Seeing this, the crowd couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Looks like he really lost it!"
"Yeah, he doesn't even know who he is!"
"He already looked like a total airhead before this, now he's even worse!"
Yamato's expression became dazed. Aside from discovering Guy-senpai's illegitimate child, he seemed to have uncovered many people's secrets. Knowing such an earth-shattering truth, there was no way he'd survive going back to Konoha!
Seiki narrowed his eyes. "When he saw Asuma and Guy, he clearly showed shock and confusion. But when he saw me, he remained very calm. If this were the real future timeline, there's no way I would end up in such a low position... So it must be a parallel world after all."
Thinking thus, Seiki lightly coughed. "Mind telling me what kind of mission you're on right now?"
"We're here in Loulan to track down and capture someone called Baizu..." As Yamato spoke, he himself felt strange. Despite that childish face, how did this person pull off that natural commanding presence that made people want to answer automatically?
And there was one more thing—this kid was seriously handsome!
Pity Sakura wasn't here—she wouldn't even have to go dragging Naruto around hunting for targets anymore.
"Wait, where's Naruto?" Yamato suddenly realized belatedly. He jumped up frantically, tugging at his hair. "Have any of you seen my student Naruto? You know—a guy with six whisker-like markings on his face who always looks kinda dumb?"
Seeing him like this, everyone just shook their heads in pity.
"Poor kid having such a dumb teacher."
"Well, not quite. Since he himself thinks his student seems kinda slow, maybe this is a special team formed to support differently-abled ninjas?"
Yamato widened his eyes indignantly. Where was he dumb? Danzo himself had praised him as a genius!
Before he could retort, he saw the extremely handsome young ninja at the center of the group say solemnly, "If a student goes missing, that's seriously dangerous. We'll help you search too."
"That's really considerate of y—" Yamato began gratefully, but soon found himself embarrassed. These kids looked even younger than Naruto; asking them to help wasn't just messing around?
"Actually, it should be me protecting you lot..." But before finishing, Yamato realized no one was even listening to him.
Everyone followed the young leader's orders without hesitation.
"So efficient! So many people obeying his commands without the slightest doubt or hesitation!"
Trailing behind them, Yamato felt a creeping sense of dread.
This team worked together flawlessly, showing incredible coordination. Their movements were so silent despite moving in unison.
Such operational efficiency practically defied belief for peacetime training.
And where the hell was Konoha finding all these child prodigies anyway?
"Especially those two carrying large ninja tools as weights yet still moving with complete ease..." As Yamato thought this, suddenly his eyes bulged wide open, nearly falling off the rooftop mid-leap.
The others turned back, clearly annoyed. Seriously? Was this guy even cut out for ninja work if he couldn't handle basic jumps and sprints?
Yamato pointed with a trembling hand at Mizuki and Asuma. "Their ninja tools... they aren't from Mist..."
At that moment, Seiki lowered his voice and asked, "You mean the one with Hagoromo's beard markings?"
Hearing Naruto mentioned, Yamato momentarily pushed aside his shock and looked ahead.
What he saw was Naruto carrying a young girl as they leapt between tall towers.
Seeing this, Yamato immediately felt a surge of irritation.
Here I am worried sick, and there you are picking up girls?
"Good fortune," Seiki murmured. "The girl he's holding is exactly the person we're looking for! Come on, let's head over."
"The person we were searching for?" Yamato asked in confusion before following behind.
In front of them, within the shadow of a tall tower,
Naruto had just received several consecutive slaps across his face for what appeared to be improper conduct.
"Why did you hit me? I was the one who saved you!"
"Mm, that does seem to be true."
Although still feeling slight resentment, Naruto always stayed cheerful and quickly shook off his irritation.
"By the way, are you the queen?"
"I am Sāra, Queen of Loulan."
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, a ninja of Konoha." After introducing himself, he scratched his head and asked, "Say, do you know why you fell from the tower?"
Sāra looked deeply concerned. "It felt like someone pushed me from behind."
"Could it be someone is trying to harm—"
Just then, a voice called down from above.
"You must be Queen Sāra of Loulan. Forgive our sudden intrusion, but we have urgent matters to discuss with you."
As the words concluded, Seiki and the others landed gracefully before them.
Slightly startled by the sudden appearance of so many people, Sāra hesitated as she asked, "Who are you people?"
Naruto, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes cautiously. "You wouldn't happen to be here to take her life, would you?"
With that, he charged toward Seiki—who clearly seemed the leader—with a kunai knife.
"Calm down," Seiki said, raising his right hand effortlessly, easily knocking the kunai away, then catching Naruto's arm and twisting it behind his back.
"Hold on!" Seiki called out. "This is a misunderstanding!"
From above came Tenzō's anxious voice, landing shortly after them.
Overjoyed, Naruto shouted, "Captain Yamato!"
Yamato spoke sternly, "Naruto, you really should work on controlling your impulsiveness. Didn't you see their forehead protectors? How could you attack fellow ninjas from our own village without understanding the situation first?"
Still struggling slightly, Naruto muttered, "They really do wear Konoha hitai-ate... But why have I never seen them before?"
Then Yamato faced Seiki. "I'm sorry about this trouble."
Only now did Yamato allow himself time to feel awestruck.
Although the clash between Naruto and Seiki had been brief, not even involving any ninjutsu techniques, it revealed much about Seiki's abilities.
His speed, strength, and reflexes were all world-class.
Most critically was his insight—able to instantly detect Naruto's weakness and effortlessly counterattack. Such seasoned combat experience was far beyond what one would expect from someone so young.
After releasing Naruto, Seiki solemnly turned toward Sāra. "I am Seiki Shimaseki, a Jonin of Konoha. I am here to save this nation!"
Before Sāra could respond, Naruto rubbed his shoulder dramatically and exclaimed, "You're a Jonin? How is that possible..."
As he spoke, Naruto suddenly gasped as if realizing something and guessed aloud, "Oh! You must be one of those shorties who never hit their growth spurt — that's why you look like you're my age!"
Behind Seiki, the surrounding crowd glared angrily at Naruto.
"This guy is seriously weird. He's been strange in every way since he got here."
"Right? Saying something like that after hearing Seiki's name?"
"How dare he insult Seiki! We definitely won't let him off!"
Yamato felt a cold sweat drip down from his temple. Why had such an ordinary sentence suddenly turned into a life-or-death conflict?
Had that kid Seiki really become someone so revered in their eyes?
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