Based on the intelligence from Minato Namikaze, Mirai Uchiha headed straight to the inn where Santa Asama was staying.
Santa Asama was sitting in his room, frowning with worry, when he suddenly saw Mirai Uchiha appear out of nowhere, leaving him thoroughly startled.
"You—what are you?!"
After asking, Santa immediately realized the truth.
He stared at the man before him in disbelief. "It's really you… Mirai Uchiha?!"
Mirai got straight to the point. "Santa, I've agreed to your request. I'll help you regain control of the Snow Country."
Hearing this, Santa's face lit up with surprise and joy. "Thank you, Mirai Uchiha!"
Truthfully, he hadn't entertained much hope for this mission.
After all, these days in the ninja world, it was no longer like the old days when shinobi would accept any mission for money.
Never did he expect Mirai, the Emperor of the Shen Nation, would personally intervene to restore the rightful rulership of the Snow Country!
However, after his initial excitement passed, Santa's expression turned somewhat anxious.
"Mirai Uchiha, Princess Sosetsu Kazahana ran away secretly not long ago, and I don't know where she is now…"
Mirai waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. You just need to prepare with your men. We'll head to the Snow Country in three days."
"Yes sir!"
After leaving Santa's room, Mirai immediately went to a stream outside Hidden Leaf Village.
A young girl was squatting by the riverside silently staring at the water surface.
"Sosetsu Kazahana?"
The voice from behind snapped her back to reality.
She turned around to look at Mirai and whipped out a pen from inside her clothes.
"Where do you want me to sign?"
Mirai hesitated briefly, then shook his head with a smile. "I'm not here asking for your autograph."
Sosetsu Kazahana looked at him puzzled and asked, "Then what do you want?"
"How did you find me here?"
Seeing Sosetsu Kazahana's wary eyes, Mirai replied calmly, "There's little that can remain hidden from me in this shinobi world."
"I've accepted Santa's request and am preparing to take you back to the Snow Country to overthrow Doto Kazahana's rule."
When she heard Doto's name, Kazahana Sosetsu shuddered involuntarily.
Her facial expression instantly turned cold, and she turned around to walk away.
Mirai gently grabbed Sosetsu Kazahana's arm and softly asked, "Where are you going?"
Kazahana Sosetsu forcefully shook off Mirai's hand and said coldly, "I have no interest in these matters. That's *just* Santa's idea."
"You can do whatever you want—but don't drag me into it."
Looking at Sosetsu Kazahana's quickly retreating back, Mirai Uchiha spoke again: "Don't you want to avenge your father?"
Hearing Mirai Uchiha's words, Sosetsu Kazahana's expression changed.
She turned around and glared angrily at Mirai Uchiha: "Do you even understand what we're dealing with? Doto Kazahana is heartless and brutal. Provoking him will get us both killed!"
Noticing the fear in Sosetsu Kazahana's tone, Mirai Uchiha smiled slightly: "Do you even know who I really am?"
Sosetsu Kazahana replied coldly: "Of course I do. You're the Emperor of the Shen Nation, right?"
Mirai Uchiha arched an eyebrow: "Since you know that, then what exactly are you worried about?"
Sosetsu Kazahana retorted: "So what if you're the Emperor of the Shen Nation? You've no idea how terrifying Doto Kazahana really is."
Hearing Sosetsu Kazahana's words, Mirai Uchiha was left somewhat speechless.
It seemed that Doto Kazahana had cast a huge shadow over Sosetsu Kazahana's childhood, making her completely lose her composure when it came to matters concerning him.
Thinking this, Mirai Uchiha stood up and began walking toward the village.
"I'll head to Snow Country. If you want to avenge your father, follow me."
"If you decide to give up like this, then our mission arrangement will be canceled."
Looking at Mirai Uchiha's departing figure, Sosetsu Kazahana tightly bit her lower lip.
Various thoughts clashed fiercely in her mind.
Perhaps this was the only chance she would ever have to receive help from the Emperor of the Shen Nation.
Yet whenever she recalled the image of Doto Kazahana killing her father in flames, she couldn't help but tremble…
As Sosetsu Kazahana hesitated, a sudden chill spread across her chest.
Taking out the pendant hanging from her neck, she gazed at the hexagonal crystal left by her father, her eyes gradually becoming resolute.
Mounting her white horse swiftly, she soon caught up with Mirai Uchiha.
"Your Imperial Majesty, I've made my decision. Please, you must help me bring down Doto Kazahana's regime!"
Looking at the spirited Sosetsu Kazahana, a faint smile appeared on Mirai Uchiha's face.
"No problem."
"Your white horse is excellent. Can it give me a ride?"
Seeing Mirai Uchiha smiling cheerfully, Sosetsu Kazahana hesitated for a moment before stretching out her hand.
"Your Imperial Majesty, please get on."
"But be careful—my horse is a bit temperamental. You'd better hold on tight."
Nodding, Mirai Uchiha skillfully mounted the horse, settling behind Sosetsu Kazahana.
Noticing that the white horse showed no sign of resistance, Sosetsu Kazahana muttered in surprise, "Why is it so calm this time?"
Normally, aside from her, whenever anyone else approached, the horse would grow agitated.
Why was it so quiet this time?
Seeing Sosetsu Kazahana's confused expression, Mirai Uchiha smiled, "Maybe it hasn't processed it yet."
"Let the horse run free for a bit."
The white horse turned its head to glance at Mirai Uchiha, right into a pair of ominous crimson Mangekyo Sharingan eyes.
Under the influence of his Sharingan power, the white horse began galloping wildly.
Sosetsu Kazahana jolted upright and nearly got thrown off the horse.
Mirai Uchiha quickly grabbed the reins and pulled Sosetsu into his arms.
A little wildness never hurt anyone. That's when you truly get the thrill of riding.
———
At the entrance of Hidden Leaf Village,
Sosetsu Kazahana kept her head low, her face flushed red.
Earlier, the white horse had run too violently, causing her body to unavoidably brush against Mirai Uchiha's.
Being this physically close with a member of the opposite sex for the first time since growing up left her feeling weak in the knees.
"Princess Sosetsu," Mirai Uchiha kindly asked, "should I walk you home?"
Sosetsu quickly shook her head. "I wouldn't dare trouble the Emperor. We'll meet here at the village entrance in three days."
Without another word, she rode off furiously on the horse.
Mirai Uchiha inhaled slightly, catching a whiff of her lingering scent, then strode toward Hokage Tower.
For this trip to the Snow Country, he decided he'd bring some companions along.
After all, as the Emperor of the Shen Nation, it would be unfitting for someone of his stature to personally deal with someone like Doto Kazahana.
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