Kazahana Koyuki, the fugitive princess of the Land of Snow, had arrived in Kirigakure nearly half a month ago.
Over the past half month in Kirigakure, Kazahana Koyuki had been observing everything. She had heard the rumors of the Village of the Bloody Mist, but only after truly arriving in this village did she feel an atmosphere entirely different from that of the outside world.
The difference showed itself in countless small details. To sum it up in a single sentence:
The people here felt more alive.
The people of Kirigakure were like images captured with the latest cameras—every one of them bright and radiant. In comparison, people elsewhere seemed "hazy."
"This is the country ruled by Lin Qing."
Kazahana Koyuki murmured softly.
She and her manager, Asama Sandayu, waited outside the Mizukage Building.
He was called her manager, but in truth, he was a personal guard who had escorted the young Kazahana Koyuki out of the Land of Snow.
That morning, an Intelligence Department employee had visited them and informed Kazahana Koyuki that Hayato Kamihara had sent the intelligence to Lin Qing. They were expected to receive a reply today, so the two of them were asked to be prepared.
At those words, Kazahana Koyuki merely nodded, but Asama Sandayu immediately grew anxious and hurriedly dragged the princess to wait outside the Mizukage Building.
They waited the entire day.
From a little past ten in the morning until four in the afternoon, the two of them were starving.
Kazahana Koyuki had wanted to leave long ago, but under Asama Sandayu's repeated pleas, she had no choice but to continue waiting at the entrance.
She wore a mask and sunglasses, worried that fans might recognize her. Yet for half the day, no one paid her any attention.
Later, feeling stifled