Minato Namikaze was explaining the mission to Shindai and his squad.
Shindai felt vaguely familiar with the names Loulan and Gatai mentioned by Minato, but his memories were now too blurred. Aside from important people and major events, most things had slipped his mind, so even though those names seemed somewhat familiar, he couldn't recall anything specific.
Minato continued, "However, the Queen of Loulan has already died unexpectedly. Right now we don't know anything about Gatai's current situation, so we'll have to locate him ourselves when the time comes."
Obito asked in confusion, "Teacher Minato, what exactly is this Dragon Vein Energy?"
Minato explained, "Dragon Vein Energy is a massive collection of energy flowing underground. The Queen of Loulan possessed the ability to control this power. The deceased queen used the Dragon Vein's strength to develop the country, turning Loulan into a prosperous nation full of towering towers and grand structures.
Our mission involves locating Gatai and protecting the new queen. Since Gatai intends to use the Dragon Vein Energy, the new queen—who controls that power—will be in great danger.
Alright, let's move out! Once we reach the border of the Land of Wind, everyone must wear masks while acting!"
Minato pulled out four masks and handed them out to Shindai and the others.
"Ugly to the max!"
Holding up the fox-shaped mask, Shindai sneered, "This thing's hideous!"
"I think it looks awesome!" Obito had already put on his mask and proudly turned to Rin asking, "Rin, do I look cool?"
Rin always played along, "Yes, very cool!"
Shindai scoffed, "Please—if either of you had any taste, my name wouldn't even be Shindai anymore!"
Obito nodded, "Okay, Shindai."
Rin chimed in as well, "You're absolutely right, Shindai."
A throbbing vein appeared on Shindai's forehead like an angry cartoon character.
After traveling for some time, Minato's squad entered the Land of Wind and saw the towering spires of Loulan in the distance.
"Get ready; follow me into Loulan!"
...
Once inside Loulan, Shindai exclaimed, "Wow, these buildings feel amazing!"
To Shindai, it was like stepping into a modern city—an entirely new and exciting experience.
Kakashi and the two other members of the squad were equally amazed by the architecture.
"Next, we need to find out where the new queen is located. She hasn't officially ascended the throne yet. Her name is Sāra, and she has deep red hair. This is what she looks like."
Minato unrolled a scroll displaying a woman's photograph.
Just as Shindai and the others finished examining Sara's image on the scroll, five Puppets suddenly dropped from above.
Instantly, the five of them entered battle stance.
Shindai scoffed in disgust, "These puppets are hideous."
Kakashi glanced around. "These puppets haven't revealed their controller yet."
Obito frowned deeply. "Looks like these puppets don't come in peace either."
No sooner had Obito finished speaking than two of the five puppets swung fork-like blades toward Shindai and the others.
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!]
Obito exhaled two enormous fireballs that surged toward the charging puppets.
However, another puppet fired two purple energy spheres that directly neutralized Obito's fireballs before sweeping the area with suppressive fire.
Meanwhile, one of the puppets also fired a concentrated beam of purple energy from a cannon mounted in its mouth.
Shindai and his group immediately scattered to evade.
Minato Namikaze hurled two Flying Thunder God Kunai toward the puppet firing both energy spheres and the concentrated beam.
[Flying Thunder God — Second Step!]
Minato instantly teleported to where his technique kunai were located while forming a Rasengan in his hand. In an instant, he shattered both puppets.
[Fire Release: Dragon Flame Release Song Technique!]
Obito expelled four fire dragons that attacked from above, below, left, and right directions simultaneously.
The targeted puppet blocked the fire dragon directly in front of it, but couldn't dodge the other three attacks which struck and destroyed it.
[Chidori!]
A loud screeching sound like chirping birds erupted as Kakashi pierced through a puppet, sending mechanical parts scattering across the ground.
[Magnet Release: Iron Sand Coffin Binding!]
Shindai enveloped the final remaining puppet in magnetic sand. The puppet's systems were quickly infiltrated by iron sand particles, causing it to seize up completely.
But from a distance, over a dozen more puppets flew toward them.
Minato looked serious. "We should retreat and hide for now."
Shindai used his iron sand to carry the paralyzed puppet as they withdrew with Minato.
In an inconspicuous corner,
Shindai began disassembling the immobilized puppet.
Minato asked, "How is it looking, Shindai?"
Shindai's brow was furrowed. "It's technically very basic, so why could it release such powerful attacks? It doesn't make sense."
Minato speculated, "That purple energy felt somewhat like chakra, yet different from regular chakra. It might be Dragon Vein Energy. These puppets were likely enhanced using Dragon Vein Energy."
Kakashi's expression turned grim. "So you're saying... Gatai has already obtained the Dragon Vein Energy?"
Minato shook his head. "Not sure. Whatever happened, we'll take it step by step."
Obito twitched his ears. "Can you guys hear fighting sounds?"
Minato, Shindai, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara all perked up their ears to listen.
"It seems... there really is some fighting going on."
"Hmm, there definitely is, and it doesn't seem too far from us either."
Kakashi asked, "Minato, should we go check it out?"
Minato Namikaze paused briefly before saying, "Let's go have a look."
Minato Namikaze's squad set off once again, heading toward the source of the sound.
On top of a building, Shindai and the five-man team noticed a hole in the roof. Four puppets flew through that opening into the building.
"Go!"
At Minato Namikaze's command, the five-man team launched into action, charging through the hole into the building.
Inside, someone was trying to fend off the puppets' attacks.
Minato rushed forward and rescued him using the [Flying Thunder God Technique]. Shindai, Kakashi, and Obito simultaneously unleashed their own Ninjutsu, destroying the puppets.
When Shindai looked at the person saved by Minato, he stared blankly.
The striking heki-blue eyes, the Konoha Forehead Protector on his head, the distinctive six whiskers on his face, and his striking resemblance to Minato Namikaze...
Could this be Minato Namikaze's son Naruto Uzumaki?
But what's with that green hair?!
Has Minato been unfaithful? Or is his future wife not Kushina Uzumaki after all?
That couldn't be true!
Has his devoted romantic image completely collapsed?!
Shindai also suddenly remembered something: apparently Naruto had time-traveled to the past before.
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