Chapter 16: Conquering the World? Or Just Konoha?

Chapter 16: Conquering the World? Or Just Konoha?

"Hey! It's the Pervy Sage! Oops, sorry, Jiraiya. Are you still as perverted here, Uncle Jiraiya?"

Naruto exclaimed excitedly upon seeing a Jiraiya who looked very similar to the one from his world.

"Cough, cough, cough... You little brat, watch your mouth! There's nothing wrong with a man being perverted. Indulging in carnal desires is the driving force behind human progress. Without it, the world would stagnate! Do you even understand the concept of sociology?"

Empire Jiraiya retorted with a crooked smile, earning disdainful glances from the women around him.

"Jiraiya-sensei, please stop spouting your ridiculous theories..."

Empire Minato sighed in exasperation.

"What's wrong with my theory? It's been proven by the Empire's Social Theory! Even His Majesty Shinwu recognizes it! Right, Your Majesty? Back me up here!"

Empire Jiraiya winked at the figure seated on the throne, Emperor Senju Tianren.

Amusement danced in Senju Tianren's eyes.

In this world, the three troublemakers—the yellow-flash, the gambler, and the poison expert—had their personalities already set due to their advanced age. Even if their lives had taken a different course in this world, their fundamental characters remained largely unchanged from their counterparts in the other world.

"Jiraiya is right," Senju Tianren nodded. "Desires, whether for sex, power, money, or anything else, are the very steps and motivations that drive people to progress. There's no need to be so averse or ashamed of them."

"See? See? Even His Majesty agrees with me! If you keep refuting me, you're refuting the Emperor himself!" Empire Jiraiya gloated.

"Pfft!"

A group of women turned away in disdain.

"That's Kakashi-sensei! Kurenai-sensei! Hinata's dad! Ino's dad! Shikamaru's dad... Wow, who's that white-haired uncle? He looks so much like Kakashi-sensei... "

Naruto Uzumaki exclaimed in surprise as he took in the familiar faces around him.

Those he named smiled and nodded at him.

Until his eyes landed on Itachi Uchiha.

Naruto's expression turned to one of shock: "You're not that Sasuke's... "

"Naruto!"

Yamato suddenly shouted and slapped Naruto hard on the back, jolting him awake.

Naruto blinked, embarrassed, and then pouted, deciding to remain silent.

"What's wrong? Did something happen to the other me in that world?"

Empire Itachi Uchiha, dressed in black, looked at Naruto quizzically.

"Sorry... that's a village secret..."

Yamato replied on Naruto's behalf.

"I see..."

Empire Itachi nodded, not intending to press further.

"Perhaps his brother from that world is very strong. After all, if I didn't have the power of Indra, it would be difficult for me to surpass my brother,"

Empire Sasuke remarked nonchalantly.

To be honest, he wasn't very interested in the weak world that Naruto had come from.

The rest of the Empire's group didn't think much of Yamato's excuse either.

However, Emperor Senju Tianren, seated on the throne, recalled the Naruto manga he had read in his previous life, and his expression turned peculiar.

These guys were pretty smart. From the start, they had concealed the fact that the Uchiha clan had been annihilated.

But... the truth would eventually come out, and when these Uchiha found out...

The Konoha in that world would be in for a rough time.

Of course, this was all assuming that the Shinwu Empire could even reach the world of Naruto Shippuden in the first place.

Realizing this, Senju Tianren calmed his mind and said, "Now that we've all introduced ourselves, let's get straight to the point. Naruto, Sakura, Yamato, Sai, and Centipede, all of you from another world, I hope you will cooperate with us and allow our people to enter your world."

The Empire's group remained unfazed, but within the Team Kakashi of this world, Yamato and Sai's expressions changed drastically.

"Just as I feared! The ruler of this world, the Shinwu Empire, which far surpasses Konoha and even the entire ninja world, has their eyes set on our world! If they enter our world, it'll be doomed! We must stop them at all costs, but can we? The gap in strength is just too vast!"

Their worries were interrupted by the joyous voice of the centipede from Konoha, "Hehehe... So it's true! I knew it! A great existence like His Majesty Shinwu must also possess an endless desire for conquest! Those decrepit folks in the ninja world and the incompetent feudal lords don't deserve to rule the world! Only a great person like Your Majesty deserves such power! Please allow me to lend you my aid!"

"What? Conquer the world? Conquer Konoha?" Even the politically oblivious Naruto was shocked, staring at the figure on the throne in disbelief.

"Hey, hey, hey... Are you kidding me? Emperor Shinwu, you wouldn't do that, would you? And Uncle Minato, Big Brother Naruto, Kushina-neechan..." Naruto said, his gaze shifting to the friendly faces of the Empire's Minato and the others.

"I'm sorry, Naruto, but believe me... It's for the betterment of everyone," Empire Minato said with an embarrassed smile.

"Naruto, trust us! Trust His Majesty! Only by joining the Empire can the people of the ninja world achieve true happiness," Empire Kushina added, reaching out to ruffle Naruto's hair, but he dodged her hand angrily.

"You bunch of jerks! You're all bad guys! Wanting to conquer the world! To conquer Konoha! I'll never allow it!" Naruto shouted.

"Hmph! You should feel honored! It's only through this that you can join the Empire and enjoy a life of advancement, prosperity, and abundance," Empire Sasuke scoffed.

"What are you talking about, you jerk Sasuke! Where the leaves dance, fire blazes. The fire's shadow illuminates the village, allowing new leaves to sprout. Konoha will never..." Naruto argued.

"...fall to such an extent," Empire Sasuke finished with a smirk. "It's just a brainwashing slogan, and you've taken it as the absolute truth? A backward system and village that only knows sacrifice—is it really worth clinging to? Just as His Majesty said, the people of the ninja era are truly stubborn and unyielding. Only the iron fist of justice is suitable for them."

"You jerk, Sasuke! Konoha belongs to everyone and will never yield to anyone! Give up on that idea!" Naruto yelled.

"Naruto, why do you think that joining the Empire means submitting to it?" Minato Namikaze asked gently.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end