At the center of the Rōran Ruins.
Mukade, a missing-nin from Sunagakure, was excitedly searching for something, his entire body vibrating with exhilaration.
"Hahaha, success! I'm going to succeed!"
"The Dragon Vein! As long as I obtain the Dragon Vein, I can rule the entire Ninja World!"
"I am king! I am king!!"
Mukade hid in the shadows, controlling a centipede puppet as it frantically destroyed the ground of the ruins.
"The Dragon Vein should be underground. Damn it, where exactly is it?!"
The centipede puppet stood over two meters tall. Its sharp beast-like legs sliced through the ground like blades. Wherever it passed, ancient buildings that had already been shattered and weathered collapsed and cracked apart, filling the air with dust.
At that moment, Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sai finally arrived as well.
"You're Mukade, the missing-nin from Sunagakure, aren't you? It ends here!"
Kakashi transformed into an agent of justice, ready to punish you in the name of the moon!
The centipede puppet abruptly turned toward them. A rough, chilling voice came from a nearby corner. "You... Konoha ninja? Hmph, you really love sticking your noses into other people's business!"
"I'm going in!"
Without another word, Naruto created a Shadow Clone, formed a Rasengan, and charged forward. "Rasengan!!"
"Idiot."
Mukade sneered as he shifted positions, simultaneously using Chakra Threads to control the centipede puppet. With a powerful tail sweep, it sent Naruto flying.
"Die!!"
Sakura pushed off with the tips of her toes and leaped high into the air, bringing a fist down toward the centipede puppet's head.
Her fist tore through the air with a piercing shriek, sending ripples spreading outward through the atmosphere.
With one punch, the centipede puppet was blasted into pieces.
But in the next instant, Sakura's pupils contracted. The inner walls of the