"The key to opening the Rainbow Glacier?"
Koyuki raised her left hand, clutching the hexagonal crystal necklace around her neck. Her expression grew complex. This necklace had been placed around her neck by her father himself.
"And once we obtain the treasure inside, the Land of Snow will undoubtedly possess military power surpassing even the Five Great Nations!"
Dotō's face twisted, his eyes filled with a mix of madness and... anger.
He was furious. Why had his weak-willed older brother inherited the title of Daimyo instead of him, the true leader who could lead the Land of Snow to greatness?
Obviously, the Chakra Armor held such immense power. Just one suit could elevate a Chunin's strength far beyond that of an average Jonin. Yet, why had his brother never supported its development?
Vast amounts of wealth had vanished without a trace, and research on the Chakra Armor had stagnated. That was why he had chosen to rebel against Sosetsu.
However, this was obviously something that could be solved through good communication, and the result was another tragic tale of brotherly discord.
"It seems there's indeed a need to open the Rainbow Glacier," Koyuki murmured.
"Koyuki, I..." Dotō's expression grew agitated, but before he could say more, his voice was abruptly cut off.
Koyuki's sword had already pierced his forehead. He could feel the blade slowly twisting inside his brain, but there was little pain. His consciousness was already beginning to fade.
"W-why?"
Blood trickled down his nose as Dotō's eyes widened, his words slurred.
His wide eyes were filled with resentment and fear, but his survival instincts and lingering obsession kept him clinging to the last shreds of consciousness.
"Why should I grant the request of my father's murderer?"
Koyuki's voice was icy as she pulled the sword free. Blood, mixed with a white substance, sprayed out.
No matter how unwilling Dotō was, his consciousness was already sinking into darkness, until he finally breathed his last.
"I thought you would take him to see it."
Naruto chuckled. In his opinion, if Dotō had seen the treasure he had schemed for years to obtain, only to find it was nothing more than a fleeting illusion, his despair would have been even greater.
Koyuki, who had just completed her revenge, was momentarily lost in thought. Hearing Naruto's words, she couldn't help but ask, "Does Naruto-sama know what my father's treasure is?"
Naruto's lips curled into a slight smile.
"That's the treasure I want to give you."
"Using someone else's treasure as a gift? Naruto-sama is quite stingy."
Perhaps it was the relief of avenging her father, but Koyuki's mood seemed to lighten.
---
Two days later.
Sandayu had already announced Koyuki's ascension to the position of Daimyo throughout the Land of Snow.
Most of the citizens were aware of the news, but for the common folk, it wasn't particularly noteworthy. After all, no matter who became Daimyo, they would still have to work for their daily bread.
The Land of Snow's Chakra Technology rarely benefited the common people.
However, for the high-ranking officials of the Land of Snow, this was a matter of great importance. Many nobles and Ninjas who had been part of Dotō's faction chose to rebel, but within half a day, Naruto's shadow clones had completely suppressed them.
Even those who had planned to lay low for a while were rooted out by Naruto's ability to sense malice and dealt with accordingly.
Those who still harbored thoughts of rebellion, upon seeing the blood-stained snow, wisely chose to abandon their plans. They boarded the Land of Snow's specially designed trains and headed to the Daimyo's castle to offer their congratulations on the new Daimyo's ascension.
The coronation ceremony was held on an open-air plaza atop the castle.
Today was the day of the ceremony.
In the bedroom of the castle.
Koyuki, dressed in a luxurious purple robe, was fully prepared. In her hands, she held a large, ornate hat.
"Naruto-sama, won't you stay until after the coronation ceremony?"
Koyuki's expression carried a hint of reluctance. Though it had only been three days, Naruto had given her a sense of security she hadn't felt in a long time.
Naruto shook his head and said, "Something has come up in the Land of Waves. I need to return to handle it. I'll leave a shadow clone behind to help stabilize the situation in the Land of Snow."
"Also, I've already set up a Flying Thunder Formation in the castle. If anything happens, reinforcements from the Land of Waves can arrive immediately."
"In that case, I won't keep you any longer, Naruto-sama."
Seeing that Naruto was determined to leave, Koyuki's face showed a trace of regret.
Naruto smiled and said, "I've already outlined the general direction for the Land of Snow's future."
"In the future, prioritize developing Chakra Technology that benefits the common people. As for military matters, with the Land of Waves' protection, there shouldn't be any issues."
"Of course, if you fail to manage the Land of Snow effectively, someone else will take your place."
At the end, Naruto's voice turned cold.
"I understand."
Koyuki's attitude remained respectful.
Knock knock knock!
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
Sandayu's voice came from outside.
"Your Highness, everything is ready. The coronation ceremony can begin at any time."
Hearing this, Naruto patted her shoulder and smiled. "Go on, then."
"I apologize for my rudeness."
Koyuki placed the large hat on her head, her face adorned with a gentle and dignified smile, before leaving the chambers.
Watching her depart, Naruto didn't linger. In a flash, he disappeared.
He reappeared in the central palace.
A group of people was already waiting there.
Over a dozen researchers from the Land of Snow, carrying research materials on Chakra Armor, Chakra Trains, airships, and various other technologies, were preparing to head to the Land of Waves.
From this day forward, the technology and economy of the Land of Snow would be shared with the Land of Waves.
As soon as Naruto appeared, without waiting for the others to bow, he activated the Flying Thunder Formation Technique, teleporting everyone present away.
An unexpected guest had arrived in the Land of Waves, and Naruto was very interested.
---
On the other side.
Koyuki had arrived at the plaza where the coronation ceremony was to be held.
The crowd erupted in cheers. No one dared to underestimate the young princess. The massacre from the previous day was still fresh in many people's minds.
Amidst the celebrations and the fluttering purple banners, Koyuki walked step by step down the red carpet, ascending the wooden tower on the castle walls.
As she stood firmly on the tower, a faint tremor passed through the ground.
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the snow and ice on the distant mountains began to melt at a visible pace.
Beneath the melting ice, a sea of green vegetation, brimming with life, was revealed.
The sunlight gathered and shone down, forming a magnificent rainbow above them.
The surrounding scenery underwent a dramatic transformation.
The snow-covered ground of the plaza melted away, replaced by lush green grass and vibrant flowers that seemed to spring up from the earth, as if nature itself had redrawn the landscape, filling it with vitality and energy.
"This... what is happening?"
The ministers and guests present were filled with confusion, murmuring to themselves.
Having lived in the Land of Snow for so long, they had long forgotten the colors of spring.
On the high platform, Koyuki's eyes were also filled with wonder. Though she had known Naruto would prepare a miracle, she hadn't expected it to be something like this.
The Land of Snow, once covered in ice and snow, was now experiencing a sudden thaw, with spring bursting forth in full bloom.
In the next moment, the crowd seemed to hear a familiar, gentle voice.
Following the sound, they saw two figures appear within the rainbow's embrace...
Tears streamed down Koyuki's face, but she smiled.
"Thank you, Naruto-sama."
This was the miracle of the Land of Snow… a miracle created by her father.