A/N: Hello and welcome back to another chapter of Guardian of the Tailed Beasts. Sorry, it took a little while, I was busy with some stuff. I am afraid that I won't be able to keep up with the monthly schedule of One Year Early this month, I apologize sincerely for that.
Back to the chapter, well, we were in the middle of the fights in Yukigakure in the last chapter and with this one we will conclude the fights and then move on to the wrap up chapters of this arc, followed by transitional chapters to the next arc.
Wish you all happy reading.
CHAPTER 34: SPRING IN THE LAND OF SNOWAll the major fights in Yukigakure had already been wrapped up. Doto, the tyrannical daimyo was the only one still standing amongst the Yuki ranks. Hundreds if not thousands of his soldiers had been converted into sacks of bones by one single green spandex wearing eccentric ninja. Several more were dealt by white drills and swarms of bugs. If that wasn't enough, then one of the top generals was played around before being killed by two kids from Konoha, that too in a completely one-sided encounter. The Ame team that tried to interfere and give the battered Yuki shinobi some much needed relief, all lay unconscious on the ground without being able do anything to turn the tide of the battle, while their jonin lied trapped waiting for death to claim him.
"Nadare got killed by a couple of Konoha kids…holy crap…" One of the soldiers.
"that's insane, but then again, 800 have been killed or incapacitated by that green loudmouth shouting about the flames of youth…"
"Nadare, Fubuki, and Mizore were supposed to be the top of our ranks, the best of Yukigakure's number, and Doto-sama's handpicked lieutenants…and yet two of them were dealt with so easily…it's like some kind of nightmare…"
This is how the conversations went among the still standing soldiers, their morale had taken a dive and with that their loyalty to Doto and the power he always promised them, the superiority of Yuki that he preached…all those illusions had been shattered mercilessly.
"We had been lied to…Doto lied to us…" Slowly these sorts of noises were heard among the soldiers.
It was at that time, when the last of the three generals, Fubuki Kakuyoku arrived at the scene. And she was smart enough to read the mood of the shinobi quickly enough. So, she wisely decided to stay back and watch how the saga unfolded.
Doto was growing frustrated. His men were now starting to stop fighting with the loss of morale.
It was only a matter of time before a full retreat would be forced and…that pretty much was the worst-case scenario.
His power base had been compromised by Rahyo's rampage. The meddlers that they were dealing with now were eroding what had Doto had managed to salvage. If this continued too long, then the support of Yukigakure would slip away.
The hearts and minds of men are easily swayed. Alone they can be easily dealt with or turned on each other, but united they could challenge anything.
All it would take to completely unseat him was for these insurgents to convince his forces that they had better chances with his niece rather than Doto himself.
And the murmurs all around showed that the efforts of the insurgents were convincing Doto's forces that he was the losing side even if
The greedy and egoistic tyrant knew this was his end, but his bloated ego refused to accept it.
He saw the Yuki clan woman raise up three soldiers, encased in ice, on a platform of ice and then throw them away. The woman's hardened glance was now on Doto. And the Kazahana growled angrily…
"Don't think that you can lump me together with these useless weaklings! I am the daimyo of this country!" Doto screamed.
Kahyo wasn't amused in the least, she didn't even reply, just kept looking at Doto with indifference.
The look of complete disinterest riled the egotistical man even more…and he walked into the obvious trap, letting rage take over and forgetting one of the most fundamental of shinobi combat rules 101.
"Ice Release: Black Dragon Blizzard!" The angry daimyo screamed after a series of hand-signs. The black dragon raced towards Kahyo, who didn't flinch and went through her own set of hand-signs.
"Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness…" She called out calmly and was immediately encased by an igloo like structure by freezing the surroundings.
Doto's black ice dragon crashed against Kahyo's protective structure and it was the real Hyoton bloodline that won as Doto's dragon broke into pieces.
"DAMN YOU!" The Kazahana screamed.
"What's so surprising Doto? You came here presuming that I was just like you, using a falsified version of Ice Release. The blood in me is that of the Yuki Clan and the True Ice Release. Did you not stop and consider the possibility that my jutsus will become stronger in this climate if non-bloodline users of ice like the rest of Yukigakure can use a facsimile of our techniques here?" The Yuki woman asked with a hard glare.
Doto growled in anger.
"Insolent bitch!" His fists got encased with ice.
"Oh? I know that technique. It was one my brother made for himself to compliment his unusually large and strong build for a Yuki. A brutishly simple technique, but an effective one that can also be used by a precision-favouring attacker to give a precisely aimed punch all the more power." Kahyo lectured as she encased her own fists with ice.
"Ice Release: Ice Breaking fist!" Both combatants called out and rushed towards each other to test their strengths.
A flurry of punches was exchanged as the Yukigakure soldiers and Fubuki watched the exchange in silence. Doto was obviously expecting them to cheer for him but they stayed silent. His false claims of superiority were unravelling right before their eyes and he was unable to do anything about it.
Fubuki, despite being one of the fiercest of his loyalists, knew enough to understand that she needed to change sides if she wanted to survive so she just waited.
Meanwhile the other half of the remaining members of Doto's three generals, Mizore Fuyukuma, was getting his ass handed to him. That was the only way to describe his situation.
The poor idiot had decided to face off with Gai while the Green Beast had six inner gates open, perhaps hoping to stop the devastation of his soldiers who were being tossed around like ragdolls.
Despite the armour, Mizore ended up with all four of his limbs broken in no time and then a 'Leaf Hurricane' sent him flying at binding speeds into another of Yuki soldiers, upside down, with his head buried in the snow. As soon as the two collided, their armours exploded killing them both immediately.
The green glow around Gai died down and brought himself to a standstill. Taking a deep breath and letting it out as he brought both his fists at the sides of his chest.
"Yosh! This must be the last of them." The taijutsu master stated as he glanced around. He could see the last of the fights between Doto and Kahyo at a distance. "Yosh! The kids are alright and they can handle the rest!" Gai said to himself.
*Back to Kahyo and Doto*
The two combatants kept on exchanging blows and with each exchange, Doto kept being pushed back further and further as his face was bloodied with several of Kahyo's punches having found their mark.
His chakra armour might have been absorbing a considerable amount of damage but his face was not covered by the armour…and that meant his teeth being sent flying one after another.
But the problem for Kahyo was that she was unable to knock her opponent out as quickly as she would like. Her greatest jutsu, 'Ice Release: Earthen Consecutive Chains of Ice' was not going to work, she needed an exposed part of Doto's body to hit and his face wasn't going to do the job. But her opponent was becoming tired and was losing his reflexes. And she knew just the trick to finish the job.
The ice covering her fists began modifying their shape to that of a sledgehammer.
"Ice Release: Ice Breaking Sledgehammer!" Kahyo slammed the heavy hammer of ice onto Doto's head, then followed by an ice hammer square in his face. Doto, to his credit, didn't lose consciousness immediately, but that meant little as Kahyo didn't stop. The hammer blows continued and with four of them, Doto was laying on the ground, unconscious with all of his teeth broken, eyes deeply bruised and swollen, and a massive concussion.
"Tsk! This took more work than I imagined it would." The Yuki woman commented to herself before her glance shifted to the rest of the soldiers who were in no shape to fight and were only watching the exchange of blows.
"We surrender!" They all yelled simultaneously and got to their knees and raised their hands up.
"What about you?" Kahyo asked sharply, turning to Fubuki Kakuyoku, the last of Doto's three generals.
"I surrender as well." The woman responded, getting to her knees and raising her arms.
"Good choice. Don't make a move then." Kahyo turned to Hinata after ordering the soldiers. "Please keep a vigil on them and make sure nobody tries to act…cleverer… than they should be…" She asked the Hyuuga girl.
"Will do." Hinata nodded and activated her Byakugan to observe the surrendered soldiers. To help her out, her beloved boyfriend formed multiple shadow clones of his and had them posted around the Yuki-nin.
Koyuki fell to her knees as tears began flowing from her eyes.
It was done.
The tyranny of Doto Kazahana: her own uncle who had stabbed her father in the back and forced her into exile, running for her life over the years; his reign of terror was finally over. Her father's dreams for a spring in the Land of Snow could now be realized.
And most importantly, she could now come home and not have to run for her life, hide or be imprisoned. She couldn't say anything at the moment due to the sheer depth of emotions being released from the years.
Kahyo, Gai, and Utakata didn't waste much time and got to work securing all the knocked-out prisoners, from Doto to Aoi's students. Naruto's clone army was already at work, confiscating any weapons as well as the chakra armours from the surrendered soldiers.
Kahyo removed Doto's armour and searched the man. It didn't take long for her to find a star shaped thing, looking like a key. She walked over to her client.
"This is your treasure, isn't it, Princess Kazahana?"
Koyuki accepted the key gratefully. "Yes…the key to my father's treasure…he always said it was the key to ushering spring in this land of merciless winters. Perhaps it is time to bring that about…" The snow princess cried.
"Then let us make haste and fulfil your father's final wish. My job will end when I place you on Yukigakure's throne and helping you carry out your father's final wish." Kahyo explained, even as she felt her insides twist in anticipation for what might come after.
Koyuki nodded and got up, still feeling overwhelmed about everything that had happened.
"I hope you won't mind us coming along, Koyuki-san?" Gai asked as he put a chakra supressing handcuff on the unconscious Doto's arms.
"I would not, Gai-san. I can never repay this debt I owe you and the kids. I will be forever grateful." Koyuki said with a bow.
As Kahyo and Koyuki walked off, Gai and the teens from Konoha followed them, dragging a bound up and unconscious Doto along and leaving Hotaru and Utakata in some much-needed privacy.
"I wonder what kind of treasure it will be…" Kiba asked. "Exotic food! Gold! Diamonds!?" He wondered in excitement. His excitement died an ugly death when Koyuki shot an unamused look over the 'Exotic Food' comment.
Though, everyone focusing on Kiba made them all fail to notice Doto stirring ever so slightly and the scowling smirk that graced his face.
"I won't mind finding some exotic ramen recipes." Naruto mused, making the metaphysical occupants in his mind facepalm collectively.
"I believe it will be a treasure in a more ideological sense, rather than something of high financial value." Shino suggested.
Minato could appreciate the speculation, but he knew this speculation was a surefire way to get disappointed badly…but he said nothing. Disappointment would teach the lesson better than he could.
"Guh…don't be so boring…" Kiba protested, groaning.
The group continued.
And just as the Aburame heir had guessed, the 'treasure' was not your usual treasure.
Everyone glanced at the strange device before them. But Koyuki was petrified. Her face paled in horror as her eyes shot wide and her blue eyes shrunk.
"No…we won…it…it was supposed to be a happy ending for once…this isn't right…" the princess muttered in despair.
"What the hell is this thing?" Naruto asked.
"Seems like some sort of chakra powered device…" Hinata replied.
Koyuki slumped over at the back of the group: "It was my father's greatest work. A generator meant to influence the climate of this frigid island called Snow. He believed the only way forward was to cast off our snow filled tundra where little wildlife can survive and few crops can grow in, and replace it with a bountiful spring filled paradise like the other nations enjoy. He had hoped that enough time and modifications could make the climate change permanent, without needing to keep the generator active. It looks as though we will never know…the machine is dam-"
And it was at that point when their captive decided to let the group know he was awake again.
By slipping his bound wrists over Koyuki's neck and pulling her to him tightly.
Doto smiled contently: "What my niece is trying to say is that the machine is damaged, the one thing that Snow will remember both myself and my brother for in the same thought. My brother's foolish optimism and naivete which nearly compromised Snow's greatest advantage when defending against our foes, and myself for ensuring that the Hidden Snow's Ice Release Arts which has been used for generation to defend against aggressors would never be threatened by the idealistic idiot."
Koyuki struggled against Doto's grip, her escort wanted to help but Doto flashed a knowing grin of mutually assured destruction.
One move towards him, and he ended Koyuki by crushing her windpipe.
And the worst part was that everyone involved knew it was going to happen regardless, so the Koyuki Escort desperately stalled for time trying to figure something out to stop Doto from murdering his niece.
Koyuki had tears in her eyes: "Why?"
"Oh yes…Dearest Neice…cry as much as you want…I made sure that the last wish of that insignificant gnat called my brother remained just that…dealing with him for years on end was tiring. The weak have no place in history's memory other than being the backs upon which the monuments of the strong are built. A weak man who would have destroyed Snow is someone who deserves his memory to be remembered as a weak failure, who knelt at the feet of other nations and begged for their help in weakening Snow." The defeated daimyo said euphorically.
"What did he do that justified anything you did? You could have made Snow prosperous with the Generator yet you wasted it!" Koyuki demanded.
"I had to kill that pitiful ideological fool brother of mine, overthrow his entire government…all for this treasure and do you have any idea how much money and effort it cost me!? And that treasure turned out to be some worthless chakra generator meant to bring spring to this land…what good would that do!? The ninja of this land must have the ice and snow in order to fight at their fullest otherwise our greatest art is lost. That foolish brother of mine wanted to remove the very thing on which Yukigakure's power was based on! He built this with help from the other nations…nations that feared us in the event of a climate shift causing the entirety of the Elemental Nations to gain a climate like Snow's and wanted us to forget our Ice Release art so we wouldn't be a threat to them in that environment like we are now."
"He isn't wrong about the generator crippling Snow Ninja…" Kahyo commented. "But his words do not match his actions, they are actions of someone trying to hide by justifying themselves from an ideological standpoint. I've seen plenty of that type over the years, especially in Kiri after Yagura began establishing the series of policies that would form the backbone of the Blood Mist. Doto must have found the treasure his brother had left behind and when it turned out to be something he hadn't expected and realized it's true purpose, he destroyed it out of spite…such a pitiful egotistical man…"
Koyuki was silent, oddly calm despite the precarious situation. Though deep inside, Doto had caused all of her repressed anger to surface.
Doto forced Koyuki into a position so he could see the side of her face, expecting to see fear in her face before killed her and marked his final legacy as the last Kazahana ruler of Snow.
The fallen tyrant was shocked at the look of sheer rage in her blue eyes that contrasted her neutral facial expression.
The shock gave Doto pause, and gave Koyuki a chance to put her hand on Doto's right arm and push.
Normally, such a gesture would have been futile.
However, rage and adrenaline gave the princess strength she had never exhibited before…and uncovered something buried deep in the princess.
Doto's arm moved with shocking ease, which gave way to the deposed usurper howling in sheer pain.
Koyuki fell forward and blinked, as though she had blacked out for a moment.
The Koyuki Rescue team collectively blinked at what was in front of them.
All except Hinata and Kahyo.
Koyuki questioned: "What…what happened? Kahyo…did…did you do that?"
Kahyo shook her head: "No. You did."
Koyuki blinked in shock as she realized what she had done.
Doto's right arm was covered in severe frost bite covering the entirety of the visible arm, and a visible layer of frost all the way up to his right elbow.
The way it hung limply into the binding suggested that the damage had set in on the entire arm.
Doto's jaw opened and closed much like a fish's mouth. "How?"
Kahyo answered. "Isn't it obvious? You had to come up with basis for Yukigakure's Ice Release from somewhere. It seems that the Kazahana clan is a distant relative of the Yuki clan, distant enough to lose the feminine appearances that typically make men with our blood appear androgynous to absurd degrees, but just close enough to inherit the Ice Release bloodline limit. I'm willing to bet that you have it as well, Doto, but you wasted your potential and relied solely on the Yukigakure based imitation of Ice Release, or rather your imitation of the imitation. And now, you will live on in shame…that injury will never heal. You will never form another hand sign."
Hinata cut in: "Kazahana-san was unaffected by Kahyo's ice when it was used to degrade and break her chains, Ice Release bloodline users tend to have an innate resistance to ambient cold, only being affected by cold from a source bypassing the skin and muscles. Furthermore, the Princess is in possession of an active chakra network. Low density to the princess's chakra volume and overall small size to her reserves, but it is obvious that her network was activated and she was given exercises to promote basic development of the network as her coils definitely are somewhat developed even if obviously untested and underutilized."
Koyuki had a look of deep contemplation on her face at that moment as Hinata's words caused her to re-examine so many memories.
Doto geared up for a breakdown rant, but Gai cut him off and knocked the fallen adversary out with a swift chop to the neck.
The group waited inside the control room for the generator, trying to decide on a next move with the newly gained information.
"I don't think the generator is damaged beyond repair…much less fulfilling its purpose at least in part." Minato commented from Naruto's mindscape.
"Yeah, I agree…this idiot didn't even know which was the central part of this generator. He hasn't taken out the chakra core…" Kushina said in agreement.
'What…Mom, Dad? Are you guys sure about this?' Naruto asked in surprise.
"Yes, the damage only looks serious but is only superficial, the core is fine and so are most of the most critical components. At worst this generator would work at 50% capacity…" Minato commented.
'How can you be so sure about this?'
"This generator was partly built in Konoha upon request from the former Daimyo's father…some research notes from Uzushio were also used in its development, since before its fall Uzu was planning on making such a device to power automated chakra canons…this project was carried out very early in my reign, an attempt at trying to build better international relations and step towards de-escalating the cold war we've been entrenched in in-between Great Ninja Wars following the Third Great Ninja War, so I am aware of its development. Not sure how many changes occurred after my death but I have a hunch that the damage is not severe enough to prevent it from being started up for a test run." The yellow flash explained.
'Oh, that makes sense now….so, it could work if you only turn it on, right?'
"Yes, theoretically…since the core is undamaged so it should work normally, with some minor inhibitions thanks to the damage." Minato suggested.
Naruto saw that Koyuki was crying after the rage and shock wore off and the key had fallen off from her hands.
"Dad says this thing could work…" Naruto whispered in Hinata's ears before turning to the princess/actress.
"Ne Koyuki-san, since so many dreams of your father rest on this thing, how can we give up on it all unless trying to run it at least once?" He questioned as he picked the key up and put it at the required place and then turned the generator on with Minato's guidance from his mindscape.
*Crank* *Crank* *Crack* *Crack*
The sounds were discouraging, but the generator turned on regardless and sent out a burst of chakra. Everyone could feel that the temperature around them was increasing.
Koyuki watched with nervousness and hope, holding her mouth, waiting for the snow to melt. But that moment never came.
"No…but the spring…"
"Don't worry princess, maybe this is for the best. Doto's point about spring taking away the greatest homefield advantage the shinobi of Yukigakure have over their opponents is a valid one. This country's shinobi corps need the snow to exist. However, the generator is able to reduce the harshness of the winter. As you can see, it can reduce the temperature from -40 degree Celsius to -15. And right now, we are at the harshest part of the winter. When the temperatures rise during the actual months which are supposed to be spring, summer, and autumn in this part of the world; The Land of Snow will experience temperatures above zero, even with the generator running at its present capacity, while during the winter months, the snow will come back, something the shinobi of this country definitely need." Kahyo explained.
Koyuki and everyone else blinked at the explanation.
"I see…I understand your point, Kahyo-san, you definitely have the right idea." The Kazahana princess agreed.
"Why, thank you." Kahyo smiled as the group left, with a new lease on life being made for the Land of Snow.
*Two days later*
The previous two days were filled with festivities, especially in the provinces and remote regions of the Land of Snow, the regions whose development Doto had ignored in favour of developing an arms industry around the capital. The modern infrastructure such as the trains and airships were all limited to the areas around the capital only. And airships were not even made available for commercial use, despite them being in production for well over a decade.
All of this has pushed the provinces of the country into poverty, unemployment, and recession. Any and all forms of protest and calls for reform were violently suppressed. So, when Doto was finally overthrown, the provinces were the ones that celebrated the most. But still in the capital, people definitely welcomed Koyuki with open arms.
Two days after Doto was overthrown and was thrown into the same dark prison cell he had thrown Koyuki and Hotaru into, the festivities around the country still had yet to end. Koyuki took up the Daimyo duties amid the celebrations. Though her first personal order of business was to have Sandayu and all those who had perished during the struggle against Doto honoured and buried with state funerals.
Next came the topic of how to run the country, what to do with Doto's army and his industries.
It was to discuss this topic that Koyuki had convened a private meeting. Gai and the team from Konoha, Kahyo, Utakata and Hotaru, all were present.
"Ideally, I should have all those industries torn down, they were all a symbol of Doto's tyranny and oppression. The engines used to fuel his power." Koyuki stated.
"But that's not practical, is it? My knowledge regarding industrial infrastructure may be on the lacking side, but I do know the principal of 'If it isn't broke, then don't fix it;' which does apply in this set of circumstances. It was the usage of his factories and who he sold to which was the problem, not Doto's arms industry itself." Utakata questioned and supplied.
Koyuki nodded: "That may be the case, but it may do some good to destroy the factories and industry anyways. The people will associate them with Doto for the near future. Who knows what may occur if they aren't dealt with."
"I agree with Utakata-san, Daimyo-sama, it would be unyouthful to let go of such technological advancements like that. They are supposed to be shared with the world and become help improve the lives of everyone." Gai argued.
"And they can generate good employment and revenue if they were to be made civilian." Kahyo cut in. "Also, it has come to my notice after interrogating Fubuki and some of higher ranked ninja in Doto's army, they were remarkably more willing to answer questions from me over anyone else, that Doto earned quite a lot by supplying weaponry to various ninja villages both small and large. Kiri which is still plunged into its civil war has been a great market for the weapons from here. Significant orders have come from Ame and even Otogakure, the newly found ninja village which we now know to be the stronghold of Orochimaru." Kahyo explained. The mention of the Snake Sannin's name made Naruto tense up, remembering that Sasuke had defected to him and had put several of his friends in hospital due to that as well.
"Yes, practically speaking, I should not be getting rid of the industrial infrastructures that Doto established. The better direction would be I should be expanding them and generating more employment from them and make their usage more peaceful." Koyuki stated.
"Daimyo-sama, as a matter of fact, I would like to request that you send your engineers and experts to advise us on developing railways and other transport infrastructure." Gai stated taking up Naruto's suggestion in that regard earlier.
Koyuki smiled warmly: "Oh yes. I owe a lot to you and Konoha, Gai-san, it was your friend Hatake-san that saved my life and helped me escape and you helped me return. I will most definitely support infrastructure projects in Konoha. We will also take contracts from elsewhere to generate revenue and employment. The Elemental Nations hasn't truly evolved out of the way of life from the Warring States era, the Land of Snow under my rule will be seeking to rectify that. While I will be downsizing the arms industry, I won't close it down. It will be unwise to let go of such a good source of income for a country which is poor in natural resources." Koyuki explained.
Gai bowed his thanks while Koyuki continued. "What needs to be done is for us to have a fair distribution of wealth among our people. Doto was sitting on all the revenue generated from our industries while our people suffered in poverty, that has to be changed and I will change it for sure."
"That will be a good starting step, Daimyo-sama." Kahyo agreed.
"Also, Kahyo-san, I have a suggestion for you." Koyuki stated, making the Yuki woman raise her eyebrows. "I have heard about your life and the hardships you faced." The new daimyo stated, passing a slight glance at Naruto and Hinata. "It must have been difficult, living as a mercenary and taking up morally questionable jobs. But if you are interested, I want you to be the head jonin of Yukigakure, the post is currently vacant with Fubuki imprisoned and the two others dead and I require someone I can trust in that position. You saved my life and I don't see any other candidate worthier than you. The Ninja of Yukigakure acknowledge you for defeating Doto, a holdover of the Strong Rule philosophy from Yukigakure's founding. Also, by taking up this position, we can ensure better care of your son and you can have a steady source of income. Moreover, this can be a chance for you or in other words, your child to restore the Yuki Clan here in this country. We might not be a major shinobi village like Kirigakure but we are still something. So, if you are interested, it will be my honour and pleasure to have you and your expertise by my side." Koyuki suggested. "Plus, I would like to learn about the bloodline I inherited and you are the last master of Ice Release remaining."
Kahyo was almost teary eyed at the suggestion. "Daimyo-sama…this…this is…too kind of you." She somehow managed to maintain composure.
"No, on the contrary, this is the least I can do. Sandayu, who had been through thick and thin with me and has been my father figure and guide all these years, entrusted me to you. I do not know if he knew of our shared ancestry, but I believe it wouldn't have mattered and he would have sought to convince you to stay with us regardless of if we learned it. This is the least I can do to make sure you stayed here, so please accept my offer." Koyuki requested. The Daimyo's eyes glazed ever so slightly and she began muttering: "Family is often defined as those we share direct blood relations with, but true family is that which we forge strong bonds with so that we can trust in them no matter what…for in the unforgiving cold, those that try to survive alone often are consumed by the white sea of winter. The lone wolf dies, but the pack will survive."
If anyone had noticed or were surprised by the sudden change, they didn't show it. Koyuki didn't voice concern either after whatever came over here vanished.
Kahyo took a few steadying breaths, making it clear she was struggling to maintain composure.
Kahyo nodded. "I…I accept, I will bring my child here and stay here."
"I am so glad to welcome you to Yukigakure and the Land of Snow, officially." Koyuki said happily.
"Also, Gai-san, Utakata-san, I request you to kindly stay with us for a week and let me repay you in some way for everything you did for me." Koyuki requested
"I need to apologize, these kids are still on active duty and with every mission completed, they need to get back to Konoha and report." Gai insisted. "However, I would like them to stay for three days and rest up." He added.
"Thanks a ton, Gai-sensei!" Naruto said excitedly, while Koyuki nodded.
"As for us, I need to decide where we should be headed next…perhaps we will stay for a week." Utakata added.
"Thank you, heroes of the Land of Snow." Koyuki nodded.
*Two days later*
Naruto was walking on his own around Yukigakure. It was kinda early in the morning and his sleep had been broken for some reason.
His lavender eyed Goddess was yet to wake up and with sleep not coming his way, the blonde had decided to take a walk around.
The cold winter breeze was definitely a difficult one, despite the chakra generator having had reduced the harshness of the winter somewhat.
"The cold and snowy landscape has a charm of its own for sure…" Naruto mused to himself as he kept walking, he had walked outside the city limits by that time and was looking around to enjoy the nature.
And it was at that moment that he heard some sounds….it was feminine, it sounded like a sigh, but he could sense excitement and pleasure in it. What kind of sound was that? Naruto was intrigued, he had to find out and so the master prankster steadily made his way towards the source of that sound, making sure not to get the person there not be aware of his presence. He took extreme caution.
And upon getting close, he noticed that the person making those sounds was behind a large heap of snow. He carefully placed himself on the opposite end and took a look.
And not too long after, Naruto found himself filled with many things that went unnoticed as he ran away towards where the Konoha party had been staying.
He sucked at keeping things secret from Hinata. She would have mercy.
A few hours later, Naruto was alone in his room when Kahyo came in. Naruto paled in fear.
Kahyo's face was frozen into a smile that exemplified one interpretation of her name: 'Icy Mother.'
Naruto stuttered: "L-look, I-I can expl-"
Kahyo said nothing, her face didn't change, the only thing she did was raise a finger to her lips motioning him to be silent.
She had been wearing gloves for most of the mission, but now she wasn't wearing them and now Naruto noticed that her nails were polished and coloured white.
Kahyo spoke without the motherly fury leaving her face: "Naruto-san, I understand very well that what happened was an accident and not intentional. I have experienced enough to learn through observation. I'll leave this brief: I was listening in as you told Hinata-san what happened. I thank you for skimming details to hide more scandalous or embarrassing details regarding the unintentional victim, I suspect she knows but also understands you were trying to protect the dignity of whoever you saw and heard."
Kahyo stalked closer and whispered lowly: "I would appreciate it if the details never leave Snow, but since I am indebted to you, I will leave you with this: You saw Nothing. Understood?"
Naruto nodded.
Kahyo's smile lost the rage but Naruto was still scared of her: "Good."
The Yuki woman left while Naruto began thanking every force, godly or not, for looking out for him in this moment.
Naruto chose that moment to look out a window and noticed a large wolf like silhouette staring at him from outside, with a pelt coloured so closely to snow that he almost missed it in the background.
It wasn't there long, but Naruto couldn't possibly miss the amusement in its eyes before it got up and vanished into the sea of white.
Moments like these made him wonder what his life was becoming.
EN: bet none of you were expecting Koyuki to have Ice Release huh?
A/N: And that's a wrap. Did you like it? I sincerely hope that you did. Thought it would be nice to have two ice release users have a showdown, rather than having Naruto take down the main antagonist of the arc, that would be repetitive kinda, since he would have to do that in several of the upcoming arcs anyways, so we decided to have a little change of pace, at least for this arc.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for your continued love and support for my works. And with that…. See ya all in the next chapter.
RaNK001 out.