April 13th 2002:

Tension consumed the entirety of the snow covered island team seven had found themselves on. Clouds drifted across the boundless sky and shielded their acute vision from the vicious sunlight above them.

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha had entered a well-practiced formation to defend Koyuki Kazahana from Fubuki Kakuyoku's ruthless clutches. Steadying himself, Naruto clasped his hands.

From miles ahead of where these two members of team seven stood, Kakashi Hatake and Nadare Roga were engaged in a heated stare-down. Amused at this situation, Nadare sneered at Kakashi in disdain.

Off into the distance of the frosted island, Ryomen Sukuna and Mizore Fuyukuma approached each other. Confident in his victory against this ominous child, Mizore swung his entire hand downwards to crush him.

Palm lifted to catch the powerful blow, Sukuna felt the surface underneath his feet crack a little from the impact of Mizore's hand. Sukuna paid him no mind, then slammed a knee into his abdomen.

Despite the physical power Sukuna had, Mizore endured his attack, retracted his arm from Sukuna's hold, and jabbed an elbow forward. Instead of being hit in the nose, Sukuna had his fore-arm block it off.

Wielding the unnatural abilities his body gave him, Sukuna channelled an abundant amount of cursed-energy throughout his muscles. Mizore saw him twist his mouth into a vicious smirk. "No more games…"

In a burst of vicious speed, Sukuna disappeared from Mizore's immediate line of sight, appeared next to him, punched the shoulder-pad of his Chakra-Armour, and gave him a four-eyed glance of amusement.

Shocked by Sukuna's unnatural agility, Mizore wasted no time whatsoever and performed three hand-signs in rapid succession. Sukuna sensed the ground beneath him shake and separate.

"His speed and strength are intense." Mizore planted his hand down onto the snow-covered terrain. "Water-Style: Spikes!"

An unimaginable number of water-constructed spikes burst forth from underneath where Sukuna stood. Unafraid of any of this, Sukuna took one step forward, slid his hands into his pockets, and then vanished.

One finger lifted, Mizore transmitted his chakra into these spikes to locate Sukuna's whereabouts. Multiple spikes created from water shimmered, throwing themselves down into the snow-covered ground.

Numerous cracks on the island were produced from this technique. Sukuna had somehow been able to steer himself away from all of them, jumping onto the top of a frozen boulder and grinning in joy.

"This is my first time battling such a hostile opponent." Sukuna morphed his wide grin into a smirk. "Why do you want the necklace?"

Indulging himself in idle chatter, Mizore answered. "I don't want the Hex-Crystal. Lord Doto seeks it for himself!"

"You're pretty damn powerful." Sukuna pointed a patronizing finger at the passionate man. "Why serve someone who sounds so pathetic?"

"How dare you." Mizore clenched his gauntleted fists in outrage. "Lord Doto is the man who will change the Land-Of-Snow and the world!"

Hand pressed onto his mouth, Sukuna yawned. "Sounds boring. Why doesn't Doto come to Koyuki and get this Hex-Crystal himself, huh?"

All of a sudden, Mizore lunged at Sukuna, tackled him into a second frozen boulder, pulled out a chakra-enhanced Kunai, and aimed a slash for his chest. Sukuna's four eyes glowed crimson for a minute.

"This one's easy to rile up." Sukuna glanced at the chunks of broken ice and rock around him. "I still wonder what that armour can do…"

Disintegrating into lumps of metal, the handle of the Kunai in Mizore's hand fell downwards onto Sukuna's chest. Sukuna lashed his arm out, elbowed Mizore in the nose, grunted, and hurtled him into the snow.

Rolling away into the distance, Mizore repositioned himself onto his feet. Hands tucked into his pockets, Sukuna sprinted at the man in a flash of commendable speed, took his hand out, and flicked it down.

This Chakra-Armour that Mizore and his teammates wore had the ability to nullify all Ninjutsu-based attacks and Genjutsu-based attacks. However, Sukuna's physiology itself opposed the armour's function.

Chakra was created from the mixture of physical and spiritual energy while cursed-energy stemmed from one's negative emotions. Sukuna was the perfect counter to the ability this armour provided its wearer.

Noticing how Sukuna had moved his hand, Mizore hummed. "That must be a hand-sign for a Jutsu. My armour should nullify it, then…"

Dismantle was launched into the chest-plate of the armour. Mizore reached his hands out for his upper-torso, feeling the cracks in his protective outfit. Sukuna raised his hand, then blurred forward.

"Impossible!" Mizore blinked at the hand that grabbed his face. "Lord Doto had his team make sure that the Chakra-Armour would work!"

Overcoming his shock, Mizore pried Sukuna's calloused hand off of his face and jabbed the crimson-eyed boy in the neck. Impressed by his application of Taijutsu, Sukuna punched Mizore's stomach.

The second impact of Divergent-Fist had been used on the man, hurling him backwards and crashing him into a row of boulders. Sukuna flexed his fingers and chuckled.

"He's not weak by any means." Sukuna rubbed his bruised neck. "He was underestimating at the beginning—but not anymore, huh…?"

Snakes made out from water slithered from the shore of the snow-covered island. Breaking free from the weight of the boulders on him, Mizore glared at Sukuna and rushed at him in a vicious blur.

Sukuna matched Mizore's speed. Exchanging a series of ruthless blows, Sukuna and his opponent danced across the landscape. To inhibit his movements, snakes of water bit down on Sukuna's ankles.

Taking advantage of the brief lull of respite in this battle, Mizore distanced himself from Sukuna, lifted both of his hands at once, full on throttled the crimson-eyed boy in the nose, and propelled him back.

Uncaring of how much blood trickled out of his nose, Sukuna rose to his feet and laughed like a madman. "Time for some real fun…"

(-)

Naruto sucked in the deepest of breaths he could muster, performed a number of hand-signs familiar to himself, closed his mouth, opened it a short second after, and shot out an endless stream of cold wind.

Feet settled on the top of a frosted hill, Fubuki laughed in rancid amusement as her Chakra-Armour produced a purple barrier to protect her. Naruto's Jutsu had been useless against this individual.

Having made sure Koyuki and Sandayu Asama stayed behind him, Sasuke activated his one tomoe Sharingan and squinted his eyes. Naruto clicked his teeth together. "Why didn't my Jutsu affect her?"

Sprinting at their opponent in this full-scale battle, Sasuke shouted. "Naruto! I think that armour of hers blocks off all types of Ninjutsu!"

"Gotcha!" Naruto nodded at his teammate, focusing on keeping Koyuki and Sandayu safe from Doto's squad. "We won't let them get you!"

Despite being in the face of Naruto's avid determination, Koyuki maintained her silence and apathy over this entire ordeal. Sandayu trembled a little, relieved and grateful. "Thank you for your help."

After throwing a Kunai at Fubuki and witnessing her armour's barricade repel it, Sasuke realized she was also immune to projectiles. Shooting himself towards her, Sasuke spun around and reached his foot out.

Since weaponry and Ninjutsu were pointless on Fubuki, Sasuke had made the decision to engage her in a battle of pure Taijutsu. Fubuki had raised her fore-arm to redirect the kick—but felt her body rattle.

Impressed, she murmured to herself in an amused tone. "I underestimated the strength you brats had, how foolish of me…"

Separating herself from Sasuke, Fubuki bellowed out. "But do not forget! I, Fubuki Kakuyoku, am a Shinobi who serves lord Doto!"

Sasuke landed next to Naruto—who shouted. "This Doto sounds like a real asshole! Why doesn't he fight us himself if he's so great, huh?!"

"Silence, you brat." Irritated at the Uzumaki, Fubuki snarled. "Lord Doto wants us to take the Hexagonal-Crystal from Princess-Koyuki!"

Sandayu had remained next to Koyuki during all of this and yelled. "How dare you try and steal Princess-Koyuki's father's last gift to her!"

Sasuke glanced out at the sea while the others talked. "Is that director really recording our battles against these three for that movie of his?"

Upon being commanded by Kakashi, Makino and his film-crew had evacuated onto the grand ship they had been sailing on. Fubuki smirked at them, descending upon Naruto in a blur of movement.

Naruto had been punched in the gut by Fubuki. Saliva ejected itself from his mouth before he rolled backwards into the snow. Sasuke smirked once the Wind-Clone who had been struck dispelled.

"When did he have time to do that?" Fubuki swept her eyes over the area, clicked her teeth, and sneered. "These brats are nuisances…"

From the pile of frozen boulders behind Fubuki, Naruto reverted to his original form and roundhouse kicked her head. Fubuki lurched downwards in shock—but Sasuke intercepted her and upper-cut her jaw.

"Only Taijutsu is effective on them." Sasuke spoke aloud, eyes glowing a mixture of black and crimson. "I'm sure Sukuna and Kakashi know.."

Jaw clenched in unadulterated annoyance, Fubuki climbed to her feet. No longer having any intention of holding back, she cast a hand-sign. Sasuke's Sharingan glinted red to analyze her next course of action.

Tendrils of pure electricity materialized out of nowhere. Sasuke had been expecting them to be aimed at either him or Naruto. To his concealed surprise, however, Sandayu was the tendrils' target.

"Damn it!" From his perch on a frozen boulder, Naruto grunted. "Sasuke—how the hell are we supposed to save him like this?"

Calm and composed like usual, Sasuke responded. "I'm guessing she'll try and hold Sandayu hostage to get this 'Hex-Crystal' item."

"What the hell is so special about that damn necklace?" Naruto glanced at Koyuki—who stayed rooted in her spot. "Sandayu."

Ignoring both Naruto and Sasuke, Fubuki addressed the actress. "Give up the Hex-Crystal—otherwise I'll zap your friend to death."

Without thinking, Koyuki cradled her necklace in her hand. "Leave me out of whatever schemes my uncle wants for the Land-Of-Snow!"

"How cruel of you." Fubuki pressed a hand to her chest-plate. "So many people have been waiting for your return, Princess-Koyuki!"

Gulping at the situation he was in, Sandayu gathered his resolve. "Please, Princess-Koyuki! Don't let them steal your father's last gift!"

Overhearing this exchange of statements, Sasuke thought. "We're missing so many crucial details about this entire situation…"

"What can we do?" Naruto clenched his fists in contemplation. "If we make any random moves, then this crazy lady will kill Sandayu!"

They were then interrupted by a massive eruption of chakra. Sukuna crashed into an average-sized snow-covered hill, grinning. Mizore grimaced at the reincarnated child in rage, a blade in his hand.

Flipping onto the top of another hill on this land, Sukuna launched a Dismantle into the blade and it exploded into scraps of steel. Discarding the handle of the blade, Mizore performed a hand-sign.

Molecules of water surrounded Sukuna in a cocoon of sorts. Mizore then balled his hand into a fist and had the water implode in on itself. Sukuna's body was ejected from the cocoon, rolling across the air.

"Sukuna?!" Naruto shouted after positioning himself closer to Koyuki and his teammate. "What the hell is that psycho doing right now?!"

Sasuke stopped Naruto from intervening in Sukuna's battle. "Leave him be. Our main priority is guarding Koyuki and freeing Sandayu."

"Oh?" Fubuki dispelled her tendrils of electricity, holding onto Sandayu's neck. "That kid who has four eyes is doing rather well."

Sukuna footed himself on Mizore's shoulder, applying Cleave onto one of the shoulder-pads of his armour and jumping away from the man. Halting in his tracks, Sukuna landed close to his teammates and hummed.

Kakashi and Nadare had arrived in the area where everyone else was located. Using this distraction, Sukuna activated Spiderweb on the ground, fissured it, and watched Fubuki stumble and drop her captive.

Tapping the bruised and blood-covered spots on his face, Sukuna groused. "I'm guessing Kakashi is going to want us to retreat…"

Once Naruto and Sasuke had secured Sandayu and Koyuki, Kakashi confirmed Sukuna's theory. "All of you—return to the ship right now!"

(-)

They had all boarded the massive ship like Kakashi had told them to. Sukuna leaned his elbows down on the taffrails of the ship, interested in seeing how Kakashi planned to stop their three new adversaries.

To propel the ship away from the snow-covered island, Naruto had performed the Wind-Style: Burst technique to increase the distance between them and the three members of Doto's specialized team.

Cursed-energy flowed into Sukuna's eyes to improve their vision. Sukuna could make out the outline of Kakashi creating an enormous hurricane of wind to split the entire island into three separate parts.

Sukuna could also see Kakashi's Shadow-Clone as it carried the exhausted body of the original. Looking at the damage to the island, Sukuna realized Kakashi had suffered chakra-exhaustion as a result.

Sprinting across the water at an unnatural speed, the Shadow-Clone leaped onto the ship, dropped Kakashi, and then dispelled itself. Kakashi huffed. "The island's surface was thin enough to split apart."

Growing uninterested by the chaotic scene around him, Sukuna left his teacher on a chair from the film-set, entered the room he had been occupying, seated himself down on his bed, and cupped his chin.

This puzzle Sukuna had wanted to solve had been completed. Koyuki, according to the members of Doto's special squad, was the princess of the Land-Of-Snow—explaining why Sandayu wanted her to return.

Although, many more questions surfaced out from Sukuna's curious mind—why had Koyuki left her land to become an actress and what was so important about the Hex-Crystal that made Doto go after it?

Having sunken into the mattress of his bed, Sukuna folded his arms behind his head and scanned the mundane items of his room. Had Koyuki left the Land-Of-Snow on purpose? Sukuna sighed in irritation.

One crimson eye opened, Sukuna grouched to himself. "One issue after the other. But I'm hoping I can at least fight Doto later on…"

Sukuna had no real intention of interfering in this political incident. However, the chance of being given a good fight enthralled him. No matter what, Sukuna was somewhat determined to end this mission.

(-)

The sound of two fingers being snapped rang in Sukuna's ears. Four vermillion eyes wrenched themselves open in annoyance. Settled down onto his bed, Sukuna gandered at whoever had woken him up.

Holding some type of newspaper in his wrinkled hand, Makino said. "It's about damn time you woke up, kid. We've reached our stop."

An uninterested blink from his eyes was Sukuna's response. "Right. Aren't you at least a little worried about being attacked again?"

"Who cares about being attacked again?" Makino pointed his newspaper in Sukuna's face. "It's great for our latest film, isn't it?"

"I will say, though, you and your teammates are formidable." Makino adjusted his sun-glasses, whistling. "Taking on those Shinobi like that."

Shrugging at the director of the films, Sukuna rose to his feet. "Thanks—but is there any other reason that you woke me up?"

"It's time to get some answers from Sandayu." Makino smirked. "This is all incredible! It feels like I'm in the middle of a massive plot-twist!"

Hands tucked into his pockets, Sukuna approached the man. "I've never met someone who's so movie-obsessed other than Naruto."

"Of course I'm captivated by films!" Sandayu guided Sukuna down a hallway in the ship, lifting his newspaper. "All movies paint a tale!"

"A tale of chaos, a tale of romance, or a tale of joy!" Makino shouted, voice passionate and loud. "My favourite type of tale is a hopeful one!"

Sukuna raised both of his eye-brows in mild contemplation. "His ideology and philosophy about movies is interesting enough, I guess."

"Enough about my passion for film-making." Makino opened a door, ushering the reincarnated child into the room. "I've brought him."

In the middle of this somewhat large room, there was a table accompanied by a few seats—these seats were occupied by Sasuke, Kakashi, Sandayu, and Naruto: who grunted. "Took you long enough!"

Pulling out a chair for himself and making himself comfortable on it, Sukuna placed a hand under his cheek.

Kakashi slid off his chair, standing up and sighing. "Sandayu, did you even think about the risks of bringing Princess-Koyuki back here?"

Interrupting his teacher, Naruto waved his hand around. "Am I the only one who's still surprised about how that lady is a real princess?"

In retaliation, Sasuke nudged Naruto on the shoulder. "I think being confronted by those three Ninja earlier should have erased all doubts."

"Asshole." Naruto grunted for a second time, rubbed his shoulder, and folded his arms. "I'm just surprised she's a real princess, that's all."

To clear all suspicions about Koyuki's identity, Kakashi said. "Yukie Fujikaze was nothing more than an alias for Koyuki Kazahana."

"She is the rightful heiress to the Land-Of-Snow." Kakashi ignored Naruto's befuddled face. "Though, I suppose you figured it out."

Sukuna noticed how Kakashi's gaze lingered on him in particular. "So, Sandayu. Would you mind telling us everything about this situation?"

Flinching at the impassivity and boredom of Sukuna's tone, Sandayu nodded. "Of course—I served Koyuki's father, Sosetsu Kazahana."

"The Land-Of-Snow is a much smaller nation." Sandayu spoke. "But it was a haven of peace. I miss those simple days of peace and quiet."

Fists clenched in hidden anger, Sandayu murmured. "Ten years ago, Sosetsu's younger brother—Doto—staged a revolt against him…"

"He hired those three you fought earlier." Sandayu sucked in a deep breath. "And, during the revolt, they destroyed the Kazahana castle!"

"At first, I had thought the princess had died in that fire." Sandayu lowered his head. "But then...!"

Clarifying what Sandayu meant, Kakashi cut in. "One of the village elders recieved news of this revolt. I was given a simple mission."

"Rescue Sosetsu Kazahana and Koyuki Kazahana." Kakashi said. "I'm sure you can figure out the rest—Sosetsu had already been killed."

Posture relaxed and laid-back, Kakashi elaborated. "At the time of this result, I had been backed into a corner by those three Shinobi."

Sasuke snorted, hands intertwined. "That was ten years ago, though. I'm pretty confident you could take them all on at once, Kakashi."

"Maybe." Kakashi told him. "Remember Sasuke, underestimating an opponent and overestimating yourself can be fatal in a true battle."

All of a sudden, Sandayu teared up and then spoke. "When I found out that Princess-Koyuki had survived, I was overcome by relief!"

Sukuna thought. "This entire situation keeps getting more and more intense." He sighed. "All I want is a good fight from these bastards."

A monotonous voice broke the brief silence. "I should have died back then alongside everything and everyone else who died on that day."

Unknowing of Naruto's immediate aggression, Sandayu shouted. "You mustn't speak like that, princess! We feared the worst had happened!"

"We kept praying for you to have survived." Sandayu murmured. "When we found out Kakashi saved you, we were all so happy!"

She cut him off in a dead and flippant tone. "I'm alive. But my heart is dead. After that day, any tears I had left dried up from my very soul."

Makino handed Sandayu a tissue to clean his eyes. Sandayu spoke. "I then bid my time until I could be her manager and bring her back…"

An eye-brow was raised by Makino—who asked the man. "So you've been using my film-crew and me to get easy transport to this land?"

"My apologies—but it was for the sake of the Land-Of-Snow." Sandayu rose from his chair. "It was for the sake of the people!"

Sukuna watched in mild intrigue as Sandayu went over to Koyuki and bowed in her direction. "Please, princess! Confront Doto for this land!"

"Please!" Sandayu bowed even deeper this time. "Take your rightful place of being this land's ruler! Lead your people to a new era!"

Knuckles positioned underneath his chin, Sukuna sighed. "Does he really expect that to work? No, I suppose a speech like that could work."

Koyuki kept her frigid gaze on Sandayu, then replied. "I don't think so. You've got to be kidding me, do you really think I'd buy into that?"

"But." Sandayu trembled a little, stammered, and shouted. "What about your people?! They've been waiting on your return for so long!"

Scoffing, Koyuki grunted. "I don't care about these people! Face it, you will never defeat Doto or stop his schemes! Give up on that dream!"

Despite the tension in the air, Naruto slapped the table. "Give up?! Can't you see how hard this man has worked for this dream?!"

Shocked by the blond-haired boy's righteous anger on his behalf, Sandayu looked at him in unadulterated disbelief. "Naruto…"

Koyuki crossed her arms in impassivity while Makino talked. "Hope and determination can go hand in hand—a good theme for this film!"

"I can picture how much the latest Princess-Gale film will evolve." Makino rubbed his chin. "This is guaranteed to be popular, hah!"

Kakashi decided to speak. "There is only one course of action. Since Doto will stop at nothing to steal the Hex-Crystal, we have to fight."

"Perfect!" Naruto pumped his fist in celebration. "This will be the perfect comeback for the princess—stopping this Doto for good!"

"This isn't like those damn movies you watch!" Koyuki yelled. "Happy endings are nothing more than fictional delusions created by people!"

Emboldened by this claim, Makino shouted in response. "Happy endings are possible! Hope and determination are no mere delusions!"

Stunned, Koyuki remained silent. Makino smirked. "It's decided! We're going to film the greatest film of all time here—in the Land-Of-Snow!"

"In usual circumstances—." Kakashi spoke to his students. "—I would call for backup from the village. But I think you three can handle this."

"Remember, you three." Kakashi's gaze grew intense. "A Shinobi will awaken only three times in their life to reach a higher strength…"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sukuna pondered for a second. "Whatever, all I'm focused on is fighting Doto or those three again."

(-)

They had boarded off the ship and had taken refuge from the potent weather in these unique vans specialized for driving through snow. To reach their destination faster, they drove through an enormous tunnel.

Sukuna leaned back in his seat at the back of the spacious van, closed his two lower eyes, and glanced out of the window. There were vans in front of and behind their vehicle. Sukuna yawned a little.

Those vans were carrying the other members of the film-crew and equipment for the film itself. Slumping into his comfortable seat, Sukuna listened to the conversation that drifted across the air.

"I can't see the exit for this tunnel at all!" Naruto yelled, heedless of Sasuke's irritation at the volume of his tone. "This place is incredible!"

Deciding to indulge Naruto for a while, Sandayu said. "Once upon a time, a railroad used to run through here. Though, now it's frozen."

"If you look deep enough, you would find the train tracks still there." Sandayu smiled. "But, like I said earlier, it's covered in ice by now."

Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sukuna were content on staying silent. Naruto watched their van exit the massive tunnel and park itself on the snow. Face excited, Naruto left the van and felt the snow touch his skin.

Following his enthusiastic friend from behind, Sukuna scratched his head in boredom before one of Makino's assistants rushed at him. Sukuna heard him yell out. "Bad news—Yukie's vanished again!"

Somehow, along their journey, Koyuki had escaped the van she was in and had rushed to the other side of the tunnel. Naruto realized this. Without anyone except Sukuna noticing, he sprinted into the tunnel.

"That moron is going to get into trouble." Sukuna smirked, once again following his friend into the tunnel. "I wonder what else could happen."

(-)

Koyuki hurried across the snow-covered grass of the area she had entered in an unsteady gait, exhausted breaths leaving her mouth. Since she had been sleeping less, she had grown fatigued.

Tripping on her feet and falling into the snow, Koyuki clicked her teeth. Memories about her father, childhood, and the Land-Of-Snow filled her mind as she looked up and saw the silhouettes of two familiar people.

"It's impossible to run away from your fate." Naruto stepped forward. "But that doesn't mean you can't change it and how your story goes."

Sukuna watched Naruto hoist an exhausted Koyuki onto his back, then hummed. "I forgot how philosophical he could get sometimes."

The three of them ventured off into the tunnels once again. Three minutes onto this little journey back to the others, Koyuki spoke. "Why do you always come looking for me? What's the point in that, huh?"

"It's not because it's my mission." Naruto responded, eyes resolved. "I want to help you and the others, there's nothing more to it. You hear?"

A breath of impassivity escaped Sukuna's mouth. "I'm here for the thrill of it. But I guess Naruto sees this mission as a new obstacle."

"Take me back all you want." Koyuki glanced to her right side. "But I'll only be acting for that damn camera and movie, nothing else."

Laughing to himself, Naruto nodded. "Fine by me. I'm sure Kakashi-Sensei has a plan on how to beat Doto and his pals."

Sukuna ignored their interaction until it was interrupted by the low whistle of what sounded like a train. Confused, Sukuna peered at the ground, noticed that the train-tracks had been melted, and grunted.

From ahead of where they stood, a massive train approached them head-on. Sukuna shoved Naruto forward by the shoulder, wasting no time whatsoever. "Head back to the others. This could be Doto…"

Trusting Sukuna's decision, Naruto channelled chakra into his legs and sprinted deeper into the tunnel. "You better not die, you asshole!"

Once Naruto had disappeared, Sukuna flipped onto the side of the tunnel and heard the train whistle louder. "I should get on it…"

Sukuna hopped onto the top of the fast train, found a hatch on its roof, ripped it open without a single sound, slipped into an empty compartment, and trekked onwards to explore the entire vehicle.

It was impossible for sensory-type Shinobi to detect Sukuna because of his lack of chakra and chakra-system. Entering another compartment, Sukuna hid in one of the corners and smiled.

(-)

Naruto had been successful in outrunning the train and had dropped Koyuki and himself onto the snow, located close to the others. Realizing the train had stopped, Naruto focused on his surroundings.

The vans for the film-crew and the film-crew themselves had vanished. In their place, Sandayu and an army of men stood on snow-covered hills on the right and left side of the train-track.

For some odd reason, Kakashi and Sasuke had also disappeared. Koyuki trembled in shock as the roof to the train opened, producing a platform where both Nadare and Doto stood. He had arrived at last.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Sandayu had given a secret message to the members of the rebellion against Doto about where he would be. They had gathered at this spot to confront Doto once and for all.

"Men!" Sandayu raised a blade high into the air. "Princess-Koyuki has returned at last to fight back against Doto!"

"That's Doto, huh?" Naruto asked Koyuki—who gave him a nod. Blue eyes twisted into crimson voids. "Then he's the one behind all of this!"

Speaking into some type of tool to amplify his voice, Doto smiled. "It has been some time, Koyuki. Have you kept the Hex-Crystal safe?"

Naruto entered Doto's line of sight, unamused. "So you're the one who's driven the Land-Of-Snow into chaos? You damn bastard…"

Interrupting Naruto, Sandayu yelled at the actress. "Please, listen! I, Sandayu Asama, and my comrades shall help you battle Doto!"

"Nuisances, all of them." Doto addressed Nadare, then spoke. "I thought you had stopped these people, finish them off on my behalf."

"Of course." Nadare pulsed chakra into the train to signal the people inside of the vehicle. "My apologies for not defeating them sooner."

Keeping himself in front of Koyuki, the Uzumaki saw how the sides of the train opened up and morphed into cannons that launched Kunai. Heedless of this, Sandayu bellowed out. "Charge, my companions!"

"Stop!" Naruto shouted at the rebellion group. "You won't be able to do anything to Doto if you're hit by those Kunai! They aren't listening…"

"Where the hell is Sukuna?" Naruto's thoughts were irritated. "I'm not sure if I have a Jutsu that can destroy all of those Kunai fast enough!"

"Good." Doto raised his hand to signal the cannons on. "Sandayu, you cling to the hope that my era will end. But it is your era that ended—!"

Dismantle was launched into Doto, hitting his chest-plate and hurtling him into the snow around his train. Sukuna appeared in front of the Kunai cannons, directing several Dismantles in their general direction.

"The metal used for his armour is more durable than I expected." Sukuna smirked. "So you're the infamous Doto that I've heard about."

Touching his undamaged chest-plate, Doto chuckled. "I understand now. You must be the one who Mizore had warned me about…"

"I'm guessing Kakashi and Sasuke are preparing to destroy the train." Sukuna grunted. "So, what details did Mizore give you about me?"

"That you had a Jutsu this armour cannot defend against." Doto tapped his chest-plate. "I only want the crystal..."

Sukuna shrugged. "Okay."

He sighed.

A/N: Thanks for reading.