Under the setting sun, on the highest terrace of the Rōran Royal Palace.
Shun slowly opened his Mangekyo Sharingan, and complex patterns slowly rotated in his crimson pupils. Through the vision of Divine Eye, every area of the entire city was revealed to him. Every building, every street, and even the crisscrossing energy veins underground were clearly visible.
But now, the entire city only contained tens of thousands of ordinary Rōran people, and the Minato team that had just arrived.
"Nothing at all. Why haven't they appeared?"
Shun's fingertips unconsciously tapped the stone railing.
According to the original plot, Naruto and Captain Yamato should have appeared by now, but there was no sign of them.
He felt some doubt. 'Did I change the future?'
Suddenly, a crisp sound of footsteps came from behind him.
Sāra walked onto the terrace, holding up her skirt, her long red hair like a vibrant red rose in the setting sun.
"Shun, you've been standing here for a long time."
Shun closed his Mangekyo Sharingan, and when he turned around, he had already regained his composure.
"It's nothing, I was just thinking about something."
Sāra keenly noticed the subtle furrow in his brow. She gently leaned closer, and asked, "Is it about those Konoha ninjas?"
In the distance, Minato was leading Kakashi and others, inspecting the traces of last night's battle.
Soon, they finished their records and prepared to return to Konoha.
Just as Minato and the others turned to leave, Shun suddenly shouted loudly, "Minato, wait a moment!"
This sudden sound made Minato and the others stop in their tracks.
He slowly turned around and asked doubtfully, "Advisor Shun, do you have anything else?"
Shun smiled slightly. "The power of the Ryumyaku has not yet fully stabilized, I need your help to apply a seal."
Minato was slightly startled, this was not part of the mission.
He seemed to say with some difficulty, "But the mission has been completed, and Anrokuzan has already been eliminated by you."
Shun suddenly became serious, speaking in an unquestionable tone, "This is an order."
Minato was silent for a moment, he was clearly somewhat helpless about this unreasonable order.
But in the end, he still showed a faint smile and said, "Alright, since it's Advisor Shun's request, I will naturally comply."
The Ryumyaku altar was deep underground, with purple energy currents winding and flowing on the huge stone platform, emitting a faint hum.
Minato squatted at the edge of the altar, gently brushing the stone surface carved with ancient runes, trying to analyze their function.
His voice echoed slightly in the empty underground space. "The Ryumyaku's energy is indeed more active than imagined, but the previous Fuinjutsu should be sufficient. Why is an additional seal needed?"
Shun and Sāra stood quietly together.
"This is a precautionary measure, to prevent anyone from learning from Anrokuzan and stealing the Ryumyaku's power."
Shun answered briefly, his gaze never leaving Minato's actions.
Under the dim light, Kakashi's single eye narrowed slightly.
Choza mumbled softly, wiping the sweat from his forehead, "Hey, Kakashi. Don't you think Advisor Shun is a bit off?"
Shibi pushed up his sunglasses, the parasitic insects around him were restlessly agitated. "It's normal, he is queen Sāra's man."
Minato looked up, a hint of inquiry in his sunny smile. "Advisor Shun, you seem to know a lot about the Ryumyaku?"
Their gazes met in the air, and an invisible contest unfolded in the silence.
Sāra unconsciously gripped Shun's arm.
Shun replied expressionlessly, "Minato, begin the seal."
Minato's hands began to form hand signs, his movements fluid and graceful. With the completion of each sign, Chakra flowed out from his fingertips like a living thing, outlining complex patterns on the stone platform.
Minato had been an academic prodigy since childhood, and now he was a Fuinjutsu Grandmaster.
Shun watched Minato's movements without blinking, his Mangekyo Sharingan recording every detail.
His mind rapidly calculated. This Fuinjutsu was slightly different from the Uzumaki clan's, it seemed Minato had made some improvements.
Sāra suddenly whispered, her eyes glowing with a faint purple light in the dim underground palace. "Strange, the Ryumyaku is resisting this seal?"
Indeed, the previously calmly flowing purple energy began to stir, surging like an enraged sea.
Minato's forehead was covered with fine sweat, and the speed of his hand signs noticeably increased.
"Shibi! Choza!" Kakashi shouted, instantly entering battle mode.
"Don't move, let me handle it!" Shun's voice was stern and domineering.
Susanoo instantly formed, a giant Chakra shield spanning between everyone, temporarily suppressing the rampaging Ryumyaku energy.
Minato's yellow hair whipped wildly in the energy storm, but his hands remained steady.
"Give me thirty seconds!"
Sāra suddenly rushed towards the center of the altar, her long hair flying in the chaotic energy currents, her slender figure seemingly about to be torn apart at any moment.
Shun knew what she was going to do, so he called out, "Sara, be careful!"
Sāra's eyes sparkled with firm light as she said, "Don't worry, I can soothe it, this is my responsibility."
Her hands pressed against the altar, and she recited ancient incantations.
Surprisingly, the turbulent Ryumyaku energy began to calm down, becoming docile like a tamed beast.
Minato seized the opportunity, slamming the last hand sign onto the ground.
"Seal!"
Golden chains emerged fro, firmly binding the Ryumyaku core.
The entire underground palace vibrated violently for a moment, then returned to tranquility.
...
Night came suddenly in the desert. When everyone returned to the surface, the night sky was already filled with stars.
The Minato team was making their final preparations at the city gate.
Minato's eyes were exceptionally clear in the moonlight. "The mission report... Regarding the details of the Ryumyaku, I will write it truthfully."
Fifth Hokage Tsunade was his woman, so Minato's small report was of no use to Shun.
He directly interrupted, "Just record it truthfully. The Fifth Hokage will understand."