Sarah's performance made it difficult for Minister Mukade to deal with her.
Mukade, whose mind was filled with puppets, the Dragon Vein, and world domination, had never encountered a scene like this before.
He didn't think much of it at the moment and only forced a smile.
"Haha, that's fine. Since the two of you already know each other, Princess, Lord Uchiha Hikaru…"
"Then there's no need for further introductions."
"Your Highness, please go and change into your ceremonial attire."
"Lord Hikaru and I have something important to discuss."
At Mukade's command, Sarah simply nodded, then raised her eyes to look at Uchiha Hikaru before jogging out of the hall.
Now only Hikaru and Mukade remained in the chamber.
Hikaru watched Mukade's self-righteous and pretentious demeanor, already calculating in his mind.
"Minister Mukade, Princess Sarah has already shown me around Rōran."
"But for such a grand place, with towering buildings everywhere… why are there so few people living here?"
"Don't tell me you're trying to deceive me."
Mukade's expression twisted in panic as a cold sweat broke out across his back.
Damn… he had forgotten about that detail.
Just like before, he had traveled back a few years before the ceremony and assassinated Sarah's mother.
To him, that woman was too sharp. Once she'd uncovered his plot to seize the Dragon Vein's power, she had to be eliminated.
As for Naruto and the Konoha shinobi who were supposed to arrive for the ceremony—he hadn't been concerned with them.
After all, he had Hikaru on his side. He originally believed that Hikaru, seduced by sweet words and the allure of the Dragon Vein, would pose no future threat.
But now... the Uchiha before him was clearly no fool.
Thinking fast, Mukade scrambled to come up with a convincing excuse.
"Ah… Lord Hikaru, there's something you don't know."
"Like you, I've only recently returned to this time and space."
"As for why Rōran feels so deserted… it's because of the previous minister, Baizu."
"That centipede enslaved the citizens of Rōran, using them as labor to construct a puppet army."
"That's why the residents have grown deeply distrustful of outsiders. They've all hidden themselves in the ruins of Old Rōran beneath the surface."
"They refuse to come out, fearing they'll be captured again."
"Although I've already driven off the centipede, the people are still traumatized."
"Her Highness is still young, and I didn't want to worry her. So I had to use puppets to simulate citizens… to maintain appearances."
"I hope Lord Hikaru will help me get through the ceremony peacefully."
After hearing this nonsense, Uchiha Hikaru suppressed the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
His crimson eyes scanned Mukade's face.
Ugly bastard. You've got thick brows, a stupid face, and now you're pulling lies out of your ass to save yourself?
You even lie to yourself? Really?
"Baizu, huh?" Hikaru scoffed inwardly. "If Naruto were standing here, that naive idiot might've believed your bullshit."
But unfortunately for Mukade, the man before him was none other than the cunning and unmatched Uchiha Hikaru (¬‿¬).
Next time you make up a lie, at least try not to make it so hilariously absurd. If you keep this up, I might burst out laughing for real.
"I see. In that case, Minister Mukade, you'd best prepare for the ceremony."
"And get more puppets to act like citizens. If Princess Sarah notices something's off, that'll ruin everything."
"I'll take my leave. I passed by a magnificent palace earlier—it caught my eye. Might as well enjoy the view."
With a casual wave, Hikaru disappeared in a blur.
Mukade let out a long, trembling breath once Hikaru was gone.
"Tch… this Uchiha Hikaru isn't easy to fool."
"He nearly saw through my plan."
He began reworking his strategy. He needed to stir conflict between Hikaru and the Konoha shinobi.
If Hikaru could absorb the Dragon Vein's power, then his strength might rival his own. And those Konoha brats—Naruto and the rest—they had already beaten him once.
Recalling that humiliating defeat, Mukade rushed toward the Dragon Vein chamber—now remodeled into a military factory.
"No… I need more defenses around the Dragon Vein."
"I failed last time because that bitch Sarah sealed off the chakra flow, cutting off my energy."
"This time, I'll be meticulous… one step at a time. No more slip-ups!"
With that, he vanished from the palace.
Meanwhile, Hikaru wasn't actually wandering around admiring the view. He had already sensed the commotion outside.
In an instant, he appeared on top of a high tower and looked down at Naruto, who was fighting off Mukade's puppet army.
Hikaru folded his arms and clicked his tongue.
"Plenty of chakra… but your style is way too rigid."
"All you ever use is Shadow Clone Jutsu and Rasengan."
"Oh, nice—finally figured out how to sever chakra threads using that chakra blade."
"But your swordplay is garbage. You should be refining that wind-nature chakra, not swinging like a caveman."
"This idiot… why hasn't he gathered senjutsu chakra from underground? Jiraiya's already dead by now, so don't tell me he still hasn't learned Sage Mode?"
Just as Hikaru was enjoying the spectacle, things took a turn.
Naruto, mid-swing with his sword, got blindsided by a puppet's attack that broke through the ground.
He withstood the impact thanks to his monstrous physique, but still cried out in pain.
A swarm of puppets surged through the hole after him.
Hikaru shifted position again, disappearing from the rooftop and reappearing behind a pile of boulders near the battle.
The puppets unleashed a flurry of kunai, all controlled with precision.
Naruto tried using his chakra sword to deflect them, but there were too many—he couldn't block them all.
"Damn it!"
Just when he thought he was done for, a man with spiky blond hair and an owl-faced ANBU mask grabbed him and pulled him out of danger.
At the same moment, a red-haired, heavyset man with a large pot strapped to his back dropped in front of the puppets.
"Partial Expansion Jutsu!"
"Ninjutsu—Human Boulder!"
The redhead's right arm ballooned in size. With a single swipe, he crushed four or five puppets instantly.
( ≧Д≦)っ━☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ Let's gooo!
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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