Tsunade Can Hear My Inner Voice

"Who are you? Why am I here?!" Kazahana Koyuki woke up to find several unfamiliar children around her, causing her to scream in fright.

If she wasn't mistaken, those forehead protectors... they belonged to Konoha, didn't they?

Had Konoha started dealing in human trafficking now?!

Shikamaru glanced at Chōji, then at Ino, before finally nudging his chin toward the latter.

Ino sighed helplessly and took a step forward.

"Stop! Stay right there!" Koyuki crossed her arms defensively, eyeing Ino with suspicion. She was well aware that shinobi possessed abilities far beyond ordinary comprehension.

Sure, she had acted in movies where people used ninjutsu, but those were all fictional—nothing like the real thing.

"Look, we don't mean any harm!" Ino tried to reassure her, but it had no effect.

"You say you mean no harm, so I should just believe you?" Koyuki scoffed. She wasn't a child anymore—she wouldn't be fooled so easily.

As a woman who had struggled through life for years, she—oh my, he's handsome!

"You woke up pretty fast. Seems like you're in good shape." Kamizuki Hikari gave her a once-over before nodding. "Since you're fine, let's go eat."

"Eat? Breakfast?" Koyuki's tone softened considerably upon seeing Hikari.

(Ino: Ugh, women!)

"It's already noon. Who eats breakfast at this hour?" Hikari looked at her curiously, though he didn't question her mental state—after all, she had been knocked out.

"Noon? Where are you taking me?" Koyuki asked cautiously.

"Back to your homeland, of course, Your Highness." Hikari patted Shikamaru's shoulder. "Let's head down for lunch. This area is nothing but wilderness—if the princess tries to run, she might get bitten by a venomous snake and die a painful death."

Shikamaru shot Koyuki a pitying glance before exchanging a look with Chōji, and the two walked off.

"I-I wasn't going to run! Anyway, what does Konoha want with me? And how did you even know I was—wait, I remember now! The shinobi who saved me when I was little had white hair. Do you know him?"

At this point, Koyuki recalled Hatake Kakashi.

"That guy isn't part of my team. If you have questions, go talk to Sandayū outside." With that, Hikari turned and stepped out of the carriage.

Koyuki gave Ino a puzzled look, as if asking, Has my charm faded? I'm the famous Princess Gale! The goddess in countless men's dreams!

"Princess, let's go." Ino, oblivious to her thoughts, gestured for her to follow.

"Hmph!"

Not getting the reaction she expected, Koyuki let out a haughty snort before stepping out of the carriage.

"Your Highness!" The moment Sandayū saw her, he rushed over like an eager servant.

"Sandayū! I'm so glad you're safe!" Koyuki grabbed his hands, overjoyed to see the man who had been by her side since childhood.

"I'm fine, Your Highness. I'm sorry for worrying you." Sandayū smiled warmly, touched by her concern.

But his happiness didn't last long—Koyuki's expression quickly darkened.

After scanning their surroundings and realizing Sandayū wasn't restrained in any way, she pieced everything together.

"Sandayū... so you were in on this? And here I thought I could trust you!"

"Princess, please let me explain!" Sandayū desperately tried to salvage the situation.

"No! I won't listen! You lied to me, teaming up with these shinobi! I'm so disappointed in you!"

"Your Highness, I had no choice—"

"I said I won't listen!"

"Princess—"

"No!"

...

"Pfft—"

Watching the dramatic exchange between Sandayū and Koyuki, Hikari couldn't help but laugh. When the two turned their furious glares on him, he quickly covered his mouth.

"Ah, don't mind me. Please, continue!"

Now that Hikari had interrupted, how could they keep going? They weren't idiots.

Still, Koyuki glared at Sandayū, feeling utterly betrayed by the person she trusted most.

"Shikamaru, Chōji, Ino—eat up. We're setting off soon, and the next meal won't be until evening. If you get hungry before then, the carriage won't stop for you." Hikari raised his voice.

The three obediently dug in, with Chōji eating especially fast—so fast that Koyuki worried if she didn't start now, there'd be nothing left for her.

"Hmph! Fine, I'll eat first. But if you don't explain yourself afterward, I'll never forgive you!"

For the sake of her stomach, Koyuki reluctantly sat on a nearby wooden bench and began eating the grilled food.

Sandayū chuckled wryly before joining her.

"What's your name?" Koyuki asked Hikari between bites.

"Kamizuki Hikari. Do you have any other questions, Your Highness?" Hikari was genuinely interested in the princess—not for any improper reasons, of course. He simply wanted to observe her up close, learn her habits and preferences, so he could portray noble characters more vividly in his future works.

"How much did this guy pay you? I'll double it. Escort me back to Konoha and refuse any missions involving sending me to the Land of Snow. Deal?"

"That's a generous offer." Hikari smiled.

"So you accept?" Koyuki's eyes lit up with hope. If they left now, she could still make it back to Konoha by evening and rejoin her film crew.

"Unfortunately, no." Hikari shrugged. "For one, I doubt you have enough money to double the payment. But more importantly, once we accept a mission, we don't abandon it before completion."

"Ugh! I told you, just consider this mission done! Sandayū, I'll pay them double—that means more profit for you! Why can't you understand that?!" Koyuki was starting to find Hikari very unlikable.

How could someone so handsome be so dense?

Was she speaking some incomprehensible language?

No, of course not.

That meant Hikari was the problem—he must be stupid.

Yes, that had to be it.

"I understand Your Highness perfectly. But shinobi rules forbid such actions. If you wish to return to Konoha, wait until we escort you to the capital of the Land of Snow. Then you can hire us again for a new mission."

"You... you're horrible!" Koyuki wanted to curse, but her upbringing limited her to this feeble complaint.

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