Konoha: Who's the good guy?

In Kirigakure, the rational members, led by Master Yuan, had all gathered at Master Yuan's residence.

Since the Third Mizukage was allegedly killed by Konoha ninja Yamanaka Kei at the Mountain Graveyard in the Land of Iron while he was away,

Kirigakure is like a wild horse that has broken free of its reins.

They ran wildly out of control on a road they couldn't understand at all.

First, the former leader of the Anbu, Yagura Karatachi, sealed the Three-Tails into his body and suddenly became the Three-Tails' jinchūriki.

With the support of many radicals in the village, he ascended to the position of the Fourth Mizukage and began a large-scale purge of some middle and high-ranking officials who were at odds with him.

Later, while out discussing a joint attack on Konoha with Iwagakure and Sunagakure, he went out.

Yagura Karatachi was killed by Konoha ninja Yamanaka Kei on the border of the Land of Fire.

Again, it's the leaves of the forest, and the scenery of the mountains.

There was no time to grieve for the loss of two Mizukage in succession.

What happened next was even more unacceptable to these rationalists.

A woman named Uchiha Hikari forcibly controlled the vast majority of the radical faction's leaders through illusions and brainwashing.

He then summoned tens of thousands of strange white soldiers, who forcibly suppressed all dissenting voices in the village.

He ascended to the position of the Fifth Mizukage!

That's the Uchiha!

Uchiha from Konoha!

Their two successive Mizukage had just died at the hands of Konoha ninjas, and now the position of Mizukage had actually fallen into the hands of the Uchiha clan of Konoha.

What an irony and humiliation!

Although those radicals, who seemed like fanatics, said that this woman named Uchiha Hikari was actively preparing the village's forces, wanting to fight an unprecedented war against Konoha.

But who knows if this is a conspiracy by Konoha!

How could they possibly trust a woman with the surname Uchiha!

"Sir, are we just going to do nothing?"

The Hidden Mist Jonin Ao, whose eyes were still intact, had an expression full of resentment and indignation.

He was not originally a subordinate of Master Yuan, but he faced an increasing number of fanatical followers of Uchiha Hikaru in the village.

With some semblance of reason left, where else could he go but here?

"One day, the sun will pierce through the thick fog and dispel the blood-red gloom. Perhaps things aren't as bad as you think."

A wise light gleamed in Master Yuan's eyes.

After Uchiha Hikaru took control of most of the village's power, it was impossible for him not to discover their existence.

However, the other party did not use the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan to control them.

Everything in this world has a cause and an effect.

All of Uchiha Hikaru's actions to date have been highly purposeful.

Since we've kept them, there must be a time when they'll come in handy!

A few days ago, along with the news of the death of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, came the news that Konoha had proposed merging with Sunagakure and Iwagakure.

If the three great ninja villages successfully merge this time, who can withstand such power?

Kirigakure won't work, and neither will Kumogakure, which has already made peace with Kirigakure!

Their future seemed bleak.

But perhaps this is the deepest darkness before dawn, and the light of day will eventually illuminate the sky!

Bi, Quanbingwei, and other Yuan Shi's confidants revealed thoughtful expressions.

Mei Terumi, who was the same age as Kakashi and was still just an adorable young girl, blinked blankly, feeling completely lost.

--------------

Northwest of the Land of Wind.

Thousands of towering spires stand majestically deep in the desert.

Sitting atop a falcon and eagle, with one hand draped over his eyelids, he gazed at this majestic land, a true desert wonder.

Loulan was a small country located within the territory of the Land of Wind.

Because the royal family has guarded the dragon vein for generations, they are nominally protected by the Kingdom of Wind.

However, the current daimyo of the Land of Wind is indulging in pleasure and doesn't even care much about Sunagakure, which is the military base of the country. He often cuts military spending, so how could he care about Loulan?

According to records within Konoha.

Loulan must have been a small, impoverished country plagued by sandstorms and storms.

To be able to build such a magnificent city...

"An Lushan? Or perhaps Centipede? That shouldn't be the case..."

Shan Zhongjing stroked his chin with one hand.

Although he is currently busy integrating the power of the three major ninja villages, he cannot continue to ignore the Dragon Vein.

Especially when the [Multidimensional Traveler] requires a large amount of energy.

How could he possibly allow anyone else to have the opportunity to touch the power of the dragon vein in the future?

and many more......

Could it be that he, from the future, deliberately sent someone here to build Loulan?

After all, even if he wanted to develop a backward tribe that was constantly swept by yellow sand, it was impossible for him to solve all the problems with a single wood-based technique.

But what if someone helped him build the basic town infrastructure?

Then let's use a few more Wood Release techniques...

"Who could be coming?"

The mountain scenery allowed eagles and falcons to land outside the city walls of Loulan.

Looking at the city gate, ordinary residents with a hint of fear on their faces glanced at the surrounding buildings and layout before stepping inside.

Click~ Click~

A series of standardized puppet figures moved about the streets.

Thin chakra threads, flowing through chakra conduits that connect the entire city, control these armed, constantly patrolling puppet guards.

Unlike the bulky and heavy puppets in the original work.

These puppets are well-proportioned and graceful. If you don't look closely at their exposed joints and faces, they look almost exactly like real people.

and......

The more I look at this thing, the more it resembles those dolls that single men like to use!

The ordinary residents on the street seemed to have long been accustomed to these puppet guards who patrolled with a charisma that was more alluring than a fashion show.

The cries of vendors rose and fell, and people strolling through the streets would haggle with them from time to time.

Although most of the men were engaged in various jobs in the underground "armory", judging from the information fed back by Yamanaka Kei's sensory ninjutsu, they did not seem to be subjected to any exploitation or torture.

More like...

Working in a factory?

"Was it really someone I sent?"

Yamanaka Kei couldn't believe that the Sand Village rogue ninja named Centipede from the original story would treat the residents of Loulan so kindly.

With a touch of curiosity.

He walked all the way to the tallest and most luxurious tower in the city center.

Queen Saya of Loulan, accompanied by more than ten ministers, was already waiting in front of the tower gate.

Shan Zhongjing's gaze swept over the ministers behind him.

I noticed her at first glance. She was dressed in traditional Loulan clothing, but with heavy makeup on her face. Her long, light blue hair was tied into pigtails, and she was holding an ugly doll puppet in her arms. She was a little girl whose style was completely different from everyone else around her.

This is......

Sandy Night?

Memories flashed through Yamanaka Kei's mind, and he quickly found a character in the original work who looked remarkably similar to him.

"..."

Saya, who is less than 1.6 meters tall, had a strong look of admiration in her eyes the moment she saw the scenery in the mountains.

It seemed like she was about to rush over and say something at any moment.

Suddenly, I don't know what came to mind.

Sha Ye puffed out her cheeks, then forcibly suppressed the impulse in her heart and obediently stood still.

A pair of large eyes, adorned with deep red eyeshadow, blinked incessantly.

It kept flirting with the scenery in the mountains.

"Your Excellency, please."

The current Loulan Queen, Saya, bowed slightly to Shan Zhongjing.

With a dignified expression and a slight smile, she waved away the ministers following behind her and raised her hand to invite Yamanaka Kei inside.

"Um... Queen Saya, you're too kind."

The mountain scenery returned the greeting.

This development seems completely different from what he had envisioned before he came...