As the three flew forward, Sakura kept glancing at Hakuto from time to time, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn't bring herself to speak.
Noticing this, Hakuto smiled and asked, "Sakura, what's wrong? Are you scared because it's your first time flying? Want me to hold your hand?"
"Oh, no, that's not it," Sakura replied. After a brief pause, she asked, "In the previous fight, I saw you copy the enemy's ninjutsu. Was that with the Sharingan?"
"Yeah. Dad's marriage flyer was plastered all over the village—I'm sure you saw some too. As his daughter, I inherited this power just like he did."
As she spoke, Hakuto activated her Three-Comma Sharingan right in front of Sakura.
"I see… just as I suspected." Sakura gave a faint smile, then drifted into deep thought.
The Hokage hasn't let personal feelings cloud his judgment. Both Anya and Hakuto truly carry the Uchiha Clan bloodline. But why had Sasuke said what he did back then? Why had he been so angry? There must've been some misunderstanding between them… Sigh, how should I put it?
Still filled with worry, Sakura stayed silent. Hakuto glanced at her a few times, sensing she had something on her mind, but didn't press further.
After flying a distance, Anya suddenly came to a stop.
Before them stood a massive black castle built atop an iceberg. Through soul sensing, they confirmed Princess Yukie and Naruto were both inside.
"It's too quiet here. Looks like Naruto's already been found—maybe even locked up," Anya speculated, familiar with Naruto's personality. "If he weren't being restrained somehow, this place would've turned into chaos by now."
Hakuto flew over and asked, "What's the plan? Should we sneak in?"
Anya gave a nod and ordered, "They're probably in the dungeon. You and Sakura go save them, and I'll go meet the Snow Country's king's younger brother."
At the top of the castle, a tall, broad-shouldered man sat on the throne with a gloomy expression. He slightly tightened his right fist, causing the necklace he'd just obtained to crack loudly. With one squeeze, the crystal necklace shattered into pieces in his grip.
The three Snow ninja who had previously attacked Anya looked shocked. One of them, Nutao, asked, "Lord Nutao, what happened?"
Nutao sneered coldly, "It seems the item was swapped. Clever move."
"That's nothing serious. It was just to ensure the hostage remains safe. After all, until we get what we want, the hostage still has value. I don't want my mission failing either."
A calm voice suddenly echoed among them — it was Anya.
"Who's there?" The three Snow ninja immediately stepped in front of Nutao defensively.
Slowly stepping out from the shadows, Anya extended his right hand, palm open. A clear, sparkling necklace lay in the center of his palm.
A wild gleam flickered across Nutao's eyes as he burst into laughter. "Came alone, did you? Or have the others gone to save the hostages?"
"You're the ruler of a country—your mind works fast," Anya casually praised before tossing the necklace toward him.
Nutao was startled but wasted no time leaping forward and tightly gripping the necklace. Upon inspection, his heart pounded—the real thing! After all these years, could his long-held wish finally come true?
"Let's go."
Anya spoke calmly, "There are few things in this world that can still interest me. Your Ice Queen happens to be one of them. Let me see what kind of treasure she is that you so persistently cherish."
"Ice Queen? Hahaha!" Nutao roared with laughter. "No, not a queen, but a goddess—a Ice Queen! From just one glance, I am certain she is a celestial deity descended into the mortal realm, capable of changing the fate of the Land of Snow and granting us power surpassing even the Five Great Countries."
"A god?" Interest faded slightly from Anya's eyes as he sighed. "Well, I've seen my share of shinigami in this world. They're nothing special. Still, I hope this so-called goddess truly possesses divine power, as you claim."
The 'god' Anya referred to was the Shinigami once summoned by Minato—an eerie, terrifying specter—but one that failed to fight back after being slapped, making it hard for Anya to feel any reverence.
"Hmph, mere mortal, you wouldn't understand," Nutao sneered. "Since you conveniently delivered the necklace yourself, fine, let this be your chance to open your eyes wide and witness the mighty power of the Ice Queen."
Wrapped in thick Chakra Armor, Nutao strode forward with three Snow ninja behind him. His immense strength rendered him fearless against Anya; instead, he hoped Anya would witness the greatness of the Ice Queen and submit to her.
Passing through the Castle, they arrived on an icy plain. Nutao formed hand seals with his hands. From the previously empty expanse of ice arose three crystal pillars, forming a massive Altar.
Gazing at the Altar, Nutao's face lit up with excitement. He stepped forward eagerly, approaching the platform where a dark iron gate slowly rose. At its center was a hexagonal circular hole.
Staring at the necklace in his hand, Nutao's eyes sparkled with excitement. Carefully, he inserted the necklace into the hole—perfectly fitting, as if made for each other.
"Clang..."
The long-sealed iron gate emitted a resonant sound.
A strange sense of unease, long forgotten, suddenly surged within Night's chest.
Hmm? How could this be? Why am I feeling such emotion? Could this Ice Queen truly be a genuine deity, even surpassing the Shinigami?
Night's expression turned serious. His pitch-black pupils transformed into the Three-Comma Sharingan. With sharp eyes, he peered into the opened iron gate.
The surrounding crystal pillars shimmered and danced with refracted light, casting a dazzling spectrum of colors. These radiant beams converged together, projecting into the open gate. Emerging from the radiant glow, a giant ice crystal finally took shape.
The Ice Queen Nutao had spoken of lay sealed within this massive ice crystal.
Her beautiful jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall. Her face, flawless and radiant, exuded infinite charm. Her pure skin glowed brighter than snow itself, like the luminous moon shining in the night sky.
At the very moment he saw her, Night froze completely, overwhelmed by a surge of intense joy and disbelief.
"Haku... is that really you? Is it truly you?" As if possessed by ghosts, Night staggered forward a couple of steps, his voice still trembling with unbelief.
"Halt! Do you intend to approach and desecrate the goddess?!" The three Snow ninja simultaneously blocked Night's path.
Anya paid no attention to the commotion. Three surging waves of Sage Art Chakra burst forth from her body, shooting straight into the sky. The immense pressure pinned everyone at the scene to the spot, their once-proud armor exploding into fragments.
"How is this possible? How can you be so strong?"
Nutao was forced down by the overwhelming power and spoke with shock in his voice. The other three Snow ninja were terrified beyond words. This wasn't just a gap in strength—it was like facing a higher order of life itself. Victory against such an opponent was simply unattainable.
However, Anya had no time to consider others' thoughts.
Stepping forward lightly, she instantly appeared before the ice crystal, staring intently at the dust-covered woman. After careful observation, all doubt vanished from her heart.
"Haku, my Haku… You're finally back. I always knew you wouldn't really leave me."
The woman who filled Anya's dreams, the only one she cherished in her heart, had finally appeared before her...
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