With Yamato and his team pushing themselves to the limit, they returned to Konoha Village in record time. Without delay, Yamato went directly to the Hokage's office and requested an urgent audience with the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade Senju.
"Yamato, Naruto—you're back!" Tsunade greeted them with concern. "Is the mission complete?"
"Grandma Tsunade, this isn't the time for that!" Naruto burst out, rushing forward. "Someone's coming to attack Konoha—gather all the shinobi right away!"
"Sit down and shut up, Naruto." Tsunade struck him with a controlled flick that sent him sprawling across the floor—more to quiet him than to harm him.
"Wha—Grandma Tsunade! Why'd you hit me?! I'm serious—Konoha's in danger!" Naruto got up, still flustered.
Sakura, embarrassed by his outburst, grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back. "Naruto, enough! Let Yamato-taichō explain."
Tsunade exhaled deeply, massaging her temple. "Yamato. Talk."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Yamato stepped forward and began his report. "During our mission, we encountered an individual who identified himself as Uchiha Byakuya. He possesses both the Sharingan and Wood Release."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed instantly. "What?! Sharingan and Mokuton?! Are you certain?"
"I'm absolutely sure," Yamato affirmed grimly. "His Wood Release surpasses mine by a large margin."
Tsunade's expression hardened. "That's... impossible. Sharingan is unique to the Uchiha clan, and Mokuton was exclusive to Hashirama—until Orochimaru's experiments produced you."
She paused. "Could this Byakuya be another result of Orochimaru's genetic tampering?"
That possibility disturbed everyone in the room. Orochimaru had long been obsessed with kekkei genkai, especially the Sharingan and the First Hokage's bloodline. Yamato himself was proof of that.
"Where is he now?" Tsunade asked sharply.
"I don't know. But before disappearing, he said—clearly—that he would come to Konoha."
"I see." Tsunade rose from her desk with determination. "Then pass this down: all shinobi are to be on high alert. Increase surveillance on every route into and out of the village. If anyone spots this Uchiha Byakuya, report to me immediately."
"Yes, ma'am!" Yamato nodded and rushed off to carry out her command.
Meanwhile…
"Is this the Konoha of this world?" Byakuya muttered as he stood at the village entrance, his sharp gaze scanning the familiar surroundings.
It looked like the same village—but certain buildings were subtly different. The shops, the layout... Close, but not quite right.
"Hmph... I was right. This isn't the future—it's a parallel timeline," he said to himself, eyes narrowing as he focused on the Hokage Rock.
There, standing intact among the carved faces, was the visage of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"In my world, I already destroyed that statue… So this can't be my future. It must be a parallel version of Konoha," Byakuya concluded.
Even as he analyzed the situation, sharp-eyed Konoha ninja took notice.
"That's him! The man from the report!"
"Inform the Hokage—now!"
"Understood!"
The patrol squad scattered, some to report back, others keeping a safe distance while tracking his movements.
Byakuya smirked faintly. "Let's see how this version of Konoha reacts…"
The Konoha ninja quickly rushed toward the Hokage Building, urgency written across their faces.
A moment later, Lady Tsunade, flanked by several Anbu and her assistant Shizune, appeared at the entrance and raised her hand, signaling the unknown man to stop.
"Hold it right there!" Tsunade ordered, her tone sharp and commanding. "Identify yourself."
Byakuya's crimson Sharingan eyes met hers calmly. "Tsunade Senju... How interesting. I was just about to pay you a visit, but here you are."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "You know me? We've never met." Her tone was cautious—measured. Though he looked like a young Uchiha, there was something about him that unsettled her.
Byakuya chuckled. "Oh, I know you quite well. Better than you think."
Tsunade's brow twitched at the arrogance in his tone. "You've got a lot of nerve speaking so casually. Don't flatter yourself—I've never seen you before in my life."
"Maybe not in this life," Byakuya said cryptically, his gaze steady.
Shizune's hand moved toward the medical pouch at her hip, while two Anbu subtly took a step forward.
"And wipe that smirk off your face," Tsunade said irritably, noticing how his eyes flicked across her figure with amused scrutiny.
Byakuya tilted his head, amused. "Still sharp-tongued, I see. Though... I must say, the Tsunade of this world is... generously proportioned."
Tsunade's expression darkened immediately. "You arrogant little—!"
She lunged forward with a punch that cracked the stone beneath her feet.
But Byakuya didn't even flinch. In a blur, his hand shot up and caught her wrist mid-air.
"Hmph... not bad," he muttered.
Tsunade's eyes widened. He caught that? With one hand?
"You should be more careful when you charge in alone," Byakuya whispered, then pulled forward with precise strength.
Thrown off balance, Tsunade stumbled, and before she could react, Byakuya had caught her around the waist, steadying her effortlessly.
"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune cried out in alarm, her kunai halfway drawn.
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