Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

The biting wind, carrying yellow sand, relentlessly eroded everything in its path, adding to the desolation of the already barren land. But in this lifeless yellow hell, a touch of green seemed all the more precious.

A figure wearing a cloak stood before a vibrant oasis, his eyes filled with undisguised joy, as well as a hint of worry hidden beneath his eyelids.

"Who are you?"

Two men dressed as guards, each holding a kunai (a type of halberd), watched the mysterious intruder warily. They were prepared to sound the alarm immediately if the intruder made any suspicious move.

The mysterious man showed no sign of panic. Instead, he observed the two dutiful guards with great interest, a fleeting look of satisfaction crossing his face. He slowly removed the cloak covering his head, revealing a ferocious blue dragon.

"Good alertness, commendable."

He had made a special trip back to his hometown to inspect the monks. His usually stern face now wore a rare smile. Upon seeing him, the two guards quickly hid their kunai behind their backs, stood at attention in unison, and broke out in a cold sweat.

"Greetings, Lord Kazekage! We were unaware of your arrival and deserve to die!"

"It's alright. I trespassed, so you're pointing fingers at me. What crime have I committed?"

Shamen shook his head, signaling the two greenhorns not to panic, then turned his gaze to the forest behind him and asked,

"Has anything major happened in Loulan recently?"

"Lord Huifengying, all is well."

Faced with the monk's question, the two guards naturally dared not be negligent and immediately nodded in agreement, but soon showed a troubled expression.

"What is it?"

"The problem is that Loulan's current carrying capacity is insufficient, and the newly relocated residents are still homeless."

"Hasn't the Daimyo already allocated funds to build a new residential area?"

Upon hearing this, the monk frowned. How could he allow his fellow villagers to be displaced?

"The funding has arrived, but it's still a drop in the bucket. Too many migrants are joining every day, and the construction speed can't keep up."

The guard gave a bitter smile and explained the reason.

"I understand. Is the City Lord here?"

Having roughly understood the reason, the monk nodded and did not press the two soldiers further on the matter. Instead, he inquired about the situation of the city lord of Loulan.

"Here I am!"

The city lord of Loulan City was a red-haired man of similar age to Shamen. At this moment, he was flipping through the documents in his hands with a troubled expression. A series of deficits on the documents were giving him a headache, and his rugged face showed an undisguised look of fatigue.

"Crunch~"

"Didn't I tell you not to disturb me while I'm working!"

Suddenly, the tightly closed office door was flung open, and the city lord of Loulan City frowned, reprimanding without even looking up.

"Father~"

However, the soft, sweet voice instantly broke down the city lord's resentful expression. His face softened, and he looked up to see a red-haired girl, about five or six years old, leaning timidly against the door, her large, watery eyes filled with worry.

"It's little Sana! Come here, let Daddy give you a hug!"

The city lord smiled and waved to the little girl, his previous fierce expression completely gone.

"Da da da~"

A little girl named Sana came running over with her short legs and plunged into the city lord's arms.

"Father, you haven't been home for several days. Mother and I miss you so much."

"Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll spend more time with you all."

Due to recent financial difficulties, the city lord has had to work overtime to repeatedly check every transaction, eating and sleeping in the office, let alone going home.

"Don't lie!"

Sana, nestled in his arms, puffed out her cheeks like a bun and stretched out her finger to make a pinky promise with him.

"When has your father ever lied to you? Once I'm done with this, I'll take you to the Land of Fire for some honey and ice cream."

"Yay!"

Upon hearing the words "Honey Ice City," Sana's eyes immediately lit up with stars. She raised her little fist and excitedly waved her arms and legs.

"I want to eat so many sundaes!"

"no problem!"

"Bang Bang Bang~"

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted the precious time with his child. The city lord frowned again, about to reprimand him, when he saw a familiar bald man with his hand on the door, looking at him with a mocking expression.

"Shamen! What brings you here?"

Upon seeing the newcomer, the city lord immediately stood up in surprise.

"What, aren't you welcoming old friends?"

Shamen winked nervously.

The little girl in the city lord's arms blinked in confusion, her small hand touching her chin, her delicate brows furrowed into a deep frown, as if she were trying hard to think of something.

"You are... Uncle Bald!"

After about ten seconds, she looked like she had just realized something, pointed at the monk's shiny bald head, and greeted him loudly.

"Little Sana, it's been a long time."

Instead of being angry at the little girl's impolite address, Shamen stepped forward with a smile and patted her little red head, his voice exceptionally gentle.

"Little Sana, you go home now, Daddy needs to start work."

The city lord looked at the smiling Shamen, put down his young daughter, and told her not to disturb the adults' conversation.

"Goodbye, Father; goodbye, Uncle Baldy~"

Sana pouted, feeling wronged. Although she was somewhat unwilling, she still obediently and politely left.

"Little Sana is so easy to take care of, unlike my brat, who's always causing trouble and has recently taken a liking to playing with snakes."

Watching Sana's departing figure, Shamen nodded with some envy. Then, thinking of his own son, he was immediately filled with anger. Indeed, one should not be too competitive.

"Hmph~ Little Sana is the cutest in the world!"

The city lord accepted the monk's praise without hesitation.

"Have some tea."

After discussing education, the city lord got up and rummaged through the tea cabinet for a while, finally finding a pile of leftover crumbs. Without much thought, he simply brewed some for the monk.

"Have you gotten this broke?"

Shamen looked at the coarse tea in front of him with a look of pity. How could the lord of a city not even have decent tea? Just how big of a crisis was Loulan facing?

"It's good enough that there's anything to drink. This is something I'm keeping for myself. I usually just give plain water to people who come here."

The city lord sat down in front of the monk with an air of nonchalance. When he saw that the monk dared to mock him, he rolled his eyes so hard they flew off his cheeks.

The Baolong clan of Loulan and the lineage of the city lord have a friendship spanning over a thousand years. The Shamen (shaman) is a close friend of the Loulan city lord, having grown up together since childhood.

Back when Shamen was still in Loulan, in addition to serving as the guardian of the dragon vein, he also served as the city's defense commander.

According to the title at the time, Shamen was the mighty general of Loulan.

However, the monk who should have dedicated his life to Loulan was persuaded by a shameless scoundrel to leave his homeland and venture out into the world. Fortunately, he made a name for himself, otherwise he would have become a laughing stock among the people of Loulan.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two close friends, who had only met a handful of times in recent years, got down to business.

"Is the money from the prestigious university really not enough to cover your expenses?"

Taking a sip of tea covered in crumbs, Shamen's gaze fell upon the mountain of documents.

"It's not enough. Loulan is just a town, not a country. It can't absorb so many new refugees all at once. Its infrastructure development will always be a step behind."

"Then restrict entry."

"I can't do it. These people are here for Loulan. How can I turn them away?"

Faced with the cruel solution proposed by Shamen, the city lord shook his head and refused.

Most of the people who come to join Loulan now are desert dwellers who live in the desert. They have lived a nomadic life for generations and have no savings. They usually make a living by doing simple labor.

Their arrival did not bring the expected economic benefits to Loulan; instead, it became a burden on the city's development.

However, the Lord of Loulan was a kind-hearted man who could not bear to see these sand people who had come from afar displaced, so he opened the city gates wide to let them settle down.

However, with the influx of more and more refugees, Loulan's already limited space was squeezed even further, forcing it to grit its teeth and undertake a large-scale expansion project. The special funds allocated by the daimyo were insufficient to fill this gap, and the people of Loulan had no choice but to tighten their belts and make ends meet.

"It's all my fault."

Looking at the exhausted Lord of Loulan, Shamen spoke with a hint of self-reproach.

"It's none of your business."

"No, it's all my fault. If it weren't for those oases, Loulan would still be that peaceful border town."

Shamon shook his head, his face slightly bitter, attributing all the blame to the oasis planted by Hashirama Senju.

"Nonsense! The oasis is the most longed-for dwelling place for every citizen of the Wind Kingdom. How can you blame the oasis for this?"

The city lord, who had expected the monk to have some brilliant insights but instead found his thinking to be so narrow-minded, was immediately enraged and questioned him with a very serious expression.

"But."

"No buts. If you still care about your fellow villagers, then get more money for Loulan."

Seeing that the monk seemed hesitant to speak, the city lord waved his hand to stop him, then revealed a shrewd, mercenary expression.

"Even the Hidden Sand Village doesn't have any surplus food."

Unexpectedly, his former friend resorted to moral blackmail, and Shamon showed a very troubled expression. Although he was the Kazekage, the village's financial power was still in the hands of the retired Emperor Retsuto.

Moreover, the village's funds are all used to strengthen the military and protect the Wind Kingdom, leaving no money to help Loulan.

"Forget it, I see you're still as unreliable as before. If you don't have money, you can at least contribute some effort."

The city lord's earlier request for money was just a joke. Seeing the not-so-good-looking Shamen, he quickly changed his mind.

You said you've already come all this way, so what's there to leave behind?

"I was just passing by; there are still village affairs to attend to."

"Get lost!"

"No way! Winter Solstice is coming soon, and I'm starting to miss my sister-in-law's dumplings~"

"As expected, you bald guy, you're still up to your old tricks!"

Seeing the smug expression on the monk's face, the city lord was so angry that his fists hardened, and he wished he could crack open the monk's bald head.

"Haha, just kidding, I'll be leaving in a bit."

Seeing the city lord's eager and ready stance, Shamen laughed out loud from the bottom of his heart, then waved his hand to indicate that he didn't have much time left.

"Forehead?"

The city lord was taken aback upon hearing this, a strange look flashing across his face.

"Stay for a simple meal before you leave, and why don't you go take a look at the dragon vein?"

"It's not too late to save the meal for the New Year; as for the dragon vein..."

Despite his friend's pleas to stay, the burdened monk reluctantly declined. When the topic of the dragon vein came up, he seemed lost in thought, touching his chest and adding inexplicably, "..."

It's always been with me.

Outside Loulan City

The cloaked Shamen walked alongside the city lord. Along the way, they saw many emaciated but bright-eyed Shamin, who were carrying their families and their meager possessions, heading towards Loulan without hesitation.

The sand people of the Wind Kingdom spend their entire lives searching for an oasis, and Loulan, filled with oases, is the highest sacred place in their hearts.

"I'll figure something out."

The monk, who had remained silent throughout the journey, suddenly spoke at the moment of parting.

"No need. Just focus on being your Wind Shadow and don't embarrass the Loulan people."

The city lord looked at the resolute-looking Shamen and felt a surge of satisfaction, but he still shook his head and refused.

We can't let Shamon become a corrupt official in Sunagakure because of them. The village has finally produced a talented person, and we can't let him go astray.

"Sigh~"

The monk sighed, looking at the yellow sand beneath his feet, and suddenly an absurd thought occurred to him.

How wonderful it would be if my magnetic escape technique could manipulate gold dust!

"Stop sighing and complaining. You used to be a mighty general of Loulan, so show some of your general's spirit!"

"General, what a memorable title."

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Hearing the familiar yet unfamiliar title, Shamen felt a sense of realization. His gaze passed over his friend and landed on Loulan, surrounded by lush greenery. His expression gradually shifted from confusion to determination.

"That's right, I am the general who protects everything! The Dragon Vein, Loulan, Sunagakure, and the Land of Wind will all be protected by me!"

tick~

tick~

Am I dead?

In the deep darkness, the monk struggled to open his eyes. Looking at the pitch-black space before him, he subconsciously thought that he had fallen into the Pure Land and was waiting for the cycle of reincarnation in the six realms.

"Hehehe, bald guy, I didn't expect you to be so brave!"

Suddenly, a familiar, high-pitched voice rang in his ears, pulling him back from his fading consciousness. Shamen turned his head and saw a pair of coin-shaped "lanterns" in the darkness.

"I'm sorry, Shukaku, for making you die with me. But you should be able to revive. Next time, remember to find a more reliable partner."

Recognizing the mocking light emanating from the "lantern," Shamen shook his head bitterly, his tone filled with sincere apology.

"."

"idiot."

Shamon's unexpected remarks left Shukaku, who had been accumulating a bellyful of trash talk, somewhat at a loss. After holding it in for a while, he uttered a word with very little offensive power.

"You're right, that's incredibly stupid. The other party is Uchiha Madara, and he's Uchiha Madara fused with the Nine-Tails. How could I dare?"

Recalling his final heroic act before his death, the monk sighed with some regret, but there was no trace of remorse on his face.

At least he dared to face it.

"I don't like hearing that. Are you implying I'm inferior to that stinky fox?"

Shukaku, who had become taciturn, suddenly roared excitedly after hearing Shamon's mutterings.

"That's not what I meant."

That's exactly what you mean!

"I didn't. Okay, that's what I meant, but it's not your fault. It's normal to be timid when facing a stronger opponent."

Shamon, who had originally intended to explain further, suddenly realized that he was already dead, so he decided to stop being polite with Shukaku and start telling the truth.

"Who said that stinky fox is better than me? I'm just worried."

Upon hearing this, Shukaku was furious. How dare he say that he was afraid of that stinky fox Kurama? If it weren't for Indra's consciousness chakra, he would have already fought Kurama.

"Alright, alright, it's too late to say anything now. Thank you for coming to see me off. Hope we meet again someday."

Faced with the exasperated Shukaku, Shamon smiled nonchalantly, waved to his longtime partner, the fat tanuki, and waited patiently for the gates of the Pure Land to open.

"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! You bald, idiotic idiot! You're so annoying!"

Seeing the relieved look on Shamon's face, Shukaku suddenly became agitated. It felt a tremor within its own chakra source, and a strange emotion began to grow within it.

"By the way, after you are resurrected, please take a look at Loulan for me, and hope that everyone can live a better life."

"Idiot, go see for yourself!"

Shukaku gritted his teeth, his coin-shaped eyes fixed on Shamon, but his voice lacked some of its former tyranny.

"ha?"

"roar!"

Just as Shamen was wondering, a deafening dragon's roar suddenly rang out behind him, and the surrounding darkness was gradually dispelled by purple light.

"Dragon vein?"

Hesitantly turning around, Shamen saw the familiar dragon, the embodiment of the dragon vein power that his clan had protected for generations.

"Bald guy, you may look dead, but you're not really dead. This guy pulled you in at the last minute."

Shukaku, its expression now calm, took on the role of explainer beside Shamon, pointing to the dragon vein emanating a mysterious aura, and continued...

"This guy is no ordinary person; you've struck gold."

The power of the Dragon Vein is the residual power at the base of the Divine Tree after the Sage of Six Paths uprooted it. It not only has chakra comparable to that of the Tailed Beasts, but also the miraculous ability to reverse space and time.

"You mean, I'm still alive?"

Shamen looked at his semi-transparent body, scratched his bald head in confusion, and

"Barely surviving, but..."

Shukaku shook his head. Shamon outside was about to be killed by Madara Uchiha, but the Dragon Vein pulled him into a different dimension outside of time just before his death, which allowed the two of them to have a brief exchange.

"But what?"

"You'll still die if you go back. That red-eyed guy has been infected by the Nine-Tails' malice and doesn't know his own strength."

"Oh, this."

Shamen now understands his current situation. The dragon vein has only given him time to give his last words; how considerate!

"roar!"

The dragon vein let out another roar, and Shamen sensed it. Looking at the giant dragon staring at him, his tone was somewhat uncertain.

"You want me to try again?"

The giant dragon formed from chakra nodded.

Although it was just a ball of chakra, it had developed a simple consciousness over the years. The Dragon Clan had been protecting it for thousands of years, and the Dragon Vein had always been watching over it, so naturally it would not abandon the life or death of the Shamon.

"Thank you so much."

The monk excitedly stepped forward and bowed deeply to the dragon vein he had worshipped for many years.

This scene, witnessed by Shukaku, immediately made the petty tanuki feel extremely unbalanced.

"Hmph~ With just that, you'd probably be out of the game in one playthrough on your second try."

With a cold snort, Shukaku curled his lip in disdain.

"What do you mean by this, you raccoon? Don't you dare slander Lord Dragon Vein."

"Huh? You call it Lord Dragon Vein, but I'm just a raccoon?"

Shukaku pointed at himself indignantly, a look of grievance in his eyes, which greatly puzzled the monk.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Not wanting to waste time trying to guess what a tanuki was thinking, Shamon went straight to the point.

"If you call me Lord Shukaku and kowtow to me a few times, I might be able to help you out~"

Shukaku crossed its arms, displaying an arrogant and haughty expression.

"hehe."

The monk had long since lost trust in this two-faced raccoon, so he sneered twice and fell silent. Then he turned to the dragon vein and respectfully said,

"Lord Dragon Vein, I'm ready!"

The dragon vein nodded, and its power began to condense.

"Ah! Wait! Just one kowtow, is that alright?"

After waiting for a long time without seeing the monk perform the traditional three prostrations and nine kowtows, Shukaku stared in astonishment at the monk who was preparing to receive the power of the dragon vein. He quickly lowered his standards.

"Hehe~"

"No, please! Just a little something will do!"

"."

Shamon turned his head away, giving Shukaku no friendly look whatsoever.

"Hey! You bald guy, can't you at least say something nice?"

"The moment you started pretending to be dead, we ran out of things to say."

"ha?"

The monk still harbors resentment towards Shukaku for abandoning him.

"Hmm"

Shukaku looked at Shamon, who was about to merge with the dragon vein, gritted his teeth, and spoke with difficulty.

"Shouldn't this apology from me be enough?"

"Oh?"

Shamon turned around in surprise, looked at Shukaku whose large face showed a wronged expression, and asked in a puzzled voice.

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have run away. Whoever he is, I'll take him down for you!"

A deafening sound echoed throughout the space. Shukaku's words brought a slight smile to Shamon's face. Looking at this sharp-tongued but simple-minded tanuki, he slowly raised his hand.

"Let's go! Let's take our revenge!"

"You damn bald guy, were you just playing me?"

"That's right, it's your fault for betraying your teammates at the crucial moment."

"roar!"

After the man and the beast reached a mutual understanding, the urging voice of the dragon vein sounded again. Shamon and Shukaku exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with surging fighting spirit.

"Since the power of ninjas cannot defeat him, I will challenge him again as a general."

"You stinking fox! Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you've hooked up with a big shot. Mock me? I'll show you who the real Tailed Beast King is!"

"roar!"

"Our theme this time is revenge!"

Shamen, Shukaku, and the Dragon Vein stood together, their beliefs aligned. They transformed into three beams of light that began to intertwine and merge, eventually becoming a darkness as deep as space itself, and vanished from the spot.

[Avenge] (End of Chapter)