Chapter 250 - 161

By the afternoon, the pain in Naruto's body had finally subsided quite a bit.Even though a slight movement would still cause a surge of pain to drill out from within his body.However, with the continuous use of Hamon to alleviate it, getting out of bed and walking around was no longer an issue.Of course, strenuous exercise was absolutely forbidden.Naruto knew in his heart that even without Kakashi's repeated prohibitions, Sasuke and Sakura would keep a death watch over him.So, the only thing he could do was slowly walk to the deck to feel the sea breeze and watch the film crew's progress.The light on the deck was excellent; sunlight reflected off the sea surface, making one squint slightly.Naruto leaned against the ship's railing, his gaze falling on the group of people filming, and as he watched, he noticed something different about Koyuki Kazahana.During the previous filming sessions, Koyuki Kazahana had certainly put in her best effort.Her acting was impeccable, her lines were recited perfectly, and her positioning was so precise that even the director rarely called for a stop; her professional quality was right there, and no one could find fault with it.But anyone could see that her dedication was merely a professional habit.Whenever a shot ended, her exquisite face would immediately shed all expression, replaced by a coldness and impatience, as if she had just completed some task that bored her to the core.That boredom wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but it hung over her entire being, making the surrounding staff afraid to approach her.But now, it was different.A trace of a smile hung on Koyuki Kazahana's face, a smile that wasn't required by the script, nor was it forced for the camera.Rather, it grew naturally from the corners of her mouth, spreading across her entire face and even radiating from her eyes.Her tone was light when she spoke to her co-stars, and she didn't walk away immediately after a take; instead, she stayed and chatted with the staff for a few moments.That cheerful mood infected everyone present, making the rhythm of the entire filming set lighthearted.The movie's progress was at least twice as fast as before, and the director nodded repeatedly in approval.Naruto watched this scene and soon figured out the reason behind it.After all, the sight of that iceberg crashing down right before their eyes was practically like the arrival of the apocalypse.Even though the iceberg was eventually destroyed by his Move and everyone escaped with their lives, it was still like a walk past the gates of hell.After experiencing such a narrow escape from death, it was only natural for a change to occur.He withdrew his gaze and looked down at his own palm.Judging by the recovery speed since waking up, his Physique was no different from before; his injuries could still heal rapidly.Furthermore, the injuries caused by the Great Spiralling Ring were not permanent; that state of being in pain all over only lasted for half a day before starting to gradually ease.But the question was, why was he unconscious for three whole days?And during those three days of unconsciousness, his body's recovery speed had been suppressed to a very slow rate.Something must be wrong here, but no matter how many times he turned the thoughts over in his head, he couldn't find any clue.After an unknown amount of time, a set of footsteps came from the direction of the film crew, stepping on the wooden deck with a light rhythm.Naruto didn't look up; he recognized who it was just from the footsteps: "Filming's over?""That's right."Koyuki Kazahana walked up to him and gave him a smile.That smile was slightly different from the one she wore while working on the deck earlier; it was more relaxed and quieter, like the first flower blooming on a branch in early spring after a cold winter."Why did you come out here instead of resting properly in bed?"Hearing her words of clear concern, Naruto grinned and rolled up his sleeve, revealing his firm forearm, and patted it twice with his other hand: "Don't underestimate me; this little injury is nothing to me."After saying that, he looked at her thoughtfully and turned the topic back: "Speaking of which, it's actually you who seems to have changed a bit from before.""Of course," Koyuki Kazahana nodded as if it were a matter of course. "After seeing such a despairing sight with my own eyes and then successfully escaping, it would be strange if there weren't any changes."As she spoke, she raised her hand and pointed to the staff members who were packing up equipment in the distance.Naruto followed her finger; those people were moving props and light stands back and forth on the deck with quick movements, showing no fatigue but rather full of smiles."You're right," Naruto replied with a nod, then his gaze dropped again, falling back onto his palm.That question was still spinning in his head like an untied knot.Koyuki Kazahana stood beside him for a few seconds, bit her lip, and then gently sat down next to him."Before... thank you..."Naruto was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and only then did he realize she was talking to him.He turned his head and grinned: "I said it, didn't I? Even if it means my death, I will protect you.""Is that an agreement? Or a promise?"Koyuki Kazahana did not look away; her eyes stared straight at Naruto without even blinking, her fingers unconsciously twisting together, her fingertips turning slightly white."Think of it as a contract," Naruto spread his hands. "I'm a Ninja hired by you all; I have an obligation to ensure your safety."Disappointment flashed across Koyuki Kazahana's face, lasting for less than half a second before being suppressed.As an actress, she had always been skilled at controlling her emotions.She turned her head away, and when she turned back, a perfectly measured smile was already on her face: "It seems you really do have professional spirit.""Just as you are a good actress, I am a good Ninja."Naruto replied casually, his gaze falling on the distant sea as if he were looking at something very far away.Then his next sentence suddenly became serious, his tone shifting naturally as if he were speaking of something he had long thought out: "But for you, Koyuki, even dying would be worth it.""What?"Koyuki Kazahana's breath hitched instantly, and she reflexively turned her head to stare at Naruto's profile.What caused such a strong reaction wasn't just the content of his words, but because long ago, she had heard almost the exact same words from someone else's mouth."I imagine your father must have said something similar. That's why after Mr. Sosetsu died, you were so resistant to returning to the Land of Snow, right?"Naruto's smile was faint, but his gaze seemed to see right through all the defenses in her heart.Koyuki Kazahana opened her mouth but no words came out.At this moment, her eyes became incredibly complex.In them was the memory of her father, an indescribable tenderness for the blonde boy before her, and a confusion about the future...All these things were jumbled together, leaving her momentarily unsure of how to respond.She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously tugging at the fabric of her clothes.Naruto didn't wait for her answer; he pushed off the railing to stand up and gently patted Koyuki Kazahana's shoulder twice."I won't be like Uncle Sandayū, telling you that the people of the Land of Snow are living in misery, or that Dotō Kazahana is your sworn enemy, nor will I say that you must return to the Land of Snow to overthrow Dotō Kazahana's rule.""You've heard those words many more times than I've said them; it's not my place to repeat them."He paused, withdrawing his gaze from the sea to rest on Koyuki Kazahana's eyes: "My ideal in life is simple: always do the right thing, and eventually die without regrets."Koyuki Kazahana looked up into Naruto's eyes.Those deep blue eyes appeared exceptionally clear in the sunlight, containing no hint of preaching or forced expectations, simply relating something that belonged to him alone."So I only want to say one thing to you," Naruto's voice was very level. "Think carefully, and don't make a decision you'll regret."After saying that, he took his hand off her shoulder, turned around, and slowly walked toward the cabin.He didn't walk fast, his steps still had that bit of dragging, but his back was steady, as if he knew exactly where he was going.Koyuki Kazahana did not chase after him.She sat where she was, looking up at the sky above, not doing as Naruto said, not analyzing whether she would regret her next decision.She simply let her gaze go blank and let her thoughts drift back to three days ago.That massive iceberg silently shattering in mid-air.Billions of ice shards filled the space between heaven and earth; sunlight passed through the ice mist, refracting into countless rainbows.The entire sky was dyed in brilliant colors she had never seen in her life.Amidst that world-encompassing rainbow, what Koyuki Kazahana saw was her father's face.That face was already blurred, but the voice from ten years ago rang clearly in her ears.When she was very young, she had once lain in her father's arms and said she loved rainbows.Her father had placed the Hexagonal Crystal into her palm and promised in a voice full of tenderness that one day, he would show her the most beautiful rainbow in the world."I want to return to the Land of Snow."Koyuki Kazahana murmured these words, her voice incredibly firm: "For my father, for the people of the Land of Snow, and also...""For myself!"