A/N: Beta by ;
Thank you all for over 1k followers and more than 140k Views. I am kinda blown away by that. I am still working on the final chapters of the next arc. Slowly but surely I get to the point that this story will be finished. After that, I will get back to my HP Story and iron out details for the next Naruto one.
Iron Country was a cold and lonely land, its rugged terrain dominated by jagged cliffs that rose up from the churning sea to form an impenetrable barrier against the world beyond.
The air was thick with mist and salt spray, creating an eerie atmosphere that seemed to drain the color from everything it touched.
The people of Iron Country were hardy and resilient, their lives shaped by the harsh conditions surrounding them.
They lived in small villages scattered along the country, and some bigger cities like the capital where most of the samurai stayed.
The homes were built from weathered wood and sturdy iron, designed to withstand the relentless pounding of the waves and the howling winds that swept across the land.
The country shared its border with Fire, Rice, and Waterfall Country. Iron one of the only countries without ninja villages and only samurai to defend them was known to be neutral to shinobi affairs.
They traded goods and stories, and some of their weapons but the people of Iron would not reach out or try to conquer something.
Jiraiya and Naruto had met at the border from Waterfall to Iron and had stocked up on food and clothes. Now equipped with thick cloaks they traveled to the port town in Iron Country there a ship would wait for them to move to Snow Country.
On their way they nearly encountered nobody. some bandits that were no trouble for the two of them. Taking a mission or two from the locals on the road, while Iron had a strict policy with outside affairs to stay neutral to the Shinobi, if they were in the land they were handled like each Mercenary would. So it was nothing new to hire a Shinobi behind closed doors. Those missions mostly paid fine ranking from B to S but Jiraiya and Naruto only took those they could align with and would only take short amounts of time so they could still catch their boat.
Naruto and Jiraiya met some of his Contacts and heard some rumors regarding Snow.
Nearly a month ago a famous actress was seen with a group of ninjas crossing the sea to get to Snow. Weeks later they had increased their border patrols and dialed down on the trade.
Besides looking into those rumours Naruto placed Hiraishin markes along the way. You never knew when you had to move through the country quickly right? It took another week, and they travelled a bit above the civilian speed. They looked a bit like Grandfather and son. Their Headbands were sealed away, and the only thing that gave them away as Shinbi were the bigger Storage scrolls they carried. They reached port and boarded the ship. In the confines of his cabin, Naruto summoned Kiezu.
"Whoa, Naruto why you summoned me in such a cramped space? I could have hurt myself?" She answered before Naruto could even say something. Looking as the phönix switched back into her Hybrid human form in her Kimono he had to chuckle.
"I thought such a professional like you could deal with something like that."
The blonde ninja mock praised her. Something the female Bird witnessed and had to huff.
"What is the reason you dumb human?" she sassed back.
Naruto sighed and looked at her for a moment.
"I wanted to ask when will be the time to do more of the sage training." Hearing his honest voice she even stopped with her posh tone.
"I will ask Father when you can enter the next stage. For now, I will go back and get you the message back. I am a being of pure flames and you summon me where it is cold. You are so crude sometimes Naruto."
With that, she poofed out of existence. Leaving Naruto alone with his thoughts. He hoped Hatsumi-chan and the others had arrived safely in Neo-Uzushio.
Neo Uzushio, Porttown.
"Why the actual fuck couldn't you just leave me in Konoha?" Tayuya looked at Shisui who smiled brightly behind his mask.
"Cause you are such a good company all those curses on the way. Refreshing. And. You may have forgotten that in that pea brain of yours. That is your home country." He joked back.
"WHO DO YOU CALL PEA BRAIN, YOU PIECE OF BIRD SHIT" She screamed at him and Shisui only had to chuckle again. He loved to rile her up, only to get a rise out of her. Looking at Hatsumi who was getting the Report from Sai.
"We finished most of the tunnel and placed all the seals. The Reconstruction work in the main city has already started. For the moment everything is progressing as expected Hatsumi-sama!" Sai stated with a proud smile that did not look so creepy anymore and got a nod from the Uzumaki.
"Good proceed. I need some lodgings for guests without them being able to leave a certain perimeter." She asked having Kimimaro and Tayuya in mind. While the former was still enjoying a stasis scroll she wanted to have a place ready for him if Naruto had the time to look into the problems he described.
Sai nodded. "Don't worry Hatsumi-sama we have something prepared. If you would follow me please?"
Looking at the still bickering two, she left them for a moment letting herself be shown around.
The tents at the port had been exchanged with cozy-looking two-story cottages.
"Why are on some doors the Uzumaki swirl and on some of them not" Hatsumi asked Sai who smiled again warmly.
"Those with the swirl are occupied at the moment. While we work at rebuilding the city and everything teams are changing and rotating with guard and construction duties so the swirl shows which the cottage is free and which is not."
Hatsumi nodded respectfully at the useful system and after activating her eyes for a short second looking at the walls of the cottages they were glowing brightly with seals. It looked really like Sai was doing a good job as the temporary Mayor of Neo Uzushio. She only hoped that Naruto was staying safe. Unknowingly laying on hand on her stomach where the seal was located that bound her to the clan head.
Snow Country Coastline
They had walked the last mile over water to avoid patrols but now they looked at the coast of Snow. Naruto looked at the land before him, his eyes widening in awe as he took in the sight before him. Snowflakes danced through the air like tiny crystals, blanketing the ground in a pristine white carpet.
The wind whipped around him, carrying with it an icy chill that seeped into his bones.
Jiraiya, who had stood right behind him, looked around at their surroundings and smiled. "Welcome to Snow Country," he said, his voice echoing in the crisp air. "It's a place unlike any other."
As they made their way toward the village, Naruto couldn't help but marvel at the strange architecture that seemed to blend seamlessly into its snowy surroundings.
Buildings were made from snow and ice, their intricate carvings depicting scenes both peaceful and ominous. It was as if the very fabric of this place was woven from a tapestry of contradictions.
The villagers themselves were just as enigmatic as their homeland. They moved about in silence, their eyes hidden behind thick masks of snow.
There was an air of mystery that surrounded them, a sense that they harbored secrets darker than the deepest crevices of these mountains.
Despite the unease that lingered in the air, there was also a palpable sense of community here. The villagers went about their business with quiet efficiency, working together to maintain their icy domain.
It was as if they had learned to embrace both the beauty and danger of this place, living in harmony with the elements that threatened to consume them.
"We should stay low and move to the capital Naruto" Jiraiya cautioned.
Naruto gave a nod but studied the villagers from a distance and a puff of chakra later had hinged into their clothing. Jiraiya nodded. "Good thinking" he did the same.
"I can't really say, that what I can see looks like Iron, but maybe it is all the clothes. I have got the feeling that something is wrong in this winter wonderland." Naruto whispered to the Sannin who had to agree with his apprentice. Somethingwas clearly wrong.
They should find out two days later as they came into the capital. On the center plaza was construction work in place that looked like they built a scaffold. As The two ninjas looked for the possible person to be executed they found a person that Jiraiya even recognized in the racks and chains they had put on her.
"Look into that cage Naruto. Inbarrieriis the actress I spoke about. Yukie Fujikaze. But on that sign stands that she is Koyuki Kazahana and is to be executed for treason. Something clearly is amiss here." Jiraiya whispered while he looked around to get a better view of the situation.
Naruto looked at the Guards who were standing around the barrier wearing something some kind of armor. "We can't summon toads or the phönixes to help us fight here. The guards are wearing something fancy. We need to get more information if you ask me Ero-Sensei."
"Don't call me that." Jiraya scowled.
"Stop writing porn and we talk about it" he replied smugly.
"Focus, Naruto" bonking him on the head getting a muffled yowl from the boy before he continued.
"We wait for the night. Analyze the guard's Henge into them and after that, we can get her out of there and ask our questions. I would love to have more time but it looks like they will finish their little project today" The old Ninja looked at the nearly finished scaffold while Naruto was deep in thought.
"What do you think Kurama?"
"That Guards are sinister they just want money from their boss. The vixen is scared and the three hidden Guards are gleeful. I would say this treason thing is just a big lie"
Holding a conversation in your thoughts had the negative side, in that you were not really aware of your surroundings so Naruto stumbled straight into one guard. Instinctively Naruto reacted and slammed the guard into the ground. For a moment everything was quiet all looked at the guard who was knocked out by Naruto's action. Jiraiya gaped for a moment before he comically looked left and right.
The Guards blinked before all hell broke loose. Rushing at the boy where some Hyoton Jutsu. Wolfs made out of Ice wanted to make this event a short occurrence and quickly assert dominance. Naruto though, just stood his ground looking at Jiraiya voicing something like "Oops", before he answered in Kind. But his Ice was somewhat stronger than that of the locals. Well, he was trained by a Yuki in that element.
Unfortunately, his Jutsu may have won the fight for dominance but now the function of the armor was clear. Naruto looked surprised for a second as the Jutsu were absorbed into the Armor. Looking at the guards who had made a sigh but now looked at him very smugly only saw him change back into his normal appearance. Shocked to see a kid standing before them they looked straight into the red eyes and fell unconscious seconds later.
Naruto noticed a guard scream for Reinforcements as Jiraiya easily dispatched another one with Taijutsu. Raising a barrier to ensure their safety and break the girl out of her prison was quickly done by Kage Bunshin of Naruto.
"What was that Gaki?" came Jiraiya's furious response before getting waved off by Naruto.
"Later have to disable the Barrier. Who cares." Blood Red chains come out of his back, that had a certain malice aura. Taking old of the barrier it slowly corroded where the chains attacked it before it just broke.
"Was that…?" Jiraiya looked shocked at Naruto's solution which had a certain feeling of Biju chakra in it.
"Kurama and I worked on that for two weeks. Works like a charm with low to medium-tier barriers." Looking at the now freed girl who shivered Naruo unsealed a second cloak that had the same seals for temperature as his on it. Relaxing now clearly warm enough to function again the weak voice of the girl sounded out.
"Who are you?" Koyuki asked, still a bit shaken. "You will be killed because of that. Why you did do that?"
Naruto had wide eyes. "You mean why we rescued you that was about to be wrongfully executed? That was the feeling I got. Am I wrong?"
Koyuki sighed before she started into an explanation of what happened. That she first had planned to stay hidden and make movies. For the next one, the director hired Taki Ninja and wanted to cast some scenes in Snow Country. Somehow the ruler and Ursurper of Snow Dotou Kazahana had got hold of the information.
The Taki Ninja left them as it was clear that the fight would not go in their favor. The team and her were captured and she was sentenced to death. After some thinking, she even told them of the treasure she had hidden and not given out, which was the main reason for her being executed.
Jiraiya looked at the force that had gathered outside of Naruto's barrier. Around fifty Shinobi had gathered and began to attack the barrier with Jutsu. "Gaki, how do you think we gonna get out of here? You're barrier is still holding but I don't really want to fight the whole Snow Country."
Naruto smirked. "I will have us out in a flash."
Creating two clones all three disappeared in a flash of yellow light that was unseen to the outsiders thanks to the clones using smoke bombs shortly before landing on the outskirts of the village they got as they arrived at the coast he quickly flashed them to a cave entry one of his clones had noticed.
"Well, this should be fine for the moment, right?"
Jiraiya gave a short nod before they talked about how they would proceed. Naruto had the idea to just bomb that Dotou straight into next year. For minutes it was a tug of war between Naruto and Jiraiya. Till Koyuki inserted herself into the conversation, she did not want anyone more than needed to be hurt. Jiraiya then asked where the HQ of this Dotou would be. Listening in, Naruto and Kurama also got some ideas. Even those without big explosions.
"I think we should split up. I don't think that this snow Shinobi really measures up without their armor. Biju chakra should let it break really fast. So I would be the best to infiltrate the palace. I can even Hiraishin out if needed. You and the princess look for the treasure and whatever. I have experience in dealing with little despondent wannabe Daimyos." He closed with his trademark fox-like grin.
Jiraiya sighed while Koyouki gaped at the blonde. "You are what? Twelve? How will you deal with Dotou?" came her question full of disbelief. Jiraiya gave Naruto a hand gesture that could mean something like "You're answering that".
The blonde looked at the exiled princess and unsealed his black katana. "Why should I explain myself to you? The question I want an answer to is simple. Who is the rightful ruler of this land? As far as I can feel and see it the people here are struggling to make due. They are suffering under this Dotou person. All because he is a greedy bastard. Isn't it? You told me that he had let you live if you had let him to the treasure you're family had hidden for years."
The blonde got a faint aura around his person and released some KI that even got Jiraiya to raise a brow and Koyuki to gulp down. "The only thing you have to decide princess is simple, do you want to fight for your people or give up and die? I would happily assist with the last." The teenager looked completely serious looking at his sword and Koyuki.
Jiraiya wanted to intervene right at this moment. But Koyuki was faster this time.
"You can kill him and not die in the process." Getting a short nod from Naruto she sighed.
"I want to believe you but those Taki Ninjas said the same."
Naruto looked determined and nodded.
"And how you are gonna get there?
A poof of smoke and there was a second Koyuki standing in place of Naruto.
Imitating her voice really well he asked "Well I think Dotou wants a piece of me. I should give it to him after this big bad old ninja wanted to rape me, maybe he will defend me if I beg him nice enough"
Koyuki looked shocked for a moment but hearing Jiraiya laugh was helping. She looked at him for a moment. She went around switching into something she knew being a professional movie star and all that looking for gaps in his works. Getting a complete change in her demeanor. "We will have to work on some poses and things but you could make that work"
In the back, Jiraiya face faulted hearing those words from the princess and seeing the foxy grin on the other Koyuki. Both Koyukis got into perfecting Naruto's habits or better Koyuki's habits. Getting a crash course in professional acting by a professional actress was something else and maybe Naruto regretted his idea, not that he would ever tell anyone.
After the first shock was overcome Jiraiya rolled over the floor and laughed at Naruto's plight.
One week later, Snow Daimyo Fortress
Nearly one week of time was needed for Naruto to get his Koyuki character just right enough for the real Koyuki to be satisfied. After day one Naruto had regrets and many of them. That Koyuki also included the female art of seduction was just too much. Jiraiya and Kurama had fun but Naruto was going through many emotions in those days. Now the plan had started and Naruto or rather Koyuki was led to Dotou, after telling a guard that she escaped the ninjas after they tried to rape her. She wanted to give Dotou the treasure if he would agree to protect her from those evil ninjas.
That guard had bought the act without trouble and now Naruto was standing in the throne room, looking straight at this Dotou person.
The Throne Room of Snow Country's Daimyo Palace is a sight to behold. The walls are adorned with intricate ice sculptures depicting scenes from the village's history and mythology, each one more stunning than the last. The ceiling is arched high above, supported by towering columns of ice that seem to reach towards the heavens.
At the center of the room stands the throne itself, carved from a single block of ice and adorned with intricate designs that glimmer in the light. The seat is soft and plush, covered in furs that keep out the chill of the snowy air.
To either side of the throne are two large windows, their panes of glass etched with scenes from nature. Through them, one can see the snow-capped peaks of the surrounding mountains, a stark reminder of the power and beauty of their homeland.
The room is bathed in a soft, warm light that comes from hundreds of floating lanterns, their flames dancing gently on the still air. The effect is both calming and eerie as if one were in the presence of something ancient and otherworldly.
As visitors enter the Throne Room, they are met with a sense of awe and respect that seems to seep into their bones. This is a place where power is revered and tradition runs deep, a testament to the strength and resilience of Snow Country's people in the face of one of nature's harshest elements.
"He reeks of greed." was the first thing Kurama told him over their mental link, before Naruto could answer Dotou had to stand up and begin talking.
"Koyuki, finally you show some of the intelligence our family was blessed with." His whole body language gave Naruto the creeps. Getting into his role his Koyuki voice was breaking a bit as he answered, perfectly imitating an imitated person.
"Y...Yes I. Thank you." Dotou nodded and walked down the stairs standing straight before Koyuki, putting a finger under her(his) chin while Koyuki's hand made contact with his waist to stabilize her stand.
"Maybe my first approach was too rough. Perhaps I should have made that offer earlier, family should not argue like that right" Dotou looked straight into her eyes and Koyuki gave a small nod. "Now we should move over to the part where you hand over the treasure and I let you live"
"He lies…" was Kurama's silent addition in his mind not that Naruto had needed that heads up. He waited till Dotou turned before chains sprung out of his back, piercing the four visible and one invisible guard and attempted to pierce Dotou too but his Armor was better than that of the others and held strong. Clones popped into existence putting up a barrier to close the two in.
Dotou was looking shocked at Koyuki before he got a smug grin. "I never knew that you got a Kekkai Genkai Koyuki." With an evil laugh, he formed hand seals only to look surprised as Koyuki vanished and he felt a sharp sting in his knees and fell down to them. Looking behind him Koyuki had vanished and in her place stood a blonde boy with a smug grin and red eyes with a black swirl in both of them.
"I know that your armor absorbs chakra-based attacks and protects you against Genjutsu. Have to cut you out of it then right?" Katana in Hand Naruto charges at Dotou trying to move out of the hit zone he failed as his legs would not move.
Two cuts later and the Charka Armor lay at his side only to be sealed away by Naruto. Looking at the beaten man Naruto had no problems using his Sharingan to get him to talk. Hearing that he wanted to start some kind of crusade against the minor and then large villages after perfecting the chakra armor were something Naruto had expected. This person was nearly as bad as Gatou. Something Naruto could not let live. Not when he wanted to reach his goal. It did not take long before he got any information Dotou could provide him. He even got the location in which prison the film crew was placed shortly after he used a Kunai to the neck to end the life of the former Ursurper.
He cleaned up and sealed the bodies away before he flashed out of the palace. Getting back to the meeting point he witnesses as the snow starts to melt.
Two weeks later, on the ship back to Iron Country
Jiraiya and Naruto were standing at the ship's railing looking at the sea. Just yesterday the festivities of the newly christened Spring Country ended with the new Daimyo Koyuki saying goodbye and thanking the two ninja for their help. After Jiraiya and Koyuki had activated the Generators and the snow had melted, the people of Snow were grateful to Koyuki for providing them with this new opportunity.
The Ninja Force of Spring was screened by Naruto and Jiraiya and those who had stayed loyal to Dotou were executed. After all the bloody business was done Koyuki had invited them to stay for the festivities. Drinking and eating to their heart's content in the end Naruto and Jiraiya wanted to move forward they had to cover more ground this year and decided to take their, but not before Koyuki approached Naruto with a scroll. A scroll that content Naruto was the only person privy to and not even shared with Jiraiya. A point that the Sannin brought up on their travel but Naruto would not relent and tell him what was in the scroll. Now he looked forward to traveling Iron Country even more. Maybe speak with the Samurai there. All the possibilities to learn new things. The blonde was really excited to go there.
At the same time in Konoha
The sun was just beginning to rise over Konoha Village as Hinata Hyuuga, Sakura Haruno, and Ino Yamanaka made their way toward the training ground. They were all thirteen years old now and had been handpicked by Tsunade Senju herself to begin their formal training in the healing arts of the Konoha Medical Corps.
As they approached the training area, they could see Tsunade standing with her back to them, a stern look on her face as she watched one of her students perform a jutsu. The trio exchanged nervous glances among themselves before stepping forward and bowing respectfully.
"Alright you three," Tsunade said without turning around, "I've been hearing good things about your progress in the healing arts. Let's see what you can do."
The first task was a simple one: to clean and bandage a minor wound on one of Tsunade's training dummies. Sakura went first, her hands moving quickly as she disinfected the wound and applied pressure to stop the bleeding. Next up was Hinata, who carefully wrapped the injured area in fresh bandages while ensuring that no further damage would occur. Lastly, Ino stepped forward, her chakra-infused fingers working like a well-oiled machine as she sealed the wound shut with precision.
Tsunade watched them all intently before finally turning around to face them. "Not bad," she said with a nod of approval, "but remember, healing isn't just about the physical aspect. It's also about understanding your patient and their emotional state. Now, let's move on to some Taijutsu training."
The three girls exchanged surprised looks but followed Tsunade's lead as she led them to a clearing in the forest.
At the same time in Neo-Uzushio
In the heart of Neo Uzushigakure, two ninjas were engaged in a heated argument over food. Tayuya Uzumaki, a girl with long red hair and a fiery temper, was arguing vehemently with Shisui Uchia, a boy with a mischievous grin and an uncanny ability to read people's minds.
"I can't believe you hogged all the gyoza!" Tayuya shouted, slamming her chopsticks down on the table in frustration. "That's so rude!"
Shisui smirked and shrugged nonchalantly, taking another piece of sushi from the platter between them. "Well, if it bothers you that much," he said with a laugh, "you should have been faster."
Tayuya's eyes narrowed angrily at his response. "You think this is funny?" she growled, grabbing another piece of sushi and shoving it into her mouth aggressively.
Shisui just laughed louder, enjoying the way Tayuya was getting riled up. "Oh ho! Someone's touchy today," he teased, taking a large bite out of his own food.
Tayuya glared at him across the table, her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment. She couldn't believe how easily Shisui could push her buttons – it was infuriating! But before she could retaliate with another snappy comeback, Hatsumi entered the room, interrupting their argument.
"Alright you two," she said sternly. "Enough of that. I won't have you disturbing our mealtime. If you can't deal with each other like adults I will deal with you like children and give you a timeout." Flashing her Mangekyou with the complete opposite aura she usually had.