Chapter 113: The Reason Why
At this point, Asama Sandayū took over from Kazahana Koyuki, shaking his head as he spoke.
"Kazahana Dotō is the kind of ruthless person who insists on pulling out the weeds by the roots. No matter which country's ninja we hired this time, no matter whether we came here to film a movie or to overthrow him, he would have sent people to completely eliminate Koyuki. And, he has ruled the Land of Snow for so many years without finding the treasure. He must also know that the key to opening the treasure is on Koyuki's person. In that case, it's even more impossible for him to let her go!"
Asama Takehiko also echoed his uncle, "Koyuki has been hiding under a different name for so many years. I never thought Kazahana Dotō would still be able to recognize her... Sigh, it's all my fault. It was my wishful thinking, thinking that after so many years, there wouldn't be any problems. I never thought Kazahana Dotō would be this kind of person... Insisting on coming here to film, I've endangered everyone."
Hn, living in anonymity? Sakura glanced at the long-famous, great movie star, Kazahana Koyuki, and felt that she had learned something new.
"Don't blame yourself, Takehiko," Sandayū patted the director's hand. "I also have a share of the responsibility in this. Who would have thought that that heartless and ungrateful fellow would still be keeping an eye on a little girl who had fled over a decade ago!"
"Alright, we generally understand the situation," hearing this, the young girl had basically understood what a prime-time melodrama this was.
She nodded slightly in understanding. "So as the mission clients, what do you plan to do next?"
Director Asama said with difficulty, "If we continue filming, Kazahana Dotō himself might come in the next attack. This is already above A-rank mission difficulty. This is a bit too much to ask. I think—"
"Oh? An A-rank mission?" Naruto, who had been listening drowsily, accurately caught this phrase.
"Does Asama-san mean that Kazahana Dotō is an even stronger ninja?" Sasuke, who had also been sleepy, his eyes lit up when he heard this.
"Uh, that's right. Kazahana Dotō's strength should be the strongest among the Snow Ninja, probably at the level of an ordinary Jonin from the five great villages?" Director Asama was a little startled by the sudden burst of enthusiasm from the two.
He chose his words cautiously. "So this mission is already at A-rank difficulty. Do you still want to continue? I think it's best if we terminate the mission and return directly to Konoha. Because this was our mistake when we reported the mission, this mission will still be counted as completed for you."
"Terminate the mission? No way, absolutely not~! It took us so long to get an A-rank mission!" Naruto had been completely awakened by the words "A-rank mission." He waved his hands vigorously, opposing Director Asama's suggestion. "The tradition of our Team 7 is to never give up!"
"Hmph, if the opponent is really at the Jonin level, then such an opponent is not to be missed!" Sasuke glanced at Naruto and Sakura. "Just leave Kazahana Dotō to me!"
"Hey, hey, Sasuke, you're too cunning!"
"Alright, alright, you two!" Haruno Sakura irritably suppressed the two idiots who had started to bicker amongst themselves before even dealing with the enemy. "We haven't even decided whether to continue the mission yet!"
"What, Sakura-chan! Don't you want to complete this A-rank mission!" Naruto shouted, rubbing the messy hair on his head.
"At least we have to ask the person concerned for her decision first!" Sakura rolled her eyes at him.
Then she turned to the three Asama family members and said, "You've already heard. We are confident in ensuring your safety, regardless of whether the opponent is the so-called Jonin-level Kazahana Dotō. I have already sent out a reconnaissance clone. If you trust us, we will launch a surprise attack on that mastermind tonight and solve the problem completely. So what are your opinions?"
"If the movie can be completed on schedule in the Land of Snow, that would of course be for the best," Asama Takehiko stated his position. "Then if you are willing to continue the mission, I will not object."
"I have a mortal enmity with Kazahana Dotō. If the three ninja-samas can help me take revenge, I, Asama Sandayū, will be eternally grateful and will surely repay you even if it costs me my life!" Asama Sandayū said resolutely.
Everyone then turned their gaze to Kazahana Koyuki.
If Kazahana Dotō was defeated, then Kazahana Koyuki would be the next daimyo of the Land of Snow, so her opinion was of utmost importance.
Kazahana Koyuki's family had been destroyed because of her uncle. She naturally hated Kazahana Dotō to the bone.
She only hated that she was powerless to take revenge and had always hidden her feelings deep in her heart, not daring to bring them up. Now that the old matter was brought up again, and hearing that there was a chance for her great enmity to be avenged, her heart was filled with a mix of sorrow and joy, and she was already sobbing uncontrollably.
Hearing the Asama uncle and nephew state their positions one after another, Koyuki also nodded forcefully, indicating her attitude through her sobs, and then threw herself onto Sandayū's shoulder and cried bitterly.
Asama Sandayū had no sons or daughters. He and Kazahana Koyuki had depended on each other for all these years and had long since had a father-daughter-like relationship. He regarded her as his own.
He patted Kazahana Koyuki's shoulder and let out a soft sigh. "Sigh, back then I was a guard who served Koyuki's father, Lord Kazahana Sōsetsu. I witnessed that tragedy with my own eyes. Fortunately, with the help of you Konoha ninja, I was able to rescue Koyuki."
"If we can get rid of that heartless and ungrateful thief, when I go to the underworld in the future, I will at least have the face to see Lord Kazahana Sōsetsu!" Speaking of which, Asama Sandayū's eyes also grew moist.
On the other hand, Asama Takehiko had been out and about all these years and had not experienced that tragic case. He had only heard about the past from his uncle, so he did not have as many emotions and excitement. He patted Sandayū's shoulder. "Uncle, don't get too excited."
Seeing the atmosphere continue to slide towards a prime-time melodrama, Sakura quickly proposed to the only one who was emotionally stable, the director, "Since that's the case, then we've decided to continue with this mission. Let's pause the filming for today and tomorrow. After we've dealt with Kazahana Dotō, you can continue your work."
Asama Takehiko repeatedly nodded in agreement. "Understood! Then, on behalf of the crew and my uncle, I thank you!"
"We need to rest first now and set out on the mission near midnight. At that time, you should sail the ship far away from the coast. Be sure not to be discovered by the Snow Ninja. If everything goes smoothly, it will all be over before noon tomorrow," Sakura reminded him, then left the meeting room with Naruto and Sasuke.
That night.
In the early hours of the morning, the moon was bright and the stars were few. It was a dark and murderous night.
Sakura led the two of them straight to the capital city where Kazahana Dotō was located.
"After I repelled those three Snow Ninja before, I left an ice clone to follow them to the Snow Ninja's base, which is in the castle in the capital of the Land of Snow. The number of Snow Ninja is not small, about thirty to forty people, but apart from three who are a little stronger, the rest are just small fry without the special armor and are not worth mentioning."
On the way, she took the opportunity to tell the two of them the intelligence that her ice clone had gathered.
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