Encounter with the Past (2)
Danzo gazed at An Lushan, who was kneeling before him, and fell into deep thought.
After the leader of the Akatsuki violently broke the seal of the Dragon Vein, he was overwhelmed by its energy and transported back to the ninja world more than a decade earlier. He arrived in Loulan, a city that had yet to be buried beneath the shifting sands. Now, several weeks had passed.
Returning to the past was an unexpected advantage. He had more time to maneuver for the Hokage position, eliminate potential threats before they could mature, and deal with Orochimaru, who had betrayed his whereabouts.
However, based on the information he had previously obtained, the Dragon Vein was not believed to possess the ability to manipulate time and space. It was merely a massive chakra source, comparable to a Tailed Beast. This unexpected journey through time had not been intentional—it had been an unforeseen consequence.
Yet now, it seemed that the power of the Dragon Vein was far greater than he had imagined.
An Lushan, the ninja before him, had once been a shinobi of Sunagakure, lurking near the Rōran Lost Tower. After being caught in the Dragon Vein's vortex, he arrived in Loulan several years earlier than expected and persuaded the former queen to create an army of puppets.
This puppet army surpassed the control limits of an ordinary puppet master. Its strength rivaled that of the legendary Ten Puppets of Monzaemon, once wielded by Chiyo, an esteemed elder of Sunagakure.
Had An Lushan possessed a higher strategic vision, beyond that of a mere Chūnin, the force would have been even more formidable.
Although the ability to travel back in time and alter the future was an advantage, it was not without its dangers. Others had likely been dragged into the past as well—including the leader of the Akatsuki, the wielder of the Rinnegan, the leader of Uzushiogakure, and Uchiha Shisui.
These individuals were already formidable in the future, and now they had returned with all their power intact. Compared to them, Danzo was at a disadvantage.
Until he had the strength to confront them, he would not act openly. Instead, he would operate under the guise of An Lushan, biding his time until he could fully integrate the power of the Dragon Vein.
However, merging with the Dragon Vein was no simple task; it required extensive preparation and time.
To ensure his plan's success, he had sent word to his past self in Konohagakure. Yet, for some reason, he had received no definitive response. This uncertainty left him puzzled.
Nevertheless, An Lushan had prepared for this moment years in advance. The final step of integration was within reach.
Assistance from external forces was unnecessary. All that remained was to establish a connection with the Dragon Vein's core and wait patiently.
Shaking off his wandering thoughts, Danzo turned his gaze to An Lushan. His figure gradually faded into the darkness.
---
After forming a temporary alliance with Minato's team, Naruto led them to a nearby restaurant.
Seated in a private room, he ordered an assortment of desert specialties before addressing Minato's squad.
"Relax. We're allies now, not enemies. Eat and drink first—then we'll exchange information and figure out how to complete our respective missions."
Naruto's casual demeanor left Minato and the others somewhat exasperated. They had agreed to cooperate, but they still remained wary. Avoiding unnecessary conflict had been their goal.
Had Naruto been weaker, they would have subdued this enigmatic ninja without hesitation. His concealed identity and elusive nature made him an unpredictable factor.
Moreover, the mission to assassinate An Lushan was unusual. How could they be certain that Queen Sara wouldn't become collateral damage?
Soon, the dishes arrived—hand-pulled lamb, roasted naan, dates, and other regional delicacies.
Naruto grabbed a date, tossing it into his mouth. The food was a bit greasy, but the flavor wasn't bad. Without hesitation, he continued eating.
Tempted by the enticing aroma, Akimichi Chōza eagerly joined in, while Minato, after taking in the scent, opted instead for a soldier pill.
"I'm not used to desert cuisine," Minato explained.
Naruto smirked but chose not to call him out on his excuse. Instead, he waited silently for the last member of Minato's team.
A knock at the door signaled his arrival. A young Hatake Kakashi stepped into the private room.
Approaching Minato, Kakashi whispered a few words before turning his sharp gaze toward Naruto.
"Captain, who is this ninja?"
"This is our partner for this mission," Minato replied, scratching his head. "Uh… called…"
"Mian Ma," Naruto interjected smoothly. "A name is just a code."
Glancing at Minato and Kakashi, he then lowered his voice. "Now that everyone's here, we can exchange intel." His gaze sharpened. "So, Konoha shinobi… my objective is simple. I need to eliminate An Lushan. He is likely a traitor to our village. I must confirm his identity and neutralize him if necessary."
Minato considered this for a moment before responding, "Our mission is to protect Queen Sara and eliminate any threats to her—including you. Your arrival here is highly suspicious."
His bluntness caught some of his teammates off guard, but such directness was a defining trait of Namikaze Minato.
Naruto remained unfazed. "I suppose my identity does seem questionable… but if I truly intended to assassinate the Queen, none of you could stop me."
Before anyone could react, he continued, "However, I do have some doubts about your mission."
"Did Queen Sara commission this request, or was it the former queen?" Naruto's gaze darkened. "If it was Sara, how would an underage girl know she was being targeted? And if it was the former queen… she died a month ago. An Lushan is now Sara's guardian."
Minato and his team fell silent, deep in thought.
They had only just arrived and had yet to gather intelligence. If Naruto's information was accurate, their mission was entangled in Loulan's internal power struggle.
But what of An Lushan's alleged betrayal? How had they been left in the dark?
Naruto capitalized on their uncertainty. "I have a suggestion. Instead of passively defending Queen Sara from the shadows, why not take the initiative? Remove her from the palace before any threats can reach her."
Kakashi's expression flattened. "That's… just kidnapping."
Minato, however, was contemplative. The idea seemed extreme, but it offered an advantage: forcing any would-be assassins into the open.
After deliberating for hours, the team agreed on a plan and invited Naruto to join them. Though they didn't fully trust him, they decided his presence could be useful.
Naruto, aware of their skepticism, accepted. Disguising himself as a Konoha shinobi would help him avoid unwanted attention.
---
In the library, Queen Sara set down her book and took a sip of strong tea.
Studying was exhausting, but if she mastered the knowledge within the library, she could become a capable ruler—one worthy of her mother's legacy. Then, Minister An Lushan could finally set aside his burdens.
At that moment, she heard footsteps behind her.
Turning, she found herself face-to-face with Naruto.
"You… who are you?" she stammered. "Where are the guards? Why haven't—"
She stopped mid-sentence, realizing the truth. If he was here, the guards had already been subdued. Resistance was futile.
Taking a steady breath, she declared, "I don't care who you are, but I am the Queen of Loulan. If you harm me, Minister An Lushan and my people will not forgive you."
Naruto ignored her defiance. "I have no intention of harming you," he said softly. "I just want to take you on a little trip. You'll be back in a few days."
"…This is kidnapping." Sara's vision blurred. She lost consciousness before she could say another word.
---
When she awoke, she was in a small room, the towering Lost Tower visible through the window.
She tried to escape, but the door was locked.
After multiple failed attempts, she slumped against the wall, tears welling in her eyes.
Then, the door creaked open. Minato and his team stood before her, along with Naruto.
Smiling gently, Minato reassured her, "Queen Sara, we are Konoha shinobi. Your mother entrusted us with your protection."
Sara's eyes narrowed. "Kidnapping me counts as protection?"
Naruto's smirk was cold. "You and your mother are nothing but keys—to control the Dragon Vein."
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