Snowflakes fell as softly as feathers. The young ninjas of Konoha followed the guards of the Land of Snow along the winding mountain path toward the legendary Rainbow Hot Spring. The guards' armor made a rhythmic "crunching" sound in the snow, and their breath condensed in the air.
"I heard that the Rainbow Hot Spring changes seven colors depending on the time of day!" Ino excitedly linked arms with Sakura, her cheeks flushed from the cold.
"Scientifically, it should be the combined effect of minerals and light refraction," Shikamaru suddenly interjected, earning Ino a Byakugan.
Karin, walking in the middle of the group, adjusted her glasses, the lenses reflecting the gleam of the snow. "According to the records, this hot spring has the effect of healing Chakra disorders," she said.
Sasuke, the black-haired boy, walked alone at the back of the group, his Sharingan occasionally scanning the surrounding cliffs, maintaining the vigilance expected of a ninja.
"Sasuke, relax!" Naruto suddenly pounced from behind, grabbing Sasuke's shoulder. "This is a rare day off!"
"You're at the bottom, let go." Sasuke said coldly, but a barely perceptible hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes.
The guard leading the way stopped and pointed to the rising steam in the valley. "Ladies and gentlemen, the Rainbow Hot Spring is just below. Lady Koyuki has already ordered it cleared out; today it's reserved for Konoha's distinguished guests."
From above, the hot spring pool resembled an emerald embedded in the Yamanaka, its rising steam refracting a faint iridescence in the sunlight. The young ninjas gasped in amazement, and even the usually composed Shino widened his eyes slightly.
"Great!" Choji eagerly pulled snacks out of his bag. "Hot springs and grilled meat chips are perfect!"
"You glutton, all you ever do is eat." Shikamaru shook his head helplessly, but a smile played on his lips.
Just as everyone was preparing to descend the mountain, two Snow Ninja rushed over and whispered a few words in the guard's ear. The guard's expression changed drastically, and he quickly walked up to Shikamaru: "I'm sorry, something happened at the royal city. Lord Kakashi and Lord Jiraiya have already gone to handle it. They asked me to tell everyone to proceed as planned, but to be extra vigilant."
Shikamaru's smile faded slightly, "Understood. Please tell the two seniors that we're fine on our end."
After the Snow Ninja left, Hinata asked softly, "What happened?"
"The remnants of the Kazahana Dōtō launched a riot at the ruins of the old royal city." Shikamaru replied briefly, "However, with Kakashi- senpai and Lord Jiraiya there, it should be quelled quickly."
"Tch, those small fry again." Sasuke snorted, but his right hand unconsciously tightened its grip on his Kunai.
"Alright, alright! Never mind that!" Naruto waved his arms. "Let's go soak in the hot springs! I can't wait!"
The young people cheered and rushed down the mountain, snow flying at their feet, their laughter echoing through the valley. Only Sasuke stayed behind, looking up in the direction of the royal city, his brow furrowed.
The ruins of the old royal city...
The rioting ninjas had breached the outer defenses. They wore Snow Ninja Forehead Protector, but their clothes were disheveled, and their eyes gleamed with greed and madness.
"Take all the valuables!" shouted a scarred ninja, "And then set this hellhole on fire!"
His accomplices cheered and smashed open the storeroom door, looting all the antiques and scrolls inside. Just as they were celebrating their victory, two figures silently landed on the crumbling city wall.
"Oh my, what a lively scene!" Kakashi's lazy voice came from under his mask, his right eye curving into a crescent shape.
Jiraiya stood beside him, his long white hair fluttering in the wind. "It seems we've arrived just in time."
The thugs looked up in alarm; someone recognized them. "They're Konoha's 'Copy Ninja' and one of the 'Sannin'!"
"What are you afraid of!" the scarred man shouted boldly. "Lord Orochimaru said he'd support us! With him here, what are these two guys!"
Kakashi and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, both seeing the wariness in each other's eyes.
"Interesting." Jiraiya quickly formed hand seals. "Then let me see what kind of confidence Orochimaru gave you!"
" Earth Release ·Yellow Spring Marsh!"
The ground instantly turned into a swamp, trapping half of the thugs. Kakashi simultaneously activated his Sharingan, the Mitsudomoe slowly rotating. "Don't kill them, just subdue them."
While the two were focused on suppressing the riot, no one noticed that in the darkest corner of the ruins, four figures were quietly observing everything.
"Kimimaro, the plan is going smoothly," Sakon whispered. "Those two troublesome fellows have been lured away."
The pale-faced boy nodded expressionlessly. "Acting as Lord Orochimaru commands. Tayuya, are you ready?"
The girl with long purple hair chuckled, "My Genjutsu has covered the entire hot spring area; they can't detect our approach."
"Very good." Kimimaro turned around. "Kidomaru, Jirobo, you two are responsible for holding off the other Konoha Ninja. Sasuke-kun... I'll personally bring him back."
The Sound Four disappeared silently into the shadows, as if they had never been there at all.
In the Rainbow Hot Spring, the young ninjas had already divided into male and female sections, enjoying the comfort of the hot spring. The hot spring did indeed change colors as legend had it, and at this moment it was displaying a dreamy blue.
"Ah--that feels so good!" Naruto leaned against a rock, a towel on his head, and sighed contentedly.
Sasuke sat a little distance away from the others, the hot water up to his shoulders. He closed his eyes, seemingly dozing, but inwardly wondering when Orochimaru's men would appear and how they would come to his aid.
"Sasuke, are you alright?" Shikamaru keenly noticed his unusual behavior.
"None of your business," Sasuke replied coldly, but there was a barely perceptible tremor in his voice.
Suddenly, unnatural ripples appeared on the surface of the hot spring. Sasuke abruptly opened his eyes, his Sharingan instantly activating. "An enemy!"
Almost at the same moment, the rocks around the hot spring burst open, and four figures descended from the sky.
"The Sound Four!" Sasuke gritted his teeth, immediately jumped out of the water, and grabbed his clothes and ninja tools from the shore.
Naruto and the others reacted quickly, immediately entering battle mode without even drying themselves. "What are you bastards trying to do?!"
Kidomaru chuckled and spat out sticky thread from his mouth, "Lord Orochimaru would like to invite Sasuke-kun as a guest. The rest of you... can stay here!"
"Don't even think about it!" Naruto angrily formed hand seals, "Shadow Clone Technique!"
A dozen Shadow Clones rushed towards the enemy at the same time, but were trapped by Jirobo's Earth Release: Earth Prison Dome before they could even make contact with the Sound Ninja. Tayuya started playing the flute, and the eerie sound waves made Ino and Hinata cover their ears in pain.
"Watch out, everyone! This is Genjutsu!" Sakura shouted, trying to use her Chakra to disrupt her internal circulation in order to resist.
Sasuke stood at the forefront, Chidori chirping in his hand. "Was it Orochimaru who sent you?"
Kimimaro slowly emerged from the shadows, a bone sword protruding from his palm. "Sasuke-kun, we're here to pick you up. Lord Orochimaru can give you everything you want."
"All I want is to kill that man!" Sasuke's Sharingan spun wildly. "And you... can you give me power?!"
Chidori slashed through the air, aiming straight for Kimimaro's throat. The latter easily dodged, and the bone sword collided with the lightning, sparks flying everywhere.
A chaotic battle erupted in the hot spring area, the rainbow-colored water illuminated even more brilliantly by the clashing light of Chakra. Meanwhile, in the distant ruins of the royal city, Kakashi suddenly stopped, his Sharingan towards the hot springs.
"Oh no!" His expression changed drastically. "Lord Jiraiya, I'm leaving this to you!"
"Go!" Jiraiya knocked out the last thug with a single blow. "Watch out for Orochimaru's trap!"
Kakashi vanished instantly, leaving only a few falling snowflakes. Jiraiya frowned as he looked at the subdued thugs; their muttered phrase, "Lord Orochimaru supports us," now seemed particularly suspicious.
The battle in the hot spring area had reached a fever pitch. Kimimaro's bone sword clashed repeatedly with Sasuke's Chidori, their speed leaving almost afterimages. The other Konoha Ninjas were tied down by the Sound Four and unable to provide support.
"Sasuke!" Naruto desperately tried to break through the encirclement, but Jirobo's Earth Release walls blocked his path time and time again.
Karin suddenly took off her glasses, her sensory abilities fully activated. "More Chakra is approaching! It's... it's Kakashi-sensei!"
Before she could finish speaking, a bolt of lightning ripped across the sky, striking precisely between Kimimaro and Sasuke, forcing them apart.
"Sorry I'm late." Kakashi landed in front of Sasuke, his Forehead Protector already pushed up, revealing his crimson Sharingan.
Kimimaro took a step back expressionlessly. "Copy Ninja Kakashi... Plans have changed, retreat."
The Sound Four immediately disengaged from the battle, Kidomaru spat out a large number of smoke bombs. When the smoke cleared, the Sound Ninja had vanished without a trace.
Kakashi walked over to Sasuke and placed his hand on his shoulder. "It's alright."
"No..." Sasuke looked up, his Sharingan reflecting Kakashi's worried face. "This is only the beginning."