Naruto: Heaven Rewards Diligence

"Hmph! Now's not the time to talk about this. Let's fall back first!"

Dotō Kazahana snorted coldly, unleashing a devastating snowstorm that swallowed everyone's vision. The Ninjutsu, empowered by the snow itself, condensed into countless razor-sharp ice blades.

Taking advantage of the blizzard, Dotō and his men used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

A massive wall of stone rose up, shielding everyone from the howling storm and the barrage of icy blades.

Dotō's overwhelming power left Koyuki Kazahana trembling in despair. Already fearful of him, she now broke down completely, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"He's so strong… and he has so many followers… We can't beat him! We're all going to die… boo hoo hoo…"

Koyuki collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Naruto frowned. Was Koyuki really this terrified of Dotō?

He spoke firmly, "You have to believe in hope! If everyone gave up like you, who would save the people of your country?"

"Look at the director. For his dream, he dared to face a battle between shinobi—just to make the greatest film, even knowing it could cost him his life!"

"Sometimes persistence itself is strength. If you keep holding on, keep believing, there will always be hope. Even in the coldest winter, spring will bloom again!"

"The people of the Land of Snow need you. Santō Fū needs you. If you give up on yourself now, there will be no future. Only by believing in hope can you lead your people into the light!"

Naruto's words rang in Koyuki's heart. At the same time, he used a subtle genjutsu suggestion to ease her fear of Dotō.

"I suggest you read more books… then you'll understand what courage really is!"

Naruto pulled out a small book from his storage seal and tossed it at her feet.

"I've said all I can. If you still refuse to change, then I'll give up on you!"

His voice was deadly serious. Naruto wasn't joking. If Koyuki couldn't stand tall now, she could never become the rightful ruler.

Stunned, Koyuki stared blankly at him. Her eyes drifted to the director, then to Santō Fū—both of whom had shown courage despite their fear. Each had something worth protecting. What about her?

She stood silently for a long time, lost in thought, before finally raising her head and shouting:

"I don't want to be Daimyō! I want to be the greatest actress! Only when I'm acting can I forget my past and live happily as myself!"

"But—I will still reclaim my homeland and protect its people! At the same time, I'll chase after my own dream!"

Her voice carried across the snowy plain. Naruto paused, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips where no one could see.

Koyuki picked up the book Naruto had given her. On the cover were four bold words: Umbrella Ideology.

Meanwhile, back in the castle, Dotō Kazahana strapped on his Chakra Armor.

A researcher hurried forward in alarm. "My lord, the armor's stability isn't perfect yet. It still needs further adjustments!"

But Dotō only sneered, his confidence unshaken. "It doesn't matter. As long as I finish this battle quickly, it'll be enough. Once I claim the treasure my brother left behind, I'll create even stronger Chakra Armor. With that, I'll rival the Five Great Nations themselves!"

Dotō's ambition was laid bare—he sought to make the Land of Snow equal to the greatest shinobi powers in the world.

If Naruto had heard him, he would've slapped him straight across the face. Rival the Five Great Nations? With your tiny, resource-poor land and sparse population? A single suit of Chakra Armor isn't enough!

Still, Dotō believed completely in his own strength.

He summoned every available shinobi from Snow Ninja Village. Though the village was small, it still boasted over two hundred ninja—and now all of them stood ready. The reason was obvious: the pressure of facing Momochi Zabuza.

As for Naruto, since he focused mainly on protecting Koyuki and Santō Fū without showing much of his strength, Dotō dismissed him entirely.

And Haku? At best, he was an average jōnin. Against an entire army of Snow Ninja, what could he possibly do?

Dotō was convinced—once Zabuza was eliminated, the others would fall easily.

…

The next morning—

Santō Fū had spent the night rallying the remnants of those once loyal to Sōsetsu Kazahana. But unlike the original events where over fifty people answered the call, barely half that number had gathered. The preparations had simply been too rushed.

"Santō Fū, we told you—there's no need to gather people like this!"

Naruto looked over the ragtag group with exasperation. Not a single chūnin among them, only a few nervous genin and civilians.

And now, he had to protect them. Still, compared to the original events where many had died, this was no real burden. With his current strength, the gap between him and the Snow Ninja army was far too vast.

It was time to end this.

The group advanced toward the great canyon ahead—where Dotō Kazahana and his forces were already waiting.

This time, unlike before, the enemy side was packed with shinobi.

"Oi! Don't kill them all—these are resources!"

Naruto's tone was casual, but his intent was clear. Shinobi were valuable, even beyond the battlefield.

One ninja could equal dozens of ordinary workers. If they survived, they could be put to use rebuilding infrastructure.

"Haku," Naruto turned, smiling at her. "I know you dislike fighting. I'll leave those ones to you. Zabuza and I will handle Dotō."

That easy smile made Haku's heart skip a beat. She felt her cheeks warm and nodded quickly.

"Mhm… okay."

Naruto only thought she was flustered from being dragged into combat.

"Zabuza! Let's move!"

At his signal, the two surged forward.

The Snow Ninja met them in a dense swarm, unleashing a rain of chaotic ninjutsu from all directions.

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle to himself. The difference was obvious—these attacks lacked the coordination of the Great Nations. If this had been the Hidden Leaf, Sand, or Cloud, the combined jutsu would've multiplied each other's power. Here, it was little more than noise.

He slipped through the disorganized barrage, relying solely on Taijutsu. Every strike sent enemies flying, his movements the embodiment of violent elegance.

Not one of them even brushed his clothes.

Zabuza, meanwhile, plowed through the ranks with the massive Executioner's Blade, striking to incapacitate rather than kill.

Soon, Dotō himself stepped forward to face Zabuza directly, barking orders for his men to swarm Naruto.

Naruto's grin widened. Where else would he get so many "training dummies" to sharpen his skills?

His shadow clone tore through them with overwhelming force. Unless Dotō stood still and hammered him for dozens of blows, breaking Naruto's defense was nearly impossible. If his real body had come instead, a single activation of Iron Body would've rendered Dotō's attacks completely useless.

Every punch, every kick sent opponents crashing to the ground like dumplings tossed into a boiling pot.

Not fatal—but undeniably painful.

The battlefield settled into a strange rhythm.

Naruto stood in the center like a beast in human form, scattering shinobi like leaves in a storm.

...

TN:

⚒️ Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin