Kurama Yakumo calmly looked down at Konoha and softly responded to Naruto, "Mhm."
Naruto asked her, "Do you need to say goodbye to anyone?"
"No…" Yakumo replied, lowering her head.
In the past, in order to satisfy her parents, Yakumo had decided to become a ninja and protect her clan.
But ever since that incident, her clan had become the source of her pain.
Now, Yakumo no longer had any relatives in Konoha. All that remained were painful memories.
As for someone to say goodbye to… there shouldn't be anyone.
If she had to name someone, it would be Kurenai Yūhi-sensei.
But Yakumo didn't want to trouble her anymore.
The Land of Snow.
Inside a certain courtyard.
Two figures suddenly flickered into existence.
They were Naruto and Kurama Yakumo.
"How do you feel?" Naruto asked, noticing that Kurama Yakumo was slightly out of breath.
Yakumo's face was pale, and her voice was weak as she replied, "It's just… I haven't fully recovered yet. Maybe… I don't know."
She had already forgotten what a normal body was supposed to feel like.
Naruto noticed her body trembling. Considering that it snowed all year round in the Land of Snow, he said, "Follow me."
"Mhm," Yakumo responded obediently.
She didn't even know where this place was.
But it didn't matter.
This was a transaction.
Naruto would help her recover her body, and she would serve as Naruto's subordinate.
Naruto led Yakumo into a room and found her some thick clothes.
This was a residence that Princess Koyuki Kazehana had specially built for Naruto and Karin.
Although it was called a residence, it was more like a palace.
After changing into the thick clothes, Yakumo sat in front of the fireplace, finally feeling warmth return to her body.
At that moment, Naruto walked in.
After some thought, Naruto decided to let Yakumo focus on recovery before discussing anything else.
"Your current task is to recuperate," Naruto said. "As for becoming a ninja and learning ninjutsu, we'll talk about that later."
Yakumo nodded softly. "I understand… Lord Naruto."
Naruto frowned. "Just call me Naruto."
"Yes…" Yakumo replied.
Naruto arranged a room for Yakumo and let her stay there temporarily.
He also instructed the servants prepared by Princess Koyuki Kazehana to take care of Yakumo's daily life and meals.
After that, Naruto went outside and activated Kagura's Mind Eye.
Given Karin's personality, even without Naruto around, she wouldn't run off randomly.
After moving around constantly since childhood, life in the Land of Snow was pure happiness for her.
However, while Naruto was settling Yakumo in, he didn't see Karin or Princess Koyuki Kazehana.
This made him a little curious.
So he expanded his perception with Kagura's Mind Eye.
The entire Land of Snow came within Naruto's sensing range.
Soon, he located them at the place where Princess Koyuki Kazehana handled state affairs.
But the scene there was somewhat unexpected.
The court.
Although it was called a court, it was quite different from the palaces Naruto remembered from ancient dynasty films in his previous life.
It wasn't particularly luxurious, but it felt solid and real.
Princess Koyuki Kazehana sat at the head of the hall, wearing formal robes and carrying herself with dignity.
Her serious expression gave off a natural sense of authority.
She silently watched the noisy crowd below.
Although she was the Queen of the Land of Snow, her actual authority was limited.
After all, she was a returning princess. During Dotō Kazehana's reign, many officials had already formed factions and entrenched interests.
Princess Koyuki Kazehana wanted the people of the Land of Snow to live better lives.
To do that, she had to deal with these problems.
Moreover, because of her young age, some troublemakers openly disobeyed her rule.
Standing beside her, Karin—wrapped in thick brocade clothing—looked down at the scene with a headache.
Karin and Princess Koyuki Kazehana had already become close friends who shared everything.
Even during court sessions, Koyuki would bring Karin along.
Officially, Karin was introduced as Princess Koyuki Kazehana's personal bodyguard.
Her role was similar to that of the Guardian Ninja serving the Fire Daimyō.
The argument below was about a group of merchants.
One minister said, "Since those people are willing to bring money, why shouldn't we accept it?!"
"If we don't even dare to take money that's offered, won't we just be looked down upon?"
"That may be true, but the ninja forces of the Land of Snow are weak. If we show too much ambition, the Five Great Nations won't just sit by and watch!"
"Hmph! Nonsense. Don't forget who defeated Dotō Kazehana!"
"Plus, given our geographical location, it won't be easy for them to target us. They also have to consider that adult's attitude…"
The "adult" being mentioned was the mysterious person believed to have helped Karin and Princess Koyuki Kazehana defeat Dotō Kazehana.
That person was Uzumaki Naruto.
However, Naruto's identity had never been made public.
Another faction immediately seized on this point.
"That adult… even if he could defeat Dotō Kazehana, can he really stand against the Five Great Ninja Villages?"
"So by your logic, everything these merchants say is a lie?"
"They're all old foxes!"
"For them to notice us and travel thousands of miles to invest, it proves that this adult's power is truly frightening."
The two factions argued fiercely.
From above, neither Karin nor Princess Koyuki Kazehana could get a word in.
"So annoying," Karin muttered quietly. "Sometimes I really want to punch them."
Princess Koyuki Kazehana's heart tightened, and her expression became slightly awkward.
She quickly reminded her, "Sister Karin, these people are elders from the previous regime. They're deeply rooted in the Land of Snow. Offending them rashly wouldn't be wise."
"Don't worry, I'm just talking," Karin said helplessly. "If Naruto were here, he'd definitely have a way to solve this."
Princess Koyuki Kazehana felt a surge of anticipation when she heard that.
Yes.
Through Karin, she already had some understanding of Naruto's strength.
According to Karin, if Naruto were willing, the entire ninja world wouldn't be able to stop him.
Princess Koyuki Kazehana believed Karin was exaggerating out of admiration.
But even so, Naruto's true strength wouldn't be far off.
At the very least, as long as Naruto was willing, protecting the Land of Snow would be effortless for him.
Just as the two were feeling helpless, Karin suddenly sensed a chakra fluctuation from the Flying Thunder God kunai in her ninja tool pouch.
Could it be…?
Karin's eyes lit up, and she immediately looked around.
Sure enough—
Naruto's figure appeared.
"Naruto?!" Karin ignored the setting entirely and threw herself into his arms, complaining, "I missed you so much!"
Princess Koyuki Kazehana silently turned her gaze away when she saw this scene.
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