"Sāra, step forward a bit. Look how enthusiastic your subjects are."
Upon hearing this, Sāra's face lit up with a delighted smile.
The scene before her helped ease the grief she felt over her mother's passing.
She hadn't expected everyone to like her so much.
Then...
She had to become a queen just as outstanding as her mother.
With that thought in mind, Sāra took a few more steps forward.
Suddenly, the windowsill beneath her feet cracked and gave way, sending Sāra plummeting downward.
"Ahhh!!!"
Screaming in terror from high above,
Sāra realized she was falling from nearly a hundred meters. This would surely be fatal.
As the ground rapidly approached, everything suddenly went black.
Then, she heard a strong heartbeat near her ear.
Slowly opening her eyes, Sāra found herself cradled in a man's arms.
"How rude!"
Sāra raised her arm and swung at the man before her.
But he simply caught her wrist gently, rendering her helpless.
"Your Majesty Sāra," the man said, "aren't you the one being impolite by attacking your savior?"
Hearing his words, Sāra finally came to her senses.
She remembered now—this man had just saved her life...
Realizing this, Sāra lowered her head. "I-I'm sorry. I was just really scared."
The man chuckled. "Let's not have a repeat performance."
"Could you let me go now?" Sāra asked, blushing slightly.
Mirai Uchiha loosened his grip on Sāra's wrist, and she quickly pulled her hand back while secretly studying the man before her.
So handsome.
T-this guy is almost unfairly attractive...
"You're...you're not from Loulan, are you?"
Mirai nodded. "That's right. I'm a ninja from Konoha. My name is Mirai Uchiha. How did you know?"
"Have you met everyone in Loulan already?"
At his question, Sāra shyly lowered her head.
Men in Loulan must be roughened by the desert winds and sun—there's no way any of them would look this good...
But she didn't dare voice her thoughts.
Seeing Sāra fall silent, Mirai curiously asked, "How exactly did you fall from such a great height?"
"If I hadn't been here, you'd probably be dead by now."
Thinking carefully, Sāra quietly replied, "I'm not quite sure either. It felt like I tripped slightly, then the windowsill just collapsed under me."
After some thought, Mirai guessed. "Did someone push you from behind?"
"Otherwise, why would only you fall?"
"Do not spout such nonsense. Anlushan would never harm me," Sāra's gaze turned ice-cold at the suggestion.
"And you..." Sāra eyed Mirai Uchiha warily — "You said earlier you're a Konoha ninja?"
"Konoha should be in the Land of Fire, right? Why are you here? What are you really after?"
Mirai Uchiha wasn't taken aback by Sāra's interrogation.
Compared to Anlushan, who had reshaped Loulan into what it was now, it made sense for someone like him—a complete outsider—to raise suspicion.
Just as he was about to explain, dozens more puppet soldiers suddenly charged toward their location.
As Mirai Uchiha shielded Sāra from behind, three figures appeared at his side just as he was about to strike.
"Shibi and Choza, you two cover us," commanded Minato before turning his attention to Mirai Uchiha and Sāra. "This place is dangerous. Follow me first."
Nodding slightly, Mirai Uchiha scooped Sāra up in one swift motion under her astonished stare.
In moments, they vanished into the alleyways.
---
Inside a hidden, abandoned tower, Mirai Uchiha gently set down the still-struggling Sāra.
"Who exactly are you people?!" Sāra glared at the group suspiciously.
Anlushan had always warned her that the world beyond Loulan was full of deception.
No one outside Loulan could truly be trusted.
The blonde-haired young man removed his mask upon hearing her words. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Minato Namikaze, and I am a Konoha ninja."
"These two are my comrades: Shibi Aburame and Choza Akimichi."
Again, Konoha ninjas.
Colder than ice, Sāra demanded, "What business do you have coming to Loulan?"
Minato responded seriously, "Our village received a mission request from Loulan. Anlushan plans to destroy the ninja world using the power of the Dragon Veins. The queen sent us to investigate him and protect your safety."
"Anlushan? Destroy the ninja world?" Sāra snapped angrily. "Are you talking nonsense?"
"And besides... I certainly never hired any Konoha ninjas to protect me."
Seeing Sāra's reaction, Minato explained, "The mission was commissioned by the Queen."
Sāra scoffed coldly. "My mother would never issue such a mission order."
"It was Anlushan who rebuilt Loulan into what it is now. He has always been the most trusted advisor to my mother. How could she ever send you to investigate him?"
Shibi Aburame couldn't help but interject, "It was indeed the Queen of Loulan who entrusted us with this mission. We have no reason to lie to you."
"Hmph!"
Sāra let out a cold snort, "Who knows if you're just making up such lies to obtain the power of the Dragon Veins."
"I'll personally investigate this matter thoroughly."
After saying that, Sāra pointed at Mirai Uchiha, Minato Namikaze, and others: "You Konoha Ninja should stop following me any further."
With that, Sāra turned around and ran away.
Minato Namikaze and the other two turned their gaze toward Mirai Uchiha.
From what Sāra said before leaving, could he actually be a ninja from Konoha too?
That long, flowing white hair; his looks and aura were both exceptionally outstanding...
If the village had a ninja like him, there was no way they wouldn't have heard of him.
Meeting their scrutinizing stares, Mirai spoke calmly: "When I was chasing Bai... or rather, Anlushan, he destroyed the barrier that sealed the Dragon Veins."
"A dark purple beam of light erupted, and the next thing I knew, I was here."
"At first I felt somewhat confused, but after seeing you guys, everything became clear to me."
Upon hearing this, Minato and the others all looked puzzled: "Why do you say that?"
Mirai smiled slightly: "Minato, Shibi, Choza... we could probably be considered old acquaintances."
"What?!"
Everyone was completely shocked by Mirai's words: "But we've never met you before!"
"That's natural," Mirai chuckled. "It's perfectly normal that none of you have seen me before."
"Because... I probably traveled back in time from the future."
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