Chapter 280: Journey to the Land of Snow
Soon, Obito stopped dwelling on the specific variables introduced by Hidden Leaf Village's "Edo Tensei" and shifted his focus to the most immediate and critical "obstacle" at hand.
Obito turned around, casting his gaze toward the infinitely extending gray stone pillars in the depths of the Kamui Dimension, as if gathering strength or perhaps making a firm resolution.
"Just as well."
His voice took on a sharp edge. "That Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto, hasn't he already left Hidden Leaf Village and started deploying troops externally?"
The Nine-Tails was the final and most crucial piece of Chakra indispensable for reviving the Ten-Tails and activating the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Moreover, the Jinchuriki's own strength and attitude directly influenced the difficulty of the plan.
"It was a hassle to test him when he was always hiding in Hidden Leaf Village, protected by those old fogies and layers of defenses."
Obito's voice filtered through his mask, tinged with calculation.
"Now that he's come out on his own initiative, the forces around him might be somewhat dispersed."
He made a decision:
"Since Hidden Leaf Village is utilizing a Tailed Beast, the other Great Villages will surely have their Jinchuriki prepare for potential Hidden Leaf Village attacks. That is to say, the defensive strength around the Nine-Tails has likely dropped significantly right now.
I'll go meet that Nine-Tails Jinchuriki first. Report his real-time location to me, Zetsu."
"I'm afraid that might not be possible..."
Zetsu scratched his head.
"That guy's perception is very sharp. Several Clones that previously infiltrated Hidden Leaf Village vanished. Two White Zetsu Clones that entered the Grass Ninja Village also disappeared.
Faced with that guy's powerful sensory abilities, our infiltration is basically useless."
Obito:???"
His expression turned grave.
Could the opponent actually detect even White Zetsu?
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Vastly different from the lonely eeriness of the Kamui Dimension, the killing intent and destruction of the Grass Ninja Village battlefield, and the noisy calculations of the Akatsuki Organization's cave, the Land of Snow presented an astonishing sight.
After more than two days of traveling without rest, Minato Namikaze appeared in the Land of Snow.
However, what met his eyes was not the expected scenery of a "Snow Country" with white snow and howling cold winds.
Thanks to the Geothermal Generation Device developed and secretly built with the full effort of the late former Daimyo, Sōsetsu Kazahana, powerful geothermal energy had changed the climate and environment of the entire Land of Snow.
The snow that once never melted had long since thawed, the permafrost had turned into fertile fields, and warm currents had dispelled the bitter cold.
The current Land of Snow enjoyed a spring-like climate year-round, with lush vegetation, crops growing vigorously in the fields, and rivers flowing after thawing. The air was filled with the fresh scent of soil and plants.
But precisely because of the drastic environmental change and the destruction of the original Snow Ninja Village, the Land of Snow, having lost its local military protection, appeared exceptionally fragile against surrounding forces that might be eyeing it greedily.
The new Daimyo, Koyuki Kazahana, and her assisting minister, Asama Sandayū, both clearly realized they needed a powerful and reliable military protector.
And Hidden Leaf Village became their most ideal choice.
When Naruto was planning his external strategy, he had indeed recognized the unique value of the Land of Snow.
It wasn't just its strategic location; more importantly, in his previous experiences, he had seen the advanced train technology of the Land of Snow.
This efficient ground transportation tool was vital for the transportation and logistics network connecting the entire Ninja World that Naruto envisioned.
As soon as Minato appeared, Asama Sandayū, who had received word and was waiting at the border outpost, immediately led several confidants to meet him.
Sandaifu was energetic and had a sharp gaze.
When he saw Minato's brilliant blond hair and azure eyes—so similar to Naruto's—and that sunny, handsome temperament in his features, he couldn't help but startle, and then a warm and friendly smile quickly spread across his face.
He stepped forward quickly, looking Minato over carefully, his voice excited: "This Ninja Excellency from Hidden Leaf Village... your appearance is truly... so similar to Lord Naruto's! Forgive my boldness, but may I ask who you are...?"
Minato Namikaze gave a warm and friendly smile, nodding slightly: "Hello, Mr. Sandaifu. I am Minato Namikaze, Naruto's father."
"As I thought! You and Lord Naruto really do look very much alike."
Sandaifu was overjoyed, the enthusiasm in his eyes almost overflowing.
"Please excuse my lack of manners! Quick, please come in! Her Highness the Daimyo has been waiting for a long time! You must be tired from the journey!"
As Sandaifu eagerly led the way, he couldn't help but remark: "Lord Naruto is young and promising, with extraordinary strength, and he has done a great service for our Land of Snow.
I didn't expect his father to have such an extraordinary bearing as well. As they say, like father, like son!"
Wait, shouldn't it be 'like father, like son'?
Seeing Sandaifu so excited, Minato didn't interrupt him.
Sandaifu made no secret of his gratitude and admiration for Naruto, and by extension, he gave Minato the highest level of hospitality.
On the way to the Daimyo's Mansion, Sandaifu had already sent someone ahead on horseback to report the news.
Inside the Daimyo's Mansion, Koyuki Kazahana was sitting in a newly renovated, warm reception room.
She had shed the naivety and fear from her early years of exile, gaining more of the composure and majesty befitting a Daimyo.
When she heard the report from Sandaifu's messenger that "the envoy from Hidden Leaf Village is Naruto's father," Koyuki Kazahana was visibly startled.
She knew about Naruto's background.
During her visit to Hidden Leaf Village for the Chunin Exams, she had heard that Naruto was an orphan and that both his parents had sacrificed themselves when he was born.
Later, she had also seen Naruto's mother, who had been "revived" by Orochimaru using the Edo Tensei jutsu.
So now, this "father"...
Koyuki Kazahana quickly reacted.
Since the mother could be brought back by that kind of Forbidden Jutsu, the father naturally could be as well.
Although she still had doubts in her heart, she quickly gathered her emotions.
Regardless, the other party was here representing Hidden Leaf Village and was Naruto's father; she had to receive him solemnly for both official and personal reasons.
"Please show him in,"
Koyuki Kazahana instructed the attendant who came to report, her voice calm and composed.
The attendant took the order and left.
Koyuki Kazahana turned her head slightly to look at Anko Mitarashi, who was sitting not far from her, unceremoniously biting into a skewer of Three-Color Dango and eating with great relish.
Anko was a Hidden Leaf Village Jonin who had been stationed here at the request of the Land of Snow after the Chunin Exams to take long-term responsibility for Koyuki Kazahana's safety.
She had a cheerful personality and strong skills, which was why Jiraiya had chosen to send her here.
At the time, Jiraiya also had the idea of keeping her away from Orochimaru; after all, that guy Orochimaru had done some pretty harmful things in the past.
As Orochimaru's Disciple, Anko had naturally been interrogated by Hidden Leaf Village after Orochimaru fled.
It would be strange if these two didn't start bickering when they met.
"Miss Anko,"
Koyuki Kazahana spoke softly, her tone carrying a hint of caution.
"Although the visitor claims to be Naruto's father, his identity still needs to be confirmed.
Moreover, the current situation in the Ninja World is delicate, and we cannot entirely rule out the possibility of an enemy Ninja in disguise spying on us."
She looked at Anko, her gaze clear and firm: "If the other party truly makes a move... I will leave my safety in your hands, Miss Anko."
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