Late at night, lying in bed, Fujikaze Yukie suddenly opened her eyes.
"No! Why did that brat do that?!"
…
After more than a day sailing at sea, even though Shigure and the others were shinobi, boredom began to creep in.
By the next morning, Shigure was already standing at the bow of the ship, gazing at the distant, snow-covered mountains.
Finally—land in sight. Even if it was buried under endless snow, at least it meant they could begin the mission.
His silhouette at the front of the ship caught the groggy attention of Fujikaze Yukie, who had just woken up.
"Careful, brat. Don't fall in and drown," she muttered, still groggy and irritable.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Shigure slipped and fell overboard.
The three ship doctors froze in shock, and Yukie herself was stunned.
Were my words that effective?
He fell the moment I said it?
"Quick! Save him!" she shouted, dashing to the railing.
But instead of flailing in the water, Shigure was sprinting—on the sea's surface—heading straight for the distant shoreline.
"H-He's running...on the sea?" Yukie blinked, unable to believe her eyes.
The next moment, Naruto leapt off the ship, beaming. "Land at last! I'm so done with this boat. Shigure, wait up!"
Sasuke scoffed from behind. "You can't even handle a little sailing and still want to be Hokage?"
But even he didn't hesitate to follow. In the end, all three genin dashed across the water toward the land.
Yukie could only gape as their figures disappeared into the distance. "Those brats... can they really do that?"
Nearby, the director was nearly vibrating with excitement.
"I finally get it! This is what's been missing from my work. Ninjas can do that?! Quick, film it! Don't miss a frame!"
Shigure and the others reached the snow-covered shore first. He casually sat down, relishing the feel of solid ground beneath his feet.
Though he wasn't seasick, the cramped quarters of the ship had worn on him.
Soon after, the ship docked. The crew prepared for a location shoot—this area had jagged cliffs that excited the director with its cinematic potential.
As Yukie stepped off the boat, she stole another glance at Shigure.
"So… this is what a ninja is…"
The filming proceeded normally. Shigure had no interest in the tired old script, but he used the time to stretch and warm up.
He wasn't here for movies—he was far more interested in the enemies bound to show up soon.
Sure enough, in the midst of filming, a thunderous boom rang out from an icy cliff nearby.
BOOM!
Shards of ice exploded into the sky.
Shigure raised his eyes and smiled faintly. "They're here."
Naruto and Sasuke immediately tensed, ready for action.
A moment later, three figures burst out from the snow and landed atop a nearby icicle pillar.
They were the elite Snow Ninja hired by Kazahana Dotō of the Land of Snow: Fubuki Kakuyoku, Mizore Fuyukuma, and their leader—Rōga Nadare.
The Snow Ninja Trio had arrived.
Kakashi's eye narrowed sharply. He didn't recognize the other two, but the leader—Rōga Nadare—was another story.
He had faced this man before… and back then, all Kakashi could do was retreat.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Before Kakashi could even react, Shigure, Naruto, and Sasuke had already moved to Yukie's side, guarding her.
Fujikaze Yukie blinked in confusion.
When did they even move?
Are these three really just kids? How could they be so fast?
"Wow… Are those the Konoha ninjas? They're pretty strong," Mizore Fuyukuma muttered in surprise, impressed by their speed.
Fubuki Kakuyoku's smile had also faded, her expression growing more serious.
Rōga Nadare narrowed his eyes at Kakashi.
"We meet again… Kakashi," he said coldly. "You won't run this time."
Run?
Sasuke was startled.
Kakashi-sensei… ran from this guy before?
That didn't seem possible. With Kakashi's strength, even most Kage wouldn't make him retreat!
"Rōga Nadare, you're still alive, I see. But if you think I'll run like I did last time, think again."
Kakashi's voice was cold as he prepared to move.
"Sensei, let us handle them!"
Naruto stepped forward, fists clenched and eyes blazing.
"Yeah. Fighting makes us stronger," Shigure added calmly.
Kakashi hesitated for a brief moment and looked down at the kunai in his hand. Shigure had already proven his strength by taking down Zabuza—handling someone like Rōga Nadare wasn't out of the question.
I'll step in only if things turn critical.
"…Alright. I'll leave it to you three. Just don't bring shame to Konoha."
"Got it!"
Without turning around, Shigure knew Naruto and Sasuke were brimming with fighting spirit.
"All non-combatants, get back to the ship!" Kakashi ordered as the filming crew began hurriedly packing up.
Just then, Mizore Fuyukuma, riding a strange, high-speed chakra snowboard, launched himself toward the trio.
Shigure didn't even lift his eyes. "Naruto. He's yours."
"Leave it to me!"
Naruto exploded into action, his figure a blur as he met Mizore head-on.
…
Naruto's speed had improved significantly—his persistent training was paying off.
"So fast!" Fujikaze Yukie, being pulled to safety by one of the doctors, was stunned. These kids... even if they're shinobi, how can they be this strong at such a young age?
Bang!!
Naruto's fist met Mizore's with thunderous impact. The two clashed fiercely—neither gaining the upper hand.
Mizore's eyes widened. Impossible! My chakra armor boosts my strength—how is a Konoha Genin holding me back?!
Across the battlefield, Fubuki Kakuyoku made her move. With a swift hand seal, a flurry of ice and snow surged around her and formed into razor-sharp Ice Swallows, darting through the air like guided missiles.
Sasuke sprang to the side, tossing a kunai to draw her focus. As she followed it with her gaze, he finished his own hand seals.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
BOOM!!
A massive fireball erupted from his mouth, roaring across the battlefield. The searing flames collided with the ice swallows, melting them mid-air in a burst of steam and shattered frost.
The director's crew, still retreating, was dumbfounded by the spectacle.
On the opposite end, Rōga Nadare locked eyes with Shigure, who had stood motionless from the beginning.
"You seriously think you can stop me, little Genin?" he sneered. "Even Hatake Kakashi ran from me once—what makes you think you stand a chance?"
Shigure reached behind his back and calmly drew the ninja blade Zangetsu, the steel gleaming under the gray sky.
His voice was steady, unrushed.
"When all a man can talk about… is the past… it usually means he has nothing left in the present."
...
TN:
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