Naruto Uzumaki and Yamato were glowing all over, about to return to their era.
Minato Namikaze placed one hand on the ground.
"Vanish!"
A sealing array appeared on the ground.
Minato said, "Once you return, your memories of us and our memories of you will disappear."
Sāra excitedly said to Naruto, "Naruto, maybe just like you said, Loulan (the city) really will be destroyed. But I still have the people of Loulan. For their sake, I will definitely do what I must do, because this is what you taught me!"
Naruto energetically gave Sāra a thumbs-up. "As long as you have firm determination, you can definitely do it!"
Shindai muttered to himself, "Didn't I teach her anything? Not even giving me a mention?"
Rin Nohara sighed helplessly, "Shindai, honestly speaking, I'm worried about you."
Shindai asked in confusion, "Worried about me? Worried about what exactly?"
Rin looked at Shindai with an awkward expression, "Without Pakura Sister, you're definitely destined to end up alone for life."
Obito added, "Yeah, 'taught'? You're one to talk — lucky if you don't sound mocking yourself!"
Kakashi mocked, "Even Shindai's thick skin has its limits."
Shindai snorted, "Destined to be alone? Naruto, tell them—don't I have two wives in the future?"
Naruto suddenly looked at Rin, Obito, and Kakashi with a pitying gaze. "Onee-san, Oniisan, Kakashi-sensei, don't worry. Someone will eventually take care of Aniki Shindai in the future."
"Well then, everyone, goodbye."
The light surrounding Naruto and Yamato became increasingly dazzling.
Sāra rushed forward and hugged Naruto, holding back tears. "Naruto..."
Naruto gently tousled Sāra's hair. "I believe in you, Sāra. Let's keep pushing forward together!"
Naruto and Yamato disappeared along with the blinding light.
...
Naruto and Yamato returned to their own time. The older version of Shindai and Sakura arrived beside the unconscious pair.
Sakura shook Naruto. "Are you okay, Naruto?"
Shindai casually smoked a cigarette, exhaling calmly, "Sakura, did the sand here clog up your brain? Obviously these two are unconscious—does asking 'are you okay' make any difference?"
A vein bulged on Sakura's forehead.
Shindai stepped onto Yamato's rear and shook him hard. "Hey! Isn't it about time you woke up?"
Gradually, Naruto and Yamato regained consciousness.
Naruto shook his head, dazed. "What actually happened? I can't remember anything at all."
Yamato also looked completely confused.
Shindai asked, "Hey, Naruto, is the letter I gave you still there?"
Naruto Uzumaki dug through his ninja gear pouch. "Huh? It's gone? My ninja gear is missing too! Shindai, I swear I didn't lose them—they're really just gone!"
Shindai shook his hand dismissively. "I didn't say you lost anything. You probably already gave them to their rightful owner."
"Huh? How come there's a note in my pouch now?"
Yamato retrieved the slip from the pouch.
Shindai reached over and took it to examine.
[Sell one new version of Yamato. And seriously, get your head checked—you're clearly nuts.]
"Tch!" Shindai spat out the cigarette, then crushed the note into a ball before hurling it at the ground. "Are you freaking kidding me?! Insulting yourself—just who's crazy here? Wasn't I doing all this for our shared future happiness?!"
Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura, and Yamato all stared oddly at the suddenly furious Shindai.
What the heck got into him?
As Naruto Uzumaki's party prepared to leave the ruins of Loulan, Naruto Uzumaki noticed someone familiar in the distance—a girl whose face he couldn't quite place—approaching them.
The girl addressed the four of them: "When I came near here, I sensed the Dragon Vein's faint murmur, so I came to investigate."
"Dragon Vein's murmur?" Naruto Uzumaki questioned puzzledly.
"My mother was once the Queen who ruled this land of Loulan. So, as long as I hold this blade, I can faintly sense the Dragon Vein's presence."
She pulled out an old, rusty Chakra Blade that clearly had seen better days.
"Hey? Isn't that a Chakra Blade from Konoha?" Naruto Uzumaki blurted out, instinctively patting his waist only to realize his scabbard was empty.
Cradling the blade protectively to her chest, the girl replied, "This is my mother's treasure. She told me it was gifted to her by a hero who appeared in her dream. Once the Dragon Vein left, this land could no longer support life, so we migrated elsewhere. Thanks to Mother, our people survived.
And I will carry on her will, living together with our people!"
Naruto Uzumaki watched the girl speechlessly, feeling an inexplicable familiarity about her.
"Sorry to interrupt. I'll be taking my leave now."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Naruto Uzumaki stood watching her retreating figure murmuring, "How strange. It feels like we've met somewhere before..."
Shindai chimed in mockingly, "Is that right? Naruto, do you say that every time you meet a girl? I should definitely tell Sister Kushina and Hinata about this. Minato would never raise such a playboy son—it doesn't fit his pure-hearted personality."
Jumping up, Naruto Uzumaki defended himself, "No way! I'm telling the truth—it really felt familiar!"
Mocking Naruto Uzumaki's dazed look, Sakura added, "Must've been having some lewd dreams while unconscious."
Naruto was feeling really frustrated inside: "I didn't do anything at all! Forget it, I'm not even gonna bother explaining anymore. Let's hurry back to Konoha to report our mission. Wonder where Gatai ran off to..."
Shindai paused mid-step, scratching his chin. "Gatai's probably already kicked the bucket. Not every day I get to leave Konoha, so let's take our sweet time heading back. I want to enjoy the scenery."
"Scenery?"
Sakura glanced around at the endless stretch of yellow sand — nothing special to look at.
Yamato flashed a mischievous grin. "Shindai Senpai, could it be... you're afraid to return to Konoha?"
Naruto also grinned impishly. "Exactly! The reason Aniki was so eager to tag along on this mission must be because you ticked off those two sisters and came out here hiding!"
The next second, Naruto and Yamato both crouched down, clutching their heads with bumps forming on them.
Shindai blew on his fist. "Heh, spreading rumors about me? You two've got guts! Scared? Please, what a joke!"
Suddenly, Shindai's body trembled as a female voice echoed in his mind.
"Finish your mission and get your ass back here right now!"
Shindai's face immediately turned bitter. "I'm coming back immediately..."
Shindai glared at Naruto and Yamato before stomping off ahead, clearly angry.
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