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A group followed Koyuki Kazahana to the Rainbow Glacier, the legendary resting place of her family's treasure.
Upon locating the disc, Koyuki removed her necklace and inserted the hexagonal crystal into the keyhole. A click echoed.
Suddenly, a dazzling light emanated from the disc, and icy patterns spread outward, forming a massive hexagonal snowflake across the ground.
The moment the pattern was complete, the surrounding ice fields melted, turning into grassy meadows with blooming flowers. Spring had miraculously arrived in the Land of Snow.
"This defies all logic!" Naruto exclaimed, watching in disbelief. "Even if the land thaws, grass and flowers shouldn't sprout instantly. Is this some kind of magic fertilizer? Not even the First Hokage's cells work this fast!"
But it wasn't over yet. Beams of light shot up from the mechanism, creating a luminous curtain in the sky.
On it, a three-dimensional projection appeared, showing a young Koyuki speaking with her father, Kazahana Sōsetsu.
The image quality was so clear, it made modern ninja holography techniques seem amateurish by comparison.
In the projection, a seven or eight-year-old Koyuki asked, "What is spring?"
"You've never seen spring before, have you?" Kazahana Sōsetsu replied gently. "Close your eyes, Koyuki. Imagine a field full of flowers, running freely through it… That is what spring feels like."
Koyuki obediently closed her eyes, a smile spreading across her face.
"When spring comes, what do you want to do?" her father asked.
"I want to be a kind, strong, and righteous princess," Koyuki replied confidently. "And my dream is to become an actress!"
[…]
As the projection faded, Koyuki gazed skyward. Tears she thought had long since dried streamed down her face, yet she smiled through them. "So, that's what I said back then," she murmured, half-laughing, half-crying.
Naruto stood stunned. He'd always thought Kazahana Sōsetsu built all these technological marvels for his pleasure or to help the Snow Country. But it turned out, he did it all just to show his daughter the beauty of spring.
"This guy… changed the entire climate of his country for his daughter?"
It was hard to say if Koyuki's heart had healed because her uncle was gone, or if the video had rekindled her childhood aspirations.
Either way, she reaffirmed her childhood desires: to be kind and strong and live her dream.
The next day, Koyuki's coronation ceremony took place, attended by all.
The film crew captured the event with satisfaction, wrapping up their production on a high note. The director was confident this film would be a blockbuster.
Later, Team 7 approached Sandayu and Koyuki to say their farewells, only to find Sandayu looking troubled.
Kakashi asked, "Is something wrong, Mr. Sandayu?"
"It's nothing serious," San Taifu sighed. "The Snow Country's economy was already in decline before. Then, Doto drained it further by expanding the military. We'll need to work hard to rebuild."
Naruto chimed in, "Well, Konoha could help with that."
"Konoha would lend us money?" Sandayu asked, surprised.
"No, not money. A partnership," Naruto clarified. "Konoha is interested in your technology—things like steam-powered vehicles, mechanical airships, and chakra armour. You could send a delegation to Konoha to discuss cooperation. You guys provide the tech, and Konoha supplies materials."
Naruto's suggestion wasn't off the cuff; Minato had mentioned it during a phone call. The Hokage was particularly intrigued by the Snow Country's innovations, believing they could be a game-changer for Konoha's logistics, both in terms of military and supply transport.
The flying technology was especially reminiscent of a time when Konoha had faced the airborne threat of the Land of Sky.
Sandayu and Koyuki exchanged glances, then nodded with smiles. "This is excellent news! We'll send someone to Konoha soon to negotiate."
The Snow Country still had many challenges ahead, but Koyuki was determined to rebuild both her country and her acting career.
"I need to keep making more movies," she said, clutching a new script.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the title on the cover, his hands trembling slightly with excitement.
Sakura, noticing, asked, "You're a queen now, but you still want to act?"
"Of course! It's been my dream since childhood!" Koyuki declared, her spirit no longer weighed down by the past. She was ready to lead the Snow Country and chase her ambitions at the same time.
With the alliance established, Team 7 prepared to leave on the same ship as the film crew.
Naruto, however, kept eyeing Kakashi, who seemed unusually quiet, clutching his well-worn Icha Icha Paradise novel.
Naruto couldn't help but notice how Kakashi had been acting ever since meeting Koyuki.
"Kakashi-sensei?"
"Hmm?" Kakashi responded absentmindedly.
"What do you think of Koyuki?"
"She's beautiful… and fitting," Kakashi said, his voice soft.
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Oh? Do you want to stay here a little longer?"
"Why would I do that?" Kakashi asked, taken aback.
"You seem kinda attached to her."
Kakashi blinked, then sighed. "Don't read too much into it. I was just… thinking about her script."
"What about the script?"
Kakashi hesitated for a moment. "The cover said… Icha Icha Paradise."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Wait… the Snow Country's Queen is starring in an Icha Icha Paradise movie?!"
"Yep," Kakashi confirmed.
Naruto's curiosity peaked. "What's in it?"
Kakashi glanced at him, then said, "Wait until you're 18. Buy a ticket yourself."
"Ugh, fine," Naruto groaned, rolling his eyes. "By 18, I'll be married anyway. Who needs this stuff?"
Despite Naruto's prodding, Kakashi returned to his book, his attention fully restored.
Later, Naruto resolved to sneak a peek at Kakashi's copy using his Kagura Mind's Eye ability. If he could suppress his chakra signature, maybe Kakashi wouldn't notice.
She… in the middle of the hot springs… barely covered by a towel…
Naruto's heart raced. Is this even legal to read for free?!
Suddenly, Kakashi slammed the book shut and smacked Naruto on the head. "Don't use your ninja skills for this kind of nonsense!"
"Got it, got it!" Naruto ran off the train, grumbling but secretly impressed with Jiraiya's writing skills.
…
After Team 7 had departed, two mysterious figures appeared at Rainbow Glacier. They wore black robes with red clouds and bamboo hats, and their presence went unnoticed.
"Who would've thought the Kazahana family's treasure was something this trivial?" one figure muttered. "And the head worth 50 million ryo has already left."
"I told you it wasn't worth the time. You're far too greedy. Maybe I should offer you as a sacrifice to Lord Jashin."
"Shut up, or I'll kill you."
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