The Imperial Expedition Force Enters Konoha

The others left one by one.

Their expressions were relaxed, utterly devoid of tension, as if entering the ninja world, retrieving Naruto, and potentially clashing with the entire ninja world due to their Imperial identity was merely a simple journey.

A few hours later, a pillar of light pierced the sky from the ruins of Roran in the ninja world.

Ninja World Tsunade, Kakashi, Sasuke, and the Imperial entourage appeared one by one.

Looking at the barren desert, Imperial Ino, dressed fashionably and radiant like a pop star, smiled.

"Hmm, so these are the ruins of Roran in the ninja world? Completely destroyed, huh."

"I sense a strong aura of history." said Imperial Shino, his entire body cloaked in black.

"I hate this environment… the sand's getting on my skin, and it feels so uncomfortable."

Tenten, wearing a white robe inside, a light blue coat outside, and athletic shorts below, looked spirited but wore a disgusted expression.

"Hahaha! Finally, I get to meet my other self in this world. Wonder if he's embarrassing me or not." Imperial Kiba laughed heartily.

"I heard my other self is a ninja in a rebel organization and even captured Kazekage Gaara. Sounds pretty decent, right?"

Imperial Deidara said, glancing at Imperial Gaara.

"That only proves my other self in this world is weaker…"

Imperial Gaara crossed his arms, looking indifferent.

"My other self here seems to be in the same rebel group called Akatsuki, like Deidara. I'm taking his Samehada sword." Imperial Kisame said.

"So Kisame-sama came with that goal? Isn't that a bit unfair? Isn't it too much to bully the other Kisame-sama?"

Beside Imperial Kisame, a beautiful woman in white with long, soft ice-blue hair spoke.

"Naive kid, why do you think the Water District Head let me come to this world?" Kisame laughed oddly.

Hearing the Imperial group's words, Ninja World Tsunade and Kakashi exchanged glances.

Both saw a trace of tension in each other's eyes.

Why did these people feel a bit… unreliable?

"Relax, Hokage-sama, Kakashi-kun. They're just lively by nature, but they're all quite dependable." Imperial Itachi, dressed in Uchiha clan attire, said, noticing their concern and offering comfort.

Ninja World Tsunade and Kakashi heard this, glancing at Setsuna, who kept smirking beside him, and thought:

'Both of you actually feel a bit unreliable to me too, especially Elder Setsuna. I feel like he's going to cause big trouble.'

Though they thought this, they wouldn't say it outright.

"Of course, we've never doubted the Empire's capabilities." Ninja World Tsunade said diplomatically.

"Then let's move out, head back to Konoha, and Hokage-sama will hold a Five Kage Summit to inform the other villages of the Empire's existence and unite. Additionally, the Empire will send people to retrieve Uzumaki Naruto immediately." Imperial Itachi said.

"That useless Naruto, always causing trouble. He's mastered martial arts, yet got captured by Akatsuki. A class clown stays a class clown." Ninja World Sasuke said with disgust.

"Let's go! Back we go."

Ninja World Tsunade said, and the group moved at high speed, racing through the desert.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Konoha, main gate.

Today, Konoha's main gate wasn't as quiet as usual. A large number of ninja gathered, many standing on the walls, looking into the distance as if welcoming something.

Until a ninja shouted:

"They're here! Lots of ninja heading this way!"

"Is that Hokage-sama, Kakashi, and the others?"

"Should be."

"They're finally here? The Empire people…"

The ninja group fell silent, their expressions tense.

"Don't be too nervous, everyone. The Empire's roots trace back to Konoha, so we're basically one family!" Imperial Lee said, comforting the tense Konoha crowd.

"That's what they say, but… it's still hard not to…"

"Yeah, after seeing the Empire's Martial Arts Tournament and those experts' strength, how can we not be nervous…"

"They're beings who could crush us with a flick of their finger."

"It feels like the legendary ninja we've only heard about are about to appear before us." a ninja said.

"Then let's all relax together! Let's ignite our spirit! Ignite our youth! Oooooooo! Come on! Let's burn together!"

Imperial Lee spread his arms, roaring to the sky.

"Ooooooo! I feel it, Lee from the other world! Burn! Youth! Spirit! Oooooooo!" Guy joined in.

"Guy-sensei! Big Brother Lee! Ooooooo!" Ninja World Lee shouted loudly too.

The others around watched, exchanged glances, and suddenly felt like laughing.

This Imperial Lee was just as foolish as their Lee… maybe they didn't need to overthink it.

"Shikamaru, Neji… let's burn together!"

Imperial Lee, seeing no reaction, invited them.

"No… we're good now." Ninja World Neji said flatly.

"Oooooooo! Fine, Boss Guy, Lee, we keep burning!"

"Oooooooo!"

The three kept shouting.

Until…

The Imperial group swiftly arrived at Konoha's gate, landing one by one.

The three stopped shouting.

"Finally here. You all seem very enthusiastic? Is this to welcome us?"

Imperial Ino winked playfully at the Konoha crowd, waving like she was greeting fans.

"Wow! That's my other self! Truly worthy of me! Whatever I wear, I'm always gorgeous!"

Ninja World Ino stepped out, greeting Imperial Ino.

"I see my other self from this world… why does he look so dumb?"

Imperial Kiba muttered, seeing Ninja World Kiba's appearance, then glanced at the dog beside him.

"Hey, my other self, what's your dog's name?"

"His name's Akamaru, my best friend. Your dog?" Ninja World Kiba asked back.

"Him? I call him Red God. Way cooler than your Akamaru, right?" Imperial Kiba said proudly.

The two Shikamarus exchanged glances, both smiling and nodding.

"Wow, my other self, you look kinda skinny… don't you eat enough usually?"

Imperial Chōji, two meters tall, full of fat, and likely weighing at least 250 kilograms, smiled and asked Ninja World Chōji.

"I… I eat a lot usually…" Ninja World Chōji said shyly.

Among the Konoha crowd, many interacted harmoniously with their Imperial counterparts.

Shikaku, seeing this, lifted the corner of his mouth slightly, slowly approaching Tsunade at the forefront.

"Hokage-sama, welcome back."

At the same time, his eyes glanced at the impassive Imperial Itachi and Kakashi beside Tsunade, the unfriendly Imperial Setsuna, and the Third Raikage, Killer B, Kisame, Deidara, Gaara, and others from foreign lands who looked curious.

"I'm back. Let's go to the meeting room. I have many important announcements, and we need to find a way to retrieve Naruto."

Tsunade smiled and nodded, about to lead the Imperial group into Konoha.

But then, a grim voice rang out.

"Tsunade! Don't even think about it! Because of you, the Kyuubi was captured, and Konoha lost its status as the leader of the five great ninja villages. Now you're so eager to seek support, turning Konoha into your personal kingdom? Is this what you offer Konoha as Hokage? As Hokage, you're an utter failure!"

The ninja crowd heard this and quickly parted.

Danzō, his body wrapped in bandages, flanked by two Anbu, slowly approached Ninja World Tsunade and the Imperial group, blocking their path.

"Danzō…" Ninja World Tsunade's face darkened.

Imperial Itachi narrowed his eyes.

Imperial Setsuna's face flared with rage.

"Danzō from the other world! You dare show yourself before the Uchiha after committing such heinous acts?"

"Hmph! Fake spirits, I don't have time for you now!"

Danzō snorted coldly, glancing dismissively at Imperial Setsuna before facing Ninja World Tsunade again.

"Tsunade! As Hokage, have you considered all that's happening? It's because you've been blinded by the deceivers around you, believing every word from this group of frauds. If you hadn't sent people to watch the Capital Martial Arts Tournament, how could our ninja be so careless that the Kyuubi Jinchuriki vanished!"

"Worse, among the deceivers beside you are two Konoha traitors! You're utterly unfit to be Hokage, Tsunade!"

Danzō shouted, then, without waiting for Tsunade's response, turned to the surrounding Konoha ninja.

"All of you! The Fifth Hokage has been blinded, unable to distinguish truth from lies, believing the Empire's nonsense. Now she even wants to bring these foreign frauds into the village! Destroying Konoha's foundation! I, alongside Konoha's two advisors, hereby move to impeach Tsunade, this foolish and incompetent Hokage!"

"For Konoha's prosperity!"

After his words, Homura and Koharu slowly stepped to Danzō's side, staring at Ninja World Tsunade.

"Tsunade, stop your foolish charade. Konoha is the leader of the five great ninja villages. United, we are the strongest. Yet you've been fooled by petty tricks and want to side with these frauds? Laughable!"

"Neglecting Konoha and losing the Kyuubi! Your actions disqualify you as a Kage! After discussing with Danzō, we've decided to use our advisory rights to impeach the current Hokage!"

"What? Impeach the Hokage!"

The Konoha ninja were shocked, staring at the three elder advisors.