"Of course. I'm an Ace Combat Specialist of the Mobile Corps and the primary overseer guarding Roran's Ryuumyaku. If I lost to an ordinary guard, I'd be better off going home to farm."
As Kankuro mentioned being an Ace Combat Specialist of the Mobile Corps and the primary overseer of Roran's Ryuumyaku, a proud expression unconsciously appeared on his face.
"Ace Combat Specialist of the Mobile Corps sounds so cool!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Just as Kankuro was basking in his pride, Naruto added, "But, what's that?"
"!?"
Kankuro's face twitched.
"In terms you ninja village folks would understand, it's one of the strongest puppet masters! This title is held by only five people in all of Oasis."
"One of the strongest puppet masters? That's really impressive!" Naruto said again.
"Hmph! The Mobile Corps is something Oasis researched under the Shinobi Emperor's orders. Its combat power is immense, completely beyond the comprehension of you ninja village-era people. Even a Kage from your era wouldn't stand a chance against the Mobile Corps." Kankuro said proudly.
Yamato, Sai, and Sakura listened, skeptical but not arguing back.
The group continued like this, chatting inside the aircraft, passing the time.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Half a day passed.
The aircraft's speed gradually slowed, beginning to land.
Kankuro stood from the sofa and said, "We've arrived at the capital. Follow me to meet the higher-ups."
"Finally here? I wonder how the Shinobi Emperor will treat us?" Sakura said with slight worry.
"Don't worry, Sakura! I think the Shinobi Emperor is actually a good person. He won't make things hard for us!"
Naruto was full of confidence, ever optimistic.
Yamato and Sai, however, showed concern. But the situation was out of their control—they could only resign themselves to fate.
Still, how prosperous was the capital of this world?
Could they meet their counterparts here?
What would happen if they did?
Yamato and Sai felt anxious.
As the aircraft stopped, the five followed Kankuro out of the cabin door.
Instantly, Naruto and his three companions were slightly stunned by the sight before them.
In a vast underground space, a group of people had already gathered!
Among them, they spotted a handsome man dressed in black, bare-chested, with black hair.
Naruto and Sakura's eyes reddened, and they shouted in unison:
"Sasuke!!"
"Sasuke, you bastard! Why did you go to Orochimaru? Come back to the village with me! This time, I'll definitely bring you back!"
Naruto eagerly tried to rush forward.
Yamato quickly reached out, pulling Naruto back, and said in a heavy voice:
"Calm down, Naruto! This isn't the Sasuke from our world."
"!"
Hearing this, Naruto froze. Realizing his mistake, he looked at this world's Sasuke with a complicated expression:
"Sorry… I mistook you for someone else."
"This world's Sasuke, huh? He does look a lot like our Sasuke…"
Sai stared at the handsome young man, thinking to himself.
"Heh… so you're the Naruto from another world? Really short, scrawny, and you look weak. What about 'me' in your world? Don't tell me he's as weak as you?"
Imperial Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest, looking at Naruto with a disdainful expression.
"You damn Sasuke! Why are you so annoying in both our world and this one? Don't think you're all that just because you're taller and buffer! And I'm not weak at all!"
"You know how much I've grown after three years of training with the Pervy Sage?! You jerk, looking down on people like that!" Naruto shouted angrily.
The Sasuke before him, though his face was the same as the Sasuke from their world, looked more mature. But his height—seriously tall! At least 190 cm, and the black outfit he wore was stylish and striking.
With his slightly open chest, he looked strong and handsome.
So annoying!
Why was Sasuke in this world not only more handsome but also taller?
Thinking this, Naruto unconsciously shifted his gaze to the others around Sasuke.
All the men were over 185 cm tall!
That red-haired guy in casual clothes—wasn't that Gaara from earlier? Why was he so tall and muscular too? He hadn't noticed before…
This world had a serious problem!
"Sasuke…" Sakura stared intently at Sasuke, muttering.
Her eyes were filled with memories, regret, and joy.
At that moment, beside Sasuke stood a 220 cm tall blond man, his bulging muscles making his clothes look stretched. He grinned widely, showing his teeth:
"So this is 'me' from another world! The reason you're so scrawny must be because you didn't train in martial arts, right? How about it? Want to join the Shinobi Empire? I'll teach you martial arts! I guarantee you'll get a perfect body like mine!"
As he spoke, the blond man struck a bodybuilding pose, his massive muscles flexing and rippling.
"Huh? You… don't tell me you're 'me' in this world?"
Hearing the man's words, Naruto was stunned.
The people around them widened their eyes one by one.
"'Naruto' in this world? No way… how is he so buff…"
Even Sakura turned to the blond man, clicking her tongue in amazement.
"Hahaha! That's right, I'm Namikaze Naruto in this world!"
The burly blond man laughed heartily.
"Namikaze Naruto? Why are you called Namikaze Naruto? Shouldn't your surname be Uzumaki?" Otherworldly Naruto asked, confused.
"Huh? That's a weird question. My dad's surname is Namikaze, so naturally, I'm Namikaze. Could it be, in the ninja village era, a great clan like my mom's, even after marrying my dad, still kept their surname?"
"Or, in your world, did your dad move into your mom's house?"
Imperial Naruto said with a surprised expression.
At that moment, another handsome blond man nearby showed a hint of shock:
"'Me' in that world moved into her house? That's surprising… but if it's Kushina, maybe it's fine."
After speaking, the man scratched his head and smiled brightly.
"'Me' in that world had Minato move in? Hahaha… that's actually interesting! Uzumaki Naruto, that name sounds good too! Hahaha…"
Beside the handsome blond man, a beautiful red-haired woman couldn't hold back her laughter, slapping the blond man's back hard as she laughed, making him smile wryly.
"Ouch! Ouch, ouch, ouch! You two—are you my parents in this world?"
Otherworldly Naruto stared in shock at the handsome man and beautiful woman, pointing at them with trembling hands.