Naruto the REAL Fifth Hokage by Traban16

Chapter 25: Theft of the Kick-Ass Princess!

Chapter 25: Theft of the Kick-Ass Princess!

Naruto hated the cold, though he had never felt it.

The worst winters of Konoha were pretty mild compared to the cold produced by the Land of Snow. However, he had other reasons to hate the cold. Like when he was a child in the Academy and in his first ever apartment, one which the windows were smashed out due to a few drunk villager. The apartment had been a good one to, but he had to move out because the landlord didn't want anymore trouble with his expenses, smashed windows and broken doors, and all… Still, Naruto had never felt more than slightly chilly on those cold winter nights. He had been more annoyed by the constant breeze than by the temperature. However, having those memories forced to the forefront of his mind made him feel like he knew what it was to be chilled right down to the bone. Recalling what the drunks had shouted as they threw rocks through the already busted windows, and how barely anyone had come to his aid when he curled up in a corner to avoid being hit by empty sake bottles which would burst into shards that stabbed into him.

Yes, those memories made him feel very cold, right in the pit of his stomach, and he was sure that whatever tragedies had made Yukie/Koyuki react the way she did out on the glacier, he could relate in some form…

"You knew about this, didn't you?" Sasuke began as he gazed sideways at Naruto, who was leaned back in his own chair next to him, "You knew that the actress was someone more than she appeared to be. And you knew, too, Sandayu."

Naruto didn't answer, his mind still working out other things as Sandayu bowed his head.

"Yes…" Sandayu replied morosely as he kept his head down. He was sure they would quit soon enough, and he didn't blame them..

"That was why you really wanted ninja protection, wasn't it?" Sakura chimed in with her own question as Sandayu nodded shamefully, "But then… you must have known what would happen. That the Snow ninja would be after her! Why didn't you warn us?" Sakura pressed on as Sandayu didn't even raise his head to answer them back while he spoke.

"I didn't know for certain that they would strike. I was hoping they had forgotten about her… thought her to be long gone…" Sandayu said, fidgeting nervously as he found their attention on his bowed head, "If I warned you, you might tell her I knew of her secret… and then, she would know. This was the only way I could get Princess Koyuki back to the country of her birth… back to face her destiny…"

"So her real name is Koyuki Kazahana?" Sakura asked curiously as Naruto finally sighed and leaned forward.

"Yes, Sakura. Yukie Fujikaze was only an impressive alias." Naruto said, his voice not wavering though slightly thoughtful, "From my information, it was given to her to keep her safe after her father was overthrown ten years ago, when she was only a child. But she was, and still is, the heiress of the Land of Snow."

"I haven't seen her in almost nine of those years…" Sandayu commented weakly, "I am not surprised she doesn't remember me… didn't remember me…"

Sasuke wrinkled his nose, something not quite right to him, "You're no ordinary manager, are you?"

"No. I am also from Snow Country. I served at the side of the previous ruler, Sosetsu Kazahana." Sandayu admitted somewhat lost in his memories already, "Back when things were peaceful… before… before the incident…" Sandayu shivered slightly as he thought back, "Sousetsu's younger brother, Doto, hired some mercenary missing-nin, revolted, and seized power."

"A Coup D'état?!" Sakura gasped in shock, having only read about such things, but never having met anyone who lived through one.

Sandayu only nodded as he continued to recall the dreadful day, "Against the Snow ninja and their special armor, the palace guards were helpless. The beautiful Kazahana castle was burnt to the ground… and we were certain we'd lost the Daimyo and the Princess both…"