"That's right."
Mirai Uchiha wiped the grin from his face and turned to face Shibi Aburame, who stood nearby, deep in thought.
"You mentioned earlier that after dealing with Anlushan, you'd punish me for pretending to be a Konoha ninja?"
At those words, Shibi couldn't help but swallow hard.
For the first time, he wasn't being ignored—but it brought him no joy whatsoever.
Aniki, you never told me you were this powerful.
If I'd known you could defeat a monster like Anlushan in one strike, I wouldn't have dared call you an impostor Konoha ninja.
With strength like yours, who needs to pretend?!
If Konoha actually had warriors like you, people would be laughing themselves awake in their sleep!
Seeing Shibi remain silent, Mirai Uchiha didn't intend to let him off the hook. "I'll give you two choices."
"One is to endure a single strike from me. The other is to endure countless strikes."
Upon hearing that, Shibi's mouth twitched involuntarily.
What's the difference between these two options?
Feeling the killing intent radiating from Mirai, Choza Akimichi quickly stepped forward with a nervous chuckle. "Haha... Since we're all Konoha ninja anyway, there's no need to get so worked up, right?"
"Didn't you just say we were old acquaintances?"
"We're all... friends..."
Mirai snorted coldly. "Old acquaintances means we've known each other for a long time, but it doesn't mean we're friends."
"Someone like you doesn't deserve to be my friend."
The contempt in Mirai's tone was unmistakable, yet Choza and Shibi could do nothing but force a smile.
What choice did they have? Even at full strength, the two of them together wouldn't have stood a chance against him. Let alone now, when their chakra and physical energy were both severely depleted.
Facing Mirai's harsh gaze, Minato Namikaze stepped forward. "May I ask how I should address you?"
Mirai replied indifferently, "Just call me Mirai."
"Mirai?"
Minato murmured softly.
His name is Mirai, and he came from the future.
Could it be fate pulling the strings from behind the curtain?
Thinking of that, Minato bowed deeply to Mirai. "Thank you for saving the entire ninja world. On behalf of my fellow villagers' offenses against you, I sincerely apologize."
Shibi immediately dropped to his knees and kowtowed. "Lord Mirai, please forgive my ignorance and stupidity!"
"I was wrong."
Those three firm words carried a sincere apology.
Mirai stepped forward, lifted his foot, and kicked Shibi flying.
Seeing this, Minato and Choza exchanged relieved expressions.
The opponent's actions clearly indicated he no longer intended to kill him.
As Choza Akimichi was about to say something to ease the tension, Mirai Uchiha kicked him again.
Bang!
Choza's bulky frame was sent flying backward in an instant.
"W-Why did you hit me? I didn't offend you at all just now..."
Mirai Uchiha replied calmly, "It was convenient."
"By the way, say thank you."
Being beaten for no reason and then asked to express gratitude made Choza feel a level of humiliation he had never experienced before.
But facing such a ruthless character as Mirai Uchiha, he could only swallow his bitterness along with any complaints.
"T-Thank you..."
Seeing his old friend's expression, Shibi Aburame couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Then he noticed Mirai Uchiha's gaze turn toward him.
"You haven't said it yet, have you?"
"Eh? Oh! T-Thank you... Future Lord..."
Mirai Uchiha smiled in satisfaction.
Minato Namikaze, Choza Akimichi, and Shibi Aburame all exhaled in relief.
A smile meant this matter was now over.
Minato Namikaze checked Anlushan's corpse first, and after confirming the enemy had completely lost all signs of life, he finally felt at ease.
He looked at Mirai Uchiha and asked, "Future, are you really from the future?"
Mirai Uchiha nodded. "That's right. Anlushan is also from the future—he just traveled back in time six years before I did."
Hearing Mirai Uchiha's response, Minato Namikaze, Choza Akimichi, Shibi Aburame, Sara, and others couldn't help but open their mouths wide in shock.
So time travel actually could be achieved...
For some unknown reason, they all felt a primal fear rising within them.
This was humanity's innate reverence for immense power.
"The explosive tags have been set."
A silver-haired teenage boy wearing a mask suddenly appeared, his aura as sharp as a drawn blade.
Seeing the scene of devastation, the white-haired youth looked puzzled: "What happened?"
Minato Namikaze explained, "You arrived a bit too late; Anlushan has already been dealt with."
Kakashi looked surprised.
According to the mission briefing, Anlushan had already mastered the power of the Dragon Veins.
Before launching the attack, they had already prepared for the worst.
Yet...
In the time it took him just to plant one explosive tag, Anlushan had already been eliminated?
Seeing Kakashi's reaction, Minato Namikaze offered an explanation voluntarily: "Thanks to this young man here: Lord Future."
In the world of ninja, strength earns respect.
Although this man came from a different era and seemed about their age, Minato still chose to use a respectful form of address.
"Future?"
Minato Namikaze chuckled. "That's right. His name is Mirai Uchiha, and it's no coincidence—his origin truly lies in the future. Just like Anlushan, he traveled back in time to this era through the power of the Dragon Veins."
Upon hearing this, Kakashi couldn't help but exclaim, "From the future?"
"How is something like that even possible?!"
After speaking, he turned his head to carefully examine Mirai Uchiha.
Something about him seemed oddly familiar, and yet Kakashi couldn't help but feel annoyed for no clear reason.
As for Kakashi's reaction, Minato Namikaze and the others weren't surprised at all.
If they hadn't personally witnessed Mirai Uchiha's strength when he killed Anlushan, they wouldn't have believed his story either.
Feeling Kakashi's gaze, Mirai Uchiha said coolly, "Kakashi, don't look at me like that."
"Or I'll beat you up."
Kakashi asked in surprise, "You know me?"
"Of course," Mirai Uchiha smiled. "The infamous Konoha Technician known across the ninja world—the guy who walks around with his silver hair buried in Icha Icha novels—Kakashi Hatake!"
Silence.
A deathly silence fell.
Except for Kakashi Hatake's heavy breathing, all other surrounding sounds seemed to vanish.
Minato Namikaze, Choza Akimichi, and Shibi Aburame stared at Kakashi Hatake in disbelief, as if seeing him for the very first time.
Sāra's face twisted in a mix of disgust and fear as she clutched Mirai Uchiha's arm and hid behind him.
After a long pause, Kakashi Hatake pulled out the Tanto from behind him. "I'm going to kill you!"
Seeing this, Mirai Uchiha simply waved his hand casually.
Kakashi Hatake snorted coldly. "What? Are you scared?"
Mirai Uchiha shook his head with a smile. "Waving my hand isn't me backing down—it's me saying we're done talking."
"Come on, Kakashi. Time for another lesson."
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