"Tsunade! Do you have any missions for me? Preferably high-level assassination tasks. It'll give me a chance to collect some powerful shadows as well." Shikamaru said casually, holding Tsunade close in the Hokage's office. Lately, he had been feeling a little bored.
"Fine! Give me your hand, and I'll look through the list for you." Tsunade replied, slightly exasperated but affectionate, as she began flipping through the mission registry.
"Wait a second..." Shikamaru interrupted, picking up the mission document Tsunade was reviewing. His eyes landed on a specific entry.
"Adventure of the Wind Princess... Protect Fujikaze Yukie... Land of Snow..."
Shikamaru froze for a moment. These names were unmistakable, characters from the Naruto Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow. Was it merely a coincidence, or had the events of the movie somehow crossed into reality?
"Tsunade, has this mission been assigned to a team yet?" he asked with a sharpness that caught her attention.
"Let me see… Hmm. Yes, it looks like your fiancée's team took this one, led by Jonin Yuhi Kurenai." Tsunade replied, her brows furrowing slightly at his urgency.
Shikamaru nodded, momentarily thrown off. In the original timeline, this mission had been assigned to Kakashi's team. However, given Sasuke's earlier defection from the village, the restructuring of Team Kakashi made the reassignment plausible.
"Tsunade, when did they leave?" Shikamaru asked, concerned. If this truly was the Land of Snow mission, Hinata's team could face significant danger.
"Kurenai's team departed two days ago. They should be nearing contact with the client by now. Why?" Tsunade's suspicion grew. "Is something wrong with this mission?"
"Ah, no. I was just curious about the daimyo's connections." Shikamaru replied smoothly, masking his real concern. He quickly added, "Tsunade, if it's alright, I'd like to head to the Land of Snow as well. It'll give me a chance to bond with my fiancée."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes skeptically. "Hmph! I bet you're more interested in cozying up to that famous actress, Fujikaze Yukie!" she huffed, pinching his side in a fit of playful jealousy.
Shikamaru winced but managed a smile. Despite the misunderstanding, his mind conjured an image of the actress from the anime, Princess Koyuki Kazahana. Admittedly, she was beautiful.
After a hasty farewell to Tsunade, Shikamaru returned home to inform Haku of his plans. He left Natsuhi and Uzuki Yugao in the village for safety and set off alone toward the Land of Snow.
⚔──────────────
On the waters leading to the Land of Snow, a large ship churned through the icy waves. Onboard, the sound of a woman's shrill protests echoed.
"No! I don't want to go to the Land of Snow!" Fujikaze Yukie shouted angrily at her manager, Sandayu, struggling against his efforts to reason with her.
"Yukie-sama, please don't be so stubborn. We've already entered the Land of Snow's borders!" Sandayu pleaded.
Hinata, one of the ninja escorts on the ship, suddenly activated her Byakugan. "Sensei, there are enemy ninjas approaching!" She called out urgently to Kurenai.
"Kiba, Shino! Prepare for battle. Hinata, you stay here and protect Yukie-sama." Kurenai instructed her expression firm.
"Got it!" Hinata replied softly, her eyes steady with resolve.
"Leave it to me! Akamaru and I will take them down!" Kiba exclaimed with a grin, his energy infectious.
Shino adjusted his sunglasses silently, his presence calm but unwavering.
⚔──────────────
Suddenly, a loud shout from the ship's crew broke the tense atmosphere.
"Director! There's a massive iceberg blocking our path!"
The ship's director was initially alarmed but quickly became giddy with excitement. "This is perfect for filming! Everyone, get closer to it!"
"No! There are enemies nearby!" Hinata stepped in front of Yukie, her tone resolute.
"What enemies? I don't see any! Keep moving closer, " the director began to protest, only to be interrupted.
"Genjutsu: Temple of Nirvana Technique!"
Kurenai's voice rang out as she performed a hand seal. Ethereal feathers began descending from the sky, lulling the ship's crew into a deep sleep. Only Yukie remained unaffected.
"What did you do to them?!" Yukie demanded, her voice trembling.
"Yukie-sama, enemies are approaching!" Hinata reiterated, her voice firm.
⚔──────────────
A section of the iceberg suddenly exploded, revealing three armored shinobi. Leading them was a middle-aged man, flanked by a male and a female subordinate.
"Well, well... Princess Koyuki. It's been a while!" the leader sneered. His gaze sharpened. "I trust you've brought the hexagonal crystal with you?"
Yukie's face went pale with fear, her silence betraying the truth of his words.
Kurenai stepped forward, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Who are you? Why are you targeting us?"
The man smirked. "Oh, just some old grudges. Surely you've heard of Kakashi from Konoha? Let's just say I've got unfinished business with him, and now with you!"
Kurenai's mind raced. Kakashi? What is going on here? She refocused, her tone steady. "Konoha never abandons its missions. If you want her, you'll have to get through us first."
With that, the battle began.
⚔──────────────
From afar, Shikamaru raced across the frozen terrain. His mind was calculating, his determination unwavering. Hold on, Hinata. I'm on my way.
⚔────────
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