The entire Kingdom of Rōran operated on the energy supplied by the Ryūmyaku Vein. Whatever Anrokuzan intended to do, all they had to do was sever his connection to it—then everything would become simple.
"We're coming with you."
Yuzuru Uchiha pulled Sara to her feet, then turned to Sarai and Masako. "You two stay here. If we find your families, we'll bring them back safely."
Sara nodded. "I swear on my name as queen."
"We understand." Sarai and Masako bowed deeply to Sara and Yuzuru before retreating into the shadows to hide.
Sara closed her eyes, sensing the Ryūmyaku Vein's flow. "Follow me," she said.
Yuzuru, Obito, Shisui, and Hatake followed her down a passage that resembled an underground sewer.
"It should be just beneath this place."
After inspecting the area, Yuzuru scooped Sara into his arms. "Hold tight. I'll take you down."
Having already been carried by Yuzuru several times, Sara had become rather numb to it. She simply nodded and said nothing.
The others followed as they leapt down into the depths.
"Whoa! This place is massive—like a gigantic factory!" Obito gasped as his voice echoed through the chamber.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed at the thick mist swirling in the air. "What incredible density of energy... this must be the Ryūmyaku Vein's power."
Yuzuru gently set Sara down. At that moment, Shisui suddenly shouted, "Everyone, look over there!"
Following his finger, Sara's pupils contracted.
At the center of the underground factory was a colossal gear-like mechanism. Hundreds of half-naked Rōran citizens were pushing it in circles like living machines.
On the conveyor belts beside them, puppet parts were slowly being assembled.
Most of the workers were strong young men, their expressions vacant. Chains bound their wrists and ankles, while dozens of armed puppets stood guard, overseeing the work.
"That bastard Anrokuzan!"
Sara's fury exploded as she witnessed the horrifying scene.
She ran forward, closing her eyes and focusing on suppressing the Ryūmyaku Vein's energy.
Moments later, the machinery ground to a halt.
Sara turned back with a relieved smile. "It's done. I've cut off the Ryūmyaku Vein's supply to the factory. Please—help me free my people from those chains!"
The ever-enthusiastic Obito was already on the move. Together with Shisui and Kakashi, he dashed forward.
With a chorus of metallic clangs, every chain shattered under their strikes.
"I am Sara, your new queen! Your families are waiting for you outside. You are free now!"
The workers froze in disbelief, then dropped to their knees in unison. "Thank you, Queen Sara!"
"Go! Leave this place quickly!" she urged.
Under her command, the freed citizens fled in waves, and soon the factory was empty and silent.
"I can feel it—the Ryūmyaku Vein's source lies one layer deeper. Let's hurry."
But just as Sara prepared to completely seal the Ryūmyaku Vein's power, disaster struck.
The factory's puppets began to converge from every direction, quickly surrounding them.
A man with a thick beard descended slowly by elevator.
"Sara. So you're still alive."
Sara glared at him in rage. "Anrokuzan, what are you trying to do?!"
Anrokuzan snorted coldly. "I will use the Ryūmyaku Vein's power to unify the entire ninja world ahead of its time."
"My arrival here was destiny itself."
"What?!" Obito shouted. "So it was you! You killed the Queen of Rōran, didn't you?!"
Anrokuzan shrugged indifferently. "She could've stayed quiet and let history unfold, but she chose to oppose me. She had no idea how terrifying the future shinobi world would become."
Sara's fists trembled. "Anrokuzan… you killed my mother?!"
He nodded without hesitation. "That's right. Unfortunately, you learned the truth too late. You'll die here as well."
After years of preparation, his plans for the Ryūmyaku Vein were complete. Even without the queen's bloodline, it would continue functioning exactly as he designed.
Sara no longer had any purpose.
But then his eyes landed on Yuzuru Uchiha—and the smug confidence drained from his face.
"You… you're…!" His voice shook. "Yuzuru Uchiha?!"
Yuzuru raised an eyebrow. "You know me?"
Receiving a fearful nod, Anrokuzan stumbled back a few steps before his eyes hardened again.
"It doesn't matter! I control the Ryūmyaku Vein now—I'm not afraid of you!"
As he shouted, the Ryūmyaku Vein's energy erupted violently. Puppets all around them activated and opened fire.
Beams of purple light blasted through the air, and in an instant, the entire factory was reduced to rubble.
"Let's see you three they handle this," Yuzuru said calmly, carrying Sara as he leapt onto a high platform.
Obito adjusted his goggles confidently. "Heh! Time for the great Obito to teach this guy a lesson!"
Shisui drew his short blade. "The world must move according to Lord Yuzuru's will. I'll change your warped ideals myself."
Kakashi said nothing, charging forward with his short sword.
The three plunged into battle, clashing against the army of puppets.
Thanks to their previous encounters, they didn't fight head-on. Instead, they focused on severing the chakra threads connecting each puppet to the Ryūmyaku Vein.
"It's useless!" Anrokuzan roared, laughing wildly. "As long as the Ryūmyaku Vein flows, my power is infinite!"
Even the disabled puppets reactivated, rejoining the fight.
Sara turned to Yuzuru, who still sat calmly beside her. "Yuzuru! Aren't you going to help them? I could use the chance to sever his link to the Ryūmyaku Vein!"
Yuzuru shook his head. "They can handle this much. Let them get some real combat experience."
Sara stared at him in disbelief.
'This guy's nerves are made of steel…' she thought.
Anrokuzan controlled the power of the Ryūmyaku Vein itself!
Seeing her worry, Yuzuru smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Sara. As long as I'm here, Anrokuzan is no threat—even with the Ryūmyaku Vein's power."
He pointed at himself with his thumb. "Because I, Yuzuru Uchiha, wield the power of a god."
Sara was speechless for a moment, staring at him.
Come to think of it, Anrokuzan had looked terrified when he saw Yuzuru.
Could it be… that this man truly possessed power strong enough to stand against the Ryūmyaku Vein itself?