Chapter 81: An Invitation with a One-Month Deadline, From a Different World

Chapter 81: An Invitation with a One-Month Deadline, From a Different World

"You are... me from another world!"

Naruto Uzumaki of Konoha, Nara Shikaku, furrowed his brows.

"Another version of my father... He looks sturdy due to his martial arts practice," Shikamaru muttered.

"That's right! I am the Nara Shikaku of the Empire," the man who had stepped forward nodded and continued, "The man you know as the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was executed by our Liberation Hero, Sarutobi Asuma, for his resistance to the Empire's liberation and his adherence to the old ways. History will forever brand Sarutobi Hiruzen as a disgrace!"

"What?! Is the Third Hokage truly dead?!"

"Resisting the Empire's liberation?!"

"Killed by Liberation Hero Sarutobi Asuma?! But Asuma is the Third Hokage's son, how could he do such a thing?!"

A group of people from Konoha exclaimed in disbelief, their eyes darting towards a man who bore a strong resemblance to their Asuma, but with a sturdier build and thicker beard.

A pregnant woman stepped forward and said, "Asuma may not always be reliable, but... he is definitely not a patricidal monster like Uchiha Itachi! He is a man who deeply loves his family!"

"Kurenai!"

"Kurenai! You're pregnant, why are you here as well?!"

"Kurenai! Why aren't you resting with your condition? Get back immediately!"

The crowd made way for her, their voices filled with surprise.

Even Beniyuri grabbed her hand, intending to lead her away.

But Yuhi Kurenai ignored Beniyuri and stared directly at the Empire's Asuma.

"Hmph!"

The Empire's Asuma scoffed coldly, his tone filled with disdain, "What do you know as a mere resident of the ninja world? Sarutobi Hiruzen stood in the way of the Empire's liberation, preventing everyone from attaining a happy and fulfilling life, and he supported that useless feudal lord. He is an utterly despicable criminal! A disgrace to the entire Sarutobi clan! Anyone would be justified in killing him! I was given the opportunity by His Majesty to do so, and your world's Uchiha Itachi is not fit to be compared to me.

I am a warrior bestowed with the title of Liberation Hero by His Majesty himself!"

"You! How dare you say such things?! Regardless, the Third Hokage is still your father!" Yuhi Kurenai from Konoha pointed at the Empire's Asuma, her body trembling.

"It's precisely because he is my father that I feel ashamed! If not for the Empire's prohibition on the indiscriminate use of the Impure World Reincarnation Technique, I would have summoned that bastard and let every member of the Sarutobi clan kill him once! That bastard! He nearly caused the destruction of the Sarutobi clan! He is an eternal sinner!" The Empire's Asuma shouted.

Several men with thick beards standing beside him raised their right fists and shouted in unison, "Sarutobi Hiruzen! A sinner for eternity! His death is well-deserved!"

Yuhi Kurenai's face turned red upon hearing these words, and she was about to retort when the Empire's Asuma interrupted.

"Be quiet, Yuhi Kurenai! Even if you are Uchiha Katashi's woman, you have no right to speak to me in that tone!

Hmm... that's not right... You are Yuhi Kurenai from another world... Uchiha Katashi from your world... I think he died early on..." The Empire's Asuma's expression turned strange as he spoke, and he continued curiously, "So... whose child is it that you're carrying?

You reacted so strongly... could it be the child of the me from your world?

I heard that the me from your world is already dead..."

Upon hearing this, the other people from the Empire wore strange expressions as well.

"What? Yuhi Kurenai from another world is married to Uchiha Katashi?!"

"But isn't Kurenai several years older than Katashi? How did they end up together..."

"That Kurenai from another world is a cougar!"

The ninja of Konoha whispered among themselves, causing Yuhi Kurenai's face to turn red. "You! I... I..."

At this moment, the Empire's Katashi also blushed, but he remained silent.

"Step aside, I have no interest in bullying a widow," the Empire's Asuma said disinterestedly.

"You! Ugh! Waaah!"

Seeing the familiar face utter such callous words, Yuhi Kurenai could no longer hold back her tears and ran off with her pregnant belly.

"Hmph! So Sarutobi was killed by his own son?!" Danzo Shimura of Konoha scoffed in disdain, "That fool may have been a bit dim-witted, but he wouldn't have sunk to such a level. This story is poorly fabricated!"

"It's Danzo, and you seem to be doing surprisingly well," the Empire's Asuma remarked with a strange expression.

"What? Did something happen to me in your world?"

"Ah, in our world, you were dealt with by me for being as stubborn and unyielding as Sarutobi Hiruzen, obstructing the Empire's unification," the Empire's Asuma explained.

"You brat! Stop trying to intimidate people! This so-called Empire and those Super-Mechanical-Men are nothing but illusions and tricks! If you think you can deceive me, you're a hundred years too early! I'm a ninja who fought alongside the First Hokage! Konoha will never submit to you! Give up on this foolish deception! As long as I'm here, you won't be able to fool Konoha!" Danzo retorted scornfully.

"You old ghost, Danzo! Stop putting on airs! Always spouting nonsense about Konoha, it's disgusting!

We are well aware of the dark and despicable deeds you've committed!" A furious voice interrupted.

Danzo turned to see a thin man from the Uchiha clan staring at him with fiery eyes.

"So it's Uchiha Sekisui. In this deception of theirs, you're still alive?"

Hmph! But it doesn't matter! I refuse to be afraid of something as insignificant as a phantom!

And! I have always acted in the best interests of Konoha, and my conscience is clear!"

Danzo declared proudly.

"You!"

The Imperial Itachi was about to fly into a rage and say something more when Imperial Sasuke placed his right palm on his shoulder and gently shook his head.

"The time for judgment has not yet come. Be patient for now."

"Damn it!"

Imperial Itachi gritted his teeth and turned away.

Imperial Itachi's expression was complex as he heaved a soft sigh.

The Uchiha clan members from the Empire had learned a lot about their counterparts in the ninja world and about Danzo through the events of the previous night.

This included the incident where the ninja world's Itachi had his eyes gouged out and was forced to commit suicide! They also learned about how the Uchiha clan was ostracized and how Danzo had a hand in all of this!

Even... Kakashi Hatake's death seemed to be related to him...

The Danzo Shimura of the ninja world was an even more despicable scumbag than the one in the Empire!

It would be too easy to expose and let Rock Lee kill such a man now!

Be patient... There's also one month left. By then, the Empire's vanguard will arrive, and that will be the time... to judge certain sinners!

"Hmph! So you, a mere phantom, have nothing more to say? Tsunade! Your performance as a Hokage is truly disappointing! How could you believe such a boring play!"

Danzo said with a sense of superiority.

"Danzo, your ignorance has made it clear to me why the Second Hokage and the Third Hokage didn't choose you as their successor."

Tsunade of Konoha replied calmly.

Danzo's eyes instantly reddened with anger:

"You damn brat! You know nothing! I have always acted for the good of Konoha! If it weren't for... if it weren't for that damn lucky Day Cut, I would have been the Hokage long ago!"

"Shut up, Danzo! As the Hokage, I'm ordering you to step down! Don't interfere here!"

Tsunade of Konoha rebuked coldly.

Danzo was furious:

"You stupid brat! You'll regret this!"

With that, he stormed off.

"My apologies for the disturbance."

Tsunade of Konoha smiled apologetically to the group from the Empire.

"Being a Hokage isn't easy, is it, my other self?"

The Empire's Tsunade spoke up, her tone carrying a hint of schadenfreude.

"After all, we have to deal with those old fossils."

Tsunade of Konoha smiled as well.

"Alright, let's end the chit-chat here.

Tsunade, Kakashi.

Regardless of your purpose for coming to the Empire and your current thoughts.

My only hope for you remains the same.

That is... to be clear-headed and rational.

Now, step down.

You still have one month to get to know the Empire.

During this period, I will give you enough freedom."

With a wave of his right hand, the Emperor Senju concluded his speech, and everyone felt their vision blur.

When their vision cleared, they found themselves in a spacious square, surrounded by black-clad guards.

"Another display of spatial abilities? Moving so many people at once... Your Majesty's control over space and time is truly remarkable."

Tsunade of Konoha marveled.

"Of course, His Majesty's power is unparalleled and invincible. The abilities we just witnessed are but a fraction of his true strength.

If you wish to learn more about His Majesty and the Empire, I can show you around."

The Empire's Tsunade walked up to her counterpart and offered with a leisurely pace.

She looked down at her, simultaneously lifting her twin peaks.

Then, she flashed a triumphant smile.

"Hmph! Then I'll have to trouble you."

Noticing the other's subtle action, Tsunade of Konoha let out a soft hmpf, slightly annoyed, but she still accepted the offer.

She snatched the spatial communication device from Orochimaru's pocket and left with the Empire's Tsunade.

"If you don't mind, would you like to visit my place?"

The Empire's Kakashi approached Kakashi of Konoha with the Empire's Sakumo:

"Ah... I'm honored."

Kakashi of Konoha replied with a smile.

"Would you like to take a tour of my laboratory? There are many interesting little things there."

The Empire's Orochimaru sidled up to Orochimaru of Konoha, his tongue flicking:

"Interesting little things? That certainly piques my curiosity..."

Orochimaru of Konoha licked his lips, his excitement evident as he accepted the invitation.

"How about you, Kabuto? Are you interested as well?" The Empire's Orochimaru turned to his counterpart.

"It would be my pleasure." Konoha's Kabuto pushed up his glasses.

"Would you like to come to my house, Sasuke, from another world?"

The Empire's Fugaku approached Sasuke of Konoha:

"Mei Xin has already prepared a meal at home."

"Sasuke, from another world, I've heard about what happened with your world's Itachi.

The atrocities that beast committed.

I will never forgive him! I swear to you that I will make him regret his actions!"

The Empire's Itachi also stepped forward and spoke.

"Take care, Sasuke..." The Empire's Itachi said softly.

"Father... Clan Head Fugaku, Itachi..." Sasuke of Konoha murmured, his expression complex.

His heart was stirred, and he was at a loss for words.

After a long while, he said, "Thank you for your concern, but... I want to kill him with my own hands."

"With your own hands? Do you think you can do it? Naruto from your world is so weak... I find it hard to believe that you could be any stronger."

The Empire's Sasuke also walked over, his tone skeptical.

"Hmph! My other self, huh? Since you're so doubtful, why don't you use your body to experience my power first-hand?"

Sasuke of Konoha, slightly annoyed, glared at him, his Mangekyo Sharingan spinning.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end