Chapter 222. A Strange World

Chapter 222. A Strange World

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Six Paths of Pain!

The terrifying enemy who once destroyed Konoha. Although he was eventually reformed by the Seventh Hokage, she had never forgotten such a fearsome opponent.

However—

This Six Paths of Pain looks so young! Could it be some kind of twisted hobby?

Is he pretending to be the Six Paths of Pain because he admires him? Just like how that Taketori in the village worships Kakashi and even tries to imitate his appearance?

And those eyes…

Dragging her injured body, Hyuga Hanabi stared cautiously at Nagato.

[Contact lenses?]

But—

Her sudden reaction, as if she were facing a major threat, made both Nagato and Konan pause.

[Why is there another girl next to Brother Yuto?]

[And she's pretty too…]

White eyes?

What about Suzune?

And…

This woman, who looked seriously injured… why was she acting like she was facing a strong enemy for no reason?

Are there any enemies?

No.

Nagato frowned and looked around, but nothing was out of place. Then he noticed Hanabi's wary gaze fixed on him, and his mouth twitched. Why was she… looking at him?

"???"

Psycho?

Why did Yuto bring a mentally unstable person here?

Didn't he say to stay away from psychopaths?

"Six Paths of Pain?" Nagato thought for a moment, then turned to Yuto. "Who's that? Why does that name sound so weird?"

"It does sound a bit weird! He sounds like someone carrying rice." Yuto nodded seriously and said, "Maybe she mistook you for someone else."

[T/N: "Carrying rice" is a Chinese meme about Nagato's speech about pain. In case you need to know about it, here's the link: https://www.reddit.com/r/PunishingGrayRaven/comments/xqngim/reference_to_a_naruto_meme_by_vera/?rdt=48232]

"???" ×3

"Sorry, I mistook you for someone else." Hanabi finally snapped out of it and sighed in relief. She discreetly glanced at the two people in front of her.

They do look quite similar…

Maybe they're just obsessive fans?

She figured she must have been mistaken.

After all—

Six Paths of Pain…

He was a guy in a wheelchair. No way he could walk so fast!

It's definitely not him!

That's right! Six Paths of Pain and Konan died a long time ago. There's no way they're still alive.

She smiled wryly and shook her head. As she relaxed her posture, she accidentally pulled on her injuries and winced from the pain.

"Sorry, I'm Hyuga Hanabi. Thanks to…"

Her face stiffened slightly.

[I still don't know my savior's name!]

"Yuto."

"Yuto-san saved me." Hanabi bowed slightly and smiled faintly. "I'm truly grateful!"

After she finished speaking—

"Uzumaki Nagato."

"Konan."

"…"

Hanabi fell silent.

Are fans this crazy nowadays?

Even using the same names?!

…

"It's not a big problem." Kana checked Hanabi's injuries and smiled gently. "You'll recover after some rest."

"…T-thank you very much." Hanabi stiffly nodded, looking completely dazed. It was as if she still hadn't processed what was happening.

The Land of Rain.

Konan, Uzumaki Nagato, Yahiko…

The Akatsuki.

Where exactly is this place?

Her eyes grew confused. She couldn't understand how she had blacked out, only to wake up and find the ninja world so unfamiliar.

[Could it be… genjutsu?]

Infinite Tsukuyomi?

But… who would've cast it this time?

Meanwhile, Nagato also frowned at Yuto and lowered his voice. "Did… she hit her head?"

"…Not sure." Yuto's mouth twitched slightly as he nodded. "Probably."

To be honest, Yuto was also very confused.

By logic, when Minato met Naruto… It had only been a few years. How did Hanabi grow up so quickly?

Could it be…

Is it like Mukade, whom Naruto chased?

They traveled through time together, but they didn't arrive at the same time. Instead, they arrived six years apart. There are still problems with time travel.

As he watched the confused Hanabi, Yuto didn't bother explaining further. If she couldn't figure out a way back, she'd probably be stuck here until Sasuke and Boruto crossed over too… that would be another 12 years~

Twelve years…

By then, she would be old enough to be called an aunt.

Ignoring Nagato's odd look that seemed to say, "Didn't you say to stay away from psychopaths?" Yuto nodded slightly to Kana and entered the secret laboratory.

He asked about the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Mark and the Sharingan, but unfortunately, there was no progress.

As expected…

Kana still lacks a little talent in experiments~

"I'm sorry." Kana smiled apologetically. "I've disappointed you."

"It's no big deal. There's still time. Even if we don't figure it out, it's fine." Yuto shook his head. "I can think of other ways. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you." Kana smiled bitterly and nodded. "My abilities are limited. Looks like we'll have to follow Yuto-sama's advice and seek help from one of the Three Legendary Sannin—Orochimaru."

As she said this, she seemed to relax and returned to her usual cheerful expression as she looked at Yuto.

"I spoke with Suzune this morning. I've already told her that you arrived in the Land of Rain."

"???"

So what?

Yuto was confused about why Kana suddenly brought this up.

However—

Before he could ask—

Kana's eyes suddenly narrowed slightly. She smiled sweetly at Yuto and said, "Suzune said you left the village alone with a Suna ninja. So… about that Hyuga Hanabi… How did Yuto-sama meet her? Can you tell me? I'm really curious!"

"…"

She hasn't even been born yet…

Yuto frowned, thought for a moment, and finally sighed deeply with a melancholy tone, "If I said I might be her uncle-in-law, would you believe it?"

Kana: ???

…

"Are your injuries better?"

"Much better." Hyuga Hanabi, still looking completely confused, turned toward the voice and bowed slightly to Yuto. "Thank you for your help."

"No problem~" Yuto waved it off, noticing that Hanabi seemed hesitant, as if she wanted to say something. "What's wrong? Do you have something you want to ask?"

"Well…" Hanabi hesitated, then took a deep breath and asked, "May I ask… where exactly is this place?"

"The Land of Rain!" Yuto gave her a puzzled look. "Didn't I already tell you that?"

"Then that guy earlier…"

"You mean Nagato?"

"Could you tell me about him?"

"Of course. If you want to know more, you can ask other people too. Nagato is quite famous in the Land of Rain." Yuto nodded, then seemed to think for a moment. With a melancholic expression, he sighed and said, "Uzumaki Nagato… Don't be fooled by his tough and proud demeanor now. That kid is quite pitiful!"

"???"

"When I first met him, he was just a kid."

"He lost his parents to war at a young age. He was forced to wander the ninja world, homeless and constantly hunted by ninjas. He never had a moment of peace." Yuto ignored Hanabi's bewildered look and continued with emotion, "In order to not starve, he could only gather other orphans and get involved with gangs. But I know… he's not that kind of person deep down."

"So, even though he formed gangs and factions, his life got better and better. He didn't have to survive on stale bread anymore. But even then, he never forgot his original aspirations and dreams and longed for peace."

"He's been trying to live!"

"What a good kid!"

"???" Hanabi blinked blankly at Yuto's sentimental narration about Six Paths of Pain's tragic past. How pitiful!

Eh~, no, this is different from the information she knew. She can't say it's wrong, but… something feels off.

After hesitating for a moment, Hanabi remembered that she owed Yuto her life. If this was a Tsukuyomi world…

She gritted her teeth. "Please tell Miss Konan… if she ever encounters the Demi-God of the Ninja World, Hanzo of the Salamander, she must—"

Before she could finish—

"Hahaha! So you really are here, you brat."

A loud laugh echoed through the room.

Next, a figure wearing a strange gas mask walked in.

He grinned as he glanced at the beautiful girl standing beside Yuto. "White-eyed girl, what were you about to say if you ran into me?"

"…"

Hanabi's mouth twitched.

She suddenly realized…

She no longer recognized this world anymore.

She smiled awkwardly and said, "Nothing… nothing!"

Why is Hanzo of the Salamander here?!

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