Chapter 222: Everything Has Been Arranged
“Chief…”
“You only arrived yesterday, and you’re already planning to leave?”
“Do you really have to go?”
“Why not stay here with us?”
“Exactly.”
“What’s so great about going back there?”
“Besides…”
“Enemy shinobi from other villages keep showing up to investigate that place every so often.”
“Thinking back on it now…”
“It’s far too dangerous.”
“That’s right, Chief.”
“Stay in the Land of Snow with us.”
“We’ve thought things through.”
“Revenge isn’t something that has to be rushed.”
“Taking care of our clansmen comes first.”
“And the Daimyō here is incredibly welcoming.”
“She’s especially friendly toward the Uchiha.”
“Seriously.”
“So friendly that I almost wonder if she owes the Uchiha a huge debt.”
“Hey, hey.”
“Be careful joking like that.”
“Especially not in front of the people of the Land of Snow.”
“She’s still the ruler of an entire nation.”
“We should show Lady Koyuki the respect she deserves.”
Within the Land of Snow…
The surviving members of the Uchiha Clan had gathered around Izumi, trying their best to persuade her to stay.
After Princess Koyuki Kazahana returned…
The Land of Snow quickly “discovered” the treasure left behind by the previous Daimyō.
Using those funds…
Along with the nation’s massive geothermal heating system…
The country gradually developed.
Trade with Konoha in the Land of Fire soon flourished.
Everything was moving in an increasingly positive direction.
Thanks to its unique advantages…
Although the Land of Snow wasn’t large…
Among the Land of Fire’s allied nations…
It was one of the few countries that possessed considerable influence without relying on the military strength of a hidden village.
After the Uchiha Clan arrived…
The Daimyō personally arranged everything for them.
Without hesitation…
She provided a quiet and secure residence.
She also had people deliver daily necessities…
Food…
Clothing…
And every supply they could possibly need.
The first thought shared by every Uchiha was simple.
The people of the Land of Snow are so hospitable.
Even those who had originally resisted leaving Konoha…
Soon found themselves thinking—
“Life here is wonderful. Why would we ever want to go back?”
“I’m glad everyone likes it here.”
Izumi smiled.
After confirming that the clan had settled comfortably…
She exchanged a few more reassuring words with them.
Ironically…
It was precisely because everyone was now living such peaceful lives…
That strengthened her determination to leave for a while.
Seeing that Izumi had already made up her mind…
The others reluctantly stopped trying to persuade her.
After all…
She wasn’t abandoning her position as clan leader.
She merely intended to leave temporarily.
There was no reason to force the issue.
“…Finished?”
Once the last clansman had left…
Sasuke stepped out from the shadows.
“…Mm.”
Izumi nodded.
“They seem genuinely happy here.”
“That lets me leave with peace of mind.”
She looked at Sasuke gratefully.
She naturally understood…
The real reason the Land of Snow treated the Uchiha with such respect…
Was because of Sasuke and Naruto.
“That idiot’s been asleep for an entire day and night.”
Sasuke said.
“He must’ve exhausted himself.”
“When he wakes up…”
“I’ll let you know.”
Izumi shook her head.
“No.”
“You two should head back first.”
“I…”
“I’d like to stay here for a few more days.”
“After that…”
“I’ll go to Konoha on my own.”
Although what she said differed slightly from what she’d told the rest of the clan…
Sasuke wasn’t surprised.
He had expected her to refuse.
If he asked…
Izumi would undoubtedly say she was worried about the clan adjusting to life in the Land of Snow.
She had publicly claimed she was leaving…
Yet would most likely remain hidden nearby…
Quietly observing them for several more days.
As for her true reason…
Sasuke understood it perfectly.
“…Alright.”
He simply nodded.
Neither of them mentioned it aloud.
Two days earlier…
After Naruto had finally completed the month-long sealing process…
Something unexpected had happened to Izumi.
Something none of them had anticipated beforehand.
According to Naruto’s own assessment…
As long as Izumi didn’t deliberately reveal her abilities…
There was likely no one in the entire shinobi world capable of harming her.
Since Sasuke also carried the Tsukuyomi Barrier sealed within himself…
He understood exactly why Naruto had reached that conclusion.
With that level of protection…
Izumi had every reason to travel alone.
That was why…
After delivering Sasuke and Izumi to the Land of Snow…
Naruto, completely exhausted…
Collapsed face-first onto the floor and immediately fell asleep.
After confirming Izumi’s decision…
Sasuke stepped outside.
His expression remained unchanged.
He silently looked toward one of the Land of Snow’s landmark buildings in the distance.
…The rest is up to you.
The Land of Snow — Daimyō’s Palace
“…Has Naruto woken up yet?”
“No, Your Highness.”
The chief attendant bowed respectfully.
“The servants stationed outside your room reported ten minutes ago.”
“Other than snoring…”
“There hasn’t been any movement.”
“It appears Lord Naruto is still asleep.”
“…Has breakfast already passed?”
Koyuki hesitated.
“Make sure—”
“Everything has already been arranged, Your Highness.”
The attendant replied immediately.
“We’ve instructed the kitchen to prepare fresh meals in advance.”
“The breakfast has been replaced.”
“No matter when Lord Naruto wakes…”
“He’ll have a hot meal waiting.”
At the moment…
Koyuki, dressed in elegant light makeup…
Had absolutely no interest in handling state affairs.
Every so often…
She would ask about Naruto’s condition.
Fortunately…
The newly appointed chief attendant was exceptionally perceptive.
He had long realized…
That his lady regarded the legendary shinobi who had saved the Land of Snow rather differently than everyone else.
Accordingly…
He had already arranged everything in advance.
“Oh…”
“Good.”
“That’s good.”
Koyuki nodded in satisfaction.
“Your Highness.”
The attendant spoke cautiously.
“Forgive my presumption…”
“But Lord Doto’s former advisor specifically instructed us before departing for Konoha.”
“These documents require your response today.”
“I know.”
Koyuki sighed.
“It’s just the invitation from Konoha regarding the Chūnin Exams.”
“A joint examination between three villages…”
“That’s certainly a grand event.”
“I’ve heard invitations were sent to every allied nation among the Three Great Countries.”
“The final tournament will be held in one month’s time.”
“But they need your reply beforehand.”
“I already postponed my film schedule.”
“I’ll definitely attend.”
Originally…
Koyuki had never intended to travel all the way to Konoha just to watch a group of genin fight.
She had planned to send Doto’s former advisor as her representative.
Then…
Her creditor informed her…
That he himself would also be participating.
Considering Naruto’s strength…
He would undoubtedly reach the finals.
Which naturally meant…
Koyuki wanted to attend even less.
Unfortunately…
What she wanted didn’t matter.
Because this usually easygoing creditor had made one specific request.
She was to invite Izumi to accompany her to Konoha.
And during these ten-odd days…
She absolutely had to keep a close eye on her.
Koyuki still remembered Sasuke’s exact words.
“I’m worried she’ll try to take revenge on someone.”
“Help me stop her for now.”
“If she refuses…”
“Tell her you’re hiring her as your personal bodyguard.”
“Treat it as payment for the Land of Snow providing the Uchiha Clan with a place to live.”
Recalling Sasuke’s tone…
One that left no room for refusal…
Koyuki could only let out a long sigh.
What can I do…
I still owe them money.
Meanwhile…
Inside the most luxurious room in the Daimyō’s Palace—
Koyuki’s own bedroom…
Naruto lay sound asleep on the bed, snoring peacefully.
Within his inner world…
Kurama watched the sleeping forms of Kushina…
Minato…
And Naruto’s consciousness.
He muttered quietly to himself.
“…It should’ve stabilized by now.”
“Another half day or so…”
“They ought to wake up.”
Even though the seal had already been removed…
And he no longer needed to remain imprisoned…
Kurama still habitually lay in the same spot as before.
His enormous fox eyes stared unblinkingly ahead.
Naruto’s inner world was no longer just an endless white space.
Surrounding the sleeping family…
Filling the entire world…
Was an unimaginably vast mass of chakra.
Dragon Vein chakra.