Before the Empire’s Power, You Are Mere Ants

"Wind Release – Great Breakthrough!"

"Wind Release – Wind Blade!"

"Wind Release – Vacuum Wave Barrage!"

Other Sunagakure ninja joined the attack.

A ferocious storm roared, wind blades striking the sand dragon.

Wind Release, typically enough to fell trees and destroy small forests, only scattered insignificant fine sand upon hitting the dragon.

"Don't underestimate us, you otherworld bastard!" Kankuro shouted, seeing Wind Release ineffective. Two puppets from afar fired a barrage of iron needles at Imperial Gaara, but before they could near, a raised sand dragon tail deflected them all!

*BOOM!*

The entire sand dragon crashed to the ground, turning into a flood of sand, engulfing all Sunagakure ninja.

As the sand churned, several heads slowly emerged.

Seeing the Sunagakure ninja's oppressed expressions, people from other ninja villages were puzzled.

Based on intel, they knew how formidable Gaara was.

Imperial Gaara could turn earth into sand, and so could Ninja World Gaara, so why no movement in the end? No defense?

This led to Sunagakure's crushing defeat. It was bizarre.

"What happened back there?" Ninja World Gaara, with only his head visible, asked with unease.

"Simple. When you channeled chakra into the ground to transform and control sand, I also channeled chakra, stabilizing the earth's form, making your ninjutsu fail."

"We're Gaara from two different worlds, both using sand-control abilities. Naturally, the stronger one controls everything."

"And clearly, my sand-control ability far surpasses yours. It's harsh to say, but if we quantify our gap, you're a 1, while I'm at least a 5 or higher. Against me, you have no power to resist." Imperial Gaara explained.

"Why not seize control of the sand from the start, then?"

"Because that gourd you've carried for so long is infused with your chakra. I couldn't take it, but beyond that, you couldn't use even a grain of sand." Imperial Gaara elaborated.

The ninja from other villages and Sunagakure finally understood.

It wasn't that their Gaara made a mistake or failed to act; against Imperial Gaara, he had no way to fight!

This realization sent a chill through the ninja.

Could their Kage be so thoroughly defeated, their villages swallowed?

No! This absolutely couldn't happen!

Several Kage and their escorts flushed with anger.

"Gramps from this world, let's fight too. I'll make you feel the Empire's power! Feel how small you are!" Imperial Deidara grinned widely at Ninja World Ōnoki.

"Stinking brat! Your face alone makes me sick! Since you want a beating, I'll grant your wish!" Ōnoki said, but his expression was unprecedentedly serious.

From the two prior battles, he'd seen the Empire's strength, so he didn't dare underestimate his opponent.

His hands joined, unleashing his ultimate technique. "Dust Release – Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"

A glowing orb expanded.

Iwagakure ninja felt reassured.

This was Dust Release, surpassing Kekkei Genkai! The other world's Deidara couldn't possibly withstand it! No one could! It was an invincible technique!

But what they didn't expect…

"Hah! Dust Release – Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!" Imperial Deidara joined his hands, expanding them.

An identical glowing orb appeared, clashing with the other.

Space itself distorted.

Under Tsuchikage's horrified gaze, his Dust Release's white light was pushed back!

"How?! My Dust Release… could it be inferior to this brat?" Ōnoki shouted, shocked.

"Gramps, without True Qi's boost, you're pathetic! Hahaha… this time, I'll teach you properly! So you won't keep bullying me like before! Hahaha…" Imperial Deidara laughed heartily.

The Dust Release kept being pushed back. Iwagakure ninja, terrified for their Kage's safety, acted regardless.

"Earth Release – Mountain Soil Technique!" Kitsuchi, accompanying Ōnoki, used his signature ninjutsu, attacking Imperial Deidara.

Earth rose on both sides, closing in on Deidara.

"No chance! Wind God Kick!" A soft shout rang out.

A figure flashed like lightning, stomping the earth mountains. Both mountains pressing Imperial Deidara exploded.

The figure leapt to Ōnoki's escorts, becoming countless spinning shadows, with continuous clashing sounds.

The escorts couldn't react, screaming in pain and flying back.

Only then did the shadow stop, revealing its true form.

The ninja world's group widened their eyes.

It was Imperial Kurotsuchi who acted!

She slowly lowered her raised slender leg, saying arrogantly: "Father and all of you from this world, how could many bully one? That's not right."

"Ugh… such incredible speed… the other world's Kurotsuchi, her taijutsu's this strong?" Ninja World Kitsuchi clutched his chest, staring at Imperial Kurotsuchi in disbelief.

"So cool! My other world self!" Ninja World Kurotsuchi looked up at Imperial Kurotsuchi, eyes sparkling. "Defeating Father and everyone in a flash. So awesome… I want to be that strong too!"

"Kurotsuchi! Who told you to interfere? You think this cheap trick can beat me?" Imperial Deidara shouted at Imperial Kurotsuchi, annoyed.

"Of course I know this trick won't beat you, but… showing off before Gramps and Father from another world, seeing their shocked faces, feels amazing. I couldn't let you have all the fun!" Imperial Kurotsuchi rubbed her nose with her right thumb, saying casually.

"Tch! You know-it-all brat." Imperial Deidara sneered.

His Dust Release's power surged, completely overpowering Ōnoki's Dust Release. The next second, the white light pillar grazed Ōnoki's beard, slicing it off, making the old man sweat coldly in fear.

"Stinking brat…"

"Gramps, surrender obediently. From that Dust Release, you should feel the gap. Before the Empire, you're mere ants!" Imperial Deidara said.

Ninja World Ōnoki fell silent.

Iwagakure ninja showed complex, fearful expressions. "Tsuchikage-sama, master of invincible Dust Release, lost just like that… these Empire people are truly formidable…"

"We can't fight them at all…"

"Could Iwagakure vanish just like that?"

"I'm so unwilling!"

"Other world people… each one so powerful? So, Kirigakure's other world counterpart, who's my opponent? You, Hoshigaki Kisame?" Mei took a deep breath, staring at Kisame seriously.

As she spoke, the group turned hopeful gazes toward her.

The Four Great Ninja Villages' people desperately wanted a win!

"Not Kisame-senpai… but me!" A man in a long gray robe, with long gray hair draped over his shoulders and a calm expression, stepped forward.

"You?"

"Kaguya Kimimaro. Kisame-senpai's abilities aren't suited for close combat; his power and range are too vast. So, I'll be Mizukage-dono's opponent." Imperial Kimimaro said, lips curling.

"The Kaguya clan? Extinct in our world… seems they're thriving in the other." Ninja World Mei said.

"Under His Majesty the Emperor's rule, everyone worldwide lives happily, free from the so-called Blood Mist era." Imperial Kimimaro said.

Kirigakure ninja's expressions shifted slightly.

"Hahaha… really? You're truly blessed, then. By the way, how's my counterpart in the other world?" Ninja World Mei asked, smiling.

"Very well… She's the governor of the Water District, or in terms you'd understand, the Daimyo of the Land of Water. She's wildly popular; her suitors could line up from Konoha's south gate to the north…" Imperial Kimimaro thought, then said.

"W-What!? Daimyo of the Land of Water? Suitors lining from Konoha's south to north gate? How?!"

"Why can't I find a single handsome man I like in this world, but she's so popular in the other? Unacceptable! I won't accept this!" Ninja World Mei, furious, formed hand seals, opened her mouth, and spewed. "Lava Release – Monster Melting Technique!"

A massive wave of glowing red lava surged toward Imperial Kimimaro.

Imperial Kimimaro stood still, not dodging, letting the lava drench and engulf him.

This stunned Ninja World Mei and all the ninja.

"Huh? This kid, why didn't he dodge? Did I kill him? He looked pretty handsome… I didn't want to kill him!"

"Relax, this kid's strength is immense. You ninja world folks have almost no chance against him." Imperial Kisame said indifferently.

All ninja world ninja stared at the lava.

A humanoid figure, entirely encased in white bone, slowly emerged.

Ao frowned; Chojuro instinctively asked: "What's wrong, Uncle Ao?"

"Trouble… those bones, in my Byakugan's perception, are made of extremely dense chakra. Their hardness is unlike anything I've seen in my life. Mizukage-sama is in danger."

"What?" Ninja World Mei narrowed her eyes.

"The Kaguya clan's Kekkei Genkai, Shikotsumyaku, controls bones. I'm among the most exceptional. Fused with martial arts and soul artifacts, my bones' hardness and resilience in all aspects have vastly improved."

"Using them to form external skeletal armor is perfect. Lava like this can't burn my bones." Imperial Kimimaro explained.