NOVEL WEB Chapter 59: CHAPTER 59
"It seems we'll have to climb a snowy mountain," Kimimaro remarked calmly.
"Yes. Once we cross it, the rest of the journey will be much easier," Haruna replied.
Kimimaro turned to the group. "Karin, Hanabi, take care of Shinji. His body isn't built like ours."
"Understood," Karin nodded, and Hanabi gave a small affirmative gesture.
At first, Haruna and her retainers had wondered why a squad of powerful shinobi would bring along an ordinary civilian. But after tasting Shinji's curry rice, they had no more questions.
Even the strongest ninja appreciated good food. While Shinji had no combat prowess, his skills as a professional chef made him an asset. Kimimaro himself could cook as well, and though he wasn't quite Shinji's equal when it came to curry, his broader culinary repertoire had left a deep impression. Haruna and her group had grown increasingly respectful toward him—not just for his power, but also because they had tasted his cooking, and that left a kind of gratitude no diplomacy could replicate.
Of course, as their leader, Kimimaro couldn't be expected to cook every day. That's why Shinji, despite being a non-combatant, was well protected by the group. And Shinji, for his part, had already become completely loyal, secretly hoping Kimimaro would one day grant him great power.
"Can the three of you manage?" Kimimaro asked, glancing at Haruna's group.
Though their route didn't pass over the summit, the snow-covered trail still reached altitudes of four to five thousand meters. The thin air, frigid temperature, and narrow paths would be brutal for anyone unused to harsh terrain. Kimimaro, of course, didn't reveal that the two guards accompanying Haruna were actually trained shinobi in disguise.
"The two of us have traveled extensively. We'll manage," Kiku said, but hesitated before glancing at Haruna. "It's just… my cousin…"
"I can do it too!" Haruna interrupted, biting her lip. "I planned this route myself. I've been preparing for this for a long time."
Kiku looked toward Kimimaro. "Perhaps Miss Guren could provide close protection for Haru?"
He didn't want to reveal his own strength and instead placed the burden on Kimimaro's group.
"How can that be?" Karin immediately stepped in. "Guren is a girl, and she has a boyfriend! What if Haru takes advantage of her?"
Haruna's face twitched. "How could I possibly—"
"Enough," Yuri interjected, her gaze silencing Haruna before turning back to Karin. "Then what does Miss Karin suggest?"
"Of course, Kimimaro should do it," Karin declared confidently. "He's the strongest among us, and he's the one who accepted your mission. This is his responsibility."
Karin gave Kimimaro a subtle, meaningful look—as if to say, Look how thoughtful I am.
Ever since that intimate moment between them, Karin had grown even more proactive about Haruna. She was more invested than Kimimaro himself in drawing the princess closer.
Kimimaro, on the other hand, didn't believe romance was necessary. His strength alone was enough to subdue any threat or opposition. But Karin thought differently: if Haruna fell for Kimimaro, political expansion into the Land of Vegetables would be far smoother.
Kimimaro found her tactics oddly reminiscent of a character from an old novel.
Haruna didn't object. Her priority was returning to the Land of Vegetables safely. Anything else was secondary.
Only Guren looked genuinely confused. Taking advantage of a quiet moment, she pulled Karin aside.
"When did I get a boyfriend?" she asked bluntly.
Karin grinned. "Oh, come on. You've noticed how Jūgo looks at you. And you don't seem to hate it either—it's just a matter of time."
"Don't make things up."
"I'm doing it for Kimimaro. You wouldn't understand. Getting close to Princess Haruna is politically useful."
Kimimaro hadn't revealed Haru's true identity to everyone, but Karin had figured it out.
"Are you dense?" Guren frowned. "That Haru is a girl. Why else would they suggest I stay close to him if they weren't hiding something? And pushing Kimimaro toward her? Aren't you afraid something will happen? Don't think I haven't noticed—Kurotsuchi's relationship with Kimimaro is ambiguous, Hanabi is young but already engaged. Karin, aren't you just being selfish?"
Karin giggled. "I know all of that. But thinking for Kimimaro is thinking for myself. Besides, Kimimaro isn't like other men—he's not Jūgo. I know what he likes."
Guren sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Fine, suit yourself. Just stop making up stories about me."
Karin stuck out her tongue cheekily and turned away.
The group began ascending the narrow path.
"The slope is steep," Kimimaro said. "Hold hands and stay close. Don't fall behind."
Kimimaro extended his hand. Haruna hesitated, then reached out and took it.
Those who aim to accomplish great things don't get caught up in petty reservations. She didn't want to raise suspicions at a time like this.
Among the original princesses introduced in Naruto, this Haruna indeed carried herself with the bearing of a ruler—her poise arguably more commanding than that of Koyuki Kazahana from the Land of Snow.
"Your hand… it's delicate—like a girl's," Kimimaro remarked lightly.
"That's none of your concern!" Haruna snapped, annoyed at holding a man's hand. Still, she quickly collected herself, remembering who she was speaking to. Forcing a smile, she added, "Maybe my family's wealth allowed me to start skincare young."
Kimimaro didn't press the joke. He simply held her hand and continued forward, his expression calm and composed.
He felt no ripple of emotion. He wasn't some naïve virgin, nor was he trying to take advantage of her. The trail ahead was rugged—hardly a problem for shinobi who could walk up trees and dash across water by the time they were genin—but for a civilian, a misstep could be dangerous.
By the time evening fell and they halted for rest, Haruna was too exhausted to speak. The pace had been relentless. Though she'd kept up early on, by the second half of the journey, Kimimaro had been supporting her by the waist, practically carrying her at times.
Even so, he had kept their speed within the absolute limit of what a strong civilian could handle.
After all, exposing the true identities of Kiku and Yuri—her bodyguards—would defeat the purpose. If he gave them away as ninja too soon, how would he get closer to Princess Haruna?
"We'll rest here tonight," Kimimaro said, glancing at Kiku and Yuri with a smile. "You two have surprising stamina—almost at genin level."
"Haha, maybe we work out a lot," Kiku replied with a stiff chuckle.
As Kimimaro busied himself nearby, Kiku and Yuri exchanged whispers.
"Think he's figured us out?"
"If he has, he's not showing it. With this kind of pace, and the princess still standing, we're still within the realm of 'exceptionally fit civilians.'"
"But is it really okay for him to hold the princess's hand and wrap his arm around her waist?"
"What do you expect us to do? If we reveal ourselves now and he takes offense, things could get complicated. Can you take him in a fight?"
"No way. That's why I didn't want to escort them myself. But the princess insisted…"
"Enough. Her Highness has her reasons. Besides…" Yuri paused. "If Kimimaro learns who she really is and still chooses to help her, that wouldn't be such a bad outcome."
"…Huh. You know what? That might actually work."
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