Before long, Raizen and the others found Queen Sara amid the crumbling ruins of Loulan.
She was trying to guide the frightened citizens to safety when they arrived.
When Sara learned their mission—to destroy the puppet master controlling the centipede—she didn't hesitate.
"If that monster threatens my people, then I'll stand with you," she said, her eyes burning with resolve.
But before they could plan, the ground shook.
A massive puppet centipede burst through a building, scattering debris like shrapnel.
"Sara! You won't escape this time!"
A cold, distorted voice echoed from within the puppet—Hundredfoot, the one twisted by the Dragon Vein's power.
Naruto's eyes widened. "Sara, get the people to safety! Now!"
"I know!"
Sara bit her lip, but she obeyed, leading her people toward the underground shelter.
Naruto clenched his fists and turned back to fight—only to be stopped by Namikaze Minato.
"Leave this one to my comrades," Minato said calmly. "You and Raizen—go protect Queen Sara."
Naruto hesitated. "But—!"
Raizen nodded sharply. "Go. She's your responsibility now."
Seeing Raizen's resolve, Naruto finally turned and ran after the queen.
Minato's team—Aburame Shibi and Akamichi Chōza—stepped forward.
As the centipede puppet charged, Shibi's hands came together.
"Ninpo: Insect Swarm Jutsu!"
The ground writhed as thousands of kikaichū erupted forward, coating the puppet in living shadows.
Chōza slammed his palms together and roared.
"Expansion Jutsu!"
His giant fist crashed into the centipede, sending it skidding backward.
But even as they pressed the attack, the puppet's glow darkened—the Dragon Vein's power pulsing like a heart.
Meanwhile, Raizen and Naruto reached the refugees.
Sara was helping the last few citizens when the air suddenly trembled again—Hundredfoot had broken through their defense.
"Damn it!" Raizen muttered.
Minato appeared beside him. "I'll hold him off here. Raizen—protect the Queen."
Raizen gave a sharp nod. "Understood."
Yamato stepped forward to assist Minato, summoning wooden walls that burst from the ground.
"Wood Style: Binding Pillars!"
The wooden restraints wrapped around the puppet, but Hundredfoot roared and tore through them.
Each time he was damaged, the Dragon Vein mended his body instantly.
"This isn't working…" Minato gritted his teeth.
Raizen stopped running and glanced back, eyes narrowing. "Naruto. Go on ahead with Sara."
Naruto hesitated. "What about you?"
Raizen's tone hardened. "Just go! There's no time!"
Naruto nodded reluctantly and followed Sara deeper into the ruins.
As their footsteps faded, Raizen's chakra flared.
Crimson markings spread across his eyes—Sage Mode activating once again.
"Sage Art: Super Big Ball Rasengan!"
He charged forward, slamming the Rasengan into the centipede puppet's armor.
The impact shattered its front shell—only for the cracks to close instantly as purple light surged through the core.
Hundredfoot laughed. "Foolish! The Dragon Vein makes me immortal!"
Raizen rolled aside, forming another Rasengan mid-air and smashing it down.
Again, the damage healed.
"Tch… figures." His eyes sharpened. "As long as that vein's feeding him, this'll never end."
At that moment, far below, Naruto and Sara reached the altar of the Dragon Vein.
Sara placed her hands on the seal, tears running down her face.
"This power… it was never meant for anyone."
Naruto nodded. "Let's end it."
Above them, Hundredfoot sensed what was happening and turned to strike—only for Raizen to plant himself in his path.
Raizen pressed his hands together. His voice dropped to a growl.
"If the Dragon Vein's fading… then I'll finish this in one strike."
"Sage Art—Thousand Fist Judgment!"
Golden light burst behind him as a colossal Buddha-like avatar rose from the ground, its eyes blazing.
Raizen pointed forward.
"Feel the wrath of a shinobi, not a god!"
The golden statue's fists rained down like meteors.
Hundredfoot screamed, his puppet body cracking under the sheer force.
Below, the Dragon Vein's light dimmed—Sara and Naruto had sealed it at last.
Hundredfoot's regeneration halted.
Raizen exhaled sharply. "Time to end this."
"Sage Art—Final Judgment!"
The statue's last strike smashed into the ground, shattering the centipede's core.
The Dragon Vein's light died completely, and the puppet fell still—forever.
Raizen stood there, breathing hard, before collapsing to one knee.
Minato, Yamato, and the others rushed in, their faces weary but relieved.
White light enveloped Raizen, Naruto, and Yamato—the time distortion pulling them back.
Minato looked up. "So this is goodbye."
Raizen smiled faintly. "If your dream ever comes true… build that village, Minato."
Minato nodded, eyes resolute. "I will. I promise, Amamiya Raizen."
He raised his hand in a final sealing gesture, erasing Naruto and Yamato's memories of the time travel—
but not Raizen's.
Why, only Minato knew.
As Raizen's vision blurred, he found himself once again standing in the silent ruins of Loulan.
The altar was sealed, the Dragon Vein gone.
"…Maybe that's how it should be," he murmured.
And with that, he walked away—into the dust, and into legend.