Chapter 119: Side Story: Warm Up the Ice Tyrant
The frozen expanses of the northern territories had long resisted the Empire's grasp. The tribes who called this land home were fierce warriors, hardened by the unforgiving cold and an unbreakable will to remain free. They knew the terrain like the backs of their hands, using the ice and snow to their advantage against any would-be conquerors.
But they had never faced an opponent like Esdeath.
Standing at the edge of the northern territories, Esdeath surveyed the frozen battlefield with the confident smirk of a predator about to feast. The biting wind howled around her, yet she remained unfazed—her Teigu, Demon's Extract, made the cold feel like nothing more than a gentle breeze.
Her soldiers, however, were not as fortunate. Many of them trembled in the frostbitten air, but their spirits remained high, fueled by their leader's terrifying strength and unwavering authority.
Esdeath's chilling gaze swept over her forces as she raised her voice, sharp as ice and just as lethal.
"Today, we claim these lands for the Empire. No mercy. No hesitation. We march forward in the name of conquest!"
Her declaration sliced through the wind, and her army roared in response.
"UWOOO!!!"
"LONG LIVE GENERAL ESDEATH!!!"
"LET'S STOMP THESE BARBARIC TRIBES!!!"
Naruto stood amidst the cheers, his jaw tightening as he clenched his fists. The stench of their souls—corrupt, cruel, and brimming with malice—made his stomach churn. How could humans be so utterly vile?
These people don't deserve to live.
Deep inside him, the Nine-Tails stirred.
"Heh. Finally, you're starting to see the truth, brat. Humans will never understand each other. That's just a fool's dream."
Naruto exhaled slowly, forcing himself to push down the dark thoughts.
Beside him, Jiraiya observed Esdeath with a critical eye. Despite the bloodlust that radiated from her forces, he couldn't deny the charisma she wielded. A leader like her, with such fierce loyalty from her troops, was rare.
"This woman is dangerous. Not just because of her power, but because people would follow her to hell and back without question."
He turned to his student. "You okay, brat?"
Naruto hesitated before nodding. "...Yeah. It's just..."
Before he could finish, a familiar, sultry voice interrupted him.
"Hey~ Naruto-kun. Are you enjoying your trip?"
Esdeath had appeared beside him, effortlessly linking her arm around his.
A collective gasp rippled through the ranks. The soldiers who worshipped Esdeath, who saw her as an untouchable goddess of war, now burned with jealousy. Their eyes screamed murder at the blonde ninja who dared to stand so casually beside their revered general.
Naruto, unbothered by their murderous glares, met Esdeath's piercing blue eyes. "I hope you haven't forgotten your promise, Esdeath."
Her smile softened, a rare warmth blooming in her expression—an expression that seemed almost out of place on someone like her.
"I understand, Naruto. I'll spare the innocent. Anything to make you happy."
For a moment, the Ice Tyrant, the ruthless conqueror feared across the Empire, looked less like a monster and more like a girl in love for the first time.
•
The Northern Tribe stood united, warriors ready for yet another battle against an invading force. Their faces were streaked with war paint, their breaths misting in the freezing air. They had survived countless attempts by the Empire to conquer them, their deep knowledge of the frozen terrain giving them an edge.
But this time, they faced an enemy unlike any before.
Standing atop a ridge, the Ice General surveyed the battlefield with a predatory smirk. The bitter cold was nothing to her—if anything, she found it refreshing. Her Teigu, Demon's Extract, made her one with the frost, her very presence commanding the ice itself.
With a simple flick of her wrist, massive ice pillars erupted from the ground, shattering enemy formations and sowing chaos.
"Advance." Her voice was cold, absolute.
Her soldiers surged forward, cutting down the disoriented tribesmen. The battle was fierce—though outnumbered, the warriors of the north fought with desperation, their knowledge of the terrain evident in their swift, coordinated strikes.
But Naruto fought differently.
Unlike the Empire's men, he did not kill. His movements were swift, efficient—knocking enemies unconscious, disarming them, subduing them without taking lives. Yet no matter how many he spared, the bloodshed remained. The battlefield was painted red.
Nearby, Jiraiya proved why he was a legendary shinobi. He had no such qualms about killing. Having been paid handsomely for his services, the Toad Sage moved like a seasoned assassin, eliminating his enemies with practiced efficiency.
Esdeath's men were in awe.
"The General's mercenaries... they're monsters in their own right," one soldier muttered, watching Naruto take down an entire squad without breaking a sweat.
The tide of battle shifted when the Northern Tribe's leader entered the fray.
A towering warrior known as the Hero of the North, his strength was said to be unmatched, his leadership unshakable. With each swing of his weapon, he sent Empire soldiers flying, refusing to bow to the invaders.
He stood before Esdeath, panting, his breath ragged from the brutal fight.
"You... You dare invade our sacred lands? You'll find no victory here, invader!"
Esdeath tilted her head, amused. "Sacred or not, these lands will soon belong to me. Kneel now, or your people will be nothing but whispers in history."
"NEVER!!!"
"Protect our leader!" the tribesmen roared, rushing to aid him.
Esdeath sighed, unimpressed. "Idiots."
Then, with a simple motion, she activated one of her hidden abilities—Arcana Flames.
Fire erupted from her fingertips, consuming dozens of warriors instantly. The ice-cold battlefield was suddenly bathed in hellish orange, the screams of the burning filling the air.
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!"
The Hero of the North stumbled back, eyes wide with terror. "I-Impossible...! Not only ice, but fire too?!"
Esdeath chuckled darkly. "I have more tricks, but I see no reason to waste them on someone like you."
Her bloodthirsty aura thickened, suffocating, oppressive. The leader fell to his knees, his mind broken by fear.
"Now, kneel before me."
To the horror of his people, the once-proud leader obeyed. Without realizing it, he had bowed before her.
The tribe faltered.
Esdeath sneered. "This is your great hero? Pathetic."
___
[MISSION COMPLETE]
[Rewards Distributed]
Esdeath: 2000© + Surprise Box
Perverted Sage: 2000© + Surprise Box
God of Hope: 1000© + Surprise Box
___
"We win! Long live General Esdeath!"
"Let's purge them in tribute to the Empire!"
"Time to plunder their homes!"
"I want to taste the women of this tribe before we butcher them like dogs!"
The depraved cheers of the Empire's soldiers sent shivers of fear through the remaining survivors.
And then—a flash of golden light.
Before the vile soldiers could act, Naruto moved.
In an instant, multiple bodies fell, lifeless.
The men who had spoken of violating and slaughtering the innocent were cut down in a single merciless strike. Naruto's hands dripped with their blood.
For the first time in this war, he had killed without hesitation.
Silence.
A woman from the Northern Tribe trembled as she approached him. "W-Why did you help us?"
Naruto turned to her, his usual warmth returning. "...Because it was the right thing to do."
Then, his eyes turned sharp as he faced Esdeath and her army. "I've had enough of you all."
A dark demonic aura flared around him, terrifying even the most hardened soldiers.
"Anyone who dares to lay a hand on them—step over my corpse first."
The soldiers hesitated, fear gripping their hearts.
Jiraiya sighed, already expecting this. It was bound to happen sooner or later... Naruto's too soft for this world.
"Esdeath-sama! Help us! He's a traitor!"
"He must be a spy! This is why mercenaries can't be trusted!"
"KILL HIM!!!"
"Let me handle this. I'll break him until he begs for death—"
CRACK.
The sound of shattering ice echoed across the battlefield.
Esdeath had frozen and destroyed her own men.
"W-What?!"
"Esdeath-sama... why?!"
She stepped forward, her voice eerily calm. "No one mocks my love and lives."
Her men shuddered.
She turned to Naruto. "I apologize for their rudeness. I'll discipline the rest later."
Naruto stared at her, speechless.
Esdeath stood among the ruins, the bodies of the fallen scattered around her. The remaining tribe members knelt, broken and defeated.
"Submit to me, and you will be spared," she said coldly. "Resist, and you will be erased."
Then, she softened just slightly.
"I know the Empire is rotten beyond help. But even in darkness, hope remains. With my love by my side, I will create a better Empire."
She extended her hand. "Join me, or become a forgotten memory."
The tribe, seeing no other option, bowed their heads in submission. The icy grip of Esdeath had claimed another victory.
Naruto rubbed his temples. "Really? You're dragging me into this mess?"
Esdeath gave him an innocent smile. "Whose fault do you think this is, darling? If you refuse my methods, you have to take responsibility instead."
Kurama rumbled in agreement. "She's right, brat."
Naruto sighed deeply. "Since when did my life become this complicated…?"
To be continued...