[Author-Notes: Instead of the land of waves, the first major mission team seven is taking in this chapter is the mission they took on in the Naruto-Movie: Clash-In-The-Land-Of-Snow.]
[Some of characters mentioned in this chapter may feel unfamiliar because they come from this particular Naruto-Movie instead]
[While these mentioned characters aren't Canon to the official story, they are in the Naruto-Movie: Clash-In-The-Land-Of-Snow.]
April 12th 2002:
Flashes of intense light permeated in the brightened air of an enormous cinema. Ryomen Sukuna was nestled into one of the seats at the back of the wide room, a small bag of popcorn held in his hand.
From above Sukuna's head, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha had applied chakra to their feet to remain on the ceiling of the room. The three of them were watching a rather well-made type of movie.
The movie team seven was seeing at the moment was called The-Adventures-Of-Princess-Gale. Knuckles placed beneath his chin, Sukuna took out a handful of popcorn and threw it into his mouth.
Kakashi Hatake had bought them these tickets to gather enough time to locate the meeting spot their client had given them for this mission. Although, Sukuna suspected his teacher had ulterior motives for this.
Unlike Sukuna—who was disinterested in the film—Naruto was enthralled in the movie, an appreciative twinkle in his wide blue eyes. Sasuke was less enthused, gaze directed at the screen ahead of him.
They had reached a somewhat picturesque town in the central section in the Land-Of-Fire. Sukuna snorted a little to himself, remembering how excited Naruto had been about the announcement of this task.
Sukuna had committed to some research about this film. The name of the main actress was Yukie Fujikaze, a popular individual in the movie industry in particular. Bored, Sukuna munched on more of his food.
All of a sudden, Naruto lost his footing on the ceiling and plummeted downwards into the carpeted surface of the room. Rubbing his head, Naruto climbed to his feet, shook his head, and groaned at the air.
This entire scene created a general disturbance in the silence of the cinema. Alerted of Naruto's unanticipated presence, the manager of the cinema rushed at Naruto in mild suspicion.
Sukuna grinned in amusement at the sight of Naruto being chewed out by this random man. Sighing at the blond-haired boy's behaviour, Sasuke pulled out his ticket and flashed it at the manager.
(-)
The members of team seven were seated in the area Kakashi had told them to wait for his late-timed arrival at. Over the wooden fence they were close to, Naruto saw a large billboard advertising the film.
"Man!" Naruto fell flat on his back onto the dried-up grass of the area. "That movie was incredible! What do you think about it, Sukuna?"
"Hm?" Sukuna glanced at his whisker-faced friend, shrugging. "I wasn't really interested in it. The plot felt kind of simple and boring."
Pitching his opinion into the discussion, Sasuke said. "It was well-made. But there wasn't much substance to the film's plot."
"Take that back!" Naruto pointed his index finger at his teammates. "Of course you two sad bastards wouldn't know what a good film is, huh?"
Positioned against the wooden fence in the area, Sukuna snorted. "I bet you have a crush on the lead actress or something."
"What are you getting so worked up for?" Sasuke was a little curious. "Sure, the movie was good, but I didn't think you'd be so passionate."
"That sappy speech about compassion must have gotten to him." Sukuna smirked. "But I did like those special effects in the film."
Hand planted on his face, Naruto groaned. "What about the scene where she raised up that blade and restored light to her father's land?"
Their conversation about the film was interrupted by a multitude of loud and hurried footfalls. Naruto widened his blue eyes once the actress of Princess-Gale hopped over the fence, seated on her horse.
Having raised an eye-brow at the bizarre situation unravelling around him, Sukuna rose to his feet, leaped away, and witnessed the giant gate to the wooden fence being opened by many men on their horses.
Mimicking Sukuna and jumping away from the fence, Sasuke heard Naruto grunt from the impact of a horse's head bumping into him. Naruto rolled over to his friends, shocked. "Was that the princess?!"
Sasuke spoke. "I'm pretty sure there aren't any cameras around so this isn't for any movie…"
Scratching his head in boredom, Sukuna then said. "I guess that means she's being chased by those armoured men for a reason."
"We should help her out, then!" Naruto slammed the bottom of his hand into his opened palm. "Also, I really want to get an autograph!"
"Do we have to?" Sukuna grunted at Naruto—who gave his friend an unimpressed glare and scowled. "Fine."
By the time Sukuna had agreed and completed his sentence, Naruto had vanished in a burst of commendable speed. Sasuke elbowed Sukuna before the two of them followed after the men on horses.
Splitting up from the Uchiha, Sukuna appeared in front of the exodus of animals and individuals in a crimson distortion. Unrelenting, the men pressed on and remained heedless to the reincarnated child.
Spiderweb was applied to the surface beneath all of their feet. The horses who carried the man on their saddles stumbled, falling down to the ground and throwing off the people settled onto their backs.
Confused by Sasuke's lack of presence in the area, Sukuna spotted the actress of Princess-Gale emerge from one of the alleyways ahead of him. More armoured men chased after her and her rapid horse.
"I thought Naruto had followed Yukie." Sukuna stretched his hand out. "Maybe I should use Cleave."
The horses of the armoured men who Sukuna had tripped up abandoned their posts, galloping into the streets of the town. Sukuna remained focused on Yukie, contemplating his next course of action.
Much to Sukuna's bafflement, the armoured men who had emerged from the alleyway of the town had caught up to Yukie on her horse. Tackling her to the ground, they struggled to restrain the actress.
However, the horse and Yukie dissolved in a plume of fumes. Sukuna realised these two were Fire-Clones of Sasuke—transformed into the actress and her laudable speed. The men had become confused by this strange development in the situation.
One of the men had stayed on their horses. Unlike the other people, this man wasn't adorned by a suit of decorative armour. Sukuna rubbed his chin in interest while the original Sasuke tied the men up.
Picking up a stone from the environment around him, Sukuna imbued cursed-energy into its entirety, flicked it at the unarmoured man's head, and watched him wobble off of his horse onto the concrete.
Approaching the downed man in annoyance, Sukuna said. "I'm guessing you're the leader of whatever this is?"
Sasuke body-flickered next to his friend. "Why were you trying to chase the actress of Princess-Gale? Did you want to kidnap her?"
Unnerved by Sukuna's four-eyed appearance, the man spluttered. "O—Of course not! Please, this is all just one big misunderstanding!"
"What are you troublemakers doing?" Kakashi descended towards them from a roof-top, hand in pocket. "Why are you interrogating our client?"
"Really?" Sukuna glanced at the man—who had a pair of glasses on his sweat-soaked face. "My bad, I thought he was a kidnapper."
(-)
They had been introduced to Sandayu Asama by Kakashi. Sandayu was the personal assistant to the actress who played Princess-Gale for these films.
After untying the armoured men and apologising to them for his students' brash actions, Kakashi had Sandayu guide them to one of the sets where the newest movie of Princess-Gale was being filmed.
Seated on one of the fold-up chairs in the film-set, Sukuna stared at the people across from him in avid disinterest. Sasuke held the same disinterest his friend possessed, arms crossed in sheer boredom.
Makino—the director of these films—chuckled at the two children. "To think these two gloomy kids took out the bodyguards we had hired."
Unmindful of any social tact, Makino leaned forward on his seat. "Say, kid. I feel like you would make a good villain in a film."
Chin cupped in his somewhat wrinkled hand, Makino said. "Sukuna, right? What do you think about playing a role in the latest Princess-Gale film, eh?"
Sasuke nudged Sukuna's shoulder. "Maybe you should retire from the life of a Shinobi and become a famous actor."
Elbowing Sasuke in retaliation, Sukuna replied to the director. "I'm not really interested in playing a role in your films. You should ask Naruto."
"Naruto?" Confusion bled into Makino's tone. He turned to Kakashi, curious. "I'm assuming he's the third member of your Ninja team?"
Kakashi leaned his back onto the wall. "Yes. Though, from what Sasuke told me, he should be chasing after your lost actress."
Deciding to elaborate on his suggestion for fun, Sukuna said. "He told me he wanted to be in your films super bad."
Sandayu—who had been silent—blinked in minimal astonishment. "He wants to play in our films? I didn't think Shinobi were interested in that."
"Of course." Sukuna slumped into his chair. "He told me he was thinking of retiring from being a Shinobi to become a famous actor."
"Sounds like this kid's got some spunk." Makino kept his chin cupped in his hand, humming a little. "But do you want to be in this movie?"
Having walked to the group of people, a bald actor named Kin spoke. "Hey, Makino. You trying to recruit one of the Shinobi Sandayu hired?"
Sighing at Kin, Makino nodded. "Why wouldn't I?! He looks like he'd do well in our film."
"Trust me." Sasuke told Makino in a sardonic voice. "Sukuna would be the best villain for this film. It's his dream to be in it."
Unimpressed by Sasuke's endeavour at being humorous, Kakashi clapped his hands together. "Let's talk about why Sandayu hired us!"
"It involves that lead actress, right?" Sukuna had his knuckles placed underneath his chin. "Some type of bodyguard mission or something?"
Kakashi snapped his fingers at his student. "Bingo! It's more like we're escorting Yukie Fujikaze rather than being her hired bodyguards."
Kin planted his hand onto the top of Sasuke's chair. "Good luck at guarding her. Yukie has the habit of disappearing on Sandayu here."
"We're heading off to the Land-Of-Snow to shoot a scene." Makino said. "Sandayu was the one who recommended the land to us."
"Sandayu told us a rainbow glacier turns seven different colours there." Kin smiled. "It sounds pretty interesting in my opinion."
"You talking about the Land-Of-Snow?" Michy—another actor—angled his elbow down on Sukuna's head. "I'm still not sure about going to it."
Irritated and unamazed, Sukuna twitched his hand. "Why is his elbow on my head?"
"What type of person is Yukie Fujikaze?" Sasuke crossed his arms. "I wouldn't think the actress of Princess-Gale would run away from you."
"What type of person is she?" Michy scratched the bridge of his nose. "Yukie is apathetic—but then she's a good actress above all else."
Interrupting Michy, Makino declared. "I've never seen such an unparalleled talent! She is a natural-born actress in my eyes!"
Having grown bored, Sukuna rose from his chair. "I'm heading out to look for Naruto. I'm sure the moron has gotten himself into trouble."
(-)
Yukie had an impassive expression on her attractive features at the sight of Naruto—who was buried in a pile of wooden pillars. Tearing the paper Naruto had given her for her autograph, she grunted at him.
In the middle of turning around to leave the area she had found herself in, Yukie stumbled back as she noticed a silhouette entering the alley. Four vermillion eyes illuminated the shadows of the sector and glinted.
A streetlight from behind the silhouette flickered on, brightening the features of this intimidating silhouette. Yukie blinked in astonishment at the child—whose body was covered in various tattoos and marks.
She ignored the vermillion-eyed boy, walked out of the area, suppressed the desire to shiver from his anomalous features, and entered a bar. Sukuna lifted an eye-brow at the familiar actress, reaching his friend.
Helping Naruto up to his feet, Sukuna smirked. "I guess instead of falling for the actress, you ended up falling into that pile of wood."
"Oh, shut up!" Naruto elbowed Sukuna in the abdomen, irritated. "All I wanted was an autograph! And she puts pepper spray into my eyes!"
"Okay." Sukuna shrugged at his best friend, indifferent to the situation. "Kakashi told us earlier that our mission was to escort or guard her."
Shoulders slouched, Naruto groaned. "Really? I thought we'd be fighting ancient demons or saving a princess! Why, Kakashi-Sensei?!"
"Ain't you an enthusiastic one." Sukuna rolled his eyes. "Come on, Kakashi and Sasuke can track us down themselves to that bar."
"Whatever." Naruto kicked at the dirt, feeling some mild annoyance. "I think you scared her off, though. Your four eyes really can be freaky."
Shrugging at the Uzumaki, Sukuna responded. "And your stupidity freaks everyone who talks to you out. Your lack of IQ frightens me."
"Alright, you asshole." Naruto nudged Sukuna on the side. "Let's make sure that lady doesn't drink herself into a coma or something worse."
(-)
Yukie had concealed herself on the seat in a small bar in an isolated section of the town. Stepping into the building, Sukuna inserted his tattooed hands into his pockets while Naruto clicked his teeth together.
An annoyed glance was directed at Sukuna. Yukie growled. "Can you please have that little pest leave me alone? Your friend's irritating me."
Drinking her cup of alcohol and becoming more drunk, she said. "I don't want to go to the Land-Of-Snow to film some stupid scene!"
"Not sure what to tell you." Sukuna grunted. "This little pest next to me is a member of the team Sandayu hired to escort you on this trip."
"I don't want no escorting!" Yukie struggled to talk from how drunk she had gotten in a little amount of time. "Your dumb team can screw off!"
Sukuna stopped Naruto from any sudden action. "You'll have to tell Sandayu that yourself—so can we take you back to the film set?"
In retaliation, Yukie tapped her earring for it to expunge pepper spray into all four of Sukuna's crimson eyes. Reacting to this threat in the blink of an eye, Sukuna positioned Naruto in front of himself to take it.
Staggering into the wall of the small bar, Naruto rubbed at his scorched eyes, rolled around the wooden surface, and shouted. Sukuna sighed, glancing at the actress. "I'm not in the mood for this."
"Huh." Sukuna spoke aloud, uncaring of how Naruto rolled around. "Naruto was right, you really did have some pepper spray on you."
The door to the small bar was then opened. Sandayu rushed in, eyes sweeping over the area until he spotted Yukie and breathed in relief. Kakashi picked Naruto off the ground, patting him on the shoulder.
"Miss Yukie!" Sandayu wrung his hands together. "Please, would you stop running away from the film sets? It's taking a toll on all of us."
Yukie clenched her fist, clicked her teeth, and threw the glass cup in her hand in a random direction in irritation. Sukuna realised the cup was approaching him before he caught it and placed it on the table.
Rubbing the temples of her head, Yukie answered. "I don't care about that stupid film set! I don't mind being replaced by someone random!"
Growing frustrated for a moment, Sandayu responded. "It's too late for you to be replaced! Your career will take damage if that happens!"
Sukuna sighed to himself, ignoring how Naruto glared at him and how Sasuke chuckled at their antics in amusement. Moving Naruto aside, Sasuke used his Sharingan to knock Yukie out cold on her chair.
(-)
Sandayu had placed Yukie in her bed-room on the ship. Stood on top of the dock of the quaint town it was in, Sukuna assisted the members of the film crew in transporting their equipment for the new film on board.
Sasuke and Naruto had already settled themselves on the ship. According to Makino, the film crew and actors would be recording a few extra scenes for the film during their tenure on this grand vessel.
In the midst of these small events, Sukuna contemplated in his mind. Why was Yukie so adamant on not going to the Land-Of-Snow? Sukuna rummaged through his memories as he carried a few chairs.
From what he had heard, Sandayu had recommended the Land-Of-Snow to Makino to shoot some scenes for the movie. Sukuna also remembered that Sandayu was Yukie's assistant and manager.
Since he was her assistant and manager, Sukuna was positive Sandayu knew about the reason for Yukie's aversion to the land. So—why would Sandayu recommend to film there on purpose?
Sukuna placed the chairs down into the lower room of the ship. "For some odd reason, Sandayu wants Yukie to visit the Land-Of-Snow."
Having helped out the film crew enough, Sukuna boarded the ship and watched Makino arrange everything for the next scene to record. Naruto and Sasuke were talking. Kakashi was staring out at the sea.
Standing close to his teacher, Sukuna said. "Weird to think they'd set out to sea just to film a scene for a rainbow glacier that shines bright."
"That's nothing more than an old myth in the Land-Of-Snow." Kakashi was absent-minded. "Trust me, it lives up to its name pretty well."
Curiosity bled into Sukuna's overall posture. "What, have you been to the Land-Of-Snow? Sometimes I forget how damn famous you are."
"I visited that land a long time ago." Kakashi leaned his elbows on the taffrail of the grand ship. "I haven't visited that place in years…"
Deciding to leave Kakashi to his thoughts for the time being, Sukuna walked away from him and noticed everything had been loaded onto the ship. They then set sail, floating across the expanse of water.
Since Yukie hadn't woken up yet, Makino focused on finishing up the recording of other scenes without Princess-Gale in the movie. Sukuna observed all of this from a fair distance, arms folded in avid disinterest.
After ten minutes, Naruto approached the reincarnated child alongside Sasuke. Pointing at the film scene they were being allowed to witness, Naruto grinned. "This is great! We get front row tickets to the filming!"
Sukuna leaned his head back. "I forgot how passionate you were about these types of films back in the cinema. Lucky day for you."
"I got pepper spray in my eyes twice." Naruto groaned. "Seeing how the new movie is being filmed makes up for all of that crap, though!"
Sasuke—like usual—remained silent, content to listen to Naruto and Sukuna's discussion and occasional argument. Sukuna turned his head to the left when he heard the sound of a door being opened.
Having woken up from her unconscious stupor, Yukie had made the decision to tolerate the journey to the Land-Of-Snow. Sandayu guided her to the make-up crew on deck to film Princess-Gale's scenes.
Kakashi had joined his students in their observation of how these types of movies were filmed. Sukuna left that section of the ship, ending up on the other side without any equipment or people.
Even he could admit Yukie had a natural talent in the art of acting. Although, suspicion gnawed at the back of Sukuna's mind because of the possible connection Yukie and Sandayu had to the Land-Of-Snow.
The small urge to ask Kakashi about it was present in his head. Sukuna shrugged the thought off for the moment, alternating his attention between the sea and the other side of the huge ship.
Sukuna's ears twitched at the sound of Naruto's voice. "Man, I can't believe this is the same person who was being drunk at that bar!"
"She really is good at acting!" Naruto told Sasuke, who nodded. "It just sucks I can't get an autograph. I guess I'll ask for one again later."
(-)
April 13th 2002:
From what Sukuna had seen from the clock on one of the shelves in the room of the ship he had occupied, it was 2: 00—AM. Sukuna had left his room, walking out onto the front deck to get some fresh air.
Starlight twinkled above him, glittering against the reflection of the brightened waters of the ship he stood on. Sukuna touched the taffrail of the vessel, tapping his clawed fingers onto it as he yawned a little.
The film crew had wrapped up filming a few hours ago. Sukuna returned to his room after staying outside for fifteen minutes. It had become 11: 00—AM before they encountered their first obstacle.
An enormous snow-covered island had blocked off the ship's route to the Land-Of-Snow. Instead of changing routes, Makino grinned to himself and declared. "This is the perfect place to shoot a scene!"
Naruto stumbled out from his room on the ship, having left to change into an outfit more accommodated for this weather. Sasuke, Sukuna, Kakashi, and Naruto remained on the sidelines to watch the actors.
During one of the scenes, where Gale and her cohort of friends were confronting a minor antagonist in the film, Sukuna's natural instincts flared to warn him of an impending presence. He raised a hand.
"You will not be able to stop me, Gale!" Mao—the actor for the minor antagonist—yelled. "I will plunge this world into an era of chaos!"
Unsheathing her blade and pointing it at the villain, Gale yelled. "Mao! I will not let you trample on the land that my predecessors protected!"
"Please, Princess-Gale!" Michy—who played the role of a fellow hero—shouted. "Allow me to handle Mao! He is my responsibility!"
This scene was then interrupted by Sukuna—who had appeared in front of them—as he launched three Dismantles into the areas where his instincts had detected danger. Huge chunks of ice flew upwards.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Makino shouted at the red-eyed boy. "That was a perfect scene! If you want to be in the film, then ask!"
Kakashi patted Makino on the shoulder. "There are hostile individuals here. I want you and all of the members of the film crew to head—..."
Someone emerged from beneath the ice. Fubuki Kakuyoku grinned. "Well, if it isn't Princess-Koyuki herself! Or do you like Yukie more?"
"Huh?" Kakashi blinked, then looked at the actress. "Princess-Koyuki? It makes sense. But I hadn't expected to see her of all people again."
Two more individuals popped out from underneath the snow. These two were Mizore Fuyukuma and Nadare Roga. The three of them were a team who served under Doto Kazahana—Koyuki Kazahana's uncle.
Naruto glanced at Yukie—or rather Koyuki—in shock. "You're telling me that this lady is a real princess? Man, I'm surprised!"
"Not enough time to think about that, Naruto!" Kakashi yelled. "You and Sasuke guard Princess-Koyuki! Everyone else, evacuate now!"
Sasuke pulled out a Kunai, concentrated on Fubuki in particular, channelled chakra across his body to increase his physical power, stood behind Koyuki, and waited for his newest opponent to move.
Both hands mixed together into a hand-sign, Naruto declared. "Don't worry, princess! These three aren't gonna get anywhere close to you!"
In the midst of this declaration, Kakashi confronted Nadare. The purple-haired man smirked at Kakashi, and pressed his hand down on the snow-covered hill they were on. "Kakashi! It's been a while."
"Indeed it has." Kakashi lifted his head-band. The Sharingan implanted into his eye socket then spun counterclockwise. "Nadare…"
(-)
Sukuna had left Naruto and Sasuke to battle Fubuki and to keep Koyuki safe from their foe's grasp. From ahead of where Sukuna stood, Mizore stared at the tattooed child and chuckled at him.
Four vermillion eyes of pure indifference gazed back at the man. Mizore approached Sukuna in a somewhat silent gait. Sukuna then noticed his body was covered in a protective Chakra-Armour of sorts.
"Would you mind stepping aside, kid?" Mizore bulged his muscles. "My only goal is to capture Princess-Koyuki for the Hex-Crystal…"
Sukuna thought. "Hex-Crystal? I'm guessing it's that necklace she's always wearing."
Sukuna sighed.
A/N: Thanks for reading this chapter.
