Chapter 232:
Mount Myōboku.
"So this is Mount Myōboku…"
It was Sarada's first time here. She glanced around, taking in the mountain's peculiar landscape.
"One of the legendary Three Great Sacred Grounds."
Though her expression was cool and detached, Shinki's eyes betrayed his curiosity.
"Stop right there! One more step and I'll attack!"
A warning accompanied by the thud of a kunai embedding itself in the ground in front of the group.
"Sis Mirai!" Sarada looked toward the direction of the voice and saw a valiant figure emerge. "Sis Mirai, it's me—Sarada."
"I know you're Sarada. But what I don't know is whether you're the real Sarada or a liquid-metal doppelgänger disguised as her!"
At that moment, Sasuke stepped forward and said, "I believe this eye can prove our identity."
He revealed his Rinnegan—an eye he usually kept hidden behind his hair.
"So it really is you all!"
Upon recognizing her old acquaintances, Sarutobi Mirai's expression softened with emotion.
"Mirai, where's Kakashi?" Sasuke asked, looking at her now that she had lowered her guard.
"Uncle Sasuke, the Sixth Hokage and Master Shikamaru are both inside Mount Myōboku."
"What?! Shikamaru too?!"
A rare flicker of surprise crossed Sasuke's usually stoic face.
If the real Shikamaru was here, then the one currently in Konoha—following Naruto around—was, without a doubt, an impostor.
Of course, what Sasuke realized, the others picked up on too. One by one, their expressions turned grim.
"What's wrong with you all?"
Only Sarutobi Mirai looked on in confusion.
"We actually saw another Shikamaru in Konoha. To avoid alerting the enemy, Naruto chose not to come with us to Mount Myōboku," Sasuke explained.
"In that case… wouldn't the Seventh Hokage be in danger?!"
Mirai quickly grasped the situation.
"No. I believe in Naruto. He wouldn't be taken down so easily."
Sasuke shook his head, confident.
Meanwhile, in Konoha—
Hokage's Office
"Naruto, Chōjūrō and Mei Terumi really did come to Konoha. What should we do next?"
Faced with Shikamaru's question, Naruto fell into deep thought. Though there were still many ninja loyal to the village, the true identities of many were now uncertain. He couldn't tell who might have already been replaced, leaving him in a rather awkward position—essentially, with no one to rely on.
"Konoha won't officially announce that it's sheltering Mei Terumi and Chōjūrō," Naruto said, looking at the man in front of him. "But we should still do what we can to help them."
"Got it. I'll go make the arrangements."
Shikamaru nodded and left the Hokage's office.
As the sound of the door closing echoed behind him, Naruto formed a hand sign: Shadow Clone Jutsu!
A perfect duplicate of Naruto appeared in the office.
"I'll leave this place to you."
"Yeah, don't worry, I've got this—leave it to me, boss."
The clone spoke with a serious expression.
Aside from being wary of the newly-appointed and mysterious Mizukage, Naruto also had another motive—he wanted to use Mei Terumi and Chōjūrō to draw out some of the impostors hiding within Konoha.
With a bit of luck, he might even be able to track down the leader behind them through interrogation.
The real Naruto opened the window and leapt out of the Hokage's office.
Outside Konoha—
"Hyūga ninja!"
At the sight of Hyūga shinobi ahead, the tense Chōjūrō finally relaxed. Just as he was about to step forward, Mei Terumi grabbed his arm.
"Wait, Chōjūrō." She looked serious. Seeing his puzzled expression, she stared at the three Hyūga ninja before them. "Something's off…"
"Orders from the Hokage—assist Kirigakure in apprehending its missing-nin!"
The lead Hyūga, Hyūga A, stepped forward. Following his declaration, Hyūga B and Hyūga C also advanced.
"What?! There's no way Naruto would give such an order!"
Chōjūrō looked completely stunned. But regardless of how unbelievable it was, the reality in front of them couldn't be denied. The three Hyūga shinobi continued closing in on them.
"Rasengan!"
Hyūga A hurled a Rasengan at them.
"Scientific Ninja Tools?! That means those two…"
During the attack, Chōjūrō spotted the scientific tool strapped to Hyūga A's right arm.
"Water Style: Surging Tides!"
A torrent of water shot from the scientific ninja tool concealed in Hyūga B's sleeve.
"Lightning Style: Purple Electricity!"
A bolt of violet lightning launched from Hyūga C's sleeve-mounted tool.
"Water Style: Water Pillar!"
Mei Terumi countered by spraying a torrent of water from her mouth, forming pillars that neutralized the incoming attacks.
"Lady Mei, are you okay?"
Chōjūrō rushed to support her, visibly concerned.
"Damn it… I haven't fully recovered my chakra yet… Chōjūrō, we need to retreat!"
"Understood."
Chōjūrō gave a firm nod and helped Mei Terumi flee.
"Don't even think about running!"
Hyūga A called out, and he, along with Hyūga B and C, pursued them closely.
"Lady Mei, you go on ahead!"
Chōjūrō suddenly turned around. Facing the three Hyūga chasing them, he drew his blade.
"Hiramekarei—Release!"
Injecting chakra into his weapon, Hiramekarei, the blade glowed and grew larger. It fired a burst of energy at Hyūga A, B, and C.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
All three enemies launched the jutsu simultaneously. Two fire dragons collided with Chōjūrō's energy blast and canceled each other out. The third shot straight at Chōjūrō.
"Argh!"
The flaming dragon struck Chōjūrō head-on, sending him flying as he screamed in pain. The scent of scorched flesh began to waft from his body.
"Chōjūrō! Are you alright?!"
Mei Terumi rushed to his side as he struggled to get up, worry etched into her features.
"Lady Mei, why haven't you left yet?!"
"If anyone's going to stay behind and cover the retreat, it should be me."
Mei stood in front of Chōjūrō, shielding him.
"You two aren't going anywhere today!"
Hyūga A glared at them coldly.
"…What the—why is there fog forming around us?!"
Behind Mei, Chōjūrō looked around in alarm.
"This jutsu… Hidden Mist Technique!"
Despite recognizing the jutsu from their own village, Mei didn't look the least bit relieved. Her expression turned even more grave.
After all, she and Chōjūrō were now classified as missing-nin from the Hidden Mist Village. Any Mist ninja appearing at this moment was most likely here to capture them.