A day in Land of Snow

Everyone was stunned as we reappeared in the Land of Snow, greeted by an unexpectedly warm atmosphere. The landscape was lush, filled with greenery rather than the endless snow they had anticipated. It was nothing like what they had pictured from Koyuki's kingdom.

"Wait, this isn't what I expected," Tsunade said, looking around with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "I thought the whole place would be covered in snow, but it feels like we're in a completely different land."

"I told you she might have changed things up a bit," I said with a grin. "Koyuki has a way of keeping things lively. The village might not be snow-covered all year round anymore, but it still holds its charm."

Kurenei and the others looked around, absorbing the difference in climate. "This is so different from the last time we were here," Kurenei noted, still a little surprised by the warm weather.

"Yeah, it feels like a completely different village," Hinata added, her gentle eyes scanning the horizon. "It's so peaceful here now."

"Glad you all approve," I said, happy to see their reactions. "Let's meet up with Koyuki and others. I'm sure she's waiting for us."

With that, we headed toward the center of the village, where I knew Koyuki would be. The others were clearly impressed by how much the village had changed, and I could already tell this trip would be a refreshing break for everyone.

The air was light with laughter and casual chatter as we all settled in, enjoying the warmth of Koyuki's hospitality. Mom seemed to be enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, and Tsunade was clearly trying to suppress her excitement at the thought of a drink without any gambling involved. It was good to see everyone unwind, especially with how intense things had been back in the village.

Koyuki smiled warmly at the group. "I'm so glad you all could join us. This village is much more peaceful now, thanks to your efforts, Naruto." She looked at me with a grateful smile, the kind that spoke of her appreciation for the changes I had helped bring about.

"Well, I couldn't do it alone," I said modestly, giving her a slight shrug. "You were the one who took charge after everything. I just helped along the way."

Sakura, Temari, and the others were all chatting, enjoying the break from the usual tension of missions and ninja life. It felt nice to be surrounded by good company and away from the stress of the village for a while.

"Naruto, can you believe this place?" Temari remarked, still looking around with a mix of wonder and appreciation. "From what I knew, it was all snow and ice. Now it's like a whole new world."

"I think Koyuki's vision for the village is pretty incredible," I replied. "She really made it thrive after everything. It feels like home."

Koyuki blushed at the compliment, but before she could respond, Tsunade took the chance to joke around again. "So, what exactly does this place have in terms of entertainment, if not gambling?"

"You're always thinking about fun, huh?" I teased her, earning a mock glare from Tsunade. "Well, there's a lot to see, but I wouldn't suggest going on a drinking spree unless you want to get stuck in bed for the day," I added with a smirk.

"Hey, I can handle my alcohol just fine," she retorted, crossing her arms.

"You say that now," I replied with a grin, "but last time you needed me to carry you back to the inn."

The whole group chuckled, and Tsunade just rolled her eyes, clearly used to the teasing by now.

As we enjoyed the rest of the day, it felt like a much-needed break, one that reminded us all of the importance of connection, peace, and the simple joys in life.

We all gathered in a comfortable area, and I could see the warm atmosphere around us as everyone enjoyed the change of pace. Koyuki, ever the gracious host, made sure everyone felt welcome while Temari and Sakura exchanged occasional glances with each other, clearly enjoying the tranquility of the village.

As the conversation lightened up, Tsunade leaned over toward Koyuki and asked, "So, do you have any good places to relax around here? It's been a while since I had some downtime."

Koyuki smiled warmly. "Actually, there's a beautiful hot spring just outside the village. It's one of my favorite spots to unwind when I'm not working. I'm sure you'd enjoy it."

Tsunade's eyes sparkled at the mention of hot springs. "Perfect. You're speaking my language now. I could use a good soak."

Kushina nodded. "I'm in too. It's been a while since I've had a chance to relax. We've been so busy with everything back home."

"Guess we're all going to the hot springs then," I said with a chuckle, looking at Sakura and Temari.

Temari, who had been silently observing, gave me a teasing look. "Guess we'll leave you and your mom to enjoy that time together. You know, for a family outing."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "You're enjoying this a bit too much, aren't you, Temari?"

Koyuki led the way to the hot spring. "It's not far from here. We'll take our time and enjoy it."

As we walked, the village's serene beauty stood out—far from the icy landscape I had expected, yet still carrying the charm and peacefulness of a place untouched by time. It felt like the perfect place for a retreat.

When we arrived, the hot spring was even more luxurious than I anticipated. Steamy water bubbled from the rocks into a large pool surrounded by natural stones, with lush greenery surrounding it. The entire place was private, a perfect getaway for anyone who needed to relax.

Koyuki smiled at us. "I'm glad you're all here to enjoy this with me."

"Yeah, it's nice to have a moment to breathe," I said, sitting back and taking in the tranquil setting. "This was exactly what we needed."

Everyone settled in, and the tension that had been building up from our travels slowly melted away. I glanced over at Sakura, who seemed relaxed, and Temari, who was enjoying the moment as well. It was nice seeing everyone in a peaceful setting like this.

While Tsunade and Kushina were already discussing the hot springs, I leaned over to Sakura. "I'm glad we came here. It feels different from the usual chaos."

Sakura smiled softly. "Yeah, it's nice to have some peace for once."

I nodded in agreement, the weight of the past few weeks lifting as we all enjoyed the quiet and company of each other.