"According to the information, the Ryuumyaku should be up ahead, but why does it look like this?"
Sakura muttered, staring blankly at the massive steel fortress in front of her.
Outside the steel fortress, guards dressed in green cloaks stood watch, while a large group of steel puppets patrolled continuously.
It truly looked like a restricted area off-limits to unauthorized personnel.
"The security is incredibly tight. It seems impossible for ordinary people to get in. But we have to verify our suspicions!"
Yamato's expression was grave.
"But those people clearly won't let us in! So what do we do? Should we force our way through?"
Naruto clutched his head, looking frustrated.
"No need to force our way in. My super beast imitation drawings can lure them out, and then we can slip inside."
Sai spoke flatly, his expression brimming with confidence.
"Is that okay? Isn't that a bit too much?" Sakura showed a worried expression.
"For the sake of uncovering the truth, we have no choice. I'll be counting on you after this, Sai. Remember… don't harm the guards. Our goal is only to find the truth." Yamato said seriously.
"I understand."
Sai nodded.
The four moved to a hidden spot.
They immediately sprang into action.
A large scroll was thrown out, and Sai quickly began painting on it.
Soon, various large ink beasts appeared—crows, rats, cats, wolves, tigers, leopards, and more. They first darted into nearby alleys before suddenly rushing toward the steel fortress.
Naruto and the others hid and observed quietly, waiting for their chance.
Outside the steel fortress.
The group of guards watching the attacking ink beasts showed no trace of panic, instead sneering:
"Super beast imitation drawings? Remnants of the ninja village rebels again? Do they really think this will cause the empire any losses? They're practically begging for death."
"Remember, don't use ninjutsu that causes excessive damage! Finish this quickly!"
A guard nearby reminded.
"Against something like this, we need ninjutsu? Internal energy! Finger thrust!"
The guard who had just spoken raised his right hand, aiming his thumb at the charging ink beasts and flicking it forcefully.
*BANG!*
The air clashed violently, producing a booming sound!
A pale white gas shot out from the guard's thumb at incredible speed, striking one of the ink beasts!
*BOOM!*
The entire ink beast exploded on impact.
Then…
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
Continuous blasts of air cannons followed, and all the approaching ink beasts exploded.
Countless splatters of black ink scattered!
These ink beasts, far from causing a disturbance, couldn't even get close!
Naruto and his three teammates, hidden in the shadows, watched the scene unfold before them, utterly stunned.
"What kind of ninjutsu is that? So powerful…" Naruto said, eyes wide.
"I didn't sense any chakra flow. This might not be ninjutsu…"
Sai whispered softly, his voice trembling slightly.
His signature secret technique, broken so easily?
These guards' strength was beyond imagination!
"Not ninjutsu? Then what is it?" Naruto asked cluelessly.
"I don't know." Sai replied.
"Found them! Pathetic little rats hiding!"
As Naruto and Sai were talking, a long-haired man beside the attacking guard suddenly shouted loudly. His feet stomped the ground forcefully, and his body shot like lightning toward the alley where the four were hiding!
"Damn it, we've been spotted. Their senses are razor-sharp! You guys run, I'll hold them off with a clone!"
Yamato growled lowly.
A wooden clone quickly detached from his body, leaping out of the alley.
Facing the charging guard, he formed seals!
"Mokuton: Wood Binding Jutsu!"
From the ground, a thick, long wooden branch emerged, shooting toward the incoming guard.
Seeing this, the guard showed a hint of surprise:
"Wood Release? That's a ninjutsu only the Senju clan can use. Could there be a Senju among these rebel remnants? Damn it! Others rebelling is one thing, but why is a Senju among the rebel remnants too!"
"They could clearly get close to the great Shinobi Emperor, basking in unparalleled glory! You ungrateful bastard! You deserve to die!"
"I won't spare you, scum! Internal energy! Steel fist!"
The guard roared in anger, raising his right fist and slamming it hard toward the wooden branch.
Upon impact, a deafening explosion rang out. The entire wooden branch shattered as if hit by a cannonball.
"What! This is Tsunade-level strength?"
The wooden clone was shocked.
"Internal energy! Storm kick!"
The guard who had just destroyed the wooden branch roared again, swinging his right leg forcefully through the air.
The next second, a visible air blade shot out, slicing through the wooden clone! The remaining force of the air blade traveled dozens of meters before dissipating.
Even the ground was deeply scarred by the air blade.
"S-so strong!"
Naruto, who had initially prepared to flee, glanced back and saw the guard dispatch Yamato's wooden clone. Seeing the air blade produced by a single kick, his entire body felt uneasy.
This Shinobi Empire that deceived everyone—why were its guards this powerful?
Strength like this, even in Konoha, would rank among the top ninja!
"Rebels! You won't escape! Stay here!"
Several other guards were closing in by now.
One of them was already beside Sakura, throwing a hard punch.
"Who's scared! Jerk! Super strength punch!"
Facing it, Sakura didn't flinch at all and threw her own punch.
*BAM!*
The two fists collided.
The ground trembled, and the guard staggered back a few steps, while Sakura screamed in pain, clutching her arm as she was flung back, crashing into the wall behind her.
*BOOM!*
Dust billowed, and a house collapsed.
Sakura's fate was unknown!
"Sakura!"
Naruto shouted in shock, his heart racing with worry.
"Rebel! Die!"
Another guard was already approaching Naruto, even firing finger thrusts from a distance.
Naruto quickly dodged, using the Shadow Clone Technique.
In an instant, a group of Narutos appeared, charging toward the front and the guard who had knocked Sakura back.
Facing the flood of Narutos, the two guards only sneered:
"Internal energy! Paper layer!"
A shimmering white light appeared on the guards' bodies.
The group of Narutos punched and kicked, but the guards' bodies danced with the wind, dodging the barrage of attacks at impossible and unnatural angles.
While evading, the two guards could even calmly counterattack—one punch was enough to destroy a dozen Narutos!
The clones couldn't hold the guards back at all.
In the blink of an eye, one guard charged forward, slamming his fist toward the real Naruto!
"Internal energy! Freezer!"
*BOOM!*
Naruto blocked with both arms in front of his body but was thrown hard into a civilian house.
Struggling to get up, besides the excruciating pain in his arms, he realized his limbs were somewhat unresponsive, completely unable to move. He could only lie on the ground, watching the guard slowly approach.
"S-so strong… these guards, one after another, why are they all so powerful… they feel stronger than Kakashi-sensei…"
Naruto muttered, his eyes full of disbelief.
He had clearly trained for three years with the Perverted Sage.
During those three years, the Perverted Sage always praised his strength, saying he was strong enough to be among Konoha's elite.
But the result… he was defeated so easily?