While the four shinobi were still deep in discussion about the mission, a sudden clamor erupted behind them—shouts, clanging pots, splintering wood, and the unmistakable neigh of a distressed horse.
They whipped around in unison.
A horse—large, wild-eyed, and clearly untrained—was thundering down the street like it had a grudge against commerce itself. Shops on either side had signs dangling half-broken, stalls flipped, and civilians screaming and diving for safety.Atop this majestic disaster? A woman clinging to the reins with zero control, her long coat flapping like a flag of surrender.
Naruto blinked. "Yo, is that… is that a horsepower highway robbery happening in real time?!"
Karin squinted. "Wait… doesn't that woman look familiar?"
Kakashi sighed, rubbing his temple like he could already feel the mission report giving him a headache."Oops, indeed. That's Yukie Fujikaze."
Sasuke muttered under his breath, "This is going to be worse than the cat mission."
Naruto, however, was already gone—just a blur in the wind. "I got this!"
Kakashi called after him half-heartedly. "Try not to yeet her off the saddle."
Naruto zigzagged through the debris and panicked civilians, closing in on the rogue horse. "Easy there, buddy! No need to turn the village into a race track!".
The horse, unimpressed by Naruto's motivational speaking, neighed louder and accelerated.
Naruto sprinted forward, his crimson hair whipping in the wind like a trail of fire, chakra pulsing through his legs as he blurred through the crowd. With a single, acrobatic leap, he vaulted onto the rampaging horse, landing gracefully behind the frantic rider.
"Yo," he said with a lopsided grin, as if this was the most casual thing in the world.
Yukie gasped at the sudden presence behind her, her hands tightening on the reins. The horse, already agitated, reared slightly and bolted even faster—barreling through the street like chaos on four legs.
"Hey, hey—calm down," Naruto said smoothly, one hand taking gentle control of the reins while the other patted the horse's neck. "You're okay. Deep breaths—both of you."
Yukie twisted halfway around, eyes wide and furious."Who the hell are you?!"
He smirked, his red bangs falling into his eyes."Just your soon-to-be-favorite bodyguard... and apparently your horse-chase rescue guy."
"So you're one of them," Yukie huffed, her voice edged with frustration, "the ones escorting me to Yukigakure."
Naruto tilted his head with a smile. "Yep, that's the gig."
She didn't wait for him to elaborate. With a sharp pull on the reins, she urged the horse into an even wilder gallop, the wind whipping through her hair as they barreled through the streets.
Naruto, completely unfazed behind her, blinked at her dramatics like it was all part of a quirky play.
'Huh... even when she's mad, she's kinda cute,' he thought, resting his chin in his hand casually like he wasn't on a bucking animal.
Then—like this was the perfect time—he pulled a pen and a folded slip of paper from his ninja pouch. Leaning forward with a cheeky grin, he held it out over her shoulder.
"So... quick favor. Could I get your autograph real quick?"
Yukie didn't even turn. "ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!"
"Hey, multitasking is a ninja skill," Naruto replied with a wink, still holding out the pen like a hopeful fanboy on a mission.
Yukie tugged the reins sharply, slowing the horse with a huff. "If you want an autograph that badly, then get off the horse."
Naruto blinked. "Okay!"
He jumped off like a loyal puppy, held up his pen and paper… only to watch Yukie snatch them, glance at them with the cold intensity of a jaded celeb—and yeet them into the air.
"Wha—HEY!" Naruto launched after them, managing a dramatic catch mid-tumble. When he looked back, Yukie was already gone, like a diva into the mist.
He brushed off his cloak. "Welp. Lost the horse and the princess. She's probably sulking in a bar with a glass of something expensive."
Naruto casually strolled through the streets, hands behind his head, until a mob of her handlers surrounded him.
"Where is Yukie-sama?" one of them barked.
Naruto gave a blank stare, shrugged, and in a flash, vanished, leaving the group blinking like confused pigeons.
Not long after, he found a bar glowing with lantern light and the buzz of conversation. He transformed his appearance—a little taller, black hair, a five o'clock shadow just for flair—and slipped inside unnoticed.
The atmosphere was rowdy: laughter, clinking mugs, the perfume of grilled meat and questionable life choices.
He slid onto a stool beside a familiar silhouette. "Give me whatever she's having," he said, pointing to the woman beside him.
The bartender nodded and got to work.
"Hello," Naruto greeted casually.
The woman only gave a small nod, uninterested—until he leaned in slightly and whispered, "The famous Yukie Fujikaze, drinking in disguise... hiding from a teenage ninja?"
Yukie froze, slowly turning to face him. Her eyes narrowed, but recognition didn't dawn—yet.
The bartender slid a glass in front of Naruto. "Here you go."
Naruto took a sip… and nearly spat it out. He clutched his chest like he'd been hit with a rasengan. "What is this, battery acid?!"
The bartender chuckled. "First timer, huh?"
Naruto just nodded solemnly, already regretting trying to look cool.
Then, with that same grin that got him into trouble more than it should've, he reached into his cloak and pushed the same pen and crumpled paper toward Yukie.
"Autograph, please, Hime-sama," he said with the brightest, most innocent smile.
And finally, Yukie's eyes widened in realization.
"You… again."
"Let's get out of here, Hime-sama," Naruto said, rising from the barstool with a grin. "I've got a mission to complete and a vacation waiting back in the village."
Then, with a wink, he added, "But you have to promise me that autograph. Non-negotiable."
Yukie gave him a half-lidded glare that screamed 'Not happening', but Naruto already knew her type. She'd grumble, complain, and still sign it eventually.
So, without waiting for another dramatic monologue, he gently grabbed her wrist, dropped some ryo on the counter for both drinks, and with a flash—bam—vanished.
In the next instant, he reappeared beside Karin, Sasuke, and Kakashi, who were all lounging like it was a lazy summer afternoon.
"Oh?" Kakashi glanced up from his book. "You went shopping and brought home a princess?"
"She fainted from the sudden teleport," Naruto said casually, as he hoisted her over his shoulder like it was a routine grocery run. "But hey—I caught her."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Karin blinked. Kakashi just chuckled.
Naruto turned toward them, grinning like a kid who just aced a test."Alright, squad! Next stop—Yukigakure!"
The team quickly made their way toward the meeting spot, where the person who'd been looking after Yukie for all these years awaited them. He was a stern yet kind figure, almost a fatherly figure to her, someone who'd acted as her guardian for as long as anyone could remember.
"Here she is, Sandayu," Kakashi said, his tone surprisingly calm despite the chaotic circumstances. He gently handed Yukie to him, her form still limp from the sudden teleportation. "She just fainted, nothing serious."
Sandayu Asaya, who had been standing with an air of quiet authority, took her carefully into his arms. His gaze softened when he looked at Yukie, like a parent cradling a child. Without a word, he nodded his gratitude to the team and handed off Yukie to the girls, who immediately escorted her to her room for some much-needed rest.
Naruto, never one to stand still for too long, tilted his head slightly. "So, when are we leaving here? Got a whole mission to wrap up," he asked, eager to get back on track.
Sandayu's serious expression didn't falter. "We'll leave soon. Don't worry, we'll make sure you're informed in advance. We've been preparing for the journey ahead."
Naruto gave a quick nod, satisfied with the answer. "Got it. I'll be waiting," he said with a casual smile, though internally, his mind was already planning the next step. The journey back to the village wasn't going to be easy, but at least they had a little peace for now.