Chapter 66: A Shadow Clone's Mission
"The ancient kingdom of… Loulan?"
"How do you know that? That mission is still classified!"
Seeing the shock in Minato's eyes, Liumu was the one left stunned.
Isn't the ancient kingdom of Loulan from a movie special? How is it a real mission now?
Looking at Liumu's sudden silence, Minato grew even more astonished. His junior brother possessed a maturity far beyond his years, and his power was equally baffling. Recalling Jiraiya's vague, almost evasive praise for Liumu, Minato's mind whirled with speculation. His gaze upon the boy grew heavy with unspoken questions.
"I can go with you," Liumu said after a long moment of thought, finally agreeing to the request.
"But," he added firmly, "I won't stay in Konoha. The travel plans are set. That won't change."
"Then you…"
"I have a bold idea," Liumu replied, a hint of a plan forming in his eyes.
"It was a Shadow Clone?!"
As Liumu's form dissolved into a puff of white smoke, Minato instantly recognized the technique. The Liumu who had just wielded such massive chakra… was merely a clone.
Even so, to have fought him, Minato, for that long…
"Just how deep does his power run?"
"Liumu, are you alright?"
At home, Haku watched as Liumu's body beside her suddenly trembled. Concern filled her voice.
"Oh, it's nothing, haha."
The information from the dispersed clone flowed back into his main consciousness. As for the "bold idea," Liumu had already laid the groundwork.
Alone in a Konoha filled with impending tragedies, it was hard to change the tune. That was precisely why he'd mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
"Template Switch!"
Ding. Template switch initiated. Please select target template.
"Saitama Template."
Ding. Template connection in progress… Connection complete.
As the progress bar in his mind filled, overwhelming power flooded back into Liumu's body. He clenched his fists, feeling that familiar, invincible confidence return.
Wait… He nervously touched the top of his head. I won't go bald again, will I? I just grew this little bit back…
He let out a long sigh of relief. Phew. No side effects this time.
After a hasty meal with Haku, while she washed the dishes, Liumu slipped away to a secluded spot. He formed the hand seals.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof!
Several identical Liumus materialized. They exchanged a single, knowing glance, then scattered in different directions, leaping into the night.
A few days later, Liumu and Jiraiya, shouldering large travel packs, left Konoha Village with Haku in tow.
As for their next destination, Jiraiya watched birds flit across the sky and grinned at his two companions. "Ever been to the Land of Grass? The scenery there is beautiful. How about I show you around?"
Hokage's Office.
Minato stood before the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, reporting Liumu's proposal. Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, a deep frown etched on his face.
"I already have candidates prepared for that mission. But is what you're suggesting… truly feasible?"
Minato nodded. "It should be. He took one of my marked kunai. In theory, using the Reverse Summoning technique, it's possible."
Liumu's idea was simple: when Minato needed him during the mission, he would use the Reverse Summoning to transfer chakra from Liumu's main body to a pre-positioned clone. Having witnessed the clone's strength firsthand, Minato had no doubts about its capabilities.
This method of chakra transfer was unprecedented, but according to Liumu's explanation, it was theoretically sound. The Summoning Technique used blood contracts to call forth creatures. Liumu would leave a clone with Jiraiya. Jiraiya would then use Reverse Summoning to send the clone to Mount Myōboku. From there, whenever Minato needed assistance, he could sense the chakra signature at Myōboku and summon Liumu's clone just as he would a toad boss.
"We still don't know what we'll face in the ancient kingdom of Loulan. That's why I'm sending you," the Third said, standing and looking out the window with concern. "But the re-emergence of Loulan, a land shrouded in mystery… Konoha cannot pass up this chance to investigate."
"As for Liumu's true strength…" Hiruzen turned, his expression grave. "Not just you or I, even Jiraiya speaks of him in the highest terms. Perhaps…" He paused meaningfully. "Perhaps even Jiraiya himself is no match for him now."
"Teacher… really said that?" Minato was stunned. "But Teacher has mastered Sage Mode…"
Before he could finish, the Third gave a slight, knowing smile. The implication was clear.
"And more than that," Hiruzen added, "we need to remember just how old Liumu is."
"Loulan… an ancient kingdom. Such a familiar name."
Under the night sky, Liumu lay in his tent, gazing at the sly sliver of moon outside, lost in thought.
Soft, even breathing sounded beside him. "Liumu… are you asleep?" Haku whispered.
"Not yet."
"Oh."
…
"Liumu, are you asleep?"
"Not yet!"
"Oh."
…
"Liumu… you hit me…"
Liumu startled, quickly pulling his body back. "What? When?"
"When you were sleeping. Why do you still wear your forehead protector on your arm? It hurt me."
Hearing this, Liumu sat up, carefully removed the Konoha band from his arm, and laid back down gently. "Alright. Go to sleep now. We have a long journey tomorrow."
"Mm. I know. You sleep too."
Soon, Haku's breathing steadied into the rhythm of sleep.
Liumu's mind returned to his memories of the ancient kingdom of Loulan. In the story he knew, after Sai joined Team 7, they pursued a man named Mukade who coveted the "Dragon Vein" energy of Loulan. Legend held that the Dragon Vein contained nearly infinite chakra, which was Mukade's true goal.
Was this Loulan the same as the one from his previous life's history, a site in the far north?
Without Naruto's involvement this time, what was Minato's reason for going? The Dragon Vein? Unlikely. Ruins? Probably not.
Moreover, Liumu was deeply curious: how had Konoha, so far from Loulan, obtained intelligence about its Dragon Vein?
But if the Loulan mission unfolded as he remembered, would his own presence cause the future to diverge even further?
The thought made him smile faintly.
After all, he had already saved Yahiko. The Akatsuki would no longer develop as originally destined. If that was the case, the future was already undergoing massive changes. Why worry about the rest?
Just then, Liumu's expression shifted. A flood of information enriched his consciousness, bringing a satisfied smirk to his lips.
The clone I sent to the Land of Rain has dispersed.
The first phase of my grand ambition… is now complete.
(End of Chapter)
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