"Wow, Sister Kaguya, you're so beautiful!"
Under Fuhana Setsuna's adoring gaze, Kaguya tied her long hair with a red ribbon, then stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. The coldness in her eyes diminished slightly.
Still dressed primarily in white, her obi now featured a golden magatama pattern instead of the previous one, tied with a cute red bow. The sleeves were no longer lengthy, revealing Kaguya's fair, slender wrists.
This was originally a simple costume, but on Kaguya, it transformed her into a princess of unparalleled beauty. No, perhaps empress would be a more fitting description.
"Is this... I, the Empress?"
Kaguya's eyes held a touch of bewilderment. It was the first time she had seen herself like this, with less of her haughty aura and a touch more worldly charm.
"Pfft!"
Kaguya turned her head in surprise, "Is something amiss?"
Fuhana Setsuna covered her crimson lips. She didn't know how to explain, so she resorted to a line from the script, "The title 'I, the Empress' doesn't suit such a beautiful sister. I think 'This Princess' is more appropriate!"
"'This Princess...'" Kaguya murmured, seeming to find the self-reference fitting.
For some reason, the first time Fuhana Setsuna saw Kaguya, she felt an immediate liking for her. Perhaps it was Kaguya's appearance, beautiful and noble. If she were to act in a movie, she would undoubtedly become famous throughout the ninja world.
Moreover, Fuhana Setsuna felt a sense of security from Kaguya that she had never experienced before. It was as if being by her side, all danger would be unable to harm her, just as that detestable man would never dare to unleash his dogs to scare her again!
"Are you ready yet? The Land of Snow is almost here!"
Lin Yu paced outside the door, his expression a little glum. He had been locked out. He had said he could close his eyes while Kaguya changed, but he was still ruthlessly turned away.
Where was the trust between people!
Suddenly, the ship shuddered as if it had hit something. Inside the cabin, the director and a large group of actors emerged, their faces filled with alarm.
"What happened? Did we hit an iceberg?"
At that moment, a crew member from the cockpit ran towards them, apologizing, "My apologies, everyone. The anchor broke, so we had to stop the ship physically. Fortunately, we've arrived at our destination."
Hearing that they had reached the Land of Snow, the actors no longer complained and proceeded to disembark with the director, collecting their filming equipment.
Meanwhile…
"Ah!"
A startled cry came from Fuhana Setsuna's room. Lin Yu immediately kicked down the door. He knew that with Kaguya present, there wouldn't be any real danger, but that wasn't his primary concern.
"What's wrong? Don't be afraid! I'll protect you!"
Although Lin Yu said this, his eyes were fixed on Kaguya.
Her long black hair was pulled up, her slender body clad in a white and red robe. Her fair and beautiful face was adorned with a light blush of rouge, and her lips, a vibrant shade of crimson, were captivating.
In this moment, Kaguya was like a fallen celestial maiden, touched by the aura of the mortal world, no longer seeming so out of reach.
Perhaps sensing Lin Yu's voice, Kaguya's closed eyes fluttered open. After a moment of thought, she raised her hand and wiped away the faint foundation, her voice chillingly clear, "You, get out!"
Fuhana Setsuna felt a pang of annoyance. If it weren't for the sudden jolt of the ship, she wouldn't have cried out, and this man who set his dog on her wouldn't have gotten his way!
Lin Yu ignored Fuhana Setsuna's gnashing teeth and said softly to Kaguya, "We've arrived at the Land of Snow."
Kaguya nodded faintly. Fuhana Setsuna, on the other hand, couldn't help but shrink back at the words, a flicker of fear in her beautiful eyes. She instinctively grabbed the corner of Kaguya's robe.
"Then let's go."
Kaguya stood up and walked towards the door. She was unfamiliar with social niceties and saw Fuhana Setsuna merely as a maid, not someone with whom she would develop sisterly affection.
The Land of Snow, a country without spring, its vast expanse covered by snow. As far as the eye could see, it was a pristine white landscape.
Their destination was the unique Rainbow Ice Wall of the Land of Snow, said to refract a seven-colored light when the midday sun hit it—a scene too real for movie special effects.
Naruto and the others, seeing a world covered in snow for the first time, couldn't resist stepping onto the soft snow, their feet crunching with a squeaking sound.
"Come quickly, Sasuke, Sakura!"
Naruto looked around the snow-white world with curiosity. His youthful nature led him to run around in the snow.
"What an idiot!" Sasuke coolly put his hands in his pockets. With so many people around, he wasn't about to act childishly like Naruto.
Sakura extended her hand to catch a snowflake. A smile bloomed on her young, rosy face. As a girl, she had no resistance to such romantic and pure things and quickly forgot her troubles, immersing herself in the moment.
"Hey, you guys, don't wander off. Get yourselves together, we're about to depart!"
The director sighed as he watched the Konoha ninjas playing in the snow not far away. Were they here to protect them, or were they just using the mission as an excuse for a vacation!
"Ahem!"
Kakashi gravely interrupted their play, his expression serious. "During a mission, you must remain vigilant at all times and refrain from fooling around. This is a fundamental lesson for ninjas."
"I understand, Teacher Kakashi," Naruto said, shaking the snow off his clothes with a look of remorse.
Kakashi clasped his hands behind his back and addressed Naruto and the others, "You quickly go and protect the client's safety. I'll scout the surrounding area and we'll rendezvous later."
The moment he finished speaking, Kakashi vanished into the snow, his whereabouts unknown.
With Lin Yu present, Kakashi had no worries about the safety of the others. What was most important to him at this moment was…
He had heard that "Ice and Fire Nine Heavens" was a limited-edition novel, selling only three hundred copies a week. He had to get his hands on it!
Naruto scratched his head, surprised, "Today, Teacher Kakashi… seems unusually serious and reliable!"
The three didn't linger and followed behind the main group.
...
In the castle of the Land of Snow, Fuhana Dotou sat majestically on the throne, holding a wine glass and sipping red wine, a ninja world newspaper in his hand.
"Hmph, every headline is about the Five Great Nations and the Five Great Ninja Villages. Once I, Fuhana Dotou, obtain that power, the Five Great Ninja Nations will be trampled under my feet!"
Fuhana Dotou was ambitious. He had usurped the throne from his brother and was still not satisfied. He wanted to rise above the Five Great Nations and make everyone bow before him.
The reason for his extreme arrogance was naturally the chakra armor he had developed.
With sufficient funds and manpower, he could create an army of chakra armor, and then sweeping through the ninja world would be a mere formality!
"Report! Fuhana Setsuna has been spotted within the Land of Snow."
Crash!
Fuhana Dotou shattered the wine glass in his hand. Looking at the image brought by his subordinate, a cruel smile appeared on his face.
"Setsuna, you've finally returned. As your uncle, I should arrange a welcome ceremony for you."
Then, Fuhana Dotou saw the Konoha headbands worn by Naruto and the other two in the image.
"Konoha ninjas?"
Fuhana Dotou tapped his fingers on the table. He knew Konoha's strength well; it was far from comparable to the Land of Snow, but it was impossible for him to give up.
At this moment, Fuhana Dotou's pupils contracted. Kaguya's stunning face appeared in his vision. He immediately clapped his hands heavily, "Gather everyone and depart immediately! Capture them all!"
Fuhana Dotou gazed greedily at Kaguya, "Only a woman like this is worthy of being my queen. I must have her!"