While Hikaru and the others were chatting cheerfully, someone else was teetering between life and death.
In a dense forest somewhere in the Shinobi World, a small, frail figure cautiously poked her head out from a thick cluster of trees.
The surrounding trees were tall and packed closely together, forming a natural barrier that isolated this woodland from the outside world.
After carefully confirming that no one was nearby, the figure suddenly vanished with a "poof!"
Only then did her real body step out from the forest and onto the path leading outward.
Every one of her steps was full of caution, every movement steeped in wariness.
It was clear she carried a heavy mission—one tied to a struggle where life and death hung in the balance.
She slowly raised her head. A pair of Rinnegan eyes rotated faintly in her gaze, while her pale purple hair drifted on the wind.
"I have to survive… and find someone who can defeat him!"
After speaking with the White Fang, Hikaru and his companions parted ways.
White Fang returned to report on his mission, while Hikaru and the others continued their journey across the Shinobi World, seeking any trace of Madara Uchiha.
Due to previous delays, their original plan of reaching the Land of Snow by today had to be postponed.
As night quietly fell, the group found a place to rest.
Originally, Hikaru had suggested using his teleportation ability to bring the girls back to Konoha to rest, but the team vetoed the idea.
Since it was voted down, Hikaru didn't insist.
Still, looking at the wooden house Tsunade had built using Wood Style, Hikaru felt that going back really didn't make much difference anyway.
The night sky sparkled with stars, and all was silent.
Hikaru, Tsunade, Nonō, and Chiri sat together by the roaring bonfire. The warm glow of the flames illuminated their faces, creating a peaceful and cozy atmosphere.
Hikaru looked at the three girls, concern faintly visible on his face.
He knew that everything that happened today had, in a way, shaken their worldview.
After all, they had witnessed things they had never imagined—compressed into a single day.
So, he gently asked, "Did what happened today unsettle you?"
Tsunade gave a faint smile and looked straight into Hikaru's eyes. Her voice was gentle yet firm:
"Hikaru, you're underestimating us. You should know—we're not just pretty faces."
Nonō spoke next, her voice carrying a soft warmth:
"Yeah, you've always been our safe harbor. Whenever we face hardship or setbacks, you're always the first to stand up and protect us."
"But don't think of us that way. We've worked this hard because we want to one day stand by your side. A little adversity won't bring us down."
Chiri clung tightly to Hikaru's arm, her face beaming with happiness:
"Hikaru, you're my hero. As long as you're with me, we'll always stay strong."
As she spoke, her mind drifted back to the day she was captured by Madara Uchiha.
Her grandfather had died before her eyes, and she herself was taken away. That day had nearly broken her.
Thankfully, Hikaru rescued her—and even brought her grandfather's body back.
Hearing the three girls' responses, Hikaru was filled with warmth and emotion.
He took a deep breath and clasped their hands tightly.
"It was my mistake… I underestimated you. But you've underestimated yourselves too. You've already helped me so much."
Yes, if not for the bonds he had with these people, Hikaru might have long since become someone consumed by power.
Under the peaceful night sky, the firelight cast a glow across their faces. The four of them leaned closely together.
At dawn the next day, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the treetops, Hikaru, Tsunade, Nonō, and Chiri were already awake.
After a quick wash, they prepared to set off again.
As they drew nearer to the Land of Snow, the surrounding environment began to change.
The once lush trees were now gradually blanketed in silver, and a chill filled the air.
The temperature steadily dropped, and their breath began to turn into white mist.
Soon, snowflakes started drifting down from the sky.
Just as its name suggested, this truly was a land of snow.
Looking out over the landscape, they saw a vast plain completely buried in thick snow, a world of endless white.
In this pure world of snow, everything felt calm and beautiful.
The four dismounted from Chōmei and stepped into the thick snow, leaving behind deep footprints.
Though Konoha had experienced snowfall before, they had never seen a scene like this.
For a moment, they paused—playfulness rising in their hearts.
They chased each other, flinging snow at one another and enjoying the rare delight of childlike fun.
Tsunade even lay down in the snow, letting the flakes fall freely onto her face and body, soaking in the cold and refreshing sensation.
Suddenly, Hikaru suggested, "Let's build a snowman!"
The suggestion was immediately met with cheers from the others.
They began rolling snowballs and gradually building the snowman's body.
Tsunade gathered small stones and twigs to craft its eyes, nose, and mouth.
Nonō took off her hat and placed it on the snowman's head.
Chiri contributed her scarf, wrapping it warmly around its neck.
Together, they created an adorable snowman.
It stood silently in the snow, as if smiling along with them at the beautiful scenery.
The four of them gathered around the snowman and took a group photo to preserve the joyful memory.
(Let's assume cameras exist in the Naruto world.)
After the fun in the snow, they gathered their things and resumed their journey.
Since they were now close to their destination, they didn't trouble Chōmei again and chose to walk.
Treading along a snow-covered road, silence enveloped them—broken only by the crunching of snow beneath their feet.
However, the tranquility didn't last long.
As they approached their destination, signs of human presence gradually grew.
Hikaru had expected that life in a snowbound nation would be harsh—perhaps even poverty-ridden.
But what unfolded before him defied all expectations.
Though the buildings here were simple and unadorned, lacking Konoha's vibrancy, they exuded a sense of order, peace, and well-being.
Shops lined the streets in tidy rows, offering a wide variety of goods.
The sheer variety made it hard to believe this was a country buried under snow.
Pedestrians bustled to and fro—bundled in thick clothing, but their faces radiated smiles, showing no trace of hardship from the cold.
Clearly, the people here had long adapted to the icy climate—and found their own way to live in harmony with it.