Chapter 94: The Imperial Expeditionary Force Mobilizes!

Chapter 94: The Imperial Expeditionary Force Mobilizes!

"What? Naruto's gone missing? Kidnapped by someone disguised as Obito? Has all of Naruto's martial arts training been for nothing? Damn! And at such a critical juncture too."

Tsunade, the Ninja World's leader, who was currently touring the Empire with her namesake, received this distressing news, and a sense of foreboding enveloped her.

"Naruto from another world has been abducted, and by none other than 'Obito'.

It seems someone is trying to drive a wedge between the Empire and Konoha... This is no trivial matter; I must report this to His Majesty and let him decide our course of action."

Tsunade of the Empire frowned, immediately activating her communication device to contact Senju Tianren.

Upon receiving the news, Senju Tianren was taken aback and asked, "Is that so... Tsunade of Konoha, do you remember the existence of the Akatsuki organization?"

"Your Majesty suspects that the Akatsuki are behind Naruto's disappearance?" the Ninja World's Tsunade inquired.

"The Akatsuki Organization? Those despicable scumbags?"

"Damn! Those bastards! We haven't even settled the score with them yet, and now they dare to mess with us again?"

"The Akatsuki Organization... Those guys probably still have a lot of Tailed Beasts to capture... If we go by common sense, they should be capturing the Tailed Beasts in order of difficulty... And Konoha is the leader of the Five Great Ninja Villages..."

"Konoha is indeed the leader, but right now, our Hokage is in the Empire, and Jiraiya still hasn't returned..."

"...And because of the Imperial Martial Arts Tournament, Konoha is in chaos."

As the group of Konoha ninjas present thought of this, their expressions changed.

"But... Naruto's martial arts abilities are very strong. He should be able to discern the other party's aura carefully, shouldn't he?" Ninja World Tsunade asked tentatively.

"I've heard that the Akatsuki in your world is composed of a group of bizarre rogue ninjas," Senju Tianren explained. "Therefore, it's not surprising if they possess the ability to block and deceive martial arts perception."

"Block and deceive martial arts perception?" Tsunade of the Empire muttered, sounding somewhat disdainful.

Some of the Konoha ninjas present felt embarrassed by the attitude of their Imperial counterpart. They wanted to say something, but the words caught in their throats as they recalled the Imperial Martial Arts Tournament. It was hard for them to boast in front of the Empire's powerful experts.

"Don't be too arrogant, Tsunade," Senju Tianren admonished, noticing her demeanor. "Martial arts may be powerful, but it's not all-encompassing. Have you forgotten what I said before? Martial arts has its strengths, and ninjutsu has its advantages. They can coexist. That's why I haven't completely discarded ninjutsu. I even encourage its creation, development, and fusion with martial arts. This is the foundation of the Empire's strength! Everything can be utilized by the Empire, and knowledge is the root of all power."

"!"

Tsunade of the Empire couldn't help but lower her head in response to Senju Tianren's reprimand. Although she had once been his elder, she dared not act presumptuously before the majestic and awe-inspiring God of War Emperor: "Your Majesty is correct."

The others from Konoha, upon hearing Senju Tianren speak up for ninjutsu, couldn't help but feel a sense of agreement. They also felt that this Emperor seemed like a good person.

This was the compassion of a superior.

Just a slight show of kindness from them could evoke profound gratitude from those below them.

Conversely, acts of kindness from the weak were meaningless and could even be ridiculed.

"Alright, go ahead and carry out your task, Tsunade," Senju Tianren said in conclusion before ending the communication.

Tsunade of the Empire turned to her Ninja World counterpart and the others, saying, "Everyone, I'll be taking my leave now. You don't need to worry too much about Naruto. His Majesty has already given his orders. The Empire is about to dispatch its troops. Whoever dares to lay a hand on Naruto will surely face the Empire's wrath."

With that, Tsunade of the Empire vanished.

The Ninja World onlookers watched her depart, their hearts filled with complex emotions.

Was it finally happening?

The Empire's army... Though they had previously contemplated coexisting with the Empire, as this moment truly drew near, the people of Konoha were incredibly anxious.

Because compared to the Empire, they were far too weak.

How could they, in their meager state, truly expect to enjoy the same rights and earn the respect of the Empire's people?

No one could provide a reassuring answer.

In a bright reception hall...

Tsunade of the Empire, Minato, Dan, Kakashi, Shikaku, the Uchiha Elite, the Hyuga Elite, Mizu no Kuni, Yama no Kuni, Rai no Kuni, and a group of people from Midori no Kuni gathered. Among them, some wore excited and joyful expressions, while others looked solemn and anticipatory.

"Hahahaha! Good! Excellent! Tsunade, you've really brought us some wonderful news this time!"

The Fourth Raikage, Ay, burst into laughter.

"Poor Naruto from another world. Not only is he a jinchuriki, but he's also been captured... Those despicable Akatsuki bastards! How dare they capture Naruto? I'll never forgive them!"

Kushina clenched her fists, wishing she could do something, her eyes unconsciously flicking towards Minato, causing him to shudder involuntarily.

"So... His Majesty wants us to select a team immediately and head to the Ninja World," Tsunade continued, "But according to the current state of spacetime particles, the number of troops we can send may have to be reduced significantly."

Tsunade looked towards Orochimaru of the Empire as she spoke.

Orochimaru of the Empire licked his lips, "Indeed. Although there are only a few days left until the appointed day, with the current state of spacetime particles, it will be difficult to send a large number of troops. At most, we can send a small team of elites. As for the number of people, it will depend on the situation at that time."

But the last part about the spacetime particles is a bit tricky to refine.

For this expedition, the quantity we can send is only 50% of what was initially proposed."

"Only 50%? That's too little. According to the previous martial arts tournament, Fire Country accounted for 30%, Lightning Country 20%, Mountain Country 15%, Water Country 20%, and Green Country 15%. With this reduction, we won't be sending many people at all."

The Fourth Raikage, Ay, of Lightning Country, muttered in displeasure.

"You're just lucky, you shameless scumbag.

First, you send your old man to fight, and then you enter the ring yourself in the final match, saying that there's no rule prohibiting the governors from participating. You've completely lost all face!"

Mountain Country's governor, Onoki, complained bitterly.

"Ha! How is that losing face? The rules are the rules! Old man!"

"Alright! Quiet down, everyone.

I accepted His Majesty's commission, not to listen to you bicker.

Think carefully about who to send to the Ninja World.

I'll give you one hour to decide, and then everyone must be ready to act immediately."

Tsunade of Konoha urged.

"Of course, His Majesty's will is supreme," the five governors said solemnly.

Uchiha Sasuke then spoke up, "Governor Dan, don't forget our previous agreement."

"Elder Sasuke, I haven't forgotten," Governor Dan replied. "But now that the number of people we can send has been reduced, the Uchiha clan will also have to cut down on the number of people going to the Ninja World."

"That's only natural," Fugaku added.

"Sigh... With this, there won't be many who can go... I had originally thought that Itachi, Shizune, myself, and Izumi would go, but now..."

Sasuke frowned, troubled.

"Elder Sasuke, I can give up going to the Ninja World," Shizune immediately offered.

"Then... I guess I'll stay too. Sasuke and Izumi should go together since you two have the clan's support," Uchiha Izumi said softly.

Sasuke's expression softened slightly, grateful for their understanding.

"Thank you, Shizune, Izumi... The existence of Itachi from another world is the biggest mistake, and I must go to correct it. So, I will not back down from this mission," Sasuke from the Empire stated solemnly.

"Don't forget, his life belongs to little Sasuke. That was our promise to him," Fugaku reminded, glancing at Sasuke.

"Rest assured, Father. I just plan to let him experience the Empire's top ten tortures," Sasuke from the Empire replied, his usually calm face now cruel.

"Hmph! Of course.

But lately, I've been thinking about how to torture that guy. You can all look forward to the show later," Sasuke from Konoha said coldly.

"So, for Fire Country, it will be Itachi, Sasuke, and you, Tsunade. Anyone else?" Tsunade asked, looking at Dan.

"Kakashi.

He also has to take care of some matters for Sukemo.

As for the others, let's send Shikamaru, Tenten, Shino, Kiba, and the others. Ever since Neji and Rock Lee left, these kids have been clamoring to go to the Ninja World," Dan said with a smile.

"These kids?"

"Rest assured, Tsunade.

Although their strengths may not compare to Lee and Neji, they are by no means weak.

They should be more than capable of handling the people in the Ninja World," Dan assured her.

"Alright, then for Lightning Country?"

Tsunade thought for a moment and turned to the Fourth Raikage, Ay.

"The problem with the spacetime particles... It's really troublesome. I had promised my old man that I would go with him.

Now, I can only inconvenience him.

As for the people going, it will be me and Killer B," Ay said with a hint of resentment.

"The governor of Lightning Country is going too? This... doesn't seem very appropriate. If you go, who will manage Lightning Country?" Dan frowned.

"Tsk! Do you think I'm an idiot?

If I, a brute, became the governor, it's only to stabilize the people of Lightning Country.

Lightning Country is the same with or without me.

But anyway, everyone, keep this secret meeting confidential. We can't let my old man know in advance, or it will be troublesome," Ay said cautiously, lowering his voice.

"Rest assured," the others smiled and assured him.

"So, Lightning Country will be handled by the two of you. How about Water Country?" Tsunade asked, looking at Mei Terumi.

"Kisame is very interested in his other self from another world, who joined Akatsuki.

As for the others, it will be Zabuza and Kin Tsuchi," Mei replied with a slight smile.

"As for Mountain Country, Deidara and Kurotsuchi will go," Onoki said.

"For Green Country, Gaara will lead a few Steel Guardians to go as well," Rasa added.

"I understand. Orochimaru, calculate whether the current spacetime particles can support everyone's trip to the Ninja World," Tsunade from the Empire nodded, finally turning to Orochimaru.

"Rest assured, there won't be a problem," Orochimaru from the Empire smiled and nodded. As an intelligent person, to ensure the success of the expedition, he had reduced the originally proposed 65% spacetime particles to 50%. There was no reason this wouldn't work.

"Then everyone quickly prepare. Later, I will call for Tsunade, Kakashi, and you.

Get Sasuke as well, and we can set off," Tsunade from the Empire said as she turned to leave.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end