"Passengers, we are about to arrive at the port of the Land of Snow..."
Naruto sprang out of bed with a somersault, his head slamming against the upper bunk with a "bang!": "Ouch, ouch, ouch... But we're finally here! Hot springs! Seafood! Aurora! I'm going to try all the good food here!"
Shikamaru sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Didn't you just eat a three-person meal on the ship last night..." He glanced at the approaching icy continent outside the window, sighed, "What a nuisance. This kind of weather is perfect for snuggling up in a kotatsu and playing shogi..."
As the magnificent ice and snow port came into full view, the boys on the deck held their breath in unison. In the morning light, the entire port city looked as if it were carved from diamonds, with the crystal-clear ice castle reflecting a rainbow of colors, and on the distant, continuous snow-capped peaks, the emerald aurora borealis danced like a veil.
"This is... the Land of Snow!" Hinata clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her Byakugan reflecting this dreamlike scene, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Karin adjusted her glasses, revealing a string of data flashing on the lenses. "According to the data, the Land of Snow's geothermal pipeline system is only 63% complete, mainly distributed around the royal city." She pointed to several buildings emitting steam in the distance, "They are currently vigorously developing the tourism and film industries to raise funds."
Ino leaned closer, her blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight. "I've heard that Koyuki is incredibly capable! She handles state affairs during the day and films movies at night." She suddenly lowered her voice, "And she was the first ruler to voluntarily abolish the privileges of a daimyo and transform the palace into a commoner's hot spring inn!"
Sasuke stood at the back of the crowd, his black stand-up collar coat swaying slightly in the cold wind. His Sharingan silently scanned the harbor—the workers unloading cargo, the guides welcoming tourists, the Snow Ninja maintaining order... he didn't miss a single detail.
(Where are Orochimaru's men?)
His fingers tapped lightly on his ninja tool pouch, the rhythm synchronized with his heartbeat.
This defection plan had to be flawless; Kakashi and Jiraiya's surveillance was more stringent than anticipated. Even stranger, ever since approaching the Land of Snow, he'd had a constant feeling of being watched—not by the eyes of Konoha, but by some far more sinister force...
"Hey! Sasuke!" Naruto suddenly pounced from behind. "What are you spacing out for?! The people sent by Sister Koyuki to pick us up have arrived!"
Sasuke nimbly dodged to the side, and Naruto fell onto the deck with a "thud." Following the direction Naruto pointed, a squad of guards dressed in ferret coats were holding up signs that read "Welcome Konoha Envoys." The head guard had striking light blue hair.
"Please follow me, distinguished guests." The captain of the guard bowed respectfully. "Lady Koyuki is waiting for you at Rainbow Hot Springs. However..." His gaze swept over Kakashi and Jiraiya. "There are two of you who need to come with me to the Royal Capital first. The remnants of the forces left behind by Kazahana Dōtō have recently made some moves."
Kakashi and Jiraiya exchanged a glance. This was clearly a diversionary tactic, but they had no choice but to go— the Land of Snow, as an ally of Konoha, had come at the request of the Sandayū had secretly requested Konoha's support, and they needed to contribute as well.
"You guys go to the hot springs first." Jiraiya patted Naruto's head, secretly making a warning gesture. "Remember the formation I taught you?"
Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly. The opportunity had arrived! Just as he was secretly delighted, he suddenly noticed a flash of white light at the top of the harbor clock tower—it was sunlight reflecting off the bone spurs!
At the top of the towering bell tower, Kimimaro's pale fingertips lightly brushed against the icy railing.
The cold wind whipped his pure white hair, but could not shake his figure, which remained frozen like an ice sculpture. His pale green pupils were fixed on the black-haired boy at the harbor— Sasuke Uchiha, the perfect vessel that Lord Orochimaru craved.
"That is... the last descendant of the Uchiha Clan." Kimimaro's voice was so soft it was almost swallowed by the wind and snow, and bone spurs seemed to move restlessly beneath his skin.
Sakon appeared silently behind him. "It's confirmed, the remnants of Kazahana Dōtō are hiding in the old mine. With a little provocation..."
"No rush." Kimimaro raised his hand, a snowflake condensing into an ice needle in his palm. "First, have someone lure Jiraiya and Kakashi away." He glanced at the captain of the guards talking to the Konoha members in the distance. "If those two are present..."
Kimimaro's bone spurs involuntarily pierced the skin of his fingertips, oozing a few drops of bright red blood.
"We... have no chance of winning." He rarely admitted his weakness, "But Lord Orochimaru's orders must be carried out."
Tayuya emerged from the shadows, twirling her magic flute in her hand. "Then let's stick to the original plan. First, use the remnants of the Snow Ninja to create chaos." She licked her lips, "After those two troublesome Jonin are transferred away..."
"I'll go make contact with Sasuke." Kimimaro interrupted her, the spinal sword already taking shape. "You're responsible for restraining the others. Remember—" His gaze suddenly sharpened. "That Nine-Tails Jinchuriki may seem stupid, but his Chakra reserves are unfathomable."
Kidomaru hung upside down from the eaves, his six hands simultaneously making complex hand gestures. "Don't worry~ My spider silk is perfect for setting traps in the snow~"
Kimimaro glanced one last time in the direction of the port. Sasuke seemed to sense something and was looking up at the clock tower. Their eyes met briefly in the swirling snow before quickly looking away.
Action.
With that command, four figures vanished into the snow like ghosts. Kimimaro stayed behind, taking out a small bottle from his robes—containing Orochimaru's specially made Chakra suppressant.
"Soon..." he whispered to the air, as if Orochimaru were beside him, "You'll get a new vessel..."
Sasuke's silhouette, being dragged along by Naruto, can be vaguely seen. Meanwhile, further away in the direction of the royal city, a meticulously planned rebellion is brewing...
The Konoha members followed their captain of the guard and others through the bustling port market, completely unaware of the danger approaching.
"Wow! This snow rabbit sugar figurine looks just like Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto exclaimed, holding up a sugar figurine with a crooked, smiling face.
Sakura sighed helplessly, "Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke was at the back of the group, suddenly stopped. His Sharingan caught a glimpse of the Sound Ninja Forehead Protector flashing past at the alley entrance.
(Orochimaru's backup...)
(Or... a trap?)
On the other hand Jiraiya and Kakashi travel to the ruins of the old royal city of the Land of Snow to search for the remaining forces left behind by Kazahana Dōtō.