Chapter 78: Entering the Empire!

Chapter 78: Entering the Empire!

In the Hokage's office, Tsunade sat in her chair, her gaze solemn as she looked ahead. Before her stood Kakashi, Guy, Shikaku, Choza Akimichi, Inoichi Yamanaka, Sai, Naruto, Sakura, Rock Lee, Tenten, Choji, Yamato, and other elite ninjas of Konoha.

"You all should have understood what I just said, right?" Tsunade asked.

"We understand... but it's still hard to believe," Shikamaru said with a bitter smile.

"Yeah, Tsunade-sama! You're talking about another world, saying that Tang, Congzi, and Hanatu are the Lee, Neji, and Tobi of that world... It's just too incredible!" Ino exclaimed.

"It's unbelievable, but Kakashi and Shikaku's expressions tell me they probably believe it, so I do too..." Inoichi added.

"I never expected Lee from another world to be so strong! This is youth! This is the martial way! I'm fired up!" Guy exclaimed excitedly.

"I want to be as strong as the other me! I want to cultivate the martial way! Teacher Guy! I want to run a hundred laps around Konoha right now!" Lee said, his face filled with enthusiasm.

"Alright! Then let's get running, Lee!" Guy raised his fist, ready to head out the door.

"Guy, Lee. Calm down, will you? Tsunade-sama hasn't finished speaking yet, and there's a lot more to discuss," Kakashi said, rolling his eyes at the excited teacher and student duo.

"Oh! Sorry, I got a little carried away..." Guy apologized hastily.

"But... is there a reason why Tsunade-sama is telling us this now and not before?" Choza asked thoughtfully.

"You all heard the conversation between Tsunade-sama and Empire Neji earlier, right?" Shikaku interjected.

"Tsunade-sama... are you planning to go to the Empire? To another world?" Inoichi asked, his eyes widening in disbelief.

The others wore similar expressions of shock.

"That's right," Tsunade affirmed. "The people of the Empire possess incredible technology and can use the power of the tailed beasts to travel through time and space. I want to see the Empire for myself. However, I'm concerned about being affected by genjutsu, so... I will ask them to open a video communication channel between the two worlds. Along the way, I will continuously communicate with you all using secret codes to ensure my safety and autonomy. Only then can we truly verify if the information we have about the Empire is accurate." Tsunade explained, her tone resolute.

The group nodded, understanding Tsunade's cautious approach.

"Tsunade-sama, can I come with you?" Kakashi asked.

"You, Kakashi?" she asked in response.

"I have the Sharingan, which gives me stronger resistance to genjutsu. I can protect you," Kakashi explained.

"Me! I want to see the other world too! I want to see myself from that world!" Kiba exclaimed, raising his hand enthusiastically.

"Now that you mention it, I'm curious too. I wonder what the other me is like?" Choji added.

"Me too! I want to go!"

The group of Konoha ninjas suddenly came alive, each one eager to join the journey.

"Quiet! Do you think this is a vacation? This concerns the survival of Konoha and perhaps the entire ninja world!" Tsunade reprimanded them, her eyebrows furrowed in disapproval.

Finally, the excited group calmed down.

In another hidden cave, Obito leaned against a rock, his expression gloomy as he stared at Danzo: "So, you don't know where that guy is from either?"

"I am merely an embodiment of Danzo's will... I'm not an all-knowing god, so it's normal that I don't know everything. But give me some time, and I will find out," Danzo replied, his face hidden in shadows.

"You'd better hurry! Our plans may be affected otherwise," Obito said, a hint of worry in his voice.

"You're scared, Obito. Is it because of a mere taijutsu?" Danzo taunted.

"Hmph! You saw the power of that punch too. Is that the strength of a mere human?" Obito retorted.

"Indeed, it was strong. But a fully-powered Danzo is even stronger. Rest assured, our plans will not fail," Danzo reassured, his voice low and calming.

With that, Danzo slowly sank into the ground and disappeared from view.

The next day, at dawn, the group gathered at the gates of Konoha, their expressions complex as they regarded the duo from the Empire. Obito was noticeably absent from the trio.

Lee and Guy continuously gave thumbs-ups to Empire Lee, who seemed perplexed but returned the gesture.

"Your gaze... do you know something we don't?" Empire Neji scanned the Konoha ninjas, noticing their unusual behavior.

"Ah! I know now... it's me from another world," Neji from the ninja world acknowledged, his expression conflicted.

"Hmph! So, Hokage-sama kept this from us until now. What new plans are you concocting?" Empire Neji asked, his tone suspicious.

"You mentioned earlier that you have a video device that can communicate between the two worlds," Tsunade began, pausing for effect.

Empire Neji's eyes widened as he realized, "I see... you are indeed cautious. But that won't be a problem."

"That's good."

Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief. "By the way, Kakashi will be coming with me to the Empire."

"Kakashi? He's quite weak and not even a Kage. He won't make much of a difference."

Empire Neji replied bluntly.

"Hey... That's a bit harsh, Neji."

Kakashi rolled his eyes helplessly.

"Teacher Kakashi is being looked down upon... Is the other world's Neji very strong?" Kiba asked curiously.

"He's very strong. It's said that he's only slightly weaker than the other world's Lee." Tsunade answered.

"The other world's Lee..."

Everyone swallowed their saliva as their gazes unconsciously shifted to Empire Lee.

"Yo!"

Empire Lee flashed a toothy grin.

The group shuddered and quickly averted their eyes.

"He's... also a monster!"

Shikamaru muttered.

"Monster? We wouldn't dare call ourselves that. It's just that you're too weak, so we seem strong in comparison."

Empire Neji remarked.

"Are you saying that many people in the Empire are stronger than you, or even stronger than Lee?"

Shikamaru asked.

"Of course."

Empire Neji nodded without hesitation.

"Ha... That's truly terrifying." Shikamaru raised his hands in surrender.

"How is the Hyuga clan in the other world doing?"

Neji asked at this moment.

"I have no interest in answering that question. If you want to know, let Lady Hokage show you later. Alright, we should get going now."

Empire Neji, lacking interest, turned and left.

Tsunade, with Kakashi in tow, waved goodbye to the group and departed.

The trio rushed towards the Dragon Vein, soon disappearing completely from the Konoha ninjas' sight.

As they ran, Tsunade asked, "This time, you're the only one escorting us? What about Obito?"

"That guy will show up soon, so don't worry." Empire Neji replied.

The three of them left the Land of Fire and arrived at the ruins of Lou Lan, where yellow sand filled the sky.

From a distance, Tsunade and Kakashi could make out four blurry figures in the yellow sand.

"What's this?"

"You're finally here, but your speed is a bit too slow."

A cold voice carried over from afar, causing Kakashi's pupils to constrict.

"This voice... Is it... Sasuke?"

"Is that... Kakashi?" The voice from before sounded again.

Kakashi and Tsunade quickly increased their speed, breaking through the layers of yellow sand to arrive before the four figures.

"Orochimaru! You're not dead!"

"Sasuke! It really is you! And... Kabuto Yakushi..."

Tsunade and Kakashi exclaimed in surprise.

"Long time no see, Tsunade... Why are you so surprised to see that I'm still alive?"

Orochimaru stuck out his tongue as if to lick his lips but ended up with a mouthful of sand, causing him to retract it with a changed expression.

"Kakashi, you don't seem to have improved at all. It's pitiful how weak you are despite having the Sharingan."

Sasuke looked at Kakashi with arrogance.

"It's a surprise that Kakashi-kun still remembers the name of a small fry like me..." Kabuto pushed up his glasses and smiled.

"Orochimaru, how are you still alive after being punched by that monster?" Tsunade asked incredulously.

"Ah... You're talking about that... I almost died...

Obito-kun, we're all on the same side now.

Why does Lee-kun still hit so recklessly?"

Orochimaru complained.

"That's just how he is. He's too passionate and often forgets the main task at hand."

Neji walked over slowly and spoke softly.

"If you died, you'd only have yourself to blame for being too weak, Orochimaru." Sasuke scoffed.

"So, you've joined the Empire? That's just like you, Orochimaru..." Tsunade muttered.

"It looks like Sasuke has joined as well?" Kakashi added.

"Hmph! The Empire can grant me the power to defeat Itachi. I live only to kill that guy."

Sasuke declared.

"Alright, let's end the reunion here.

Let's head to the Dragon Vein now.

I will open the Dragon Vein Gate for you."

Empire Neji urged them on.

The group entered the Dragon Vein.

Neji took out the Three-Tailed Beast, which resembled a doll, and began performing hand seals.

Soon, green light shot towards the sky.

Orochimaru, Tsunade, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Kabuto's figures slowly faded away.

Buzz! ! !

Empire.

At the Dragon Vein Fortress, the green light exploded.

The five ninjas from the Ninja World slowly materialized.

"Yo! You're finally here!"

A voice full of vitality and sunshine rang in the group's ears, causing them to slowly open their eyes.

The next moment.

Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Kakashi's pupils contracted violently.

"Master..." Kakashi's voice trembled.

"Minato..." Orochimaru whispered.

"Minato!" Tsunade's expression was complex.

"Minato? Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage?" Sasuke muttered.

"It's an honor. I've just arrived in this world and already met the Fourth Hokage." Kabuto pushed up his glasses.

"Is Minato-kun the one in charge of receiving us this time?"

Orochimaru smiled, his snake-like eyes scanning the surroundings.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end