"Mr. Kimimaro, please wait!"
Kimimaro paused, a faint smile on his face. So, they've taken the bait.
He turned his head slightly, a touch of arrogance in his voice. "Have you made up your mind?"
"Yes," Haruna stepped forward. "We'd like to request—no, formally invite you to travel with us."
"Double the offer."
"Huh?" Yuri frowned, clearly annoyed. "Why raise the price now?"
Before she could argue further, Haruna responded smoothly, "Fine. Deal."
Kimimaro's grin widened slightly. "You seem more sincere this time."
"After witnessing your strength, I understand the value of paying fairly," Haruna said evenly. "But I do have a request."
"Let's hear it."
"Although we'll be traveling together, I'm the one funding this, so I expect my advice to be considered. Once we reach the Land of Vegetables, I may require additional assistance. Any further services will be negotiated separately."
Kimimaro appeared to think for a moment. "As long as your requests don't interfere with our overall purpose, that's acceptable. We're independent shinobi—free to travel where we like. We value freedom and peace of mind."
Haruna smiled, pleased. Got him. She already felt she'd secured an edge—after all, a wandering ninja was just a stronger type of mercenary. If he performed well, maybe she could recruit him long-term.
"Then let's depart at once."
"Agreed. We'll head west."
"Mr. Kimimaro, I have a suggestion," Haruna said.
"Already giving suggestions?" he teased. "Let's hear it."
She unfurled a map. "It may seem quickest to go through the Land of Demons, but the situation there is unstable—rumors of increased yokai activity. I suggest the route through the Land of Snow instead. Recently, the exiled princess, Kazahana Koyuki, returned and overthrew her uncle. She used some kind of advanced chakra-based technology to stabilize the climate—springtime conditions all year round in the capital. The people believe she brings good fortune, and the country has been peaceful ever since. It may be a slightly longer journey on paper, but it's far safer and more efficient overall."
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes, impressed. "You've done your homework."
"Of course," Haruna said confidently. In truth, she had originally planned to cross the Land of Bears and meet up with Leaf shinobi near the Wind Country border. But now, with Kimimaro joining, she could adjust the route.
Kimimaro turned to gather his team. "We're heading toward the Land of Vegetables. Any objections?"
None voiced any complaints, but Karin tugged at Kimimaro's sleeve and whispered, "Be honest—are you interested in that girl?"
Kimimaro blinked innocently. "What girl?"
"That Haruna woman. Don't play dumb. She fooled Yuri, but not me. Hanabi noticed too."
"Haha. You're sharp as ever. You're right—"
"You are interested in her?" Karin's expression darkened.
"I meant you're right that she's a woman," Kimimaro clarified smoothly. "But I didn't take this job because I'm attracted to her. She's not as pretty as you."
"Hmph. Naturally."
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "But I'll tell you something interesting. According to intel I acquired from Kusagakure, the Land of Vegetables had a princess who was taken hostage in a neighboring nation during a past power struggle. With the daimyo's authority weakening, it's only a matter of time before she returns to claim her rightful place."
Karin's eyes narrowed. "You think that woman might be her?"
Kimimaro nodded. "All signs point to it."
"And you're hoping she'll fall for you, so you can gain political leverage through marriage?" Karin accused, lips curling into a smirk.
"Oh, Karin… You know me too well. If that happens, I wouldn't mind charming her a little. After all, building my own base of power is the next step."
"You shameless flirt."
"If she falls for me, I'll use that advantage. But don't worry, Miss Karin. If you say no, I'll turn her down flat."
Karin snorted and turned away, pretending to be angry. "Tch. As if I'd believe that."
Karin understood that some things were inevitable—and she had her own ambitions, especially regarding Haruna, the Daimyo of the Land of Vegetables. Helping Kimimaro achieve his goals would benefit them both.
"Anyway, I have one condition: she can't outrank me," Karin said flatly.
Kimimaro blinked. "Outrank you in what?"
"Don't play dumb—you know what I mean! Even if she's a Daimyo, she can't throw her weight around and act like she's in charge. If she does, I'm leaving and living on my own."
Kimimaro's expression turned serious. "I've said this before: in the world I want to build, no one should act superior because of their bloodline or title. People might have different roles, but everyone's dignity is equal. If we're going to live together in the future, it'll be as partners—you and me. A Daimyo? When that time comes, even Daimyo will bow politely to you. Don't forget—you were the first."
Karin's eyes softened. "Really? Even if you end up with someone like her, she won't use her status to bully me?"
"Of course not," Kimimaro replied firmly. "Everyone will be equal—but you'll always be the most special."
He pulled her into a hug. Karin, blushing, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Ahem." A voice interrupted them. Haruna had appeared nearby. "Mr. Kimimaro, may we depart now?"
"Let's go," Kimimaro said, reluctantly letting go of Karin.
To Kimimaro, Karin was special—his first true companion, the one who had stayed beside him through everything. She could be jealous at times, but no one else had supported him so fiercely or for so long. And because of that, others were often subtly influenced by her presence—like Hanabi, who was already showing traces of Karin's bold attitude.
Kimimaro didn't seek out every beautiful woman he met, nor did he collect followers for vanity. But he knew that, in the life he was building, he would inevitably work with many strong women. Even so, he intended to dote on Karin the most, setting a standard others would naturally follow.
Though the Naruto world had glimpses of modern technology, its political and social systems resembled an older, feudal structure—one where influence, loyalty, and power determined status far more than paperwork or technology.
Their group headed northwest, toward the Land of Snow, eventually reaching the towering ridgeline that marked the border between the Land of Earth and the Land of Snow.
"Once we cross this range, we'll be in the Land of Snow," Haruna explained, clearly having done her research. "You can already see the snow from this side, but once we pass the summit, it's nothing but ice and frost as far as the eye can see."
The Land of Snow, also known in the past as the Land of Spring after Princess Koyuki's ascension, was located northwest of the Land of Earth, surrounded on three sides by sea. Only its southeastern border touched the continent, marked by this continuous stretch of frozen mountains.
Geographically, the Naruto world consisted of a massive continent dominated by the Five Great Nations—Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, and Lightning—with buffer states like the Land of Rain, Grass, and Rice Fields acting as zones of conflict or neutrality. The Land of Water lay off the coast on an island to the east, while the seas beyond the western and southern shores held numerous smaller nations.
From the Land of Snow's coast, they could sail south to the Land of Demons or southeast to the Land of Vegetables. Sailing west across the inland sea, they might reach lesser-known nations like the Land of Claws or the Land of Fangs.
Their journey, for now, continued across the snowy pass—toward the next chapter of their story.
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