Land of Snow, Underlying Currents Stir

Along the way, Obito's screams echoed through the wind and snow.

The moment the first talisman was slapped onto his chest, Obito's legs immediately froze in place. He became a wooden statue with one foot raised and was dragged along by Rin.

A moment later, a sealing talisman was pasted over his mouth, leaving him able to make only muffled screams as Ye led him onward.

The most outrageous time was when Kushina demonstrated a gravity seal and directly crushed Obito flat against the snow, leaving him unable to move.

His face was buried in the snow for a full ten seconds before anyone remembered to release him.

[Ding! Grievance Points from Obito Uchiha, +200!]

[Ding! Zetsu Despair Points from Obito Uchiha, +3100!]

[Ding! Suffocation Resentment Points from Obito Uchiha, +5200!]

The system notifications rang out like a symphony. Walking at the back of the group, Ye's smile never faded.

Two days later, at the rendezvous point on the border of the Land of Hot Water.

The snowstorm had eased somewhat, and the damp, cold air carried the sulfurous scent of hot springs.

The moment the group entered the town, Obito had assumed they would be chewed out for dawdling. He had even readied the kunai in his hand in case the client lost his temper.

Instead, from afar, he saw a potbellied middle-aged man approaching them through the snowstorm while rubbing his hands together, followed by more than a dozen carts loaded with supplies.

"My lords! I am Matsumoto, steward of the Snowfield Trading Company. I have been awaiting your arrival!"

Matsumoto hurried over, bending at a perfect ninety-degree angle, his forehead nearly touching his chest. His attitude was frighteningly humble.

"How long has the trading company been waiting?"

Kakashi asked with a frown.

"Three hours! It