"Remnants of the old era."
If it had been in the past, Kakashi might have scoffed at such arrogant remarks.
But recalling everything he had witnessed along the way, his gaze grew increasingly complex.
However, before he could respond, a heart-wrenching wail suddenly shattered the silence of the great hall.
"Wuu wuu wuu— Lord Sosetsu!"
"Do you see this?!"
Asama Sandayu lay on the ground, pounding the floor with both hands, tears and snot streaming down his face as he pointed at Naruto.
"This country— this country has been defiled by these bandits!"
"The glory of the Kazahana clan— wuu wuu wuu—"
Naruto's previously calm brow furrowed instantly.
He turned his head, looking at the old man who still couldn't read the situation and was immersed in self-pity, a flash of impatience crossing his eyes.
"Too noisy."
He said indifferently.
Without needing to say anything more, two guards immediately stepped forward, grabbing Sandayu from the left and right and hauling him up.
"Let go of me!"
"You villains!"
"Sooner or later, I will have you expelled!"
"I will—"
Asama Sandayu struggled desperately, but in the hands of the guards who had been enhanced, his resistance appeared so feeble.
"Since you love this land so much, then go and build it with your own hands."
Naruto waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly.
"Send him to the third mine to dig coal."
"Take him away."
As Asama Sandayu's pig-like screams gradually faded into the distance, the great hall finally returned to silence.
Kakashi wanted to say something, but seeing the menacing security team and guards surrounding them, he ultimately remained silent.
He knew that this mission was already over.
After dealing with a small annoyance, Naruto cast his gaze toward Princess Koyuki Kazahana, who had been hiding behind Sakura, trembling.
"Come here."
Naruto spoke, his tone flat but carrying an unquestionable command.
Princess Koyuki Kazahana shuddered.
She subconsciously gripped Sakura's sleeve, her eyes filled with fear, terrified of suffering the same fate as Asama Sandayu.
But under Naruto's calm and indifferent gaze, she still walked out tremblingly and stood before him.
"What— what do you want?"
Princess Koyuki Kazahana's voice trembled.
"If you want me to be a puppet daimyo— I, I won't agree!"
"I hate this place!"
"I just want to leave!"
"A puppet daimyo?"
Naruto chuckled, as if he had heard a joke.
"You're overthinking it, Princess Koyuki Kazahana."
"Governing a country is a precise task that requires wisdom, courage, and political maneuvering."
"Forgive me for being blunt, but handing the country over to a woman like you who only knows how to run away would be the greatest cruelty to the people here."
Princess Koyuki Kazahana was stunned.
She had assumed he would force her to inherit the position of daimyo and then use her lineage to pacify the public.
"I don't need a ruler."
"No one can stand above me, even if it's just a nominal facade."
Naruto leaned forward slightly, his presence oppressive.
"This country has only one voice, and that is my voice."
"But—"
Naruto shifted the topic, pulling a contract he had just finished from his pocket and tossing it in front of Princess Koyuki Kazahana.
"I need an idol."
"An idol?" Princess Koyuki Kazahana was somewhat bewildered as she picked up the document.
"That's right."
Naruto adjusted his glasses and stated calmly.
"Although I have the ability to keep them well-fed, once people are full, they start to let their imaginations run wild."
"If I don't find a way to drain their energy, they will start thinking about all sorts of nonsense, like politics or power, which is very troublesome."
"To prevent them from having excess energy and thinking about things they shouldn't, I need to provide them with some spiritual entertainment and solace."
Naruto looked at her, his gaze indifferent and unmasked.
"Therefore, I need an idol."
"A mascot that they can obsessively adore in their spare time, consuming their passion, and one that can represent the positive image of the Land of Snow."
"You are the daughter of the previous daimyo and a famous actress; you are the perfect fit to be this mascot."
"Sign this contract."
Naruto's voice was full of temptation.
"You don't need to handle any government affairs, nor do you need to face any danger."
"You only need to do what you've always done— sing and act in the most luxurious theater in the country and receive the cheers of the people."
"You will have endless money, top-tier security, and—"
Naruto leaned in close to her and whispered.
"What you desire most— the freedom of not having to bear any responsibility."
Princess Koyuki Kazahana's pupils dilated instantly.
She was someone who had suffered trauma and was constantly running from reality.
She didn't want to be some savior, nor did she want to carry the burden of a nation.
What she wanted was simply to live as an actress— to live safely and prosperously.
Wasn't this the life she had dreamed of living?
She carefully read through the contract, and seeing the benefits and terms, her breathing quickened.
"I— I'll sign."
Princess Koyuki Kazahana grabbed the pen and quickly signed her name.
After signing, she felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and she felt completely drained.
With the mascot settled, Naruto turned his gaze to the other side.
The middle-aged film director was directing his cameraman to film Naruto frantically, completely unaware of the danger of his situation.
It wasn't until Naruto's cold gaze landed on him that he suddenly realized— the youth before him was a ruthless character who had just ordered someone to be dragged off to dig coal.
"And you lot," Naruto said indifferently.
The director shivered in fear, scrambling over and kneeling on the ground, kowtowing like a pestle, while also giving the still-filming cameraman a knock on the head and pulling him down to kneel as well.
"Don't kill me!"
"We're just making a movie!"
"I don't know anything!"
"We'll delete it immediately!"
"Delete it right now!"
"Don't be afraid, I'm not going to kill you."
Naruto walked up to him, reached out to help him up, and wore an inscrutable smile.
"On the contrary, I appreciate your talent."
"However— don't make any more of those fake, trashy films like The Gale Princess."
"Eh?" The director was stunned.
"From today on, I want you to film new works for the Land of Snow."
Naruto pointed outside the window at the bustling industrial zone and the airships cruising in the sky.
"I want you to use your lens to record the rise of this country and to promote our ideology."
"Simply put— I want you to film a promotional video that will make people from the entire ninja world want to immigrate here after watching it."
Watching the director's dazed expression, Naruto tossed out his bargaining chip.
"In return."
"I will provide you with the most advanced photographic equipment, one billion ryo in funding, and I can even allocate an airship for you to conduct 24/7 aerial filming."
"As long as you can film what I want."
Hearing about the airship filming and the massive injection of funds, the director's expression instantly became very colorful.
Fear?
Principles?
At this moment, to hell with all that!
"Boss!!"
The director grabbed Naruto's hand, trembling with excitement.
"You are my soulmate!"
"Actually, I've long been sick of those trashy romance films!"
The moment the words left his mouth, a faint sting of pain pricked somewhere deep in his heart.
In his youth, he had also dreamed of filming works that would touch the soul, but facing the generous support of the big shot before him—
Screw art!
This is true creation!
"I'll film it!"
"I will definitely film a masterpiece that shocks the ninja world!"
Watching the director who had defected in an instant, and the satisfied-looking Princess Koyuki Kazahana.
Kakashi and Sakura were left in the wind.
Is this— Naruto's method?
Without needing force, just a few words, and he had already won the others over.
After dealing with these trivial matters, Naruto turned his gaze back to Kakashi and his group.
"Since you're here, if I don't play the host, it would seem like I'm being too stingy."
"Kakashi-sensei, and everyone else."
"Are you interested in visiting my research institute?"
"There are a few of your old acquaintances there— they also miss everyone from Konoha very much."
Kakashi's heart jumped violently.
Old acquaintances?
In this northern territory where rogue ninjas gather, those who can be called old acquaintances—
Could it be—?!
Although his mind was in a chaotic mess, in order to obtain more intelligence, Kakashi ultimately nodded.
"Fine, then— sorry to bother you."