Shindai was utterly shocked when he saw Naruto with green hair.
Wait, Minato Namikaze isn't staying pure and faithful in the future? He doesn't end up with Kushina anymore?
No!
Shindai refused to believe it!
He really liked the pairing of Minato and Kushina. The characters he likes would never do something so completely out of character—no OOC allowed!
The rescued Naruto thanked Minato before asking, "What the heck were those puppets anyway?"
Minato replied, "They must've been powered up using chakra from the Dragon Vein."
Naruto asked curiously, "Speaking of that... Who exactly are you?"
Minato looked at the forehead protector on Naruto's head and said, "You're a Konoha ninja too, right? So are we."
Minato loosened his mask just enough for Naruto to see the Konoha forehead protector underneath.
Minato noticed the wound on Naruto's leg. "Your injury needs immediate treatment."
"Let me handle it."
Rin quickly treated the wound on Naruto's leg and bandaged it.
After finishing, Minato said, "Okay, we should retreat first. This place isn't safe."
Naruto noticed Shindai.
Truthfully, it wasn't hard to miss him. Shindai had practically shoved his face into Naruto's—if the mask hadn't been in the way, Naruto felt like Shindai might've actually kissed him.
Naruto took a step back. "What are you doing? I'm not into guys!"
Shindai's eye twitched. "Ha? You flatter yourself way too much. Let me ask you something—did your genes go haywire or something?"
Naruto snapped back, "Who even are you talking to? You're the one who mutated!"
Minato cut in between Shindai and Naruto. "Save it for later—we're moving out!"
Shindai's group entered an alley that looked completely run-down—it was the complete opposite of the grand buildings outside.
Naruto asked Minato, "Hey, what's your group really about anyway?"
Minato shook his head. "Sorry, I can't answer that."
Naruto asked, still confused. "Hmm? But at least tell me where this place is?"
"This is Loulan."
"Huh? That's impossible!"
Naruto wore a look full of disbelief.
"I don't have time to explain now. Please leave before our mission starts. We'll talk after we finish."
Minato pointed toward a direction. "Just turn left down that path and you'll find the exit. Got it? Promise me."
Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara all vanished on the spot using the Body Flicker Technique.
Shindai stared at Naruto Uzumaki for a moment: "Kid, I guess we'll meet again soon. When we do, better explain why your genes suddenly mutated!"
As his voice faded, Shindai also disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
Naruto Uzumaki stood frozen for a moment: "No way! Is this guy serious? He's the one who looks like a kid!"
Now, Shindai's group was searching for Sara, the queen of Loulan.
Obito asked curiously, "Shindai, do you know that person?"
Shindai replied flatly, "No."
Obito frowned. "Seriously? I thought you hated him. I even thought you knew him. But if he's a Konoha Ninja, why don't I remember seeing him in the village?"
Shindai scowled: "I do hate him—but what I hate most is his hair color. Green is the worst!"
"Huh?"
Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara found it completely baffling that Shindai would dislike someone just because of their hair color.
Then again… this was Shindai. So maybe it wasn't that weird after all.
Naruto Uzumaki looked around, puzzled: "This is Loulan? What happened to this place? Where is everyone? What's going on here? Did they all just vanish?"
Naruto Uzumaki was utterly confused.
He stepped out of the alley and made his way back into the bustling town.
Looking at the buildings around him, Naruto blurted out: "Whoa, this place is amazing! Is this really Loulan? I thought there was nothing but desert here. Let me think… Back then, Aniki kicked me in here to deliver a message. For who again? Anyway, right now the most important thing is finding everyone!"
Just as Naruto Uzumaki was about to set off, suddenly an explosion echoed from the distance.
Naruto realized the explosion was actually fireworks. The streets were packed with people celebrating, cheering loudly, "Long live the Queen!"
Naruto stood atop a building, looking down at the crowd below.
"The queen?!"
Meanwhile, Queen Sāra was singing alone in the grand hall.
A man who clearly didn't look trustworthy entered the room.
"Sara-sama, what are you doing here?" he asked. "The people are waiting anxiously for your appearance to honor your achievements. To celebrate the beautiful nation built by you and your late mother—Loulan! Please, appear before your people and present yourself with pride. As your mother led them, you must lead them now!"
Unaware of the danger, Sāra enthusiastically replied, "Yes, An Lushan!"
Sāra ran out of the grand hall, and the minister she'd called An Lushan watched her retreating form with a cold, calculating gaze.
Naruto Uzumaki was watching the festival from atop a building.
Sāra stepped forward in elegant attire, followed by two puppets.
Naruto froze for a moment when he laid eyes on Sāra.
Because when he had first arrived here, he had been inside a building.
At that time, Sāra was sitting on a rock singing a song.
"Could she actually be the queen?"
Instantly, Naruto made up his mind. If he asked Sāra, he might finally understand what was really happening.
However, just as Sāra was waving to the crowd below, one of the puppets behind her suddenly pushed her forward.
Sāra staggered forward a few steps before the ground beneath her feet suddenly gave way, sending her plummeting from a great height.
"Ahh!"
A scream escaped Sāra's lips.
Witnessing this scene, Naruto immediately rushed forward, catching Sāra in a princess carry before darting between buildings and landing safely.
Leaning against the back of a pillar, Naruto let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
In Naruto's arms, Sāra stared at him blankly.
Naruto offered a gentle smile, just like Minato Namikaze's: "It's okay now."
Instead of gratitude, Naruto was met with a flurry of slaps.
"Ah! Get your hands off me—now!"
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