The Rise of a Warrior: Naruto: Shippuden

by The Legendary Dragon Reaper

Three years have come and gone, and while Tatsu and the ninja of the Hidden Leaf have grown stronger, they'll have a whole new group of enemies to face. The era of Team Dragon has arrived, but can they rise to the challenge? Sequel to the Rise of a Warrior: Naruto, second story in my Naruto trilogy. Please read each chapter until the end and check for notes.

20. Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow

Kazuma stared dreamily at the billboard and sighed 'That was so awesome…'

"Shisui's late." Itachi noted "That's not like him."

"That movie was so awesome…"

"You're not even listening to me are you?"

"I don't think I've ever been so blown away in my life…"

"I don't want to hear it!" Ayame rounded on him "You made such a racket in there that we didn't get to see the whole thing!" then she let out a sigh "I wish we could've stayed a little longer, I could've watched that handsome Michi playing Sukekura for days on end."

"First of all Ayame, he's just an actor." Itachi pointed out "And second, you were the one yelling in there not Kazuma. You kept going on about Sukekura and Shishimaru."

"...Shut up." her cheeks turned pink.

Kazuma let out a sigh 'Thank you Itachi, you bail me out always. I wonder if there's anyone like her out there, I mean what happened to me finding my own Princess Gale? Come on, if I could fight for a girl like that then I'd be on Cloud 9. No, more like Cloud 18."

"There's no such thing as a cloud 18." Itachi pointed out "And again, it was just a movie."

"A guy can dream Itachi, a guy can dream. Still though, I wonder why Shisui told us to watch this movie before he would tell us what our mission was gonna be."

"Well Shisui has always been mysterious like that, there are things even I don't know about him."

"True." then he heard something and looked to see the actress playing Princess Gale riding a horse and jumping over the wall, then running off into the distance "And now I've officially reached Cloud 3." then he suddenly got slammed when the gate opened, and several armored men on horses charged after the princess "And things just got interesting."

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Princess Gale, or rather Yukie, her actual name, rode her horse through town as fast as it was able to go, with the men hot on her trail, until one of the men attempted to capture her and her horse with a large net.

"No you don't!" Kazuma blitzed in with one of his Flying Raijin kunai and severed the net, then summoned several Shadow Clones and subdued some of the men, allowing Yukie to continue running.

"After her, don't let her get away!" several men charged on after Yukia.

"Don't you worry Princess Gale, I can protect you!" Kazuma charged on after Yukia and the men.

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The men were able to knock Yukia off her horse "Get her!" they charged and managed to pin her to the ground "We've finally captured her."

Then Yukie disappeared in a puff of smoke, revealing Ayame in her place "I don't think so."

"Who are you?"

"That's enough of that." Itachi promptly knocked the only guy not in armor off off his horse, sending him to the ground "I'm willing to let you all go, I wouldn't be too sure about her though." he pointed.

Ayame promptly subdued all of them in a manner so horrifying it couldn't possibly be written out "And that takes care of that."

"I always wondered why you were called the Crimson Iris." Itachi commented "And now I can see why." he finished tying up the non-armored guy.

"Oh for crying out loud."

Itachi looked up and saw Shisui above them "Oh Shisui, you're finally here."

"What in the world are you guys doing?"

"Killing time, stopping a potential kidnapping, the usual."

"Oh for the love of-" Shisui quickly blitzed over and cut the restraints, then helped the non-armored guy to his feet "I am so sorry about this. Itachi, Ayame, this gentleman is the client who hired us for this mission."

"...Whoops."

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Yukia sat by a river with her horse 'Finally, they're gone.'

"Are you hurt princess?"

'Oh great, another one.' Yukia looked and saw Kazuma standing nearby.

"This is crazy, so you are the real Princess Gale aren't you? This is unbelievable, I just saw your movie less than an hour ago and it was a complete inspiration. It totally blew me out of the water."

Yukie just climbed on her horse.

He didn't seem to notice "It was so awesome, first you had me cheering and then I was crying and now you're about to run me over with your horse-"

Then she ran him over with her horse, sending him into the river, and promptly took off without looking back.

"I mean after seeing your movie I just felt all sorts of feelings welling up inside of me."

Yukie looked back to see Kazuma running alongside her 'You're kidding me, what's this guy made of?' she whipped her horse to make it go faster, leaving Kazuma lagging behind. Or so she thought.

"I'm never gonna give up either." Kazuma then came up beside her on the left side "I've been working my butt off to become as strong as I can and who knows, one day I might even end up becoming the next Hokage."

'What's this guy made of?'

"Oh yeah you probably don't know, the Hokage is the highest ranking ninja in the entire Hidden Leaf Village where my team is coming from. I'm not really doing it for me though, it's mainly for my little brother. His name's Tatsu, he's a good kid and he only started the academy a few weeks ago. Hey by the way, you really know how to handle a horse don't you? No wonder you're the number one actress in the entire Land of Fire, and believe me I know talent when I see it."

'Oh for the love of-' she sped up, causing some of her clothing to be torn on random objects as she passed.

Kazuma found himself having to duck and weave to avoid being hit "Hey by the way, aren't you going a little too fast?" then he noticed a bunch of kids up ahead in front of them "Quick, look out!"

'Crap!' Yukia was forced to stop, causing the horse to throw her off.

Kazuma caught her and set her on the ground "There."

'Well he knows how to treat a woman I guess.'

The kids were quick to recognize her "It's Princess Gale!"

"Look my name isn't Princess Gale alright?"

"Yeah I know, you're the actress Yukie Fujikaze!" they started hounding her for autographs.

"Just forget it guys, I don't do autographs." they kept on asking, and when Kazuma got involved she finally lost it "That's enough already! I mean come on, what's so special about getting my autograph? You're just gonna shove it in some drawer and forget about it. All it's good for is collecting dust. They're just a waste of time, they're useless. What a joke." and she ran off.

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Shisui let out a long, frustrated sigh "Our mission is to guard Yukie Fujikaze, the actress best known for her role in the Princess Gale movies."

Itachi raised an eyebrow "What do you mean guard her?"

"Maybe guard is the wrong word, more like escort her."

The assistant director sighed "The next Princess Gale movie is the first one that we're shooting abroad, but I guess I don't need to tell you that our leading lady is a bit of a deva."

The client for the mission, Sandayu, bowed "Sorry, I do apologize."

"Let me tell you, these Leaf ninja are impressive though." the director, Makino, commented "I mean they took care of those stuntmen turned bodyguards we hired like it was childsplay, and those are some big fellas."

Shisui gave a sheepish grin "Well thank you, I trained them myself."

Ayame eyed some pictures on the wall "Wow, look at those cliffs."

"That's the Rainbow Glacier, supposedly found in the Land of Snow."

Ayame looked up to see an actor by the name of Kin "Hey you played the part of Buriken."

"That's where we're going to shoot the big climactic ending for the movie." Hidero told her.

"And you're Hidero, you play Shishimaru!"

"The Land of Snow?" asked Itachi "With all due respect, isn't it a long way to go just to shoot a single scene in a movie?"

"Yukie Fujikaze's manager, Sandayu over here, recommended it." the assistant director told the group "Apparently he tells us that this Rainbow Glacier turns seven different colors during the springtime."

"No, that's nothing but an old legend." Shisui spoke up, his tone unusually grim "The truth is that there's no such thing as spring in the Land of Snow."

"What do you mean? As in never?" asked Itachi "So it's winter all year round?"

"Yep, that's right."

"Your name is Shisui right?" Makino spoke up "From what I hear this isn't going to be your first time in the Land of Snow, is that true?"

"...That was a very long time ago, back during the Third Great Ninja War."

"They say that it's a very poor nation too."

Ayame's cheeks turned pink and she looked back to see an actor by the name of Michy standing behind her, and she gained hearts in her eyes "Y-You played Sukeakura, oh Michy you were amazing!"

"Actually the story is that their former lord had a thing for gadgets, they guy squandered everything the clan had on mountains of useless doodads and gizmos."

"Yeah well I just hope they've got central heating." Hidero commented "I'm not really all that cut out for the cold."

"Maybe you should run for the hills too, just like Yukie." Kin teased, much to the dismay of the assistant director who will be referred to as Kai.

"Oh come on you guys, that's not even funny!" Kai whined, only to earn chuckles.

"So does that mean, about Yukia, is she always like this?" asked Ayame.

They shared a look "Kind of yeah. Poor Yukie, she wouldn't even know the meanings of words like dreams or aspirations."

"But she's never been one to neglect her work." Makino pointed out "I don't know anything about her personal life and I don't need to, as long as she's giving her all when the camera is rolling I won't have any complaints. You can say whatever you will, that woman is a born actress."

Kai nodded "He's right, and anyway she only started running from the set after she heard we were going to the Land of Snow."

"Does that having something to do with it?" asked Itachi "I mean, maybe going to the Land of Snow is personal for her."

Shisui let out a long sigh "Much more than you know Itachi, much more than you know."

"You know something about this that we don't, don't you Shisui?"

"I'll tell you when we find Kazuma."

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Yukie was trying to hide in plain sight, covering up so she wouldn't be recognized, only to notice that Kazuma was stalking her 'Great, why won't he just let up?' and she began running.

'No way she's getting away.' Kazuma chased after her.

Running as fast as she could, Yukie thought she had finally managed to lose him when she went into an alley.

That is, before Kazuma appeared in front of her, startling her "Hi." he held out a pen and some paper.

"...You're not gonna let this go until I sign are you?"

"No I am not."

"...Fine, just give me the thing." she snatched it "So what's your name?"

"Kazuma Kamikaze, but it's actually not for me. Make it out to Tatsu Kamikaze."

"Tatsu Kamikaze right?"

"Yeah, he's my little brother."

"Alright." she started writing.

Then Kazuma noticed the necklace she was wearing 'What's that?'

Then Yukie suddenly sprayed him.

Kazuma clutched his eyes in pain and fell to the ground "What the heck was that?!"

"Pepper spray, used to keep away stalkers." she then ripped up the paper and threw it on the ground, then walked away "Little fool."

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Yukie stared at her necklace "Give me a break, who the hell would ever want to go to the Land of Snow of all places?" she downed another glass of sake, not noticing a guy staring at her from behind her.

Then Kazuma suddenly showed up "I finally found you Princess Gale." note the venom in his tone when he said it.

"I already told you idiot, I'm not the princess of anything alright?"

"You think I don't know that? What gives you the right to trample over someone's dreams the way you do? I don't care how high and mighty an actress you are, and I don't even care that you pepper sprayed me, but you stomped on the dreams of my little brother and for that I will never forgive you."

"...An actress? High and mighty? That's a riot." she downed more sake "I can't think of a worse job than being an actor, only the lowest of the low would want in in this profession. We're handed lies written down on paper and we've gotta breathe life into them, it's as ridiculous as it gets."

"...How drunk are you?"

"Shut up, go bug someone else!"

That was when Sandayu stumbled in, with Shisui and the rest right behind him "Miss Yukie! Our boat to the Land of Snow is about to sail. Please, we don't have much time."

"No thanks, I'm bowing out as the princess." she was unfazed by the horrified looks she got.

"What on earth are you talking about?!"

"Oh don't worry, it happens all the time okay? I mean lead actresses change from sequel to sequel. Come on, directors change every 5-"

"That's enough!" his tone had more force than any of the Leaf ninja had seen before "You listen to me, there is no one on this whole planet who can play Princess ale other than you! Nobody! Besides, if you pull out this late in the game then you'll never work in this business again! Do you understand me?"

"So? Who cares?"

"Miss Yukie…"

"You heard me."

"Okay, I guess there's no other choice." then Shisui stepped up and activated his Sharingan, putting Yukie under a genjutsu and knocking her unconscious, and he caught her as she collapsed.

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At the same time, that one guy from the bar alerted several shadowy shinobi that Yukie was really a woman by the name of Koyuki Kazahana, and that Shisui Uchiha the Thunder Teleporter was her bodyguard.

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Yukie came to after a vivid dream about her past 'What a joke…'

Then Sandayu came in "Miss Yukie, are you awake?"

"Sandayu, could you get me some water? My head won't stop spinning, this is gonna sound crazy but it feels like the room is swaying."

"Actually, it's not all that crazy."

"...What?" Yukie rushed outside, only to find that they were on a boat travelling across the middle of the ocean "You have got to be kidding me!"

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Within an hour, everyone was setting up for filming.

"I don't know guys." Kazuma muttered "I don't think I can deal with someone like her."

"You promised Tatsu you'd get an autograph when you could." Shisui pointed out "Besides she's our client, you have to deal with her. After all, we've all sworn to protect her. This is an important A-rank mission."

"...This is an A-rank mission?"

"Yep."

Itachi didn't see the value of the mission "Is guarding someone so pampered and bitter really worth an A-rank mission? No offense Shisui, but it doesn't seem that worthy of the rank in my opinion. It just doesn't seem that difficult."

"That's not true Itachi, big celebrities are targeted all the time. Besides, it's hard to predict who's targeting them. Just be sure to be on your guard, all of you."

Makino held up his bullhorn "Alright folks, I wanna get this on the first take!"

"Right!" Kai called "Alright! Scene 23, cut 6, take 1, and action!" and they began rolling, so the actors/ actress will be referred to as their movie roles.

Gale furiously shook the body of Shishimaru, lying unconscious before her "Shishimaru! Stay with me!"

"I'm sorry… I failed you princess… forgive me, I beg you…" Shishimaru pleaded.

"How can you say that? Without you at our side, we never would've found the courage we needed to make it this far!"

"I only wish… I'd seen… beyond the rainbow… with you, princess…" then he fell still.

"Shishimaru!"

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"She's amazing." Ayame muttered.

Kazuma nodded "I don't even feel like I'm looking at the same person anymore."

"That's Yukie for you." Sandayu told them "When the camera starts to roll she comes alive, there isn't another actress on earth who can match her brilliance."

Then Yukie held up a hand "Hold on a second guys."

They groaned "What's wrong?!"

"Sandayu, bring me my drops so I can cry."

"Coming!" Sandayu rushed over and put her eyedrops in.

Kazuma and Ayame shared a look 'Unbelievable.'

Itachi sighed 'Maybe I should listen to father and join the ANBU after all, at least then I wouldn't wind up doing missions like this. Then again, at least I'm with Kazuma and the others. I feel like they're the only ones I can be myself around.'

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Kai was quick to wake Makino up the next morning "Mr Makino, we've got a problem!"

Makino stared in disbelief at the massive ice land glacier before the ship "What is that?"

"When I woke up this morning I found this waiting for me, we can't get through! What are we going to do?"

"...This is it! We're changing everything!"

"Huh?"

"You moron! Look, we're standing on the perfect spot to shoot! It's practically begging us to film here!"

"Huh?!"

"Cherish this moment, for the movie gods are smiling down on us! Everyone prepare to embark!"

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Later, everyone had gotten onto land and started setting up.

"Alright people, we're gonna roll!" Kai called "Okay! Scene 36, cut 22! Action!"

The guy with the evil mullet and staff laughed "So Princess you've arrived, you've done well to make it this far!"

Gale held up her sword "It's you, Mao!"

"Princess, please stay back." Shishimaru warned "We'll take care of him."

"Did you honestly believe these meager fools would be a match for me princess?" he aimed two fingers forward, but looked back when the glacier suddenly exploded partially "I'm confused, is this part of the script?"

Shisui had aimed a blast of thunder at the glacier, his Sanda Sharingan quickly flaring into life "There."

"Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Kai barked.

"Everyone get back, now!"

Then from the ice emerged Nadare Roga "Welcome to the Land of Snow."

"You're…"

Then Fubuki Kakuyoku showed up "Greetings Princess Koyuki, I do hope you're still carrying around the Hex Crystal."

"What?" Shisui's eyes snapped towards Yukie "Princess Koyuki?"

Then Mizore Fukuyama showed up "You're as good as they say Shisui Uchiha, but unfortunately it's not good enough."

"Kazuma, Ayame, Itachi, you guys do whatever it takes to protect Yukie. Everyone else, hurry and get back to the ship!"

"Fubuki, Mizore, I'll leave the princess to you." Nadare charged forward.

Shisui met him in the middle, his hand subconsciously gripping his Raijin sword "You…"

"It's been a long time hasn't it Shisui Uchiha? I hope you're not planning to run, not like last time."

"Nadare Roga, I was hoping I wouldn't have to see your face again." Shisui began dodging and blocking various attacks, then clashed with Nadare as they made their way up the glacier.

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Kazuma took up the front, with Ayame and Itachi at each side "I don't know if this is in the script but I've always wanted to be in the movies. Don't you worry Princess, Kazuma Kamikaze is here to protect you!"

"Is that right?" Mizore charged forward on a snowboard.

Shisui began dodging his lunges.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Itachi unleashed a multiplying volley of shuriken.

Mizore blocked the attack with ease "Pathetic!"

'That armor is durable, this won't be easy.'

"Ice Style: Tsubame Blizzard!" Fubuki fired a barrage of homing ice needles.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Itachi breathed out a fireball, melting the ice "Everyone hurry, get back to the ship."

Everyone ran, but Yukie was frozen in place.

"Miss Yukie!"

"Princess!" Sandayu rushed towards her.

'Princess?'

Yukie slowly turned "Sandayu… what are you-?"

"Ice Prison Jutsu!" Fubuki launched several waves of ice forward.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Itachi breathed out a fireball.

Yukie watched the battle, recalling her past, then suddenly fell to her knees 'No…'

"Princess!" Sandayu knelt down beside her.

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Kazuma found himself dodging attacks from Mizore 'He's got raw power that's off the charts but his speed is lacking.'

"Gotcha!" Mizore got through Kazuma's guard and slugged him in the gut.

"Kazuma!" Shisui formed several hand seals "Thunder Style: Electric Dragon!" he fired off a dragon made of pure lightning, forcing Mizore to retreat.

Kazuma made a formation with Shisui back to back "Shisui, there's something strange about that armor that they're wearing."

"Yeah I know, just be careful. It's Chakra Armor that was created by the people here in the Land of Snow."

"Chakra Armor?"

"But it's definitely a lot stronger than I remember it being."

"So you do remember it after all don't you?" Nadare appeared in front of him "This armor increases the chakra within the body, strengthening a handful of the more useful jutsu. A chakra barrier gathers around us as well, allowing us to deflect the chakra of our adversaries. As a result, ninjutsu and genjutsu are rendered useless."

'Damn, it's times like this that I wish Guy was here. His taijutsu would flatten guys like this in an instant.'

Nadare formed several hand seals "Ice Style: Dragon vs Tiger!"

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Shisui unleashed a water dragon, only for it to be frozen by the ice.

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"Gotcha!" Mizore took this opportunity to tie up Yukie.

"No you don't!" Ayame cut the restraints.

"Move out of the way little girl!"

"Ayame!" Kazuma blitzed in and kicked Mizore in the face, knocking him off his board "I'll die before I let you hurt her."

"You little brat!" Mizore caught Kazuma in a power struggle 'What is this chakra?! His eyes are different too!'

Kazuma activated his Tenseigan, his eyes now blue with white irades "Like I said, I'll die before I let you hurt her."

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Itachi found himself caught in the ice, but he managed to escape before he was frozen by substituting with a paper bomb and bound Fubuki to the ice "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" he breathed out a fire dragon.

'Dammit!' Fubuki escaped at the last second before she was burned using a set of wings attached to her armor.

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Ayame looked back "Yukie, hurry and get to the ship already while we hold them off!"

Yukie was frozen in place, recalling her past, her father, and fire 'Father….'

"Princess please, we must get to the ship." Sandayu pleaded.

"No…"

"You have to go now, your life is-"

"I don't care if I die! I won't go back to the Land of Snow!"

"We don't have time for this right now!" Kazuma found himself struggling even more.

"Enough of this!" Mizore threw him aside and fired his retractable cable arm, grabbing Ayame and slamming her to the ground.

"Ayame!"

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Shisui noticed Kazuma and the rest struggling 'Dammit!'

"Don't be in such a hurry, we're not finished yet!" Nadare formed a hand seal "Ice Style: White Whale Jutsu!" he unleashed a whale made of ice.

Shisui managed to dodge it "Okay I'll admit, that was pretty impressive. Now then, I think it's my turn to show off. Kazuma, hurry and get everyone out of here!"

"Right!" Kazuma rushed off.

"Ice Style: White Whale Jutsu!" Shisui unleashed his own white whale, having copied the jutsu with his Sharingan.

"Still copying my moves are you? You're not going to settle this fight doing something as trivial as that." Nadare unleashed another white whale.

"Settle the fight? Sorry to disappoint you, but that's not really what I was aiming for at the moment." Shisui had his white whale counter Nadare's allowing the ship to escape "Well then, looks like my work here is done." and he disappeared using the Teleportation Jutsu.

"Dammit. Shisui Uchiha, you sly bastard.'

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Shisui stood by Yukie's bedside as she slept, staring at the Hex Crystal 'To think 10 years have already passed since then, it's been a long time hasn't it?'

Then Sandayu came in "The ship pulled into dock a moment ago."

"...Alright." Shisui left the necklace.

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Shisui gathered Kazuma, Itachi and Ayame in one of the rooms along with Sandayu and the main members of the filming crew "You've known all along Sandayu, haven't you?
Sandayu nodded solemnly "Yes, I have."

"Didn't you ever consider the risks of what might happen if she ever came back to the Land of Snow?"

"You're right of course, but this was the only way I could think to get the princess to return home."

"Maybe so, but…"

"Mr Sandayu, you really don't have to keep calling her that." Kazuma told him "After all, she's only royalty on the big screen right? It's not like she's an actual princess in real life."

"Actually Kazuma, yes she is. You see, Yukie Fujikaze is nothing more than an alias she uses. The true name of our client that we're guarding is princess Koyuki Kazahana, the rightful heir to the throne of the Land of Snow." he received jaw dropped looks from Kazuma and Ayame, and a raised eyebrow from Itachi.

"I first met her a long time ago." Sandayu told them "I was her aid when she was still just a little girl. It was years ago so I don't blame her for not remembering."

"So does that mean you're from the Land of Snow too Sandayu?" asked Ayame.

"Yes that's right, I served the princess's father, the former leader of the clan, Lord Sosetsu Kazahana. The Land of Snow was not a large nation was not a large nation, but it still served as a haven of peace. Lord Sosetsu absolutely adored the princess, those were truly idyllic times. But 10 years ago, on that cursed horrible day, Lord Sosetsu's younger brother Doto hired a group of Snow ninja and instigated a revolt. It was a coup d'etat. The magnificent Kazahana Castle burned to the ground, and I had feared that the princess had perished as well."

"This was where I came into the picture." Shisui cut in "I had only just awakened my Sharingan and was sent to bring her to safety. There was no way I could defeat them, at that point I could do little more than run. I've lived with the guilt and shame of that day ever since."

"The day I discovered that our beloved princess was still alive, I was practically beside myself with joy." Sandayu began shedding tears "She was alive after all those years…"

"I should've died back then."

Sandayu and the others looked to see Yukie, now Koyuki, standing in the doorway "You mustn't say such things princess, we feared the worst. You can't imagine how frantic we all were, we never stopped praying for your life."

"I may be alive, but my heart is dead. After that day, any tears I had left all dried up."

Sandayu wiped away his tears and finished telling Kazuma and the rest his tale "And that's how I came to be the manager for Yukie Fujikaze, I had bided my time waiting for the day when I could escort her back to the Land of Snow."

"So what are you saying?" asked Kai "All this time you've just been using us?"

"I must apologize for deceiving all of you, but it was for the sake of the people of the Land of Snow." he went over to Koyuki and got on his hands and knees "Princess Koyuki, please confront Doto and assume your rightful place as the leader of our land! I will sacrifice my life without hesitation in order to protect you! I beg you, take up arms and lead your people!"

"...I don't think so. You can't be serious."

"But what about your people?"

"I could care less about them, just forget it."

"But princess-"

"Will you give up already? Don't be such an idiot. It doesn't matter what you do, you'll never be able to get rid of Doto okay?"

Kazuma finally bolted out of his seat and slammed his hand against the table "What are you saying then, that he should just give up? What gives you the right to act so heartless? Are you so blind that you can't see that this poor man has given up his entire life solely to the realization of his dream? Go ahead and keep insulting him like that, then you'll be dealing with me."

Sandayu stared at Kazuma in awe "Kazuma, I…"

"As long as there is hope one may dream, and with those dreams the future comes." Makino got their attention and gave a huge grin "I like it, it's the perfect theme for our new Princess Gale movie."

"But Mr Makino, you're not really going to continue filming the movie with everything that's happened are you?" Kai sounded incredulous.

"It's like I told you, the movie is evolving."

"Huh?!"

"Just think about it, how often do you get the chance to make a movie with a real princess as the leading lady? We're looking at the chance of a lifetime here."

"...You're right, just think of the buzz. Even the making-of will be a hit! We're sitting on a surefire blockbuster!"

Koyuki was offended "Hey, I'm not some piece of meat to use!"

"Unfortunately, I can only see one course of action." Itachi spoke up "Now that Doto knows about the princess and he's on our trail, running is no longer an option. We have to fight, it's our only chance of getting through this with our lives."

Kazuma had a huge shit eating grin "Alright, time to continue the mission! The princess returns to the Land of Snow and shows that creep who's boss!"

"I still don't see what's so appealing."

"Oh come on Itachi-"

"Stop joking around!" Koyuki finally lost her temper "The movies aren't like real life, there is no such thing as a happy ending in this world!"

"Of course there is if you're willing to fight for it!" Makino barked, catching her by surprise.

"Shisui, you're the team leader for this mission." Itachi pointed out "What do you think we should do?"

Shisui sighed "Normally the best plan would be to head back to the Hidden Leaf Village to request some backup, but-"

"It wouldn't really do any good, we can handle this ourselves."

"Exactly."

Sandayu bowed his head "I honestly can't thank all of you enough."

"That's it then, we're going ahead with this picture." Makino decided.

Kai nodded "And you can bet that this one will have a happy ending!"

"You've got that right!"

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Soon enough, they had hit land and were on the move, stopping in front of a dark mountainside cave along the path.

"Our hideout isn't far from here." Sandayu told the group "It's just beyond this cave, once we finish our shooting here we can pass through to the other side. Then my people can rest easier, they will finally have their princess back."

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Once they were passing through, Kazuma looked around "I can't see the exit at all, even with my Tenseigan."

"Once upon a time, a railroad ran through here." Sandayu told them.

"Railroad?"

"It's covered over with pillars of ice by now, but if you dig far enough down then you'll find the tracks still lying there."

"Interesting." he looked out and saw the crews stopping just outside the cave "Check it out, we're outside again."

Makino burst out the door "Alright people, let's get this show on the road!"

"Mr Makino!" Kai burst out of one of the trucks.

"What is it now?"

"It's Yukie, she's up and vanished again!"

"What?!"

Kazuma let out a frustrated sigh "Just hold on, let me handle this." and he disappeared in a green flash.

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White.

That was all Koyuki saw as she ran for the hills as fast as his legs would carry her 'Forget it, absolutely not, no way!' then she finally tripped and collapsed, lying there in the snow, and passed out, recalling her father telling her about spring when she was a little girl 'You're a liar father, there is no spring in this land.' then she opened her eyes.

"Honestly, how many times are you going to run away from your fate before you learn that you can't escape?"

Koyuki looked and saw Kazuma standing in front of her "Come on, everybody else is waiting for us."

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Koyuki soon found herself being carried on Kazuma's back "Why is it that you always come looking for me?"

"I do it because it's my mission." Kazuma told her simply "It doesn't matter how much you may hate it and I couldn't care less how much you do, I'm going to keep coming after you as many times as I have to. Just try and hide, no matter what I'm always going to find you."

"You can drag me back if you like, but all I'm going to do is act for the camera. That's all there is, you understand?"

"I-" Kazuma stopped when he heard a train whistle and looked down to see the tracks thawing out.

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Makino and the rest noticed it too "What is that?"

Sandayu checked it "It's chakra, there's chakra running through the rails and melting the ice." he then froze "It must be him. Everyone hurry, you must get out of here! You can't let them find you, it's not safe!" and he ran off.

"Sandayu! Where are you going?"

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Koyuki listened to what they were hearing "It sounds like… a train."

"A train?" Kazuma looked and saw a train coming towards them "And that's my cue to run like hell." and he took off running as fast as his legs would carry him, with the train gaining.

"It's gaining on us!"

"Not if I can help it!"

"It's useless, you'll never make it!"

"You can forget it, I'll never give up no matter what!"

"There's no way you can do this!"

"Will you shut up and let me concentrate!" Kazuma kept running 'I can't concentrate long enough to use the Flying Raijin Jutsu like this, I'm gonna have to outrun it!'

"We can't, it's totally pointless-"

"This isn't over!" his tone and ferocity took her by surprise "You'll have to kill me before I ever give up, even if you want to call it quits I'll never give up! Not now, not EVER! Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, COME ON!" and with one final burst of speed, he burst out of the other side of the tunnel and leapt to the side just before they were hit "There… I told you we'd make it…" then he suddenly started laughing.

Koyuki stared at him, then at the train 'That's…'

"It's been a long time, Koyuki."

Hearing that voice, Koyuki froze "I knew it… it's Doto…"

"It's been 10 years." Doto noted from his end "Come now don't be shy. Let's get a look at that face." then he looked to the side to see various logs sliding down the hill and crashing into the train 'Oh great, more of this.'

As it turns out, Sandayu stood in samurai armor with dozens of other soldiers, all armed and ready for combat "There you have it men, our beloved Princess Koyuki is here to watch over us! With her at our side, victory is ours!"

Koyuki stared in awe 'What the-? Sandayu?'

"Hear me Doto!" Sandayu drew his sword "We've waited a long time for this day of reckoning to come! Sandayu Asama and 50 loyal warriors stand before you to avenge our fallen leader Lord Sosetsu, on this day you will breathe no more!" he received cheers from the men.

Doto looked on nonchalantly "I thought you destroyed the last of the insurgents."

Nadare bowed his head "My apologies, we'll be sure to get rid of them immediately."

"There's no need for you to bother, with men such as these there is little that they can understand other than total annihilation."

"ATTACK!" Sandayu and the men all drew their swords and charged.

"Fire." Doto gave the order, and several waves of kunai shot out of the train, massacring the men almost immediately, and he let out a maniacal laughter as they fell one by one.

After this, only Sandayu was left standing "No…" one final wave shot out and impaled him, and they collapsed.

Kazuma looked up to see Itachi and Ayame detonating the kunai cannons and burying the train in snow, hoping to bury Doto alive 'Guys…'

Shisui stopped Itachi from pursuing "Hold on Itachi, we can't be hasty in a situation like this one."

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Later, Shisui, Itachi and film crew were taking care of the bodies.

"How awful." Ayame murmured, with Kazuma gripping her hand tightly.

"That's what happens when you never give up." Koyuki said bitterly "If they hadn't stood up to Doto then none of this bloodshed would've happened."

Sandayu was brought over by Shisui and the others "My princess…"

"Sandayu." Koyuki knelt down beside him.

"Please forgive me… I never should've gotten you… involved in all of this… It's just that… every single one of us here… were able to keep believing in spite of everything… because we knew that you were alive… when you were little, and even now, you have always been… just as I, your loyal Sandayu, believed… so too must you believe in yourself… You have always been our purest hope princess… please, do not waste… your tears… on me…" and with that, he fell still.

"You are such a fool Sandayu. I can't cry, you have my eye drops." Koyuki then turned to the others "Are you all satisfied? Let's just go back, if you stay here then your lives will be in jeopardy." she started walking away "Let's go home already."

"Go home to where?" Kazuma stopped her, his voice soft "I thought this was your home wasn't it? What could possibly have to go back to now? Your place is here, now face Doto and put your house in order like you're supposed to."

"...You know absolutely nothing. Spring doesn't come to this country, our tears have long since frozen over and our hearts have hardened with the cold."

"But aren't you the only one with the power to change that?" asked Ayame "At least that was what Sandayu believed in anyway, wasn't it?"

"...I've had enough of this nonsense." she started walking away.

"Hold on a minute!" Kazuma stormed up and grabbed her wrist.

"Leave me alone already!" Koyuki shook him off.

"Listen you-" Kazuma cut himself off when he looked beyond the cliff "Oh great."

Koyuki looked back to see a large blimp airship "Oh crap."

"Gotcha!" from the airship Mizore fired off his retractable cable arm and captured Koyuki with it, as Fubuki dropped several kunai with miniature ice bombs attack.

Itachi looked around "Shisui, Ayame, where did Kazuma go?" then he looked up at the airship and groaned "Don't tell me…"

Kazuma stood in the doorway of the airship "I'll bring her back even if it kills me!"

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Doto had Koyuki with him in one of the rooms of his airship "You've grown quite beautiful Koyuki. Tell me little princess, do you have the Hex Crystal with you?"

"Yes." her tone was uncaring.

"Good, it is the sole remaining link to the Kazahana clan as well as the key to opening its treasure."

"A key to what exactly?"

"When I rested this land from the hands of your father, the resources of the Kazahana clan were all but gone. I knew that Sosetsu must have hidden his riches somewhere, I searched for a long time and now I've finally found it. It is hidden deep within the Rainbow Glacier, there's a keyhole there that can only be opened by the Hex Crystal. Once I have possession of the Kazahana fortune, our country can attain superiority over the Five Great Nations."

Then Kazuma suddenly appeared between them in a green flash "And you're a fool if you think I'll let that happen."

'This fool again. How on earth did you get in here?"

Kazuma pointed to where the guards were piling up unconscious "Your security is horrible, I didn't even have to use the Flying Raijin Jutsu."

'The Flying Raijin, as in the jutsu used by the Second Hokage and Fourth Hokage?'

"How's this for pathetic!" Mizore quickly bound Kazuma when his guard was down and knocked him to the ground.

Then Fubuki came in with several of Kazuma's Shadow Clones "These ones too."

Then Nadare appeared and knelt down on one knee "My apologies, as you can see the little runt was kind of a handful."

"Not surprising." Doto commented "Especially since he knows the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Flying Raijin Jutsu."

"I don't know who this brat is, but his level of chakra is nothing to sniff at." Mizore noted.

"I can see that."

"What do you think?" asked Nadare "Maybe we should try out that contraption on him."

"He would make for an interesting test subject."

"Alright then." Nadare pulled a device out of a secret compartment and slammed it onto Kazuma's stomach, and it latched onto him and began electrocuting him, causing him to scream in pain.

"He was right, this is interesting."

Koyuki tried to hide her horror "What is that?"

"We're simply cleansing him of his chakra, that device will absorb any stored within his body and bind it within a powerful barrier. Once it has been activated it cannot be broken or destroyed, no matter what."

Kazuma felt himself growing weaker "My strength… it's starting to slip away…" his Shadow Clones all disappeared as well.

Nadare smirked "Not looking like much of a ninja anymore are you? Now you're nothing more than a naive little kid."

"You… dirty…" then he passed out.

"Now then, I'll take the Hex Crystal if you don't mind." Doto requested.

"Do what you will." Koyuki removed the necklace and handed it to him.

Doto eagerly took it, then frowned "What is this?" he grabbed her by the front of her coat "This isn't a game, you think I don't know this is a fake?"

"No, that's impossible!" then she realized 'Of course, he must've switched it while I was unconscious! Shisui Uchiha…"

"What?"

"Make sense." Nadare commented "Shisui is a shrewd one, I wouldn't put it past him to pull a bait n switch."

"Don't even worry about it, we'll have him rounded up in no time." Fubuki assured.

"That won't be necessary." Doto let go of Koyuki "Why even bother? Shisui Uchiha will show up on his own soon enough, all we have to do is wait until then."

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Kazuma came to and found himself bound in Doto's dungeon 'Great, just my luck. Trapped in a dungeon with no access to my chakra. I guess I should've spent more time practicing the Escape Jutsu.' he struggled to remove a small object from his sandal "These guys don't know who they're dealing with, a real ninja finds a way with or without his chakra. Just look at Guy for example." then he looked and saw two of Doto's ninja lock Koyuki in a cell on the other side.

Koyuki just shot Kazuma a cynical look "Serves you right."

"You think so? Well you too."

"I know."

"No spring, you said there was no spring here. What did you mean by that?"

"...My father always said that I would see when the spring came. He told me to close my eyes and surround myself with flowers, and to run through it as fast as I could. He said that it would make me feel warm and happy, and that was spring, and that if I never gave up, if I believed in the future then spring would surely come. But this land has no spring, my father died and I fled from the Land of Snow, and I stopped believing. I was always running and always lying to people, though mostly I was just lying to myself. My life has been one big charade. Becoming an actress was about the only thing I was cut out for in this world."

Kazuma stared for a moment, then used the mini knife hidden in his boot to try and saw off the cuffs.

"That's not going to change anything you know."

Kazuma pulled himself up, only to drop the knife.

"I told you, in the end all you can do is give up."

"...I bet it's a lot easier when you give up isn't it? I lost my parents when the Kyuubi attacked my village. Even with Itachi by my side I just tried to blow it off for the sake of being strong for my little brother, but inside the pain was killing me. I used to think there was no place in this world for me anymore, no one that ever truly cared about me. But…" he struggled and got zapped again "But even despite that, I was able to make some friends. I kept at it, I didn't give up, and now I've got all of these bongs. When you give up, your dreams and everything else, they're gone forever!" he kept struggling and continued being electrocuted.

"Just stop!"

"Your father… Sandayu… I'm going to show you… that they weren't WRONG!" he kept on struggling.

"Kazuma…"

With one final burst of strength, Kazuma cut his shackles "Now we've just… gotta get you out of there…" he gropped the bars, only to be electrocuted, and collapsed to the ground.

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Doto received word they were being attacked, and he knew fully well who it was.

Shisui and his team had finally shown themselves.

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Some of the Snow ninja noticed Kazuma on the floor "Hold on, when did he-?" he removed the seal and opened the door.

"Gotcha." Kazuma promptly punched them out "Yet another reason why underestimating a ninja is a very bad idea."

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Next thing Koyuki knew, she and Kazuma were running along a higher floor, only for a masked Snow ninja to appear "Stop!"

"You son of a-" Kazuma started attacking wildly.

"Hold it hold it Kazuma!" the ninja removed his cloak, revealing Shisui "Relax, it's only me."

"Shisui."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, but at least the princess looks alright."

"Yeah." Koyuki shot Shisui a glare "You switched my Hex Crystal with a fake while I was unconscious without telling me didn't you?"

"Yeah, and I'm really sorry about that." Shisui handed her the real Hex Crystal "But I figured that this was what he was after."

Koyuki stared at the Hex Crystal in his hand "All for this thing huh?"

"Guys!"

Kazuma looked back and saw Itachi and Ayame approaching "Ayame! Itachi!"

"This place is crawling with guards, we'll have to hurry."

"This way!" Koyuki led them away from the cells.

They followed her, knowing fully well that if they didn't defeat Doto then they would all be killed.

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Koyuki stopped them in the throne room "Here."

The light turned on, and Doto made himself known "Well done, Koyuki."

Then Koyuki suddenly ran up to him.

"Wait!" Shisui tried to chase after her, only for Nadare and the rest to block his way 'This can't be…'

Koyuki handed the Hex Crystal to Doto "Here." then she looked down to the others "This really shouldn't be a surprise to any of you. I mean really, I'm an actress after all aren't I?"

Doto smirked "There you have it, another brilliance performance put on by the great Yukie Fujikaze."

"Yes… it was all an act…" Koyuki suddenly drew a dagger and stabbed Doto square in the chest with it "I told you didn't I? I'm an actress!"

"Y-You wretched-" Doto grabbed Koyuki by the throat.

"D-Damn…"

"Princess!" Kazuma cried.

"I always knew… Kazuma… that if I ever returned to the Land of Snow… I would die here… at least I could…"

"Don't you do it, don't you dare stop fighting!"

"Kazuma… it's only thanks to you… that I could stop running away… here in the end…"

"No, because all you're doing is running away! Don't throw away your life like this!"

"I'm sorry father… Sandayu…" Koyuki pushed Doto off of the edge, falling with him.

"Koyuki!"

She hit the ground.

"Koyuki!" Kazuma raced over.

Then Doto suddenly got up and slugged him, the dagger still in his chest "You really thought you could kill me did you? With this little toy of all things?" he removed his kimono, revealing a black suit of Chakra Armor "That's right, it's our latest prototype of the Chakra Armor developed by the scientists here in the Land of Snow." he grabbed Koyuki.

"Don't you dare touch her with those filthy hands of yours!" Kazuma charged at Doto in a rage.

Doto merely swatted him aside "You're wasting your time, every ounce of your chakra has been completely sealed away. Come Koyuki, let us go beyond the rainbow." he was suddenly pulled up by a wire attached to his back.

"No!" Kazuma wrapped a steel wire around Doto's arm, causing him to be pulled through the roof along with doto.

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Doto sprouted wings and started flying away, only to look back with disdain when he realized that Kazuma was following him "I've had just about enough of you!" he blitzed past Kazuma and severed the wire.

Koyuki watched in horror as Kazuma fell straight to the ground "KAZUMA!"

Doto laughed maniacally as he took off.

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The forest floor was quiet.

Kazuma got to his feet and struggled after Doto "This isn't over… I don't care what it takes… I refuse to give up… you hear me? You can run… but you can't hide… I'll follow as long as I have to…"

That was when the film crew showed up "Hop on kid, we'll give you a lift."

"Thanks…" Kazuma got on board.

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Doto led Koyuki to the Rainbow Glacier "Here we are."

"This is it…" Koyuki murmured "We've come here after all, I guess…"

Doto walked up and placed the Hex Crystal in the keyhole, causing the entire Rainbow Glacier to light up.

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Things were heating up on other ends.

Itachi was paired with Ayame against Mizore and Fubuki "Ayame, how close are they?"

"Hold on a second!" Ayame ducked under an attack 'I've got it! 20 degrees left in 5 seconds 30 meters out, you want to aim for that branch!"

"Right!" Itachi quickly wrapped some wire around a branch.

"Give it up, it's useless!"

"You think so?" Ayame revealed several kunai with purple bags within her cloak and hurled them forward.

Mizore was unfazed "Come on, don't make me laugh!" he charged right through them, only to realize that the bags were filled with tiny paper bombs.

"Flower Bomber Barrage. Enjoy." Ayame fired off one more paper bomb, engulfing Mizore in an explosion.

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Fubuki forced herself straight through the wire "You're dealing with the ninja of the Snow here, it will take a lot more than that to bring down the likes of us!"

Itachi suddenly blitzed behind Fubuki using the Dancing Leaf Shadow "You're probably right about that. Crow Combo!" he sent Fubuki towards to the ground with a fierce barrage of kicks to the stomach.

Fubuki made contact with Mizore, their Chakra Armor suits colliding with each other and reacted, the result being a fiery explosion, killing them both.

Itachi landed on the ground "Apparently their suits making contact like that and damaging each other results in a violent explosion."

Ayame blinked "Looks that way."

"For now, let's just meet up with Kazuma while Shisui deals with the last one."

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Nadare faced off with Shisui "You really think you've got a shot of winning against me? Maybe you oughta turn tail and run away like last time."

Shisui promptly activated his Sharingan "I'm not the same person I was back then. Besides, I don't have a choice do I? At the very least, I can show off the new jutsu Kazuma developed." he formed a hand seal, electricity crackling in his leg hand "Lightning Style: Purple Thunder!"

"Ice Style: Wolf Fang Avalanche!" Nadare summoned ice in the form of wolves, causing an avalanche in the process.

Shisui leapt over the wolves and destroyed the last one with Purple Thunder, damaging Nadare's armor in the process.

Nadare leapt back, his armor now sporting a minor crack "Too bad, you almost had me there." he leapt back so he wouldn't be caught in the next avalanche, only to find himself caught by a glowing green hand "What?!"

Shisui emerged from the avalanche, clad in his Full Body Susanoo "Even if I can't beat you with ninjutsu or genjutsu, I've still got this. It's called the Susanoo, the ultimate weapon produced by the Mangekyo Sharingan. You rely too much on your armor, you should've focused more on your natural abilities!" and he slammed Nadare straight into the ground, breaking his neck and killing him "Well that's one down, I'd better join up with the others." and he flew off as fast as the Susanoo would carry him.

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Doto wasn't seeing any sort of riches, much to his irritation "I don't see it. The treasure, where is it?" then he noticed the ice melting.

Koyuki suddenly felt the temperature rising "It's so warm… what is this…?"

"A heat generator? This is the hidden treasure of the Kazahana clan?!"

"KOYUKI!" riding with the film clan, Kazuma charged onto the scene "Get ready Doto, this ends here and now!"

"Finally, something we agree on." Doto formed several hand seals "Ice Style: Black Dragon Blizzard!" a black ice dragon shot out of the armor, engulfing Kazuma almost instantly.

"Kazuma!" Koyuki cried out.

Kazuma emerged from the smoke and collapsed on top of the frozen lake "Wh-What's the matter?" he struggled to his knees "I barely… even felt that…"

"Kazuma that's enough, if you don't stop then he's going to kill you!"

"Please trust me, Koyuki… if you just have a little faith in me… then I promise you… I will not lose!" the device on his chest suddenly cracked as his eyes changed.

"Kazuma…"

Doto was quick to notice this 'How the-?! Is it- Is it possible that the chakra is leaking out somehow?' not wanting to take any chances, Doto charged forward "DIE!" and he shattered the ice over the lake, sending Kazuma down below.

Koyuki fell to her knees.

"Lightning Style: Purple Thunder!" Itachi attempted to attack Doto from behind, landing a crack on his armor.

Doto quickly slammed Itachi into a pillar of ice "Did you really believe your pitiful jutsu would have any sort of effect on me?"

Itachi emerged from the ice, his Sharingan disappearing "Kazuma… his armor has been fractured… the rest… is up to you…" then he lost consciousness.

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Kazuma was sinking to the bottom of the lake 'Itachi… he called out to me… he needs me… Itachi needs me… get up… get up… I have to get up… I promised… I will… I WILL PROTECT THEM!' his eyes shot open, now blue with white irades, the device on his stomach shattering.

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"DOTO!" a furious voice thundered.

"What?" Doto looked and saw Kazuma burst out of the water "What?!"

"Now it's payback time you sorry scum, and I'm gonna give it back with interest!"

"Fine you little halfwit, come and get me! Ice Style: Twin Dragon Blizzard!" doto unleashed two black ice dragons at once, forming a tornado of black snow.

When it subsided, Kazuma was nowhere in sight.

"It's over, this ridiculous little farce is over!" then Doto looked back.

"Not yet isn't, it's like I told you already!" Kazuma emerged from the smoke, his eyes now back to normal with a cyan coloured Rasengan forming in his hand.

Koyuki stared in awe 'Kazuma…'

"It's not over until justice prevails and evil is wiped out! After all, there's no such thing as a good story without a happy ending right?"

"Kazuma! I believe in you! You are by far the strongest ninja I've ever known!"

"Yeah I know, any one of my team could've told you that!" Kazuma charged forward.

Shisui showed up with Ayame to help Itachi, and looked around 'Rainbow chakra, it's just like it is in the movies.' he smiled slightly 'Go ahead Kazuma, end this.'

"RASENGAN!" and with that, he slammed the Rasengan straight into Doto, shattering his armor and sending him spiralling back into one of the Generator Walls, killing him instantly upon impact, causing all of the snow and ice to melt instantaneously, revealing spring underneath.

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Makino and his group looked around in awe "Wait a minute, could this be-?! We're making this movie in 3D?!"

Kai and the rest were more focused on the fact that the Land of Snow had basically become the Land of Spring.

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Koyuki looked around, suddenly recalling a conversation with her father about becoming a strong and kind princess who would always fight for justice 'Did I… Did I actually say such things?' she saw an image of her father, tears falling from her eyes, and she suddenly began laughing.

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Kazuma lay in the grass, giving off a weak thumbs up "Oh yeah… now that's what I call a happy ending…" then he passed out.

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About a week went by, and things were dying down, now that Koyuki had taken her rightful place as ruler of the Land of Snow, and now everyone was celebrating.

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"That generator wasn't even fully developed in the end." Koyuki was explaining.

Shisui raised an eyebrow "You mean to tell me it wasn't fully developed but it was still that powerful? So I guess it's gonna be back to winter soon."

"Not really, if we take what we know and continue researching then before you know it the Land of Snow will soon turn into the Land of Spring."

"Yeah but it's kind of shame." Ayame commented "You're such a big star, are you really going to retire from acting."

"Get real, who said anything about me retiring? Ruling over the Land of Snow and acting at the same time, I think I can manage. I mean I'd have to be completely out of my mind to give it up at this stage in the game." she held up a certain script.

Shisui's jaw dropped through the floor "Th-That script… that's…"

"Yep, Make Out Paradise. But seriously, I can't thank you guys enough for everything you've done for me. If there's ever anything you need, anything at all then just let me know and I'll do it. Well, I'll be seeing you." and she walked off, instantly being bombarded by people asking for autographs.

"That script… she's perfect…" Shisui instantly summoned a messenger hawk "Oh man Kakashi is gonna have a field day when he hears about this."

Then Kazuma suddenly freaked out "Oh god dammit I am so stupid, I should've asked her for an autograph when I had the chance!"

"Oh you don't have to worry about that, I already got one from her while you were stuck in the hospital." Itachi told him.

"...What?!"

Itachi held up an envelope "Here."

Kazuma looked at the picture and groaned "Oh come on look at me, you couldn't have at least used a better picture or something?"

"As fun as this has been, we've got other business to deal with." Shisui turned serious "I mean preventing the Uchiha from attempting the coup that could lead to the start of the Fourth Great Ninja War, ringing any bells anybody?"

"Oh yeah." Kazuma thought for a moment, before a light bulb went off in his head "Wait, that's it!"

"You've got something? I was actually thinking of using my Kotoamatsukami on the clan so they won't go through with it."

"Yeah, but then we still have Madara to deal with." Itachi pointed out "So what's your idea then?"

Kazuma took a deep breath "I think that instead of using it on the Uchiha clan, Shisui should use his Kotoamatsukami on Madara."

"But it's Madara Uchiha, one of the most powerful Uchiha to ever exist. I doubt that would work." Ayame pointed out.

"To escape from it, he'll most likely use Izanagi, the jutsu that brings one back to life in exchange for sight in one eye. Then he'll most likely going for one eye, he'll do anything to get his hands on Kotoamatsukami, so here's what I think. We all know Danzo wants the power of the Sharingan as much as Madara if not more, so I think we should give it to him."

"...What?" was the chorused reply.

"Look I don't like Danzo any more than the next guy, but better him than Madara right? So here's what I think, we give one eye to Danzo and hide the other eye elsewhere."

"But where?" asked Itachi.

"I think Shisui himself should decide when the time comes."

"But then where would I go?"

"Oh you'll fake your own death and awaken Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan. And keep in mind, we're in with the lady of the Land of Snow. We can ask her to grant Shisui asylum here in the Land of Snow so he can train in solitude to the point where he's strong enough to defeat Madara."

They wanted to argue, but knew that it was the best chance they had to take Madara down for good without too many people getting hurt.

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"And that's how it went." Kazuma finished.

"...So Shisui is alive all this time?" Kakashi asked slowly.

"Yep."

"And he's been training in the Land of Snow in hiding?" asked Sasuke.

"Yep."

"And you convinced the lady of the Land of Snow to act as the starring role in the Make Out Paradise movie?" asked Danzo.

"...I don't see what that has to do with anything, but indirectly yes." then he looked up and saw an airship descending outside the village "And that must be him." he grabbed Sasuke and Danzo and disappeared in a green flash.

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Kazuma blitzed in front of the airship with Danzo and Sasuke "She's here."

Then Koyuki stepped out of the airship "I am Lady Koyuki of the Land of Spring here to speak with the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf."

Danzo stepped forward "I am currently acting as Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, if you have a matter involving the Leaf then please take it up with me."

"Very well. I had heard about the horrible tragedy that has befallen your village, and I decided to come here in person to tell you that the Land of Spring will be in full support of your rebuilding efforts."

"You have my thanks." Danzo bowed "However, there is one more piece of business I wish to ask you about."

"It's about me, right?"

Danzo looked back and saw Shisui standing behind him "To think you were capable of appearing behind me without me even noticing, your skills have certainly improved."

"That was the idea."

"Shisui." Sasuke stepped up.

"Hi Sasuke." Shisui turned to face him "I'm really sorry for having to deceive you about the Uchiha clan and the coup."

"Don't worry about it." he wrapped an arm around Shisui's shoulder and began leading him back to the village "Come on, you've got a lot of stuff to catch up on."

A/N:

Just to be clear, this is before Itachi joins the ANBU, and I put Shisui in place of Kakashi here to give him a chance to shine.

I don't know how old Shisui is, so I'm gonna say that by Part II he's 26. 5 years older than Itachi, 5 years younger than Kakashi and the rest.

To reader R:

Yes Sakura will be the main villain of the Five Kage Summit Arc, and Kabuto will now be the fourth.

I'm thinking of having Naruto be the one to fight her and kill her, give him some bonus character development.

I'm gonna have Sasuke nearly sacrifice himself to save Kin, showing that he still loves her, and maybe have him propose to her.

Lee's girl will appear next chapter, as well as a certain OVA that's hard as f*ck to find.

I'm planning on wrapping up the whole thing with Naruto and Hinata after covering the OVA I mentioned above.

I'm thinking of Danzo fighting it out with a certain Uchiha constantly mentioned and have him sacrifice himself.