The Land of Snow.
A nation buried beneath snow year-round.
Inside the daimyō's estate, Kazahana Dotō stood with his hands behind his back.
He was tall and powerful, his expression cold and stern.
Looking out at the endless white world beyond the window, he revealed a cold smile, carrying the air of a scheming tyrant with everything under control.
"How long have Rōga and the others been gone?"
A Snow Ninja knelt nearby and reported respectfully:
"After we discovered last night that the n sent to search for Koyuki Kazahana had lost contact, the three lords imdiately set out to prepare an ambush. We have also confird that the target hired Konoha shinobi as escorts. It seems they truly are on their way to the Land of Snow…"
"Hmph."
Dotō sneered.
"That foolish niece of mine probably still thinks she can secretly sneak back in without anyone noticing…"
"And yet now, she has delivered herself to my doorstep."
"At last, I can obtain the Land of Snow's hidden treasure!"
"Hahahahaha!"
After speaking, Kazahana Dotō threw back his head and laughed loudly.
Clearly, he already believed the entire situation rested firmly within his palm.
In an excellent mood, he turned and ordered:
"Co. I can't wait any longer."
"Prepare the airship."
"I'll personally wait at the coast for Rōga and the others' good news!"
anwhile—
"Here they are. These three."
Naruto casually used the Flying Thunder God Technique to throw the three elite Snow Ninja onto the ship and tie them up.
Then he slapped a sealing technique onto each of them before calling out to the director.
"Director-ossan, it's safe now! You can bring the ship over and film the shots you wanted!"
Because the footage captured earlier had turned out incredibly well, the director looked at Naruto and gave him a firm thumbs-up.
"Hmm…"
Kakashi looked at the unconscious purple-haired ninja lying on the deck.
"That really is Nadare Rōga."
Although he had only seen him once years ago, Kakashi still recognized him.
He couldn't help scratching his head.
I expected him to lose against the current Naruto, but wasn't that a little too fast?
Kakashi couldn't help thinking of Minato.
When Minato fought people, speed was also the defining feature.
Battles were often decided in an instant.
In this regard, Naruto really was exactly like him.
Was this actually taught by Minato-sensei?
And even this casually used sealing technique…
It made Kakashi recall the scene back when he t the Nine-Tails.
Now that he thought about it…
There really had been a figure beside them at that ti.
The other two Snow Ninja were also recognized by Asama Sandayū.
They were elite Snow Ninja on the sa level as Nadare Rōga.
As far as Sandayū knew, these three were Dotō's most trusted subordinates.
They were also the obstacle he believed would be the hardest to overco on this journey.
"And they were defeated just like that?"
Sandayū's eyes widened so much that his glasses nearly fell off.
He stared in disbelief at the blond boy who had already happily run off to help the director move equipnt again.
Koyuki Kazahana was equally stunned.
Her shock was no less than Sandayū's.
In fact, compared to Sandayū—who had always maintained the courage to think of reclaiming the country—Koyuki had spent all these years running away.
Even in her dreams, she had never imagined these people could be defeated so easily.
She suddenly looked toward Sasuke, who had returned to her side and was silently practicing hand seals.
Then she recalled what he had told her earlier.
"If you still want revenge, then seize this opportunity."
Opportunity.
Subconsciously, she reached up and grasped the hexagonal crystal pendant hanging around her neck.
It was sothing her father, the forr daimyō of the Land of Snow, Kazahana Sōsetsu, had left to her.
It was also the thing her uncle desired most.
Looking at Nadare Rōga, unconscious and tied up on the deck like a dead dog, blood still occasionally dripping from the corner of his mouth—
Koyuki finally made up her mind.
"Um, Kakashi-san…"
Koyuki suddenly looked toward Kakashi with great respect.
Her tone beca serious.
"Does Konoha allow commissions to be increased midway through a mission?"
"Hm? You an…"
"The previous commission from Sandayū was only to escort us safely to the Land of Snow."
"With your abilities, I believe that should be effortless."
Koyuki clenched her teeth.
"But now, I want to add another commission."
"Please help …"
"Take back my country!"
By the end, Koyuki's voice trembled.
Yet her gaze was firm.
Filled with fighting spirit.
"Well, according to regulations, changing a mission from opposing enemy ninja into overthrowing a country-level power…"
Kakashi rubbed his chin, his tone sounding sowhat hesitant.
"If possible, I, Koyuki Kazahana, as the princess of the Land of Snow, swear to you!"
"From now on, the Land of Snow and the Land of Fire—no, the Land of Snow and Konoha—will form a permanent alliance."
"And…"
Koyuki removed the pendant and offered it forward with determined eyes.
"This is the key to the Land of Snow's hidden treasure. I don't know what my father left behind, but I am willing to offer half of it as paynt and proof of sincerity!"
"Princess!"
Hearing those words, Sandayū began trembling with emotion.
Old tears stread down his face.
He nearly lost his footing as his aged eyes fixed firmly upon the hexagonal crystal pendant in Koyuki's hand.
He had never expected it.
After all these years in exile—
After all his pleading and persuasion—
Koyuki Kazahana, the princess he served, had finally awakened and acknowledged her identity.
"That isn't what I ant…"
"Everything!"
Koyuki thought Kakashi was dissatisfied because the Land of Snow was rely a small country and the reward might not be enough, so she hurriedly raised the price.
"I can offer the entire treasure!"
"And I've also saved so money from acting over the years!"
"Ah, you misunderstood."
Kakashi quickly waved his hand, sowhat embarrassed.
"That isn't the problem…"
I was just wondering whether this could be reported to the village as an upgraded mission rank.
After all, Kakashi's true purpose for this mission was to observe Naruto's overall performance.
For decisions like these, he honestly wanted Naruto to be the one making them.
Seeing Koyuki seemingly deep in thought about what else she could add to the reward, Sasuke, who had already seen through the situation, suddenly spoke to Kakashi.
"Accept it."
"Anyway, look at that idiot coming over."
"He's definitely going to agree."
Koyuki froze slightly.
Then she gratefully nodded toward Sasuke before turning to find the "idiot" he ntioned.
"What are you guys talking about?"
Naruto appeared beside everyone with a whoosh.
"Director-ossan said there are so scenes with Princess-nee-san that need to be fild quickly."
Then—
"Well, obviously we're doing it!"
Naruto answered without the slightest hesitation, his smile bright.
"Isn't that what we ca here for?"
"How can we let soone evil like that get away with it?"
"Kakashi-sensei, no problem, right?"
"If you say it's no problem, then it's no problem."
Kakashi nodded.
Click.
At that mont, the sudden sound of equipnt caused everyone to turn toward Hinata.
Hinata was holding a cara, smiling gently.
"The director asked to keep filming Naruto-kun earlier."
"Since other people can't keep up with him, he asked to…"
"Eh?"
Naruto looked confused.
"Why are you filming ?"
So ti later—
At a harbor in the Land of Snow.
"My long-cherished wish is finally about to co true!"
Kazahana Dotō stood expectantly inside his airship.
Through the window, he could see the coastline getting closer and closer.
But in his eyes, it wasn't the vast ocean before him.
It was ambition burning fiercely.
"As long as I obtain the Land of Snow's hidden treasure, with my research into military force, surpassing the Five Great Nations will only be a matter of ti!"
"Co."
"Hurry and co…"
anwhile—
"They're approaching from that direction, roughly ten ters above the ground."
"There's a strange object flying closer."
"I can see many chakra reactions inside. No fewer than twenty people."
"One of them has a large chakra amount, but it feels strange."
"He should be wearing chakra armor like the three Snow Ninja from before."
After deliberately ordering the ship hidden beneath a cliffside and disembarking to rest and prepare, everyone listened to Hinata's report from the front.
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