Even a single arrow possessed terrifying power.
Seeing this, Anya couldn't help but frown. Hakuto had clearly held back with that shot—if she hadn't, the target would've at least been seriously injured if not killed outright.
From the start of their duel, Hakuto had never truly seen him as an enemy, treating it more like a practice match. This worked fine against ordinary Jonin who relied on external tools, but it could be dangerous if she faced practical combat elite Jonin like Kakashi.
If Hakuto were just one of Anya's regular students, she'd have pointed out her flaw without hesitation, criticizing her harshly and intensifying training accordingly.
Unfortunately, she was his daughter. Anya himself had a history of ruthless battle, decisive and cold-blooded in combat, yet he never wished for Hakuto to follow the same path. Tsunade had passed down her kindness through both words and deeds to the next generation, giving Hakuto a pure and compassionate heart—an admirable quality Anya didn't wish to taint. At this moment, he finally understood why Tobirama chose to accept Hashirama's ideals. Once the ninja world changes in the future, Hakuto won't have to face its cruelty either.
Thinking thus, Anya said nothing, continuing to observe the ongoing battle.
Besides Hakuto, both Naruto and Sakura had fallen into disadvantageous positions. The other two Ninja used Ice Release techniques enhanced by their Chakra Armor, synergizing perfectly within the snowy environment.
Upon seeing their leader wounded, these two didn't linger in battle. One kunoichi immediately encased Sakura in ice, then leapt over Anya, trapping the terrified actress—who stood rooted to the spot—with a rope: the famed Princess Fengyun.
Anya's eyes flickered slightly, choosing not to intervene. Instead, he headed straight toward the frozen Sakura.
The kunoichi's face lit up joyfully. She originally thought this good-looking man who hadn't joined the fight must be the strongest. Turned out he was merely a paper tiger after all. After capturing their target, an airship appeared in the sky. The three successfully completing their objective soared upward using Chakra Armor, taking the actress along as they departed.
Witnessing this, Naruto's fury surged. The Nine-Tails' chakra burst forth from within him. With tremendous explosive force, he launched himself toward the rising airship.
Still ascending, the airship seemed about to leave him behind when orange-red chakra erupted around Naruto, forming claw-like appendages that latched onto one corner of the ship, allowing him to hitch a ride inside with them.
Seeing the sudden turn of events, Hakuto finally grew serious. Focusing herself completely, she channeled powerful chakra into her hands, drawing back her bowstring fully—arrow aimed precisely at the departing airship.
After rescuing Sakura successfully, Anya swiftly approached Hakuto with a Shunshin, reaching out mid-step to stop her shot.
Watching the vanishing silhouette of the airship disappear beyond the horizon, Hakuto lowered her bow, casting a puzzled glance at Anya. She knew well enough—given Anya's strength, even while saving Sakura, there was no way that enemy kunoichi could've succeeded in abducting the actress. There could be only one explanation: Anya had deliberately let them go.
However, Hakuto didn't voice any accusations. She believed Anya would eventually explain his actions himself.
Anya was pleased with Hakuto's attitude and quickly said, "There should be more people behind the enemy. Also, from the way she was addressed earlier, this actress must have another identity. I've already used the Spirit Transformation Technique to cover her soul. Why don't we let her follow the enemy back to their stronghold so we can deal with all troubles at once?"
Hakuto nodded in agreement. "No wonder Tsunade-oneesan told me to follow you. I can really learn a lot."
Sakura walked over apologetically. "I'm sorry, I held everyone back."
Anya slightly shook his head. "It's fine. This was part of my plan all along. That agent of hers, however, deliberately concealed some information. It's time we got the full truth from him."
Seeing Princess Fengyun captured, Santa collapsed to the ground in despair. Tears involuntarily welled up in his eyes as if the sky had fallen on him. He didn't even notice Anya standing right before him.
"Snap out of it."
Anya's words carried spiritual power. Shaken by its force, Santa finally regained awareness in his eyes and stared at Anya like he had just seen his savior.
"Please, no matter what, you must..."
"Don't worry, it's our mission. We'll complete it." Anya replied casually. "However, you've been hiding things. It's time to tell us everything. Otherwise, I have the right to refuse this mission."
"All right, I'll talk." Santa spoke, his eyes filled with the weight of memories. "This is the Land of Snow, once a small peaceful and harmonious country. But one day, the king encountered a treasure while traveling at sea, and everything changed. He became extremely excited, obsessed and even fanatical about this treasure, claiming it was a gift from heaven destined to change the fate of our nation. He carefully cherished and preserved it. This treasure was what I mentioned before."
Hakuto asked suspiciously, "So there really is a treasure. Is the problem related to it?"
"Yes," Santa continued solemnly. "To protect this treasure, the king began collecting rare materials nationwide to build a secret vault. The public grew resentful because of this. His younger brother seized the opportunity to stage a rebellion, killing the king himself. Princess Fengyun is actually the king's daughter, Xiao Xue (Little Snow). The key to opening this vault is on Little Snow herself. Now I've told you everything I know. Please, rescue Little Snow immediately, or once they obtain the key, she will certainly be killed."
Sakura became interested too and pressed further, "Do you know what this treasure is? How could it possibly hold such power?"
Santa shook his head. "I'm not sure either. From the moment the king obtained it, he forbade anyone from approaching. I only vaguely heard him mention several words when I was beside him — something like 'Ice Queen'."
"Ice Queen?" Anya gave a dry chuckle. "Judging from this name, the most probable actual name of this treasure would be... Elsa? You know, like the one from the old tales."
When he saw the three beside him looking completely confused, failing to understand the humor in his remark, Anya sighed, feeling a cold loneliness settle over him like snow: "Alright, I've got what I need. Just follow Director's fleet and wait here for our good news."
Santa beamed, "Then I'll leave it to you guys."
Anya used a Summoning Scroll to conjure up three flying devices and equipped them onto Hakuto and Sakura.
As Chakra was injected, the trio immediately lifted into the air, just like the three ninjas from the Land of Snow earlier, shooting up into the sky.
Hakuto quickly adapted to flying. After gliding through the sky for a distance, he grinned, "Dad, since you have such fun stuff, you should've given it to me sooner."
Anya rolled her eyes and said, "Focus. We're on a mission right now."
"Oh, okay then." Hakuto playfully stuck his tongue out.
Together, the three chased off in the direction the airship had gone.
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