The newly formed Team 7—led by Yamato and consisting of Naruto, Sakura, and Sai—was in hot pursuit of a rogue ninja named Baizu.
Their chase led them deep into the ruins of the ancient Rouran Kingdom, a city long forgotten by the world but known for its mysterious chakra source.
Suddenly, a massive centipede creature summoned by Baizu released a sealing tag embedded into the sand-covered ruins. As the seal broke, an overwhelming wave of chakra erupted from beneath the earth.
The eruption surged violently, and before anyone could react, it engulfed both Naruto and Yamato in a blinding torrent of raw energy.
Sakura and Sai, caught just outside the epicenter, were left alone as their teammates vanished into the spiraling maelstrom of chakra.
Several Days Later
The ruins remained silent as Sakura and Sai combed through every inch of Rouran, searching for their missing comrades. Their efforts were fruitless. Not even a trace of Naruto's chakra could be found.
Just as frustration began to settle in, two vertical columns of chakra light suddenly shot into the sky.
"What is that?! Some kind of summoning technique!?" Sai exclaimed, already preparing his scroll.
"Careful, Sai!" Sakura warned, chakra charging in her palms.
The beams disappeared as quickly as they appeared. When the light faded, Uzumaki Naruto and Yamato reappeared, unconscious and kneeling on the ground.
"Naruto! Yamato-sensei!" Sakura rushed forward, kneeling at Naruto's side.
"They're back… but something's wrong."
Yamato stirred, wincing. "Check on Naruto... he's out cold…"
Sakura's hands glowed green as she examined Naruto's injuries. "His body's fine… nothing severe. But his mind… he's caught in a genjutsu. A strong one."
Without hesitation, Sakura placed two fingers on Naruto's forehead, releasing the illusion with practiced precision.
Naruto gasped and bolted upright. "Sakura! Where is this!? Where's Queen Sāra?! Where is she!?"
"Sāra?" Sakura looked around, confused. "Naruto, what are you talking about? We've been in Rouran this entire time looking for you two. Where did you go!?"
Yamato's brow furrowed. He glanced at the ruins around him, then spoke in a low voice. "I'm… not sure. We were pulled into something. I thought it was an illusion at first—but…"
He paused as a memory surfaced: the powerful chakra, the unfamiliar architecture, and most of all—the man with both the Sharingan and Wood Release.
"It wasn't a dream. That man was real…"
Naruto's fists clenched. "Yeah… the guy who took control of the dragon vein... he called himself Byakuya."
Just then, as if summoned by name, a ripple in the air appeared, and Byakuya stepped through it, calm and composed.
Sakura and Sai instantly jumped back into a defensive stance.
"Who are you!?" Sai demanded. "State your purpose!"
Byakuya ignored them and locked eyes with Naruto and Yamato. "So it wasn't a genjutsu after all. You're here too."
Yamato's eyes narrowed. "It's you… the man with Wood Release and Sharingan. You really exist."
"What did you do to Queen Sāra!?" Naruto demanded, stepping forward.
Yamato quickly raised an arm to block Naruto. "Wait! Don't be reckless. His chakra is abnormal… he's not someone you can beat in a straight fight."
"She's safe," Byakuya replied coldly. "I left her unharmed. Unlike this broken country, she still has value."
Naruto's fists loosened slightly, though he kept glaring.
Byakuya glanced at Yamato. "Who is the current Hokage?"
Yamato hesitated but answered, "The Fifth Hokage—Senju Tsunade."
Byakuya looked contemplative. "Tsunade, huh… I wonder what kind of woman she is in this world."
Naruto frowned. "What do you mean 'this world'? What are you talking about!?"
Byakuya turned away, unfazed. "You wouldn't understand. But soon, you will."
With those final words, he disappeared into a swirl of spatial chakra, leaving behind a cold silence.
Thinking this, Byakuya no longer paid attention to them and turned toward the direction of Konoha.
"Wait—what are you going to do!?"
Seeing him about to leave, Yamato called out urgently.
Byakuya, who possessed both the Wood Release and the Sharingan, could not be ignored. To Yamato, this combination was far too dangerous to be left unchecked.
"What I'm going to do?" Byakuya replied coldly. "Do I need to report to you?"
Then, with a slight smirk, he added, "But since you're so curious… I plan to pay a visit to Konoha."
"Konoha!? Why are you going to Konoha!?"
Yamato's voice was filled with tension now.
Byakuya glanced at him indifferently. "Who knows? Maybe if I'm in a bad mood, I'll just destroy it."
With that, he vanished in a flash of teleportation, his chakra signature disappearing from the area.
"No!" Yamato's expression changed drastically.
"Hurry—we need to get back to the village now!"
"Yamato-sensei! What's going on? Who was that guy? Why is he going to Konoha?"
Naruto, Sakura, and Sai all asked at once, still bewildered.
"There's no time to explain everything right now!" Yamato barked, already breaking into a sprint.
"I'll explain as we move. Just follow me!"
As they rushed forward at full speed, Yamato gave a concise explanation of what had just happened—how Byakuya had subdued him and Naruto effortlessly, and how he possessed both the Sharingan and the Wood Release.
"What!?" Sakura gasped.
"That guy has both Wood Release and the Sharingan!?"
Sai's brows furrowed as well. "A combination of Senju and Uchiha bloodlines… that should be impossible."
Only Naruto remained visibly confused. "What's the big deal about that? Wood Release, Sharingan—so what?"
Sakura turned and snapped at him, "You idiot! Sharingan is exclusive to the Uchiha clan, and Wood Release comes from the First Hokage, a member of the Senju clan."
She clenched her fists tightly. "No one should have both bloodlines. Not unless something unnatural happened. He must've stolen those powers... maybe even experimented on himself like Orochimaru."
"And now, he's heading to Konoha," Sai added grimly. "If he's telling the truth, the village is in danger."
"What!? Who does he think he is, threatening Konoha!?"
Naruto's chakra surged with fury, and in a flash, he leapt ahead with newfound speed and resolve.
"We have to stop him!"
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