Three days later.
At the entrance of Konohagakure.
Asama Santayu paced anxiously in circles, occasionally glancing toward the village, as if expecting someone to appear at any moment.
"Santayu, can you calm down for a second?" Kazahana Koyuki said, clearly irritated. "It's not even time yet."
Santayu sighed heavily. "I know, but this concerns the future of the Land of Snow..."
Seeing his concern, Koyuki chose to remain silent.
After all, it was Santayu who had taken her in and raised her after she escaped from the Land of Snow. His unwavering loyalty to her late father was something she deeply understood.
...
Before long, Uchiha Mirai's figure finally appeared.
Santayu immediately stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty!"
Mirai nodded, shifting his gaze toward Koyuki.
The events from three days ago were still fresh in her mind, making her hesitant to meet Mirai's eyes. As soon as she noticed his gaze, she instinctively lowered her head, avoiding eye contact altogether.
Mirai chuckled and gestured toward the two people standing beside him.
"Let me introduce them."
"The masked pervert here is Hatake Kakashi. Princess Koyuki, I don't know if you remember, but he was the one who rescued you from the Land of Snow."
Kakashi shot Mirai an annoyed glare, feeling his reputation being slandered.
Koyuki, however, had no recollection of Kakashi. Back then, her mind had been completely occupied by the image of her father's last moments. She had no memory of how she escaped from the Land of Snow.
So, she simply gave Kakashi a polite bow and said nothing more.
Mirai then pointed to the ninja in a green bodysuit with a bowl-cut hairstyle.
"This is Might Guy..."
For a moment, Mirai wasn't sure how to introduce him.
But that wasn't a problem for Guy.
"Princess Koyuki, I've heard all about your tragic past! Worry not, for this time, I shall help you reclaim everything that is rightfully yours!"
"The climax of youth! The Blue Beast of Konoha! That's me!"
With an enthusiastic thumbs-up, Guy flashed his trademark dazzling smile.
Koyuki and Santayu were stunned.
Had Mirai not personally brought this man along, they would have assumed he was some kind of lunatic based on his eccentric behavior alone.
...
After introductions were complete, Kakashi turned to Mirai and asked,
"Mirai, the Land of Snow is in the far north, an incredible distance from Konohagakure. How do you plan on getting there?"
Mirai replied casually, "We'll fly."
As he spoke, a platform of golden sand formed beneath his feet. "Princess Koyuki, come up."
Koyuki hesitated for a brief moment before reaching out to take Mirai's hand, stepping onto the floating sand.
Seeing this, Guy frowned. "This method of travel is far too boring. It's a complete waste of youth!"
Mirai sighed. "Then how do you suggest we get there?"
Guy's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Mirai, I've decided—I'll run all the way to the Land of Snow!"
Knowing Guy's personality, Mirai didn't argue.
He simply warned, "Just make sure you keep us in sight. Don't get lost."
"Got it!" Guy nodded, then turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, my eternal rival! Will you join me?"
With his hands in his pockets, Kakashi immediately refused. "I have zero interest in running that far."
"Oh." Guy nodded in understanding. "Then you'll be my extra weight!"
"Huh?" Kakashi barely had time to react before Guy threw him over his shoulder.
Before anyone could intervene, Guy also grabbed the bewildered Santayu and slung him over his other shoulder.
"Let's go! Charge toward youth!"
With a loud yell, Guy transformed into a green blur and dashed off.
Koyuki stood frozen, staring at their disappearing figures. "Mirai-sama, they..."
"Don't worry about them," Mirai said with a smile, patting the spot next to him. "The amount of gold sand is limited, so it'll be a bit cramped. I hope you don't mind."
Koyuki quickly shook her head. "Of course not! Mirai-sama, I'm incredibly grateful that you're personally helping me. I wouldn't dare complain."
After learning more about Mirai, Koyuki realized just how fortunate she was to receive his assistance.
As she settled in next to him, Mirai inwardly gave Guy a thumbs-up.
A true brother indeed—he single-handedly got rid of two third wheels.
Well played!
...
The journey took seven days.
During that time, Mirai and Koyuki became more familiar with each other. They often chatted and enjoyed breathtaking aerial views, making the trip an unexpectedly pleasant one.
Guy was also in high spirits. A long-distance endurance run like this was exactly the kind of training he loved.
Kakashi and Santayu, on the other hand, weren't as fortunate.
Being carried by Guy for seven straight days was nothing short of torture. Their bodies felt like they were falling apart from the constant jostling.
The worst part? At night, Guy would fall asleep instantly—snoring louder than a roaring beast.
After just a few days, Kakashi and Santayu were showing signs of severe sleep deprivation.
...
"So this is the Land of Snow..."
Mirai and Koyuki stepped off the floating sand, gazing at the vast, snow-covered landscape before them.
It was breathtaking.
Memories of her childhood flooded Koyuki's mind, and a sorrowful expression surfaced on her face.
As a child, she had often complained about the Land of Snow's perpetual winter, wondering why it couldn't be warm and lush like other nations.
But after being forced to leave, she realized just how much she missed this icy land.
Noticing the shift in her emotions, Mirai spoke calmly. "Many people spend their whole lives chasing something, only to realize they had it from the very beginning."
"It's just that most don't realize it until they lose it."
"Come on."
Mirai led the way toward the distant snow-covered castle, and the others quickly followed.
They made no effort to conceal themselves, making it easy for the hidden Snow Ninja to spot them.
"This is bad! Quick, inform Dotō-sama!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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