Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 402

Shikamaru stroked his chin, his eyes sharp: "What about the power? Is it controllable?"

"Completely under control!"

Fang Zhu nodded vigorously, his finger sliding across the control interface, the data on the projection changing rapidly: "We can freely adjust the output power according to the target size and defense strength."

"The minimum power is enough to accurately eliminate a single enemy, avoiding harming innocent bystanders. The maximum power..."

He paused, took a deep breath, and his tone became extremely solemn: "...Based on our initial simulations..."

"If energy consumption and gun body wear are disregarded, the output power will be increased to the limit."

"Its instantaneous destructive power will surpass the chakra cannon that the Hidden Cloud Village created to deal with the threat of celestial bodies!"

"Enough... to destroy the entire moon in one strike!"

A brief, deathly silence fell over the research lab.

Destroy the moon with a single blow?!

This level of destructive power has exceeded most people's understanding of "ninja tools" and has entered the realm of strategic deterrence weapons.

Sasuke looked up at the structural diagram and said calmly, "It seems we finally have a trump card that can make them feel pain."

The adult Naruto stared at the projection, his brows slightly furrowed.

While possessing such immense power is certainly reassuring, the responsibilities and potential risks that come with it are also enormous.

He said in a deep voice, "The control of this weapon must be classified as top secret, and the access permissions must be strictly limited."

"It should be a shield of protection, not a spear of conquest."

"Understood!" Fang Zhu replied.

A remote, desolate land corrupted by the power of the divine tree.

In the core area, beneath a giant tree, Shi Luo slowly opened his eyes, which seemed to contain endless void.

He had just learned through the Claws scattered throughout the ninja world and certain secret channels that Konoha was developing the "Chakra Tailed Beast Cannon".

An indescribable sense of irritation and a trace of... extremely faint apprehension, which he quickly suppressed, swept through his mind.

"Hmph... Chakra Tailed Beast Cannon?"

Shi Luo's deep voice echoed in the empty space.

With a cold disdain, yet containing a hint of solemnity: "Mere ants, a dying thing struggling..."

However, reason told him that this was not a simple death throes.

Those humans whom he regarded as inferior beings not only built a defensive system capable of withstanding attacks from his subordinates in less than half a month.

They've actually started developing weapons that could directly threaten his very existence!

The weapon simulated the extreme destructive power of the Tailed Beast Ball, combined with that incredible precision strike technology.

Once formed, it would indeed be capable of inflicting severe damage, or even... worse, on his not-yet-fully-recovered body.

The speed and focus of this research and development made him feel an offensive anger, as well as a sense of vigilance against unknown threats stemming from his very life instinct.

"Humans... are such a terrible kind of 'weak'."

Shi Luo came to this contradictory conclusion.

Individual strength is clearly no match for him, as insignificant as dust.

But they always manage to create weapons powerful enough to kill gods by relying on their so-called "wisdom," "unity," and "technology."

This "possibility"—born from extreme weakness and capable of overturning the balance of power—made him, an inherently powerful being, feel extremely uncomfortable and disgusted.

He subconsciously touched his neck.

Although the place has been regenerated, the experience of being forced to fight for survival by that blond kid and his companions last time is still there.

It remained etched into his perception like a nightmare.

That was the biggest setback he suffered after arriving in this world, and it severely delayed his recovery to his peak condition.

Destroying the development of that weapon and nipping the threat in the bud is the most rational choice at this moment.

A sharp killing intent flashed in Shi Luo's eyes.

But soon, this murderous intent was suppressed by reason.

He has not yet recovered to the point where he can ignore all traps and attacks and forcefully storm the heavily protected and heavily fortified Konoha Village.

And to the extent that they precisely located and destroyed that deeply hidden research and development base.

Acting rashly could very well put us in a passive position again, or even result in more serious losses.

"We can only... wait."

Shi Luo closed his eyes, forcibly suppressing the restlessness in his heart, and sank his consciousness into a deeper state of recovery.

The surrounding natural energy, as if drawn by a black hole, surged wildly into the enormous divine tree within his body.

It accelerates the healing of its origin and the accumulation of power.

He needs time, he needs to recover to a state where he can completely crush any resistance.

Until then, he could only endure it.

He honed the blades that were meant to harm him, making them even sharper, targeting those he considered "weak."

This forced waiting was undoubtedly an ordeal for Shi Luo, who was used to overwhelming others with absolute power.

Chapter 426 Returning to the Past

Konoha Village spent several more days in a state of high alert and intense research and development.

Outside the defensive barrier, there were still occasional, harmless harassments from claws and grime, but none of them could shake the solid barrier.

The development of the Chakra Tailed Beast Gun has entered the critical stage of data simulation and core component forging.

The entire village was like a finely tuned machine, making final preparations for the final battle.

On this seemingly ordinary day, the time-space tortoise—Li—that had been carefully kept by the young Naruto, was...

Finally, it awoke from its long period of restorative slumber.

A faint but steady radiance flowed across its ancient tortoise shell, and its telepathic message directly reached the mind of young Naruto:

"Kid... you've almost finished accumulating energy."

Li's voice still carried a hint of languor: "This time the positioning should be much more accurate, and it can directly lock onto your original era coordinates without too much error."

Young Naruto was overjoyed and quickly asked in his mind, "Really? Can it be pinpointed to the exact time I left?"

"Well..."

Li paused, seemingly sensing something carefully: "It's a bit difficult to be accurate to the second."

"There are too many variables in time travel, especially long-distance jumps across time and space."

"There might be a one-day error, or... there might be a deviation of several months."

"But it will definitely be in the not-too-distant period after you leave, not decades or centuries later."

Upon hearing this answer, young Naruto was not disappointed at all; instead, he breathed a sigh of relief: "A few months? That's no problem at all!"

"As long as I don't go back and see that Sasuke guy who's several years older than me, with that arrogant look on his face, making me call him 'Sasuke-nii-san' (older brother Sasuke)!"

As he spoke, Sasuke's face, which looked several years older than his own, appeared in his mind.

Looking down at the terrifying scene before him with an even more condescending gaze, he couldn't help but shudder.

As long as the timeline isn't too outrageously messed up, he can accept it whether it's a day or several months.

Now that his return date was set, the young Naruto decided not to delay any longer.

He first found his core friends, including the adult Naruto, Boruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, and informed them of Li's awakening and impending return.

"Are we going back...?"

The adult Naruto looked at the young man in front of him who looked exactly like him when he was young, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

There was a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, mixed feelings) about this peculiar experience, an expectation for one's "past" self, and a hint of envy that was barely perceptible.

I envy him for being able to return to that era before everything happened, a time full of infinite possibilities.

"Ah, it's time to go back."

Young Naruto nodded vigorously: "After staying here for so long and seeing so many things, it's time to return to my own battlefield!"

"As for the future, you must defeat that guy Shiro!"

Boruto looked at the young Naruto, his father from the past, the father who had fought alongside him.

He stepped forward, patted the young Naruto firmly on the shoulder, and a look of trust shone in his remaining left eye: "Don't worry, Dad, leave this to us!"

"When you get back, keep up the good work! Don't forget to bring the intelligence back with you!"

Sasuke maintained his concise style: "You write the history of the past. We will solve the crises of the future."

Sakura's eyes reddened slightly as she stepped forward and gently hugged the young Naruto: "Be careful! When you get back... take good care of yourself, and also of us from that era."

Then, the young Naruto found the light.

She sat quietly under the veranda, watching Mondeo playing in the courtyard and the occasional Konoha ninja passing by.

Young Naruto walked over and sat down beside her: "Li has recovered, and I will soon be returning to my original era."

He paused, then looked at her earnestly: "Do you... want to come back with me?"

Almost without hesitation, Hikari turned her head and met the gaze of the young Naruto.

Her clear eyes held an unwavering determination: "Yes, we'll go together. It's a promise."

For her, although she met Boruto and felt warmth in this era, it was ultimately not her final destination.

After making the decision, it was time to say goodbye.

Young Naruto, carrying a radiant light, bid farewell to each of his friends from this era.

Finally, he went to the Hokage's office for his final and most important farewell.

With oneself in this era.