"[Partial Multi-Size Technique]!"
Akimichi Choza let out a low shout.
His arm suddenly swelled, transforming into a gigantic palm that crashed down on the Puppet swarm like a wall of flesh.
Aburame Shibi brought his hands together. "[Secret Technique: Insect Sphere]!"
Countless black Kikaichū poured from his sleeves, forming a twisting black storm that instantly enveloped several Puppets. The insects gnawed through the chakra threads connecting the Puppets' joints, producing a teeth-grating crackling sound.
"Bang! Bang!"
The struck Puppet soldiers fell apart into scattered pieces, while the rest were disrupted by the insect swarm, their movements slowing.
The blond-haired boy took the opportunity to leap out of the encirclement. He stared at the three sudden arrivals with a look of astonishment.
Scratching his head, he curiously examined the oddly shaped Puppets. "Strange, why did these guys suddenly become so troublesome?"
"These Puppets have been strengthened by the Dragon Vein's chakra. You can't judge them by ordinary standards."
Minato's voice came from behind the boy. He did not remove the mask from his face, merely revealing the forehead protector on his head to prove his identity. "We're Shinobi from Konohagakure too."
For some reason, as Minato watched the boisterous blond-haired boy before him, an inexplicable sense of familiarity welled up inside him. It felt as though he had seen him somewhere before, yet he had no clue where.
He stepped forward and checked the boy's injuries. Seeing that his thigh had been cut, he took a bandage from his ninja tool pouch and wrapped it around the wound. "This is Rōran. We're carrying out a mission here. You're fine now, so leave this place as soon as possible."
"Rōran?"
The blond-haired boy—Naruto from the future—looked utterly confused. "Mister, who are you people? Why are you here? What exactly happened here?"
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