Kaiji cursed inwardly. 'Not only did we reach Loran City on the night of movie events, but even at the time when the fight is taking place,' he thought, recognizing the unfortunate timing.
'What a bad luck! However, it might be end of battle from the condition of City...!'
ROAR!
While the team was momentarily stunned at the sight they had witnessed in front of them—
Not the one they expected, a large building in the city overflowing with colors—
A guttural roar, an unholy sound, was heard from the center of the city.
"Looks like fighting might be involved in the mission after all!" Haruki said, sounds like stating the obvious.
"NO!"
Pakura replied quickly, her voice firm and decisive.
She stated, "Our mission isn't involved in anything happening in the city. We just need to keep an eye on those Leaf Ninjas who are probably the reason of all this, and gather information..."
Her voice remained devoid of any emotions, emphasizing the professional detachment required.
Maki spoke, her face grim with concern for others.
"But sensei," she argued softly, "there might be civilians who needs our help, eve... even if it's not our mission we should protect those who are innocent..."
Even though the city looked like ruins now, it was obvious that there would be a few survivors there around the city.
Pakura shook her head, dismissing Maki's plea. "No, we shouldn't," she said.
"You might injured yourself in process. Look down on ground, it's rumbling, and we are not even close to the city gates.
Whatever kind of battle happening there isn't something you should involve yourself with."
Even though others were also agreeing with Maki's sentiment, they also knew that what Pakura said was correct and logical.
Kaiji was also happy with her decision, understanding the strategic importance of their non-interference.
But deep down, even though he cursed about their luck regarding their arrival time, he wished to see Minato, Naruto, and other characters personally now.
Even if it was dangerous, the curiosity of an anime fan compelled him.
He wanted to see how they looked in person, aside from the animation type he had seen in his past life.
He asked, "What do we do then?"
In response, Pakura closed her eyes for a few moments, in contemplation.
Then, she replied, opening her eyes.
"We will move towards the location of the battle and observe it from the distance..."
Then she glanced at the team and said in a sharp and commanding tone, leaving no room for defiance,
"DO NOT try to engage directly or even indirectly in the battle that is happening there... UNDERSTOOD?"
Under her commanding tone, the Genin flinched and nodded immediately.
Maki, as well, did not try to argue anymore and started following Pakura's lead.
The team, following Pakura's lead, moved towards the center of the city from where explosions were occurring.
They witnessed a large-scale attack: a massive arm of puppet in appearance sweeping in the open air within the ruined city's central area.
The team saw the green eye light of a colossal defensive puppet, like a tower structure, emitting a unique and raw powerful energy—the energy of Ryūmyaku.
'So this is the chakra source of Loran City that Kazekage-sama told me to collect information on!' Pakura thought, recognizing the energy.
She stopped on the top of a now half-buried building of the city, approximately a little more than 750 meters away from the fight scene.
All eight Genin also stopped behind her, looking ahead.
Haruki asked, still trying to grasp the situation, "Are we going to look from here?"
Ryu added, straining to see.
"I didn't properly see what going on there aside from few small appearance of blonde hair fighting this titan size puppet with um.. small amount of people in rags."
Mukade said, slightly stammering, his voice filled with awe and disbelief, "Can puppetry be this powerful of a technique? It's even looks like that puppet is made from tower's structure."
Pakura nodded, confirming their observation point.
"Yes, and we are going to look from here," she stated.
"If we go further close, we might be swept in that fight unwillingly."
Even though the distance was quite far, with the added darkness of night time and the ruined city, plus the battle taking place from the ground of the central plaza of Loran City which was slightly low, it was difficult to see properly for the Genin.
But that was the only case for the Genin, not Pakura; she could clearly see much clearly what was going on there.
Kaiji also could see, not because he was able to see clearly, but rather because he knew who they were from his memories.
One blonde-haired figure in black Anbu clothes was Minato Namikaze, and the other shining blonde-haired figure with an orange jumpsuit was none other than Naruto Uzumaki.
A small smirk came on Kaiji's face, even though he couldn't see them clearly.
A nostalgic feeling washed over him, being just some distances away from the main and his one of the favourite character—
He had only seen on screen in his childhood to adulthood, from Classic Naruto to Boruto.
Nostalgia hit him hard, and the smirk came automatically, but he quickly washed it off, not letting anyone see it.
Nao, Maki, Renji, and Misa also shared their views on the current situation and had solemn expressions from looking at the condition of the city.
Pakura was fully focused on the fight, rather more on the Ryūmyaku's energy that was coming from this titan puppet created from the tower's various parts and materials.
Not only did that Puppet have a large armored presence, it also had great regeneration abilities, allowing him to repair and rebuild the puppet where damaged by the Leaf Ninjas.
'I need to inform this to Kazekage-sama, this power can help Sunagakure in future.' Pakura thought, a strategic glint in her eyes.
•••