"Third scene, the Demon King makes his debut!"
"Action!"
With the film crew bustling to set up lights, cameras, and props, the old director enthusiastically poured his long-lost youth into the production, announcing the start of filming.
On the other side, the Konoha team watched. Sasuke glanced at the highest peak of the icy mountain, his expression shifting slightly. He exchanged a look with Sakura, then silently slipped his hands into his pockets and walked over alone.
Karin stayed by the old director's side, ready to protect everyone at a moment's notice.
Shino's gaze, hidden behind his sunglasses, fixed on a patch of snow not far away.
His bugs told him there was someone there.
As for why...
It was because that guy's hiding technique was just too clumsy.
Sakura pulled her soft cloak tighter around herself and yawned.
The Land of Snow didn't have a single fighter worth mentioning.
Treating this mission as a relaxing side trip wasn't a bad idea.
Just as Sakura watched the crew filming ahead, Karin's expression suddenly tightened.
Someone was coming...
And this chakra...
"Sakura."
Karin subtly moved to the pink-haired girl's side and whispered in her ear.
"Hm?"
Sakura's brows lifted slightly.
A variable had arrived.
A ship was approaching.
An Iwagakure ship.
The Land of Snow bordered the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's intention was to use the Land of Snow as a wedge between the two nations—a thorn that could irritate them at any time, allowing Konoha to monitor their movements whenever needed.
The Land of Wind had just suffered a defeat and could only watch Konoha's actions silently.
As Konoha's nominal ally, Iwagakure naturally had every reason to "accidentally" run into their ally and then logically "assist" Konoha.
After all, with Konoha's current dominance, continuing to cooperate with them was like negotiating with a tiger.
But if, at this point, they formed a tacit alliance with the Lands of Water, Wind, and Lightning, even if Konoha won this war...
Once the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Lightning recovered, Konoha would face a four-nation offensive and defensive alliance.
And with Konoha's geographical position, it would be directly surrounded by all four.
"Interesting."
Sakura stood up and looked in the direction Karin indicated.
"Let's see what our dear 'allies' are planning."
Sakura didn't bother hiding her words. Nearby, Santaifu's body stiffened slightly upon hearing them.
During his time in Konoha, he hadn't been idle.
He had contacted other former retainers of Kazahana Soyu and reached out to Konoha's ally, Iwagakure, for help.
For Iwagakure, which had been struggling to find a reason to intervene in the Land of Snow's internal affairs, this former retainer's主动 cooperation was like a pillow delivered to a sleepy man.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't said much about it.
In his view, a future alliance between the Lands of Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water was already set in stone.
It was impossible to prevent.
The stronger Konoha became, the tighter the four nations would band together.
If Konoha weakened, the four nations would instead start infighting.
If they were only worried about a four-nation alliance, should Konoha stop developing altogether?
So it was unavoidable.
The only way to prevent a four-nation alliance was through sowing discord.
But after Sakura had consecutively killed the shadows of the Lands of Lightning, Wind, and Water, what kind of scheme could ignore such a major enemy and create internal conflict among them?
Thus, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't be bothered with Santaifu's maneuvers.
This was also why Sasuke was part of this group.
If necessary, they could use the Sharingan to control Kazahana Koyuki and, citing the nation's weak military, submit a request to Konoha for stationed troops.
Once troops were stationed in the Land of Snow, would Kazahana Koyuki still have any say in the nation's affairs?
Sakura glanced at Santaifu but ignored him, waiting for Iwagakure's people to arrive.
Even Karin's gaze toward Santaifu carried a hint of malice.
Shino, meanwhile, remained calmly focused on that patch of snow.
His mission was solely to protect the film crew—nothing more.
"Yo!"
"Haruno, long time no see!"
The voice arrived before the person.
That voice was...
Sakura's expression turned subtle as a certain someone came to mind.
Sure enough, a neat, black-haired girl with a sharp demeanor appeared in her view.
By her side were a chubby, honest-looking boy, an unremarkable young man in his early twenties, and a tall, imposing brute.
Sakura's gaze skipped over Kurotsuchi and the others, landing on the brute.
Onoki really had some nerve— wasn't he afraid I'd keep this guy here?
The newcomers were none other than the Five-Tails jinchuriki, Han.
"Heh, it's you."
"So, what brings you here?"
Sakura spoke as she watched the four from Iwagakure approach and stop not far from their group.
"No misunderstanding—we're here on a mission."
Han, leading the group, spoke first and pulled out a scroll from his pocket, tossing it to Sakura.
Sakura opened the scroll and glanced at it.
Mission Rank: A
Mission Details: Protect Princess Kazahana Koyuki of the Land of Snow for one month, or until she ascends to the position of daimyo.
Assigned Ninjas: Han, Kurotsuchi, Akatsuchi, Kuroishi
Issuer: Ishigawa
Tossing the scroll back, Sakura glanced at the visibly stiff Santaifu and spoke as if nothing was amiss:
"In that case, find a spot and stay out of the way."
The Iwagakure group didn't react much to Sakura's coldness.
The current state of the ninja world was clear: Konoha dominated alone, Iwagakure maintained a distant relationship with Konoha, the Akatsuki lurked in the shadows, and the remaining Lands of Wind, Water, and Lightning were defeated dogs.
In a way, Iwagakure's indecision could be attributed to the Akatsuki—this powerful underground organization that had emerged out of nowhere.
It was precisely because of the Akatsuki that Iwagakure hadn't outright betrayed Konoha during the war.
After all, having such a formidable group right under their noses was unnerving.
Especially with their absurd intelligence capabilities.
"Hehe, Haruno, it's been a while, and this is how cold you are?"
Kurotsuchi didn't mind Sakura's attitude and grinned, slinging an arm around Sakura's shoulders.
This girl—were we really that close?
Sakura shot Kurotsuchi an annoyed glance, about to brush her arm off, when a sound interrupted her.
"Hahahahaha!"
An arrogant voice boomed from the mountaintop.
A man in armor had somehow appeared atop the peak, his tone dripping with absolute confidence.
"Princess Koyuki, is the hexagonal crystal ready?"
"You think hiring a few ninjas can protect you?"
"I can't wait..."
Before the man could finish, Sasuke appeared behind him out of nowhere and kicked him down.
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