"Mirror World, huh…"
After returning to his office, Natsuro muttered softly. To be honest, he was quite intrigued by everything in the Mirror World.
From how the Mirror World's Sakura acted toward him, it was obvious that the version of him in that world was no ordinary person.
He was a little curious, if it were the Mirror World version of himself facing his current situation, what kind of choice would he make?
"My world, the Mirror World, the world of young Sasuke, the Dragon Vein world that I altered…" He did a mental calculation and realized there were quite a lot of different worlds.
As for whether the Mirror World counted as an actual world? Natsuro hadn't originally thought so. If Mirror World Sakura hadn't come to their side, he probably would've believed that movie was just an illusion.
But now that Mirror World Sakura had appeared in their world, clearly it wasn't something that could be explained away as an illusion.
And if that was the case, then…
He thought of Obito's plan. If this movie was just a limited version of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, then what about the full version? Would each of the different worlds created by the true Infinite Tsukuyomi also be real?
That was a rather thought-provoking idea.
Also, there was another problem, how could he be sure that, to the people in the Mirror World, it wasn't their world that was real and his that was fake?
"That's kind of interesting," he thought for a while, then looked at Umbreon who was sleeping nearby.
As if sensing his gaze, Umbreon slowly opened its eyes, yawned, and adorably jumped onto Natsuro's shoulder.
Natsuro couldn't help but tease Umbreon for a bit before getting back to business. After all, he had placed his Flying Thunder God mark on Naruto.
Although he had previously tried and failed to sense Naruto while he was in the Mirror World, what if he combined his sensing with Umbreon?
Umbreomn could even help him sense his counterpart in a parallel world, so…
Very soon, he sensed that familiar Flying Thunder God mark, and compared to the version in a parallel world, Naruto's position was much clearer.
If he used the Flying Thunder God technique now, he could travel to the Mirror World.
Just as Natsuro was hesitating about whether or not to go, he suddenly felt a presence link with his own through his sensing ability.
Then, he seemed to see the other person, a figure with exactly the same face as his, but completely expressionless, and with eyes full of coldness.
Natsuro had seen the other version of himself, and it seemed that version had seen him too.
He could clearly feel the message in the other's gaze: You are not welcome here.
Just from that one glance, he could understand why Sakura was so terrified of the Mirror World version of him. Coexisting with such a presence would be stressful. He just didn't know what had caused that version of himself to develop such a personality.
And, he also guessed that the Mirror World version of himself was wondering why he was so laid-back in contrast.
Natsuro withdrew his senses. Since the other side wasn't welcoming him, there was no point in forcing his way over, it would only be asking for trouble.
Rather than going over there, he might as well focus on thinking about what to propose at the upcoming meeting.
The other four Kage had already returned to their villages, and the five feudal lords had all given their approval. Everyone was now preparing to gather and discuss the upcoming war strategy.
Natsuro was still tapping his fingers on the desk. In truth, he knew that the rest of this war would likely come down to displays of personal power; the alliance's movements might not actually matter much.
But the others didn't know that.
So, to demonstrate his leadership skills, he still needed to think things through, he couldn't rely solely on Shikaku's intelligence.
Moreover, compared to Shikaku, he had access to information the other didn't. If he still couldn't outperform him even with that advantage, then that would be a bit disappointing…
While Natsuro was planning things out, over on Ino's side, she was staring at the spot where Sakura had just vanished.
Before Sakura disappeared, Ino had heard her say, "Thank you, Ino. Thank you for being my friend in this world too."
That sentence helped Ino understand why Sakura had been acting so strangely.
But… was the world in Sakura's memories really real?
Ino recalled the impressions Sakura had of their friends. Not to mention anything else, just thinking about a slimmed-down and wise-looking Chōji, and Shikamaru trailing behind him looking like a goof and begging him to go to the barbecue place… Ino felt she couldn't quite accept it.
So, that was probably why Sakura had been so confused in that world, the changes in her friends had made her feel lost.
Ino thought for a moment, since the other Sakura had disappeared, then shouldn't their Sakura have come back?
With that thought, Ino started searching around Konoha for signs of Sakura.
Soon enough, she saw Sakura chatting happily with her parents, and was momentarily surprised. For a second, Ino thought the Mirror World's Sakura hadn't actually gone back.
Because, based on what she knew, Sakura had always had a bit of a grudge against her parents—after all, they loved to joke around and sometimes didn't care about the timing.
"Sakura?" Ino called out.
"Ino?" Sakura looked at Ino, gave her a once-over, and then sighed in relief. "Yup, this is the Ino I remember."
"You're back!" Ino cried out, happily.
"Eh?" Now it was Sakura's turn to be confused. Did Ino somehow know she had seen "Uchiha Madara" and got sent to another world by his jutsu?
Later, Sakura said goodbye to her parents and pulled Ino aside to talk.
That's when Sakura realized, the version of herself from that other world had actually come here! No wonder she'd only seen two Narutos over there… wait, no, it was Naruto and Menma…
But she hadn't seen another version of herself. It turns out she had come to this world.
Then, Sakura also learned about everything Ino and the others had done for her, and that even the Hokage, Natsuro, had come to help.
"He actually came too?" Sakura was a bit flattered.
"Him? Sakura, you too?" Ino was suddenly curious about what the Natsuro from the other world was like.
"Ehehe… I can't help it. The Natsuro from that world is way too dignified. Naruto and I don't even dare raise our voices around him…" Sakura said with a wry smile.
"Really? Now I kinda want to meet that version. But I'm sure he can't compare to my Natsuro," Ino replied with a smile.
"Yeah… actually, I think so too." Sakura looked at Ino, hesitated, but didn't say that the Mirror World's Natsuro seemed to be single. Then again, it made sense, who'd date someone that intimidating?
Sakura looked toward the Hokage Monument and smiled. In the other world, the Fourth Hokage's face was her father's. She used to really like that, being the child of a hero and all.
But as time passed, she came to understand Naruto's feelings. No, actually, Naruto had it even worse, because of the Nine Tails, he was ostracized, and his status as the hero's son was hidden at first…
So, Naruto must have suffered more than she ever did in that short time.
Sakura suddenly remembered Naruto's happy smile in that world, surrounded by Minato and Kushina. He must have understood what it felt like for her to see her parents again too.
"…This is enough." Sakura smiled. She liked her current life. And honestly, she could never accept a womanizing Sasuke.
Sakura's return also meant that Naruto had returned to this world as well.
Not long after, Naruto went straight to the Hokage's office to find Natsuro.
"Hm? Naruto? What brings you here?" Natsuro was a little surprised when he saw Naruto. Then he asked, "You came back from over there?"
"Yeah, just got back," Naruto nodded.
"Did you come to talk about something?" Natsuro asked.
"You're still working?" Naruto didn't answer directly and instead asked a question.
Natsuro looked at the sunset outside and said, "If it were before, I'd be off by now. But with the Fourth War about to start, I've had to work overtime."
"…Natsuro, I want to ask you something." Naruto hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke.
"Ask away," Natsuro said, looking at him, who wore an uncharacteristically serious expression. He wasn't used to seeing him like this, the Naruto in his memory was always carefree and loud, never this somber and thoughtful.
"If you really succeed in unifying the world, Natsuro… will you make it a better place?" Naruto asked.
Natsuro was taken aback. He hadn't expected Naruto to ask something like that. Did something happen to him in the Mirror World?
Natsuro thought about it and grew serious as well. He understood that his answer might determine Naruto's stance on his goals.
After a moment of reflection, he finally said, "I can't say for sure. After all, the future is full of unpredictable changes. But I will definitely do everything I can to make my nation a better place."
Then he smiled and added, "Besides, if things get worse under my leadership, wouldn't that just prove I'm not capable? And I certainly don't think I'm lacking in ability."
Hearing this, Naruto finally relaxed, showing that familiar grin he was used to, and gave him a big thumbs-up.
"Got it, Natsuro. I'll help you, believe it!" Naruto declared.
Natsuro looked at him and asked, "Why did you ask that all of a sudden? Did something happen in that world?"
Naruto scratched his head, then began explaining what he experienced in the Mirror World.
It turned out that in the Mirror World, Konoha had already unified the ninja world. Naruto saw people of all kinds, wearing different clothing, living together peacefully.
That sight left Naruto feeling a little conflicted.
Later on, he met Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki—who, in that world, had mistaken him for their own son.
After accepting their affection, Naruto brought up his doubts and questions to them.
And from them, Naruto received the answer he'd been searching for.
In that world, when Natsuro first proposed unifying the ninja world, Minato and Kushina had actually opposed the idea, and their opinions held great weight in Konoha.
After all, even though Minato wasn't the Fourth Hokage in that world, his strength was undeniable, and he was Jiraiya's student, so his status was still very high.
According to Minato, most people at the time had been against the idea. But the Mirror World's Natsuro stood firm, pushed through the opposition, and carried out his plan to unify the ninja world.
In the end, he succeeded.
The entire ninja world then began a series of reforms, and as Minato watched things improve more and more, his opinion gradually changed.
In response to Naruto's question, Minato said, if the Natsuro of this world is working toward a better future, then it's worth supporting.
After hearing those words, Naruto made up his mind. And as soon as he returned to his own world, he went straight to see him and asked that question.
"I see," Natsuro nodded, a little surprised that the Mirror World version of himself had completed unification already. But he could understand it, his strength had long since reached the level needed to unify the ninja world.
The only reason he hadn't done it yet was because he found it too much of a hassle. His Mirror World self was the opposite, clearly not bothered by trouble and had gone ahead and done it.
"…Did he only unify the ninja world?" Natsuro suddenly asked.
Naruto thought for a moment and nodded. Yeah, just the ninja world, as far as he remembered.
"Oh, then his goal is a little different from mine," Natsuro nodded again. That guy unified just the ninja world, but his goal was to unify the entire world. There was still a significant difference.
"In that case, Naruto, go back and prepare yourself. The stronger you become, the less painful the transition will be when unification comes," Natsuro said. "Since you've made your choice, it's time to start working for it."
"Yes!" Naruto answered loud and clear. For a better future, he would definitely give it his all!
Then, Naruto left.
Natsuro watched his back and smiled. He hadn't expected Naruto's doubts to be resolved in this way.
Thinking about it now, he should probably thank Obito. Without him, Naruto might not have come to a decision at this moment.
Natsuro had already been preparing to lose an ally, but in the end…
Well, he could more or less guess Obito's intentions. He wanted Naruto to get emotionally attached to the Mirror World, then capture him easily and extract the Nine-Tails.
Too bad he hadn't expected Naruto to be this strong.
There was only one downside to all of this, Obito had probably seen the extent of Naruto's power, and from that, he might be able to estimate Natsuro's strength as well.
Which meant Obito would likely be even more cautious from now on.
But Natsuro just smiled. What Obito could calculate was only the past version of him. He of course would only grow stronger and stronger.
Alright then, time to press forward.
Leaning back in his chair, he smiled to himself. Since even the Mirror World version of him had done such a good job, he couldn't afford to fall behind! He was feeling more motivated than ever.
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Currently on Chapter 392 - Jinchūriki... No a Beastchūriki