Land of Snow, Royal Capital
Originally reluctant to return to her holand, Kazahana Koyuki now stood dressed in regal attire symbolizing her status as queen, basking in the cheers of the crowd.
The reason for this change, of course, lay in the new policies of the Land of Snow.
Previously, in his desperate bid to secure his position, Koyuki’s uncle, Kazahana Dotō, had ruthlessly exploited the people of the Land of Snow to fund his research on chakra armor.
However, these efforts proved utterly futile against Kamizuki Hikari, and Dotō was ultimately defeated by the combined efforts of the Ino-Shika-Chō team.
After witnessing the capabilities of the chakra armor, Shikamaru had curiously examined it. But upon confirming that the armor only provided auxiliary support rather than enhancing the user’s strength, he abandoned further research.
As the "Shika"(Deer) of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, Shikamaru knew exactly where his foundation lay—the Shadow Imitation Technique.
A millennium-old secret art passed down through the Nara clan.
Lately, Shikamaru sensed a subtle change within himself regarding this technique. Though faint and unnoticed even by Shikaku, Shikamaru could keenly feel that his shadow was... different.
"It’s so lively here!"
Ino sighed as she watched the joyous scene from a secluded corner.
"It really is. If you like, you could stand with the princess—I’m sure you’d receive the sa welco." Hikari remarked nonchalantly.
His words were punctuated by a yawn, which only made his indifference more infuriating.
"Hikari-senpai, are you really that tired?" Ino couldn’t understand how a man not even thirty years old could act like an old geezer, constantly seeking rest.
"I must have been born in the year of the snake. Whenever I’m in a cold place, I can’t help but want to sleep." Hikari defended himself.
Unfortunately, the shinobi world had no such concept, and even the way villages asured ti varied.
Konoha used the founding of their village, Kirigakure used the establishnt of the Mist Village, and the shinobi of the Land of Lightning went by the founding of Kumogakure. Outside the shinobi world, each country had its own calendar, though these weren’t widely used among shinobi.
"If my dad acted like this at ho, my mom would definitely ask if he’d been fooling around. Hikari-senpai, what does it an for a man to ’fool around’?"
The mont these words left Ino’s mouth, the three n nearby fell into silence.
Not just Hikari, the adult, but even Shikamaru and Chōji were at a loss.
Wasn’t this topic a bit too mature for them?
"I... don’t really know either. After all, I’m just a single, handso guy. As for what Inoichi-sama’s little hobbies might be, I genuinely have no idea."
At this point, Hikari suddenly pushed Chōji forward.
"Why don’t you ask Chōji? Maybe he knows!"
Chōji stood there, dumbfounded, as Ino looked at him with wide, pleading eyes.
He really wanted to show Hikari what a "Multi-Size Technique" felt like right about now.
"Chōji, can you tell ?" Ino clasped her hands together, her expression full of innocent curiosity.
Chōji’s heart softened instantly.
"Well... when my dad sses up, he usually sneaks out to eat."
"Sneaks out to eat?" Hikari, Ino, and Shikamaru echoed in unison.
Now this was interesting.
Hikari’s drowsiness vanished, his eyes sharpening as he stared intently at Akimichi Chōji.
Under the trio’s intense gazes, Chōji felt utterly bewildered.
"Yeah, if my dad doesn’t get enough to eat at ho, he sneaks out for a bite."
Hikari: This... isn’t the kind of ’sneaking out’ I was imagining.
Shikamaru and Ino’s interest quickly waned as they realized Chōji’s words didn’t match their expectations.
"Mom’s cooking is amazing, but Dad likes to have a little drink now and then, along with so barbecue. But the sll of grilled at always sticks to his clothes, and then Mom nags him about it."
"Ah, I see." Shikamaru cut in before Chōji could continue. "Princess Koyuki has returned to the palace. Let’s head over too."
No one noticed the flicker of cunning in Chōji’s eyes—or the faint disappointnt in Ino’s.
Chōji: ’Trying to make look bad? Hmph, not happening.’
Ino: ’So disappointing... no one embarrassed themselves.’
"Yeah, we say our goodbyes today and leave tomorrow!"
Ino stretched lazily, only for a biting wind to slip through the gaps in her clothing. She imdiately tightened her cloak.
"I’m really starting to miss Konoha now."
"Who doesn’t miss Konoha?" Shikamaru muttered under his breath.
Ino shot him a reproachful glare, and he promptly shut up.
The group arrived at the palace, where the guards let them pass without question.
However, on the path to the queen’s chambers, they were stopped by Asama Sandayū.
"Shinobi-samas, Her Majesty wishes to be alone at the mont."
"Oh, got it. We’ll go rest then. Please inform the queen that we’ll be departing tomorrow and not to worry about us." Hikari said, already turning to leave.
"Wait, please wait!" Sandayū hurried after him.
"What? You’re not trying to stiff us on paynt, are you? That won’t fly—the money’s already been sent to Konoha. If you try to take it back, you’ll end up on our bingo books!" Hikari warned.
With the Land of Snow’s ager strength, picking a fight with Konoha would be sheer stupidity.
"No, no! The paynt’s been made, and the mission’s complete. We’d never think of taking it back!" Sandayū quickly clarified before explaining his real purpose.
"Actually... Her Majesty requests that Kamizuki-san co alone. As for the three young shinobi, I’ll take care of them."
"Is that so?" Hikari glanced at the palace.
With his keen sensory abilities, he could confirm that only Koyuki was inside—no traps, no hidden techniques, nothing involving chakra.
If there was no danger, what was there to fear?
Unless... she was planning sothing else.
"Fine. If the queen commands it, I’ll go. You three stay with Sandayū."
After instructing the trio, Hikari strode forward with confident steps, marching boldly toward the palace as if ready to face whatever awaited him.
"I have a feeling sothing unexpected is going to happen today..." Shikamaru mused, patting Sandayū’s shoulder.
"Let’s go. I have to say, the wind here really is strong."
Ino nodded in agreent.
Outside, the wind was biting cold—and inside her heart, she felt equally chilled by Hikari’s lack of loyalty.
She didn’t even like Hikari, but still—wasn’t everyone here a single dog? And yet he was going to sneak off and ’leave the circle’ right in front of them.
It was just... so unfair.
She really wanted to hit soone right now.
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Read 40 advanced Chapters on my P@treon.
/KakuzuTL
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