The wheels of the Wood Dragon Carriage rolled through the deep snow with muffled creaks.
Cold air streamed through the gaps around the window, making my eyelids stiff.
I pulled the ragged strips on my coat tighter and breathed warmth into my palms.
"Kakashi-sensei, your grand display as the Sixth sure has opened my damn eyes."
I shot Kakashi a sidelong look from across the carriage and grumbled.
The white-haired guy wore a brand-new Hokage robe and actually looked pretty respectable.
Unfortunately, the dark circles beneath his dead-fish eyes were darker than the soot on my coat.
"Sen, spare me the snide remarks. I've been studying maps of the Land of Iron the entire way."
Kakashi set down the thick documents in his hands and tiredly rubbed his temples.
"Big Sis dumped this hot potato on me. I haven't had a decent night's sleep in two days."
"Serves you right. Who told you to be an idiot and insist on writing that guarantee?"
I rolled my eyes and pulled a bag of nearly dried-out beef from inside my coat.
I bit a small piece off the hard jerky. Chewing it felt like chewing an old shoe sole.
"Great. This damn place is cold enough to freeze my ankles numb."
The carriage jolted again, then finally stopped amid the thick flakes swirling through the air.
I pulled open the wooden door, and the snow-laden wind instantly poured down my collar.
"Achoo!"
I sneezed loud and hard, then rubbed my reddened nose.
A full half foot of dirty snow covered the ground outside, slippery underfoot.
Two rows of fully armed samurai stood before the entrance, their iron armor gleaming coldly in the snowstorm.
They wore black iron helmets and gripped large steel swords, standing stiff as iron posts.
"**Lord Kakashi Hatake, Sixth