With Dōto's downfall, peace once again blanketed the land—not as snow, but as calm after chaos.
The people of Haru no Kuni breathed freely for the first time in years.
Word spread swiftly across the newly thawed country:The tyrant was imprisoned.The rightful heir had returned.And spring—both literal and symbolic—had finally arrived.
As the news rippled through valleys and villages, citizens began to flock toward the palace. Some came to show support. Others, to simply witness history. And many came with trembling hearts, just to see her…
Princess Koyuki Kazahana.
The daughter of the beloved former daimyo.The girl they thought lost to the winds of war.Now standing strong, dignified, and reborn—both as a ruler and as a beacon of hope.
But that wasn't all.
Whispers traveled faster than the wind:
"Did you hear? Yukie Fujikaze is here too!"
The beloved actress—the star of so many adventure tales—was spotted at the palace.
Of course, the irony was not lost on the people: the actress was the princess. But fame has its quirks, and to many, she was both an idol and now a symbol of true resilience.
Villagers gathered in droves, flooding the outskirts of the palace—fans clutching posters, farmers carrying flowers, children with wide eyes hoping to catch even a glimpse of Yukie Fujikaze.
Haru no Kuni, once frozen in silence, was now alive with chatter, music, and laughter. Hope had returned—not just in politics, but in the hearts of the people.
The day of the grand meet-up arrived like the first warm breeze of spring.
The once-gloomy palace grounds were now teeming with people—villagers, nobles, merchants, and fans alike, all gathered with eager hearts. Paper lanterns lined the path, soft petals drifted in the wind, and the scent of fresh-baked festival treats filled the air.
A temporary stage had been set at the castle courtyard—elegant, but not imposing. At its center stood the woman everyone had come to see.
Koyuki Kazahana.
The lost princess.The famous actress.The rightful daimyo.
And today… she was all three.
She stepped forward, flanked by the silent and watchful Fubuki—her bodyguard and her shadow. But it was Koyuki who drew every eye.
She wore a royal kimono-style gown that shimmered under the sunlight.
Soft lavender and white formed the base of her attire, like a twilight sky dusted with snow.Delicate pale pink and gold accents traced along the edges, as if spring itself had brushed its fingertips over the silk.
Her sleeves were long and flowing, like sakura petals dancing in the breeze.Intricate floral motifs bloomed across the hem and cuffs, subtle but deliberate. They whispered grace.
A golden sash wrapped around her waist, tied in a majestic bow at the back—reminiscent of a phoenix's wings, rising from the ashes of a shattered kingdom.
Her hair was swept up with ornate pins carved from crystal and silver, glittering softly. And at the heart of her chest, resting over her heart, was the hexagonal crystal pendant—her father's final gift. A symbol of his dream, now fulfilled through her.
For a moment, the entire crowd fell silent.
It wasn't fear.It wasn't awe.It was reverence.
A people, seeing their past, their pain, and their future… all embodied in one woman.
Koyuki stepped forward.A hush fell over the crowd. The gentle wind tugged at her sleeves, and the pendant at her neck shimmered like the very soul of the land was alive within it.
She took a breath—slow, steady—and then began.
"People of this land… my people."
Her voice was soft at first, like snowfall on a silent night—but it carried with strength, with purpose.
"I once ran away from this country with nothing but a broken heart… and a necklace. I wore a name that wasn't mine, played roles that weren't me, and lived years hiding from the truth."
She looked up. Eyes met hers from every corner of the crowd. Some were teary. Some proud. Some simply stunned.
"But I never forgot the warmth of this land beneath the snow.I never forgot the smile of my father—the dream he believed in.A dream that spring would one day return to Yuki no Kuni."
She gently touched the pendant.
"He believed that no matter how cruel the frost, there was hope buried underneath. That if we held on long enough… the cold would end."
Her voice grew firmer now, rising like the morning sun behind the mountains.
"Today, I no longer hide behind a stage name. I no longer run from shadows. I stand here before you, not as Yukie Fujikaze—"
She removed the outer shawl of her gown with a subtle, powerful grace.
"—but as Koyuki Kazahana, daughter of the late Sosetsu Kazahana.Rightful heir.Your Daimyo."
The crowd gasped, then burst into cheers like a dam of grief and hope finally broke.
"But I am not here just to take a throne. I am here to rebuild with you. To warm this land again. To bring art, life, peace—and yes, even dreams—back to Haru no Kuni."
She smiled, gently now.
"I was once told, 'Spring will come to Yuki no Kuni.'Now, I say this to you—Spring has come… and it is here to stay."
The crowd roared. A sea of clapping hands, teary eyes, and uplifted hearts.
Among the crowd gathered below the dais, Naruto stood with his arms crossed, watching the scene unfold like a proud older brother at graduation.
He nudged Karin with a smirk.
"She's gonna be a legendary Daimyo."
Karin rolled her eyes with a knowing grin."Please. The entire country's already in love with her."
Flashback to before the speech:
Backstage, minutes before stepping out, Koyuki had turned to Naruto and his group with hopeful eyes.
"Come stand with me," she had said softly. "You fought for this just as much as I did."
Naruto, ever the unpredictable shinobi, simply shook his head.
"This is your spotlight, not ours. I did what I had to do, in my way… now it's your time to shine."
Koyuki had smiled, a little sad, a little grateful. Then she nodded, turned, and walked into her destiny.
Back to the present.
The speech was done—but now came the real test: autographs.
A swarm of children gathered at the steps, squealing with excitement and waving little booklets and posters of Princess Gale. Koyuki laughed brightly, kneeling down as she signed each one with a patient hand and genuine smile.
Naruto blinked, his mouth hanging open as if reality just slapped him with a snowball.
"…Wait a sec."
He slapped his forehead.
"I forgot to get her autograph!!"
With zero hesitation, he bolted into the crowd of kids like it was the final round of the Chūnin Exams.
"Oi, move—excuse me—coming through—HEY, lemme through, I know her personally!"
Karin, Sasuke, and Kakashi stood frozen for a moment before all three burst into laughter.
"Is he serious right now?" Sasuke snorted.
"He's pushing actual children," Kakashi said, chuckling.
Karin shook her head with the smirk of someone who's seen this level of chaos too many times.
"Child at heart," she muttered. "Forever."
Sandayu walked over to the group, eyeing the chaotic whirlpool of children nearby.
"Where's Naruto?" he asked.
Sasuke pointed wordlessly.
There, amidst a swirling storm of tiny limbs and high-pitched squeals, Naruto was still arguing with a horde of miniature fans like he was on trial in toddler court.
Sandayu exhaled a long, suffering sigh."You didn't even tell him that Koyuki-sama is preparing a surprise for him?"
Karin smirked, arms crossed. "Nah. Let him struggle. His reaction later will be worth it."
The whole group chuckled, watching their fearless hero get bullied by six-year-olds.
Eventually, Naruto returned—head low, shoulders slumped like someone who just lost a game of tag and dignity.
"Nii-san," Karin called out with mock concern, "Did you get her autograph?"
Naruto scowled."No! Those kids aren't children—they're tiny demons. One of them bit me."
He held up his hand dramatically, though no bite mark could be seen. Just his pride—shattered.
The group laughed even harder this time.
As the sun dipped below the snow-dusted horizon, the day's festivities came to a warm, satisfying close.
News had spread like wildfire—Princess Koyuki had returned.Not just as an actress.Not just as royalty.But as someone who gave the people hope again.
That evening, the castle came alive with light. A grand banquet was laid out, worthy of a daimyo's coronation. Dishes from across the land shimmered under ornate chandeliers.
Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, and the ever-mischievous Team 7 member Naruto were all present—invited as honored guests.Makino and her film crew too, buzzing with ideas for a new project.
The ship crew had already sailed off to their next adventure, their job complete—but for those still in Haru no Kuni, the night was one of celebration.
And at the head of the table…Naruto.
First to sit. First to eat. First to annihilate everything in front of him.
He devoured rice, soup, dumplings, and roast dishes like he was trying to store calories for winter.
"Slow down," Kakashi said dryly, watching Naruto inhale a bowl of miso.
"You never know when your next meal will come," Naruto mumbled between mouthfuls.
"You literally saved the country. You're the guest of honor."
"That doesn't mean the food won't run out!"
Koyuki entered then, dressed in a more relaxed, elegant robe now, smiling warmly as she saw Naruto dual-wielding chopsticks like a warrior.
Sandayu leaned in behind her and whispered, "Shall I prepare the surprise now?"
She nodded."Yes. I think he's earned it."