bookbashuk Page 289
Page 289
After all, his origins were unknown; he appeared suddenly and even claimed to be a ninja.
Under normal circumstances, how could a princess of a country be so unguarded?
Sarah stopped and turned around. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dancing on her long red hair.
She looked at Naruto, her clear eyes filled with no doubt or scheming, only a pure, almost naive trust and goodwill.
She slightly raised her chin, her face radiating an innate nobility and tolerance.
Her voice was clear and firm: "My mother said that I can be friends with people from any country, even if this expectation and trust has been betrayed a thousand times."
"Therefore, we should not close our hearts and refuse the next opportunity to extend a hand of friendship."
She paused, then gave Naruto a bright, untroubled smile: "Besides, my intuition tells me you're not a bad person."
These words, this unreserved trust, were like a warm current, instantly striking the softest spot in Naruto's heart.
He thought of Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Jiraiya, Sasuke, Sakura, and everyone else.
A deeply moved and radiant smile spread across his face as he exclaimed, "Your mother... is truly a great woman!"
The Loulan Queen, whom I never met, was definitely a leader worthy of respect for being able to raise people with such a broad mind.
Sarah was even happier to hear someone praise her mother than to hear herself praised. She nodded vigorously, her smile blooming like a flower: "Right!"
At this moment, the confusion and unease of traveling through time and space seemed to be greatly alleviated.
Looking at the kind and warm-hearted foreign princess before him, Naruto felt his strength return.
No matter what era this is, no matter what has happened, his first priority is to find Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai!
Then, let's figure out a way to get back together!
“Alright! Then I’ll trouble you, Princess Sara!” Naruto followed Sara with renewed vigor.
Chapter 310 The Partner's Location Cannot Be Determined
Following the light-footed Sara, Naruto traversed this miraculous oasis in the desert.
The further you go in, the more obvious the signs of artificial restoration become.
Neat stone-paved roads have replaced the natural dirt paths, and uniquely styled houses have begun to appear on both sides.
The residents wore exotic clothing similar to Sara's.
Everyone bowed respectfully to Sara, while curiously observing Naruto, who was following behind her in strange clothes.
Naruto looked back curiously, and everyone there had a peaceful and content look on their faces.
It was completely different from the exhaustion of people who were constantly on the move to survive in the desert of the Land of Wind.
The power of the dragon vein seems to have truly brought unimaginable prosperity and peace to this ancient city.
Soon, a magnificent palace complex came into view on the horizon.
Unlike the palaces of the Fire Country's daimyo, which pursue ultimate luxury and majesty, this palace blends perfectly with the overall environment of Loulan.
The tall, earthen-yellow walls are carved with intricate and ancient patterns, and the domed building shimmers with a soft luster in the sunlight.
The massive arches and columns appear both grand and elegant.
The palace is surrounded by lush trees and flowers, and even has a small artificial waterfall that cascades down, bringing a touch of coolness.
"So...so awesome..."
Naruto's mouth dropped open, and he exclaimed in amazement like a country bumpkin who had just arrived in the city.
The scene before him was far more breathtaking than he had imagined Loulan to be.
Sarah couldn't help but laugh again when she saw him like that.
He seemed quite pleased with his reaction: "Let's go, I'll take you to see the Empress Dowager!"
The palace guards clearly recognized Sarah, and after bowing respectfully, they let her through.
After passing through several corridors, they arrived at a spacious and bright hall.
The hall was also decorated in a magnificent and ethnic style, with soft carpets, exquisite wall hangings, and a faint fragrance in the air.
On the throne in the very center of the hall, a woman was looking down and flipping through an ancient scroll.
She also had striking long red hair, but it was styled into an elegant and intricate updo, adorned with a forehead ornament symbolizing royalty.
She resembled Sarah by seven or eight points, but possessed a greater sense of maturity, dignity, and accumulated wisdom.
She wore a dark queen's robe, exuding an air of elegance and nobility, commanding respect without being angry.
Sarah, like a happy little bird, joyfully flew over and hugged the woman's arm: "I found an outsider! Someone who fell from the dragon vein!"
The Queen put down the documents in her hand, affectionately patted Sarah's hair, and then turned her gentle gaze to Naruto, who seemed a little uneasy.
Her eyes were sharp and deep, as if they could see through people's hearts, but there was no malice in them. Instead, they carried a sense of scrutiny and curiosity.
Naruto felt a little nervous under her gaze and instinctively straightened his body.
He took a deep breath and tried to recall the etiquette he had used when meeting important figures in the past.
I awkwardly performed a less-than-perfect bow, trying my best to sound respectful:
"Your...Your Majesty, greetings."
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I am a ninja from Konohagakure in the Land of Fire."
He paused, feeling he had to point out the most crucial and unbelievable point, his tone becoming somewhat awkward and uncertain: "However... I may not be from this era."
"Regarding my identity... I'm afraid I can't prove it, so please forgive me."
He was prepared to be suspected, questioned, and even guarded against.
After all, time travel sounds like a complete fantasy.
However, the Queen's expression did not reveal the slightest doubt or surprise.
She nodded gently, her voice calm yet carrying a reassuring strength: "No need to be nervous, guests who have come from afar."
“The power of the dragon vein is beyond imagination. I can sense the residual ‘fluctuations’ on you that are out of place with the current time and space. This is enough to confirm that you do not belong to this era.”
She paused, then added, "You can understand it as the dragon vein itself proving your origins to me."
Upon hearing this, Naruto breathed a huge sigh of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart.
It's incredibly lucky to meet someone who understands the situation and seems to be able to control the dragon vein!
He immediately remembered the most important thing and eagerly stepped forward:
"Your Majesty! Could you please help me find my teammates? We were all swallowed up by that purple light!"
"They must have arrived in this era too! Two men and one woman, all wearing Konoha headbands just like me!"
He pointed to the symbol above his head, his eyes filled with anticipation.
A hint of embarrassment appeared on the Queen's face.
She furrowed her brows slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "Regarding this... I'm afraid I can't comply, Naruto Uzumaki."
"Huh? Why?" Naruto's heart sank.
The Queen explained, "The spacetime transfer caused by the dragon veins is full of randomness and uncertainty in its destination."
"The disturbances during an energy burst, an individual's chakra state at the time, and even a moment's thought can all affect the final time and place of arrival."
She looked at Naruto with a hint of apology in her eyes: "Currently, based on my perception and the feedback from the Loulan barrier, only your 'external fluctuations' are clearly located within the Loulan City area."
“Your companions… they were likely thrown into a much more distant place, or even… at a different point in time.”
“This…” Naruto was completely stunned, his heart sinking to the bottom.
Different time points?
They might not even be from the same era?
This is infinitely more serious than simply being separated!
His perception range is a full five kilometers.
But what if Sasuke, Sakura, Sai, and the others were thrown back a few years or even decades, or into another country thousands of miles away...
Where should he look? And how should he look?
He had originally hoped that this queen, who could control the dragon veins, could help him identify his companions, but now it seems that hope has also been dashed.
A wave of helplessness and anxiety washed over him, leaving him momentarily at a loss. He stood there, stunned, his brows furrowed.
The Queen looked at the boy who had suddenly deflated and seemed to have lost all direction, and a barely perceptible hint of sympathy flashed in her eyes.
She softened her tone and said, "Although I cannot directly ascertain the location of your companions, you can remain in Loulan for the time being."
"I will issue you a special residence permit and send people to gather information in the surrounding areas, with Loulan as the center."
"Be aware of any other oddly dressed or suspicious-behaving outsiders."
"This is the most help I can offer you right now."
This was undoubtedly a ray of light shining through the darkness.
Naruto suddenly raised his head, the disappointment in his eyes lessened, and a glimmer of hope rekindled.
Yes, worrying won't help!
Since the Queen is willing to help with the search, it's better than him wandering around aimlessly like a headless fly!
Moreover, staying in this place that seems to be most closely connected to the dragon vein might even lead to clues about how to get back!
He nodded vigorously and bowed respectfully to the Queen again: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I'm sorry to have troubled you!"
"No need to be polite."
The Queen nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face: "Sarah seems to like you very much as well."
"Use this place as a temporary stop until you find your companions or your way home."
"Sara, take Naruto to the guest room to settle in, and then show him around the Loulan area."
"Yes, Mother!"
Sara happily agreed, pulling the still somewhat dazed Naruto outside: "Come on, Naruto! I'll show you my room! And lots of fun places!"