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"Kakashi-san, what should we do now?"

After recovering all of Pent No. 42's mechanical guards, Uzumaki Naruto asked Hatake Kakashi with an embarrassed expression. 

However, Kakashi only rolled his eyes at him. The reason they ended up back in the past was none other than Naruto's impulsiveness, which had forced Kakashi to follow him to ensure his safety.

"Queen Sara can't do anything about it. People in this era can't precisely control the power of the dragon veins. Even the daimyo hasn't studied it thoroughly, which is why it's designated as a forbidden area," Kakashi said weakly. 

He was just a guardian ninja, not part of the scientific research department. This was his first time traveling through time and space—how was he supposed to know what to do?

"There are only two options now," Kakashi continued. "We can either wait near the dragon veins and hope the daimyo intervenes after learning you've been caught up in its power, or we can go directly to the daimyo. But I'm not sure how much research they've done on the dragon veins at this point in time."

Hearing this, Uzumaki Naruto's eyes lit up. He said decisively, "It goes without saying—of course, I'll go find my father!"

Kakashi sighed. "After hearing your decision, I think it's better if we stay here. Right now, it's the Third Ninja World War. The Land of Fire hasn't unified the ninja world yet, so running around is too dangerous!"

After saying this, Kakashi waved his hand and started heading back to talk with Queen Sara. He intended to stay near the dragon veins for now.

Naruto, however, immediately panicked. He rushed forward, grabbing Kakashi and pleading, " Kakashi-san, I'll definitely follow your commands this time. If the two fathers of different time work together, maybe we can return as soon as possible!"

He rattled off excuse after excuse, clearly unwilling to stay behind.

Kakashi could see through Naruto's plan in an instant. Still, he had his own reasons for considering the idea. 

Now that they had traveled to the past, Kakashi couldn't help but wonder if it was possible to change certain events. 

Even if nothing could be altered, he still wanted to understand the causes and effects of what had happened.

After Naruto begged for a while, Kakashi finally relented, but not without conditions. "Fine, but we're making some rules. Once we leave Loulan, you will follow my orders without question. No acting on your own. Also, we'll need to change our clothes."

"Understood, Kakashi-san!" Naruto agreed readily.

He quickly pulled out a different outfit from his ninja bag, while Kakashi stepped aside to change as well. Afterward, they both went to bid farewell to Queen Sara.

Though Sara tried her best to convince them to stay, the two of them refused. They were heroes who had saved Loulan, and the queen wanted to hold a banquet in their honor, but Naruto was eager to explore the culture and scenery of this time. 

Politely, they declined her invitation and prepared to leave.

In the Land of Wind, Namikaze Minato led a twelve-member team specializing in assassination and harassment toward Sand Shinobi Village after receiving news from the messenger frog.

The team was composed of various types of ninjas, including those skilled in reconnaissance, assassination, and sabotage. 

Among them were members of the Hyuga clan and the Inuzuka clan, whose investigative skills were particularly valuable.

The group moved freely across the country without detection, except in the event of a large-scale search by Sand Shinobi. Setting out half a day earlier, they quickly approached the outskirts of Sand Shinobi Village.

"Captain Minato, there are about ten ninjas on watch at the entrance to Sand Shinobi Village," reported a Hyuga clan ninja. "It seems they've been alerted in advance. We could use Earth Style or eliminate these guards to get closer."

Sand Shinobi Village, surrounded by desert, made it challenging to approach unnoticed. Unlike Konoha, which was nestled in forests that offered cover for infiltration, Sand Shinobi's desert terrain left intruders exposed. 

This same terrain, however, allowed Sand Shinobi to forego large-scale village-wide barriers. Guarding the desert was simpler, and they lacked the manpower to maintain widespread enchantments.

"Ten guards? Then we'll attack directly," Minato decided after a moment of thought. "We'll destroy Sand Shinobi Village and evacuate afterward."

Minato was merciless when fighting enemy ninjas, but he hoped Sand Shinobi would react swiftly enough to evacuate their civilians once alerted. 

He anticipated that with their village under threat, Sand Shinobi would recall their forces from the front lines, giving him a chance to deal a decisive blow during the chaos.

"Move out!" Minato ordered, dispersing the team to prepare for the assault.

In the distance, three Sand Shinobi guards suddenly felt a sharp itch on their necks before their bodies grew weak and collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, unable to speak or move.

"Gara, what's wrong with you?"

The entrance to Sand Shinobi Village was guarded in tiers, with ninjas stationed at different levels. When the three guards on the lowest tier fell, the others quickly realized something was amiss.

"Their faces are black... it's poison! We're under attack!" shouted the team leader, who had gone to investigate.

The ninja from the Aburame clan had deployed poisonous insects to incapacitate the guards. However, the team leader, noticing the insects in time, swiftly drew a kunai and killed one.

Phew—BOOM!

A flare shot into the sky, exploding above Sand Shinobi Village. This was a prearranged warning, and Kazekage-sama had already been alerted to the possibility of an attack. 

The remaining Sand Shinobi on guard heightened their vigilance.

As the flare burst overhead, the village's ninjas scrambled into defensive positions, prepared for the imminent assault.

….

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