such foolish and short-sighted nobles.

Although he wouldn't care about civilian casualties, population is an important cornerstone of a country.

Although the loss of an elite force from Wolf Fang Avalanche had made him abandon all his contempt for the Star Kingdom, he remained confident in his own strength and his advantage in the winter environment.

"The Star Ninja must be dealt with naturally," said Fuuka Nutō in a cold voice.

"Winter is the domain of the Snow Ninja! With the help of wind and snow, our chakra armor can unleash the full power of Ice Release! Star Ninja? They're nothing but a bunch of rats hiding behind earthen walls!"

After several days of standoff, Matsutsuki Ryunosuke had observed the situation at the Star Ninja's base quite thoroughly and judged that there were fewer than ten ninjas there.

As for Hoshinobi Village, it's just a small ninja village, with at most a hundred or so ninjas.

The force of over seventy ninjas led by Fuuka Nutō, each clad in chakra armor, was fighting in winter, allowing their ice-style ninjutsu to be used to its fullest potential.

Once this Star Ninja force is dealt with, we can then march straight into the Star Country and catch the Star Ninja off guard!
In any case, the advantage lies with us in winter operations!
Then, Fuuka Nutō changed the subject, proposing the conditions he had already considered: "However, for the Yokokawa Daimyo to ask my Snow Country to provide full assistance, the price... is not low. After the matter is accomplished, that 'forest' bordering the Snow Country to the north of the You Country will permanently belong to my Snow Country! How about it?"

Upon hearing this, Yokokawa Taichi's eyes darted around.

Although that forest was quite large, it was bitterly cold all year round. Apart from some hardy timber and wild animals, it was far less valuable than the fertile land transformed by Xingren in his eyes.

He had even begun to fantasize that after defeating the Star Kingdom, he could not only reclaim the land, but perhaps also take the opportunity to launch a counterattack and take a big chunk of flesh from the Star Kingdom!

"No problem! It's a deal!" Yokokawa Taichi readily agreed: "As long as Your Highness can help me drive away the Star Ninja and take over the Plains, what's wrong with giving that broken forest to Your Highness!"

Both had their own ulterior motives, and they reached this deal.

Feng Hua Nu Tao smiled with satisfaction. Demanding that forest as payment was just a smokescreen. What he really wanted was the entire Netherworld Kingdom!
"Just wait, after we deal with the Star Ninja, you'll be next..." Those rogue ninjas from Star Ninja Village can kill nobles and daimyo, and I, Fuuka Nutō, can kill them just as easily!

The winter snow fell heavier and heavier, like a thick white shroud, completely covering the Land of Swamps and the Land of Darkness.

The disastrous consequences of the Star Kingdom's complete disruption of trade are beginning to manifest themselves.

Both countries, already suffering from poor harvests due to natural disasters, have been plunged into a complete food shortage.

Food prices on the market have already skyrocketed to despairingly high levels, and there is no market for it even though it is available.

Ordinary merchants and minor nobles also began to feel the pressure, but the truly elite nobles and magnates continued their nightly revelry, indulging in wine and women as if the tragedy outside had nothing to do with them.

In the city, more and more civilians froze to death or starved to death, and their bodies were carelessly dumped in alley corners or mass graves, where they were quickly buried by heavy snow.

Despair spread, and finally, some people driven to the brink of desperation gathered together and took a desperate gamble, robbing the warehouses and mansions of some wealthy and unscrupulous merchants and minor nobles.

Sporadic acts of resistance and riots began to break out in towns and cities in both countries.

However, the long-standing class oppression and ideological confinement were so heavy that the vast majority of the lower classes, even when they watched their loved ones starve and freeze to death, remained numb and endured it without daring to have the slightest thought of resistance.

The sporadic resistance was quickly and bloodily suppressed by the noble private armies and warriors who had withdrawn some of their border troops and increased their suppressive power.

What is laughable, or rather tragic, is that instead of providing relief to the disaster victims, the daimyo and nobles of both countries have intensified their efforts, enacting even harsher tax laws under the guise of "wartime" and "resisting the invasion of the Star Kingdom," ruthlessly squeezing the last bit of wealth from the people to support their armies and extravagant lifestyles.

Star City, top-floor office of the administration building.

Mianma stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the snow-covered yet orderly city outside.

Vanilla Whirlpool stood behind him, giving a detailed report on the intelligence gathered from various sources.

"...In conclusion, my lord. The grievances of the common people in the countries of You and Nuwa are like a volcano about to erupt, but they have been suppressed by long-term oppressive rule and the harsh winter. The nobles of both countries continue to live a life of debauchery and levy exorbitant taxes. Feng Hua Nu Tao has personally led the main force of the Snow Ninja to the border of You and reached some kind of agreement with the Daimyo of You. They seem to believe that winter is their absolute home ground."

Menma listened quietly, his deep blue eyes unwavering.

After a moment, he sighed softly, a hint of disappointment in his voice: "The awakening of the people is slower and more difficult than expected... Has the long-term oppression of thousands of years worn away the last bit of courage in their bones?"

But he quickly suppressed this emotion, his gaze becoming sharp and firm: "However, the time is almost right. Feng Hua Nu Tao has personally jumped into this trap, which is just right... to deal with this restless cold current in the Snow Country, along with the two corrupt kingdoms of You and Nuwa."

He turned to look at Vanilla Whirlpool, his tone resolute: "Pass down the order! Proceed with the original plan and begin pre-battle preparations! Once the main force of the Snow Ninja led by Fuuka Nutsuo is deployed, immediately execute the annihilation operation!!"

"Yes, sir!" Vanilla Whirlpool's eyes gleamed with excitement and reverence as she bowed, accepted the order, and quickly turned to leave to make arrangements.

Just as the western part of the Ninja World Continent was undergoing a sudden change, and war clouds were gathering.

The distant Land of Fire, Konoha Village.

Inside a busy film shooting base.

At only twelve years old, but already showing signs of stunning beauty, "Fujifuyuki" sat in front of the makeup mirror, letting the makeup artist carefully dress her up.

She had long black hair, snow-white skin, and exquisite features, but deep within her beautiful blue eyes lay a melancholy and aloofness that seemed out of place for her age.

At this moment, she is getting her makeup done for her next ninja-themed movie.

Suddenly, the door to the dressing room was flung open!

Her manager, Asama Santayu, who always appeared meticulous and wore small black-rimmed glasses, rushed in with an unusually serious expression.

"Excuse me, everyone, please step outside for a moment. Miss Yukie and I have important matters to discuss." Asama Santayu's voice was urgent.

The makeup artist and assistants exchanged bewildered glances, but under the stern gaze of the Third Master, they quickly packed their things and left, closing the door behind them.

There were only two people left in the room.

Asama Santayu took a deep breath, walked quickly to Fuuka Koyuki, took out several crumpled newspapers from his pocket, and tremblingly spread them on the dressing table.

"Your Highness! Look at this!" His voice was hoarse with excitement, and he even used a long-forgotten taboo term.

Koyuki Fuuka, who is active on screen under the stage name Fuji Fuuka, frowned slightly and looked at the newspaper with some displeasure.

The headlines above immediately caught my eye: "Famine Spreads in the Land of Darkness and the Land of Swamp, Social Unrest Erupts!", "Star Country Cuts Off Trade, Adding to the Dire Situation for Both Countries!", "Snow Country Announces Military Protection for the Land of Darkness and the Land of Swamp, Intervening in Regional Dispute!"...

"What...what does this have to do with me?" Feng Hua Xiaoxue's voice trembled slightly, and she subconsciously tried to look away.

"Your Highness! How could it be alright!" Asama Santayu excitedly pointed to the newspaper report about the Land of Snow, her voice lower and more urgent.

"Look! That traitor Feng Hua Nu Tao! He has personally led the core elite of the Snow Ninja away from the Snow Country! Now the country is vulnerable! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us!"

He suddenly grabbed Kazaka Koyuki's shoulders, his eyes behind his glasses filled with bloodshot veins and fanaticism: "Your Highness! Stop running away! You are Kazaka Koyuki's only bloodline! You are the rightful heir to the Snow Kingdom!"

"More than forty of the former lord's former subordinates are scattered throughout the Snow Kingdom, living in hiding! They have all been deeply indebted to Princess Hayayuki, and if you raise your voice, they will surely follow you to the death! We can gather our strength, fight our way back to the palace, reclaim the throne that belongs to you, and avenge Princess Hayayuki!"

Asama Santayu's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Fuuka Koyuki's ears.

Those cold, bloody fragments of memories she had deliberately forgotten instantly flooded her mind.

The uncle's ferocious smile, the father's blood, the cold palace, the endless escape...

Her face turned deathly pale instantly, and her body trembled violently uncontrollably. She jerked her hand away from Santayu's and took a few steps back like a startled deer, her voice filled with fear and resistance: "Stop! Santayu! Don't say anymore! I'm not a princess! I'm just Fujikaze Yukie! An actress! The Snow Country... the throne... and all that, have nothing to do with me anymore! I don't want to go back to that cold place!"

"And please... stop wasting your energy!"

Her voice was choked with sobs, and her blue eyes were filled with deep fear and a desire to escape, as if the Snow Country, which only existed in her memories and reports, was a nightmare that could devour her.

Feng Hua Xiaoxue turned around, hugged her arms tightly, buried her face in her hands, and her shoulders shrugged slightly.

Asama Santayu looked at the princess in this state, a trace of heartache and resentment flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth, but in the end, it turned into a helpless sigh. He silently picked up the newspaper from the ground and carefully put it away.

The flame of restoring his kingdom burned in his heart, but the princess's resistance and inner turmoil were clearly not something that could be resolved overnight.

However, Asama Santayu still managed to send secret messages to his old friends in the Land of Snow, contacting them in order to wait for the right opportunity.

[PS: Konoha Year 57, Ninja World Map]

(End of this chapter)