"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu."
With a single breath, Veigar summoned ten shadow clones.
At present, the chakra within Veigar's body was nine times that of an average shinobi. Reinforcing his physique was merely a matter of time.
"These puppets are in your hands now."
After instructing his clones, Veigar flipped gracefully and leapt down from the tower.
All he needed was a little more time, and he would fully fuse with the Phenomenal Evil Power.
To avoid any complications, Veigar had never intended to complete the fusion atop the tower in the first place.
The central spire, where Ryūmyaku energy was gathered and distributed across Rōran via conduits, that was his true destination.
Above, his shadow clones were locked in a fierce battle with the puppet army, desperately buying Veigar the time he needed.
Ssshhk, sshhk, sshhk…
Veigar landed on the ground outside the central tower, dispelling his Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Boom. Boom. Boom…
Without their targets, the puppets in the sky lost direction. Meanwhile, Veigar lifted a ventilation cover and slipped inside.
He swiftly navigated through the shaft, emerging into the tower's interior. There, he discovered a factory churning out puppet soldiers, and the citizens of Rōran, forced into labor.
Veigar didn't stop to help them. Time was critical.
"There. That's it."
Raising his gaze, Veigar locked onto the top of the boiler fueling the puppet factory. That chamber was brimming with raw Ryūmyaku energy.
"This won't take long."
His small form darted through the center of the facility, avoiding detection as he maneuvered up to the boiler.
"Come, Wind Release: Phenomenal Evil Rasengan!"
No time to waste. The moment his feet touched solid ground, Veigar attacked.
The Phenomenal Evil Rasengan punched straight through the boiler's top, allowing an immense surge of Ryūmyaku energy to be devoured by the Phenomenal Evil Power.
99%. 99.9%.
The energy stored in the boiler far exceeded that flowing through the outer pipelines. Veigar's absorption accelerated exponentially.
As a result, the puppet production line began to falter, clearly impacted by the drain.
Crack… crack… crack…
100%.
At last, the Phenomenal Evil Power had consumed enough.
Phenomenal Fusion—100%.
In that moment, the three fragments of Phenomenal Evil Power, still unfused with jutsu, lifted into the air, hovering around Veigar. They spun gently, as if seeking reunion.
It was as if they had been born from him, and now longed to return.
There was only one way to do that.
Fusion with Ninjutsu.
Simultaneously, Veigar's chakra intensity skyrocketed, now tenfold stronger than before.
Just then, Naruto arrived at the Ryūmyaku control console, with Queen Sara by his side.
Upon seeing her people suffering, Sara had only one thought: seal the Ryūmyaku once more.
She fell to one knee and activated the ancient power in her bloodline.
As the Queen of Rōran, she was born with the innate ability to command and seal the Ryūmyaku.
"In the name of the Queen," she declared.
"I command you: cut off the Ryūmyaku flood. Restrain your might!"
"By decree of binding law!"
With the sealing incantation complete, a surge of power flowed through her lineage. A purple aura formed around her hands, and she pressed both palms onto the console.
Waves of light pulsed outward from her, activating the sealing array. Violet glyphs lit up across the console in response.
In the next instant, the Ryūmyaku control system vanished, and the ancient energy was sealed away once more. The puppet assembly line ground to a halt.
Seeing that the seal was complete, Naruto ran to Sara's side.
"I've sealed the Ryūmyaku. The factory has lost its power source," she said solemnly, gazing at the now-dormant machines.
"That's great! We should use this chance to—"
But before Naruto could finish, a sudden change occurred. Chakra threads erupted, extending from the walls and reattaching to the puppet soldiers.
The abrupt development stunned both Naruto and Sara as they turned to scan the area warily.
"Your Majesty, what are you doing here?"
A large, bloated figure emerged from a dark corridor. Both Naruto and Sara turned to face him.
"Anrokuzan…"
Sara gasped in recognition.
"What? This guy is Anrokuzan?" Naruto stared in disbelief at the now-fat figure. The man who once appeared gaunt and skeletal had gained an astonishing amount of weight in a single day.
Looking up at him, Sara addressed him firmly:
"Anrokuzan, I've severed the Ryūmyaku's flow. I won't allow you to use its power for war."
"As Queen, I command you: halt the puppet weapon project and release all enslaved citizens at once!"
Anrokuzan showed no reaction to her righteous fury. His voice was flat and emotionless.
"So… you found out everything."
"In that case, I can't let you live any longer. A puppet double will do just fine."
"My puppet army is already complete. I no longer need the Ryūmyaku to control it."
Realizing that Anrokuzan intended to kill, Naruto whispered quickly:
"Sara, take everyone and get out of here."
"I'll handle him. No matter what, I'll bring him down."
Understanding that she would only slow Naruto down here, Sara replied softly:
"I understand. Be careful."
Naruto nodded and drew his chakra blade, smirking as he addressed the traitor.
"So… you're really Mukade?"
"You've gotten really fat."
As Sara turned and fled, Anrokuzan stepped forward, a hateful thought crossing his mind:
"Leave it to a Hidden Leaf shinobi, to fill the Queen's head with nonsense."
Then, he spoke aloud:
"It's been six years, hasn't it?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"For me, it was only yesterday!"
"I don't know how you got so fat… but as you admit to being Mukade, I won't let you get away."
Anrokuzan tilted his head and sneered.
"Mukade, you say?"
"I forgot that hoodlum's name ages ago."
Then he roared:
"My name is Anrokuzan!"
"I am now the Minister of Rōran—His Excellency, Lord Anrokuzan!"
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