Following the location provided by Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Mirai arrived directly at the inn where Asama Santayū was staying.
Santayū sat in his room, a deep frown on his face, lost in thought. When Uchiha Mirai suddenly appeared out of thin air, he was startled.
"W-Who are you?!"
As soon as he asked, he immediately realized the answer.
Looking at the man before him in disbelief, he stammered, "You... are you Lord Uchiha Mirai?!"
Mirai got straight to the point. "Santayū, I've decided to accept your request. I will help you reclaim the rightful rule over the Land of Snow."
Hearing this, Santayū's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Lord Mirai!"
Originally, he had little hope for this endeavor. After all, the ninja world now revolved around power, unlike the past, when money alone could guarantee a ninja's service.
But to his surprise, Uchiha Mirai—the Emperor of the Divine Nation—had agreed to personally help restore the rightful rule of the Land of Snow!
However, after his initial excitement, Santayū's expression turned hesitant.
"Lord Mirai... Princess Koyuki ran away not long ago. I don't know where she is now..."
Mirai waved his hand dismissively.
"It's fine. Just gather your men and make preparations. We leave for the Land of Snow in three days."
"Understood!"
...
After leaving Santayū's room, Mirai headed to a small stream outside Konohagakure.
By the water's edge, a young woman crouched silently, gazing into the rippling stream.
"Kazahana Koyuki?"
At the sound of his voice, Koyuki snapped out of her daze.
She turned and gave Mirai a glance before casually pulling a pen from her clothes.
"Where do you want me to sign?"
Mirai blinked in surprise, then chuckled and shook his head. "I'm not here for an autograph."
Koyuki frowned in confusion. "Then what do you want? How did you even know I was here?"
Seeing the wariness in her eyes, Mirai said calmly, "In this world, there's little that can be hidden from me."
He continued, "I've accepted Santayū's request. I plan to take you to the Land of Snow and overthrow Kazahana Dotō's rule."
At the mention of that name, Koyuki visibly trembled.
Her expression turned cold, and without a word, she turned to leave.
Mirai reached out and caught her by the arm, his voice gentle.
"Where are you going?"
Koyuki jerked her arm free and replied icily, "I have no interest in this. That's Santayū's idea, not mine. Do whatever you want, just don't drag me into it."
As she walked away quickly, Mirai called out again.
"Do you not want to avenge your father?"
Koyuki stopped in her tracks, her face darkening. She turned and glared at Mirai, furious.
"What do you know?! Kazahana Dotō is ruthless! If we provoke him, we'll all die!"
Mirai could hear the fear in her voice and smiled slightly.
"Do you know who I am?"
Koyuki snorted. "Of course I do. You're the Emperor of the Divine Nation."
Mirai raised an eyebrow. "Then what are you so afraid of?"
Koyuki countered, "So what if you're the Emperor? You have no idea how terrifying Kazahana Dotō is."
Mirai sighed inwardly.
It seemed that Dotō's cruelty had left such a deep scar on Koyuki's childhood that she had lost all rationality when it came to him.
With that thought, Mirai turned and began walking back toward the village.
"I'm going to the Land of Snow. If you want to avenge your father, follow me."
"If you choose to give up, then consider the request canceled."
...
Watching Mirai's departing figure, Koyuki bit her lip hard.
Her mind was in turmoil.
Having the support of the Emperor of the Divine Nation—this might be her one and only chance.
But the memory of Dotō setting her father aflame made her tremble uncontrollably...
As she hesitated, a cool sensation spread from her chest.
Koyuki reached for her pendant and pulled out the hexagonal crystal her father had left her. Her gaze gradually sharpened with determination.
She mounted her white horse and quickly caught up with Mirai.
"Lord Emperor, I've made my decision. Please, help me overthrow Kazahana Dotō's rule!"
Seeing the resolute Koyuki, Mirai smiled slightly.
"No problem."
He then glanced at her horse. "That's a fine horse. Mind giving me a ride?"
Koyuki hesitated briefly but eventually extended her hand.
"Please, climb on, Lord Emperor."
"But be careful—my horse can be a bit wild. Hold on tight."
Mirai nodded, easily mounting the horse behind her.
To Koyuki's surprise, the horse remained calm.
She muttered, "Strange... it's never this quiet."
Normally, her horse would become agitated whenever anyone but her approached.
Why was it so obedient now?
Seeing her confusion, Mirai chuckled. "Maybe it just hasn't reacted yet."
"Let it run wild for a bit."
The horse turned its head slightly, just in time to meet a pair of ominous, blood-red Mangekyō Sharingan.
Under the influence of Mirai's ocular power, the horse suddenly bolted forward in a frenzied gallop.
Koyuki yelped, nearly falling off.
Mirai quickly took the reins, wrapping an arm around her to steady her.
A little chaos made horseback riding more fun, after all.
...
At the entrance of Konohagakure.
Koyuki's cheeks were flushed as she stared at the ground.
The wild ride had resulted in some unavoidable physical contact between her and Mirai.
Having never been this close to a man before, she felt weak all over.
Mirai, ever considerate, asked, "Princess Koyuki, would you like me to escort you back?"
She quickly shook her head. "That won't be necessary. We'll meet here in three days."
With that, she spurred her horse and galloped away, as if escaping.
Mirai inhaled slightly, catching a lingering trace of her scent, then turned toward the Hokage's office.
For this trip to the Land of Snow, he decided to bring a few people along.
After all, for the Emperor of the Divine Nation to personally deal with someone like Kazahana Dotō alone—it was hardly worth his status.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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