Inside the castle.
A Chakra lamp stood every few steps. It should have been brightly lit, illuminating the entire space as brightly as day.
However, Naruto's earlier attack had damaged a large number of Chakra circuits throughout the castle. These circuits were responsible for transmitting energy and powering the lights, plunging many areas into darkness.
Only a few lamps still flickered with faint light, creating the atmosphere of a horror movie.
The cold winter night made that atmosphere even more intense, sending a chill through everyone. Without bright lighting, the shadows within the castle seemed especially deep. In such an environment, people's senses became exceptionally sharp, and the slightest sound or movement would put them on alert.
Even with Naruto beside them, Kazahana Koyuki and Asama Santarō could not help but feel the hairs all over their bodies stand on end as they walked through the dim passageway.
Though she felt somewhat afraid, Kazahana Koyuki did her best to maintain her outward composure.
Although she had been gone for nearly five years, she recognized this path the moment she set foot on it again.
This was the road leading to the Central Palace of Land of Snow Castle. She had walked it countless times as the future heir to the Land of Snow Feudal Lord.
But the three had not walked far when a woman's voice echoed from the dark tunnel ahead.
"Ice Release: Swallow Blizzard!"
The already dim and freezing passage seemed to grow several degrees colder, and gusts of wind-cutting sounds came from the darkness ahead.
Then, countless ice swallows shot toward Naruto and the others like shuriken.
Naruto looked completely unconcerned, but the sudden attack startled Kazahana Koyuki and Asama Santarō, making it impossible for them to maintain their forced calm.
The attack was not over.
As