The swordlight faded, but the wind and snow persisted.
The endless horror and defiance in Nadare Rōga's and Fuyukuma Kōssetsu's eyes froze in their final moments as they fell, before drifting snowflakes covered them with gentle cruelty.
Naruto Uzumaki flicked his wrist, shaking the last trace of blood that had yet to congeal from his longsword.
He surveyed his surroundings. Silence returned to the snowfield, broken only by the film crew's restrained breathing and the howling wind.
Rather than inspect his spoils immediately, he walked over to a relatively clean patch of snow, bent down, and carefully wiped his sword with it. His movements were unhurried, as though he had just finished an ordinary sword practice session rather than a fight to the death.
The icy powder carried away the hot blood, and the blade once again reflected a cold, clear gleam.
Next, he pulled over the lining of Nadare Rōga's blue cloak, which was of decent quality and not too bloodstained, and wiped the blade thoroughly. Only when not a trace of grime remained did he sheath it in satisfaction.
Only then did he raise his eyes, sweeping his gaze over the pale, still-stunned crew members before settling on two stagehands who looked reasonably composed.
"Sorry for the trouble, you two, but could you give me a hand?"
Naruto's voice was calm, as though that deadly, ruthless figure moments earlier had been someone else.
"Help me take the armor off these three."
He pointed at Nadare Rōga's and Fuyukuma Kōssetsu's bodies. Though their Chakra Armor had suffered some damage in the fight, its intricate construction and the energy circuits faintly flowing within still drew Naruto's attention.
This was good stuff, a fusion of the Land of Snow's secret techniques and ingenious modern technology.
Naruto himself was highly skilled in