Fame

Might Guy led Team 3 in unleashing their youth in the Land of Snow, while Masayo had, over the past three days, gone through everything except the final step.

On the day of their parting, Kazahana Koyuki wore a long kimono and clung to Masayo's arm, her face filled with resentment.

"Masayo, are you really unwilling to stay?"

Kazahana Koyuki was truly angry now. Masayo had actually held himself back, which left her feeling rather defeated. Could it be that her charm really wasn't enough?

"Koyuki, you've already asked that many times. My answer won't change. I can't marry into your family!"

Masayo strapped the Light-Concealing Sword to his back. He liked this weapon very much, but everything he had gained came from his strength, including Kazahana Koyuki. If he had been someone who only complained about fate, lacked strength, and liked loafing around, would Kazahana Koyuki have liked him? No, they probably would never even have crossed paths!

As for marrying into her family, forget it. If he, as he was now, stayed with the domineering and possessive Kazahana Koyuki, he would definitely be suppressed for the rest of his life and never be able to hold his head up.

"Goodbye, Koyuki, and Sandaime, Director, everyone!"

Masayo and Team 3, led by Might Guy, bid farewell to the Land of Snow and set off for Konoha.

"Goodbye, Masayo, everyone!"

Kazahana Koyuki kept watching Masayo and the others' departing backs until they vanished into the distant sea of snow. Only then did she come back to her senses.

"Your Majesty, we should leave as well!"

Director Kitano suddenly spoke. Unlike Masayo and the others, their film crew would leave the Land of Snow by water! Traveling by water was somewhat faster than traveling over land.

"Director!"

Kazahana Koyuki was neither cold nor warm toward Director Kitano. Compared to how she acted around Masayo and the others, she seemed like a completely different person! It was as though she had returned to being the usual aloof Yukie Fujikaze.

Director Kitano took a purple crystal ball from his pocket and smiled. "I prayed for this Peace Ball at a temple in the Land of Demons long ago. I've always kept it with me. It can protect you, so don't lose it."

"Director..."

Kazahana Koyuki's mind immediately filled in all sorts of possibilities. She knew about Director Kitano's improper behavior, and coupled with what Masayo had said earlier, she strongly suspected that the crystal might contain some hidden camera or vibration monitor.

"Masayo told me that the director might have some issues. If he gives me anything, I have to be careful!"

Kazahana Koyuki still remembered Masayo's warning. However, she revealed a smile on the surface and said, "Thank you, Director. I'll treasure it properly. Sandaime, help me hold it. My hands are a little frozen right now."

Sandaime hurriedly nodded and, under Director Kitano's astonished gaze, placed the purple crystal ball into a bag.

Because Might Guy got seasick, the group did not travel by ship. By the time they returned to Konoha, half a month had passed.

"We're finally here!"

Seeing Konoha's gates, Masayo felt a comfortable, lazy sensation wash over him. He was exhausted all over and desperately wanted to sleep!

"Wow, I really want to soak in a bathhouse. Masayo-senpai, do you want to come with us too?"

Tenten's words made Masayo roll his eyes at her speechlessly. Only then did Tenten realize that what she had said sounded a little wrong, and she gave an awkward laugh.

Under Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane's curious gazes, Masayo returned to Konoha with Team 3. On the way to the Hokage Building, Masayo kept feeling that something was off. Why were all the passersby staring at him?

Tenten complained, "What's going on? Did we miss something big?"

"Masayo-senpai, look over there!"

Neji Hyuga had better eyesight than the rest of them and seemed to have spotted something. He vanished with the Body Flicker Technique, then returned less than a few seconds later with a movie poster.

"This... this is!!!"

Masayo, Rock Lee, Tenten, and Might Guy all widened their eyes, looking utterly unable to believe it.

"What the hell is this? Why am I on a movie poster? And as the male lead!"

Masayo grabbed the poster and examined it carefully from top to bottom. He was certain his eyes were not playing tricks on him!

"Princess of the Wind and Clouds: Final Chapter: The Last Princess! Why did I become the male lead?"

Masayo's expression darkened somewhat. Director Kitano had filmed him too? Had he misunderstood and overthought it? Was Director Kitano simply making a movie after all?

"We're in it too! I never thought we'd get to appear on screen!"

Tenten's eyes sparkled with excitement. Team 3 had become supporting characters and background scenery, while Masayo and Kazahana Koyuki stood in the center.

Rock Lee had been about to excitedly celebrate youth with Might Guy when he noticed that Masayo's expression was awful, as if he were restraining himself from exploding.

"Masayo-senpai, how are you? Are you okay?"

Masayo shook his head and looked toward the distant Hokage Building, revealing a pleasant smile. "I'm fine, Lee. But Lord Hokage thinks he can brush the five of us off with a single A-rank Mission? That's way too stingy."

"Way, way too stingy..."

Masayo's words deeply shocked Neji Hyuga. This was the first time he had encountered anyone who dared speak of the Third Hokage like that.

"That's right, way too stingy!"

Masayo answered without hesitation. He clenched the movie poster in his hand, tossed it into a trash can, and told Neji Hyuga and the others, "But before that, let's watch the movie first. I need to know what role we have in it, and we can also give Lord Hokage some time to think."

"Eh..."

Masayo's words left all of Team 3 bewildered. They did not understand what he meant!

"You'll find out soon enough. Come on, follow me. Let's see what the final chapter of Princess of the Wind and Clouds is really like!"

Inside the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage was currently in his office reviewing the endless pile of documents. That day-after-day, year-after-year work seemed to have become a habit. At his advanced age, he appeared to have grown accustomed to the Hokage's duties. If the Fourth Hokage had not died, he might already have been enjoying his retirement with his family.

Seated at his sides were Konoha's senior advisors, who looked about the same age as the Third Hokage. One was an elderly man with glasses named Mitokado Homura, while the other was a female senior advisor named Utatane Koharu.

"Lord Hokage!"

Suddenly, an Anbu ninja with long purple hair appeared in the Hokage's Office using the Body Flicker Technique and dropped to one knee before the Third Hokage.

"Lord Hokage, Masayo and the others have returned!"

"They're back?"

The Third Hokage smiled and shook his head, as if he had expected it all along. "Masayo took Team 3 to watch a movie, didn't he?"

"That's right, Lord Hokage. Masayo's Wind Sense Technique kept me from getting too close, so I couldn't hear what they were saying at all."

The purple-haired Anbu's voice was cool and pleasant, leaving a favorable first impression that made people want to take another look.

"It's fine. Even if you didn't hear it, I can roughly guess what that kid said. You may go!"

The Third Hokage waved his hand. The purple-haired Anbu vanished from the Hokage's Office with the Body Flicker Technique, leaving no trace behind.

"That brat has never been one to accept a loss!"

Mitokado Homura's expression was cold. He was somewhat dissatisfied with Masayo's protest and said, "A ninja must possess a ninja's awareness. A mission is a mission. Since he is a ninja of Konoha, he must be prepared to devote everything to Konoha."

Utatane Koharu also said coldly, "Such conduct truly makes him unworthy of being a ninja."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, showed no change in expression at his two colleagues' words. "Masayo is different from other ninjas. And before being a ninja, one is still a person. If people do not even defend the rights they deserve, if ninjas and Konoha's villagers are made into machines to be manipulated at will, then there would be no talk of the Nine-Tails reincarnation today."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Every person has a heart. Everyone in Konoha has their own heart, and it is these tens of thousands of hearts woven together that formed Konoha and this society. So stop thinking of using your positions to suppress others, Elder Homura, Elder Koharu. That is the most pathetic method!"