The Land of Eternal Snow, as its name suggests, is a country perpetually blanketed in snow—a frigid region bordering the Sea Country.
Here, winter lasts all year round. Days are short, nights long, and the temperature remains constantly low.
After drifting at sea aboard a cruise ship for several days, Yugao Uzuki and Fuyuka finally stepped onto the snowy ground of the Land of Eternal Snow.
Thanks to Yugao's efforts, Fuyuka quickly transformed from an elegantly dressed young lady into an average, down-to-earth girl next door.
Walking across the snowy terrain, they heard the crunching sounds their footsteps made beneath the snow, leaving trails behind.
The scenery was pure white as far as the eye could see.
Yugao couldn't help but marvel, "What a beautiful place."
Unlike her, from the moment they set off until now, Fuyuka had remained gloomy and visibly worried.
"If it looked like this all four seasons," she muttered bitterly, "you'd still think it's beautiful? This place rarely gets above sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit even during the day, and by nightfall, it's often below freezing. What's so great about living in constant cold like this?"
"No matter how you feel about it, we're already here. It's too late to back out now." Though Yugao clearly detected the resentment in Fuyuka's voice, she replied in a calm tone.
Seeing the girl shivering, Yugao took off her coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. "That explains it. Why didn't you tell me earlier it would be this cold here?"
"You're a ninja—don't ninjas usually gather intelligence beforehand?" Fuyuka grumbled.
"I'm not a ninja anymore. Don't judge me by ninja standards." Yugao shrugged indifferently.
She had even thrown away her forehead protector—what kind of ninja would she still be?
Fuyuka had no reply. But with this brief distraction, her mood had lightened somewhat.
"Big sis Yugao, what do we do next?"
"The Land of Eternal Snow—any loyal ministers left who support you? We could try reaching out to them." After thinking for a moment, Yugao asked.
"Supporters…" Fuyuka murmured, an image flashing through her mind—a man wearing glasses.
Santa Asama.
Together, the two girls entered a certain town.
Inside one of the rooms, Fuyuka sat down and began writing a letter.
Then she led Yugao toward an abandoned shooting range.
She left the letter there.
"Are you sure this will work?" Yugao asked skeptically.
"I used to secretly practice shooting here. This place is known only to my former bodyguard and Santa Asama. Not even my father knew about it."
"So then we just have to wait for him to show up?"
"Mm-hmm," Fuyuka nodded.
Yugao didn't say anything, thinking she could always leave a shadow clone behind to keep watch. If things got desperate, she'd storm the palace herself.
On their way back, a steam-powered train whistled past with a loud roar. Hearing the noise, Yugao turned her head, momentarily dazed.
Seeing the look of shock and surprise on Yugao's face, Fuyuka explained proudly, "That's called a 'train'—a steam-powered vehicle used for long-distance travel. I originally thought every country had one, but later found out it's unique to the Land of Eternal Snow. Compared to before, it's much faster—it seems like Nuta must've upgraded it…"
Yugao's expression calmed again as she mused, "Indeed, this country does have its merits after all."
Three days later, Yugao's Shadow Clone met a suspicious bearded man at the Abandoned Shooting Range.
She dragged him forward and presented him before Fuyuka Kazahana.
"Who are you people? Release me immediately!"
"Santa Asama!" Fuyuka emerged from behind Yugao. She wiped off her disguise, eyes shining with surprise.
"Princess!"
Santa Asama was tossed onto the ground by Yugao.
Tears streamed down his aged face and snot ran uncontrollably as he knelt beside Fuyuka Kazahana. "Princess Fuyuka, I've been looking for an opportunity to find you! I never imagined I would finally see you here."
"Santa Asama, I don't want to keep wandering anymore..."
"Don't worry, Princess Fuyuka," he assured. "I will definitely help you ascend the throne."
After their conversation, Santa Asama left in high spirits.
The next day, he began gathering local volunteers.
Inside the Abandoned Shooting Range, Santa Asama appeared leading over thirty men wearing simple armor and carrying bows.
Each one looked determined.
Seeing them, Yugao couldn't help but sigh and rub her forehead in frustration. "This is all you have? I thought it would be an elite force."
"Hey woman, don't underestimate us," the archers grumbled.
"I'm one of the finest marksmen around!"
Ignoring their complaints, Yugao sighed and crossed her hands into the Sign of the Snake. A Shadow Clone appeared and gently picked up Princess Fuyuka in his arms, speaking more softly. "Princess Fuyuka, if you're scared, just close your eyes. This will be over soon."
As Fuyuka stood puzzled, a mocking male voice rang out.
"What a pitiful rabble — just a disorderly mob!"
Then suddenly, four figures dropped down in front of everyone — three men and one woman.
Doto Kazahana, along with his three subordinates: Nadare Roga, Fubuki Kakuyoku, and Touya Hail, appeared together.
All four wore strange armor. Nadare, Fubuki, and Touya were clad in black and white armor while Doto's was blue and black.
"My dear niece, you made Uncle work so hard searching for you," Doto laughed arrogantly. "Hand over the hexagonal crystal now. Oh Santa Asama, I have you to thank for this."
"What?" Santa Asama's face turned pale.
His fellow villagers looked at him with growing suspicion.
"You really thought I kept you alive for no reason? No — I've been waiting for you to lead me to little Fuyuka. Today, my wait has finally paid off."
Doto laughed loudly, his arms folded smugly across his chest.
"So that's why you've had men following me all along..." Santa Asama lowered his head dejectedly. "Princess Fuyuka... I've doomed you."
"Fuyuka Kazahana, I can see the fear in your eyes," Doto sneered. "If you want to live, hand that thing over."
None of the people present impressed him at all.
Santa Asama and those archers — mere village militia. What combat strength could they possibly have?
And the Yugao Uzuki clone holding Fuyuka, and Fuyuka herself — what could two women possibly do?
Even if they were ninja, what of it? He had a Chakra Armor on himself, which rendered most Ninjutsu ineffective against him, as it could absorb them.
Even the young prodigy Kakashi Hatake from years ago couldn't penetrate the defense of the Chakra Armor.
Even wrapped in the arms of the Shadow Clone, Fuyuka still trembled uncontrollably, unable to speak.
"Have you made your decision yet, Fuyuka? This old uncle of yours…"
Yugao's calm gaze locked onto Doto Kazahana, specifically his head—the only part left unprotected.
So he was the self-proclaimed uncle. Looks like he really was Doto Kazahana.
Eliminate him, and most of the mission would be done.
From this distance, it was entirely feasible.
The Shadow Clone covered Fuyuka's eyes with his hand, and Yugao's eyes turned icy cold.
"You talk too much. Enemies don't wait forever!"
"Clang..."
The sound of a blade returning to its sheath.
Everyone saw a flash of cold light, as if Yugao's figure had flickered slightly.
Then came the gruesome sight of Doto Kazahana's skull bursting open. "Thud!" One half of his head fell to the ground.
He died before he could even react.
Shock filled the scene. Except for Fuyuka, who didn't know what had happened, everyone else wore faces of stunned disbelief.
[Nadare Roga], Fubuki Kakuyoku, and Touya Hail exchanged glances, all simultaneously frozen.
What?! Our leader didn't even get to finish his evil monologue before getting killed?
Aren't we supposed to exchange some words before the fight starts?
This woman... She fights dirty!
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