The Snow Country lies near the polar regions, where snow and ice dominate the landscape for most of the year.
Despite the climate, local agriculture and per capita GDP aren't heavily affected. More notably, the Snow Country boasts its own exclusive national ninjas and stands out for its advanced development in heavy industry and technology—even compared to the Five Great Ninja Nations.
In fact, both the Wind Country and the Water Country lag behind Snow in terms of technology. A prime example is their Chakra Armor, which greatly enhances a ninja's chakra and allows for multiple uses of A-rank Ninjutsu.
With a powerful Kage-level warrior, the Snow Country could potentially rival the Sand Village in sheer strength—though not defeat it outright. But it could inflict significant damage at the cost of the royal family's destruction.
After killing another city guard ninja, Zabuza glanced at Haku.
"Haku, are we really going through with this alone? Isn't this too risky?"
"There are too many enemies."
Since Haku rarely spoke with Zabuza anymore, he had no idea why she wanted to attack the Snow Country. He tried to dissuade her. This wasn't like the small, easily manipulated Land of Waves. The Snow Country was among the top ten most powerful nations in the ninja world.
"Cattle and sheep travel in herds; wild beasts walk alone. Numbers mean nothing when the enemy is weak," Haku replied coldly.
"Two people are more than enough."
She formed seals with her left hand while observing a dozen defending ninja and hundreds of samurai approaching from a distance.
"Ice Release: Ice Age!"
An extreme chill erupted forward, instantly freezing everything from the docks to the town in a thick sheet of ice.
This large-scale jutsu, developed with the aid of the Demon Seal's chakra, wasn't effective against elite ninja, but against Genin and commoners, it was a massacre.
Within a minute, hundreds had been frozen.
"Haku, there are more than just these people in the Snow Country," Zabuza cautioned again.
Haku didn't respond. She walked through the icy sculptures, the frozen gazes of her victims following her. They weren't dead—just sealed.
"Submit or die," she said. "You only get one chance."
Then the ice over their heads melted.
"We surrender!" "Please spare us, my lady!" "I'll be your dog!"
Most of them were ordinary people. Haku's overwhelming power seemed divine. Against an equal, one resists. Against a god, one kneels.
Satisfied, she released them and absorbed them into her forces. Her army of civilians and Genin ballooned from dozens to over three hundred.
Everyone cheered—except Zabuza, who sighed.
"What's the point of a bunch of weaklings?"
Assassinations were one thing, but taking over an entire country with civilians and one ally was madness.
Noticing his disapproval, Haku smirked. "Don't look so down. Go to the ship and bring me Fuji Fuyuki-e."
"The actress? What for?" Zabuza asked, frowning.
He remembered Fuji Fuyukie, a gorgeous woman with a noble bearing, who had surrendered the moment they captured her. She seemed like someone running from everything.
"Because you're always frowning. I want to remind you that we're not alone in this."
Despite their strained relationship, Haku still cared about Zabuza. If she didn't, she wouldn't have kept him around when she could easily overpower him now.
"But she has no chakra. How can she help us?"
"She's the daughter of the former Daimyo. Her real name is Kazahana Koyuki. Her uncle usurped the throne. She hired us to help restore her rule. This mission is righteous and has public support."
"Cities loyal to the Daimyo won't resist Koyuki's return."
Zabuza was stunned. With that legitimacy, they wouldn't be seen as invaders but liberators. Grassroots resistance would drop. They might even turn some powerful ninja to their cause.
But another question lingered.
"Does Koyuki know we're helping her?"
Haku raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I just tell you to go explain it to her?"
Zabuza sighed. If he hadn't asked just now, Koyuki would probably still be clueless the moment she took the throne.
...
While Zabuza and Haku advanced their assault, Naruto Uzumaki and his three companions had crossed two mountain ranges into central Snow Country.
They were still about two days from Haku's location. The delay? The three companions were slow. If Naruto had traveled alone, he'd already be there.
That night, Shikamaru set up the tents, Neji collected firewood, and Sasuke hunted.
Naruto? He did nothing.
"Should a father really be doing chores for his kids?" he reasoned.
After their tasks, the trio huddled and grumbled.
"Naruto is ridiculously lazy," Shikamaru muttered.
"Agreed," Neji nodded. "He accepts our help like it's a divine right. Shouldn't greater power come with responsibility?"
Realizing he was ranting, Neji dropped his voice to a whisper.
He knew better. Naruto showed no favoritism when dishing out punishment. He'd beaten Sasuke and Neji alike. Resistance was futile.
"You guys should get used to it," Sasuke said. "He's been like this since Genin days. Used to make Sakura do everything. Even housework."
"No way!" Shikamaru gasped.
"Dead serious," Sasuke said. "Sakura would go clean his house. Guy didn't even tidy up himself."
"Cough!"
A sound nearby cut the gossip short. They looked toward Naruto in panic.
He was just strolling through the snow. They exhaled.
"Shut up," Shikamaru whispered. "One wrong word and we get beat again."
Under Naruto's oppressive presence, the three rivals had grown closer. A shared enemy builds brotherhood.
They didn't know Naruto had heard everything—and chose to ignore it.
"If I argue again, someone's going to sulk," he muttered.
A voice echoed in his mind. "What do you mean, 'someone'? Hit me if you want. Why should I be mad?"
It was Uzumaki Chiana, inside him.
Naruto chuckled. He didn't bother arguing. He looked toward the capital of Snow Country.
"So Haku's attacking? She gets me. I only hinted once that more land was good, and she already acted."
Unlike Sasuke, who cared only about power.
Naruto reminded himself: Sasuke would never inherit his legacy. He'd mess it up.
Good thing Naruto was younger and blessed by the Selector. Odds were, he'd outlive Sasuke.
...
Two days later, news shocked the Snow Country:
The daughter of the former Daimyo, Kazahana Koyuki, was alive. And she had returned with powerful allies to reclaim her throne.
In the capital, current Daimyo Kazahana Dotou roared in fury.
"Who dares support that traitor?!"
"The ninja with Ice Release is not one of ours. Their attire suggests Fire or Water Country origins," the minister said.
Dotou's eyes narrowed.
"One matches the description of the Demon, Momochi Zabuza."
That name made Dotou flinch.
"The Ice Release ninja is immensely powerful. Reports say no one can withstand her."
Dotou couldn't sit still. He summoned all Jonin.
"I want you to recruit them. Triple whatever Koyuki promised. They don't have to help—just stay out of it."
Dotou was confident: everyone had a price.
But what he didn't know was that Haku didn't want a price.
She wanted the entire Snow Country.
Triple? He couldn't afford it.
"And if they refuse?"
"Then they die," Dotou hissed. "Anyone who dares challenge my throne will be buried beneath this snow."
...
The Snow Country grew colder. Snowflakes fluttered from a pale sky.
In a quiet town, Konan lit a fire and reclined with a book, worry in her eyes.
"I wonder how Naruto is doing."
And then: "Who did Naruto burn to death before? What is the Rinnegan really?"
Konan had a secret. Ever since that day, she'd felt drawn to certain words.
Each day since Naruto left, memories returned little by little.
She remembered a ring engraved with "White."
Not given by Naruto.
But by a red-haired man—with Rinnegan eyes.
"Naruto said I was hurt by someone with the Rinnegan... Was it true?"
As her memories returned, her fear deepened.
Because the feelings she now had for Naruto—were real.
She was terrified that the truth would reveal Naruto as her enemy.
-----
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