The sunlight glimmered across the rooftops of Arendelle, each tile sparkling like glass after the long storm. Laughter echoed down the cobbled streets — children raced through melting puddles, chasing each other across new patches of magical ice that shimmered under their boots.
At the town square, Elsa stood at the heart of it all. Her hands moved with effortless grace, weaving delicate snowflakes into the air and sending swirls of frost onto stone walkways that turned into makeshift skating rinks.
This was no longer fear. No longer hiding.
This was joy.
High on a stone wall nearby, Naruto watched with a quiet smile, hands stuffed into his jacket pockets, the wind tugging at his hair.
The sun was warm on his face, but what stirred inside him was something warmer — not fire, but purpose.
For a brief moment, he saw it all again: Mizuki's betrayal. Iruka's blood. That first kill — accidental, chaotic — the moment he'd crossed a line he didn't even understand yet.
And now... Hans.
That hadn't been an accident.
Naruto took a deep breath.
No grief.
No shame.
He had made a choice — not out of rage, but resolve. To protect.
That was what it meant to be a ninja.
---
"Hey!"
He turned just in time to see Anna bounding up the path toward him, grinning as usual. Olaf scampered beside her, slipping once and laughing. Elsa followed with calm steps, her white-blue dress trailing sunlight.
"You're always sneaking off to stare at things," Anna teased, nudging Naruto's shoulder. "Brooding's not your best look, you know."
Naruto chuckled. "Didn't want to steal your spotlight."
"You earned it," Elsa said warmly as she stepped forward.
She extended her hand, and in her palm lay a tiny snowflake — crystalline, perfect, and pulsing faintly with magic. "A gift," she said softly. "A piece of us to carry with you."
Naruto blinked, stunned. He took it gently, letting it rest in his fingers for a breath before tucking it inside his jacket.
"I'll keep it close," he murmured.
"And when you become Hokage," Anna added with a playful grin, "you'd better tell everyone about the day you saved a snow queen's kingdom."
Naruto laughed, full and clear. "Believe it."
Olaf jumped up and gave him a squishy hug around the waist. "You're my favorite orange ninja-sicle!"
Naruto snorted, hugging him back. "And you're the weirdest talking snowman I've ever met."
---
A soft, bell-like chime rang through the air — not loud, but certain. The world seemed to still for just a moment. A glowing screen shimmered to life in Naruto's vision, gentle and gold:
[Dungeon Complete]
Settlement Pending: Return to Origin World Required
The screen flickered, then vanished like snow on warm skin.
---
Naruto stepped back and looked at them — Elsa, Anna, Olaf. Arendelle behind them. A kingdom healed. A storm survived.
"I guess this is goodbye," he said, quieter now.
Elsa placed her hand on his shoulder. "Wherever you go... our thanks goes with you."
"And snacks!" Olaf added. "Wait — do you want snacks? I forgot to bring any..."
Naruto grinned. "I'll manage."
He stepped back as the light around him began to rise — not harsh, but gentle, like sunrise through mist.
"Tell Sven I said goodbye," Naruto added, flashing a thumbs-up.
"You better come back someday," Anna said. "Or I'll portal into your world myself."
Naruto gave them a final grin — all teeth and spirit.
And then, wrapped in that soft golden glow, he vanished.
The storm had ended. But the warmth he left behind would linger.
---