"The Land of Snow did have a coup. Six years ago, I personally sent the old king packing."
"You're joking. If you..." Halfway through his words, Choji suddenly froze. He looked up abruptly at Naruto, and swallowed his saliva.
"You're not kidding, are you?"
"What do you think?" Naruto put down his chopsticks and poured himself a cup of tea. "If I say that the Land of Snow is mine, would you be too surprised?"
"Six years ago? You were just a Genin back then! Wasn't the Land of Snow's mission a failure?" Choji asked in disbelief with his eyes wide open.
"You four drifted at sea for a month, ended up stranded on some deserted island, and then Kakashi-sensei had to retrieve you… remember that?"
"I remember the mission was a failure. I heard that you were almost sacrificed by those crazy people in the Land of Hot Water before you even reached the Land of Snow."
"Yes, but I went there again secretly later and only brought Kazahana Koyuki with me." Naruto said slowly, "By the way, Fenghua Xiaoxue is Princess Fuun."
"Princess Fuun?" Choji slammed his hands on the table and stood up, "No wonder the Princess Fuun movie series got axed! She went back to inherit the throne?"
"Pretty much. After we kicked out the old king, she became the Queen of the Land of Snow," Naruto nodded, and fragments of memories from that time flashed through his mind.
Suddenly, he realized that all three women from that sea voyage were now connected to him in some way. Whether it was Anko, Sakura or Koyuki, the three of them seemed to be intertwined with him because of various things.
It was as if the gears of fate had started turning the moment they boarded that ship for the Land of Snow's mission. It was only later that Naruto realized how deeply their destinies had become entangled.
"So… the Land of Snow really is yours?" Choji sat down and inhaled a breath of cold air, "The entire Land of Snow belongs to you?"
"Not exactly."
"Oh, thank goodness. You almost scared me to death. I was about to say, how could that…"
"It's more like half and half." Naruto said, but he thought to himself, 'And the Queen is mine too.'
Choji almost vomited blood and said while clutching his chest, "You already owned a small country six years ago? What was I even doing back then? Damn it… So all these years, I'm the only one who's accomplished nothing?"
On this day, Choji discovered with sadness that all his former comrades had achieved great things. Even the brother who was supposed to be a fellow deadlast had secretly leveled up and acquired a small country.
"Not just one..."
"What?" Choji looked up.
"Nothing." Naruto waved his hand dismissively, "What's the use of me having so many small countries? I'm not trying to be a ruler. You know me, I just want to lie down."
"Don't lie down then. I'm treating you to this meal. Can you find a way to get me some snow lotus from the Land of Snow?" Choji pulled him aside to complain, "My father-in-law's birthday is coming up. Help me out here."
"That's no problem. I'll send it to you in two days." Naruto agreed instantly.
"Two days? That fast?" Choji was a little dumbfounded.
"Well, express delivery. I have to make it happen for you." Naruto didn't want to reveal the Gate of the Underworld for the time being, so as not to undermine Choji's self-confidence.
Even though Naruto always skips the bill at every dinner party, and Choji complained every time, he still showed up whenever Naruto invited him. The gap between them was already huge, if it got any wider, it will be difficult for them to continue being friends.
Among the former Konoha 12, the only ones still lazing around were probably Naruto and Choji. Maybe it was because their dreams were similar, eat and lazing around.
The two enjoyed their meal, and before leaving, Naruto even packed some leftovers to take home for Konan. Choji stared at him for a moment and asked in confusion, "Is there anyone else in your home?"
"No, it's for the foxhound." Naruto said casually.
"Huh? Since when are you so nice to it? Weren't you the one saying it didn't deserve good food?" Choji scratched his head, thinking Naruto must've suddenly grown a conscience.
Back at home, Konan seemed in low spirits. She only ate a little and went back to her room. The leftovers didn't go to waste, as Naruto fed the stray dogs around with great interest.
…
The next day.
Figuring Obito wouldn't show up anytime soon, Naruto opened the Gate of the Underworld and teleported straight to the Land of Snow. Koyuki had just finished bathing and nearly jumped out of her skin when Naruto suddenly appeared.
"You…"
"A friend asked me for some snow lotus. Do you have any?" Naruto cut straight to the point.
"Of course. I'll have someone prepare it." Koyuki smiled, sat down on the couch, patted the space beside her and said, "Come and sit down first."
'Hadn't she learned her lesson last time?' Naruto happened to be free, and the anxiety of waiting for Obito for many days had been gnawing at him, so he didn't mind relaxing for a while.
Two hours later, a large batch of snow lotus arrived, neatly packed in gift boxes.
"These need to be refrigerated, otherwise, they will go bad." Koyuki's voice was a little hoarse, and then she pointed at the other half and said weakly, "Those are dried, so they need to be kept away from moisture."
"Got it. I don't need this much, though." Naruto stored everything away, then turned his head and glanced at Koyuki, "You should have a good rest. I'll visit again next time."
"Mm." She nodded.
After Naruto left, Koyuki bit her lip and collapsed onto the soft bed with an exhausted smile, 'Once there's a child… I won't be so lonely anymore.'
…
The Akimichi Clan's compound.
Choji stared at the four boxes of snow lotus lined up on the table, and was stunned for a long time. He looked up at Naruto, then back down at the snow lotus.
"Damn it, you weren't lying yesterday?"
"Aren't you in a hurry?" Naruto sipped his tea leisurely.
"Well, I indeed needed it in a hurry, but you only spent half a day to get it? Isn't that a bit too efficient?" Choji was amazed, holding a box of snow lotus and looking at it over and over again.
"It's so pristine."
"Anyway, things have been delivered now. I have something else to do, so I'll leave first." Naruto stood up and was about to leave, but he was stopped by Choji.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Not staying for drinks?"
"Got to deliver gifts. Ino and Hinata…" Naruto said, counting on his fingers, "Have to give one box to Kakashi-sensei, and one box to Yugao. I'll need the Anbu's help in a few days."
"Get out!" Choji shoved him with his chubby hands, "Go on, scram! Don't flaunt your shit here, Uzumaki Naruto! You're the worst!"
"Haha, you are just jealous. I'll look for you tomorrow." Naruto turned and left, thinking to himself, 'Obito, where the hell are you? Hurry up and show your face already!'