NOVEL WEB Chapter 60: CHAPTER 60
"There's no path ahead. This mountain range forms a natural barrier," Kimimaro observed coldly. "The central section was deliberately left rugged and untouched—impassable for ordinary travelers. Only trained shinobi can make it through."
He turned back to the group. "Jugo, Suigetsu, carry Kiku and Yuri on your backs."
Then, Kimimaro squatted slightly in front of Princess Haruna. "Come on. I'll carry you across."
"This…" Haruna hesitated. The path ahead was littered with jagged ice shards and rocky spires—a treacherous route no civilian could cross. She clenched her teeth and climbed onto Kimimaro's back.
What else could she do? If she asked Guren now, wouldn't all her earlier efforts at hiding her identity be wasted?
Kiku and Yuri exchanged glances before silently allowing Jugo and Suigetsu to carry them as instructed, though their awkward expressions betrayed their discomfort.
Behind them, Hanabi whispered to Karin, "Sister Karin, those two—aren't they shinobi? Why do they need to be carried?"
Hanabi's Byakugan had long revealed the truth: their chakra networks were too refined and orderly to belong to ordinary people. She wasn't surprised Haruna needed help, but the other two made no sense.
"They're pretending to be civilians," Karin replied, her tone amused. "Let's just go along with it. Your big brother thinks it's funny."
Hanabi nodded. "Mm-hmm. It is kind of funny."
Even Jugo and Suigetsu, not exactly the most perceptive pair, had figured out Kiku and Yuri weren't what they seemed. But since Kimimaro wasn't exposing them, they had no reason to make a fuss.
On Kimimaro's back, Haruna blushed furiously. She could feel the solid frame of the man beneath her, his calm breathing at odds with her racing heart. It was too humiliating. The longer this charade went on, the harder it would be to admit she had been disguised as a man.
Trying to break the awkwardness, Haruna said, "I really envy you shinobi. No matter how harsh the terrain, you're never afraid."
"Heh." Kimimaro gave a soft scoff. "We're used to facing death. There's nothing enviable about it."
"But at least you have the strength to escape danger. People like us don't."
"If you settle in one of the Five Great Nations and live an honest life, you'll probably be safe enough. Or, if you're born into wealth and influence, you can live very comfortably."
"You don't understand. Those with power often live harder lives," she countered.
Kimimaro gave a derisive snort. "That's the first time I've heard someone like you say that."
"I'm serious. I've known noble children who were sent to foreign courts as political hostages. They grow up surrounded by deceit, unable to trust anyone, and live in constant fear that something will happen to their homeland. In many ways, commoners live happier lives."
Kimimaro's expression didn't change. "You're speaking from privilege."
"What do you mean?"
"Tell me—do noble children ever worry about their next meal? Or not having clothes to wear?"
"Of course not."
"Exactly. It's only when you have food and shelter that you can afford to worry about politics or conspiracies. If your family only had one pair of pants to share, and you didn't know whether you'd eat tomorrow, would you still worry about those things?"
"That's an exaggeration. Where would you find people like that in the Land of Vegetables? With the daimyo's protection, even beggars get by. I've given food to some myself."
Kimimaro shook his head. "You're wealthy. You've never seen how people at the bottom really live. If you had, you'd realize how shallow that view is. You should go and see them yourself."
"Why would I do that? I'm… I'm a merchant. I manage people and capital. It's my job to keep society running. That includes helping commoners live better lives. But the details of how they live—that's too minor to be my concern."
What an arrogant princess.
Kimimaro glanced sideways, silently noting to himself: This woman needs to see what life is really like outside her comfortable world.
In the past few months, he had deliberately taken routes through war-torn zones and mountain villages, trying to understand the real world beyond shinobi battles and village politics.
Ninjas were elite tools in this world—but they were a tiny fraction of the population. Most people lived ordinary lives, caught between survival and stagnation.
In many remote villages, things were not so different from the Warring States era: famine, bandits, corrupt officials.
Kimimaro had seen it all. And now, so would she.
The peaceful and beautiful life enjoyed by many in the Five Great Nations was a privilege not shared by all.
In the small nations caught between their borders, war remained the norm. Refugees, ruined villages, and abandoned orphans were a common sight—victims of conflicts no one powerful cared enough to stop.
Why was Kimimaro determined to head west, toward those struggling minor countries?
Because within the Five Great Nations, stability had already taken root. Their power structures—shinobi villages, feudal lords, elite clans—were too entrenched to shake easily.
But in the war-torn minor nations, the foundations were brittle. There, one had the chance to create change, to build something new. A place where people at the bottom of the ladder might finally see hope.
Noticing Kimimaro's silence, Princess Haruna assumed she'd won this round of their conversation. She continued confidently:
"Honestly, you shinobi are the lucky ones. Based on what you just said—you're strong, constantly battling others, always ready for danger. But at least you can fight. People like me want that kind of strength but can never reach it. You're already full, while I'm still starving."
Kimimaro smiled faintly. "You've got a good sense for analogy. There's truth in what you're saying. So… do you want to learn ninjutsu?"
"Of course I do. But it's not like I can. I don't have the aptitude. If I could use ninjutsu, I wouldn't have to rely on others for everything."
"What if someone was willing to teach you?"
"Then I'd owe them a debt I could never repay," Haruna scoffed. "But come on, you know that's impossible. Chakra control and the ability to mold it—those things are innate. Most people just aren't born to be shinobi."
"Not necessarily."
"You say that because you learned it yourself," Haruna said bitterly. "But I have tried. And I failed. If someone could really teach me, I'd… I'd even consider marrying—" she abruptly stopped herself, flustered. "I mean, I'd be willing to give up all my family's wealth just to show my gratitude."
Kimimaro looked at her thoughtfully. "Is that so? Then I'll hold you to that. If I manage to teach you ninjutsu, you'd better remember what you just said."
"W-What?" Haruna stammered. "I-I'll remember…" She had thrown out those words carelessly, but now, carried on his back and feeling the strength in every step he took, she suddenly recalled what she had almost said aloud. Her face burned red.
Kimimaro wasn't just strong—he was calm, composed, and far more handsome than she'd expected up close.
If he truly could teach someone like her to use chakra, then… marrying him wouldn't be the worst fate in the world.
Of course, she would never admit that.
She forced the thought from her mind.
"Alright," she said briskly, trying to change the subject. "Once we go down this slope, we'll reach the Land of Snow, right?"
"Yes," Kimimaro replied.
"Then what are you waiting for?" she snapped. "Put me down already. You weren't planning to carry me the whole way, were you? You think I'm some helpless little girl?"
Kimimaro gave a dry chuckle. "I thought you were."
Haruna huffed. "Just put me down."
"Your wish is my command."
She hopped off his back with exaggerated haste. "Tch… don't get used to that."
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