234. Small Kakashi

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Sara's hands glowed with purple light, and the magic circle on the ground responded by radiating the same hue. The energy contracted inward, shrinking until it disappeared entirely.

The machinery in the factory groaned to a halt, conveyor belts froze, and the oppressive sounds of grinding gears ceased.

The puppets in the factory, including those battling Naruto and the others, collapsed into inert piles of parts.

Sara exhaled deeply and stood. "It's done. I've severed the connection between the Dragon Vein and this factory."

The imprisoned men, shackled to the machines, collapsed to the ground, gasping in relief.

But their respite was short-lived. Suddenly, chakra threads appeared in the air, weaving their way into the fallen puppets. One by one, the puppets reassembled themselves, rising once more.

From a high platform above, Mukade's mocking voice echoed through the chamber. "Your Majesty Sara, what a surprise. What are you doing here?"

Sara turned to face him, her gaze steely. "Anrokuzan—no, Mukade I command you in the name of the Queen! Stop developing puppet weapons and release these people immediately. I will not allow the power of the Dragon Vein to be used for war!"

Mukade chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery. "Oh? It seems you've learned more than I expected. Unfortunately, that means I can't let you live."

Minato stepped protectively in front of Sara, holding his kunai at the ready. "Mukade, stop this. We won't let you continue these atrocities!"

Naruto muttered under his breath, These lines have no punch. Maybe I should shout, 'Mukade, stop it, or I'll summon Jackie Chan!' That'd scare him.

Mukade was clearly unimpressed. "It seems Konoha's ninja have been whispering dangerous ideas to the Queen." He waved a hand, and the puppets surrounded them. "Your Majesty, thank you for your service. You've done well carrying out your mother's will, but now, you'll meet the same fate as her."

Sara froze. "What… what are you saying?"

Mukade smirked. "Oh, you didn't know? Your mother was a perceptive queen. She saw through my plans early on and tried to stop me. That's why she had to meet with a tragic 'accident.' I replaced her with you, a naive girl I could easily manipulate. But now that the puppet army is complete, I no longer need your power to control the Dragon Vein."

Tears streamed down Sara's face. She had trusted Mukade, believed in his lies and he had murdered her mother.

Minato handed her a kunai. "Now isn't the time to cry. Take these people and get them to safety. Leave Mukade to us."

Sara wiped her tears, steeling herself. "You're right. I still have a duty to my people." Turning to the workers, she called out, "Everyone, follow me! We'll get you to a safe place!"

Naruto created dozens of shadow clones with a single-hand sign. "The evacuation?"

The clones chorused, "Leave it to us!"

They swiftly escorted Sara and the workers out of the factory, destroying any puppets in their path.

Choza watched the clones in action and muttered to Minato, "Is this… how shadow clones are supposed to be used?"

Minato chuckled nervously. "Maybe… if you have enough chakra for it."

Shibi, ever practical, sent a wave of kikaichū to dismantle nearby puppets. "Focus. The enemy's not done yet."

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Mukade stood on the high platform, undeterred. "I told you the puppet army is complete, and in Rōran, my strength is limitless!"

He opened his robe, revealing his true form: a grotesque, spider-like puppet towering over three meters high.

The six-legged monstrosity gleamed with sharp blades at the ends of its front legs, and its body radiated an unnatural, mechanical glow.

"This is my ultimate form!" Mukade declared. "With the Dragon Vein, I hold the power to dominate all five great nations!"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Another 'ultimate form'? Another plan to 'dominate the world'? You villains need some new material."

Before Mukade could finish his monologue, several of his puppets exploded in a series of fiery bursts.

"What?!" Mukade turned, stunned. "What's happening?"

A white-haired boy darted through the remaining puppets, slapping detonating tags on them with precision. He leapt to a high perch, raised two fingers, and commanded, "Detonate!"

The remaining puppets erupted in explosions, leaving Mukade's forces in ruins.

"Kakashi, nice work," Minato said, smiling.

Naruto gawked at the younger Kakashi, who stood poised on the wall, mask intact and Sharingan-free. "That's… little Kakashi! He's so tiny! And cute! I want to Rua—"

Kakashi froze, feeling a strange, unsettling aura coming from Naruto. He stared at him with dead fish eyes. 'What's wrong with this guy? He looks like Minato-sensei, but… I feel like I'd get trapped if I got too close.'

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Mukade screeched in fury, charging forward with his bladed legs slashing wildly. Choza used his Partial Expansion Jutsu to swat Mukade into the wall.

"That's it?" Naruto teased.

But Mukade's laughter echoed through the chamber. Purple chakra from the Dragon Vein surged into him, repairing his injuries instantly. His body grew larger, resembling a massive scorpion with an enormous tail.

Minato frowned. "As long as the Dragon Vein powers him, he's nearly invincible."

Naruto formed hand signs. "Then let's smash him until we figure it out!"

"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!" Naruto unleashed a high-pressure jet of water, slicing off Mukade's tail and legs. They regenerated almost immediately.

"That's not going to work," Minato said. "We need a way to cut him off from the Dragon Vein."

Naruto called out to Kurama. Big fox! Give me a boost!

Kurama smirked, gathering natural energy and passing it to Naruto. "Don't waste it, brat."

Naruto's eyes changed as he entered Sage Mode. Raising his hand, he formed a massive Rasenshuriken, infused with natural energy.

"Senjutsu: Scorching Spiral Shuriken!" Naruto shouted.

Minato's eyes widened. 'He's added elemental chakra to the Rasengan? And his Sage Mode… it's more refined than Jiraiya-sensei's. He really is incredible'

Mukade roared in defiance, but Naruto hurled the Rasenshuriken directly at him. The spiralling attack tore through Mukade's body, severing his connection to the Dragon Vein and reducing him to scrap.

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Naruto grinned, turning to Minato. "What do you think, Dad? Pretty cool, huh?"

Minato's smile faltered briefly. 'Dad?' He decided to file that away for later

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