Advance

Masayo looked at Kazahana Koyuki as well and said, "Unfortunately, you no longer have the chance to choose. Since Kazahana Dōtō knows you exist, there's nowhere left for you to run. The only thing you can do is fight. There is absolutely no other way to survive."

"Okay, the mission continues! We'll take the Princess of the Wind and Clouds to the Land of Snow, defeat those big bad villains, and let my youth burst forth completely!"

"Lee, that's right! You truly are, truly are my finest student! This is youth!"

"Guy-sensei..."

Rock Lee and Might Guy once again put on that familiar sunset scene. Masayo, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten silently moved away, looking as though they did not know them.

Masayo continued, "A mission like this should have called in more people, but thanks to Lee and Neji, only Dōtō remains now. The few of us are enough, so there's no need to waste any more time. As for Kazahana Dōtō, that depends on what Princess Koyuki decides."

Kazahana Koyuki kept her gaze on Masayo without saying a word. Then, without any response at all, she returned to her private carriage.

Throughout the journey, Kazahana Koyuki kept wondering what she was doing all this for. She had no talent for becoming a ninja. If she possessed power like Masayo's, she would not be afraid of Kazahana Dōtō either.

The convoy continued onward, but people had urgent needs. Ninjas like Masayo and Rock Lee could manage, but ordinary people could not. When they reached a massive cavern, they stopped to prepare for filming.

"Across this great cavern lies the village of our companions. Once we finish filming here, we will meet up with them. We are all sincerely looking forward to Her Highness the Princess's arrival."

Sandaime stood beside Masayo as he spoke.

Masayo nodded. Seeing Director Kitano and the others in the distance, he pulled Sandaime into a corner and asked, "Mr. Sandaime, there's something I'd like to ask. Why exactly did Director Kitano agree to come to the Land of Snow? If it was merely to shoot on location, the cost of this journey would be enough to make hundreds of special-effects shots without visible flaws. Don't tell me it's about risking their lives in pursuit of realism. The premise of every struggle is that people must stay alive."

Sandaime froze, a trace of panic appearing on his face. He hurriedly shook his head. "Mr. Masayo, are you saying that Director Kitano has a problem?"

Masayo shook his head. "It's only a suspicion. By the way, Mr. Sandaime, do you know anything about the history of the Land of Snow? For example, does your country have anything special, something like Fishbeam Forest?"

Cold sweat immediately formed on Sandaime's brow. News of Fishbeam Village's complete destruction had long spread throughout the Ninja World. Even the fantastical Fishbeam Forest had vanished. According to the rumors, terrifying monsters had appeared and devoured everyone in Fishbeam Village.

"No, absolutely not. The Land of Snow is poor in resources. There is nothing like Fishbeam Forest here. If I had to name anything, it would be this unchanging ice and snow."

Masayo smiled and shook his head. "Sorry, perhaps I'm being overly suspicious. Maybe I'm just overthinking things. Mr. Sandaime, keep an eye on things Director Kitano gives out in the future. I hope I'm just imagining it."

"Alright, I understand, Mr. Masayo!"

Sandaime nodded in reply.

Masayo glanced at the seemingly endless cavern tunnel and said, "Come to think of it, the Land of Snow's technology is highly advanced, decades ahead of other countries in every respect. It even built a cavern tunnel like this. Mr. Sandaime, the Land of Snow doesn't seem as small as you said. It feels full of potential."

Masayo sincerely meant the praise. The Land of Snow's technological level was an entire era ahead, roughly comparable to the level after the Second Industrial Revolution in his memories of his past life. Compared to it, the other nations—including the ninja villages of the Five Great Nations, Konoha included—were far too lacking.

The Land of Snow had possessed things like trains long ago, not to mention the Chakra Armor it had developed. Compared to that, what even were scientific ninja tools?

If there was one area where the Land of Snow fell short, it was its own national strength. Though it had something like a ninja village, with high-tech support it could at least barely count as a second-rate ninja village. Compared to that arrogant Hoshigakure, what was the latter even worth?

Still, this world was ultimately ruled by ninjas. What use was advanced technology, no matter how far it progressed? Ninjas remained the mainstream. Yet the Land of Snow was a place full of potential. That was why, in most Naruto fanfics about conquest from Masayo's previous life, few could avoid the Land of Snow. A remote yet promising place like the Land of Snow was truly indispensable to anyone who wanted to rule and conquer in the Naruto world.

After filming was completed, they passed through the pitch-black cavern. A railway had once run through this cavern. Although icicles hung everywhere, the tracks remained intact beneath the ice.

As long as chakra was injected into the rails, the ice could be melted away. Seeing this, Masayo could only say that Kazahana Dōtō had been absurdly stupid. It was no injustice that he had eventually been overthrown. He had guarded a pile of treasures without knowing how to use them.

Forget him—even anyone with a clear head, sitting in Kazahana Dōtō's position and relying on the Land of Snow's advantages, could probably have come up with hundreds of ways to solve its financial crisis. Yet he had stubbornly pinned his hopes on the Kazahana Family's secret treasure, only to have the throne taken back in the end. He had absolutely deserved it.

After passing through the great cavern and preparing to film the next scene, a staff member hurried over.

"Director, this is bad! Yukie ran away again!"

"Ha!"

Masayo was speechless. He really was fated for hard work. Kazahana Koyuki had run away again. Even though she knew their power could help her reclaim the Land of Snow, she still fled.

Masayo, Might Guy, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten all set out together. No matter how far or how quickly Kazahana Koyuki ran, Neji Hyuga's Byakugan soon found her trail.

Masayo used Wind Body Flicker to leap after Kazahana Koyuki.

Kazahana Koyuki, who was desperately fleeing, fell from a snowy slope. Her body rolled uncontrollably downward. Masayo arrived ahead of her with Wind Body Flicker and grabbed her by the collar with one hand. Their current posture resembled the scene of their first meeting at Konoha's night market.

"Honestly, how many times do you have to run before you'll be satisfied? Didn't I already tell you? Kazahana Dōtō already knows you exist. He will never let you go."

Masayo's eyes fixed on the spray earring on Kazahana Koyuki's ear. He had suffered because of it last time. It had also taught him that, no matter the circumstances or the person he faced, he could never let down his guard.

Kazahana Koyuki turned her head, her eyes lively and bright. Like a pitiful little animal, she seemed to vent the dissatisfaction in her heart as she asked, "Why did you find me so quickly?"

Might Guy and the rest of Team 3 caught up. Masayo smiled and said, "Neji Hyuga, from Konoha's Hyuga Clan. I think you must have heard of the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan."

Kazahana Koyuki allowed Tenten to carry her on her back and was captured once more. Along the way, she did not say a single word, as though she were pondering something. At last, Kazahana Koyuki looked at Masayo ahead of her and made a certain decision in her heart.