CHAPTER 203

Naruto vs. Danzō

After entering the Rōran Underground Passage, Naruto Uzumaki and Queen Sara walked cautiously through the dimly lit corridor.

It was Sara's first time venturing into the depths of the Lost Tower, and curiosity shone in her violet eyes as she examined the crisscrossing pipes and ancient mechanisms. Her brows furrowed occasionally in confusion as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.

"As a queen, this is your first time here? That's pretty irresponsible." Naruto's tone was casual, but his blue eyes held a hint of criticism.

Sara stomped her foot, her voice tinged with frustration. "My mother never allowed me near the Lost Tower. And after I became queen, I was too busy with my royal duties to visit."

"I see… So that's why Her Highness has no idea that her people have been enslaved to create puppet soldiers powered by the Dragon Vein."

Naruto's voice was laced with sarcasm as he gestured toward a group of ragged citizens in the distance. Their tired faces and tattered clothes revealed the harsh reality—Rōran's citizens were being forced to work as slaves under Anrokuzan's rule.

Sara's eyes widened in shock, and she quickly stepped forward for a closer look. The enslaved workers, clad in traditional Rōran attire, were being driven by automaton puppets infused with Dragon Vein chakra. Her expression darkened as she recalled the mysterious disappearances of her people in recent years.

A grim realization dawned on her—her mother's death wasn't simply due to illness or misfortune. Not only had Anrokuzan (her mother's trusted minister) coveted the power of the Dragon Vein, but he had also exploited Rōran's citizens as disposable labor.

Determined to uncover the truth, Naruto and Sara pressed forward, avoiding most of the patrolling puppets until they finally arrived at a massive gate deep within the underground complex.

Beyond this gate lay the core of the Dragon Vein.

Channeling Senjutsu chakra, Naruto braced himself and pushed against the towering doors, each weighing several tons. With a powerful heave, the gates creaked open, revealing a vast chamber.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed behind them.

A horde of mechanized puppets surged forward, surrounding Naruto and Sara.

From the ranks of the puppets, a thin, middle-aged man with sharp features stepped forward, his voice feigning concern.

"Your Highness Sara, forgive me for my tardiness. I regret that I could not ensure your safety sooner."

Sara's eyes burned with anger as she stepped forward, glaring at Anrokuzan. "Anrokuzan! Explain yourself! Why are my people being forced to toil underground?"

"All of this is for the prosperity of Rōran." His tone was calm, almost rehearsed. "They are here of their own volition."

Sara scoffed, her expression turning ice-cold. "Then tell me—how did my mother die? Did she know you were using the Dragon Vein for your own gain?"

At the mention of the former queen, Anrokuzan's face darkened. He let out a low chuckle, his worried facade slipping away. "It's dangerous to know too much, Your Highness. Why not simply be a puppet yourself? You'll live longer that way."

He took a step back, signaling his puppets to attack.

A barrage of Chakra-infused Senbon shot toward them, each needle reinforced by the Dragon Vein's energy—sharp enough to pierce steel.

Naruto swiftly raised his hand. A Rasen Shuriken materialized in his palm, the spinning vortex of wind chakra tearing through the incoming barrage with ease. The attack then engulfed several Dragon Puppets, reducing them to heaps of shattered metal.

Anrokuzan's eyes widened in disbelief. His puppet army, the ultimate weapon he had intended to use for world domination, was being dismantled as if they were mere toys.

Was it because the puppets were too weak?

No—these puppets were far more advanced than anything used by Sunagakure's puppet corps. The real problem was Naruto.

"Who… are you?" Anrokuzan rasped, staggering backward. "No ninja from this era should have that kind of power! Are you from the future as well?"

Naruto's gaze sharpened as he activated his Sharingan, attempting to cast a Genjutsu on Anrokuzan to extract more information.

However, the illusion failed.

A powerful chakra still lingered in Anrokuzan's body—he was merely a puppet, controlled by an even greater force.

Before Naruto could react, Anrokuzan convulsed violently and collapsed, unconscious.

At the far end of the passage, a new figure emerged.

A man wrapped in dark robes and bandages, his right arm covered in Sharingan eyes, walked forward with a slow, deliberate pace.

Shimura Danzō.

His single exposed eye gleamed with intrigue as he studied Naruto.

"The leader of Uzumaki Village… We finally meet."

Naruto smirked, unfazed by Danzō's presence. "I thought you'd keep hiding in the shadows like the rat you are. But it looks like you finally decided to crawl out and die."

Danzō chuckled, the Dragon Vein's chakra coursing through his body, making his presence even more ominous. "Thanks to you and the Akatsuki's leader, I was able to travel back in time and claim the Dragon Vein's power for myself. I feel stronger than ever."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. Danzō was delusional. The power of the Dragon Vein was formidable, but compared to the Nine-Tails or Sage Chakra, it was insignificant.

Sara, who had been listening quietly, was confused by their conversation.

"This era…? The future…?"

It finally clicked.

Anrokuzan, Naruto, and now this bandaged old man—they were all from the future. But how had they managed to travel back in time? And what did they hope to change?

Naruto turned to Sara. "You should find the Konoha shinobi. Leave Danzō to me."

As his shadow clones escorted Sara away, Naruto entered Sage Mode, the air around him crackling with raw energy.

Danzō smirked and pulled out a shuriken, infusing it with Wind Release chakra before launching it at Naruto at breakneck speed.

The wind-enhanced projectile could slice through steel. Even in Sage Mode, Naruto chose not to block it directly, instead evading like a gecko before countering with a Rasengan.

With a thunderous impact, the ground exploded beneath them.

Both warriors drew their kunai, coating them in Wind Chakra, their blades clashing mid-air with enough force to create shockwaves.

Naruto and Danzō—two masters of Wind Release—were locked in a deadly battle, their attacks matching each other in speed and precision.

Danzō's expression darkened as their duel continued.

"The Uchiha's fighting style, Rasengan, and even my own Wind Techniques…" His voice was laced with suspicion.

"The old man's hunch was right—you're the Nine-Tails brat who went rogue from Konoha. I should've had you eliminated before you became a problem."

Naruto's expression remained calm. He knew how dangerous Danzō's schemes could be.

But today, in this era—he would put an end to them.

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