The Story's Trajectory Changes

"Little Kimimaro! Want to give it a try?"

Watching Nadare Rōga attempt to flee, Lin Cheng chuckled lightly.

"Mm."

Nodding happily, Kimimaro instantly caught up to the escaping Nadare Rōga.

"Brat! You're courting death! Ice Release: Breaking Dragon—ugh?"

"Lin's Explosive Slam!"

"Aaaah!!"

Amidst the howling cold wind, Kakashi, who had been preparing to retreat, and the heartbroken Kazahana Koyuki.

Stared in stunned silence at Nadare Rōga, who was being slammed by Kimimaro until his eyes were crossed, his mouth twisted, and his entire body was twitching.

As for the other few minor snow ninja, they didn't manage to escape either, all intercepted and dealt with by the now-idle Lin Cheng.

"What do you plan to do next?"

Holding Kimimaro's hand, Lin Cheng walked over to Kakashi and Kazahana Koyuki and asked with a smile.

"I intend to escort Princess Koyuki away from the Land of Snow! Also, thank you for your help just now!"

After bowing his head in thought for a moment, Kakashi stated his decision.

"No! I won't go! I don't want to leave the Land of Snow!"

However, to Kakashi's surprise, the previously quiet Kazahana Koyuki immediately reacted with intense opposition.

"Princess Koyuki!"

"Since you are a princess, you can choose to hire us brothers!"

Not giving Kazahana Koyuki a chance to vent her emotions further, Lin Cheng stated his intentions directly.

"The Land of Snow is very small! There shouldn't be any enemy that we brothers cannot resolve!"

"You!"

Hearing Lin Cheng say this, Kakashi couldn't help but be shocked.

Yet, before Kakashi could interject again, Kazahana Koyuki agreed to the deal.

"I agree! The reward shall be the Land of Snow! As long as you help me take my revenge, the Land of Snow will be yours."

"What?! Princess Koyuki! You!"

"This is my business! I have the right to decide!"

Looking at Kakashi, who wanted to stop her, the still-young Kazahana Koyuki shrieked hysterically.

"Hehe! The reward doesn't need to be so exaggerated! Besides, we brothers aren't suited for managing a country!

So, let's just make the reward 100,000 ryo!

Since it's our first mission, we should offer a discount! Right, Little Kimimaro?"

"I'll listen to whatever Brother Lin Cheng says!"

Seeing Lin Cheng ask for his opinion, Kimimaro was overjoyed.

"Alright! My brother agrees! The deal is struck! You two stay here and wait for us!

We will bring you the results very soon!

Little Kimimaro! Let's go!"

"Mm."

"The wind direction is good! Borrowing a prop to use!"

Arriving before the still-twitching Nadare Rōga, he tore the wings off the man's back.

Lin Cheng then shook them open, held Kimimaro with one arm, gripped the center of the wings with the other, and accelerated into a run toward the distance.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

The released Wind Release: Great Breakthrough acted upon the wings, which were already beginning to lift off.

They instantly soared, flying toward the distance at an astonishing speed!

"So amazing!"

Watching Lin Cheng and Kimimaro fly away in an instant, Kazahana Koyuki suddenly looked at Kakashi with longing eyes.

"Uh~ Princess Koyuki! You!"

"I want to go too!"

"But, they just said~"

"I want to go!"

"Al—alright!"

Looking at Kazahana Koyuki, whose eyes held a mix of longing and stubbornness, Kakashi made an emotional decision for the first time since the passing of his teacher, the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato!

"We shall cross over using the same method!"

"Mm! Mm!"

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

"Ooh! Hehe! Hehe!"

Held tightly in Kakashi's arms as they pursued Lin Cheng and the other, Kazahana Koyuki, who had been heartbroken just moments before, immediately forgot her troubles while enjoying the thrill of high-speed flight through the air!