Unlike the poverty of the common folk, the royal palace of the Snow Country was a display of pure extravagance. Carved beams and ornate rafters towered overhead, while dozens of elegant maids stood outside, burning incense and playing music with soft, alluring smiles on their faces.
Amidst a swirling storm of wind and drifting blossoms, Fenghua Nutao paced anxiously within. The melodies brought him no comfort—his heart was heavy.
"Why haven't Fubuki and the others returned yet?"
His murmured question echoed through the palace. The news of Princess Koyuki (Fenghua Xiaoxue) capturing city after city had unsettled him deeply.
Just then, a soldier rushed in through the palace gates. "Your Majesty, we've received a letter from Lord Fubuki."
Fenghua Nutao bolted forward before the man even finished speaking. "Give it to me!"
The moment he broke the wax seal and scanned its contents, a jolt ran through him like lightning. His knees buckled slightly. The truth spilled from the letter: Tsurugi Fubuki had been captured, and every other member of the task force had been slaughtered.
"Two-thirds of our jonin... gone. In a single blow…"
Fenghua Nutao stood frozen, his face pale with disbelief. How could the enemy be this strong? Why was the Snow Country, a land of eternal winter, the target?
Was Fenghua Xiaoxue so charismatic that someone this powerful was willing to fight for her without hesitation?
Why didn't I ever meet someone like that?
I'm a romantic too. Why can't fate favor me for once?
The music still played in the background, but the notes fell flat in Fenghua Nutao's ears. He could no longer enjoy the melodies.
He couldn't sit by idly.
"Summon every ninja in the capital. Order all soldiers to assemble. I will personally lead the counterattack."
He tore the letter to shreds as he barked the orders. But before the soldier could react, his form twisted—smoke burst from his body, revealing not a man, but a masked ninja with long black hair.
In a blur of movement, Fenghua Nutao felt cold steel press against his throat.
A blade of solid, crystal-clear ice.
"You have two choices," the intruder said in a calm but deadly tone. "Obey, or die."
The music stopped. The maids collapsed in silence, unconscious.
Fenghua Nutao turned ghostly pale. He had never imagined someone could infiltrate the palace, let alone get this close to killing him.
"Why… Why are you helping Fenghua Xiaoxue?" he stammered. "I've never even left the Snow Country—I have no enemies out there."
He was grasping for answers.
Instead, he got a sharp slap across the face.
"You talk too much," Bai replied coldly. "I already told you—obey, or die."
Just because she enjoyed being dominated by Naruto didn't mean she had to be gentle with others. If anything, Bai was more than happy to dispose of someone like Fenghua Nutao.
Without hesitation, she pressed her ice blade into his neck, and blood began to trickle down his skin.
The chilling pain jolted him into submission. Before Bai, he wasn't a ruler. He was just a man on the verge of death.
"I-I'll cooperate," he stuttered. "Whatever you want—I'll do it. I swear!"
Fearing a wrong word might get him cut down, he even addressed Bai respectfully.
Satisfied, Bai lowered the blade slightly, letting it rest along his jawline.
"Is the queen of the Snow Country still alive?" she asked.
Fenghua Nutao, who looked barely 35, blinked in confusion.
The queen?
She must be referring to Xiaoxue's mother—or maybe the current queen. Either way, they were probably both beautiful. After all, they were royal.
What a title—"Queen." Even if they weren't stunning, the name alone stirred excitement.
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" he asked cautiously.
"I'm a woman," Bai stated.
That was clearly nonsense. Her voice, her strength—no way that was a woman.
"Both the former queen and the current queen are still alive," he said nervously, choosing his words with care.
If capturing them would please Lord Naruto, so be it. Maybe then that clingy Xiaoxue would finally stop throwing herself at him.
Does she not realize I am Naruto-sama's first lady? She deserves punishment—for being so presumptuous, for forgetting her place.
Fenghua Nutao tried to ask, "What do you plan to do with them?"
"I told you, I'm a woman," Bai said again, this time almost cheerfully. "How could I do anything with them?"
Then she added with a smirk, "I'll find someone else to do it."
The palace fell silent.
Fenghua Nutao's blood ran cold. His mind went blank. But Bai was impatient.
She pressed the blade deeper.
"Okay! Okay! Got it!" Fenghua Nutao gasped, his face twitching with fear and rage. Blood filled his eyes, but his words trembled with obedience. "Both the former and current queens are breathtaking. They won't disappoint."
"They've both had children, so they're... experienced. Even if you want to send several people at once, I think they can take it."
He was trembling. His pride had long since shattered. All that mattered was survival.
Forget pride—live another day.
SLAP!
Another sharp blow.
"You think I'm collecting prostitutes?!" Bai snarled. "Only he is allowed to touch them. Anyone else dies."
Fenghua Nutao's mind reeled.
Wait… only he? Does that mean… they're being offered to one man? That includes my wife and widowed sister-in-law?
And I'm not even allowed to lay a finger on them?
"…If that's what you say," he mumbled weakly. "It's… their honor."
He nearly dropped to his knees.
Three hours later
Three cloaked young men slipped silently into the Snow Country's palace. Beneath their hoods gleamed the headbands of Konoha.
"East wing, clear. West wing, nothing either," said Hyuga Neji, his Byakugan scanning every direction. The sound of marching guards made him tense up.
He'd infiltrated noble estates before—but this felt different. This wasn't a mission. This was personal.
If Hinata and the others weren't here… they were just intruding.
"Neji, Sasuke—get down!" Shikamaru whispered urgently.
They crouched behind a column, waiting.
But the patrol didn't move on.
Damn it.
Did someone see them?
Shikamaru frowned. They couldn't afford to be discovered without proof. They weren't here to start a war.
"We need evidence—real proof Hinata and the others are being held here."
Then they heard it—voices from the patrol up ahead.
"I don't get why we're suddenly guarding against Konoha. This is exhausting."
"They say it's because of that alliance with Orochimaru. They're afraid word might get out."
"What's there to fear? This is our country. Konoha's just another village."
"I think we should be more focused on the rebels, not some Leaf ninjas."
They never once said Hinata's name—but every sentence screamed it.
Neji clenched his fists, face darkening.
That's my sister they're talking about.
Before he could snap, Shikamaru grabbed his arm. "Calm down."
But it was too late.
Sasuke had already charged ahead.
"Damn it," Shikamaru muttered, rubbing his temple. "He's worse than a wild tiger…"
They'd have to fight their way out now.
"I'll deal with the guards," Sasuke said coolly. "You two go find Hinata."
"…Right."
Despite everything, Sasuke was finally starting to respect Shikamaru and Neji—one had the brains, the other had the vision. Both were gifted in battle.
Way better teammates than Sakura, and a hell of a lot less overbearing than Naruto.
Meanwhile, outside the palace
Over 20,000 rebels had gathered at the gates, ready to storm the capital.
Both sides stood tense with anticipation.
They thought a civil war was coming.
But the real takeover? Already done. Silently, bloodlessly.
This entire display was staged—crafted by Fenghua Xiaoxue, Bai, and Fuuka at Naruto's direction. It was a drama for the people to believe in.
For the world to see.
The tale that would spread: The gentle new queen of Snow Country, with help from the brave Konoha ninja Uzumaki Naruto, freed her people from a tyrant.
Naruto, accompanied by his three "sons," helped restore order, form an alliance, and bring peace.
From the Snow Country, the legend would ripple across the Lightning Country, the Field Country, the Wave Country—every land Naruto had touched.
And from there, it would reach the Fire Nation.
Swish... swish...
Outside a tent, attendants swept the snow as it fell. The sound was harsh and constant.
Inside, Naruto Uzumaki lay on a bed, earplugs in place.
"It's boring without Bai and Xiaoxue around," he muttered.
Bai had gone to deal with Nutao. Xiaoxue was giving a speech. As for the obedient pink-haired girl—Naruto still hadn't learned her name.
Bai had grown possessive. When she left, she took the girl with her, not even letting Naruto have some company.
He sighed, closed his eyes, and sank into his inner world.
His chakra network glowed golden—no more traces of the Nine-Tails or Shukaku. All their chakra had merged with his incense-powered own.
And it was still growing.
"Even after absorbing all nine tailed beasts… I won't be able to use all this power."
"I wonder… could I fuse Sage Mode chakra too?"
He thought of the ancient arts—Ryuchi Cave, Mount Myoboku.
"Maybe..."
"Naruto."
A familiar voice interrupted him.
He opened his eyes.
Uzumaki Chiname stood at the entrance, her long red cheongsam hugging every curve. Snowflakes drifted in past the curtain, melting as they hit the floor.
Her fiery hair, full chest, and swaying hips made her hard to ignore.
Naruto blinked, then smirked. "Same red hair as my mom…"
"WHAT did you just say?" she barked, flustered. "I'm not your mother! I'm the Nine-Tails! Kyuubi!"
"I know, I know," Naruto said lazily. "I didn't say you were. Just said the hair's the same."
Uzumaki Chiname's temper flared again.
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