With a single step out from the Loulan Dragon Veins, the stars shifted, heaven and earth transformed.
When they opened their eyes again, a completely different landscape unfolded before them.
Konan looked melancholy, quietly following Seiki, only looking up when she heard Mizuki exclaim in surprise.
Mizuki stared in disbelief—this Loulan was nothing like the desolate wasteland they had left years ago.
Tall buildings were everywhere, and long train-like vehicles zoomed through the skies above, presenting a scene of prosperity!
"Didn't Loulan relocate to the outskirts of Konoha during wartime? How could it be like this here..."
Seiki sighed. "Time flows differently between the two worlds. We were only gone for over a month there, but eight years have passed here! In these eight years, so much has changed!"
"Eight years!" Mizuki's expression turned blank, as if feeling disconnected from the world.
"Eight years!" Konan absorbed the sights around her, deeply shocked. "To develop a remote small country to this level—it would be difficult even in eighty years! What exactly happened during these years?"
As they walked, Seiki explained, "Loulan has changed a lot, but compared to Konoha, it's still far behind. As the political center of the Alliance, Konoha's development has been rapid and dramatic! From what I know, the research team is already discussing lunar exploration, planning to establish the moon as our second Earth!"
Hearing this, both were deeply shaken, unexpectedly feeling like rural folks entering the city.
"They're already researching moon landings? Climbing a mountain used to be a huge challenge back in the day!" Mizuki sighed.
Konan's expression was complex. "Is this the change brought by unification?"
"Exactly!" Seiki nodded. "This is precisely the benefit of establishing the Ninja Alliance!"
The ninja world wasn't behind in tech—it was just lopsided in certain areas. After his vigorous reforms and support, especially with the slogan emphasizing both technology and ninjutsu, the technological level of the entire ninja world rapidly advanced, exploded with innovation!
As for ninjutsu itself, it hadn't stagnated due to technological advancement. Rather, with various scientific theories and methods emerging, ninjas could now deeply analyze the essence of chakra and ninjutsu.
As a result, in the past eight years, many new Kekkei Genkai had emerged—something that previously occurred only once every few hundred years—if not every few decades.
Konan sighed, "Your vision is indeed far beyond ours. Yahiko and Nagato never stood a chance."
Seiki smiled slightly. Had he ever regarded them as equals? "Let's go. We're heading back to Konoha!"
...
In the Raikage's office at the Alliance headquarters.
The Raikage was doing one-finger pushups inside a gravity training chamber, sweat pouring from his head. Dodai looked at him with concern. "Raikage-sama, if you can't hold on any longer, please step out for a break!"
The Raikage exhaled heavily. "No need. I can still manage. Hey, have you heard anything? Has Leader-sama returned yet?"
Dodai shook his head. "Not yet. However, before Leader-sama left, he mentioned the difference in time flow between the two worlds. While a week has passed here, it might have only been a few hours for him over there."
After a brief pause, Dodai continued, "Besides, with Leader-sama's current strength, who could possibly harm him?"
"Raikage-sama, you absolutely have nothing to worry about!"
"If I were to worry about anyone, it'd be his enemies!" A complained. "I'm just wondering, how much longer until he comes back? How much time do we have to prepare?"
Dodai remained silent. How would I know?
"Forget it, I knew asking you was pointless!" A sighed. "It's already been eight years, yet I still feel caught off guard by that meeting he held right before leaving, where he mentioned the next Alliance Leader!"
Admiringly, Dodai remarked, "To be able to let go of power like that—he truly deserves the title 'Leader-sama'!"
A nodded. "He's the only one in this world who truly earns my admiration!"
After this moment of admiration, Dodai asked, "Raikage-sama, regarding the election, how confident are you?"
A pondered briefly. "Don't even mention those five candidates nominated by the Small Ninja Villages. Among the Five Great Hidden Villages, Onoki is old and frail—what qualifications does he have to compete with me? As for Rasa, he's just a sycophant, skip him."
"Mei Terumi, although just a woman, is precisely because she's the only female among the Ten Elders that most female members in the Alliance will likely vote for her, making her a troublesome opponent."
"As for Minato Namikaze, he is truly my biggest rival in this election, since he received the title of Hokage directly from Leader-sama!"
Dodai nodded. "I heard that according to the betting percentages at the bookmakers, fifty percent are betting on Hokage-sama, thirty percent on you Raikage-sama, and twenty percent on Mizukage."
"What?" Startled and angry, A accidentally got crushed by gravity pressure but struggled to lift his head. "There are so many people who think Minato Namikaze will win over me?"
He had previously thought the odds were in his favor, estimating a four to six split between Minato and himself!
Dodai tactfully reminded him, "When it's not directly related to themselves, people tend to choose what appears more appealing."
A's face darkened. "You mean to say that pretty boy Minato is more popular than me?"
Dodai looked speechless. Raikage-sama, where in the world did you get the confidence to even ask that question?
Outside of Cloud Village's preference for muscular warriors, to ninja from other villages, Minato completely wipes the floor with you!
As if reading Dodai's mind, A demanded, "Then is there absolutely no way to get them to see past appearances and judge the real me against him?"
Dodai remained silent for a moment before replying, "There isn't no way to boost your popularity."
A immediately perked up. "What way? Speak quickly!"
Dodai said, "Ninjas ultimately respect strength. If the Raikage could defeat him publicly in front of everyone, naturally people will support you!"
A hesitated. "But what reason can I use to fight him? And he's got the [Flying Thunder God Technique]—I can't even stop him!"
Dodai grinned. "Restrict the Flying Thunder God Technique by using a tournament-style match. As for an excuse, we can simply call it the 'World's Strongest Ninja Tournament!'"
"As long as the Raikage can claim the title of World's Strongest Ninja, during the election naturally everyone will cast their votes for you!"
"The World's Strongest Ninja!" A repeated excitedly, then slightly hesitated. "Not a bad idea!"
"Isn't the title 'Number One Under Heaven' a bit too boastful? If I take that title, what would that make the Leader?"
Dodai gave him a strange look. "Do you even need to ask? The Leader naturally stands above heaven itself!"
A's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected this meeting to have any ass-kissing vibes either!
Seeing A stay quiet for a while, Dodai asked, "Can't do it?"
"Let's go for it!" A declared firmly. "At the next meeting, I'll bring it up!"
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