"The light rising from the high altitudes of Loulan, a heart filled with mixed emotions, the Dragon Veins that must be protected..."
Mirai Uchiha slowly opened his eyes to the sound of a melodious song echoing in his ears.
Looking up, he saw a girl with flowing crimson hair wearing a flowing gown, seated on a pile of abandoned rocks, her head raised as she sang.
The song flowed with mournful grace, steeped in sorrow.
Witnessing this scene, Mirai stood up and took a few steps toward the girl.
"You…"
His voice had barely left his lips when the girl suddenly turned her head toward him.
Mirai finally got a clear look at the girl's face.
Her refined, delicate features and pale violet eyes radiated an aura of quiet elegance and nobility.
At that moment, tears filled her eyes, yet her gaze toward Mirai was filled with caution.
At the sight of him, she turned and fled without hesitation.
"So this is Loulan?"
Mirai murmured to himself, watching the girl's retreating figure.
After the Dragon Veins' power raged out of control, he had rushed into the dark purple beam of light along with Baku.
Then he felt his consciousness blur for a moment, and by the time he came back to his senses, he was already here.
According to his memory, the girl singing just now must be Sāra without a doubt.
"What amazing power…"
Realizing he had truly traveled back in time, Mirai's face showed a flicker of surprise.
He never expected that he actually managed to travel here.
"First, I should go outside and confirm which period I've traveled to."
After thinking for a while, Mirai stepped forward toward the exit.
Suddenly, two puppet soldiers wielding weapons charged rapidly toward him.
Seeing this, Mirai let out a soft snort.
[Shinra Tensei!]
The two puppets were instantly shattered by the powerful blast, scattering pieces all over the ground.
"It seems Baku also traveled to Loulan, and arrived before I did."
Seeing the puppet soldiers, Mirai didn't take them too seriously.
In the original story, even after seizing the Dragon Vein's power, Baku was still defeated by Naruto and Minato.
With the strength he currently possessed, Baku wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Besides…
If Baku wasn't causing chaos in Loulan, how else would he have met Sāra at all?
Thinking about Sāra's beauty moments ago, a faint smile lifted the corners of Mirai's lips.
Loulan, Your Emperor has returned!
————
Within the tallest tower in Loulan.
A man with a full beard and shadowed eyes suddenly snapped his eyes open.
His face darkened, twisting into an expression of grim fury as he clenched his fists tightly.
There's no doubt about it!
The man he had just seen through the Puppet soldier was undoubtedly the one who had driven him to despair at the Loulan ruins back then—Mirai Uchiha!
Though six years had passed, he would never forget that man's face.
Back then, after accidentally discovering the Loulan ruins, he had defected alone from Sunagakure.
Those from Suna actually chose to submit themselves to Konoha ninja—it disgusted him.
If only he could obtain the power of the Dragon Veins, he would surely overthrow Mirai Uchiha's rule and take full command of the entire ninja world.
To acquire the Dragon Veins' power, he tried every possible method.
He had once believed that one day, the Dragon Veins' power would finally fall into his hands.
But unexpectedly, it was Mirai Uchiha who found the location where the Dragon Veins were sealed away.
Seeing Mirai Uchiha preparing to lay hands on the Dragon Veins, he couldn't resist choosing to strike first in secret.
Yet he hadn't expected that his own feeble strength would feel as insignificant as an ant before Mirai Uchiha.
Especially that cold gaze the other gave him—thinking about it now still sent chills down his spine.
Between life and death, he had no choice but to risk everything, claiming he could help Mirai Uchiha gain control over the Dragon Veins.
With a do-or-die resolve, he shattered the protective barrier sealing the Dragon Veins.
Fortunately...
He wasn't consumed by the power of the Dragon Veins. Instead, he traveled back in time to the era when the Loulan Kingdom still existed before its downfall.
To obtain the power of the Dragon Veins, he changed his name to Anlushan and diligently helped the Queen of Loulan develop the kingdom.
Up until now, with the queen dead, he had become a high-ranking and influential minister in the Loulan Kingdom.
Once he killed Sāra, he would completely control the Dragon Veins and become their true master!
"Mirai Uchiha?"
"I'd really like to see what kind of expression you'll wear when facing me—who now controls the power of the Dragon Veins!"
"Hahahahaha..."
Anlushan couldn't help but burst into laughter—but then someone pushed open the door behind him.
Sāra looked at Anlushan curiously, "Anlushan, why are you so happy?"
Seeing Sāra, Anlushan wiped the smile off his face, replying indifferently, "Sāra, today is your coronation day. The villagers have prepared a grand inauguration ceremony for you."
"But... why haven't you changed yet?"
Hearing Anlushan's question, Sāra stammered, looking down, "I just miss my mom... she..."
"That's enough. We don't have much time left," Anlushan interrupted sharply. "Go change quickly and prepare for your coronation."
"..." Sāra glanced at the severe-looking Anlushan, her mood dipping slightly.
Yet facing this minister who had nearly single-handedly built Loulan into what it was today, she hesitated to speak up.
Back in her room, Sāra thought deeply as she changed clothes.
Why did that strange man sneak into that place today?
————
Stepping out from the abandoned tall tower, Mirai Uchiha noticed pipelines crisscrossing everywhere, linking the entire city of Loulan together.
Inside those pipelines surged a raw, untamed energy.
If he wasn't mistaken, this energy must be the power of the Dragon Veins.
"It felt like Natural Energy..."
Mirai rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
After sensing the Dragon Veins' power up close, he realized there was practically no difference between their energy and Natural Energy.
In other words...
The Dragon Veins were nothing but condensed Natural Energy!
"If I can obtain the Dragon Veins, I won't have to worry about Natural Energy anymore!"
Mirai felt excitement stirring in his chest.
He possessed both the sage body and natural energy affinity, allowing him to absorb Natural Energy at an extraordinary rate.
If he could harness the power of the Dragon Veins, he'd be able to convert his chakra into Sage Chakra whenever and wherever he wanted!
His battle strength wouldn't just improve slightly—it would skyrocket.
As Mirai Uchiha was thinking, cheers suddenly echoed through the air.
Noticing this, Mirai immediately sprang into action, flying toward the source of the sound.
A crowd had gathered beneath the tower, holding protest banners aloft and chanting loudly.
Amid thunderous applause, the queen, dressed in majestic robes, slowly stepped onto the balcony.
It was Sāra!
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