Kakashi-Five elements

"Ahhh!"

Sarah let out a terrified scream as she plummeted through the air.

Bang!

Moments later, she landed hard on something flat and solid.

"Ouch!"

She winced, rubbing her sore backside as her eyes welled up with tears. But when she looked around and realized what she had landed on, relief washed over her—it was the very iron ship that had brought her to this place earlier.

Standing at the door of the ship was Kakashi, his expression calm. With a simple motion of his right hand, he signaled her rescue.

The iron ship, suspended in midair, glided swiftly out of the secret chamber.

---

"Thank you," Sarah said softly as she jumped off the boat and landed on the shore. Gratitude filled her eyes.

"It was nothing," Kakashi replied casually, barely looking at her. His focus was now fully locked onto the unstable dragon energy.

If the violent chakra from the Dragon Vein wasn't sealed quickly, the entire city of Loulan would be consumed by it.

Sure, they could use the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape unscathed—but the people of Loulan? They would be buried along with their ancient city.

Kakashi made his decision in an instant.

"Minato-sensei, come aboard. I'll take you there!"

As he said that, the iron ship flew toward Minato.

---

"Wood Style!"

A familiar voice rang out just then.

From the rear of the battlefield, a thick wooden bridge suddenly rose from the ground, stretching across the deep pit and connecting directly to the central altar.

"Captain Yamato!" Naruto shouted excitedly, waving as soon as he recognized his teammate.

Ever since they arrived in Loulan, Naruto and Yamato had been separated. Now that he saw Yamato alive and well, a sense of relief settled over him.

Kakashi didn't waste any time. He leaped onto the newly formed bridge. As always, Yamato proved to be Konoha's most skilled builder—able to pave roads through mountains and build bridges over rivers without issue.

Kakashi couldn't help but admire the sturdy wooden path beneath his feet. If Konoha had a civil engineering department, Yamato would've graduated with top honors.

Still, there was no time to linger. Kakashi sprinted ahead, following close behind Minato.

They reached the central altar in a few swift leaps.

---

"I'm about to seal the Dragon Vein," Minato warned. "Stay back, or you might get caught in the technique."

He raised his kunai—the Flying Thunder God blade—and walked steadily to the center of the altar. Before him was a sealed hemisphere, tightly shut like a closed eye.

"Seal!"

Minato formed a quick seal with his left hand and drove the kunai into the gap between the two halves.

Boom!

A dazzling green light erupted the moment the blade struck the core.

Ancient square-shaped runes carved into the altar burst to life with radiant energy, glowing intensely. At the same time, the surrounding deep pits—once brimming with chaotic chakra—began to pulse with the same green light.

The wild energy receded like a tide, pulling back into the earth.

At last, the Dragon Vein was sealed.

The catastrophe threatening Loulan had finally come to an end.

---

"Eh? What's happening to me?" Naruto asked in confusion as his body began glowing with that same green light.

"The technique has activated," Minato explained gently. "Time is returning to its original path. Looks like you're heading back to your own era."

Naruto blinked, realization dawning on him.

"You did a great job, Kakashi. Mission accomplished."

Minato offered a rare smile.

Earlier, hundreds of battle puppets had been poised for a group assault. But thanks to the clever use of explosive tags by Kakashi's clone and Yamato, the enemy base had been blown apart—cutting off the puppets and reducing their threat entirely.

Kakashi sheepishly scratched the back of his head, grinning.

"Well, I owe it to this Wood Style guy I picked up along the way. He really pulled through."

"I was just doing my job," Yamato said, a bit embarrassed by the praise.

Kakashi smirked and patted him on the back like an older brother teasing his junior.

Bang!

Yamato, clearly annoyed, finally snapped. He threw a punch straight at Kakashi's head.

After all, even in the past—or perhaps especially in the past—Kakashi couldn't resist teasing him.

Kakashi was stunned for a moment.

Wow. He really hit me.

Well… maybe he deserved that. In the future, he probably bossed Yamato around a bit too much.

Still, Kakashi chuckled to himself. He wasn't the type to hold grudges.

He can vent now. But next time we team up… he's footing the bill.

Tsk tsk. I really am too kind.

Yamato, meanwhile, felt an ominous chill.

Why didn't Kakashi fight back?

He looked thoughtful… plotting, even.

Yamato gulped. Something wasn't right.

He quickly shook off the feeling.

It must be my imagination. Kakashi-senpai wouldn't hold a grudge… right?

---

Steadying his nerves, Yamato walked over to Minato and bowed respectfully.

"It's an honor to meet you, Hokage-sama."

Minato nodded warmly.

"I'm sorry. But it's time for us to part ways."

---

"Dad!" Naruto suddenly stepped forward and wrapped Minato in a tight hug. "See you in the future!"

Minato returned the embrace, his voice full of emotion.

"I'm so glad I got to see the man you'll grow into."

Moments later, Naruto's body glowed brightly and slowly faded into a beam of light.

He was gone.

---

"Are you leaving too?" Sarah asked softly, looking at Kakashi.

"Yes. The mission is complete. It's time to return."

This journey to Loulan had been fruitful for him.

Not only had he used the power of the Dragon Vein to replenish his depleted chakra, restoring the strength needed for his Hundred Healings Mark, but he had also successfully copied Naruto's Wind Style: Rasenshuriken.

A huge gain.

"But… it all happened so fast." Sarah's voice trembled. "We just met…"

Since her mother's death, Sarah had been alone.

Now, just as she found a reliable ally, it was already time to say goodbye.

Kakashi noticed the sorrow in her eyes and spoke gently.

"You've done everything you needed to. You're already a wonderful queen."

"Even without us… I know you'll be fine."

Sarah looked up at him, touched by his words.

"Will you ever come back?"

Kakashi smiled.

"I will."

"And next time, I'll bring someone with me."

He paused, his expression softening.

"Her name is Lin. She's a girl too. I think you two would get along really well."

A faint warmth flickered in his gaze at the mention of her name.

"Lin? Is she your girlfriend?" Sarah asked curiously, catching the subtle change in his demeanor.

"Haha, not yet," Kakashi replied, scratching his head. "But probably soon."

Sarah chuckled softly. "Then I definitely want to meet the girl who stole your heart."

Despite her teasing tone, there was a flicker of loneliness in her eyes.

But she quickly composed herself.

---

"To avoid changing the course of history, it's better if we erase all memories of this mission," Minato said suddenly.

"I've already set a spell to seal our memories. Are you okay with that?"

Kakashi nodded without hesitation.

Sarah opened her mouth as if to object—but no words came out. She just looked away silently.

Minato knelt and pressed his hand to the ground.

"Sealing Technique: Memory Lock!"

A powerful wave of black energy surged outward, enveloping them.

Just like that, the memories of their time together began to fade—sealed forever in the depths of their hearts.

---

End of Chapter 54: Seal the Dragon Vein, Mission Accomplished!