"You…"
Fuji Yukie stared at the iconic silver hair and mask.
Memories from ten years ago surged into her mind in an instant.
The Konoha ninja who, amid heavy snow and raging flames, had carried her away from the Land of Snow.
The figure from her memories gradually overlapped with the lazy man standing before her.
She froze, complex emotions flickering in her eyes—surprise mixed with the panic of having her identity exposed.
"It's you…"
She murmured unconsciously. Then she suddenly snapped back to reality, her cheeks flushing with both embarrassment and anger.
Being held like this—cradled like a child—was far too humiliating.
"Put me down!!"
She shoved hard against Kakashi's chest, her voice sharp and furious.
"You rude ninja! Let me go!"
Kakashi didn't release her right away. Instead, as if he hadn't even heard her protest, he adjusted his grip slightly, bouncing her once to hold her more securely.
"Young people these days," he said lazily. "Such fiery tempers."
"I can put you down, but I can't let you run off again."
"After all…"
He lowered his head, looking at the woman in his arms. His gaze grew a little more serious.
"I've just accepted San Tayū's commission to escort the Wind and Cloud Princess film crew to their shooting location—"
"The Land of Snow."
The moment she heard those three words, Fuji Yukie stiffened completely.
That place was the nightmare of her life.
The endless snowfields.
The burning palace.
Her father's death.
Fear flooded her eyes. Her face turned deathly pale, and even her lips began to tremble.
"The Land… of Snow…"
The shame and anger vanished instantly, replaced by sheer terror and resistance.
"No… I'm not going!"
"I absolutely refuse to go back there!!"
She began struggling violently, almost hysterically.
Watching the former princess thrashing in his arms, Kakashi let out a helpless sigh.
"What a hassle…"
"Looks like talking this through won't work."
"In that case…"
His pitch-black pupils instantly shifted to crimson as the three tomoe of the Sharingan began to rotate.
A gentle yet irresistible ocular power enveloped Fuji Yukie.
Still screaming and struggling, she suddenly saw that swirl of red before her eyes, like a vortex dragging her consciousness away.
Fear, anger, resistance—everything was severed in an instant.
Her eyelids grew unbearably heavy.
"You—"
Before she could finish the word, her head tilted to the side. Her body went limp, and she lost consciousness in Kakashi's arms.
"Whew…"
Kakashi exhaled, looking down at the now-quiet sleeping beauty.
"Rough, but efficient. Fastest way."
Just then, the panting manager San Tayū and several staff members finally caught up.
Seeing Yukie unconscious in Kakashi's arms, San Tayū panicked.
"Koyuki—no, Miss Yukie!!"
"What did you do to her?!"
Kakashi calmly handed the sleeping Yukie over and waved a hand.
"Relax. She's just taking a nap. Probably having a nice dream."
"For the trip ahead, if she keeps making a scene, it'll be a headache for both you and me."
"Right, Mr. San Tayū?"
He shot the old retainer a meaningful look.
San Tayū froze for a moment. Meeting Kakashi's gaze—which seemed to see straight through everything—he immediately understood that his identity and Yukie's secret were already known.
He bowed deeply, gratitude filling his eyes.
"Yes… thank you, Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto, standing off to the side, scratched his head, completely baffled.
"Uh… Kakashi-sensei, wait…"
He pointed at the unconscious Yukie, then at himself.
"You just said 'the trip ahead'… does that mean we're going to the Land of Snow too?"
Kakashi nodded, even giving him a look that said good, you're catching on.
"That's right."
He waved the unchecked movie tickets in his hand, his tone lightly teasing.
"Otherwise, why do you think I specifically made you watch The Wind and Cloud Princess first?"
"Did you really think it was just to celebrate?"
"That was mission preparation. Familiarizing you with our VIP protectee."
"This," he concluded calmly, "was intelligence gathering."
Naruto's eyes lit up with sudden realization, admiration written all over his face.
"So that's how it is! As expected of Kakashi-sensei!"
"Even watching a movie was part of the mission prep—such deep planning!"
He just wanted to slack off or was late, Sasuke thought silently, narrowing his eyes.
Kakashi ignored Sasuke's suspicious stare. His expression grew a bit more serious as he raised one finger.
"Mission rank: A-rank."
"Mission details: Serve as the personal bodyguards of the famous actress Fuji Yukie."
"Escort the entire film crew safely to the Land of Snow and ensure their security throughout the filming, until production wraps."
Naruto froze for a second, processing the words.
Then his eyes widened like saucers, excitement blazing within them.
"A—A-rank mission?!"
"And we're bodyguarding the real Wind and Cloud Princess?!"
After a brief pause, his roar echoed down the street.
"This is awesome!!!"
He jumped three feet into the air, fists clenched, whisker marks on his face bouncing with his grin.
"Finally! No more D-rank missions chasing cats and dogs!"
"And we get to film a movie with the Wind and Cloud Princess! I've seen the movie—she's incredible!"
He rushed over to San Tayū, pounding his chest proudly.
"Don't worry, old man! I, Uzumaki Naruto, will protect the princess big sister for sure!"
"With me here, no bad guys are getting anywhere near her!"
Sasuke didn't shout like Naruto, but at the words A-rank mission, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"A-rank…"
"Finally, something worthwhile."
Sakura was just as excited.
"An international mission! And we get to see behind-the-scenes movie filming!"
Haku smiled gently, as always.
"Since this is an order from Kakashi-sensei and the Hokage, I'll do my best."
Kakashi looked at his energetic team and smiled beneath his mask.
"Since there are no objections, go home and pack."
"Bring cold-weather gear. The Land of Snow is freezing."
"Meet at the Konoha gate in three hours."
"Yes!!!"
Team 7 answered in unison before dispersing in a flurry of afterimages.
Watching his students leave, Kakashi turned back to San Tayū.
"Then, Mr. San Tayū, let's make our own preparations."
He glanced at Yukie, still frowning faintly in her sleep.
"This journey…"
"I doubt it'll be peaceful."