Haku remained just as she always was—decades of cryogenic preservation had frozen her youthful appearance in time. Though she still felt unaccustomed to Anya's passionate kiss, deep inside she was happy and offered no resistance, letting him take his fill.
However, as Anya deepened the kiss, Nutao watched with bulging eyes, unable to bear seeing his divine idol so openly defiled. Roaring furiously, he forced himself through the pressure sealing him in place and charged at Anya in a rage.
Anya didn't even glance his way. His blade flew midair, instantly piercing both of Nutao's legs and severing the nerves controlling movement. Nutao collapsed to the ground, crippled beyond use.
Annoyed by the interruption, Anya ended the kiss. Gently caressing Haku's unchanged face, he whispered softly, "Why did you leave me for so long?"
Regaining her composure after the kiss, Haku replied gently, "I didn't want to leave. But I knew you would find me."
Anya pouted stubbornly, saying, "If you disappear again, I really won't come looking for you anymore."
Haku could clearly sense Anya's hidden fear. She hugged him tenderly, assuring him, "It won't happen again. There won't be a next time."
With those simple words, Anya felt his heart finally calm down.
The others who had silently watched approached them. Hakuto spoke up first, asking, "Dad, don't you have something to explain to me?"
Haku looked at Hakuto, and judging from her appearance, quickly realized something shocking. Stunned, she asked, "Who is she?"
"Hmm. Her name is Hakuto. She's my daughter," Anya introduced. Then turning to Hakuto, he added, "Sweetheart, this is Haku. You can call her 'Little Mommy' from now on."
"Little Mommy?" Hakuto drawled the words, her face filled with disbelief—did he really just say that so openly?
Haku accepted the situation gracefully. She stepped forward to Hakuto, and seeing the young face so strikingly similar to Anya's, couldn't help but murmur, "Wonderful. Now, I have another family member. Hakuto, right? From now on, no matter what happens, feel free to come find me."
Hakuto had been exceptionally clever since childhood, easily able to tell when someone was sincere in their speech. Therefore, she sensed nothing but genuine warmth in Haku's voice—no pretense whatsoever.
This woman truly was gentle like flowing water. No wonder Dad liked her. Just one simple sentence was enough to make even Hakuto feel a bit fond of her—sigh… my Onee-sama Tsunade…
Unable to resist any longer, Hakuto began chatting with Haku freely.
This mission in the Land of Snow turned out to be the happiest one Anya had ever taken part in. Now that it was over, it was time to repay the debt of gratitude.
In an instant, Anya appeared beside Princess Yukie using Shunshin and said, "Never would I have thought your father saved my life. Since he's gone, that debt naturally falls upon you. First, I'll resolve the rebellion within your country. Second, if you ever run into trouble, feel free to seek me out. Finally, let me give you a promise—I will do everything in my power to fulfill one request of yours. It's valid permanently. Take this as proof."
From his hand, the six-sided pendant necklace—just recently unlocked—appeared and was handed over to Princess Yukie.
Yukie subconsciously accepted the necklace and thanked him repeatedly, saying, "Thank you."
Anya gave her a nod, unsheathed his blade, and with a single sweeping motion pierced the throats of Nutao and the three Snow ninja before they could utter a last word. They died instantly.
The few people on the scene couldn't help but feel a chill. Killing them was like squishing a few ants—effortless and cold. Hakuto recalled Orochimaru's earlier mention of over twenty thousand Allied Forces soldiers dying—now she had no doubts.
After finishing this task, Anya walked over to Haku's side and scooped her up in a bridal carry. Facing his three students, he said, "The rebellion in the Land of Snow has been quelled. Princess Yukie will inherit the throne. You'll stay here and assist her while I handle something urgent."
With that, Anya quickly disappeared, leaving the others staring at each other in bewilderment.
When they reappeared, the two were inside a house made entirely of ice, within which were placed two wedding outfits.
Haku couldn't help but ask, "Are you planning…to get married?"
"What else?"
Haku smiled. "I just didn't expect you to care about such a ritual."
Anya replied, "Truthfully, I don't either—but I think you do…"
Haku covered Anya's mouth with her hand and said, "In my heart, you've always been everything to me. All I care about is being by your side forever."
"Good. Then we'll skip the formalities—I can't wait any longer anyway." Anya's eyes flashed like a wild beast as he almost roughly tore Haku's clothes away. In the icy chamber, passion melted the cold.
When the storm of passion passed, Anya still held tightly onto Haku, his hands moving greedily as if afraid she might vanish the next moment. Even now, having claimed her fully, he felt it wasn't entirely real.
Haku caught Anya's wandering hand and placed it against her chest, her face flushed as she spoke, "Feel my heartbeat carefully. I am right here beside you."
"I know." Anya smiled bitterly as he felt her heart's rhythm, "You've been gone for too long—long enough to leave shadows in my heart."
Curious, Haku asked, "How long was I trapped in the ice? Can you tell me what happened during that time?"
Anya pulled Haku closer and said, "Okay. I'll tell you everything."
From standing alone against over twenty thousand troops during the Third Battle, to going blind during the Nine-Tails' rampage, then finally remaking his body in the Shikkotsu Forest—he had brushed death countless times.
After hearing all of this, Haku looked sorrowful, her eyes welling up: "I'm so sorry. I never imagined you would suffer through so much. I should have stayed with you all along."
"It's okay—it's not your fault." Anya's gaze turned cold, "I know exactly who's responsible. And I've been waiting for him. When the day comes that he returns, I'll make sure he pays me back tenfold."
Anya was never one to forget a grudge, and the pain of being separated from Haku for over a decade—he definitely intended to settle that score.
Haku gently comforted Anya's soul and leaned close to whisper in his ear, "I'm fine now. Let's continue."
"Really?" Anya was slightly concerned about her condition—her first time might be too hard to bear.
"Ever since I was released from the ice, I've felt my chakra changing somehow. After joining with you, I realized that our chakras are actually quite similar."
Upon hearing these words, Anya could hold himself back no longer—the battle resumed once more.
However, this time, Anya began to carefully sense the Transformations of their Chakra. Just as Haku had said, her Chakra had indeed changed—it was no longer the Kekkei Genkai of Ice Release from before, but now contained a new element.
This energy felt almost identical to her own Sage Chakra.
Anya figured it out after a moment's thought. In plain terms, Sage Chakra was the result of combining Natural Energy with physical and spiritual energy. Likewise, Ice Release itself belonged to Natural Energy—over these many years, this Natural Energy had been sealed within Haku's body, merging and entwining with her, eventually transforming into a Sage Chakra unique only to her. If she mastered it, Haku would likely become the fourth Sage in the Naruto world.
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