"Rasengan!"
"Chidori Dash!"
"Line Whip!"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakuragi struck together.
Naruto's chakra cloak extended, forming two Rasengan-coated arms. He shot forward, golden light flashing.
Sasuke's Chidori-infused blade crackled, sharpened to its deadliest edge, as he charged.
Sakuragi's hands flicked, her chakra threads snapping into place, forming a whip of razor-thin lines. With a crack, she lashed it toward Doto.
Three attacks.
Three streaks of light.
Too fast to dodge.
Doto's face contorted in terror.
He barely had time to raise his arms before—
Impact.
Naruto's Rasengan slammed into him.
Sasuke blitzed through with his blade.
Sakuragi's whip lashed down.
BOOM!
Doto screamed.
His chakra armor failed.
The force launched him skyward—
His armor splintering under the assault.
Then—
Explosion.
The armor shattered.
Doto was hurled back like a cannonball, crashing into the snow fifty meters away.
His body tumbled—
Rolling—
Until he finally lay still.
Pain.
Every inch of his body ached.
Doto gasped, struggling to rise.
But then—
A warm, metallic taste filled his mouth.
His chest tightened.
And he coughed.
Splatter.
A thick spray of blood stained the snow crimson.
His body felt drained.
Weak.
Vision blurring.
But he could still see them.
Boots.
A circle of boots surrounding him.
Sakiya hovered above, arms crossed.
Naruto, Sasuke, and the others stood around.
Even Koyuki and Sandayuu were there.
Koyuki stepped forward, gripping the crystal necklace at her chest.
Her voice was firm.
"Doto!"
"Did you ever think… that you'd end up like this?"
"This is your retribution."
Doto barely managed to lift his head.
Blood trailed from his lips.
And yet—
He laughed.
Weak.
Bitter.
But still—laughter.
"Heh… heh heh…**"
His fingers twitched.
He looked at Koyuki with half-lidded eyes.
And smirked.
"…I've never regretted a thing."
"It's just…"
He exhaled.
"A matter of winners and losers."
"Why you—!"
Sandayuu clenched his fists, ready to kick him.
However, Koyuki raised a hand, stopping Sandayuu. Her eyes were calm as she looked at Doto.
"You're right," she said. "The winner decides history. And you've already lost."
Doto let out a slow breath, his eyes closing. It was as if he had finally let something go. He slumped back into the snow.
"Maybe… you'll develop the Land of Snow into something," he muttered. "But in the end, it's just a frozen wasteland..."
Koyuki clenched her fists.
"I will change it."
Doto's lips curled into a faint, dismissive smile—before his body finally went still.
He was gone.
Koyuki stared at him, her expression unreadable. She hadn't expected it to end so quickly.
So suddenly.
So easily.
"...It's over."
She whispered the words, looking down at Doto's lifeless form.
Beside her, Sandayuu let out a deep breath.
"The biggest threat is gone," he said, his tone serious. "But there's still a lot of work to do. This is only the beginning, Your Highness."
Koyuki nodded.
"I know."
Sakiya, who had been hovering above, descended lightly to the snow. She looked at Koyuki, her expression neutral.
"So, that means our mission is over?" she asked bluntly.
Koyuki hesitated. Then, with a slightly awkward look, she turned to Sakiya and bowed slightly.
"I appreciate all of your help," she said sincerely. "But… if I want to secure my position as ruler, I still need military support."
Sandayuu stepped forward as well.
"My apologies," he said, addressing the entire group. "Her Highness is still in a fragile position. We'll need time to gather the rebels and deal with the remaining forces. If you're willing to stay until everything is secure, the Land of Snow will never forget your kindness."
He glanced at them all.
"Of course, we will also increase your reward as much as possible."
Koyuki looked at Sandayuu and nodded firmly.
Naruto let out a sigh and turned to Shikamaru and Ino.
They both smiled at him, then at Koyuki, silently giving their approval.
Naruto immediately understood.
Finally, he looked at Sakiya.
She had a casual expression, as if she had already decided.
"Well… protecting a princess—or should I say, a future queen—doesn't sound too bad."
Sakiya glanced around at her teammates. Seeing their eager smiles, she couldn't help but grin herself. She pointed dramatically into the distance.
"Alright! It's settled! We'll protect the princess!"
Naruto and the others laughed and responded in unison.
"Yeah!"
Sandayuu was visibly relieved, smiling with gratitude.
Koyuki, overcome with emotion, suddenly rushed forward and grabbed Sakiya, lifting her into a tight hug.
"Thank you so much, Sakiya!"
Sakiya found herself pressed into Koyuki's embrace, but… it wasn't as soft as she had imagined.
Before she could react, Koyuki started rubbing her cheek against Sakiya's face.
"Hmm, you're lighter than I expected," Koyuki mused, eyes closed as she nuzzled against her.
"Mmmfff—hey!" Sakiya squirmed and pushed Koyuki's face away with one hand. "That's enough! Don't get carried away!"
Laughing, Koyuki reluctantly set her down and then bowed slightly to the group.
"Then, I'll be counting on all of you!"
With the help of Sandayuu and the support of Sakiya's team, Koyuki successfully took control of the Snow Ninja forces.
Though their numbers were small, the Land of Snow had advanced technology. Their chakra armor and specialized equipment made their soldiers stronger than regular ninjas.
Unfortunately for them, they had gone up against Sakiya's team—a professional, well-trained force.
Sandayuu also managed to rally some volunteers, though it was a small force of fewer than a hundred people.
Still, it was better than nothing.
Reorganizing the country took time. During this period, Sakiya's team worked in shifts—two members guarding Koyuki each day, while the rest enjoyed their time in the Land of Snow.
Interestingly, the Five Snow Ninja, who had fought against them earlier, did not disappear.
Sakiya saved them, and once freed, they immediately pledged their loyalty to Koyuki.
After all, they had lost all hope in Doto.
And seeing his broken body being carried away by his remaining soldiers only confirmed their decision.
Thus, with steady leadership, Koyuki restructured the Land of Snow.
And before long—she was officially crowned Queen.