vncnus Chapter 103: Spring Arrives in the Land of Snow, Kakashi Departs.
Chapter 103: Spring Arrives in the Land of Snow, Kakashi Departs.
Chapter 103: Spring Arrives in the Land of Snow, Kakashi Departs.
It was still the same room on the top floor. The teapot on the stove was warming water, and fine white steam rose from the spout, blending into the cool air inside.
The wind and snow outside the window had finally stopped, and the howling winds that had been raging for days had finally calmed down.
Only a silent, gray-white sky remained, quietly covering the city.
"That should be about right."
Izumi slowly got up and walked to the window.
Momona and Neji had been standing there for a while, their two figures, one tall and one short, reflected in the glass, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.
Izumi stopped beside them and looked in the direction they were looking.
All three of them can easily see the view from the mountaintop using their abilities, whether it's Kagura's Mind's Eye or Byakugan.
At the top of the mountain behind us lies the environmental transformation device that Feng Hua Zao Xue has poured half his life's effort into.
The six tall stone tablets were clearly visible against the gray sky, but before activation, they were unremarkable.
Today is the day of the launch ceremony, and the Konoha ninja Kakashi Hatake has been invited to attend.
Izumi's gaze lingered on the mountaintop for a moment, a slight smile playing on his lips, but he said nothing.
At the mountaintop, Feng Huazaoxue held her daughter's hand, her palms slightly sweaty.
He glanced down at Xiaoxue, who was looking up at him with curiosity, completely unaware of what was about to happen.
His gaze fell on the red diamond-shaped mark between her eyebrows, and he felt a pang of pain in his heart, secretly lamenting his own powerlessness.
He couldn't even protect his daughter, nor could he keep his family business. He was truly a failure as a father.
He slowly squatted down to be at eye level with Xiaoxue.
His clear eyes reflected his face, innocent and untouched by worldly dust.
A gentle smile curved his lips as he reached out and lightly stroked his daughter's cheek, his fingertips lingering on her soft skin for a moment.
-
"Xiaoxue, let your father show you what spring is, okay?"
"Um."
Xiaoxue nodded gently, her obedient demeanor heartbreaking. Since birth, she had always lived in the Snow Kingdom of Changtian and had never been anywhere else.
Her father had described spring to her, saying that there would be flowers blooming, green grass, and a warm breeze blowing on her face.
But she still couldn't imagine what those things looked like.
But she was filled with anticipation, anticipating the spring her father spoke of, and anticipating this unique gift.
"Xiaoxue, would you mind lending your father the necklace he gave you for a moment?"
Feng Hua Xiaoxue obediently hummed softly, lowered her head slightly, took off the necklace she always wore around her neck, held it in both hands, and solemnly handed it to her father.
That was her most cherished possession, but since it was her father who wanted to borrow it, she would lend it to him.
Kazeka Zao Xue took the purple hexagonal rhombus-shaped necklace, gently rubbed its smooth surface with her fingertips, and then slowly stood up and walked towards the stone platform.
He inserted the necklace into the groove.
Perfectly fitted.
In an instant, a purple light shone and shot towards the sky.
The light spread rapidly along the six cracks in the stone platform, pulsating like blood surging in veins.
It flows, illuminating the entire stone platform.
The entire mountaintop began to tremble.
A huge hexagonal snowflake-shaped array slowly emerged from the ground, with light spreading outwards from the center in all directions.
The six towering stone tablets simultaneously emitted a dazzling array of colored lights, with iridescent halos flowing across their mirror-like surfaces, making the gray sky appear vibrant and eye-catching.
The hissing sound came from all directions, like the sound of boiling water, or like the breath coming from the depths of the earth.
Everyone present felt a warmth quietly spreading from the soles of their feet, surging in from all directions, gradually dispelling the lingering chill.
The geothermal energy has been activated.
The immense heat energy is guided out from deep underground and, through the conversion of the instrument, spreads in all directions.
The ice and snow began to melt, turning into babbling streams that meandered among the rocks, making a crisp sound.
The clouds in the sky seemed to be parted by an invisible hand, slowly dispersing to reveal the long-lost blue sky behind them.
Sunlight poured down, falling on the six stone tablets, reflecting a dazzling brilliance like a mirror, illuminating the entire mountaintop.
The ice and snow have melted.
The earth is warming up.
This land, frozen for many years, finally took its first breath at this moment.
Kakashi stared blankly at his surroundings, as if in an instant, he had stepped from the dead of winter into the warmth of spring.
Faced with the overwhelming warmth, he marveled at the technology of the Snow Country, realizing it could achieve such a level of perfection.
Beneath our feet, tender green grass shoots are emerging from the moist soil, unfurling their leaves at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Unidentified wildflowers peeked out from the cracks in the rocks, white, yellow, and purple, spreading out like stars across the mountains and fields, and continuing to spread into the distance.
He stood there, motionless for a long time.
He finally understood the significance of his mission to the Land of Snow.
Such a country will eventually usher in a brand new future.
And he was fortunate enough to witness this moment.
"Minor Snow, this is spring."
Feng Hua Zao Xue gently picked up her daughter, who was already stunned by the sight.
The little girl's eyes darted around, looking at her surroundings with curiosity, as if she wanted to take everything in and see it all.
He cradled her small body, allowing her to see further and more clearly. This was the best gift he had prepared for Xiaoxue.
"So beautiful—" a childish voice rang out, trembling slightly, "So warm."
Feng Hua Xiaoxue's eyes were bright as she stared intently at everything before her.
That patch of green she had never seen before, those floral scents she had never smelled before, that warm ray of sunshine falling on her face.
This was a view she had never seen before, and it would be the most unforgettable spring of her life.
The retainers of the Feng Hua family all shed tears. Some quietly wiped away the tears from the corners of their eyes, some looked up at the sky, and some squatted down to touch the long-lost soil with their fingers.
After generations, the Land of Snow has finally ushered in its own change.
Only Feng Hua Nu Tao, who had been specially escorted here to witness the ceremony, stared blankly at everything before him, his gaze lost in thought.
He muttered to himself, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "This is the Feng Hua family's treasure—just a geothermal generator, nothing more than a fortune—"
The facts were right in front of him, completely shattering the last shred of hope in his heart.
He schemed and plotted for years, betraying his brother, colluding with outsiders.
In the end, it was all a joke. A complete and utter joke.
He stood there, the sunlight falling on him, but it couldn't penetrate his already broken heart.
After Kakashi's figure disappeared at the end of the suspension bridge, Kazahana Hayate returned to the room on the top floor.
Kazeka Hayase came before Izumi River, bowed slightly, and adopted a respectful and cautious posture.
"My lord, everything has been completed as you wished."
Izumi leaned back in his chair, tapping the armrest lightly with his fingers, his gaze lingering on Fuuka Saya for a moment.
But even this brief silence and gaze put a lot of pressure on Kazaka Shoyuki.
He only breathed a sigh of relief when Izumi spoke.
"Hmm, well done."
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, carrying a hint of approval as well as a touch of scrutiny.
Then, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
"You are very good."
Kazayuki's body stiffened slightly, and she didn't dare to reply.
"No other unnecessary actions were taken, nor was any dangerous behavior attempted."
"I am very satisfied."
Feng Huazaoxue lowered her head, but her heart sank slightly.
He could certainly understand the meaning behind those words; his every move was under the other person's watchful eye.
Any unnecessary thoughts or inappropriate actions cannot escape those eyes.
He didn't do it, not because he didn't want to, but because he didn't dare, and more importantly, for the safety of his daughter, Xiaoxue.
"From now on, this country will still be under your apparent control."
"However—future developments will have to follow my instructions."
Izumikawa gestured to Momona, who understood and took out a scroll from her bosom, walked up to Kazaka Hayate, and handed it to her.
"Take a look." Izumi picked up the teacup beside him, blew on it gently, and said, "If you have any questions, please ask them as soon as possible."
Kazayuki Kazahana took the scroll with both hands, his fingertips slightly clenched. He took a deep breath and slowly unrolled the scroll.
He wanted to know what the future held for the Land of Snow.
The characters on the scroll were densely packed, yet written with great care, each stroke clear and distinct.
His gaze swept down from top to bottom as he read each word carefully, his expression gradually shifting from solemn to surprised.
Very detailed.
Very detailed.
It's not the kind of vague, empty plan; every step is clearly written down.
What to do in the first year, what to achieve in the third year, and where to go in the fifth year?
How should the country adjust its industrial structure and how should infrastructure construction be promoted?
How to plan foreign trade – the goals, tasks, and outcomes for each stage are all clearly listed.
Even the specific methods, approaches, and uses are written down clearly.
Feng Huazaoxue's brows furrowed slightly, then slowly relaxed.
His gaze lingered on the scroll for a long time, and the astonishment on his face grew stronger, gradually turning into an undisguised shock.
These things are far better than he had ever considered.
No, it can't be summed up by the word "good"; it's vision.
It is a blueprint that can only be drawn up by someone who stands at a higher level and sees further.
He originally thought that the person who had taken everything from him would only take, only plunder, and only drain the Snow Country dry.
But every word on that scroll told him—he was wrong.
This person doesn't want to destroy the Snow Country, but rather—to make it stronger.
Kazeka Zao Xue's fingers trembled slightly as she held the scroll, and most of her inner resistance vanished at that moment.
He raised his head, and in his gaze toward Izumi, there was less fear and more complexity.
"Lord Izumikawa." His voice was a little hoarse, but much more composed than before. "Regarding the development and construction projects above—with the current conditions in the Land of Snow, is it truly feasible?"
This is his biggest concern right now.
The plans on the scroll are indeed impressive, but with the Snow Country's current population and workforce, it is simply impossible to complete those massive projects and ambitious goals.