"Eh?! Eh?! EH?!"
Koyuki Kazahana and the others stared blankly at the scene before them as the previously frozen wasteland suddenly transford into a landscape overflowing with spring.
The hexagonal crystal key used to activate the "Kazahana clan treasure" now rested quietly at the center of a gigantic device.
"If I'm not mistaken…"
Kakashi carefully examined the surroundings.
"This appears to be so kind of large-scale geothermal activation system…"
"The previous daimyō of the Land of Snow likely created this to improve the country's terrible climate…"
The warming effects were imdiate.
Though judging from the structure itself, the construction cost was probably enormous.
"However, it's clearly unfinished."
"With its current range, at most it could only improve living conditions within certain populated areas of the country."
Kakashi quietly analyzed the situation.
"So when Father kept saying the Land of Snow would soday welco spring…"
Koyuki stared blankly at the transford landscape.
"This is what he ant…"
Her emotions beca incredibly complicated.
After seeing that the "treasure" was actually the dream her father constantly spoke about during her childhood, Koyuki felt deeply moved.
Yet at the sa ti—
A terrible headache also erged.
Because she had already promised this "treasure" to Naruto's group as mission paynt.
Now what was she supposed to hand over instead?
"Um… Naruto-kun."
After hesitating for a long while, Koyuki finally gathered enough courage to walk toward Naruto, who currently crouched nearby studying the snow-covered ground turning green.
Hinata's gaze instantly shifted toward them.
"What's wrong?"
Naruto looked up curiously.
"Are we heading back already?"
"About this treasure…"
Koyuki clenched her hands behind her back nervously.
"It's extrely important to the Land of Snow."
"I'm really sorry, but could you allow to buy it back from you?"
"Huh?"
Naruto blinked blankly.
"But isn't this your country's property already?"
"Well…"
Koyuki awkwardly twisted slightly in place.
"I promised the treasure as part of your mission reward earlier…"
"But I never expected things would turn out like this…"
At this mont, standing upon the green grass, the already beautiful Koyuki gained an additional trace of youthful shyness.
anwhile, a tiny feeling of unease quietly appeared within Hinata's heart.
Still—
She didn't step forward.
Instead, she calmly took out the cara the director entrusted to her and quietly frad both Naruto and Koyuki within the lens.
Because she trusted Naruto completely.
And was absolutely certain—
Naruto still hadn't realized this princess was beginning to develop feelings for him.
"But my gratitude toward all of you is genuine!"
Koyuki hurriedly continued.
"I truly ant it when I said I'd give the treasure to you."
"So please let convert it into money and buy it back."
"That way I'll feel better too!"
"Ohhh, then in that case—"
"Didn't you already promise your entire acting fortune as part of the reward too?"
Suddenly, a completely untily voice interrupted them.
Sasuke had deliberately walked over.
"What little money do you even have left now?"
"Ah!"
Only now did Koyuki rember that detail.
Imdiately, she hurriedly corrected herself.
"It's fine!"
"Once we reunite with Sandayū and reclaim the country, the Land of Snow will absolutely be able to pay enough money to buy back this device!"
"I won't go back on my word!"
After realizing the terrifying state of her nation's finances—combined with finally learning what her father truly left behind—
Koyuki couldn't help sweating internally.
Being queen of the Land of Snow…
Might not actually be easy at all.
Afterward, the group prepared to head toward the Land of Snow's daimyō residence.
"That idiot seriously understands nothing."
As Sasuke passed beside Hinata, he suddenly spoke quietly.
"You should just tell him directly."
"Eh?"
Hinata froze.
Yet when she looked toward Sasuke again, he had already returned to discussing ninjutsu and training with Kakashi as though nothing happened.
Should I… beco more proactive?
For the first ti, Hinata genuinely began considering the possibility.
anwhile, the subsequent operation within the Land of Snow progressed extrely smoothly.
Without Kazahana Dotō and the elite Snow Ninja leaders like Nadare Rōga, the remaining resistance inside the daimyō residence beca completely disorganized.
With almost no serious resistance encountered, Asama Sandayū's hidden loyalists reclaid the daimyō palace and surrounding settlents with overwhelming montum.
The only truly noteworthy thing—
Was the film crew sohow contributing massively too.
Under the director's leadership, they charged even more enthusiastically than the actual loyal retainers.
In several areas, the retainers had only just arrived—
Yet the film crew had already finished setting up lighting equipnt beforehand.
The remaining enemies in the Land of Snow had never seen such absurdity.
The attacking force literally arrived carrying an entire cheering squad screaming encouragent from behind them.
And during battle, if their performance looked bad, they even got criticized by the crew.
Kazahana Dotō had never been loved by the Land of Snow's citizens.
After usurping the throne and discovering no hidden wealth left behind by the previous daimyō, he began brutally exploiting the remaining wealth of his citizens to continue funding military developnt.
Thus, once the people learned Princess Koyuki had returned, reclaid the nation, and even brought true spring to the Land of Snow—
The population almost imdiately returned to peaceful daily life.
Which naturally led to…
"What?!"
Koyuki Kazahana—now effectively the new queen of the Land of Snow—sat within the daimyō residence dressed in elegant noble attire.
Yet after reading the financial report Sandayū handed her, her vision nearly went black.
"It's one thing for the treasury to be empty!"
"And sure, I understand war damage repair costs money too!"
"And the coronation ceremony doesn't need to be extravagant!"
"But…"
Koyuki's face twitched violently.
"What exactly is this giant pile of debt?!"
"Princess… no, Your Majesty…"
Sandayū now wore proper retainer clothing as well, though his expression looked extrely awkward.
"Most of these debts were borrowed by Kazahana Dotō from underground organizations outside the country."
"And they all require urgent handling…"
"Though it pains to say…"
"The majority of my own savings were already spent hiring Konoha for this mission."
"And right now, the ministers are still discussing funding options…"
"But because everyone spent years living in hiding…"
"The money situation…"
Koyuki—who originally planned to use the national treasury to repurchase the geothermal device from Naruto's group—was now completely dumbfounded.
What do I do now?
The only thing I still possess with any real value…
Is probably my identity as a famous actress…
But…
Surely I'm not expected to literally sell myself to them, right?
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