Chapter 90: Princess of the Storm really are star-crossed lovers.
The cinema was dimly lit; only the shifting glow of the giant screen painted the audience in changing colors.
Right then the film reached its climax: Sasuke and Sakura had protected Princess of the Storm and taken down the Snow Ninja who'd come for her.
Lee's body snapped taut; his eyes went wide, breath quickened, fists clenching without conscious thought.
Neji caught the change in Lee instantly. His hand flashed out, clamping over Lee's mouth; almost at the same moment Tenten's hand covered his.
If Tenten and Neji hadn't reacted so fast, Lee would probably have jumped straight out of his seat, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Mmph..."
Startled by the sudden restraint, Lee could only let out a muffled groan, the sound trapped in his throat.
He struggled instinctively, but Tenten and Neji's hands stayed locked like iron vises.
On-screen the battle raged on—explosions and music driving the tension—yet that firm grip gradually dragged Lee back to reality.
He took several deep breaths, fighting to steady his racing heart, the seething excitement slowly cooling.
A few seconds later his body relaxed, the fervor in his eyes giving way to apology.
Tenten and Neji shared a knowing glance; feeling Lee calm down, they slowly loosened their hold.
Red marks from their fingers still lingered on Lee's cheeks. Rubbing them, he gave an awkward chuckle and whispered, "Sorry... I nearly yelled again—troubled you both."
Neji withdrew his hand, glancing impassively at the screen; the reflected glow shone coldly in his pale eyes.
In his usual calm tone he answered, "Watch the movie."
To their left front, Naruto—sitting with Hinata and Hanabi—pulled his gaze back to the screen.
He hadn't expected Lee, Neji and Tenten to be here, nor Kakashi and Guy in another row.
One showed Naruto hurling a kunai and instantly appearing before Tsurugi Fubuki.
Afterwards Kakashi sought Naruto out and asked what jutsu he'd used for that scene.
The Flying Thunder God technique had indeed been given to him by the Third Hokage, so Naruto told the truth without hesitation.
Hearing it came from the Third Hokage, Kakashi asked no further questions.
What else could be said? The Third Hokage had approved.
Kakashi could only feel pleased that Naruto had inherited the Fourth's gifts.
"Mmph-mmph!"
Kakashi was likewise covering Guy's mouth.
Guy and Lee were worthy of being called the "youth" master and student; seeing the reshot scene of Naruto using Earth Transformation to reshape the tunnel, Guy had almost shouted, only to be stopped by Kakashi.
"Keep it quiet."
"Mmm."
Guy nodded frantically; Kakashi finally let go.
"Whew—that terrain-changing jutsu of Naruto's was so cool! Did you teach him that, Kakashi?"
"That move had no hand-seals at all; I have no idea what technique it is."
Kakashi shook his head; in the film Naruto's hand-seals while holding Koyuki Kazahana were added later simply to hide his real methods.
Battles between Ninja are wars of information.
When two Ninja are equal in strength, the one under less pressure can easily coax out the other's intel, while the one under more might spend their next life practicing mental endurance.
"I see! Looks like Naruto's pretty strong in Ninjutsu too!"
Naruto-kun is right beside me!
Hinata stared at the screen without really seeing it; all her attention was on the boy next to her.
'Naruto-kun looks so handsome even without the whisker marks!'
Soon the story reached its crescendo.
Inside the Snow capital, Kazahana Dotō confronted Yoya.
With help from Gin-san, Shirou and Hitomi, with cheers from Snow citizens and Princess of the Storm's blessing,
Yoya drove the blade given by Princess of the Storm straight through Kazahana Dotō's heart, ending the tyrant's reign over Snow.
What followed was a nationwide celebration and the new lord's inauguration.
The unreliable Gin-san now led Yoya's team through the shadows to hunt down remaining insurgents and root out future threats.
The final scene froze on Princess of the Storm's coronation as sovereign.
Then the credits rolled.
Yet no one left; they'd heard there was a post-credits scene—after all, the trailer still hadn't shown Snow turning into grassland overnight.
After the credits, an epilogue teaser appeared.
At dawn the new ruler of Snow walked along a palace corridor.
"I suppose we should call you 'Lord' now, client-sama."
As Koyuki Kazahana passed a junction, a blond boy stepped from the shadows.
"You're back!"
Princess of the Storm blinked, then smiled radiantly.
"Mm."
Yoya nodded.
"While hunting Dōtō's remnants I found something the former lord left behind; as his daughter, you should know what it is."
…The image slowly froze.
A boundless emerald plain stretched to the horizon.
On that land symbolizing rebirth, the Ninja named Yoya and Princess of the Storm—now sovereign of Snow—stood side by side.
Yoya's three teammates stood a half-step behind him.
Together they gazed up at the dazzling seven-colored rainbow arching across the sky.
A breeze stirred the grass; their silhouettes looked serene amid the grandeur, as though sharing a silent farewell after overcoming trials together.
"Ugh..."
Guy's stifled sob sounded beside Kakashi.
Reflected screen-light revealed hot tears streaming unchecked down the usually stoic man's face.
He sniffed hard, voice thick with emotion and nearly choking:
"What a shame... such a terrible shame!
"Yoya's team came from a foreign Village; they have to return and can't stay in Snow—which has only just seen spring—to be with Princess of the Storm forever... Fate is so cruel!
They... they really are star-crossed lovers!"
Guy was completely immersed in the film's sorrow, heart aching for the characters' parting.
"Ahem."
Kakashi's resigned voice cut in at once, half chiding, half reminding.
He tilted his head, lowering his voice to the over-invested friend beside him:
"Hey, Guy, calm down. 'Yoya' is just a role Naruto played; this is only a movie."
Kakashi deliberately stressed the words "played" and "movie," trying to pull Guy back to reality.
"Besides, in real life there's no romance between Naruto and the actress who played Princess of the Storm—Koyuki Kazahana."
"Eh?"
Guy, interrupted mid-sob, froze; realization dawned across his still-tear-streaked face.
He wiped his face with the back of his hand, blinking away the moisture, then nodded with lingering feeling in his strong voice:
"Right... you're absolutely right, Kakashi! It's just a film—I got too wrapped up!
Still, Naruto acted brilliantly!
The bittersweet parting of youth, the spirit of protecting and sacrificing... it makes the blood burn and brings tears to the eyes!"
"All right, zip your collar up; we have to look solemn in front of the students later, Guy!"
Kakashi helped Guy pull up the zipper of his vest.
BookRecommendations:
1: Naruto: Rise From Hidden Sand Village
2: Demon Slayer: My Breathing Technique Is Actually Haki?
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