Kakashi's stern expression did nothing to discourage Naruto. Instead, Naruto immediately ran toward the Hokage Tower.
Kakashi didn't stop him. Even if he did, Naruto would just try again later.
"In that case, we'll be going," Nagi said calmly, bidding farewell to Kakashi and Shiranui Kūra as he left with Sasuke.
"Kakashi-sensei," Kūra added, "Ino asked me to go shopping with her this afternoon. I'll head out first."
With that, she left as well.
Watching everyone depart, Kakashi sighed.
"…I should replace Rin's flowers."
He turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Hokage Tower
"Why, Granny Tsunade?! Why won't you tell me what Nagi and Sasuke are doing?!"
Naruto stood before Tsunade's desk, shouting.
"Naruto, how many times must I repeat myself?" Tsunade replied firmly. "Their work is classified. It cannot be disclosed."
"But Granny—!"
"Naruto," she cut him off sharply, "I am the Hokage. You will obey."
"…I understand."
Naruto wasn't foolish. Seeing the seriousness in Tsunade's expression, he realized that Nagi's work must be extremely important.
Meanwhile, Nagi and Sasuke turned down a secluded corner of the village.
With a flicker of space-time ninjutsu, they vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
A moment later, Kūra cautiously peeked around the corner.
"Huh? Where did they go?"
The Days That Followed
In the days that followed, Kakashi led Naruto and Kūra on missions as usual.
Sasuke trained alongside Nagi at Orochimaru's laboratory. Occasionally, the two would spar—but Sasuke always ended up on the receiving end.
Orochimaru frequently put Sasuke through various forms of training, followed by physical examinations and data analysis.
Afterward, Orochimaru and Nagi would review the results together, occasionally nodding as they discussed their findings.
One Afternoon
One noon, Naruto went to Nagi's house and was surprised to find Sasuke there as well.
Nagi told Naruto to wash up first.
After washing, Naruto was about to ask Sasuke how he had been—
Only to see Sasuke and Nagi working together in the kitchen with seamless coordination, preparing a meal in quiet understanding.
At the table, the two ate calmly.
During this time, Sasuke had grown accustomed to living and training alongside Nagi.
Training. Improving. Having someone there.
It wasn't so bad.
Yes, he lost every sparring match against Nagi. Yes, Orochimaru sometimes made him undergo strange procedures before conducting examinations.
But he didn't dislike this life.
Watching them, Naruto felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest.
Still, he forced a grin and began enthusiastically recounting what had happened on his recent missions.
After eating and chatting for a while, he headed home.
As he looked back at Nagi and Sasuke standing at the doorway to see him off, he couldn't explain why he felt so uneasy.
Classroom Commentary (Meta Observation)
Mikoto Uchiha: "Thank you, Nagi. I can tell Sasuke hasn't been this at ease in a long time."
Sasuke Uchiha: "M-Mother! I'm not—"
Mikoto: "Yes, yes. Our Sasuke is just being tsundere."
In the classroom, Sasuke wished the floor would swallow him whole.
Several girls glanced between Sasuke and Nagi, feeling an odd sense of irritation.
Naruto crossed his arms.
"Hmph! Sasuke, I'm Nagi's best friend! You can only be second!"
Sometimes those involved are blind to their own feelings—while outsiders see clearly.
Even Naruto could tell that the version of himself in the footage felt a hint of jealousy watching Nagi and Sasuke train and cook together.
Sasuke snorted.
"Hn. The Naruto in that video still doesn't even know what Nagi actually does."
"Shut up, Sasuke!"
Their eyes met, sparks flying.
A Flash in the Sky
One day, a brilliant flash split the sky.
Two figures descended from above, hovering briefly before touching down.
They appeared to be around Naruto's age.
One had short, radiant blond hair, bright blue eyes, fair skin, and refined features.
The other had long black hair and narrow eyes framed by long lashes, giving him a composed yet delicate appearance.
They leapt upward again, reappearing atop a high structure.
The black-haired boy surveyed the surroundings with curiosity, while the blond remained calm and unreEidable.
Unfolding a fan, the black-haired boy said lightly,
"How interesting. So this is KonohagaKūre?"
He then pulled a small turtle from his pocket—a pink-bodied turtle with a blue shell.
"Karasuki. Is this KonohagaKūre?"
The turtle replied:
"Yes. However, due to significant spatial displacement, the time coordinates have shifted.
We have arrived during the era of the Fifth Hokage. Urashiki Ōtsutsuki-sama originally targeted Naruto Uzumaki's childhood.
Because of an error during space-time transfer, we have arrived somewhat later than intended.
Urashiki-sama will appear in a few days.
Most importantly: the information you possess may only be conveyed to Nagi-sama. Nothing more. Excessive disclosure could severely disrupt the future."
"…Understood."
The turtle—Karasuki—was placed back into his pocket.
Reactions Across the Shinobi World
Ōnoki: "What?! The future visitors in our world aren't Sasuke and Boruto?!"
Shika Kū Nara: "Which means… our future may differ from theirs."
A (Fourth Raikage): "The Leaf's strategist makes sense."
Kūshina Uzumaki: "Aw, it's not Boruto? I wanted to see our grandson!"
Minato Namikaze: "Kūshina, let's focus on identifying these two first."
Hashirama Senju: "Don't you think they resemble my grand-disciple?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Now that you mention it… they do."
Indeed, once it was pointed out, many noticed—
The two boys bore a striking resemblance to Nagi—without his glasses.
Naruto Uzumaki: "Haha! Could they be Nagi's kids?"
Nagi: "…Well…"
Mito Uzumaki: "They must be. I refuse to believe such a well-behaved child would follow his teacher's example and remain single his entire life."
Tobirama Senju: "Sister-in-law, I was occupied governing the village and researching forbidden techniques. I hardly had time for such matters."
Hashirama: "What?! Tobirama, you never married? As your older brother, I must speak with you about this!"
Tobirama: "Brother, be quiet! This is not the time—"
Hashirama: "No, I insist! And Nagi—don't follow Tobirama's example. Listen to your grand-uncle and find a suitable partner in the future."
Nagi: "…Perhaps we should continue watching the video."
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