The Snow Kingdom is in turmoil.
In just three days, a quarter of the cities have been captured by a force claiming to restore Fenghua Xiaoxue to power. Their numbers are small, allowing them to barely control these areas. Otherwise, no one could say how far they would have gone by now.
This is not a war of invasion, but a civil conflict within the royal family. The general population can't interfere, and most of the prominent noble families, currently ruled by Fenghua Nutao, have chosen to observe from the sidelines.
Only a few, whose loved ones are held hostage by Fenghua Nutao, have joined him in resisting the return of Fenghua Xiaoxue, daughter of the former monarch.
After all, Fenghua Nutao rose to power through the murder of his own brother, and the stigma of fratricide still lingers, especially given how respected his brother was. Many noble families are watching closely to see if the benevolent king's daughter can triumph over the ruthless usurper.
"Bai, your strategy is truly brilliant. Using Fenghua Xiaoxue as a puppet has shifted this conflict from an invasion into a personal vendetta against Fenghua Nutao," Zabuza laughed heartily. "You turned what could've been war into a royal succession dispute."
Bai, meanwhile, was flipping through the closet in Fenghua Xiaoxue's room, picking out clothes and trying them on before a mirror. Outside, Xiaoxue was busy giving a rousing speech about national restoration.
Bai gave a casual reply. "It was just taking advantage of the situation."
But Zabuza, sensing something else through his Byakugan, paused and frowned. "The Yellow-haired Uzumaki Naruto is coming, isn't he?"
"Yeah," Bai said softly, clearly pleased. "He should arrive by evening."
Zabuza sighed, left the room, and stepped outside, his eyes darkened as he looked at the frost-covered ground. Bai was perfect in every way—but why did she fall so easily for that yellow-haired brat?
His heart ached like that of a father who had raised a precious daughter, only for her to be stolen away by a scoundrel. And this Naruto, always entangled in scandals, was the very definition of a womanizer.
If Zabuza weren't afraid of losing Bai completely, he'd already have charged out to confront that damned yellow-haired punk.
Just then, Fenghua Xiaoxue returned, tired from her speech. She greeted him, but Zabuza saw in her weary face a reflection of the old Bai—the same exhaustion she once showed after every mission.
He regretted it now. He had pushed Bai into becoming this merciless. Perhaps she didn't have to kill at all. Perhaps he should have protected her better.
"It must be tiring, giving so many speeches," Zabuza said.
Xiaoxue started to nod, but hesitated and shook her head. "Not as hard as what you and Lady Bai are doing."
Zabuza softened a little. "No need for formalities. We're comrades now."
But their conversation was cut short by Bai's voice from inside.
"Zabuza, stop talking to Fenghua Xiaoxue. She's not someone you should get involved with."
Her tone left no room for argument. Zabuza bowed his head in submission and left without another word.
Xiaoxue entered the room and bowed respectfully. "Lady Bai."
Bai gestured. "Come here."
"Yes," Xiaoxue said, walking quickly to her.
She had been nearly killed by her uncle as a child, exiled, and forced to live in obscurity. Now, after months of captivity on the ship, she knew there was no escaping Bai's control.
That fear had turned into obedience. She was now Bai's most loyal follower.
Bai, seemingly satisfied, tilted Xiaoxue's chin upward. "No wonder you're a star. Such a beauty."
She examined her face from all angles, clearly pleased. Xiaoxue blushed under the scrutiny.
"You're a hundred thousand times more beautiful than me, Lady Bai," Xiaoxue said nervously. She didn't believe it, but she knew how to flatter.
"Haha! You don't have to say that. I say you're beautiful, so you are. I like you."
Those words made Xiaoxue uneasy. She recalled a movie script she had once rejected—a love story between two women.
Now it felt like she was living that movie.
"From now on, you're not allowed to speak to any man alone. Understand?"
So I belong to her now, Xiaoxue thought bitterly.
She had rejected many suitors over the years, always finding ways to escape. But Bai? Bai could freeze an entire dock in a single moment. There was no escape here.
She bowed her head. "Yes, Lady Bai."
"You're a good girl. That's why I'll help you reclaim your throne," Bai said, picking out an outfit from the closet. "Wear this after dinner tonight."
Xiaoxue blanched. It was an extremely revealing dress—something only worn in brothels.
Bai frowned. "What, you don't want to?"
"No, I'll wear it. I promise!" Xiaoxue said quickly, fear tightening her voice.
As the short day ended and night fell, the air grew colder. A golden figure zipped across the snow-covered landscape, too fast to be seen.
"Almost there," Naruto said, flying high above, scanning the lit-up villages and towns below.
He had left Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Neji half a day earlier. That morning, a report had mentioned a Byakugan-wielding female ninja seen in the Snow Kingdom's capital. It could have been Hinata.
The team devised a plan. Sasuke, Neji, and Shikamaru went to investigate, while Naruto sought out Fenghua Xiaoxue to discuss cooperation.
What they didn't know was that Naruto had planted the false report himself—a ruse to separate from the group and have some alone time with Bai.
Eventually, Naruto sensed Bai's demon seal below. He descended quietly into a town glowing with streetlamps, signs, and flirtatious laughter from thickly dressed women tempting wandering men.
Naruto used to be interested in that kind of thing, but now? Not anymore. He had bigger interests. Loftier ones.
He finally arrived at a luxurious mansion gifted to Bai by the local lord. Following the seal's pull, he went to the back entrance.
There stood a slim silhouette in the snow.
"Bai? You're dressed like that?"
She was wearing a thin summer dress, her long legs exposed to the winter chill. Naruto winced.
"If you dress like that, you'll catch a cold."
Suddenly, Bai threw herself into his arms, her breath quickening and face flushed. Her body trembled in his embrace.
"Sir, it's been so long," she whispered emotionally.
Naruto smiled, pinched her nose. "Last time we met, I had to look up at you."
Back then, Naruto was barely 1.5 meters tall. Now he was 1.67, towering over Bai.
"You don't like short girls?" Bai asked nervously.
"Too short is a no-go," he teased. "But you're within my range."
Bai, used to Naruto's teasing, flushed and snuggled into his coat as he wrapped it around both of them.
"Don't freeze out here. Let's talk inside."
"I have a gift for you," Bai said.
"What kind of gift?"
"Secret."
Inside the biggest room, Bai pushed open the door, and Naruto's jaw dropped.
A woman in a white wedding dress lay bound on the bed. Tape covered her mouth, a blindfold over her eyes. She wore white stockings and heels. Her arms and legs were chained apart.
"What the hell?! Bai, did you kidnap someone?! Is this okay?!"
Bai knelt immediately, her cheeks flushed. "This is Fenghua Xiaoxue. I brought her here secretly. If you're unhappy, please punish me."
She crawled forward, clinging to Naruto's leg. Her eyes looked up at him, pleading.
"Please punish me, my lord. Hit me, scold me, humiliate me however you see fit."