Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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Their journey wasn't over yet. Muzan's attention was drawn to recent developments in the Land of Fire. With the merchant alliance enforcing unified pricing standards, even the nobles had to comply.

For now, there wouldn't be much trouble in the Land of Fire. Even if the daimyo intended to suppress the power in the Land of Waves, Konoha—currently weakened—wouldn't be able to fulfill his demands. This allowed Muzan to focus on a more pressing matter: gathering the Twelve Kizuki.

"Remember, mourners are nearby, offering grand funerals to those who challenge them," Muzan said cryptically.

Following Muzan, they arrived at a desolate mine. The sound of clanging echoed through the air as weary, sallow-looking workers hauled ore.

An old man collapsed from exhaustion, but his companion quickly moved to help him, fear etched on his face.

"The ones ruling this place are truly cruel," Haku muttered.

Haku was no longer the passionate, naive young man he once was. Witnessing such suffering, he understood that helping one person wouldn't solve the larger issue. The source of the problem had to be addressed.

"This man's character is despicable, but his strength is undeniable. He is one of the Twelve Kizuki I selected," Muzan remarked.

Raiga's strength was formidable, but what made him even more dangerous was the boy at his side. The terrifying Bloodline Limit of the Red Eyes was a natural counter to the Byakugan. Hizashi would likely be startled when he faced this foe.

Ranmaru, perhaps the last inheritor of the extinct Red Eyes, was hidden behind Raiga.

Sliding down the cliff, Haku and Hizashi surveyed the sprawling mines where countless workers toiled.

"Where are you from? Don't you know you need permission to be here?" the supervisor barked, his tone laced with arrogance.

Muzan's calm demeanor turned icy, and with a cold command, he said, "Haku, kill him."

Without hesitation, the temperature dropped sharply. The supervisor's words froze on his lips as his body turned into a frozen statue.

Terrified, the nearby workers scattered in panic.

Raiga, perched on a rock, heard the commotion and grumbled, "Looks like someone's disrupting the funerals. Time for another!"

Raiga gripped his twin swords, the Thunder Fangs, tightly. As a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he had once faced Konoha's powerful shinobi and barely survived. Now, he was ready to face a new challenge.

"A dangerous presence is approaching," Ranmaru warned, his youthful voice tinged with fear.

"I see it," Raiga replied grimly.

Even with his confidence, Raiga felt unease creeping into his chest. Muzan's calm demeanor was more intimidating than any overt display of strength.

"Prepare yourself!"

"Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

Thick mist engulfed the area, reducing visibility to near-zero. Yet the chilling air around them began to condense the mist into crystalline frost.

"Ice Release: Icicle Swallow!"

Haku's voice rang out, and several razor-sharp ice spears shot toward the ground, freezing everything on impact.

Ranmaru exhaled heavily, his breath visible in the freezing air. His frail body couldn't withstand the cold for much longer.

"Hold on, Ranmaru! I'll protect you," Raiga vowed, chakra surging through his body.

"Lightning Release: Thunderbolt Strike!"

Storm clouds gathered above as Raiga channeled lightning into his blades. A brilliant blue bolt of lightning shot forth, its immense destructive power tearing through Haku's ice.

"Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!"

A shimmering dome of ice formed above Haku, absorbing the brunt of the lightning. Cracks formed, but the ice held firm, and Haku's counterattack began.

The frozen ground erupted with jagged ice spikes, racing toward Raiga.

"Lightning Fang Strike!"

Raiga leapt into the air, dodging the encroaching spikes. But before he could land, Ranmaru's urgent warning echoed in his ears.

"Behind you!"

In a blur, Haku appeared, his reflection glinting in Raiga's Red Eyes.

"Not good!"

Raiga crossed his blades in defense, but Haku's ice crept over them, numbing his hands with its biting cold.

A loud crack resounded as Raiga's weapons froze solid.

"Whoosh!"

Raiga's expression darkened. His hands were completely immobilized!

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Ninjas are humans too, and surviving in a low-temperature environment is inherently dangerous.

The cold wind howled as Raiga stood amidst the ice and snow, frost forming on his face. He pulled his cloak tighter, feeling Ranmaru's weakening presence behind him. If this continued, Ranmaru wouldn't survive.

"Stay with me, Ranmaru!"

Raiga's voice was filled with urgency as he clenched his teeth, determined to shield the boy from the unrelenting cold. But the bitter frost seeped into every corner, sapping their strength with every passing moment.

"Let's give them a funeral they'll never forget!" Raiga roared. "Lightning Style: Thunder Dragon Tornado!"

A roaring bolt of lightning twisted into a tornado, tearing apart the icy landscape. Snowflakes and shards of frozen earth were sucked into the vortex, creating a chaotic storm. Raiga tried to use the cover of destruction to escape, but Haku wasn't about to let him leave so easily.

Haku hesitated to deliver the final blow, remembering Muzan's intentions. Raiga was a candidate for the Twelve Kizuki, not just another corpse.

"Blood Demon Art: Ice Lotus Cold Strike!"

The shattered ice reformed, blossoming into crystalline lotuses across the battlefield. In mid-air, Raiga felt a sudden chill at his ankles. Looking down, he saw an ice lotus creeping around his feet, and before he could react, the ice surged upward, freezing half of his body.

"Ranmaru, hang in there!"

But Ranmaru was barely conscious. His fragile body had nearly succumbed to the extreme cold.

"Damn you, What are you trying to accomplish?" Raiga growled, glaring at the demon standing nearby. His voice was a mix of defiance and desperation.

"Join us," Muzan said coldly, his crimson eyes gleaming. "Together, we'll bring funerals to every great ninja village, starting with Kirigakure—the village that betrayed you."

Raiga's eyes widened at the offer, his breath hitching. Muzan extended his hand, revealing a grotesque mouth in his palm, its jagged teeth glinting ominously.

"Join you?" Raiga repeated, his voice heavy with disbelief. He had heard of the Twelve Kizuki—their names were whispered with fear. Their abilities were monstrous, their regenerative powers nearly invincible.

He hesitated but glanced back at Ranmaru, whose heartbeat was faint.

"I'm willing," Raiga finally said, "but on one condition."

He untied the cloak from his back, revealing Ranmaru's frail, frostbitten form. If not for the faint pulse, Raiga might have thought the boy was already gone.

"Save him," Raiga demanded.

"Don't worry," Muzan sneered. "You alone wouldn't be enough to join the Twelve Kizuki."

Raiga tightened his grip on Ranmaru. Muzan's words were the boy's only hope.

"Release the ice and snow," Muzan commanded. "Don't interfere with the transformation."

The mouth on Muzan's palm bit into Ranmaru's arm, while his other hand tore into Raiga's palm. The blood seeped into their bodies, triggering a transformation unlike any other.

Ranmaru's red eyes snapped open in pain, his Bloodline Limit flaring to life. Muzan watched with interest as the boy endured the excruciating process.

Raiga's body trembled, but his focus remained on the boy in his arms. "Hold on, Ranmaru. We're becoming something more."

"Yes…" Ranmaru gasped, his voice trembling but resolute. "I'll become your eyes."

The bond between them deepened, and their bodies began to merge, their transformations intertwining.

"What are they doing?" Haku asked, his gaze fixed on the eerie sight.

"They're becoming twin demons," Muzan said, his tone calm but intrigued.

Ranmaru's small frame vanished, his essence fusing with Raiga's. Lightning crackled around the transformed Raiga, now a single, menacing figure radiating dark power.

"Did his Blood Demon Art awaken already?" Haku asked, puzzled.

"It's not his technique," Muzan said with a smirk. "It's the effect of the ninja sword."

The transformation extended to the Thunder Fangs, their metal now pulsing with demonic energy. The weapons were evolving alongside their wielder.

Ranmaru's red aura flared, distorting Muzan's perception and creating illusions. His Bloodline Limit was more potent than Muzan had anticipated, capable of rivaling even the Byakugan.

"It's a shame their Blood Demon Art isn't fully matured yet," Muzan mused. "But it will evolve with time."

Raiga marveled at the surge of power coursing through him. For the first time, he felt invincible.

"This strength…" Raiga whispered, clenching his fist. "It's enough to bury entire villages."

"From today onward," Muzan declared, "you are one of the Twelve Kizuki. But remember, to secure your place, you must fight for it. The Twelve Kizuki are for the strong—not the weak."

Raiga bowed his head, his resolve firm. He would wield this power to protect Ranmaru and exact vengeance on the world that had wronged them.

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