After everything was settled, Naruto calmly set the coordinates for Konoha and activated the Gate of the Underworld.
Golden patterns surged on the gate, as if coming to life. A low, incomprehensible chant echoed, and with a flash of white light, the gate opened.
Hearing this, Tenten was momentarily stunned but quickly understood and nodded.
"I'll keep it a secret for you."
She was used to Naruto’s unconventional way of thinking. Setting the coordinates at Choji’s house would undoubtedly attract Anbu attention, leading to an investigation. That was something Naruto wanted to avoid.
Tenten clearly remembered Naruto telling her that he didn’t want others to know the secrets of the Land of Whirlpools’ ruins. The ‘others’ naturally included Konoha.
"Good. You should head back to Konoha first," Naruto said, "Let Kakashi know I’m safe. I still have some things to take care of."
"Where are you going?" Tenten asked.
"The Land of Snow, the far north, to pick them up." He replied.
"The far north?" Tenten finally realized that Naruto could now travel freely. For some reason, her first thought was, ‘This guy was going to become unstoppable.’
Perhaps it was because she knew Naruto too well, so the idea popped into her head almost immediately. But seeing the sincerity in Naruto’s eyes, she felt a pang of guilt.
‘Maybe I had some biases against Naruto. He had risked so much to bring me back, and his first thought was still to rescue Jiraiya-sama and the others.’
‘Moreover, Naruto had previously said he didn’t want to reveal the secrets of the Land of Whirlpools, to prevent a flood of people from rushing to the island’s ruins.’
This thought made Tenten subconsciously think that Naruto wouldn’t risk exposure by going to the far north.
‘Perhaps the gate couldn’t reach the far north, and there were some distance limitations.’
"I'm sorry, Naruto." Tenten apologized sincerely.
"Huh? What are you apologizing for?" Naruto was startled, looking Tenten up and down, somewhat confused, "What did you do?"
But then he waved his hand and said, "Never mind, it’s not important. I’ll get going now."
After saying this, he stepped through the gate without any hesitation and disappeared.
Tenten watched as the Gate of the Underworld vanished without a trace. Even though she had seen it before, she was still amazed.
She felt a bit envious, thinking how nice it would be to have a divine artifact like that.
Sighing, she shook her head and muttered in her heart, ‘Forget it, I'd rather not think about it. Divine artifacts don’t just fall from the sky.’
After temporarily parting ways with the little rich lady, Naruto set the coordinates for the Land of Snow. He didn’t know the exact location of Jiraiya and the others, so setting the coordinates for the far north was useless.
"When can we use satellite communications? This place is so backward." Naruto muttered.
He entered the entered the gate’s world again, and slowly walked towards the dark golden clocktower.
He needed to reach the top of the tower and activate the clock. The space would then begin to warp.
Land of Snow.
Koyuki leaned back on her throne, drowsy. Her expression was cold, like the long-lost snow of the Land of Snow. Her face lacked the softness one might expect.
The palace windows were open, and outside, instead of icy landscapes, there were flowers and sunlight.
With the geothermal heating system activated, the millennia-old glaciers of the Land of Snow had melted, and the land was now perpetually spring-like.
A commotion outside the hall caught her attention. She opened her narrow eyes, exuding laziness.
"What’s going on? Why the rush?"
A guard rushed in, nearly tripping, and shouted toward the throne.
"Your Majesty, Naruto-sama is here!"
"What?" Koyuki was stunned for a moment, her mind instantly recalling a certain farewell night when the man had simply said ‘okay’ and left.
And she, for the sake of a vague promise, had waited here for who knows how long. Three years had passed, then another three. Finally, he had come.
"Where is he?" Koyuki stood up instantly.
"In the side hall." The guard replied with his head down.
The palace of the Land of Snow was vast, and the distance from the main hall to the side hall was considerable.
Koyuki quickly descended the steps. This palace wasn’t her usual workplace, and she only rested here occasionally.
After all, this was the last memento her father had left her, and resting here made her feel at ease.
Koyuki started by walking quickly, then broke into a jog, and finally discarded her cumbersome shoes, lifting her skirt as she ran faster and faster.
Finally, she arrived at the side hall and saw Naruto as expected. To be more precise, it was the grown-up Naruto, who was taller, with a smile on his face that wasn’t exactly sunny.
With just one glance, she was certain Naruto hadn’t changed. Six years seemed to have done little to alter him. Even as she ran toward him, he didn’t move.
Naruto simply sat there, as if he were the master of this place, and she the guest.
"You're back?" Koyuki clutched her skirt, barefoot as she walked up to Naruto. She looked down at him, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled happily.
The last time he had said he was leaving was six years ago.
"Yeah, I hope I didn’t miss the deadline?" Naruto asked, his eyes scanning Koyuki, "I remember it was six years."
"No…" Koyuki didn’t know what to say, but she quickly realized something and blushed.
"Um, I need to find a few people. They should still be in the far north." Naruto said, stating his purpose without noticing Koyuki’s reaction.
"Find people?" She was stunned for a moment, "In the far north?"
"Yeah."
"That place is frozen and desolate. How could anyone survive there?" Koyuki exclaimed, covering her mouth, "Are they really in the far north?"
"Don’t worry about that. They’re definitely still alive." Naruto said, propping his feet up and rubbing his chin with a mischievous grin, "It's just that the food may not be that good."