After the director called "Cut," Kazahana Koyuki gradually stepped out of her acting trance. She looked up at the vast, snowy mountain peaks in the distance, a trace of uncertainty in her eyes.
"Kaede-sama…"
"Do you think I can really defeat that man…?"
Of course, she wasn't talking about the Demon King from the movie script, but rather the man who had killed her father, Kazahana Doto, the current ruler of Land of Snow.
Although Asama Sandayu had repeatedly explained the current state of the ninja world and told her that the Land of Fire would likely support her claim to power if she returned, allowing her to overthrow Doto...
She still lacked confidence.
Because in the end, that meant relying entirely on others. And who knew what schemes Doto still had up his sleeve? The tragedy of the past replayed again and again in her mind like a nightmare.
"Maybe," Kaede replied with a soft smile.
He agreed with Asama's assessment. Shikaku and the others in Konoha would likely support Koyuki's return to power; it was the fastest way to stabilize this remote, frigid country in the far north of the shinobi world.
But Kaede also knew Doto wouldn't just sit around and wait to be dethroned. If he caught wind of what was happening, he'd definitely make a move.
If things followed the "normal" course of an escort mission, Hinata simply escorting Koyuki back and then leaving, there was no telling what could happen next. An assassination, a poisoning… she could be dead by the very next day.
But if Doto made his move before they even arrived in Land of Snow, that would change things entirely. In fact, even in the original version of this storyline, he was likely doomed to die eventually.
Come to think of it…
Villains from these small countries always seemed to have this bizarre overconfidence. It was either a legendary treasure, some lost relic, or the Dragon Vein. Every one of them believed that if they could just obtain some mysterious item, they could instantly dominate the ninja world and crush the Five Great Nations.
In reality, the Five Great Nations could barely be bothered. If they even acknowledged the problem, sending a few jonin to handle it was already giving it way too much credit.
Not to mention, the so-called treasure in the Land of Snow was completely fake.
Even the more legitimate relics in other countries, like the Dragon Vein, barely posed a threat. As for those demonic monsters or the random magical beasts? Please. In front of the Nine-Tails, they were nothing.
A single tail swipe would have them flying in all directions.
Koyuki reached out and tightly gripped the hexagonal crystal hanging around her neck. It was the last memento her father had left her, the key to the so-called treasure of the Land of Snow.
She looked at Kaede's distant back and sighed softly. If only the story written in the script could become reality…
With Kaede by her side, she would obtain the sacred sword, defeat the Demon King, return home, and reclaim the throne with him. What a beautiful life that would be.
But unfortunately,
That was just a movie.
Kaede wasn't even a professional actor, just a ninja temporarily filling in a role. And while she thought of him often during their time together, her mind was still overwhelmed by everything going on in the Land of Snow.
Why now, of all times, did she have to meet someone who made her heart skip a beat?
If only it had happened earlier…
=============
Not far away, Hinata was standing with the Nine-Tails perched atop her head, staring at Kaede with her big round eyes, her cheeks faintly flushed. Kaede's demeanor during the filming had left her starstruck.
Especially since she knew that Kaede was none other than the legendary shinobi who stood at the very peak of the ninja world.
"So boring…"
The Nine-Tails yawned from atop Hinata's head, completely flattening her hair like a fuzzy fox hat.
It turned its head toward the director and complained, "Hey! When's it my turn already?!"
The director wasn't annoyed by the fox's arrogant tone. After all, it was just a talking fox, rare, but honestly quite adorable with its plump and fluffy appearance.
"Soon, soon. You're up in the next scene," the director replied. "You'll appear as the guardian's pet. You can act as cocky as you want."
The Nine-Tails' wagging tail suddenly froze.
Wait… what did he just say?
Pet?!
Kaede, who had walked over in time to witness this, couldn't help but chuckle. "You should probably give it a more respectable role. It's actually very strong."
"Really?" The director looked surprised, glancing at the Nine-Tails in confusion. He honestly couldn't see what was so special about this talking fox. "What kind of abilities does it have?"
"Abilities, hmm…" Kaede thought for a moment. "It can sense malicious intent. And it's very powerful."
"Interesting…" The director nodded thoughtfully. "Then let's make it your battle companion instead."
The ability to detect evil emotions could definitely work in the story. As for the "very powerful" part… he assumed that just meant it could scratch someone's face really hard.
"Hmph." The Nine-Tails snorted.
Battle companion was acceptable. After all, the guardian was being played by Kaede.
"Alright then, on to the next location!"
The director began revising the upcoming fight scene in his head as he called out to the crew.
Everyone quickly boarded the ship again.
=============
Two days later,
They finally arrived at Land of Snow, entering a world blanketed entirely in white. As the ship docked, a vast forest of snow-covered trees came into view on the shoreline.
"Perfect. This is the place."
The director glanced around at the scenery with satisfaction, immediately directing the crew to start setting up their gear.
Koyuki and Kaede, now dressed in costume, took their positions. Koyuki followed behind Kaede, walking into the snow-laden forest, her gaze locked on the endless expanse of snowy peaks ahead.
"Who's there?!"
Suddenly, Koyuki turned the alarm toward the side.
Kaede chuckled lightly. "Relax. It's one of my companions."
The Nine-Tails emerged from behind a snow mound, sitting proudly on top of it. It looked down at Kaede and Koyuki with an aloof gaze and said,
"You brought someone back. Who is she?"
"She seeks the power to defeat the Demon King."
"I see… So you want my power?" the Nine-Tails said haughtily. "Then you'll have to pass my test first."
The crew couldn't help but chuckle. The scene had turned out perfectly, the mix of arrogance and cuteness in the Nine-Tails' performance was too good.
Even though it had improvised a few lines, nobody cared. In fact, the arrogance was what made the talking fox character so fun.
Just as the director was about to yell "Cut",
CRASH!!!
A thunderous rumble echoed through the mountains. It felt like the earth itself was shaking.
Everyone froze.
From the collapsing snow came a man clad in black armor, stepping out of the blizzard.
"It's been a long time, Koyuki…"
"I thought you were already dead."
Kazahana Doto emerged from the storm, wearing his chakra armor.
Asama Sandayu's face changed dramatically. "Doto…?! What are you doing here?!"
"I've been waiting for you." Doto's gaze locked on Koyuki. "You've still got that hexagonal crystal, don't you? Hand it over!"
Koyuki instinctively grabbed the crystal hanging from her neck. "The hexagonal crystal… What do you want with it?!"
"To claim the power your father left behind, of course!" Doto said, eyes gleaming with a chilling intensity. "The Land of Snow may be under the Land of Fire's heel now, but with that power, and my chakra armor, I'll have the strength to resist! I'll crush the Land of Fire and take back everything!"
Then, without warning, he charged at Koyuki.
His hands formed seals at lightning speed.
"Ice Release: Black Dragon Blizzard!!"
He didn't want to waste time talking. The Leaf shinobi would surely react soon, so he had to seize the treasure's power before they interfered!
BOOM!!
A roaring blizzard formed above them, spiraling into the shape of a massive black ice dragon that surged straight toward Kaede and the others.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria