While writing this book, I have been thinking about what would happen if the background setting of Naruto was a two-dimensional martial arts?
So there was a side volume--Drifting Duckweed Volume.
Some of the settings are very different from the original work, so just enjoy it.
The characters are all adults, and a series of stories happened when Naruto in the main text found himself traveling into the world of martial arts Hokage.
The body is like a glass wave bottom, Jianghu is written in ink and empty.
Occasionally, the gulls disperse on the sand, and sometimes the rain falls in front of the eaves.
The stars are all over the river and their shadows are passing, and the clouds and mountains are half pillowed.
Suddenly, on a night when the wind has stopped and the waves are calm, I sit and look at the Heavenly River with the same shape of water.
---Text dividing line---
The snow is falling like thousands of pieces of fine sighs, covering this silver-covered country layer by layer.
The frost and snow of more than ten years since the fire have frozen not only the rivers and the land, but also the faint memory of the spring promised by the Ming Dynasty in the hearts of the people.
The convoy moved forward slowly on the vast snowfield, making two deep tracks.
With Land of Snow's wind and snow, these traces will disappear soon.
Asama Sandayu was wrapped tightly in clothes to keep out the cold, but his gaze penetrated the flying snowflakes and looked at the figure standing at the front of the team, as tall as a green pine.
The navy blue Golden Cloak hem of Wandering Swordsman rustled in the cold wind, like an unyielding flag.
He did not wear any conspicuous precious weapon, but just the posture of calmly pressing the hilt of the knife at his waist, and the vigilance of a pair of blue eyes that always scanned the surroundings like a hawk, were enough to make the experienced Sandayu feel a little at ease.
This young man named Naruto Uzumaki is like a silent burning Golden Flames, exuding an incompatible warmth and vigor in this cold world.
On the cart behind, the legendary hero Jiraiya was lying with his back stretched out, his snoring and the smell of alcohol almost melting into the falling snow.
Wearing a luxurious but slightly stained white brocade quilt that half covered his burly body, combined with his messy white hair and red cheeks, he looked more like a wealthy man who overindulged on his journey than a powerful martial arts star.
But he didn't feel too cold in this icy world.
Occasionally when the carriage bumped, he would mutter a few vague words in his sleep. The content was mostly related to "getting materials" or beauties in a certain place, which made the young people accompanying him secretly laugh.
Director's worry was almost written all over his face, which was red from the cold.
He rubbed his hands, approached Asama Sandayu again, and lowered his voice. "Sandayu, it's not that I'm suspicious...
The guy in front looked energetic, but he was too young after all.
The one behind...
Uh, Lord Jiraiya, aren't you really an actor you temporarily hired from some tavern to appease us?"
He really couldn't connect the image on the cart with such earth-shattering names as "Fourth Hokage Martial Arts Alliance Leader Master".
Asama Sandayu smiled bitterly, but his eyes were extremely firm. "Director, people should not be judged by their appearance. Lord Jiraiya is a person who plays games, does not stick to trivial matters, and is a real person with good temperament.
The reputation of the group formed with the granddaughter of First Martial Arts Alliance Leader and the adult Imperial Court shocked the world at that time, and it was definitely not a lie.
As for Naruto-kun..."
He looked at the blond figure's back, his eyes showing approval like an elder.
"According to rumors, he is a moth adopted by Lord Jiraiya near Land of Whirlpools. Although he is young, he has the tough blood of the Uzumaki Clan flowing in his body.
In the past, he hunted down horse thieves and protected business travelers in the area at the junction of Land of Fire and Land of Wind. He has gained the prestigious reputation of being able to bind a tiger in the forest with his bare hands and kill three thousand thieves with a sword.
I heard that Flying Thunder God, who also learned from Lord Jiraiya, the leader of Fourth Hokage, looks like thunder but is silent, and can travel back and forth dozens of times in an instant.
He was given the nickname "Silver Sword, Golden Edge".
If Lord Jiraiya hadn't intended to use this trip to sharpen him, we wouldn't be able to ask you two to take action with our meager remuneration."
Hearing "Flying Thunder God", Director took a breath of cold air. It was Fourth Hokage leader Minato Namikaze's unparalleled speed in the world. Jianghu was rumored to have been lost for a long time.
It was originally created by leader Second Hokage, but was carried forward by leader Fourth Hokage.
And the only two people who can use this trick are the top masters in the world.
When he looked at Naruto again, his eyes were different.
Since the other party has also learned Flying Thunder God, does it mean that the other party has a chance to become the new Martial Arts Alliance Leader?
His mind immediately became active. As Director, he has an instinctive sensitivity to image and temperament. "Um...Sandayu, look, can you discuss with them to play two guest roles in our drama "Princess Gale"?
It doesn't require too many scenes, even just a few back views and a few appearances.
This temperament and sense of story will definitely add a lot of color!"
He seemed to have seen the scene where the film would become a hit.
Sandayu heard this, the embarrassment on his face became even stronger, and he waved his hands repeatedly. "I can't do it, I can't do it.
You two are here just to protect the princess...
Feng Xuehui's safety, clear the obstacles ahead.
Let a famous hero from Jianghu act... This, this is really too abrupt."
He was well aware of the temperaments of these masters, and Jiraiya might not mind, but the blond young man's eyes were clear and firm, and his mind was obviously not above such trivial matters.
Their low-pitched conversations, along with the howling wind outside the carriage and the squeaking of horse hooves on the snow, were mostly blocked by the thick curtains of the carriage carriage.
In the carriage, the heater gave off a faint light, but it could not drive away the frost between Kazahana Koyuki's brows.
She, whose stage name is Yukie Fujikaze, has now taken off the disguise of the brave and fearless "Princess Gale" on the screen, and is just a runaway princess who is forced to face a heavy past and an unknown and dangerous road.
His slender fingers unconsciously clenched the soft blanket on his knees, and his knuckles turned slightly white.
Kazahana Dōtō...
The man who usurped his father's throne and made this land lose hope and smile.
He has been running Land of Snow for more than ten years. He has recruited strange people and strangers under his command, and he also possesses terrifying power that is rumored to originate from ancient secret treasures.
Just the blond bodyguard in front who seems to be full of Young Naruto spirit, and the sloppy uncle in the back who is drunk most of the time?
Sandayu is simply crazy. How can two Jianghu people compete with the army of a country?
Koyuki closed his eyes, and the image of his father stained with blood in his memory intertwined with the cold and cruel eyes of Uncle Dotō.
She took a deep breath and tried to fill the hole in her heart with the false courage she had accumulated from playing the role of a hero for many years, but the ripples of uneasiness were like the never-ending snow falling outside the car, covering it up layer by layer.
At this moment, Naruto, who was at the front of the motorcade, suddenly stopped and raised his hand to signal.
The entire team was silent for a moment, with only the sound of the wind whimpering.
The blond young man tilted his head slightly, his ears moved slightly, and his blue eyes looked sharply at the sparse forest belt covered with snow on the right side of the road.
Almost at the same time, the snoring on the cart suddenly stopped.
Jiraiya, who was originally drunk, quietly sat up at some point.
The pair of eyes that always carry a cynical smile opened a crack, and suddenly they appeared, how could they be half drunk?
He casually hung the wine gourd back to his waist. Under the white brocade quilt, his burly body seemed to stretch a bit, and then exuded a calm aura like a Yuan Ting Yue Zhi.
He first turned his head and glanced at the back of his adopted son who was as straight as a spear in front of the team. The corners of his mouth curved up almost imperceptibly, with a complicated expression that was a mixture of relief and testing.
"Are you coming..."
An almost inaudible muttering to himself disappeared with the wind and snow.
Omens of danger, like undercurrents under the ice, began to surge silently.
Three wind-breaking sounds tore through the snow curtain, moving from far to near like arrows from a string.
The leader, a middle-aged man, was thin and wore a strange armor with blue stripes on a white background that glowed with a cold metallic luster under the snowy light. The large Blue Eyes cloak behind him sounded like an ominous flag.
He stopped steadily ten feet in front of the convoy, and the pink-haired woman and the sturdy man behind him also stopped. The three of them formed a horn-like posture, vaguely blocking the convoy's path.
"Master Daimyo was very happy when he heard that Princess Koyuki had returned from her travels. He specially ordered me, Snow Ninja, to come and greet her."
The leader said loudly, his tone seemed to be respectful, but it was undeniably tough.
"Nadare Rōga."
He turned slightly to reveal the two people behind him. "These two are Fubuki Kakuyoku, and this is Fuyuki Hiyu."
Princess Koyuki, please move and follow us to Snow Moon Castle to have an audience with Lord Dotō."
Many people in the crew who didn't know what was going on secretly breathed a sigh of relief when they saw this.
It seems that they are not robbers and bandits, but Daimyo sent to pick them up.
Listening to what he meant, Miss Yukie Fujikaze turned out to be the princess of Land of Snow!
No wonder, it seems reasonable to have Ninja escort from our country.
However, Asama Sandayu's face turned livid in an instant, his teeth were clenched, and his jawline was as stretched as Rock's.
This is the person!
In the bloody palace coup ten years ago, it was this Nadare Rōga who led the elite Snow Ninja, who cooperated internally and externally, and opened Snow Moon Castle's strongest city gate for Kazahana Dōtō.
Many of his colleagues fell under the ice blades and flames that day.
"Shut up! You traitor!"
Sandayu could no longer suppress the rage and grief in his chest, and took a step forward, his hair and beard bulging.
"Lord Early Spring Wait for you Snow Ninja The kindness is as heavy as a mountain, and I regard you as a humerus!
Why did you betray your trust and take refuge in Kazahana Dōtō, the traitor who killed his brother and usurped the throne!"
Nadare Rōga seemed to have noticed Sandayu, his eyes swept over the old minister whose face was distorted with anger, and the corner of his mouth pulled out an undisguised sneer, "Who am I? It turns out to be Asama Sandayu who got away by chance."
His voice suddenly turned cold, "Why do you accuse Mr. Dotō of being a traitor?
Kazahana Sōshun is extremely extravagant and lustful, and in order to pursue the illusory Spring Day Treasure, he empties the national treasury and imposes corvee labor, making the people miserable.
We follow the people's will and bring things right out of chaos. What's wrong with us?
But you, when the city was destroyed, did not think about your loyalty to the death, but fled in a hurry and hid Jianghu for more than ten years. Now, what shame do you have to bark here and prevent the princess from returning to the motherland and accepting the kindness of Lord Dotō?"
"You..."
Sandayu's body shook as if he had been hit hard.
The other party's confusing words were as vicious as an ice pick, piercing the deepest guilt and pain in his heart.
It is true that he failed to die with his master when the city was destroyed.
He opened his mouth, trying to explain that he was trying to protect the princess and accumulate strength, but when the words came to his mouth, they seemed so weak under the eyes of the other party, which were full of oppression and ridicule.
The hardship and powerlessness of ten years of forbearing planning surged forward at this moment, almost overwhelming him.
"Enough!"
A clear and trembling shout came from the carriage, interrupting the confrontation full of gunpowder.
The car curtain was suddenly opened by a slender but slightly trembling plain hand, and Kazahana Koyuki stepped out.
She had changed out of the thick clothes that were not convenient for movement, and was now wearing a long skirt with a velvet apron and a cloak to keep out the cold. Her face was pale, but her beautiful eyes, which were always reflected in the light of the screen, were burning with astonishing anger and determination.
The cold wind rolled up her black hair and skirt, making her look fragile and lonely.
"Ten years ago, I could remember things clearly, right from wrong, and have my own judgment in my heart."
Her voice trembled at first, but each word became clearer and clearer.
"I, Kazahana Koyuki, not only will not go back with you to see the usurper, but as the daughter of Kazahana Sōshun, I will fight against the traitors and restore Land of Snow!"
Her body was shaking slightly from the cold and excitement, but her back was straight.
The other party can slander her and try to distort the past with lies, but they must not tarnish the image of her father's kindness and generosity in her memory.
It was the only sacred place left in her heart that could not be trampled upon.
On the cart behind, Jiraiya seemed to be awakened by the argument. He grunted impatiently and turned over, turning his face to the other side. He even exaggeratedly pulled the brocade quilt to cover his ears, and the snoring started again.
It seemed that the tense atmosphere in front of him was not as important as his sweet dream.
However, Naruto, who had been standing quietly in front, turned his head slightly when Jiraiya turned over, and caught a glimpse of the fleeting gaze directed at him from the gap in the brocade quilt.
There was no hint of drunkenness in his eyes, only clear trust and silent instructions: Kid, leave it to you.
Naruto understood it, and the hand that had been pressing on the hilt of the sword finally moved.
"Hum!"
The sound of Qingyue's sword sounded like a dragon's roar, overwhelming the sound of the wind and snow.
The blade of the sword reflected the light of snow, and a stream of autumn-like chill flowed through it.
He didn't look back at Koyuki, who was tense all over, nor did he pay attention to Sandayu, who looked miserable. He just took a step forward and happened to stand between Koyuki and Nadare Rōga.
His blond hair was fluttering wildly in the biting cold wind. He raised his eyes, and his eyes, as blue as the clear sky and as solid as polar ice, looked directly at Nadare Rōga and the two awe-inspiring Snow Ninja behind him without fear.
"Three."
The young man's voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, with a calmness and determination that was inconsistent with his age.
"My employer said she won't go back with you."
His eyes were calm and resolute, like the bottomless Ice Lake, which clearly reflected the disdainful to sinister look on Nadare Rōga's face, Fubuki Kakuyoku's interested observation, and the silent oppression of Winter Bear Bingyu like a mountain.
The air completely solidified at this moment, leaving only snowflakes falling on the blade, making a slight sound as if it was being cut.
"You three should please come back, otherwise it will not end well if you go under the knife."
Seeing how arrogant the young man in front of him was, Fubuki Kakuyoku snorted coldly.
"Kid, you're not afraid of speaking big words and flashing your tongue. Do you want to stop the three of us by yourself?"
Naruto chuckled, "When I took the mission, I only said that I wanted to protect people's safety. The reward they gave me was not enough to kill three Ninja, otherwise your heads would no longer belong to you."
"Arrogant!"