As the story on the light screen continued to unfold, viewers all across the ninja world began discussing the people and events appearing in it.
—"Hahaha, sorry, sorry, I just couldn't help laughing! Are Konoha's ninja really this reckless these days? He's so impulsive and disorderly, with no sense of method at all. I seriously can't tell how someone like that is supposed to complete missions."
—"Compared to him, Sasuke and Sakura are actually pretty impressive! One stays calm under pressure and knows to take down the leader first to stabilize the situation, while the other is clever enough to use the Transformation Technique to toy with the pursuers and buy Princess Fūun the perfect chance to escape. With skills like that, they're definitely outstanding among freshly graduated genin!"
—"I actually think that Naruto kid is pretty interesting. He may seem rash, but he's incredibly sincere toward the people he likes. Even after getting thrown into a stream and treated coldly, he still doesn't give up. That kind of passion is pretty rare."
—"To the guy above: in the world of ninja, feelings are the cheapest thing there is. They won't help you in any way. All they do is interfere with your judgment at critical moments and become the greatest obstacle to mission completion!"
—"Exactly. Ninja are born from darkness, come from darkness, and in the end must return to darkness. Our lives are fated to be bound to battle; there is no escaping it, and thus there is no need for unnecessary emotions."
—"..."
...
As the outside discussion drifted into the core of ninja values, a brief silence fell.
At the same time, the light screen in the sky shifted its perspective and fixed its gaze on Kakashi's side of the story, continuing onward.
["Guard duty—no, rather than guarding, 'escort mission' would be more accurate. Our assignment this time is to escort Fujikaze Yukie, the actress playing Princess Fūun, to the Land of Snow."]
As soon as the scene cut in, Kakashi's trademark lazy tone could be heard as he calmly explained the details of the mission.
Once that short introduction ended, the client began giving Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura a more detailed explanation of the current situation at the filming site.
Among the information were complaints from the production manager to Yukie's agent, Asama Sandayū, grumbling sentence after sentence that the lead actress was refusing to cooperate with filming and delaying the schedule.
Meanwhile, the director, leisurely smoking from a pipe, chatted casually with Kakashi. At times they talked about the details of making movies; at other times they drifted into the topic of how Konoha ninja were more capable in practical work than ordinary samurai.
Nearby, Sasuke stood with his arms folded across his chest, his face full of impatience, clearly uninterested in such mission-irrelevant conversation.
Sakura, on the other hand, looked around curiously, taking in every poster and prop at the set. She even struck up conversations with several male supporting actors and learned from them that the destination of this mission was the famous Rainbow Ice Wall in the Land of Snow.]**
"No wonder it looked so familiar... so it really is the Land of Snow..."
Inside Konoha's meeting hall, Kakashi, who had only recently arrived there with his students, first let his eyes fall on Naruto.
Seeing Naruto gradually recover a smile amid the teasing and chatter from the other teams, Kakashi finally let go of some of the worry in his heart.
Then he turned his attention back to the light screen.
The conversation in the video about this mission instantly stirred memories of his own past mission in the Land of Snow.
At the same time, an ominous feeling welled up inside him.
That feeling was simple:
the mission shown in the video—to escort Princess Fūun to the Land of Snow—would never end as easily as it sounded.
["The Land of Snow... sounds like it's pretty far from here."]
Hearing the conversation shift to the details of the mission's route, Sasuke, though still wearing an impatient expression, asked the question almost reflexively.
The production manager immediately picked up the thread and explained, "The whole itinerary is being handled by Ms. Yukie's agent, Mr. Sandayū. Supposedly, once spring arrives, the Rainbow Ice Wall shines with seven-colored light. It's said to be the perfect filming location!"
"If scenery like that really exists, then it would indeed make an exceptional filming site."
Kakashi suddenly cut in, interrupting the production manager's fantasy.
"But that's only a rumor. In reality, the Land of Snow doesn't have a spring."
"Hm?"
Those words immediately piqued the director's curiosity.
"Kakashi, I heard someone mention before that you've actually been to the Land of Snow. Is that true?"
"That was a long time ago..."
Kakashi's voice dropped slightly. Clearly, he had no desire to talk in detail about the past. He only gave that short reply before saying no more, silently putting an end to the subject.
Instead, the male supporting actors smoothly took over the conversation, sharing amusing recent stories from the set with the three of them.
At the same time, Fujikaze Yukie, now changed into a disguise, was walking through a shopping street with her shoulders hunched. From time to time, she cautiously swept her gaze around her, as though deliberately trying to avoid someone.
But her efforts at concealment seemed to have little effect. The strange looks being cast at her from behind made her realize she had most likely already been spotted.
To confirm her suspicion, Fujikaze Yukie quietly slipped a compact mirror from her pocket and used its reflection to glance behind her.
Sure enough, Naruto was trailing a few steps behind, his eyes fixed tightly on her.
Under those circumstances, Fujikaze Yukie simply broke into a desperate run, hoping to shake off her pursuer through sheer speed.
But as an ordinary person—
how could she possibly outrun Naruto, whose body was strengthened by chakra?
So when Fujikaze Yukie, in her panic, fled into a deserted alley, Naruto not only caught up to her, but directly blocked her path in an upside-down stance, startling her so badly that she collapsed to the ground on the spot.
Looking at her like that, Naruto said nothing. He simply pulled out the pen and paper he had prepared in advance and held them out to her, his eyes full of stubborn determination.
"Huff... fine. I'll give you an autograph."
Still panting, Fujikaze Yukie looked at the pen and paper in front of her. The last trace of resistance in her eyes faded away, and with a resigned sigh, she reached out and took them.
Seeing that the autograph he had longed for was finally about to be his, Naruto's face instantly lit up with a satisfied smile.
But obviously, he was celebrating too early.
Taking advantage of Naruto's joy and distraction, Fujikaze Yukie swiftly seized the chance. She raised a hand, brushed aside the hair covering her ear, and lightly pressed the earring on her earlobe.
In the next second, a burst of red spray shot out directly into Naruto's face.
Instantly, Naruto felt a fierce burning pain in his eyes. His body lurched backward on instinct, crashing into a pile of stacked wooden boards nearby. The pile collapsed on top of him with a loud clatter, knocking him unconscious.
"What a complete idiot."
Seeing this, Fujikaze Yukie delivered her verdict in a cold tone.
Then, raising her hand, she tore the autograph board in her grasp to pieces and turned away, leaving the alley without a single backward glance.]**
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 172)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 116)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter105)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter100)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter69)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter119)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 60
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 40
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 66
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 50
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 52
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 55
The Way the Umamusume Look at 42
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 40
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 36
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 30
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 26
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