Whoosh—
Boom!
As brilliant fireworks lit up the sky, a massive crowd gathered in the city center, celebrating with joyful enthusiasm. The streets were packed with cheering people, voices echoing in unison:
"Long live Her Majesty!"
"Queen Sarah!"
If one didn't already know these "people" were all illusions—elaborate puppet creations—it would be easy to be completely fooled by the realism.
High above, Kakashi stood on top of a tall building, overlooking the scene with a frown.
"This kind of scene... even though I've seen it before, it still gives me the creeps," he murmured.
He activated his chakra sense, tracking the unique energy flow through the hidden chakra threads woven throughout the city. He had to find the source.
Suddenly, his attention was drawn to the central palace. A young woman in elegant royal attire stepped onto a grand balcony, flanked by two puppet guards in dark green robes. Her graceful posture and regal aura made it clear—this was Queen Sarah, the current ruler of Loulan.
Kakashi hadn't seen her before, as his previous missions were conducted covertly underground. This was his first time witnessing the real queen up close.
The irony stung. While the queen remained blissfully unaware of the truth, the cheering "crowd" below—merely puppets—clapped and chanted her name with eerie devotion. The entire kingdom was a carefully constructed lie.
Shaking his head, Kakashi turned to leave.
But then—
"Ahh!"
A sudden scream sliced through the air.
Kakashi spun around just in time to see Queen Sarah being shoved off the balcony by one of her puppet guards. The malicious hand struck from the shadows, and the queen plummeted toward the ground!
There was no time to think.
Swish!
A flash of silver lightning streaked across the sky. Kakashi disappeared from his perch, and in the next instant, the falling queen vanished into thin air.
Down below, the puppet crowd continued cheering, completely oblivious to what had just happened. They kept shouting "Queen! Queen!" toward the empty balcony, blind to reality.
---
In a quiet, secluded hall behind the palace, Kakashi gently set the stunned Sarah down.
"You're safe now," he said calmly.
"Wha—AHHH!!" Sarah gasped, staring wide-eyed at the stranger who had just caught her. Instinctively, she raised her hand to slap him.
But before she could strike—
"No need for thanks," Kakashi said coolly as he tossed her aside.
Thud!
"Ouch!!"
Sarah landed ungracefully on her backside, tears welling in her eyes from the pain.
"Who do you think you are, you rude jerk!?" she cried out, rubbing her sore buttocks and glaring at him with indignation.
Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly. "Just a passerby. Don't take it the wrong way. I'm a soft-hearted guy—I even help stray dogs on the street if I see them."
"Eh? Well... thank you, I suppose," Sarah mumbled, blinking in confusion. Her anger faded slightly as she realized he had saved her.
"But... what's that about stray dogs? I'm the Queen!"
"Oh."
Kakashi rolled his eyes, not hiding his lack of enthusiasm.
"Hey! What kind of reaction is that!?"
Sarah was fuming again, stomping her foot in frustration.
"What I mean is," Kakashi replied, turning away, "we met by chance. There's no need to get too familiar. Let's just say goodbye and part ways."
He started walking away.
"I don't have time to play along in some fairytale with a princess who's blinded by lies."
Then, just before leaving the hall, he paused and added, "By the way—since someone just tried to kill you, it's safe to say the mastermind no longer needs you. If I were you, I'd stay close to that cheering 'crowd.' Even if you die, at least you'll die knowing the truth."
---
Before he could step out, three masked figures suddenly appeared, blocking his path.
"You didn't keep your promise," said the blond-haired young man in the lead.
Kakashi scratched his head, feeling like a schoolboy caught slacking off. It was that same dreadful moment—like texting in class and looking up to see the teacher watching.
"I, uh... who exactly are you?" Kakashi asked, feigning ignorance.
Before anyone could respond, Sarah rushed forward and stepped in front of him, arms outstretched protectively.
"Don't hurt him!"
Kakashi blinked in surprise.
"Well actually... I'm with them," he admitted awkwardly.
Sarah froze, realizing she had just defended someone who apparently didn't need saving.
Still, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth from her instinctive act. Maybe saving her hadn't been a waste after all.
"We mean you no harm," the blond man explained. "We're here to protect you too."
He then removed his mask and introduced himself—it was none other than Minato Namikaze, the legendary Yellow Flash.
Minato proceeded to explain everything to Sarah in detail.
---
"So let me get this straight..." Sarah said slowly, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You're telling me that An Lushan... is actually a ninja who traveled from six years in the future? And all of this—everything he's done—was to use the power of the Dragon Vein to create puppet weapons... to declare war on the five great nations and try to rule the world?"
She stared at them, face pale and expression torn between anger and confusion.
"Are you out of your minds?! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!"
Her eyes welled up with tears. "An Lushan was a great man! My mother trusted him more than anyone! After her death, he continued her vision, working hard every day to make this city better!"
"You're lying. All of you."
Minato's expression remained calm and gentle. "Your Majesty, I understand how hard this must be. But the truth doesn't change because we don't want to see it. That man has deceived you."
"No!" Sarah snapped. "What's more suspicious is all of you—breaking into my palace, spreading these wild accusations! You're the liars!"
She turned to Kakashi, her eyes filled with betrayal, then stormed away in fury.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Kakashi called after her.
"I'm going to find out the truth for myself!" she shouted over her shoulder.
She didn't slow down, quickly disappearing into the corridors of the palace.
---
Kakashi sighed and shook his head. "She says she doesn't believe us, but she's still going to investigate anyway."
"She needs to see it with her own eyes," Minato replied softly. "Let her go."
Then Minato turned to Kakashi. "Let's split up. Since you're confident Yamato and the clone can complete the main mission, I'll leave the job of protecting Her Majesty to you."
Kakashi blinked. "Yes, sir..."
He scratched the back of his head, clearly disappointed. "Guess there's no room for slacking off anymore."
He then turned toward Minato and said, "Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
With a puff of smoke, another clone appeared beside him.
"Minato-sensei," Kakashi addressed respectfully, "please take this clone to Naruto. Help heal his injuries first."
"Understood," Minato nodded.
As the clone left with Minato, the real Kakashi turned and dashed in the direction Sarah had gone.
---
Though he wasn't sure what exactly was waiting ahead, Kakashi felt a strange sense of responsibility.
After all, she had put herself in harm's way to protect him, even when she knew nothing about who he was.
"Guess I've got no choice but to see this through," he muttered as he vanished into the shadows.
Loulan was still full of secrets—and if they didn't uncover the truth in time, the Dragon Vein might fall into the wrong hands.
The fate of the entire world could be at stake.
---
To be continued...