Black Zetsu Seeks Cooperation

In another Hokage world, at the center of the ruins of ancient Loulan City.

The city of a thousand towers that had once soared into the sky was now nothing but broken walls and rubble.

The eruption of the Dragon Vein's energy a minute earlier had been like a colossal beast turning over beneath the earth.

Where the purple energy had shot into the sky, it had blasted open a massive sinkhole more than two hundred meters across, so deep the bottom could not be seen. Sand and shattered stone were still sliding down from its edges with soft rustles.

The air was thick with the mixed smell of scorching and dust. The blazing sun baked the ruins, and even the wind carried a dry heat.

"Careful, Sai."

In midair, a Giant Bird drawn in ink spread its wings and circled.

Sakura clutched Sai's shoulder tightly on the bird's back, lowering her head to look down at the heart-stopping sinkhole below.

"Understood." Sai nodded expressionlessly, controlling the "Super Beast Imitating Drawing: Bird in the Clouds" beneath him to slowly descend.

His gaze also swept sharply over the ruins below, alert for any possible danger.

Just moments ago, the Sunagakure rogue ninja Mukade had undone the seal on the Dragon Vein, and the berserk purple energy had swallowed Captain Yamato and Naruto.

As soon as the Dragon Vein's purple light dissipated, the two of them had hurried down to check on Captain Yamato and Naruto.

"Descend," Sakura said in a low voice.

Sai controlled the ink bird into a dive, flying toward the bottom of the sinkhole.

At the center of the pit, they could vaguely see a shattered circular altar, along with two figures collapsed on the ground.

"It's Captain Yamato and Naruto!"

Sakura's eyes lit up. Without waiting for